Method of externally charging a powertrain
First Claim
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1. A method of externally charging a powertrain comprising:
- monitoring a voltage level of a first battery;
comparing the monitored voltage level to first and second voltage thresholds, the first voltage threshold having a higher voltage than the second voltage threshold, wherein the first voltage threshold comprises an overall voltage of the first battery at which the engine may not start due to low overall battery voltage and the second voltage threshold comprises a voltage of the first battery at which it is undesirable to initiate an engine start procedure;
when the monitored voltage is at least the second voltage threshold,initiating an engine starting procedure, andterminating the engine start procedure when both the monitored voltage level is below the first voltage threshold and an engine does not start during the engine starting procedure; and
when the monitored voltage level is below the second voltage threshold, charging the first battery by supplying power from an external power source and increasing voltage of the power supplied by the external power source within the powertrain.
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Abstract
A method of externally charging a powertrain includes monitoring a voltage level of a first battery, determining when the monitored voltage level is below a first voltage threshold, and when the monitored voltage level is below the first voltage threshold, charging the first battery by supplying power from an external power source and increasing voltage of the power supplied by the external power source within the powertrain.
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Citations
19 Claims
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1. A method of externally charging a powertrain comprising:
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monitoring a voltage level of a first battery; comparing the monitored voltage level to first and second voltage thresholds, the first voltage threshold having a higher voltage than the second voltage threshold, wherein the first voltage threshold comprises an overall voltage of the first battery at which the engine may not start due to low overall battery voltage and the second voltage threshold comprises a voltage of the first battery at which it is undesirable to initiate an engine start procedure; when the monitored voltage is at least the second voltage threshold, initiating an engine starting procedure, and terminating the engine start procedure when both the monitored voltage level is below the first voltage threshold and an engine does not start during the engine starting procedure; and when the monitored voltage level is below the second voltage threshold, charging the first battery by supplying power from an external power source and increasing voltage of the power supplied by the external power source within the powertrain. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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8. A method of externally charging a powertrain comprising:
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monitoring a voltage level of a first battery; comparing the monitored voltage level to first and second voltage thresholds, the first voltage threshold having a higher voltage than the second voltage threshold; when the monitored voltage is at least the second voltage threshold, performing an engine starting procedure, and terminating the engine start procedure when both the monitored voltage level is below the first voltage threshold and an engine does not start during the engine starting procedure, wherein the engine starting procedure is performed for a selected time period and the output signal is sent when the engine does not start within the selected time period; and when the monitored voltage level is below the second voltage threshold, charging the first battery by supplying power from an external power source and increasing voltage of the power supplied by the external power source within the powertrain.
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16. A method of externally charging a powertrain comprising:
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monitoring a voltage level of a first battery; comparing the monitored voltage level to first and second voltage thresholds, the first voltage threshold having a higher voltage than the second voltage threshold, wherein the first voltage threshold comprises an overall voltage of the first battery at which the engine may not start due to low overall battery voltage and the second voltage threshold comprises a voltage of the first battery at which it is undesirable to initiate an engine start procedure; and when the monitored voltage is at least the second voltage threshold, initiating an engine starting procedure, sending an output signal to a vehicle user when both the engine starting procedure fails and when the monitored voltage level is below the first voltage threshold in the first battery, and transferring charge from an external power source to a second battery when the output signal is sent. - View Dependent Claims (17)
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18. A method of externally charging a powertrain comprising:
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monitoring a power level of a first battery; comparing the monitored power level to first and second power thresholds, the first power threshold having a higher power than the second power threshold, wherein the first power threshold comprises an overall power of the first battery at which the engine may not start due to low overall battery power and the second power threshold comprises a power of the first battery at which it is undesirable to initiate an engine start procedure; and when the monitored power is at least the second power threshold, initiating an engine starting procedure, sending an output signal to a vehicle user when both the engine starting procedure fails and when the monitored power level is below the first power threshold in the first battery, and transferring charge from an external power source to a second battery when the output signal is sent. - View Dependent Claims (19)
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Specification