Condition Responsive Control Of Starting Device Patents (Class 123/179.3)
  • Patent number: 9452672
    Abstract: A powertrain includes an engine and an electrical circuit having a motor-generator and a starter mechanism coupled to the engine. A first energy storage device is disposed in a parallel electrical relationship with the starter mechanism. A second energy storage device is disposed in a parallel electrical relationship with the motor-generator. A first auxiliary electric system is disposed in a parallel electrical relationship with both the first energy storage device and the second energy storage device. A first switch is disposed within the electrical circuit between the first energy storage device and the first auxiliary electric system. A second switch is disposed within the electrical circuit between the second energy storage device and the first auxiliary electric system. The first auxiliary electric system is disposed, within the electrical circuit, between the first switch and the second switch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2016
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Chandra S. Namuduri, Michael G. Reynolds, David W. Walters, Suresh Gopalakrishnan
  • Patent number: 9422910
    Abstract: For the electrical protection of a current control device 12 against overcurrents, a starting current limitation system is proposed with a first electrical connection 4 connectable to a motor vehicle battery pole 9, a second electrical connection 6 connectable to a starter 10, and a parallel circuit connected between the first connection 4 and the second connection 6, comprising a branch with a current control device 12 and a branch with an electrical resistor 14, in such a way that, at the beginning of a warm start of the motor vehicle, a starter current is conducted via the resistor 14 and that, after the beginning of the warm start, the starter current is conducted via the current control device 12 and the resistor 14.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2016
    Assignee: Auto-Kabel Management GmbH
    Inventor: Frank Gronwald
  • Patent number: 9422909
    Abstract: An automatic stop device for a vehicle engine includes: an automatic stop control unit which performs automatic engine stop when a predetermined automatic stop initiating condition is established while the vehicle is stopped, and prohibits automatic engine stop when the automatic stop initiating condition is not established; a restart control unit which performs automatic engine restart when a predetermined automatic stop cancelling condition is established after the engine is automatically stopped; and a storage unit which stores a cause of prohibiting automatic engine stop when automatic stop of the engine is prohibited while the vehicle is stopped, or a cause of performing automatic engine restart when the engine that has been automatically stopped is automatically restarted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2016
    Assignee: MAZDA MOTOR CORPORATION
    Inventors: Keitaro Ezumi, Michio Ito
  • Patent number: 9410491
    Abstract: A simple and effective control method is disclosed for starting and stopping the engine of a vehicle during an idling stop of the vehicle, wherein an integration controller can be used to achieve those purposes. In particular, a useful control method is disclosed for stopping and restarting engine while vehicles wait for stoplight. It is using equipment, such as two brake levers, to interact with a start-button, wherein electrical signals generated from the operation of the equipment are divided into two different groups of control signals to achieve the operation control of the engine starting or stopping when the start button is pressed. By using the method of present invention, a vehicle driver driving on the road can have a simple and secure operation method to stop or start the engine of the vehicle during an idling stop of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2016
    Inventor: Fu Ling Chang
  • Patent number: 9404462
    Abstract: An engine starting system for an engine is equipped with a pinion, an electromagnetic actuator, and a controller. When energized, the electromagnetic actuator produces a magnetic attraction to move the pinion straight toward a ring gear coupled to an engine for starting the engine. The controller is designed to selectively provide a small amount of current to the electromagnetic actuator and a large amount of current to the electromagnetic actuator. When it is required to minimize the level of noise arising from mechanical contact of the pinion with the ring gear, the controller provides the small amount of current to the electromagnetic actuator to slow the movement of the pinion toward the ring gear, thereby lessening the impact of the pinion on the ring gear.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2016
    Assignee: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventor: Tatsuya Fujita
  • Patent number: 9370992
    Abstract: A powertrain for a vehicle is disclosed. The powertrain includes an engine, a motor-generator and a starter mechanism. The powertrain also includes a first energy storage device disposed in a parallel electrical relationship with a motor-generator and an auxiliary electric system. Additionally, the powertrain includes a first switching device selectively transitionable between a first open state to electrically disconnect the first energy storage device from at least one of the motor-generator and the auxiliary electric system, and a first closed state to electrically connect the first energy storage device to at least one of the motor-generator and the auxiliary electric system. Electrical communication between the motor-generator and the auxiliary electric system is independent of the first switching device being in the first open and closed states.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2016
