Method to protect starter from overheating
First Claim
1. A method to protect a starter from overheating during cranking operations preparatory to starting an electronically controlled internal combustion engine having an electronic control unit (ECU), and at least one temperature sensor, an ignition switch, a battery connected to a starter and a relay switch between the battery and the starter, comprising:
- a) determining whether the starter temperature and duration of time an ignition switch is in the “
off”
position is greater than a predetermined ignition time;
based on a prior crank event;
b) approximating the starter temperature with ECU temperature;
c) cranking the starter and determining a change in battery voltage between resting and cranking to a change in current;
d) multiply the change in current by a predetermined coefficient to convert to a change in temperature and add to the change in temperature to a last starter temperature stored in memory;
e) ceasing starter operation and bringing starter temperature to approximate ECU temperature;
f) disabling the starter if the starter temperature is above a predetermined temperature until the starter is at or below said predetermined temperature.
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Accused Products
Abstract
The present invention relates to a method to protect a starter from over heating during any cranking operation to start an electronically controlled internal combustion engine having an electronic control unit with a memory. The method includes constraining the time during which a cranking operation may proceed and ensuring that the starter temperature is within a predetermined range to ensure that the starter does not operate for a time period that permits the starter to heat up beyond a predetermined temperature range.
15 Citations
12 Claims
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1. A method to protect a starter from overheating during cranking operations preparatory to starting an electronically controlled internal combustion engine having an electronic control unit (ECU), and at least one temperature sensor, an ignition switch, a battery connected to a starter and a relay switch between the battery and the starter, comprising:
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a) determining whether the starter temperature and duration of time an ignition switch is in the “
off”
position is greater than a predetermined ignition time;based on a prior crank event; b) approximating the starter temperature with ECU temperature; c) cranking the starter and determining a change in battery voltage between resting and cranking to a change in current; d) multiply the change in current by a predetermined coefficient to convert to a change in temperature and add to the change in temperature to a last starter temperature stored in memory; e) ceasing starter operation and bringing starter temperature to approximate ECU temperature; f) disabling the starter if the starter temperature is above a predetermined temperature until the starter is at or below said predetermined temperature. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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Specification
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- Resources
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Current AssigneeDetroit Diesel Corporation (Mercedes-Benz Group AG)
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Original AssigneeDetroit Diesel Corporation (Mercedes-Benz Group AG)
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InventorsZurawski, Mark Allen, Allain, Marc Christian
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Primary Examiner(s)Huynh; Hai H
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Application NumberUS12/185,576Time in Patent Office498 DaysField of Search123/179.3, 123/179.13, 123/179.14, 123/179.15, 123/179.28, 290/38.RUS Class Current123/179.3CPC Class CodesF02N 11/101 for preventing engine start...F02N 2200/044 Starter currentF02N 2200/045 Starter temperature or para...F02N 2200/063 Battery voltage
