US Patent:
20110011660, Jan 20, 2011
Inventors:
Paul M. Najt - Bloomfield Hills MI, US
Tang-Wei Kuo - Troy MI, US
Rodney B. Rask - Grosse Pointe Woods MI, US
Aristotelis Babajimopoulos - Ann Arbor MI, US
Zoran S. Filipi - Ann Arbor MI, US
George Lavoie - Ann Arbor MI, US
Dionissios N. Assanis - Ann Arbor MI, US
Assignee:
GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC. - Detroit MI
REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN - Ann Arbor MI
International Classification:
B60W 10/04
B60W 20/00
Abstract:
A hybrid powertrain system includes reciprocating free-piston internal combustion engines, each including a linear alternator device configured to generate electric power. A control module determines mechanical and electrical power demands responsive to an operator torque request and a state of charge of an energy storage device. The control module operates the torque machine to generate an output torque responsive to the mechanical power demands and operates the reciprocating free-piston internal combustion engines to generate electric power responsive to the electrical power demands.