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Alan G. Holmes, Venkata Prasad Atluri, Chandra S. Namuduri, Robert S. Conell, Michael G. Reynolds, Thomas Wolfgang Nehl, Bob R. Powell, Madhusudan Raghavan
  • Patent number: 9365211
    Abstract: A hybrid vehicle includes an engine and an electric machine selectively coupled to the engine via a disconnect clutch. At least one controller issues commands to control the engine, the electric machine, and the clutch. During cruise control, the controller controls the torque output of the engine and electric machine, as well as the slipping of the clutch, such that the speed of the vehicle is attempted to be maintained at the cruise control set speed. For example, when the engine is off and additional torque is necessary to maintain the speed, the controller can issue a command to change the state of the engine from off to on. When the vehicle experiences oscillations in road load, the controller delays or inhibits changing the on/off state of the engine for an amount of time that is based on the oscillation associated with road load.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2016
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Alexander O'Connor Gibson, Felix Nedorezov, Xiaoyong Wang, Matthew John Shelton
  • Patent number: 9353692
    Abstract: A start-up method for a hybrid powertrain in which hydraulic pressure is generated in a casual start-up by an electric oil pump motor where certain predetermined conditions are satisfied and the casual start-up is abandoned and hydraulic pressure is generated by an engine where the predetermined conditions are not satisfied. The casual start-up is also abandoned where a vehicle operator seeks propulsion shortly after start-up and before an oil pump is rotating within a predetermined threshold of an oil pump target RPM.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2016
    Assignee: FCA US LLC
    Inventors: Laszlo Hideg, Zhenxing Fu, Xiaodong Liu, Dumitru Puiu
  • Patent number: 9347415
    Abstract: A starter relay connects a battery with a starter motor of an engine when in a closed state and disconnects the starter motor from the battery when in an open state. A switching device provides current to the starter relay when in a closed state and disables current flow to the starter relay when in an open state. For an engine startup event, a switch control module: transitions the switching device to the closed state for a first predetermined period; transitions the switching device to the open state for a second predetermined period after the first predetermined period; and transitions the switching device to the closed state for a third period after the second predetermined period. The starter relay remains in the open state during the first predetermined period and transitions to the closed state when the switching device is in the closed state for the third period.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2016
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Timothy P. Philippart, Shawn L. Boozer, Scott J. Chynoweth, Detlev Schafer
  • Patent number: 9341124
    Abstract: An engine speed predicting system for a vehicle includes a first calculator, a second calculator, and a switch which may be realized by software. The first calculator calculates a predicted speed of an engine of the vehicle during forward rotation of the engine when speed of the engine is decreasing after fuel stops being burned in the engine. The second calculator calculates a predicted speed of the engine during reverse rotation of the output shaft of the engine. The switch serves to select one of the first calculator and the second calculator which is to be used in calculating the predicted speed of the engine depending upon whether the predicted speed lies during the forward rotation or during the reverse rotation of the output shaft of the engine. This ensures the accuracy in predicting the speed of the engine regardless of the direction of rotation of the engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2016
    Assignee: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Shinsuke Kawazu, Yoshinori Yamaguchi
  • Patent number: 9328680
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for accurately determining cylinder fueling errors during an automatic engine restart. Fueling errors may be learned during a preceding engine restart on a cylinder-specific and combustion event-specific basis. The learned fueling errors may then be applied during a subsequent engine restart on the same cylinder-specific and combustion event-specific basis to better anticipate and compensate for engine cranking air-to-fuel ratio deviations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2016
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Sam Hashemi, Payam Naghshtabrizi
  • Patent number: 9327721
    Abstract: Systems and methods for starting an engine of a hybrid vehicle that is in a creep mode are presented. In one example, a torque converter lockup clutch is released and vehicle speed is closed loop controlled in response to a request to start an engine. The vehicle speed is controlled so that a torque disturbance related to closing a driveline disconnect clutch may be reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2016
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Rajit Johri, Xiaoyong Wang, Scott James Thompson, Jeffrey Allen Doering
  • Patent number: 9316197
    Abstract: A method for starting an internal combustion engine, particularly a stationary gas engine, includes driving the engine by at least one starter motor. The starting process is interrupted once the starter motor has been started if the angular acceleration of the internal combustion engine remains below a predefinable acceleration value and/or if, within a predefinable first time period, the actual rotational speed remains below a predefinable first rotational speed threshold value and/or if, within a predefinable second time period, the average rotational speed of the internal combustion engine remains below a predefinable second rotational speed threshold value. The starter motor is designed as a pneumatic starter motor and the compressed air supply thereof is controlled by a compressed air valve which can be switched between a fully opened position and a fully closed position, the pneumatic starter motor being started by the compressed air valve being fully opened.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2016
