Vehicle and method for controlling engine start in a vehicle
First Claim
1. A method for controlling engine start in a vehicle, the vehicle including an electric machine operable to provide a starting torque to the engine, and an energy storage device capable of providing energy to operate the electric machine, the method comprising:
- determining a discharge power limit for the energy storage device;
determining an output power of the energy storage device;
determining an engine starting power level for the energy storage device, the engine starting power level being less than the discharge power limit for the energy storage device for a given set of conditions, and being related to an amount of output power of the energy storage device necessary to operate the electric machine to provide the starting torque to the engine; and
starting the engine when the output power of the energy storage device is at or above the engine starting power level.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A vehicle and method are provided that control engine start in the vehicle. The vehicle includes an electric machine operable to provide a starting torque to the engine. The vehicle also includes a battery capable of providing energy to operate the electric machine. A number of battery parameters are determined, including a discharge power limit, an output power, and an engine starting power level. The engine starting power level is related to the discharge power limit and an amount of output power for the battery necessary to operate the electric machine to provide the starting torque to the engine. When the output power of the battery is at or above the engine starting power level, the engine is automatically started.
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Citations
22 Claims
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1. A method for controlling engine start in a vehicle, the vehicle including an electric machine operable to provide a starting torque to the engine, and an energy storage device capable of providing energy to operate the electric machine, the method comprising:
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determining a discharge power limit for the energy storage device; determining an output power of the energy storage device; determining an engine starting power level for the energy storage device, the engine starting power level being less than the discharge power limit for the energy storage device for a given set of conditions, and being related to an amount of output power of the energy storage device necessary to operate the electric machine to provide the starting torque to the engine; and starting the engine when the output power of the energy storage device is at or above the engine starting power level. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A method for controlling engine start in a vehicle, the vehicle including an electric machine operable to provide a starting torque to the engine, and an energy storage device having a discharge power limit and capable of providing energy to operate the electric machine, the method comprising:
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monitoring an output power of the energy storage device; determining a first output power level for the energy storage device that is less than the discharge power limit for a given set of conditions, the first output power level being based at least in part on an amount of output power required by the electric machine to provide the starting torque for the engine; and starting the engine when the output power of the energy storage device meets or exceeds the first output power level. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. A vehicle, comprising:
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an engine; an electric machine operable to drive the vehicle and to provide a starting torque to the engine; an energy storage device capable of providing energy to operate the electric machine; and at least one controller configured to determine a discharge power limit for the energy storage device and an output power of the energy storage device, the at least one controller being further configured to determine an engine starting power level for the energy storage device that is less than the discharge power limit for a given set of conditions, and start the engine when the output power of the energy storage device is at or above the engine starting power level, the engine starting power level being related to the discharge power limit for the energy storage device and an amount of output power of the energy storage device necessary to operate the electric machine to provide the starting torque to the engine. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20, 21, 22)
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Specification