ELECTRICALLY-VARIABLE ACCESSORY DRIVE FOR ENGINE START

• US 20120043145A1
• Filed: 08/20/2010
• Published: 02/23/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 08/20/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC (General Motors Company)
• Original Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations Incorporated (Motors Liquidation Co. GUC Trust)
• Inventors: Deneszczuk, William C., Gecim, Burak A.
• Granted Patent: US 8,347,992 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 180/65.28
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2006/268 Electric drive motor starts the engine, i.e. used as starter motor
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2025/005 driven by electric motors forming part of the propulsion unit
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2025/024 with variable ratio
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 25/02 directly from an engine shaft
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 6/485 Motor-assist type
• 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 10/30 including control of auxiliary equipment, e.g. air-conditioning compressors or oil pumps
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 20/10 Controlling the power contribution of each of the prime movers to meet required power demand
• CPC Class Codes: F16H 3/724 using external powered electric machines
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/62 Hybrid vehicles

Abstract

A hybrid powertrain system includes an internal combustion engine mechanically coupled through a planetary gear set to an accessory drive and a torque machine. Operator inputs and engine operating parameters are monitored to select an operational state including one of an autostop accessory control state, autostart operation state, engine torque assist state, and energy power generation state.

Claims

1. A method for controlling operation of an internal combustion engine mechanically coupled via a planetary gear set to an accessory drive system and a torque machine, the method comprising:

monitoring operator inputs;

monitoring engine operation parameters; and

controlling the accessory drive system in response to the operator inputs and the engine operation parameters in one of a plurality of operational states, comprising

an engine autostop accessory control state including operating the torque machine in a torque generating state and transferring the generated torque to the accessory drive,

an engine autostart state including operating the torque machine in the torque generating state and transferring the generated torque to the engine,

an engine torque assist state including operating the torque machine in the torque generating state and transferring the generated torque to the engine, and

an energy power generation state including operating the torque machine in a power generating state to react engine torque.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the engine autostop accessory control state comprises operating the torque machine in the torque generating state comprising a torque output that is less than an engine breakaway torque.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the engine autostop accessory control state further comprises applying an accessory brake to a member of the planetary gear set.

4. The method of claim 2, wherein the engine autostop accessory control state further comprises:

determining that operation of an accessory coupled to the accessory drive system is necessary;

determining an operating parameter associated with an energy storage device; and

operating the torque machine in the torque generating state so long as the operating parameter associated with the energy storage device exceeds a predetermined level.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the engine autostart state comprises determining an operator torque request is imminent based upon the monitored operator input commands.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the engine autostart state comprises actuating an accessory brake coupled to the planetary gear set to restrict transfer of the generated torque to the accessory drive system.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the engine torque assist state comprises:

determining that an operator torque request has exceeded a predetermined level;

determining an operating parameter associated with the energy storage device; and

operating the torque machine in the torque generating state so long as the operating parameter associated with the energy storage device exceeds a predetermined level.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein the engine torque assist state further comprises actuating an accessory brake coupled to the planetary gear set to restrict transfer of the generated torque to the accessory drive system.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein the power generating state comprises determining that none of the other operational states are active.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein the power generating state further comprises actuating an accessory brake coupled to the planetary gear set to restrict torque transfer to the accessory drive system.

11. A method for controlling operation of an internal combustion engine mechanically coupled via a planetary gear set to an accessory drive system and a torque machine, wherein the accessory drive system includes an accessory brake, the method comprising:

monitoring operator inputs;

monitoring engine operation parameters;

selecting one of a plurality of operational states for operating the engine, the accessory drive system, and the torque machine in response to the operator inputs and the engine operation parameters; and

operating the engine, the accessory drive system, and the torque machine in the selected operational state to control speed of accessories included in the accessory drive.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein the plurality of operational states comprises an autostop accessory control state, an autostart state, an engine torque assist state, and an energy power generation state.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein operating the engine, the accessory drive system, and the torque machine in the autostop accessory control state comprises:

determining is accessory operation is required;

determining if the energy storage device is above a predetermined level; and

operating the torque machine in a torque generation mode when the accessory operation is required and the energy storage device is above the predetermined level.

14. The method of claim 12, wherein operating the engine, the accessory drive system, and the torque machine in the autostart state comprises:

operating the torque machine in a torque generation state; and

operating the accessory brake to control accessory speed.

15. The method of claim 12, wherein operating the engine, the accessory drive system, and the torque machine in the engine torque assist state comprises:

monitoring operator commands;

determining if an operator torque request exceeds a predetermined limit;

determining if an energy storage device has power above a predetermined level; and

operating the torque machine in the engine torque assist state when the operator torque request exceeds the predetermined limit and the energy storage device has power above the predetermined level, wherein the engine torque assist state comprises operating the torque machine in a torque generation state and operating the accessory brake to control accessory speed.

16. The method of claim 12, wherein the energy power generation state comprises:

controlling accessory speed to a predetermined level; and

controlling the power torque machine in a power generation mode.