    Assignee: GE JENBACHER GMBH & CO OHG
    Inventors: Alfred Rangger, Lukas Zahner
  • Patent number: 9303614
    Abstract: Provided are an internal combustion engine automatic stop/restart device and an internal combustion engine automatic stop/restart method capable of appropriately releasing a drive inhibition state of a starter (200) depending on an RPM of an internal combustion engine (101). The drive inhibition state of the starter is released when a drive inhibition release determination period, which is set depending on a time interval between a time point when a first reverse rotation crank signal is detected and a time point when a second reverse rotation crank signal is detected and a drive permission lower limit value corresponding period corresponding to a starter drivable RPM lower limit value, elapses before a third reverse rotation crank signal is input.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2016
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
    Inventors: Tomohisa Shoda, Takeru Okabe, Osamu Ishikawa
  • Patent number: 9291140
    Abstract: A method and device for activating a starter, which is controllable by a driver unit, for an internal combustion engine of a motor vehicle. A method for activating a starter, which is controllable by a driver unit, for an internal combustion engine of a motor vehicle, the driver unit being controllable by a control unit with the aid of at least one activation line, a switch, which is controllable by the control unit, being situated between the driver unit and a supply unit coupled to a supply voltage, the starter being activated with the aid of the control unit and the switch in the case of failure of the at least one activation line and/or at least one part of the driver unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2016
    Assignee: ROBERT BOSCH GMBH
    Inventors: Harald Schueler, Markus Roessle, Giuseppe Bisceglie
  • Patent number: 9255565
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for using an engine laser ignition system to perform a visual inspection of an engine and diagnose various cylinder components and conditions based on engine positional measurements. Laser pulses may be emitted at a lower power level during an intake and/or exhaust stroke to illuminate a cylinder interior while a photodetector captures images of the cylinder interior. Additionally, laser pulses may be emitted at a higher power level to initiate cylinder combustion while the photodetector captures images of the cylinder interior using the light generated during cylinder combustion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2016
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Douglas Raymond Martin, Kenneth James Miller
  • Patent number: 9221349
    Abstract: A power source for vehicles according to the present disclosure includes a secondary battery pack to support power required to start up a vehicle and power required for an electronic device equipped in the vehicle together, and having an operating voltage range of 9V to 19V in which a maximum operating voltage ranges from 16V to 19V and an average voltage is higher than or equal to 12V, and an alternator to produce a charging power for the secondary battery pack in response to operation of an engine of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2015
    Assignee: LG CHEM, LTD.
    Inventors: Sung-Jong Kim, Soon-Ho Ahn, Joong-Jae Lee
  • Patent number: 9221426
    Abstract: An automobile power supply control device for performing a control of switching a plurality of power supply circuits of a vehicle based on an operation of a push button type operation switch has a plurality of switching units for connecting the power supply circuits and a vehicle battery, and a control unit for performing a control of driving the switching units in a predetermined order according to number of operations of the operation switch. The control unit has a first detecting portion for detecting the operation of the operation switch, an output portion for outputting a drive command for driving the switching unit of next order when the first detecting portion detects the operation of the operation switch, and a second detecting portion for detecting the number of operations of the operation switch from a time point the drive command is output until a contact of the driven switching unit is switched.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2015
    Assignee: OMRON AUTOMOTIVE ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yoshiyuki Kasai, Tomoko Onoda
  • Patent number: 9212970
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for enabling engine diagnostics, including visual inspections of an engine cylinder, using existing hardware from a laser ignition system. Light pulses from a laser ignition device are received at a photodetector during non-combusting conditions and used to generate images of an inside of the cylinder that can be assessed by a service technician. An electric motor of the vehicle system can be used during a service mode of the vehicle to rotate the engine to, and hold the engine at, specified engine positions that enable the technician to perform selected diagnostic tests.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2015
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Douglas Raymond Martin, Kenneth James Miller
  • Patent number: 9200608
