Alternator charging based on marginal fuel cost
First Claim
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1. A method for an engine, comprising:
- in response to a state of charge (SOC) of a vehicle battery increasing above a threshold SOC, continuing to charge the battery with an alternator driven by an engine and then reducing the alternator charging in response to an increase in spark retard, and during the increase in spark retard.
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Abstract
Method and systems are provided for, in response to a state of charge (SOC) of a vehicle battery increasing above a threshold SOC, reducing an alternator charging based on one or more of a spark timing, an engine speed, an air-fuel ratio, and an engine load. In this way, fuel consumption may be reduced while maintaining a battery SOC for operation of front-end accessories may be achieved, and fuel consumption may be reduced during aggressive vehicle driving conditions such has high engine loads near transmission downshift thresholds and high engine speeds.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A method for an engine, comprising:
in response to a state of charge (SOC) of a vehicle battery increasing above a threshold SOC, continuing to charge the battery with an alternator driven by an engine and then reducing the alternator charging in response to an increase in spark retard, and during the increase in spark retard. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A method for an engine, comprising:
adjusting an alternator torque in response to a state of charge (SOC) of a vehicle battery increasing above a threshold SOC, continuing to charge the battery with alternator torque thereafter and then, with the SOC still above the threshold SOC, reducing the alternator charging in response to an increase in spark retard, where the alternator charging is reduced proportionate to the increase in spark retard, during the increase in spark retard the adjusting of alternator torque is further based on an engine speed, an air-fuel ratio, and an engine load. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. A vehicle system, comprising:
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an engine; an alternator mechanically coupled to the engine and electrically coupled to a battery; a controller on-board the engine, including executable instructions to, in response to a battery state of charge (SOC) being greater than a threshold SOC, continuing to charge the battery with the alternator and then reducing the alternator charging in response to an increase in spark retard, and during the increase in spark retard; and further adjusting an alternator torque based on one or more of an air-fuel ratio, an engine speed, and an engine load, wherein the threshold SOC is below a fully charged battery SOC. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification