Method and apparatus for optimizing engine idle speed in a vehicle

US8761977B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC · US

Inventors

• Donald Chan · Farmington Hills, US
• William L. Aldrich, III · Davisburg, US
• John L. Lahti · Novi, US
• Birendra P. Bhattarai · Novi, US
• Krunal P. Patel · Sterling Heights, US
• Ning Jin · Novi, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Oct 15, 2009
• Grant date: Jun 24, 2014
• Expiry date: Apr 24, 2033

Classification

• Technology area (CPC Y): Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
• CPC primary: Y02T10/64
• WIPO field: Transport
• WIPO sector: Mechanical engineering

Abstract

A method for optimizing an engine idle speed in a vehicle having an engine, a motor generator unit (MGU), and an energy storage system (ESS) includes determining vehicle operating values, including at least one of: an electrical load of an accessory, a torque capacity of the MGU, a temperature of the MGU, an efficiency of the MGU, and a state of charge (SOC) of the ESS. The method also includes calculating a set of engine speed values using the set of vehicle operating values, and using a controller to command the engine idle speed as a function of the set of engine speed values. A vehicle includes an engine, an ESS, an MGU, and a controller having an algorithm adapted for optimizing an idle speed of the engine as set forth above.