Method of determining transition from starter to alternator function by monitoring belt tension or tensioner position

• US 6,834,631 B1
• Filed: 03/08/2004
• Issued: 12/28/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 03/08/2004
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Dana Automotive Systems Group, LLC (Dana, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Dana Corporation (Dana, Inc.)
• Inventors: Blackburn, Scott Evart, Manning, Eric Keith
• Primary Examiner(s): Gimie, Mahmoud
• Assistant Examiner(s): Castro, Arnold
• Application Number:
  US10/793,768
• Time in Patent Office: 295 Days
• Field of Search: 123/179.3, 474/135-138
• US Class Current: 123/179.3
• CPC Class Codes: F02B 67/06 driven by means of chains, belts, or like endless members
• CPC Class Codes: F02N 11/04 the motors being associated with current generators
• CPC Class Codes: F02N 11/0848 with means for detecting successful engine start, e.g. to stop starter actuation

Abstract

The present invention is directed to determining and controlling the appropriate moment at which a combined starter/alternator should transition from start-up mode to alternator/generator mode following an IC engine start-up sequence. The method relies on either belt/chain tensioner position or the position of the belt/chain itself to determine when the IC engine has achieved self-sustaining operation and signal the starter/alternator to transition from start-up to generator mode.

Claims

1. A method of controlling a starter/alternator in a start-up sequence of an IC engine driven generating system including belt/chain driven starter/alternator, a belt/chain tensioner, and a starter/alternator controller, comprising the steps of:

initiating a start-up sequence of said IC engine by signaling said starter/alternator to operate in starter mode;

detecting a first position of a belt/chain tensioner;

detecting a second position of said belt/chain tensioner;

comparing said first and second detected belt/chain tensioner positions; and

,

signaling said starter/alternator to transition from start-up to alternator/generator mode when said second detected position is different from said first detected position.

2. A method as in claim 1, wherein:

said belt/chain tensioner is a rotary tensioner.

3. A method as in claim 1, wherein:

said belt/chain tensioner is a linear tensioner.

4. A method of controlling a starter/alternator in a start-up sequence of an IC engine driven generating system including a belt/chain driven starter/alternator, a belt/chain position sensor, and a starter/alternator controller, comprising the steps of:

initiating a start-up sequence of said IC engine by signaling said starter/alternator to operate in starter mode;

detecting a first position of a belt/chain;

detecting a second position of said belt/chain;

comparing said first and second detected belt/chain positions; and

,

signaling said starter/alternator to transition from start-up to alternator/generator mode when said second detected position is different from said first detected position.