A through the road (TTR) hybridization strategy is proposed to facilitate introduction of hybrid electric vehicle technology in a significant portion of current and expected trucking fleets. In some cases, the technologies can be retrofitted onto an existing vehicle (e.g., a trailer, a tractor-trailer configuration, etc.). In some cases, the technologies can be built into new vehicles. In some cases, one vehicle may be built or retrofitted to operate in tandem with another and provide the hybridization benefits contemplated herein. By supplementing motive forces delivered through a primary drivetrain and fuel-fed engine with supplemental torque delivered at one or more electrically-powered drive axles, improvements in overall fuel efficiency and performance may be delivered, typically without significant redesign of existing components and systems that have been proven in the trucking industry.

The invention relates to a method for increasing the availability of a hybrid separating clutch in a hybrid drive train of a motor vehicle, wherein the hybrid separating clutch is disposed between an internal combustion engine and an electric traction drive. In the method where even in the event of a fault the motor vehicle continues to be driven, the hybrid separating clutch is controlled by a hydrostatic actuator, and when a malfunction of the hydrostatic actuator is detected, for actuation of the hybrid separating clutch which is engaged in the non-actuated state, the last state of the hydrostatic actuator detected by a control mechanism is used for estimation of a minimum clutch torque which can be transmitted.

A power control system may include at least one of batteries, a motor, and a data logic analyzer that can interpret certain variable conditions of a transport, such as a tractor trailer, moving along a road or highway. The data can be used to determine when to apply supplemental power to the wheels of a trailer to reduce fuel usage. One example device may include at least one of: a power creation module that generates electrical power, a battery which store the electrical power, a motor affixed to a trailer axle of a trailer which provides a turning force to the trailer axle when enabled to operate from the stored electrical power of the battery, and a motor controller configured to initiate the motor to operate according to a predefined sensor condition.

Powertrain configurations for hybrid electric vehicles (HEV) and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEV) are disclosed herein. One powertrain comprises: a prime mover; an electric motor-generator, said electric motor-generator mechanically coupled to said prime mover via a first clutch; an electric motor, said electric motor mechanically coupled to said electric motor-generator via a second clutch; a battery, said battery electrically coupled to said electric motor-generator and said electric motor, said battery capable of supplying electrical energy to said electric motor-generator and said electric motor; and a controller, said controller capable of supplying control signals to said prime mover, said first clutch, said electric motor-generator, said second clutch and said electric motor such that said controller is capable of dynamically affecting a plurality of operating modes; wherein further said plurality of operating modes comprises one of a group, said group comprising: all electric mode, series mode, series-parallel mode and parallel mode.

A powertrain for a vehicle includes an engine, a first motor serving as a motor for driving of a vehicle or serving as a generator, a first power transmission mechanism disposed between the engine and the first motor to transmit the power of the engine to the first motor or to cut off transmission of power between the engine and the first motor, a second power transmission mechanism disposed between the first motor and a driving shaft of running wheels to transmit the power of the first motor to the driving shaft of the running wheels or to cut off transmission of power between the first motor and the driving shaft of the running wheels, and a second motor connected to the second power transmission mechanism via a third power transmission mechanism to transmit power to the second power transmission mechanism and outputting power for driving the vehicle and transmit the power to the driving shaft of the running wheels.

A hybrid vehicle comprises an engine, a motor and a meter display device. The hybrid vehicle is configured to display a tachometer on the meter display device in response to selection of a sport mode in a CS mode and to display a power meter on the meter display device irrespective of selection of the sport mode in a CD mode.

A driving force control method is provided for engine clutch slipping of a TMED HEV that includes an engine 10 and a second motor 50, a first motor 30 disposed at a transmission side, an engine clutch 20 interposed between the engine 10 and the first motor 30, and a multi-clutch transmission 35 connected with an output terminal of the first motor 30. The method includes verifying whether a control for maintaining a target speed of the engine is achieved by an engine feedback control or by a second motor torque feedback control and applying clutch pressure for the clutch slipping with hydraulic pressure. When the clutch pressure is applied clutch slipping transmission torque is estimated. Torque of the engine clutch is equivalent to the pressure as a load. Second motor dischargeable limit torque, second motor assist torque, and engine torque are calculated to then execute a slip control.

Systems and methods for operating a hybrid powertrain that includes an engine and a motor/generator are described. The systems and methods provide different ways to transition engine operating conditions between two low engine fuel consumption operating regions that are separated by a higher engine fuel consumption operating region. In one example, engine torque is increased at a higher rate in a fuel economy mode to increase an amount of time an engine operates in one of the two low fuel consumption operating regions.

A power control system may include at least one of batteries, a motor, and a data logic analyzer that can interpret certain variable conditions of a transport, such as a tractor trailer, moving along a road or highway. The data can be used to determine when to apply supplemental power to the wheels of a trailer to reduce fuel usage. One example device may include at least one of: a power creation module that generates electrical power, a battery which store the electrical power, a motor affixed to a trailer axle of a trailer which provides a turning force to the trailer axle when enabled to operate from the stored electrical power of the battery, and a motor controller configured to initiate the motor to operate according to a predefined sensor condition.

A vehicle includes a power plant, an electrical port, and a controller. The controller is configured to transmit a signal to the inverter via a conductor of the port indicating a maximum power available. The signal may be transmitted responsive to indication of an off-board inverter being plugged into the port. The controller may be further configured to complete a circuit between the power plant and the inverter. The circuit may be completed responsive to an expected predefined reduction in peak voltage of the signal caused by the inverter.