Non-inverted park lock systems and methods include an engine controller configured to control an engine of a vehicle in communication with a separate transmission controller via a controller area network (CAN), wherein the transmission controller is configured to control a transmission of the vehicle; and a conductor connecting the engine controller to a park lock solenoid disposed in the transmission and configured to move a park pawl to engage/disengage park. The engine controller keeps the park pawl disengaged from park during a power loss malfunction at the transmission controller and the transmission controller keeps the park pawl disengaged from park during a power loss malfunction at the engine controller by maintaining hydraulic pressure in the transmission at a threshold level until park is requested via the shifter.

Methods and systems are provided for a vehicle system. In one example, a method may include ascertaining a functional relationship between the driving resistance and the velocity v.sub.veh of a motor vehicle comprising an electrical machine as a torque source for the drive and a storage device for electrical energy.

A vehicle control system increases the travel distance of a vehicle by inhibiting reduction in the SOC of a battery even when the output of an engine is limited. The control system is characterized by comprising: an electric motor that drives a vehicle: an engine that drives a power generator that generates electric power to be supplied to the electric motor; a battery that is configured to be chargeable by the power generator and that is electrically connected to the electric motor; and a controller that controls the electric motor.

A vehicle and method for controlling a vehicle having a traction battery and an internal combustion engine include adapting a power limitation of the internal combustion engine by sensing a currently supplied power level of the internal combustion engine and a current velocity of the vehicle, sensing an ambient temperature of the vehicle and determining an associated ambient-temperature-related weighting factor, sensing an ambient air pressure and determining an associated air-pressure-related weighting factor, determining a thermal load indicator as a function of a ratio of the sensed currently supplied power and the sensed current velocity as well as of the ambient-temperature-related weighting factor, the air-pressure-related weighting factor, and a vehicle-bodywork-related weighting factor, and limiting a maximum supplied power level of the internal combustion engine as a function of the determined thermal load indicator.

A system may include a computer to obtain orientation information of a determined travel route for a vehicle system that includes a first power source and a second power source. The computer may determine one or more energy requirements of a hybrid propulsion system based on the orientation information. The computer may generate a trip plan to control a performance parameter(s) of a hybrid propulsion system and control a stable low temperature combustion. The computer may select at least one of the first power source or the second power source to deliver the one or more energy requirements. A method may include obtaining the orientation information, determining the one or more energy requirements, generating the trip plan, and selecting at least one of the first power source or the second power source. A vehicle system may include a hybrid power source, an electric motor(s), and a computer.

Disclosed are a charging control method and system for a range extend electric vehicle, and the electric vehicle. The control method includes: presetting a first threshold value and a second threshold value and executing the following steps: when the electric quantity of a battery is lower than the second threshold value, performing forced charging on the battery; when the electric quantity of the battery is lower than the first threshold value and higher than the second threshold value, proceeding to a subsequent step to determine whether Pv+Pb.sub.1>Pu is met, Pv, Pb.sub.1 and Pu respectively representing current vehicle driving required power, minimum required charging power of the battery and maximum power of a high efficiency running range of an engine; if not, determining the time as an optimal charging time, controlling the engine to increase the power to Pu, and charging the battery with a power of Pu−Pv; and if so, skipping performing charging, and predicting an optimal charging time for charging according to a terrain condition or road environment ahead. On the basis of the above charging control method, the optimal charging time of the range extend electric vehicle can be predicted, ensuring that the engine runs in a high efficiency power range while charging the battery, and achieving better economic efficiency.

Spark ignition engine operation at higher RPM so as to reduce alcohol requirements in high efficiency alcohol enhanced gasoline engines is disclosed. Control of engine upspeeding (use of a higher ratio of engine RPM to wheel RPM) so as to achieve an alcohol reduction objective while limiting any decrease in efficiency is described. High RPM alcohol enhanced gasoline engine operation in plug-in series hybrid powertrains for heavy duty trucks and other vehicles is also described.

An autonomous vehicle includes a detection system for identifying the presence changes in wind incident on the autonomous vehicle, particularly wind gusts. The detection system may include one or more wind sensors, particularly those configured to detect wind incident on the vehicle from a direction that is transverse or perpendicular to the direction of motion of the autonomous vehicle. Additionally, systems may be present that correlate the detected wind gusts to changes in the behavior of the autonomous vehicle. The autonomous vehicle may react to the detected wind gusts by altering the vehicle's trajectory, by stopping the vehicle, or by communicating with a control center for further instructions.

A system comprises a generator and an engine coupled thereto. The engine is configured to provide mechanical power to the generator. A controller is coupled to the engine and the generator and is configured to compare an engine operating parameter value to a load demand value indicative of a load exerted by the generator on the engine. The controller determines that the engine operating parameter value fails to match the load demand value. The controller determines an engine operating parameter threshold value at which the engine operating parameter value failed to match the load demand value, and sets the engine operating parameter threshold value as a maximum allowable engine operating parameter value for the engine.

At least some embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to systems and methods of online power management for hybrid powertrains. In some embodiments, the hybrid powertrain control system is configured to conduct a brake-thermal-efficiency (BTE) estimation procedure when the powertrain is in operation by operating the hybrid powertrain at a plurality of speeds for a plurality of designated power levels and select certain BTE operating conditions to update the power management.