Design and Control Co-Optimization for Hybrid Powertrains: Development of Dedicated Optimal Energy Management Strategy

Computationally-efficient optimal energy-management strategies are required for the optimal design of hybrid electric vehicles with respect to fuel economy and other criteria. In this paper, the novel Selective Hamiltonian Minimization (SHM) technique is introduced. Based on Pontryagin’s Minimum Principle, the SHM is developed by explicitly calculating possible optimal control modes, and then selecting the one that minimizes the Hamiltonian function. Parametric analytical models of powertrain components are developed to compute Hamiltonians in closed form. Engine and battery models are further expressed in terms of their main design parameters and technologies thanks to a statistical analysis over several sample components. An example of design optimization is presented to illustrate the effectiveness of the proposed approach.