Hybrid electric powertrain with anti-idle function

• US 7,665,557 B2
• Filed: 06/16/2005
• Issued: 02/23/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 06/16/2005
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Eaton Corp. (Wisconsin) (Eaton Corporation PLC.)
• Original Assignee: Eaton Corp. (Wisconsin) (Eaton Corporation PLC.)
• Inventors: Skorvpski, Jeff, Stover, Thomas R., Hughes, Douglas A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Restifo; Jeffrey J
• Application Number:
  US11/154,427
• Publication Number:
  US 20070000703A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,713 Days
• Field of Search: 180/53.8, 180/65.2, 180/65.4, 903/941, 903/948, 320/104, 320/132
• US Class Current: 180/65.28
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2006/268 Electric drive motor starts the engine, i.e. used as starter motor
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 6/48 Parallel type
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 50/16 with provision for separate direct mechanical propulsion
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 10/06 including control of combustion engines
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 10/08 including control of electric propulsion units, e.g. motors or generators
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 10/26 for electrical energy, e.g. batteries or capacitors
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 10/30 including control of auxiliary equipment, e.g. air-conditioning compressors or oil pumps
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 20/00 Control systems specially adapted for hybrid vehicles hybrid vehicle design, B60K6/00; electric vehicles B60L
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 20/13 in order to stay within battery power input or output limits; in order to prevent overcharging or battery depletion
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2510/244 Charge state
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 30/18109 Braking
• CPC Class Codes: B60Y 2200/14 Trucks; Load vehicles, Busses
• CPC Class Codes: B62M 6/45 Control or actuating devices therefor
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/62 Hybrid vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/70 Energy storage systems for electromobility, e.g. batteries
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/7072 Electromobility specific charging systems or methods for batteries, ultracapacitors, supercapacitors or double-layer capacitors

Abstract

A method is provided for reducing engine idling time in a hybrid vehicle that includes a vehicle accessory and a hybrid powertrain having an engine, a generator operatively coupled to the engine, and an energy source. The method includes selectively powering the vehicle accessory using the energy source while the engine is not running, monitoring the energy source state of charge, selectively starting the engine when the energy source state of charge is less than or equal to a predetermined minimum state of charge, operating the engine driven generator to recharge the energy source to a predetermined maximum state of charge, and turning off the engine when the energy source state of charge is greater than or equal to the predetermined maximum state of charge. A hybrid electric vehicle power delivery system is also provided.

Claims

1. A method for reducing idling time of an internal combustion engine powered hybrid electric vehicle that includes an electrically powered vehicle accessory operable in a hotel power mode to provide one or more conveniences to a vehicle occupant and a hybrid powertrain having an internal combustion engine driven generator and a battery, the method comprising:

determining if the vehicle is in the hotel power mode;

selectively powering the electrically powered vehicle accessory using the battery while the vehicle is in hotel power mode and the engine is not running;

monitoring the battery state of charge;

selectively starting the engine when the battery state of charge is less than or equal to a predetermined minimum state of charge;

operating the engine driven generator to recharge the battery to a predetermined maximum state of charge; and

turning off the engine when the battery state of charge is greater than or equal to the predetermined maximum state of charge.

2. A method for reducing engine idling time in a stationary hybrid vehicle that includes a vehicle accessory and a hybrid powertrain having an engine, a generator operatively coupled to the engine, and an energy source, the method comprising:

determining whether the vehicle is stationary;

selectively powering the vehicle accessory using the energy source while the engine is not running;

monitoring the energy source state of charge;

selectively starting the engine when the energy source state of charge is less than or equal to a predetermined minimum state of charge;

operating the engine driven generator to recharge the energy source to a predetermined maximum state of charge; and

turning off the engine when the energy source state of charge is greater than or equal to the predetermined maximum state of charge.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein determining whether the vehicle is stationary includes determining whether the vehicle parking brake is engaged.

4. The method of claim 2, wherein determining whether the vehicle is stationary includes determining the status of a driver selectable switch.