    Abstract: Some embodiments of the invention provide a starter system including a starter, capable of being in communication with an electronic control unit. The starter can include a motor coupled to a circuit and a pinion including a plunger, and a plurality of solenoid assemblies including a plurality of biasing members. The plurality of solenoid assemblies can include at least one solenoid winding capable of moving the plunger, and at least one solenoid assembly capable of holding the plunger, and at least one solenoid assembly capable of controlling current flow to the motor. Some embodiments include a first switch coupled to the circuit that is capable of being activated by the plunger to control current flowing to at least a portion of the circuit. Some embodiments include at least two power isolation switches capable of controlling a current flow within the circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2015
    Assignee: REMY TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Kirk Neet, David Fulton
  • Patent number: 9175649
    Abstract: A remote computing device communicates bi-directionally with an on-board computing device disposed in a combustion engine vehicle, wherein the on-board computing device controls a fuel pump of the vehicle. The remote computing device queries for and receives data about the vehicle from the on-board computing device, such as the Vehicle Identification Number, diagnostic information about the vehicle, and/or data about how the vehicle is being driven.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2015
    Inventor: Jerry McGuffin
  • Patent number: 9175660
    Abstract: A method for operating a vehicle system is provided. The method includes activating a starter-generator rotationally coupled to a crankshaft output in an internal combustion engine while combustion operation in the internal combustion engine is inhibited, operating the starter-generator to drive the crankshaft in a predetermined speed range while combustion operation in the internal combustion engine is inhibited, and activating combustion operation in a cylinder of the internal combustion engine in response to a combustion activation trigger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2015
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Uwe Gussen, Frederic Stefan, Thomas Rambow, Goetz-Philipp Wegner
  • Patent number: 9163604
    Abstract: Engine starting device, including: a crank signal generation unit (13); and an engine control unit (10) for identifying a predetermined crank position of a crankshaft, and starting the engine, in which the engine control unit estimates, in a course of stopping the engine when a stop condition for the engine is established, based on an engine rpm at the identified predetermined crank position, whether or not the engine rotates backward before reaching the predetermined crank position for a next time, and after estimating that the engine rotates backward, sets an inhibition range which is prescribed from a starter drive inhibition start timing to a starter drive inhibition reset timing, and a permission range which is other than the inhibition range, and when the restart condition is established during rotation of the engine, inhibits restart in the inhibition range and carries out the restart in the permission range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2015
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
    Inventors: Kazuhiro Odahara, Koichiro Kamei, Masami Abe
  • Patent number: 9145836
    Abstract: Provided are: an engine-mounted controller capable of being suitably used in a vehicle that carries out an idle-stop operation while the vehicle is moving; and a vehicle. An engine-mounted controller of a vehicle determines whether or not an engine is in a completely stopped state when an idle-stop operation is canceled. If the controller determines that the engine is in a completely stopped state, a first control operation for suppressing the transmission of engine vibrations associated with engine idling is executed on the assumption that the engine is in a completely stopped state, and if the controller determines that the engine is not in a completely stopped state, the first control operation is prohibited when the engine restarts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2015
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hideyuki Okamoto, Tatsuhiro Yone
  • Patent number: 9097230
    Abstract: An engine start system which may be employed in automotive idle stop systems. To start an engine, the system brings a pinion gear into engagement with a ring gear coupled to the engine and turns on an electric motor to rotate the ring gear through the pinion gear to crank the engine. When it is requested to start the engine during deceleration of the engine before stop thereof, the system thrusts the pinion into engagement with the ring gear and then turns on the motor to rotate the pinion gear, in other words, delays the activation of the motor until after the pinion gear has engaged the ring gear. This minimizes mechanical impact or noise arising from the engagement of the pinion gear with the ring gear and improves the reliability in engagement with the ring gear during the deceleration of the engine and durability of the system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2015
    Assignee: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Mitsuhiro Murata, Hideya Notani, Shinji Usami, Mikio Saito, Yasuyuki Yoshida
  • Patent number: 9097200
    Abstract: When a compression self-ignition engine is automatically stopped, at the same time as fuel cut for stopping fuel injection from a fuel injection valve (15) is executed, an operating position of an intake throttle (30) is set to fully closed, and the fully-closed state is maintained at least until final TDC. Furthermore, an operation of an accessory (32) performed after the fuel cut is controlled to adjust an engine load so that an engine rotation speed (Net) when passing the final TDC falls within a specific speed range (P) determined in advance. Accordingly, a piston (5) of a Compression-Stop Cylinder (2C) is stopped with high accuracy at a target position that is set on a bottom dead center-side of an intermediate position (CAx) between top dead center and bottom dead center, and a restart time of the engine is thereby reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2015
