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 method for setting a shift point for shifting a transmission for a powered vehicle between a first gear ratio and a second gear ratio. The method includes determining input power data points based on real-time input torque data. The input torque data includes a maximum input torque. The method also includes calculating a gear step value based on the first gear ratio and second gear ratio. The method further includes determining a first power value and computing a second power value based on the gear step value. The first power value and second power value are compared to one another and adjustments are incrementally made in the first power value speed until the difference between first and second power values meets a threshold. The shift point is therefore based on the result of comparing the first power value and the second power value and the corresponding speed associated with the first power value.

A powertrain assembly includes a transmission, an engine, first and second motor/generators and a controller. The controller includes a processor and memory on which is recorded instructions for executing a method for controlling engine pulse torque cancellation commands. The controller is programmed to determine an engine pulse torque (T.sub.P). The controller is programmed to calculate a first motor torque pulse command (T.sub.A) for the first motor/generator as a product of a first gear factor (G.sub.1), the engine pulse torque (T.sub.P) and a first ratio (I.sub.A/I.sub.E) of a predetermined first moment of inertia (I.sub.A) for the first motor/generator and a predetermined engine moment of inertia (I.sub.E). Similarly, the controller is programmed to calculate a second motor torque pulse command (T.sub.B) for the second motor/generator. The controller is programmed to control the first and second motor/generators in response to the first and second motor torque pulse commands, respectively.

A method to control a road vehicle for the execution of a multiple downshift in a drivetrain provided with a servo-assisted transmission; the control method comprises the steps of: detecting a condition of slowing down of the road vehicle and, simultaneously, detecting a driver's request for a multiple downshift; carrying out, in succession, a plurality of downshifts while the road vehicle is slowing down and in an autonomous manner regardless of further interventions of the driver; determining a duration of a shift time interval; and carrying out each downshift following a first downshift when said shift time interval has exactly elapsed since the previous downshift.

A method for operating an idling control device for a motor vehicle. The idling control device specifies a total setpoint torque including a setpoint torque of an electric motor and a setpoint torque of an internal combustion engine which interacts with the electric motor, and sets the setpoint torques by respective control paths. In a first operating mode the idling control device sets a requested total setpoint torque only via the control path of the internal combustion engine by at least one control intervention, and in a second operating mode the idling control device sets the requested total setpoint torque by at least one control intervention via the control path of the internal combustion engine and by at least one control intervention via the control path of the electric motor. The control interventions via the control path of the internal combustion engine consist of at least one predetermined slow control intervention, and the control interventions in the control path of the electric motor consist of at least one predetermined fast control intervention, which intervenes with a higher rate of change over time than the at least one predetermined slow control intervention.

A method to control a road vehicle for the execution of a multiple downshift in a drivetrain provided with a servo-assisted transmission; the control method comprises the steps of: detecting a condition of slowing down of the road vehicle and, simultaneously, detecting a driver's request for a multiple downshift; carrying out, in succession, a plurality of downshifts while the road vehicle is slowing down and in an autonomous manner regardless of further interventions of the driver; determining a duration of a shift time interval; and carrying out each downshift following a first downshift when said shift time interval has exactly elapsed since the previous downshift.

A method for operating an idling control device for a motor vehicle. The idling control device specifies a total setpoint torque including a setpoint torque of an electric motor and a setpoint torque of an internal combustion engine which interacts with the electric motor, and sets the setpoint torques by respective control paths. In a first operating mode the idling control device sets a requested total setpoint torque only via the control path of the internal combustion engine by at least one control intervention, and in a second operating mode the idling control device sets the requested total setpoint torque by at least one control intervention via the control path of the internal combustion engine and by at least one control intervention via the control path of the electric motor. The control interventions via the control path of the internal combustion engine consist of at least one predetermined slow control intervention, and the control interventions in the control path of the electric motor consist of at least one predetermined fast control intervention, which intervenes with a higher rate of change over time than the at least one predetermined slow control intervention.

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 powertrain assembly includes a transmission, an engine, first and second motor/generators and a controller. The controller includes a processor and memory on which is recorded instructions for executing a method for controlling engine pulse torque cancellation commands. The controller is programmed to determine an engine pulse torque (T.sub.P). The controller is programmed to calculate a first motor torque pulse command (T.sub.A) for the first motor/generator as a product of a first gear factor (G.sub.1), the engine pulse torque (T.sub.P) and a first ratio (I.sub.A/I.sub.E) of a predetermined first moment of inertia (I.sub.A) for the first motor/generator and a predetermined engine moment of inertia (I.sub.E). Similarly, the controller is programmed to calculate a second motor torque pulse command (T.sub.B) for the second motor/generator. The controller is programmed to control the first and second motor/generators in response to the first and second motor torque pulse commands, respectively.

Vehicles and methods for controlling internal combustion engine rotational speeds are disclosed. Vehicles described herein include an internal combustion engine having a crankshaft and a plurality of drive wheels mechanically coupled to the crankshaft of the internal combustion engine. Embodiments described herein determine a target wheel torque, determine a base increase rate of engine rotational speed, increase an engine rotational speed of the internal combustion engine based on the base increase rate of engine rotational speed, determine an estimated wheel torque, determine an updated increase rate of engine rotational speed based on the target wheel torque and the estimated wheel torque, and increase the engine rotational speed of the internal combustion engine based on the updated increase rate of engine rotational speed.