Abstract: A vehicle, an electrical system of the vehicle and a method of operating the vehicle. The electrical system includes a battery, an electrical load that draws power from the battery, a switch between the battery and the electrical load, and a processor. The processor is configured to measure a power drawn from the battery by the electrical load and open the switch to disconnect the battery from the electrical load when the power drawn by the electrical load matches a selected criterion.

Abstract: A vehicle, an electrical system of the vehicle and a method of operating the vehicle. The electrical system includes a battery, an electrical load that draws power from the battery, a switch between the battery and the electrical load, and a processor. The processor is configured to measure a power drawn from the battery by the electrical load and open the switch to disconnect the battery from the electrical load when the power drawn by the electrical load matches a selected criterion.

Abstract: A method of stopping an engine crankshaft includes selecting a target angular position at which the engine crankshaft is to be stopped and detecting an actual angular position of the engine crankshaft and a rotational speed of the engine crankshaft. A stopping torque in calculated based on the actual angular position of the engine crankshaft and the rotational speed of the engine crankshaft. The stopping torque is applied to the engine crankshaft via a motor/generator operably connected to the engine crankshaft. The engine crankshaft is stopped at the target angular position via the application of the stopping torque.

Abstract: A method of stopping an engine crankshaft includes selecting a target angular position at which the engine crankshaft is to be stopped and detecting an actual angular position of the engine crankshaft and a rotational speed of the engine crankshaft. A stopping torque in calculated based on the actual angular position of the engine crankshaft and the rotational speed of the engine crankshaft. The stopping torque is applied to the engine crankshaft via a motor/generator operably connected to the engine crankshaft. The engine crankshaft is stopped at the target angular position via the application of the stopping torque.

Abstract: A method of controlling a powertrain of a vehicle includes opening and/or closing one or more of a first switching device, a second switching device, a third switching device, and engaging and/or disengaging at least one of a pair of actuators for a starter mechanism or a motor/generator clutch. Many different control modes are provided for the powertrain by changing the operation of a motor-generator between a motor or a generator, and changing the electrical connections between a first energy storage device, a second energy storage device, an auxiliary electric system, the starter mechanism, and the motor-generator.

Abstract: A method and system for downloading and installing software to a vehicle that includes a battery and vehicle electronics. The system includes a vehicle communications device that receives an anticipatory signal indicating that software is ready or will be ready for wireless download to the vehicle. In response to the anticipatory signal, the method and system determine whether the vehicle is in a state and/or the battery has enough energy for wireless download of the software package, installation of the software, or both. If the vehicle is not in such a state or the battery does not have the requisite energy, then changes to battery charging parameters may be made in preparation of the software download and/or installation.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for controlling an auto stop feature of an engine of a vehicle. A sensor is configured to provide information pertaining to engine speed at first full compression of the engine and at predetermined times including and beyond the time to first full compression after commencement of engine crank. A processor is coupled to the sensor, and is configured to disable the auto stop feature if the engine speed is less than a predetermined speed threshold.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for controlling an auto stop feature of an engine of a vehicle. A sensor is configured to provide information pertaining to engine speed at first full compression of the engine and at predetermined times including and beyond the time to first full compression after commencement of engine crank. A processor is coupled to the sensor, and is configured to disable the auto stop feature if the engine speed is less than a predetermined speed threshold.

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.

Abstract: A method of controlling a powertrain of a vehicle includes opening and/or closing one or more of a first switching device, a second switching device, a third switching device, and engaging and/or disengaging at least one of a pair of actuators for a starter mechanism or a motor/generator clutch. Many different control modes are provided for the powertrain by changing the operation of a motor-generator between a motor or a generator, and changing the electrical connections between a first energy storage device, a second energy storage device, an auxiliary electric system, the starter mechanism, and the motor-generator.

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.

Abstract: A method is provided for determining a state-of-charge of a battery for a vehicle. The vehicle is in a charging state when the engine is operating and a non-charging state when the engine is not operating. A first battery voltage is measured at a first predetermined time period after battery charging is discontinued in the non-charging state. A first temperature of the battery is measured that coincides with the first battery voltage. A second battery voltage is measured at a second predetermined time. The second predetermined time is greater than the first predetermined time. A second temperature of the battery is measured that coincides with the second battery voltage. An average temperature is calculated based on the first temperature measurement and the second temperature measurement. A fixed time constant is determined based on the average temperature. An open circuit voltage is estimated as a function of the first voltage measurement, the second voltage measurement, and the fixed time constant.

Abstract: A method is provided for determining a battery's state-of-health. An initial battery voltage is measured after a first voltage drop during an initiation of an engine cranking phase. A battery voltage is monitored during the remainder of the engine cranking phase. A lowest battery voltage is determined during the remainder of the engine cranking phase. A determination is made if a voltage difference between the lowest battery voltage and the initial battery voltage at the initiation of the engine cranking phase is less than a voltage threshold. A low battery state-of-health is identified in response to the voltage difference being less than the voltage threshold.

Abstract: A method is provided for determining a cranking capability of a starting system for an internal combustion engine. An average power output of a battery is determined for the starting system during a start engine cranking interval. A temperature of the starting system is determined at an initiation of the start engine cranking interval. A predetermined average power output capability for a battery having a full state of charge at the determined temperature is looked up. A predetermined minimum average power output required of the battery for starting the respective engine at the determined temperature is looked up. A state of function based on the determined average power outputs is determined. The cranking capability of the starting system is identified in response to the determined state of function.

Abstract: A method is provided for determining a cranking capability of a starting system for an internal combustion engine. An average power output of a battery is determined for the starting system during a start engine cranking interval. A temperature of the starting system is determined at an initiation of the start engine cranking interval. A predetermined average power output capability for a battery having a full state of charge at the determined temperature is looked up. A predetermined minimum average power output required of the battery for starting the respective engine at the determined temperature is looked up. A state of function based on the determined average power outputs is determined. The cranking capability of the starting system is identified in response to the determined state of function.

Abstract: An electrical power storage device provides power to crank an internal combustion engine. Thereafter available power from the electric power storage device to crank the engine again is continually updated. Remedial measures are invoked if the available power is less than a predetermined power threshold.

Abstract: A method is provided for determining a battery's state-of-health. An initial battery voltage is measured after a first voltage drop during an initiation of an engine cranking phase. A battery voltage is monitored during the remainder of the engine cranking phase. A lowest battery voltage is determined during the remainder of the engine cranking phase. A determination is made if a voltage difference between the lowest battery voltage and the initial battery voltage at the initiation of the engine cranking phase is less than a voltage threshold. A low battery state-of-health is identified in response to the voltage difference being less than the voltage threshold.

Abstract: A method and article of manufacture for monitoring an electrical energy storage device adapted to supply electrical power to a selectively actuable electric motor is described. This comprises determining a state of charge and a temperature of the electrical energy storage device subsequent to a stabilization period, and measuring a minimum voltage output from the electrical energy storage device during selective actuation of the electric motor. One of a plurality of predetermined threshold voltage states is selected based upon the state of charge and the temperature. The minimum voltage is compared to the selected predetermined threshold voltage.

Abstract: An electrical power storage device provides power to crank an internal combustion engine. Thereafter available power from the electric power storage device to crank the engine again is continually updated. Remedial measures are invoked if the available power is less than a predetermined power threshold.

Abstract: An engine idle speed control system for regulating an idle speed of an internal combustion engine includes a first module that determines an indicated torque of the engine based on a current spark timing and a second module that determines a desired indicated torque based on the indicated torque. A third module determines a new spark timing based on the desired indicated torque and a fourth module that regulates operation of the engine based on the new spark timing.