Control of hybrid-electric vehicles

Develops nonlinear models for diesel-electric powertrains used in medium- and heavy-duty hybrid-electric vehicles, and describes a new method for designing optimal controllers for highly coupled drivetrains. Current applications of heavy loaded, heavy-duty drives call for the use of comprehensive, innovative ways of handling a large variety of nonlinear phenomena in order to optimize performance and energy conversion, to shape steady-state characteristics, and to meet other desired specifications. The paper demonstrates the application of derived nonlinear models of drivetrain components (diesel, synchronous generator, and traction motor), and an innovative design method is developed to control these highly nonlinear diesel-electric drives.