Method and apparatus for starting an engine using a starter/alternator and an accessory drive

• US 6,781,252 B2
• Filed: 03/14/2002
• Issued: 08/24/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 03/14/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC (Ford Motor Company)
• Original Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC (Ford Motor Company)
• Inventors: Berels, David Jeffeory
• Primary Examiner(s): Ponomarenko, Nicholas
• Assistant Examiner(s): May, Iraj A. Mohandesi
• Application Number:
  US10/063,050
• Publication Number:
  US 20030173783A1
• Time in Patent Office: 894 Days
• Field of Search: 290/43, 290/44, 290/55, 290/31-34, 290/46-48, 290/40.R, 123/179, 123/28-29, 74/6, 74/7.R, 180/53.1, 180/5, 180/8
• US Class Current: 290/43
• CPC Class Codes: F02N 11/006 using a plurality of electric motors
• CPC Class Codes: F02N 11/04 the motors being associated with current generators
• CPC Class Codes: F02N 11/0814 comprising means for controlling automatic idle-start-stop
• CPC Class Codes: F02N 11/0848 with means for detecting successful engine start, e.g. to stop starter actuation
• CPC Class Codes: F02N 11/0859 specially adapted to the type of the starter motor or integrated into it
• CPC Class Codes: F02N 11/0866 comprising several power sources, e.g. battery and capacitor or two batteries
• CPC Class Codes: F02N 19/00 Starting aids for combustion engines, not otherwise provided for
• CPC Class Codes: F02N 2011/0888 DC/DC converters
• CPC Class Codes: F02N 2011/0896 Inverters for electric machines, e.g. starter-generators
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/70 Energy storage systems for electromobility, e.g. batteries

Abstract

A system (40) for starting an internal combustion engine (12) of an automotive vehicle (10) has a controller (54) coupled to a starter/generator (42). The engine (12) has a crankshaft (50) and an engine accessory assembly that includes an electric motor (76) and a clutch (74). The controller (54) initiates the rotation of the crankshaft (50) with the starter/generator (42) and the electric motor (76) engaged to the crankshaft through the clutch (74), simultaneously. The controller (54) starts the engine (12) when the crankshaft (50) reaches a predetermined speed.

Claims

1. A method of controlling the starting of an internal combustion engine having a starter/generator coupled to the crankshaft of the engine and an accessory coupled through a clutch to an engine drive, said accessory driven by an electric motor, said method comprising:

operating the engine accessory with the electric motor while the clutch is disengaged;

engaging the clutch while operating the engine accessory with the motor; and

while the clutch is engaged and while operating the engine accessory with the motor, starting the engine by providing fuel and spark thereto while the starter/generator rotates the crankshaft.

2. A method as recited in claim 1 wherein when the engine is started, discontinuing operating the motor.

3. A method as recited in claim 1 wherein the accessory comprises an air conditioning compressor.

4. A method as recited in claim 1 wherein the accessory comprises a power steering pump.

5. A method as recited in claim 1 further comprising the step of generating power from the starter/generator after the step of starting the engine.

6. A method of stating an internal combustion engine of a vehicle with a starter/generator comprising:

rotating the crankshaft of the vehicle with the starter/generator;

rotating an accessory with an electric motor; and

simultaneous with rotating the crankshaft of the vehicle with the starter/generator, engaging a clutch to rotate the crankshaft with the electric motor; and

starting the engine by providing fuel and spark thereto.

7. A method as recited in claim 6 wherein when the engine is started, discontinuing operating the motor.

8. A method as recited in claim 6 wherein the accessory comprises an air conditioning compressor.

9. A method as recited in claim 6 wherein the accessory comprises a power steering pump.

10. A method as recited in claim 6 wherein starting the engine comprises operating a fuel pump;

and providing fuel to cylinders of the engine with the fuel pump.

11. A method as recited in claim 6 further comprising generating power from the starter/alternator after starting the engine.

12. A system for an automotive vehicle comprising:

an internal combustion engine having a crankshaft;

a starter/generator coupled to the crankshaft;

an engine accessory assembly coupled to the crankshaft, said assembly having an accessory, a clutch and an electric motor;

a controller coupled to the starter/generator, the clutch and the motor, said controller initiating the rotation of said crankshaft simultaneously with the starter alternator and the electric motor engaged to the crankshaft through the clutch, said controller starting said engine by providing fuel and spark thereto when the crankshaft reaches a predetermined speed.

13. A system as recited in claim 12 further comprising a fuel pump.

14. A system as recited in claim 12 wherein said controller operating said fuel pump during starting the engine.

15. A system as recited in claim 12 wherein the accessory comprises an air conditioning compressor.

16. A system as recited in claim 12 wherein the accessory comprises a power steering pump.

17. A system as recited in claim 12 wherein said accessory is coupled to the accessory through a shaft.

18. A system as recited in claim 12 wherein said clutch is disengagably coupled to a pulley.

19. A system as recited in claim 12 wherein said pulley is rotatably coupled to said crankshaft.

20. A hybrid electric vehicle having the system as recited in claim 12.