SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR CONTROLLING A COOLING SYSTEM OF AN ENGINE EQUIPPED WITH A START-STOP SYSTEM

• US 20140257676A1
• Filed: 03/08/2013
• Published: 09/11/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 03/08/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC (General Motors Company)
• Original Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC (General Motors Company)
• Inventors: Santoso, Halim G., Gonze, Eugene V., Yurgil, James R.
• Granted Patent: US 9,828,932 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 701/112
• CPC Class Codes: F01B 3/06 by multi-turn helical surfaces and automatic reversal
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 35/025 by determining temperatures inside the cylinder, e.g. combustion temperatures
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 35/026 using an estimation
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 41/065 at hot start or restart F02D41/067 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 45/00 Electrical control not provided for in groups F02D41/00 - F02D43/00
• CPC Class Codes: F02N 11/0814 comprising means for controlling automatic idle-start-stop

Abstract

A system according to the principles of the present disclosure includes a start-stop module, a pre-ignition risk module, and a cooling control module. The start-stop module stops and restarts an engine independent from an input received from an ignition system. The pre-ignition risk module monitors a risk of pre-ignition when the engine is restarted and generates a signal based on the risk of pre-ignition. The cooling control module controls a cooling system to circulate coolant through the engine when the engine is stopped in response to the risk of pre-ignition.

Claims

1. A system comprising:

a start-stop module that stops and restarts an engine independent from an input received from an ignition system;

a pre-ignition risk module that;

monitors a risk of pre-ignition when the engine is restarted; and

generates a signal based on the risk of pre-ignition; and

a cooling control module that controls a cooling system to circulate coolant through the engine when the engine is stopped in response to the risk of pre-ignition.

2. The system of claim 1 wherein the pre-ignition risk module determines the risk of pre-ignition based on an engine operating condition.

3. The system of claim 1 wherein the cooling control module circulates coolant through the engine when the risk of pre-ignition is greater than a threshold.

4. The system of claim 3 wherein the cooling control module determines that the risk of pre-ignition is greater than the threshold when an intake air temperature is greater than a first temperature.

5. The system of claim 3 wherein the cooling control module determines that the risk of pre-ignition is greater than the threshold when a piston temperature is greater than a first temperature.

6. The system of claim 3 wherein the cooling control module determines that the risk of pre-ignition is greater than the threshold when a piston position corresponds to an amount of crankshaft rotation before top dead center that is greater than a first amount.

7. The system of claim 3 wherein the cooling control module determines that the risk of pre-ignition is greater than the threshold when an engine coolant temperature is greater than a first temperature.

8. The system of claim 7 wherein the cooling control module determines the first temperature based on a predetermined relationship between the engine coolant temperature, the engine coolant temperature, and the risk of pre-ignition.

9. The system of claim 3 wherein the cooling system includes a water pump that pumps coolant through the engine and a radiator, a control valve that regulates coolant flow through the engine, and shutters that regulate airflow through the radiator.

10. The system of claim 9 wherein the cooling control module switches the water pump on, opens the control valve, and opens the shutters when the risk of pre-ignition is greater than the threshold.

11. A method comprising:

stopping and restarting an engine independent from an input received from an ignition system;

monitoring a risk of pre-ignition when the engine is restarted;

generating a signal based on the risk of pre-ignition; and

controlling a cooling system to circulate coolant through the engine when the engine is stopped in response to the risk of pre-ignition.

12. The method of claim 11 further comprising determining the risk of pre-ignition based on an engine operating condition.

13. The method of claim 11 further comprising circulating coolant through the engine when the risk of pre-ignition is greater than a threshold.

14. The method of claim 13 further comprising determining that the risk of pre-ignition is greater than the threshold when an intake air temperature is greater than a first temperature.

15. The method of claim 13 further comprising determining that the risk of pre-ignition is greater than the threshold when a piston temperature is greater than a first temperature.

16. The method of claim 13 further comprising determining that the risk of pre-ignition is greater than the threshold when a piston position corresponds to an amount of crankshaft rotation before top dead center that is greater than a first amount.

17. The method of claim 13 further comprising determining that the risk of pre-ignition is greater than the threshold when an engine coolant temperature is greater than a first temperature.

18. The method of claim 17 further comprising determining the first temperature based on a predetermined relationship between the engine coolant temperature, the engine coolant temperature, and the risk of pre-ignition.

19. The method of claim 13 wherein the cooling system includes a water pump that pumps coolant through the engine and a radiator, a control valve that regulates coolant flow through the engine, and shutters that regulate airflow through the radiator.

20. The method of claim 19 further comprising switching the water pump on, opening the control valve, and opening the shutters when the risk of pre-ignition is greater than the threshold.