    Assignee: Mazda Motor Corporation
    Inventors: Takeo Yamauchi, Yoshihisa Nakamoto, Hideki Hosoya
  • Patent number: 9086043
    Abstract: An engine starter controller for a vehicle equipped with an idle-stop controller includes a user-start circuit, an auto-start circuit, a switch, and a failure detector. The user-start circuit energizes a starter when a driver starts an engine. The auto-start circuit energizes the starter when the idle-stop controller automatically restarts the engine. The switch circuit switches an energization circuit for energizing the starter from the user-start circuit to the auto-start circuit after the user-start circuit starts to energize the starter by causing the auto-start circuit to energize the starter and by putting the user-start circuit into a forced state where the user-start circuit is forced to stop energizing the starter. The failure detector determines whether the auto-start circuit energizes the starter when the energization circuit is switched to the auto-start circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 21, 2015
    Assignee: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kyohei Kanemoto, Kenji Sunami, Ryouta Nakamura
  • Patent number: 9068545
    Abstract: In a method for providing in a hand-held power tool electric energy for an engine control unit before start of an internal combustion engine of the power tool that is to be started by a rope starter, a voltage source is provided that generates electric energy electro-dynamically or photovoltaically before starting the internal combustion engine. The thus generated electric energy is stored in a rechargeable energy storage device arranged within the power tool. The electric energy stored in the energy storage device is supplied to the engine control unit upon first rope starter pull for start of the internal combustion engine. The device for performing the method has an electro-dynamic or photovoltaic voltage source and an energy storage device electrically conductingly connected to the voltage source, wherein the energy storage device has an output that is electrically conductingly connected to the engine control unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2015
    Assignee: Andreas Stihl AG & Co. KG
    Inventors: Ernst Gorenflo, Heinrich Leufen, Eberhard Schieber, Roland Schierling
  • Patent number: 9038589
    Abstract: A method of controlling a vehicle associated micro-hybrid system. The system includes a reversible rotary electrical machine that is connected to a thermal engine of a motor vehicle. The method includes: controlling a step of pre-fluxing of a rotor of the reversible rotary electrical machine when a control module receives an instruction to start the thermal engine via the reversible rotary electrical machine; measuring a speed of the rotor of the reversible rotary electrical machine; and, demanding stoppage of the pre-fluxing step when the speed of the rotor is greater than or equal to a predetermined speed threshold value. The method avoids the generation of overvoltages in an electrical distribution network formed by an onboard network of the vehicle and by an energy storage unit of the micro-hybrid system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2015
    Assignee: Valeo Equipement Electriques Moteur
    Inventor: Cyril Granziera
  • Patent number: 9027525
    Abstract: An arrangement and a method are provided for improving performance of a start assist system for an internal combustion engine of a vehicle comprising: a start/stop system, a primary source of electrical energy, a secondary source of electrical energy, an electrical starter motor, an engine control unit, and additional vehicle electrical loads. A start controller is arranged such that the starter motor and engine control unit are operable with power supplied from the primary source of electrical energy at an initial cold starting attempt. If reset of the engine control unit occurs during the first cold starting attempt, the start controller is arranged such that the starter motor is operable with power supplied from the primary source of electrical energy and the engine control unit is operable with power supplied from the secondary source of electrical energy for an additional cold starting attempt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2015
    Assignee: Volvo Car Corporation
    Inventor: Petter Almhagen
  • Patent number: 9026344
    Abstract: At the time of an engine start while the vehicle is driving, when a required vehicle driving force (TRQ) is smaller than or equal to a predetermined value (TRQth), an electronic control unit (20) estimates that the degree of deformation of a mount (11) is smaller than or equal to a predetermined degree and sets a second-cycle fuel injection amount (Q2) so as to be larger than a first-cycle fuel injection amount (Q1) at the time of the engine start. On the other hand, when the required vehicle driving force (TRQ) is larger than the predetermined value (TRQth), the electronic control unit (20) estimates that the degree of deformation of the mount (11) is larger than the predetermined degree and sets the first-cycle fuel injection amount (Q1) so as to be larger than the second-cycle fuel injection amount (Q2) at the time of the engine start.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2015
    Assignees: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha, Denso Corporation
    Inventors: Masaya Yamamoto, Masashi Funada
  • Patent number: 9022002
