Methods of Operating a Series Hybrid Vehicle

摘要

A method for operating a hybrid vehicle is provided, in which an engine generates secondary power that is either stored or used as direct input energy by a secondary power source to provide motive power to the vehicle. The secondary power source is powered by secondary energy from an energy storage device, direct input energy generated by the engine, or both, depending on the amount of stored secondary energy in combination with vehicle speed. When in use, the power level at which the engine is operated is also determined on the basis of available stored energy and vehicle speed. At higher vehicle speeds, the amount of stored energy is allowed to be depleted in order to increase the available storage capacity for regenerative braking.

主权项

1. A method of operating a hybrid vehicle, the method comprising:
monitoring an amount of available stored secondary energy within an energy storage device; monitoring vehicle speed; and based on whether the amount of available stored energy is above or below a predetermined variable threshold of available stored energy at a given vehicle speed, wherein the threshold varies in a nonlinear manner as a function of the vehicle speed, selectively powering the secondary power source with either a portion of the amount of available stored energy or a portion of an amount of direct input energy, or with a combination of the portion of the amount of available stored energy and the portion of the amount of direct input energy.