Jason N Mcconnell

US Patent:

8099204, Jan 17, 2012

Filed:

Oct 22, 2008

Appl. No.:

12/255957

Inventors:

Bryan R. Snyder - Healdsburg CA, US
Anthony H. Heap - Ann Arbor MI, US
Jason J McConnell - Ypsilanti MI, US
Goro Tamai - West Bloomfield MI, US

Assignee:

GM Global Technology Operatons LLC - Detroit MI
Daimler AG - Stuttgart
Chrysler LLC - Auburn Hills MI
Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft - Munich

International Classification:

B60L 11/00
G06F 17/00
B60W 10/04

US Classification:

701 22, 701 51, 477110

Abstract:

A powertrain system includes an engine coupled to an input member of a transmission operative to transmit power between the input member, a torque machine and an output member. The torque machine is connected to an energy storage device. The engine is selectively operative in engine states comprising an engine-on state and an engine-off state. A method for controlling a powertrain system includes determining a first power range for output power of the energy storage device, commanding the engine to transition from a first engine state to a second engine state, and expanding the first power range of the energy storage device and controlling the torque machine based upon the expanded power range of the energy storage device during the transition from the first engine state to the second engine state.