    Abstract: A method to start operation of an internal combustion engine of a hybrid powertrain includes initiating rotation of a crankshaft of the engine with at least one electric machine in accordance with a first ramping profile until a first predetermined speed is achieved in response to an engine start event during a cold start condition. Engine speed is monitored and the engine is fired while controlling the engine speed to maintain the first predetermined speed with the at least one electric machine. The first ramping profile is adjusted at a rate corresponding to an estimated rate at which the engine speed is increasing during the engine firing. When at least one predetermined combustion quality parameter is achieved, the engine speed is controlled in accordance with a second ramping profile until a second predetermined speed is achieved based on controlling combustion parameters of the engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2015
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: R Travis Schwenke, Todd D. Brandel, Poh Fong Chin
  • Patent number: 9022001
    Abstract: A system for a vehicle, includes a rockback detection module and a starter disabling module. The rockback detection module receives a crankshaft position signal from a bi-directional crankshaft sensor and selectively indicates that a crankshaft of an engine is rotating in a first direction based on the crankshaft position signal. The engine rotates in a second direction that is opposite to the first direction when the engine is running. The starter disabling module disables current to a starter motor when the crankshaft is rotating in the first direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2015
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventor: Robert Douglas Shafto
  • Publication number: 20150096518
    Abstract: A starting system for an internal combustion engine is disclosed. During a key-start, a starter assembly is used to initiate rotation of the engine crankshaft. After the engine speed reaches a transfer speed, an alternator is used to supply torque to the engine until the engine is started. In some embodiments, the starter motor is de-energized while the alternator is cranking the engine and before the engine is started. The same battery pack is used to power both the starter motor and the alternator when starting the engine. An automatic start-stop system is also disclosed. When automatically restarting the engine, the alternator alone is used to restart the engine if it is still coasting above a restart engine speed. If the engine speed is below the restart engine speed, the starter motor initially cranks the engine when restarting the engine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 9, 2013
    Publication date: April 9, 2015
    Inventors: Alex Creviston, Bradley D. Chamberlin
  • Patent number: 8985080
    Abstract: An engine start system which may be employed in automotive idle stop systems. To start an engine, the system brings a pinion gear into engagement with a ring gear coupled to the engine and turns on an electric motor to rotate the ring gear through the pinion gear to crank the engine. When it is requested to start the engine during deceleration of the engine before stop thereof, the system thrusts the pinion into engagement with the ring gear and then turns on the motor to rotate the pinion gear, in other words, delays the activation of the motor until after the pinion gear has engaged the ring gear. This minimizes mechanical impact or noise arising from the engagement of the pinion gear with the ring gear and improves the reliability in engagement with the ring gear during the deceleration of the engine and durability of the system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2015
    Assignee: Denso Corporation
    Inventors: Mitsuhiro Murata, Hideya Notani, Shinji Usami, Mikio Saito, Yasuyuki Yoshida
  • Publication number: 20150075474
    Abstract: A vehicle control device includes an engine, a starter for starting the engine, a transmission for transmitting power of the engine to a driving wheel, an oil pump for supplying hydraulic pressure to the transmission according to the power of the engine, an accumulator for accumulating the hydraulic pressure ejected from the oil pump, and an electromagnetic on-off valve for controlling the hydraulic pressure accumulated in the accumulator. When the engine is restarted after the engine has stopped, an ECU of the vehicle control device opens the electromagnetic on-off valve at the time a line pressure has become equal to or higher than a predetermined hydraulic pressure after the start of the starter, and supplies the hydraulic pressure accumulated in the accumulator to respective portions of the transmission.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 9, 2012
    Publication date: March 19, 2015
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Takuro Morino, Shuji Moriyama, Yoshio Ito
  • Patent number: 8972157
    Abstract: A stop control system for an internal combustion engine, which is capable of restarting the engine automatically stopped, in optimum timing, thereby making it possible to positively prevent occurrence of fogging of window glass of a vehicle compartment and improve fuel economy. The engine is connected to a compressor of an air conditioner. According to the stop control system, during idle stop, window glass temperature is calculated, and according to the calculated window glass temperature, limit humidity below which fogging of the window glass does not occur is set. When determining compartment humidity becomes equal to or higher than the limit humidity, the idle stop is terminated and the engine is restarted. When the weather is rainy or snowy, the determining compartment humidity is corrected. When vehicle compartment temperature is not lower than a first predetermined temperature, the window glass temperature is corrected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2015
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shinichirou Wakou, Yoshihisa Tsuchiya, Masanobu Eguchi, Shinji Yasuno, Kanao Kogure, Nobuyuki Akahoshi
