Patent application number | Description | Published |
20090224557 | ENGINE STOP/START SYSTEM AND METHOD OF OPERATING SAME - A method of operating an engine stop/start system includes connecting an armature of a starter motor to the engine through an overrunning clutch when the engine changes a rotational direction. | 09-10-2009 |
20090322101 | Engine Cranking System and Method - A vehicle has an engine, a starter motor, an energy storage system (ESS) for powering an auxiliary system, and a supercapacitor module for powering the starter motor during engine cranking and starting. The supercapacitor module disconnects from the starter motor to recharge. A DC-DC booster converter increases the level of voltage supplied from the ESS so as to charge the supercapacitor module to a relatively higher voltage level, such as approximately 125 to 140 percent of the voltage level supplied by the ESS. A method for preventing voltage sag in an auxiliary system of the vehicle includes disconnecting the supercapacitor module from the starter motor when the engine is running, and then charging the supercapacitor module using the ESS until a cranking support voltage equals a stored target voltage. A detected commanded cranking and starting of the engine causes the connection of the supercapacitor module to the starter motor. | 12-31-2009 |
20100066097 | METHOD TO ESTIMATE THE OUTPUT CURRENT OF AN AUTOMOTIVE GENERATOR (ALTERNATOR) - A control system of a vehicle comprises a current estimation module, a current sensor, and a current diagnostic module. The current estimation module determines an estimated output current of a generator of the vehicle based on an engine speed when the generator is operating in a steady-state condition. The current sensor measures an output current of the generator. The current diagnostic module diagnoses a condition of the current sensor based on the estimated output current and the measured output current. | 03-18-2010 |
20100281866 | EXHAUST GAS BYPASS VALVE CONTROL FOR THERMOELECTRIC GENERATOR - A method of controlling engine exhaust flow through at least one of an exhaust bypass and a thermoelectric device via a bypass valve is provided. The method includes: determining a mass flow of exhaust exiting an engine; determining a desired exhaust pressure based on the mass flow of exhaust; comparing the desired exhaust pressure to a determined exhaust pressure; and determining a bypass valve control value based on the comparing, wherein the bypass valve control value is used to control the bypass valve. | 11-11-2010 |
20100284823 | OIL PRESSURE CONTROL IN AN ENGINE - An engine having a fluid lubrication and control system is provided. The engine also includes a pump configured to maintain fluid pressure in the lubrication and control system when the engine is running. The engine additionally includes an accumulator in fluid communication with the lubrication and control system. The accumulator is configured to accumulate and retain fluid when the engine is running, and to discharge the fluid when the engine is not running in order to maintain fluid pressure in the lubrication and control system. A method for controlling oil pressure in the engine is also provided. | 11-11-2010 |
20110239634 | EXHAUST BYPASS FLOW CONTROL FOR EXHAUST HEAT RECOVERY - An exhaust system for an engine comprises an exhaust heat recovery apparatus configured to receive exhaust gas from the engine and comprises a first flow passage in fluid communication with the exhaust gas and a second flow passage in fluid communication with the exhaust gas. A heat exchanger/energy recovery unit is disposed in the second flow passage and has a working fluid circulating therethrough for exchange of heat from the exhaust gas to the working fluid. A control valve is disposed downstream of the first and the second flow passages in a low temperature region of the exhaust heat recovery apparatus to direct exhaust gas through the first flow passage or the second flow passage. | 10-06-2011 |
20110240080 | METHOD OF CONTROLLING TEMPERATURE OF A THERMOELECTRIC GENERATOR IN AN EXHAUST SYSTEM - A method of controlling the temperature of a thermoelectric generator (TEG) in an exhaust system of an engine is provided. The method includes determining the temperature of the heated side of the TEG, determining exhaust gas flow rate through the TEG, and determining the exhaust gas temperature through the TEG. A rate of change in temperature of the heated side of the TEG is predicted based on the determined temperature, the determined exhaust gas flow rate, and the determined exhaust gas temperature through the TEG. Using the predicted rate of change of temperature of the heated side, exhaust gas flow rate through the TEG is calculated that will result in a maximum temperature of the heated side of the TEG less than a predetermined critical temperature given the predicted rate of change in temperature of the heated side of the TEG. A corresponding apparatus is provided. | 10-06-2011 |
