Abstract: A method for charging the starter battery of a motor vehicle at a voltage source includes charging the starter battery after a traction battery of the vehicle has been charged up to a defined value. The starter battery is charged if a charge state of the starter battery is established that is below a defined threshold value. If the charge state of the starter battery is of such a low level, the starter battery is charged until one or more defined termination conditions are fulfilled. The termination conditions may include the total charging period since the low charge state of the starter battery has been established exceeds a defined threshold value and/or the total time period charging the traction battery and the starter battery at the voltage source exceeds a defined threshold.

Abstract: This disclosure generally relates to a system, apparatus, and method for diagnosing a vehicle battery for further charging purposes. A battery diagnostic tool is provided to receive temperature information on the vehicle battery during a vehicle battery charging operation. The temperature information is referenced to generate a temperature gradient that will be further referenced to identify temperature changes to the vehicle battery over a period of time.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to a method for the management of the electrical current supply in a motor vehicle having a combustion engine, wherein the charge state of a battery is detected and characterized as a discrete variable that indicates whether the prevailing charge state is below or above a calibrated threshold value. If the discrete variable indicates that the prevailing charge state is below the calibrated threshold value, the battery is charged using a relatively high voltage over a predetermined time period in such a manner that all cells of the battery are charged. If the discrete variable indicates that the prevailing charge state is above the calibrated threshold value, different temperature-dependent voltage set points of an electric generator in the vehicle are set in dependence upon a prevailing energy conversion efficiency level of the drivetrain that is detected and characterized as a further discrete variable.

Abstract: A system and method for charging a vehicle having a first battery, such as a high-voltage traction battery, and a second battery, such as a low-voltage battery, include controlling a DC converter or relay to effectively decouple the second battery from the converter when the vehicle is connected to an external power source to reduce or prevent damage to the second battery from extended or prolonged charging. The second battery may be effectively decoupled from the converter by controlling the relay or converter voltage based on state of charge of the second battery so that substantially zero current flows to and from the second battery relative to the converter and any vehicle low voltage consumers/accessories.

Abstract: Embodiments for an internal combustion engine having at least one cylinder, at least one exhaust line for discharging combustion gases via an exhaust-gas discharge system, and at least one intake line for supplying charge air via an intake system are provided. In one example, an internal combustion engine comprises an exhaust-gas recirculation arrangement which comprises a recirculation line which branches off from the exhaust-gas discharge system and which opens into the intake system, an exhaust-gas turbocharger comprising a compressor arranged in the intake system and a turbine arranged in the exhaust-gas discharge system, a throttle element which is arranged in the intake line downstream of the compressor, a bypass line which branches off from the intake line upstream of the throttle element and which opens into the intake line again downstream of the throttle element, and an expansion machine for gaining additional energy arranged in the bypass line.

Abstract: The charge state of a battery powering a starter of a motor vehicle is evaluated to determine whether the battery voltage is sufficiently high to re-start an internal combustion engine during a stop/start operating mode. The engine is operated to drive a generator so that the generator output voltage is at a level below a setpoint value for a time period. At the end of the time period, the battery voltage is measured and if it exceeds a threshold voltage the battery charge state is determined to be sufficient to re-start the engine. The threshold voltage is approximately equal to the rated battery voltage. If the measured battery voltage is below the threshold voltage value, indicating that the battery will not have sufficient charge to re-start the motor, automatic shut-off of the engine when the vehicle stops is suppressed.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for prediction and identification of journey situations. A method for prediction of journey situations has the following steps: defining a plurality of standard journey situations, with each standard journey situation being characterized by a group of driving state parameters; defining a plurality of route state parameters in order to describe the state of a journey route; determining an association rule which associates in each case one group of values of the route state parameters with a standard journey situation; recording of an intended journey route; determining values of the route state parameters for the intended journey route; and associating the intended journey route with one of the standard journey situations on the basis of the association rule.