  • Patent number: 8972089
    Abstract: A hybrid vehicle having a controller controls output torque of an engine and output torque of a generator motor so as to apply requested torque to a drive shaft. The controller performs engine intermittent operation to stop operation of the engine when a given engine operation stop condition is satisfied, and start the engine when a given engine start condition is satisfied. The controller makes an in-cylinder injection valve abnormality determination while causing a total amount of fuel to be injected from an in-cylinder injection valve, and makes a port injection valve abnormality determination while causing the total amount of fuel to be injected from a port injection valve. If at least one of abnormality determinations concerning the in-cylinder injection valve and the port injection valve has not been made, the engine is operated so that the load of the engine falls within a predetermined range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2015
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Daigo Ando, Yukio Kobayashi
  • Publication number: 20150053164
    Abstract: An internal combustion engine includes a cylinder, an exhaust, a fuel tank, an engine cover, a power take off configured to drive an implement, an electric starting system including a starter motor, a battery receiving port, and a rechargeable battery removably attached to the battery receiving port, and an electric start control module including a switch configured to be actuated by a release mechanism configured to put the implement in the ready-to-run condition and a controller coupled to the switch, wherein the switch is configured to provide a signal when the release mechanism is in the engaged position, wherein the controller is configured to receive the signal, wherein the controller it configured to turn on the starter motor to start the internal combustion engine upon receipt of the signal from the switch and an input from a run sensor confirming that the implement is in the ready-to-run condition, and wherein the rechargeable battery is configured to power the starter motor to start the engine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 6, 2014
    Publication date: February 26, 2015
    Applicant: BRIGGS & STRATTON CORPORATION
    Inventors: Jason A. Hansen, Robert Koenen, David W. Procknow, Stephen J. Lavender, Jason D. Elvers
  • Patent number: 8950373
    Abstract: A ring gear is connected to a crank shaft of an engine. A pinion is placed to face to the ring gear. When the engine is started, an ECU performs cranking of the engine under a state where the ring gear and the pinion are in mesh. The ECU releases the mesh state of the ring gear and the pinion after completion of the cranking of the engine. In particular, the ECU performs dispersion control to increase a degree of dispersion of a mesh portion of the ring gear which is meshed with the pinion when the rotation of the ring gear is stopped according to the engine stop. The dispersion control prevents the mesh portion of the ring gear and the mesh portion of the pinion from progressing abrasion and avoiding defect.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2015
    Assignee: Denso Corporation
    Inventor: Hideya Notani
  • Patent number: 8944528
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided to reduce a hard brake pedal feel. A brake control variable is adjusted in anticipation of a hard pedal condition to increase hydraulic brake line pressure and maintain a normal pedal feel. A pedal force is inferred from brake line pressure relative to brake booster vacuum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2015
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Ross Dykstra Pursifull, Moses Alexander Fridman, Ralph Wayne Cunningham
  • Patent number: 8939122
    Abstract: A machine comprising a clutch, an engine operable at a resonant frequency engine speed, and a hybrid motor. The hybrid motor is connected to the engine through the clutch. The hybrid motor applies power to the engine when the clutch is engaged, and does not apply power to the engine when the clutch is disengaged. The hybrid motor is operable at a predetermined hybrid motor speed. An ignition switch starts the hybrid motor. An electronic control module disengages the clutch until the hybrid motor speed exceeds the predetermined hybrid motor speed, and engages the clutch after the hybrid motor speed exceeds the predetermined hybrid motor speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2015
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Timothy M. O'Donnell, Evan E. Jacobson
  • Patent number: 8935075
    Abstract: A system includes a first module configured to determine at least one of a position of a vehicle, an elevation level of the vehicle and a road grade at the position of the vehicle. A second module configured to inhibit an autostop of an engine including generating a start-stop signal based on the at least one of the position of the vehicle, the elevation level of the vehicle and the road grade at the position of the vehicle. An actuator control module configured to prevent the autostop by adjusting at least one of a spark parameter, a fuel parameter and an air flow parameter of the engine based on the start-stop signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2015
    Inventors: Paul G. Otanez, Shushan Bai, Vijay A. Neelakantan
  • Publication number: 20140373801