20110277728 | CONTROL SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR IMPROVING ENGINE STOP-START RESPONSE TIME - A control system for an engine includes a stop-start initiation module and a load control module. The stop-start initiation module shuts down the engine in response to an engine shutdown request. The load control module, in response to the engine shutdown request, increases a rate at which a rotational speed of the engine decreases during engine shutdown by increasing a rotational load input to the engine by an engine accessory coupled to a crankshaft of the engine. A method for an engine includes shutting down the engine in response to an engine shutdown request. The method further includes increasing, in response to the engine shutdown request, a rate at which a rotational speed of the engine decreases during engine shutdown by increasing a rotational load input to the engine by an engine accessory coupled to a crankshaft of the engine. | 11-17-2011 |
20110297466 | LOW CONTENT EXTENDED-RANGE ELECTRIC VEHICLE POWERTRAIN - An extended-range electric vehicle includes drive wheels, an engine having an output shaft, a planetary gear set having a node driven by the output shaft of the engine when the engine is on, and first and second electric machines. The first electric machine is connected to another node, and operates as a generator when the engine is on. A one-way clutch is connected to the remaining node. The second electric machine is connected to an output side of the one-way clutch, with a shaft connecting the drive wheels to the second electric machine. A controller provides a forward electric-only (EV) mode, a reverse EV mode, power-split mode(s), and series mode(s). The series mode(s) provide a direct mechanical path between the engine and drive wheels, with the one-way clutch overrunning in the forward EV mode. The one-way clutch may be activated passively or by a PRNDL device. | 12-08-2011 |
20120031231 | STOP-START SELF-SYNCHRONIZING STARTER SYSTEM - A starter system is provided for an engine having a stop-start capability. The starter system includes a first gear coupled to the engine, wherein the first gear rotates at a speed of the engine. The starter system also includes a starter arranged relative to the engine. The starter includes a second gear arranged to selectively mesh with and apply torque to the first gear in order to start the engine, such that the second gear is capable of rotating at the speed of the engine. The starter additionally includes a synchronizer arranged to substantially match the speed of the first gear with the speed of the engine prior to engagement of the first and second gears, such that the second gear is enabled to mesh with and apply torque to the first gear to thereby start the engine. The starter system and the engine may be employed in a vehicle. | 02-09-2012 |
20120212190 | METHOD OF OPERATING A THERMOELECTRIC GENERATOR - A method for operating a thermoelectric generator supplying a variable-load component includes commanding the variable-load component to operate at a first output and determining a first load current and a first load voltage to the variable-load component while operating at the commanded first output. The method also includes commanding the variable-load component to operate at a second output and determining a second load current and a second load voltage to the variable-load component while operating at the commanded second output. The method includes calculating a maximum power output of the thermoelectric generator from the determined first load current and voltage and the determined second load current and voltage, and commanding the variable-load component to operate at a third output. The commanded third output is configured to draw the calculated maximum power output from the thermoelectric generator. | 08-23-2012 |
20130291515 | Engine Off Particulate Filter ("PF") Regeneration Using a Plurality of Secondary Energy Storage Devices - An exhaust gas treatment system for an internal combustion engine is provided. The internal combustion engine has an engine off condition. The exhaust gas treatment system includes particulate filter (“PF”) device in fluid communication with an exhaust gas conduit, an electric heater, a primary energy storage device, a plurality of secondary energy storage devices, and a control module. The PF device has a filter structure for removal of particulates in the exhaust gas, and is selectively regenerated based on an amount of particulates trapped within the filter structure of the PF device. The electric heater is disposed upstream of the filter structure and is selectively energized to provide heat for regeneration of the PF device. The plurality of secondary energy storage devices are selectively connected to the primary energy storage device. The secondary energy storage devices selectively energize the electric heater. | 11-07-2013 |
