A vehicle propulsion system includes a prime mover having a prime mover output shaft, a continuously variable transmission having a variator input shaft coupled to the prime mover output shaft and having a variator output shaft, a driver torque request module in communication with a driver input and for outputting a driver torque request, an engine backbone in communication with the prime mover, and a transmission backbone in communication with the continuously variable transmission and the engine backbone in the vehicle propulsion system. The transmission backbone includes a positive torque request module that generates a positive torque request, and a positive torque request monitor that limits a torque request from the transmission backbone to the engine backbone to a maximum of a predetermined threshold.

A vehicle is a series hybrid vehicle that drives drive wheels using a travel motor by utilizing power of a power generation motor, which generates power by being driven by motive power of an internal combustion engine provided with a turbo charger. A method for controlling the vehicle includes executing a fuel cut of the internal combustion engine when excess power is greater than at least power that can be inputted in the system and the internal combustion engine is being supercharged.

An output controller for an engine control for an engine system having an internal combustion engine and an electric generator coupled to the internal combustion engine. The output controller including a computing device, an inertia compensator, and an efficiency calculator. The computing device is configured to calculate a target rotational speed for the electric generator and an output torque for the internal combustion engine The inertia compensating device is configured to calculate a torque transmitted to a shaft of the generator and a desired torque for the internal combustion engine. The efficiency calculator is configured to calculate a degree of efficiency of the engine system and to adapt the value for a mechanical target output for the engine system.

A method of controlling launch of a vehicle, may include setting step in which a controller sets a basic target engine speed; a transient control step in which the controller controls a clutch torque based on the basic target engine speed; a transient state determining step in which the controller determines, whether a transition period of change of the engine speed elapsed; a first correction amount determination step in which the controller determines a correction amount; a correction applying step in which the controller adds the correction amount to the predetermined target engine speed and then determines a final target engine speed; an error determination step in which the controller determines the engine speed control error; and a feedback determination step in which the controller uses the engine speed control error and determines a feedback control amount for feedback-controlling a clutch actuator.

A method is described for determining interface conditions between a tire and the ground in a motor vehicle, particularly to determine an onset of an aquaplaning phenomena. The method includes: determining a reference longitudinal acceleration of the vehicle, measuring an actual longitudinal acceleration of the vehicle, calculating a difference between the reference longitudinal acceleration and the actual longitudinal acceleration, determining an additional drag at the interface between tire and ground on the basis of the difference, and a lift at the interface between tire and ground on the basis of the additional drag, and determining a threshold force at which a lifting of the tire from the ground occurs, comparing the lift with the threshold force and determining a degree of proximity of the interface conditions between tire and ground to an aquaplaning condition.

A method is provided for controlling the position of a gearbox actuator in charge of engaging a ratio at the end of a preliminary phase of synchronizing two shafts of the gearbox via a torque-driven traction machine to bring the speed difference of the two shafts within a range enabling the mechanical coupling thereof. The method ensures that the speed measured on one of the two shafts converges with a speed observed as a function of the inertia value observed on this shaft relative to the value expected as a function of the gearbox actuator, and of an estimation of the machine torque.

A method and a system for improving operation of a hybrid vehicle are presented. In one example, torque converter impeller torque from beginning to end of transmission shifting is adjusted in response to variable driveline inertia. The approach may improve transmission shifting and reduce driveline torque disturbances.

A method for determining the mass m of a motor vehicle, in particular a commercial vehicle, is based on the principles of power mechanics. In order to determine the vehicle mass in a simple way as accurately as possible while driving, a speed v of the motor vehicle is determined and a drive power P.sub.A of the motor vehicle is determined. The mass m of the motor vehicle can then be determined from the speed v and the drive power P.sub.A. A device applies such a method, and a motor vehicle includes such a device.

The control system for a hybrid vehicle configured to ensure acceleration of the vehicle is provided. When accelerating the vehicle quickly, a torque command to an engine is calculated by adding a torque corresponding to an inertia torque of the engine that is required to increase an engine speed to the required engine torque. In this situation, a controller controls the engine in such a manner as to generate torque based on the calculated torque command, and controls a motor in such a manner as to generate reaction torque against a required engine torque.

A method is provided for regulating the rotational speed in a hybrid drive of a vehicle having a first drive source, in particular an internal combustion engine, and a second drive source, in particular an electric motor. A rotational speed variable which is a function of a rotational speed of the first drive source and of a rotational speed of the second drive source is determined. The rotational speed of the first drive source or of the second drive source is regulated based on the rotational speed variable for oscillation reduction. The rotational speed variable used is preferably a mean value of the two rotational speeds. The two rotational speeds may be weighted on the basis of inertia in order to form the mean value as well.