    Abstract: A starter for an internal combustion engine, comprising: an electric motor; a drive assembly including a pinion movable between a free position and a meshed position, wherein the pinion is rotatably linked to the electric motor and the internal combustion engine; an electric switching device including a main actuator capable, when engaged, of moving and holding a plunger, in position, the plunger being linked with the movement of the pinion between the free position and the meshed position, by means of a lever; a means connected to the plunger, which is capable of establishing electrical power contact between the electric motor and a power source when the pinion is in the meshed position; and including an auxiliary actuator capable, when engaged, of opening the power contact and a means for separately controlling the main actuator and the auxiliary actuator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2012
    Publication date: December 25, 2014
    Inventors: Jean-Sébastien Metral, Tristan Guesney
  • Publication number: 20140366830
    Abstract: An engine-powered tool 1 includes a starter motor 106 to be driven by electric power supplied from a battery 80 to start an engine, start control means 102 to be driven by electric power from the battery 80 to control rotation of the starter motor 106, and a switching element (FET) 121 provided in series to a power supply circuit from the battery 80 to the starter motor 106, opening and closing of the switching element being controlled by the start control means. When starting the starter motor 106, PWM control is performed on the switching element and soft start in which a duty ratio is gradually increased is performed. The start control means 102 monitors temperature and battery voltage, and changes a ratio and time for increasing the duty ratio in the PWM control in accordance with the temperature and the voltage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 23, 2013
    Publication date: December 18, 2014
    Inventors: Yoshikazu Kawano, Takuhiro Murakami
  • Publication number: 20140366829
    Abstract: A delay circuit is coupled to an electromagnetic coil and includes a power input end coupled to a first end of the electromagnetic coil, a first switch module coupled to the power input end, a second switch module coupled to a second end of the electromagnetic coil, a first timing module coupled to the power input end and the first switch module, and a second timing module coupled to the power input end and the second switch module. The second switch module turns on when the power input end supplies power. The first timing module is configured to count time when the power input end supplies power and turns on the first switch module after a first predetermined time. The second timing module is configured to count time after the first switch module turns on and turns on the second switch module after a second predetermined time.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 24, 2014
    Publication date: December 18, 2014
    Applicants: UNIVERSAL SCIENTIFIC INDUSTRIAL ( SHANGHAI ) CO., LTD., UNIVERSAL GLOBAL SCIENTIFIC INDUSTRIAL CO., LTD.
    Inventor: HSIN-HUNG WU
  • Patent number: 8904983
    Abstract: An automatic starting device for the engine, which quietly and quickly restarts the engine when a re-acceleration request is made by a driver, is provided. In a case where it is judged that a vehicle is decelerating and fuel injection is currently stopped, when it is then judged that a brake pedal is released and an engine rpm is smaller than an engine rpm which allows recovery from a fuel-supply stop state, the controller disengages a lock-up clutch. Upon detection of reverse rotation of the engine based on a detection signal of the crank-angle sensor, the controller controls a pinion gear to be pushed out by a lever of a starter to be meshed with a ring gear. After the ring gear is rotated by a predetermined angle, the controller rotary-drives a motor of the starter to restart the engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2014
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
    Inventor: Keiichi Enoki
  • Patent number: 8899203
    Abstract: A method for starting an internal combustion engine, the method comprising identifying cylinder stroke during the engine start responsive to a fuel rail pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2014
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Joseph Lyle Thomas
  • Publication number: 20140345555
    Abstract: A self-contained starting module for outdoor power equipment that has control circuit and a start button. The starting module includes internal control circuit that can be either microprocessor based or analog. The control circuit receives a start signal from a start button of the starting module. The control circuit monitors for the presence of an enable device and, upon activation of the start button and the presence of the enable device, provides electric power to the electric load of the power equipment. When the start button is depressed for longer than a minimum engagement period, the control circuit initiates operation of the engine. If the start button is pressed for less than the minimum engagement period, the control circuit activates the electric load for an auxiliary period without starting the engine. During engine operation, if the start button is depressed, the operation of the engine is terminated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 7, 2014
    Publication date: November 27, 2014
    Applicant: BRIGGS & STRATTON CORPORATION
    Inventors: Robert John Koenen, Jason Hansen, Andrew Paskov, Daniel Brueck, Steven J. Weber
  • Publication number: 20140345554
    Abstract: An electromagnetic switch for the starter of a heat engine, including a first terminal (B1), a second terminal (B2), a first mobile contact (C1) which is movable between an inactive position and a power supply position, and at least one second mobile contact (C2), which is placed between the first mobile contact (C1) and the second terminal (B2) and which is movable between a disconnected position and a connected position. The switch is capable of being placed in three operating states: an inactive state, an engagement state, and a power supply state.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2012
    Publication date: November 27, 2014
    Inventor: Stéphane Plaideau