METHOD FOR STARTING AN INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINE WITHIN A HYBRID POWERTRAIN
First Claim
1. Method to start operation of an internal combustion engine within a hybrid powertrain coupled to a driveline, the powertrain comprising the engine, an electrical machine, and an electro-mechanical transmission selectively controllably operative to transmit torque among the engine, driveline and electrical machine, the method comprising, in turn:
- closing an airflow path from an intake manifold into a combustion chamber of the engine with a flow control device located between the intake manifold and the combustion chamber proximate the combustion chamber;
initiating rotation of a crankshaft of the engine exclusively with a starter motor while the airflow path from the intake manifold into the combustion chamber of the engine is restricted by the flow control device;
continuing rotation of the crankshaft of the engine with both the starter motor and the electrical machine while the airflow path from the intake manifold into the combustion chamber of the engine is restricted by the flow control device until a predetermined crankshaft speed is achieved; and
continuing rotation of the crankshaft of the engine exclusively with the electrical machine while the airflow path from the intake manifold into the combustion chamber of the engine is opened by the flow control device.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A hybrid powertrain includes an internal combustion engine, an electro-mechanical transmission and an electric machine. In an engine starting routine, flow control devices located proximate each combustion chamber in the engine initially restrict airflow into the cylinders to allow for a starter motor to rotate the engine at lower expansion and compression torque whereafter rotation of the engine is transitioned to the electric machine.
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Citations
13 Claims
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1. Method to start operation of an internal combustion engine within a hybrid powertrain coupled to a driveline, the powertrain comprising the engine, an electrical machine, and an electro-mechanical transmission selectively controllably operative to transmit torque among the engine, driveline and electrical machine, the method comprising, in turn:
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closing an airflow path from an intake manifold into a combustion chamber of the engine with a flow control device located between the intake manifold and the combustion chamber proximate the combustion chamber; initiating rotation of a crankshaft of the engine exclusively with a starter motor while the airflow path from the intake manifold into the combustion chamber of the engine is restricted by the flow control device; continuing rotation of the crankshaft of the engine with both the starter motor and the electrical machine while the airflow path from the intake manifold into the combustion chamber of the engine is restricted by the flow control device until a predetermined crankshaft speed is achieved; and continuing rotation of the crankshaft of the engine exclusively with the electrical machine while the airflow path from the intake manifold into the combustion chamber of the engine is opened by the flow control device. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3)
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4. Method to start operation of an internal combustion engine within a hybrid powertrain coupled to a driveline, the powertrain comprising the engine, an electrical machine, and an electro-mechanical transmission selectively controllably operative to transmit torque among the engine, driveline and electrical machine, the method comprising:
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closing a main throttle valve to restrict airflow into an intake manifold of the engine; closing an intake port throttle valve for restricting airflow from the intake manifold into a combustion chamber of the engine; activating a starter motor to initially turn a crankshaft of the engine using the starter motor with the main throttle valve closed and an intake port throttle valve closed; monitoring a rotational speed of the crankshaft; subsequent to the initial turning of the crankshaft, accelerating the crankshaft with the starter motor and the electrical machine; comparing the rotational speed of the crankshaft to a threshold speed; deactivating the starter motor when the rotational speed of the crankshaft exceeds the threshold speed; and firing the engine comprising initially opening only the intake port throttle valve to control airflow into the engine. - View Dependent Claims (5, 6, 7)
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8. System for starting operation of an internal combustion engine within a hybrid powertrain coupled to a driveline, the powertrain comprising the engine, an electrical machine, and an electro-mechanical transmission selectively controllably operative to transmit torque among the engine, driveline and electrical machine, the system comprising:
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said engine including a plurality of combustion chambers fluidly coupled to an intake manifold; a plurality of flow control devices, each flow control device located between the intake manifold and a respective one of the plurality of combustion chambers to selectively restrict airflow to the combustion chambers; a starter motor; said electric machine; a control module electrically coupled to said starter motor, said electric machine, and said plurality of flow control devices to, in turn and prior to an engine firing event, initiate rotation of the engine exclusively with the starter motor while restricting airflow into the plurality of combustion chambers through each flow control device, continue rotation of the engine with both the starter motor and the electrical machine while restricting airflow into the plurality of combustion chambers through each flow control device until a predetermined engine speed is achieved, and continue rotation of the crankshaft of the engine exclusively with the electrical machine while unrestricting airflow into the plurality of combustion chambers through each flow control device. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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Specification