Use of integrated starter alternator to prevent engine stall
First Claim
1. A system for preventing stall of a vehicle engine, said system comprising:
- an integrated starter alternator operably connected with said vehicle engine, said integrated starter alternator capable of selectively operating as a motor for transmitting torque to said vehicle engine and as an alternator for producing electric energy;
a first electric energy storage device in electrical communication with said integrated starter alternator;
a second electric energy storage device in electrical communication with said integrated starter alternator and said first electric energy storage device, wherein said second electric energy storage device is operative to charge said first electric energy storage device when said integrated starter alternator is operating as an alternator for producing electric energy;
at least one controller in electrical communication with said integrated starter alternator, and at least one sensor operably connected with said vehicle engine sending a signal indicative of engine performance to said at least one controller, wherein said controller compares said signal to a predetermined condition indicative of engine stall and controls said first electric energy storage device and said integrated starter alternator to transmit a torque to said vehicle engine sufficient to prevent engine stall.
7 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
In one aspect of the invention, a system for preventing stall of a vehicle engine is provided. The system includes an integrated starter alternator operably connected with the engine. The integrated starter alternator is capable of selectively operating as a starter motor for transmitting torque to the engine and as an alternator for producing electric energy. The system also includes at least one electric energy storage device in electrical communication with the integrated starter alternator. The system further includes at least one controller in electrical communication with the integrated starter alternator. The system includes at least one sensor operably connected with the engine sending a signal indicative of engine performance to the controller. The controller compares the signal to a predetermined condition indicative of engine stall and controls the electric energy storage device and the integrated starter alternator to transmit a torque to the engine sufficient to prevent engine stall.
28 Citations
17 Claims
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1. A system for preventing stall of a vehicle engine, said system comprising:
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an integrated starter alternator operably connected with said vehicle engine, said integrated starter alternator capable of selectively operating as a motor for transmitting torque to said vehicle engine and as an alternator for producing electric energy;
a first electric energy storage device in electrical communication with said integrated starter alternator;
a second electric energy storage device in electrical communication with said integrated starter alternator and said first electric energy storage device, wherein said second electric energy storage device is operative to charge said first electric energy storage device when said integrated starter alternator is operating as an alternator for producing electric energy;
at least one controller in electrical communication with said integrated starter alternator, and at least one sensor operably connected with said vehicle engine sending a signal indicative of engine performance to said at least one controller, wherein said controller compares said signal to a predetermined condition indicative of engine stall and controls said first electric energy storage device and said integrated starter alternator to transmit a torque to said vehicle engine sufficient to prevent engine stall. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5)
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6. A method of preventing stall of a vehicle engine, said method comprising:
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measuring at least one engine parameter relating to engine performance;
detecting an engine condition known to lead to engine stall by comparing said at least one engine parameter to a first predetermined value;
measuring at least one charge parameter relating to engine bus voltage;
providing a first electric energy storage device in electrical communication with a second electric energy storage device;
powering an integrated starter alternator from said first electric energy storage device to apply additional torque to said vehicle engine when said engine stall condition is detected; and
charging said first electric energy storage device from said second electric energy storage device when said charge parameter relating to engine bus voltage is less than a second predetermined value and said integrated starter alternator is operating as an alternator for producing electric energy. - View Dependent Claims (7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. An apparatus for preventing stall of a vehicle engine, said apparatus comprising:
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means for measuring at least one engine parameter relating to engine performance;
means for detecting an engine condition known to lead to engine stall by comparing said at least one engine parameter to a first predetermined value;
means for measuring at least one charge parameter relating to engine bus voltage;
a first electric energy storage means in electrical communication with a second electric energy storage means;
means for powering an integrated starter alternator from said first electric energy storage means to apply additional torque to said vehicle engine when said engine stall condition is detected; and
means for charging said first electric energy storage means from said second electric energy storage means when said charge parameter relating to engine bus voltage is less than a second predetermined value and said integrated starter alternator is operating as an alternator for producing electric energy. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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Specification