A method and apparatus for delivering power to a hybrid vehicle is disclosed. The apparatus includes an apparatus for delivering power to a hybrid vehicle, the hybrid vehicle including a powertrain having a power take-off coupling, the powertrain including an engine and a transmission. The apparatus includes an electric motor operable to generate a torque, the motor being coupled to transmit a starting torque through the power take-off of the powertrain for starting the engine.

A power train for an amphibian operable in land and marine modes includes a prime mover, at least a first land propulsion unit, a first marine propulsion unit, a second marine propulsion unit, and at least one speed change transmission. The prime mover is arranged to drive the at least first land propulsion unit through/via the at least one speed change transmission in land mode, and the prime mover is arranged to drive the first marine propulsion unit and the second marine propulsion unit through/via the at least one, or another, or combinations of, speed change transmission in marine mode. In addition, the present invention provides an amphibian comprising the power train.

A stator for a hybrid electric vehicle combines the best features of complete stators and segmented stators. The bobbins of a complete stator are modified to effectively widen the teeth and thereby reduce torque ripple. Each resin bobbin includes cavities on either side of the tooth. The cavities are filled with a magnetically conductive insert. In some embodiments, a single wedge shaped insert is installed on each side of each tooth. In other embodiments, multiple inserts of varying cross sectional area are installed on each side of each tooth.

A control strategy is provided for a hybrid vehicle that will increase drivability during low or decreasing driver demands. Coordination between shifting the transmission and stopping or (non-demand) starting of the engine can increase drivability. The vehicle includes a motor/generator with one side selectively coupled to the engine and another side selectively coupled to the transmission. The control strategy acts when an engine start or stop is requested while driver demand is decreasing and a shift of the transmission is demanded. To inhibit these events from proceeding simultaneously, the control strategy delays the engine from starting or stopping until the transmission has finished shifting, or vice versa.

A control system that controls a driveline of a motor vehicle to operate in a selected one of a plurality of configurations is configured to receive a brake signal responsive to the application of a braking system. The control system causes the driveline to operate in a second configuration and not a first configuration in dependence at least in part on the brake signal. In the first configuration a first group of one or more wheels and in addition a second group of one or more wheels are arranged to be driven by the driveline, and in the second configuration the first group of one or more wheels and not the second group are arranged to be driven by the driveline.

A geartrain for a powertrain system is disposed to transfer mechanical power between an internal combustion engine, an electric machine and a driveline. The geartrain includes a flywheel, a torque converter, an off-axis mechanical connection and a transmission gearbox. The off-axis mechanical connection includes a first element rotatably coupled to a second element. The flywheel is coupled to a crankshaft of the internal combustion engine. The torque converter includes a pump, a turbine and a pump hub, and the transmission gearbox includes an input member. The pump of the torque converter is coupled to the flywheel, and the pump hub is coupled to the first element of the off-axis mechanical connection. The second element of the off-axis mechanical connection is coupled to a rotor of the electric machine, and the turbine of the torque converter is coupled to the input member of the transmission gearbox.

A method for operating a drive device for a motor vehicle. The drive device has an internal combustion engine, an output shaft, and a clutch connected between the internal combustion engine and the output shaft. In a coasting operating mode, an idling speed control of the internal combustion engine to an idling speed is carried out and the clutch is opened, and, in an overrun operating mode, the clutch is closed. When shifting from the coasting operating mode to the overrun operating mode, while, at the same time, carrying out the idling speed control of the internal combustion engine to the idling speed, the clutch is closed, so that an entrainment of the internal combustion engine occurs.

A method of controlling a hybrid vehicle includes commanding a first electric machine to provide a compensating torque. The compensating torque is based on a calculated cylinder pressure. The calculated cylinder pressure is calculated using a dynamic model. The model has an initializing input of engine crank position and real-time inputs of measured speed of the first electric machine and measured speed of the second electric machine.

A hybrid electric vehicle having a powertrain including an engine and an electric machine, and controllers configured to derate powertrain output torque below a nominal maximum to a fault-torque limit, in response to a vehicle fault or issue. The vehicle and controllers are also configured to transiently increase powertrain torque output above the fault-torque limit in response to a torque demand that exceeds the limit, and which is needed to enable a predicted vehicle maneuver. The controller also establishes a predicted duration for the predicted interim vehicle maneuver and for override of the fault-torque limit and delivery of the additional torque from the torque-demand signal and other signals. The predicted duration includes a time span to maneuver through roadway obstacles and traffic, but does not exceed a limited operation time or a limited power output established by the controller from the vehicle issue or fault identified by the fault signal.

Methods and systems are provided for operating a driveline of a hybrid vehicle that includes an internal combustion engine, an electric machine, and a transmission, where the transmission is downstream of the engine, and where the electric machine is downstream of the transmission. In one example, responsive to a driver-demanded wheel torque that exceeds a capacity of the electric machine, a vehicle acceleration plateau is avoided by transiently connecting a crankshaft of the engine to a low speed input shaft of the transmission while the engine is accelerating to a target speed.