A hybrid electric vehicle (HEV) and method of operation, which include a cabin, a battery, an emission aftertreatment catalyst, and a thermal management system coupled to a compressor and a chiller that each have cooling capacities and respective refrigerant and coolant distribution systems. The HEV also includes one or more controllers configured to precondition temperatures of the battery, cabin, and catalyst in response to a predicted vehicle start-time and/or a detected action that indicates likelihood of HEV start. The controller(s) utilize respective conditioning profiles for each of the battery, cabin, and catalyst to achieve the preconditioning temperatures at rates adjusted according to power availability from the battery and an external power source. The preconditioning is terminated upon HEV start or if the predicted start-time expires without HEV start. The HEV and method are adapted to learn from changes in actual start-times and driver actions resulting in HEV starts or no-starts.

Systems and methods for starting an engine of a hybrid powertrain or driveline that includes an engine and a driveline disconnect clutch are described. In one example, a motor/generator rotates one side of an open driveline disconnect clutch that is coupled to a transmission, and then closes the open driveline disconnect clutch in response to motor/generator acceleration being less than a threshold.

Systems and methods for starting an engine of a hybrid powertrain or driveline that includes an engine and a driveline disconnect clutch are described. In one example, a motor/generator rotates one side of an open driveline disconnect clutch that is coupled to a transmission, and then closes the open driveline disconnect clutch in response to motor/generator acceleration being less than a threshold.

An internal combustion engine of a series hybrid vehicle starts generating power when a catalyst temperature or a coolant temperature has decreased to an activation temperature or a lower limit water temperature, and stops generating power when the catalyst temperature or the coolant temperature reaches an operation end temperature. A target duration time of EV mode operation is set, and respective temperature decrease rates are used to set the operation end temperature so that a difference in temperature relative to the activation temperature will be ?TC-Ra?Tev, and to set the operation end temperature so that a difference in temperature relative to the lower limit water temperature will be ?TW=Rb?Tev.

A powertrain, a control apparatus, and a motor control unit. The powertrain includes a drive motor and a transmission device. The transmission device disconnects a transmission connection between the drive motor and a wheel based on a result of a comparison between a temperature or a viscosity of a lube oil and a preset parameter value, and a rotational speed of the drive motor varies with the result of the comparison between the temperature or the viscosity of the lube oil and the preset parameter value. The drive motor stirs the lube oil through idling, to make the temperature of the lube oil rise rapidly. The powertrain, the control apparatus and the motor control unit provided can improve fluidity of the lube oil at very low temperatures, so that a lube oil pump can be started smoothly.

A powertrain, a control apparatus, and a motor control unit. The powertrain includes a drive motor and a transmission device. The transmission device disconnects a transmission connection between the drive motor and a wheel based on a result of a comparison between a temperature or a viscosity of a lube oil and a preset parameter value, and a rotational speed of the drive motor varies with the result of the comparison between the temperature or the viscosity of the lube oil and the preset parameter value. The drive motor stirs the lube oil through idling, to make the temperature of the lube oil rise rapidly. The powertrain, the control apparatus and the motor control unit provided can improve fluidity of the lube oil at very low temperatures, so that a lube oil pump can be started smoothly.

A method for preconditioning a vehicle comprising a combustion engine before start by using electricity from an external grid, comprising the step of heating the catalytic converter with an electrical heater mounted inside catalytic converter, where the heater is powered by the external grid. As a result, cold start emissions can be advantageously reduced, and the energy consumption and the exhaust emission of the vehicle can be minimized.

A method for preconditioning a vehicle comprising a combustion engine before start by using electricity from an external grid, comprising the step of heating the catalytic converter with an electrical heater mounted inside catalytic converter, where the heater is powered by the external grid. As a result, cold start emissions can be advantageously reduced, and the energy consumption and the exhaust emission of the vehicle can be minimized.

Methods and systems are provided for restarting an engine when a high pressure fuel pump is degraded. In response to an indication of high pressure fuel pump degradation, fuel may be injected during an intake stroke, rather than a compression stroke, for a selected number of combustion events since the engine restart. By shifting to an intake stroke injection, the engine may be started even when sufficient fuel rail pressures are not available.

Methods and systems are provided for restarting an engine when a high pressure fuel pump is degraded. In response to an indication of high pressure fuel pump degradation, fuel may be injected during an intake stroke, rather than a compression stroke, for a selected number of combustion events since the engine restart. By shifting to an intake stroke injection, the engine may be started even when sufficient fuel rail pressures are not available.