20130291526 | Engine Off Particulate Filter ("PF") Regeneration Using a Single Secondary Energy Storage Device - An exhaust gas treatment system for an internal combustion engine is provided. The internal combustion engine has an engine off condition. The exhaust gas treatment system includes particulate filter (“PF”) device in fluid communication with an exhaust gas conduit, an electric heater, a primary energy storage device, a single secondary energy storage device, and a control module. The PF device has a filter structure for removal of particulates in the exhaust gas, and is selectively regenerated based on an amount of particulates trapped within the filter structure of the PF device. The electric heater is disposed upstream of the filter structure and is selectively energized to provide heat for regeneration of the PF device. The single secondary energy storage device is selectively connected to the primary energy storage device. The single secondary energy storage device selectively energizes the electric heater. | 11-07-2013 |
20130335026 | BATTERY PARALLEL BALANCING CIRCUIT - A method and device for regulating charging and discharging current through a battery pack. Two or more battery packs are connected in parallel to an inverter, such that the inverter can use grid power to charge the battery packs or the battery packs can provide AC power through the inverter. A current balancing circuit device is placed in series with each battery pack and is used to regulate the current through the battery pack so that none of the battery packs is excessively charged or discharged. The current balancing circuit includes two field effect transistors (FETs) arranged in series and in opposite directions, where one FET controls charging current and the other controls discharging current. The balancing circuit also includes a current sensor, and uses proportional-integral control to provide a signal to the FETs such that the actual current flowing through the circuit is regulated to a target current value. | 12-19-2013 |
20140103722 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR A HYBRID-ELECTRIC VEHICLE - An electrical system includes a battery for providing electrical power to a starter mechanism and an auxiliary load of a hybrid-electric vehicle. An electric double-layer capacitor (“EDLC”) is electrically connectable to the battery and the auxiliary load. A separation switch is electrically connected between the battery and the EDLC for electrically separating the battery from the EDLC and the auxiliary load. The separation switch is opened in response to the voltage across the battery being less than the voltage across the EDLC. | 04-17-2014 |
20140306523 | APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR VEHICLE VOLTAGE STABILIZATION - Method for voltage stabilization during an engine starting event of a vehicle includes receiving, at a switch device module, an active Start_ON signal from a starter solenoid module indicating initiation of the engine starting event. At the switch device module, an auxiliary electrical energy storage device (ESD) is electrically coupled to one or more auxiliary loads within a predetermined delay since the active Start_ON signal was received. A primary ESD and a starter motor are electrically decoupled from the one or more auxiliary loads only after the auxiliary ESD has been electrically coupled to the one or more auxiliary loads. In response to a predetermined condition occurring while the primary ESD and the starter motor are electrically decoupled from the one or more auxiliary loads, the primary ESD and the starter motor are electrically coupled to the one or more auxiliary loads. | 10-16-2014 |
20140375118 | SMART POWER DISTRIBUTION UNIT - Apparatus for voltage stabilization in a vehicle includes a battery distribution module having a load module managing electrical power to one or more auxiliary loads, a first switch coupling a starter motor and an ESD to the load module only when closed, a second switch coupling an auxiliary ESD to the load module only when closed, and a controller integrated with a PC board attached to the first and second switch devices. The controller is configured to control opening and closing of the first and second switches based on at least one of a plurality of signals received by the controller. The primary ESD is electrically coupled a primary fuse terminal of the battery distribution module which electrically couples the primary ESD to a second terminal of the first switch and the starter motor. The auxiliary ESD is electrically coupled to an auxiliary fuse terminal of the battery distribution module which electrically couples a first terminal of the second switch to the auxiliary ESD. | 12-25-2014 |