Method of determining transition from starter to alternator function by monitoring battery voltage or current
First Claim
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1. An automated method of controlling a starter/alternator in a start-up sequence of an IC engine driven generating system including a battery and a starter/alternator controller, said starter/alternator controller performing the automated method comprising the steps of:
- detecting a first value of a battery electrical characteristic;
initiating a start-up sequence of said IC engine by signaling said starter/alternator to operate in starter mode;
detecting a second and third value of said battery electrical characteristic as said start-up sequence is proceeding, said second value indicating an engine cranking condition and said third value indicating an engine running condition prior to cessation of said starter/alternator operating in starter mode;
comparing said first, second, and third detected battery characteristic values; and
,signaling said starter/alternator to cease operation in starter mode and, immediately thereafter, transition to alternator/generator mode when said second detected value is between said first and third detected values.
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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 battery voltage or battery current monitoring to establish the timing of the transition.
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Citations
5 Claims
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1. An automated method of controlling a starter/alternator in a start-up sequence of an IC engine driven generating system including a battery and a starter/alternator controller, said starter/alternator controller performing the automated method comprising the steps of:
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detecting a first value of a battery electrical characteristic; initiating a start-up sequence of said IC engine by signaling said starter/alternator to operate in starter mode; detecting a second and third value of said battery electrical characteristic as said start-up sequence is proceeding, said second value indicating an engine cranking condition and said third value indicating an engine running condition prior to cessation of said starter/alternator operating in starter mode; comparing said first, second, and third detected battery characteristic values; and
,signaling said starter/alternator to cease operation in starter mode and, immediately thereafter, transition to alternator/generator mode when said second detected value is between said first and third detected values. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3)
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4. An automated method of controlling a starter/alternator in a start-up sequence of an IC engine driven generating system including a battery and a starter/alternator controller, said starter/alternator controller performing the automated method comprising the steps of:
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detecting a first value of battery voltage V0; initiating a start-up sequence of said IC engine by signaling said starter/alternator to operate in starter mode; detecting a second and third value of said battery voltage V1 and V2 respectively as said start-up sequence is proceeding V1 being indicative of an engine cranking condition and V2 being indicative of an engine running condition prior to cessation of said starter/alternator operating in starter mode; comparing said first, second, and third detected battery voltages; and
,signaling said starter/alternator to cease operation in said starter mode and, immediately thereafter, transition to alternator/generator mode when V1<
V2<
V0.
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5. An automated method of controlling a starter/alternator in a start-up sequence of an IC engine driven generating system including a battery and a starter/alternator controller, said starter/alternator controller performing the automated method comprising the steps of:
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detecting a first value of battery current I0; initiating a start-up sequence of said IC engine by signaling said starter/alternator to operate in starter mode; detecting a second and third value of said battery current I1 and I2 respectively as said start-up sequence is proceeding, I1 being indicative of an engine cranking condition and I2 being indicative of an engine running condition prior to cessation of said starter/alternator operating in starter mode; comparing said first, second, and third detected battery currents; and
,signaling said starter/alternator to cease operation in starter mode and, immediately thereafter, transition to alternator/generator mode when I0<
I2<
I1.
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Specification