Efficient Vehicle Component Heating

• US 20100065376A1
• Filed: 09/12/2008
• Published: 03/18/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 09/12/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC (Ford Motor Company)
• Original Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC (Ford Motor Company)
• Inventors: Pursifull, Ross Dykstra
• Granted Patent: US 8,353,265 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 184/6.220
• CPC Class Codes: F01M 5/001 Heating
• CPC Class Codes: F01M 5/021 by heating

Abstract

Methods for achieving efficient vehicle component heating are provided. One example method for controlling the warming of powertrain lubricants during engine warm-up from a cold start, the engine having an output crankshaft, includes selectively driving a lubricant heating device with the crankshaft during the cold start based on lubricant temperature. The method further includes directing the powertrain lubricants to the lubricant heating device.

Claims

1. A method for controlling the warming of powertrain lubricants during engine warm-up from a cold start, the engine having an output crankshaft, comprising:

selectively driving a lubricant heating device with the crankshaft during the cold start based on lubricant temperature; and

directing the powertrain lubricants to the lubricant heating device.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein the lubricant heating device includes an oil shear device, and where the method further includes selectively driving the shear device via engagement and disengagement of a clutch coupled between the crankshaft and the shear device.

3. The method of claim 1 where the selective driving includes coupling the lubricant heating device mechanically to the crankshaft when lubricant temperature is below a threshold temperature;

and decoupling the lubricant heating device mechanically from the crankshaft when lubricant temperature is above the threshold temperature.

4. The method of claim 3 wherein the threshold temperature is selected from a range of threshold temperatures based on operating conditions.

5. The method of claim 1 wherein the lubricant heating device generates heat by mechanically shearing the lubricant without electrical heat generation in the shear device.

6. The method of claim 1 wherein during the selective driving of the lubricant heating device the engine generates increased output torque to maintain idle speed.

7. The method of claim 2 further comprising transitioning between engagement and disengagement of the shear device by adjusting spark timing retard of the engine and throttle opening of the engine to maintain engine idle speed.

8. The method of claim 2 wherein the shear device is engaged after the engine has reached a minimum engine speed after cranking, and where the lubricant is engine oil.

9. The method of claim 1 further comprising adjusting ignition timing in response to engine speed to maintain idle speed during engagement of the shear device.

10. The method of claim 1 further comprising adjusting the selective engagement of the shear device in response to engine idle speed deviations to maintain idle speed.

11. For controlling the warming of powertrain lubricants during engine warm-up operation from a cold start, the engine having an output crankshaft, comprising:

selectively driving a heating system with the crankshaft during the cold start based on lubricating oil temperature and at least when catalyst temperature is less than a threshold value, and further while maintaining engine idle speed; and

directing the powertrain lubricants to the heat generating system.

12. The method of claim 11 wherein the heat generating system includes an electric machine and an electric heater, where the engine crankshaft drives the electric machine, and where the electric machine generates electrical energy to power the electric heater.

13. The method of claim 11 wherein the heat generating system includes an electric machine, an energy storage device, and an electric heater, where the engine crankshaft drives the electric machine, and where the electric machine generates electrical energy stored in the energy storage device, and where the energy storage device supplies electrical power to the electric heater.

14. The method of claim 11, wherein the electric machine is an alternator, and where the selective driving includes adjusting a field of the alternator responsive to lubricant temperature.

15. A method of operating a vehicle having a powertrain including an engine, the powertrain further including a first lubricant heating device configured to selectively heat powertrain lubricating oil, comprising:

during a first non-warmed engine start, selectively mechanically driving the first lubricant heating device from a crankshaft of the engine based on lubricant temperature, at least during a portion of the start, with ignition timing at a first location relative to a peak torque timing; and

during a second engine start, operating with the first lubricant heating device driven to a lesser extent by the crankshaft of the engine than in the first condition, at least during a portion of the second start, with ignition timing at a second location more retarded than the first location, and with lubricant oil temperature higher during the second start than during the first start.

16. The method of claim 15 where said lesser extent is disengaged, where the first lubricant heating device is engaged during first condition, and where engine combustion torque is higher on average during the first start portion than during the second start portion.

17. The method of claim 15 wherein the powertrain further includes a second lubricant heating device, the method further comprising during at least one of the first and second engine starts, electrically powering the second lubricant heating device.

18. A method for controlling the warming of powertrain lubricants during engine warm-up operation from a cold start, the engine having an output crankshaft, comprising:

during a first engine start, selectively driving a first heating system with the crankshaft during the first start based on lubricating oil temperature and while maintaining engine idle speed, the first heating system including an electric machine and an electric heater, where the engine crankshaft drives the electric machine, and where the electric machine generates electrical energy to power the electric heater; and

during a second engine start, selectively and mechanically driving a second heat generating system with the crankshaft during the second start based on lubricating oil temperature and while maintaining engine idle speed, the second heat generating system including a clutch selectively coupling a shear device mechanically to the crankshaft; and

directing the powertrain lubricants to the first and second heat generating systems.

19. The method of claim 18 wherein the electric machine is an alternator coupled as a front end accessory device of the engine, and where the shear device is coupled as a front end accessory device of the engine, and where the shear device is a multi-plate shearing device.

20. The method of claim 19 wherein the powertrain lubricant is engine oil.