Combustion engine acceleration support using an integrated starter/alternator
First Claim
1. A method of increasing an acceleration rate of a combustion engine during combustion engine acceleration, the combustion engine including a crankshaft, the method comprising:
- providing an electromagnetic motor/generator in rotating combination with the crankshaft, the electromagnetic motor/generator adapted to rotate the crankshaft upon receiving an electrical current from a battery system;
determining an acceleration demand of the combustion engine;
powering the electromagnetic motor/generator with the electrical current, wherein the electrical current is proportional to the acceleration demand; and
increasing the rotational speed of the crankshaft by the electromagnetic motor/generator;
wherein increasing the rotational speed of the crankshaft by the electromagnetic motor/generator increases the acceleration rate of the combustion engine.
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Abstract
A method of providing acceleration support to a combustion engine using an integrated starter/alternator. The integrated starter/alternator is in rotational combination with the crankshaft and connected to a battery system. The integrated starter/alternator is adapted to function at times as a power source adding torque to rotate the crankshaft to overcome friction and non-linear hydrodynamic forces within the engine. At other times the integrated starter/alternator functions as a power generator for subtracting torque from the crankshaft to provide electrical current to the battery system.
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Citations
21 Claims
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1. A method of increasing an acceleration rate of a combustion engine during combustion engine acceleration, the combustion engine including a crankshaft, the method comprising:
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providing an electromagnetic motor/generator in rotating combination with the crankshaft, the electromagnetic motor/generator adapted to rotate the crankshaft upon receiving an electrical current from a battery system;
determining an acceleration demand of the combustion engine;
powering the electromagnetic motor/generator with the electrical current, wherein the electrical current is proportional to the acceleration demand; and
increasing the rotational speed of the crankshaft by the electromagnetic motor/generator;
wherein increasing the rotational speed of the crankshaft by the electromagnetic motor/generator increases the acceleration rate of the combustion engine. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A method of operating a vehicle including a combustion engine, a transmission, an electromagnetic motor/generator, and a control system, the combustion engine having a crankshaft connected to the transmission, the electromagnetic motor/generator in rotational combination with the crankshaft and connected to a battery system, and the control system in controlling combination with the electromagnetic motor/generator, wherein the electromagnetic motor/generator is adapted to function at times as a power source adding torque to rotate the crankshaft and at other times to function as a power generator for subtracting torque from the crankshaft to provide electrical current to the battery system, the method comprising:
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determining an acceleration demand of the combustion engine during engine acceleration;
directing with the control system a first electrical current from the battery system to the electromagnetic motor/generator during combustion engine acceleration, wherein the first electrical current is proportional to the acceleration demand;
powering the electromagnetic motor/generator with the first electrical current during acceleration of the combustion engine to add torque to the crankshaft;
determining one of a low electrical charge of the battery system and a high vehicle electrical operating load;
powering the electromagnetic motor/generator with the crankshaft to produce a second electrical current; and
directing with the control system the second electrical current to the battery system, wherein the second electrical current charges the battery system. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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21. A method of increasing an acceleration rate of a combustion engine during combustion engine acceleration, the combustion engine including a crankshaft, the method comprising:
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providing an electromagnetic motor/generator in rotating combination with the crankshaft, wherein the electromagnetic motor/generator comprises an integrated starter/alternator having a capacity of about 2 kilowatts to about 6 kilowatts and adapted to rotate the crankshaft upon receiving an electrical current from a battery system;
determining an acceleration demand of the combustion engine;
powering the electromagnetic motor/generator with the electrical current, wherein the electrical current is proportional to the acceleration demand; and
increasing the rotational speed of the crankshaft by the electromagnetic motor/generator;
wherein increasing the rotational speed of the crankshaft by the electromagnetic motor/generator increases the acceleration rate of the combustion engine.
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Specification