A HYBRID ELECTRIC VEHICLE AND A METHOD FOR OPERATING A HYBRID ELECTRIC VEHICLE
First Claim
1. A method for starting an engine in a vehicle having a motor and a controller, the method comprising:
- rotating the engine with the motor, thereby increasing engine speed over time and generating an engine speed profile;
determining whether the engine speed profile matches a predetermined ideal speed profile;
providing fuel to the engine when the engine speed reaches a target speed and the engine speed profile matches the predetermined ideal speed profile; and
providing fuel to the engine before the engine speed reaches the target speed when the engine speed profile does not match the predetermined ideal speed profile.
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Abstract
A hybrid electric vehicle 10 and a method for operating the hybrid electric vehicle 10 is provided. Combustion is made to occur within the internal combustion engine 24 only after the crankshaft 25 of the engine 24 has been rotated by an electric motor or generator 30 to a certain speed and according to a certain ramped or partially ramped profile 114, 112, thereby reducing the amount of emissions from the engine 24, allowing for a more efficient torque transfer to wheels 42, and allowing for a smoother operation of the vehicle 10. The fuel injectors 13, throttle plate 11, and spark plugs 15 are also controlled in order to allow emissions to be reduced during activation of the engine and to allow the catalytic converter 7 to be heated in order to allow these emissions to be further reduced as the engine 24 is operating.
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Citations
18 Claims
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1. A method for starting an engine in a vehicle having a motor and a controller, the method comprising:
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rotating the engine with the motor, thereby increasing engine speed over time and generating an engine speed profile;
determining whether the engine speed profile matches a predetermined ideal speed profile;
providing fuel to the engine when the engine speed reaches a target speed and the engine speed profile matches the predetermined ideal speed profile; and
providing fuel to the engine before the engine speed reaches the target speed when the engine speed profile does not match the predetermined ideal speed profile. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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7. A control system for a vehicle having an engine and a motor, the control system comprising:
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a sensor disposed within the vehicle and configured to measure engine speed and output signals related to the engine speed; and
a controller in communication with the sensor and configured to command the engine to rotate the motor, thereby increasing engine speed over time and generating an engine speed profile, the controller being further configured to determine whether the engine speed profile matches a predetermined ideal speed profile, provide fuel to the engine when the engine speed reaches a target speed and the engine speed profile matches the predetermined ideal speed profile, and provide fuel to the engine before the engine speed reaches the target speed when the engine speed profile does not match the predetermined ideal speed profile. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A controller for controlling engine startup in a vehicle having a motor, the controller comprising:
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a preprogrammed algorithm for a) commanding the motor to rotate the engine, thereby increasing engine speed over time and generating an engine speed profile, b) determining whether the engine speed profile matches a predetermined ideal speed profile, c) providing fuel to the engine when the engine speed reaches a target speed and the engine speed profile matches the predetermined ideal speed profile, and d) providing fuel to the engine before the engine speed reaches the target speed when the engine speed profile does not match the predetermined ideal speed profile. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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Specification