Efficient vehicle component heating

• US 8,353,265 B2
• Filed: 09/12/2008
• Issued: 01/15/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 09/12/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC (Ford Motor Company)
• Original Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC (Ford Motor Company)
• Inventors: Pursifull, Ross Dykstra
• Primary Examiner(s): Cronin, Stephen K
• Assistant Examiner(s): MANLEY, SHERMAN D
• Application Number:
  US12/209,387
• Publication Number:
  US 20100065376A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,586 Days
• Field of Search: 123/196.AB, 123/142.5, 123/142.5 E, 123/142.5 R, 123/339.11, 123/339.16, 123/403, 184/6.22
• US Class Current: 123/142.5R
• CPC Class Codes: F01M 5/001 Heating
• CPC Class Codes: F01M 5/021 by heating

Abstract

Methods for achieving efficient vehicle component heating are provided. One example method for controlling the warming of powertrain lubricants during engine warm-up from a cold start, the engine having an output crankshaft, includes selectively driving a lubricant heating device with the crankshaft during the cold start based on lubricant temperature. The method further includes directing the powertrain lubricants to the lubricant heating device.

Claims

1. A method for controlling the warming of engine oil during engine warm-up from a cold start, the engine having a crankshaft, comprising:

selectively driving an oil shear device via engagement and disengagement of a clutch coupled between the crankshaft and the oil shear device during the cold start based on engine oil temperature the engagement after the engine reaches a minimum engine speed after cranking; and

directing the powertrain lubricants to the oil shear device.

2. The method of claim 1 where the selective driving includes coupling the oil shear device mechanically to the crankshaft when engine oil temperature is below a threshold temperature;

and decoupling the oil shear device mechanically from the crankshaft when engine oil temperature is above the threshold temperature.

3. The method of claim 2 wherein the threshold temperature is selected from a range of threshold temperatures based on operating conditions.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein the oil shear device generates heat by mechanically shearing the engine oil without electrical heat generation in the oil shear device.

5. The method of claim 1 wherein during the selective driving of the oil shear device the engine generates increased output torque to maintain idle speed.

6. The method of claim 1 further comprising transitioning between engagement and disengagement of the oil shear device by adjusting spark timing retard of the engine and throttle opening of the engine to maintain engine idle speed.

7. The method of claim 1 further comprising adjusting ignition timing in response to engine speed to maintain idle speed during engagement of the oil shear device.

8. The method of claim 1 further comprising adjusting the selective engagement of the oil shear device in response to engine idle speed deviations to maintain idle speed.