Abstract: The charge state of a battery powering a starter of a motor vehicle is evaluated to determine whether the battery voltage is sufficiently high to re-start an internal combustion engine during a stop/start operating mode. The engine is operated to drive a generator so that the generator output voltage is at a level below a setpoint value for a time period. At the end of the time period, the battery voltage is measured and if it exceeds a threshold voltage the battery charge state is determined to be sufficient to re-start the engine. The threshold voltage is approximately equal to the rated battery voltage. If the measured battery voltage is below the threshold voltage value, indicating that the battery will not have sufficient charge to re-start the motor, automatic shut-off of the engine when the vehicle stops is suppressed.

Abstract: A locking mechanism (6) is provided to block the internal combustion engine (1) at prepositioned cranking angle after shutting down. Preferably, the crankshaft of the engine is positioned at a crankshaft angle that is favorable for cranking. Prepositioning of the crankshaft angle results in a lower first compression torque and therefore increases kinetic energy stored in the crankshaft lumped inertia. The required maximum torque of the cranking aid (2a, 2b, 2c) can therefore be reduced.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for prediction and identification of journey situations. A method for prediction of journey situations has the following steps: defining a plurality of standard journey situations, with each standard journey situation being characterized by a group of driving state parameters; defining a plurality of route state parameters in order to describe the state of a journey route; determining an association rule which associates in each case one group of values of the route state parameters with a standard journey situation; recording of an intended journey route; determining values of the route state parameters for the intended journey route; and associating the intended journey route with one of the standard journey situations on the basis of the association rule.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for reducing the exhaust emissions during the cold start of an internal combustion engine (3). According to the method, a starter motor (4) is operated in parallel with the internal combustion engine (3) until the operating temperature of an exhaust gas catalytic converter (1) is reached, to thereby relieve the power demand on the internal combustion engine and thereby to minimize the production of pollutants. The heating of catalytic converter (1) can preferably be accelerated by retarded spark timing, by a delayed shift in automatic transmission (6) and/or by an electrical heater coupled to catalytic converter (1).

Abstract: An inventive method for braking a vehicle when traveling on a negative gradient, which vehicle is equipped with a vehicle engine and a controllable vehicle generator which is connected to the vehicle engine in order to convert some of the engine power into electrical power.

Abstract: A locking mechanism (6) is provided to block the internal combustion engine (1) at prepositioned cranking angle after shutting down. Preferably, the crankshaft of the engine is positioned at a crankshaft angle that is favorable for cranking. Prepositioning of the crankshaft angle results in a lower first compression torque and therefore increases kinetic energy stored in the crankshaft lumped inertia. The required maximum torque of the cranking aid (2a, 2b, 2c) can therefore be reduced.

Abstract: Method for controlling the electrical battery power in a motor vehicle The invention relates to a method for controlling the battery power which is supplied to or drawn from a battery (5) of a motor vehicle. In this case, a cost function is calculated which represents a measure of the additional fuel consumption in relation to the total electrical power generated by this additional consumption. The optimal battery power is then determined such that the cost function is minimized, i.e. the total electrical power is generated as efficiently as possible, corrections being made to the calculated optimal battery power in order to keep the battery within a predetermined state of charge range.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for reducing the exhaust emissions during the cold start of an internal combustion engine (3). According to the method, a starter motor (4) is operated in parallel with the internal combustion engine (3) until the operating temperature of an exhaust gas catalytic converter (1) is reached, to thereby relieve the power demand on the internal combustion engine and thereby to minimize the production of pollutants. The heating of catalytic converter (1) can preferably be accelerated by retarded spark timing, by a delayed shift in automatic transmission (6) and/or by an electrical heater coupled to catalytic converter (1).

Abstract: After shutting down an internal combustion engine, the crankshaft of the engine is positioned at a crankshaft angle that is favorable for cranking. Prepositioning of the crankshaft angle results in a lower first compression torque and therefore increases kinetic energy stored in the crankshaft lumped inertia. The required maximum torque of the cranking aid can therefore be reduced. A locking mechanism may be provided to lock the internal combustion engine at an optimal crank angle.