System and method for controlling alternator or integrated starter generator output voltage

• US 10,322,708 B2
• Filed: 07/27/2011
• Issued: 06/18/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 07/27/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC (Ford Motor Company)
• Original Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC (Ford Motor Company)
• Inventors: Tomik, Filip, Rademacher, Eric Michael, Gibson, Alexander O'Connor, DeMarco, John Anthony, Griffin, Chad Everette, Pebley, Kirk
• Primary Examiner(s): Vilakazi, Sizo B
• Assistant Examiner(s): Kirby, Brian R
• Application Number:
  US13/191,702
• Publication Number:
  US 20130030670A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,883 Days
• Field of Search: 701102, 701112, 701113, 701114, 1231793, 1231794, 12317928, 322 26, 322 17, 322 44, 322 14, 322 22, 322 23, 322 24, 322 25, 322 27, 322 28
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 16/03 for supply of electrical power to vehicle subsystems or for circuit arrangements for charging batteries H02J7/00
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 10/06 including control of combustion engines
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 10/08 including control of electric propulsion units, e.g. motors or generators
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 20/00 Control systems specially adapted for hybrid vehicles hybrid vehicle design, B60K6/00; electric vehicles B60L
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2520/10 Longitudinal speed
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2555/20 Ambient conditions, e.g. wind or rain
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2710/08 Electric propulsion units
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 30/18018 Start-stop drive, e.g. in a traffic jam
• CPC Class Codes: F02N 11/08 Circuits or control means specially adapted for starting of engines
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/62 Hybrid vehicles

Abstract

An automotive vehicle includes an engine, an alternator or integrated starter generator, and at least one controller. The at least one controller reduces voltage output of the alternator or integrated starter generator prior to initiating an auto stop of the engine.

Claims

1. A vehicle comprising:

a battery;

an engine;

an alternator; and

a controller configured to,

responsive to a command to autostop the engine, reduce voltage output of the alternator to a first target greater than an output voltage of the battery at a first rate that depends on ambient light level, and

responsive to vehicle speed becoming zero, reduce the voltage output at a second rate different than the first rate and initiate the autostop.

2. The vehicle of claim 1 wherein the controller is further configured to reduce the voltage output of the alternator from the first target voltage to a second target voltage approximately equal to the voltage output of the battery.

3. A vehicle comprising:

a battery;

an engine;

an integrated starter generator (ISG); and

a controller configured to,

responsive to a command to autostop the engine, reduce voltage output of the ISG to a first target greater than an output voltage of the battery at a first rate that depends on ambient light level, and

responsive to vehicle speed becoming zero, reduce the voltage output at a second rate different than the first rate and initiate the autostop.

4. The vehicle of claim 3 wherein the controller is further configured to reduce the voltage output of the ISG from the first target voltage to a second target voltage approximately equal to the voltage output of the battery.