Methods and systems for engine starting

• US 8,664,783 B2
• Filed: 10/07/2013
• Issued: 03/04/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 10/27/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC (Ford Motor Company)
• Original Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC (Ford Motor Company)
• Inventors: Gibson, Alex O'Connor, DeMarco, John Anthony, Gale, Allan Roy, Boscheratto, Vincent John
• Primary Examiner(s): Cuevas, Pedro J
• Application Number:
  US14/047,601
• Publication Number:
  US 20140035291A1
• Time in Patent Office: 148 Days
• Field of Search: 290/36.R, 123/445, 320/116, 320/118, 320/123
• US Class Current: 290/36.R
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 1/003 to auxiliary motors, e.g. for pumps, compressors
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 15/20 for control of the vehicle or its driving motor to achieve a desired performance, e.g. speed, torque, programmed variation of speed
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2240/421 Speed
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2240/423 Torque
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2240/441 Speed
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2240/445 Temperature
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2240/547 Voltage
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 50/16 with provision for separate direct mechanical propulsion
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 58/20 having different nominal voltages
• CPC Class Codes: F02N 11/08 Circuits or control means specially adapted for starting of engines
• CPC Class Codes: F02N 11/0866 comprising several power sources, e.g. battery and capacitor or two batteries
• CPC Class Codes: F02N 11/087 Details of the switching means in starting circuits, e.g. relays or electronic switches
• CPC Class Codes: F02N 2011/0888 DC/DC converters
• CPC Class Codes: F02N 2250/02 Battery voltage drop at start, e.g. drops causing ECU reset
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/64 Electric machine technologies in electromobility
• 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
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/72 Electric energy management in electromobility

Abstract

A system for improving engine starting is disclosed. In one example, an engine starting is improved by providing a predictable load to the engine during engine starting. The predictable load may be provided by controlling alternator field voltage during the engine start.

Claims

1. An engine starting system, comprising:

an engine with a starter;

a first battery in electrical communication with the starter; and

an alternator mechanically coupled to the engine, the alternator having a field coil excitation circuit that is electrically buffered from the first battery, and the field coil excitation circuit in electrical communication with a second, different, battery during the engine start.

2. The system of claim 1, further comprising a controller including instructions to selectively shut-down the engine during engine idle-stop conditions.

3. The system of claim 2 wherein the instructions further include instructions to

maintain alternator field coil excitation circuit input voltage to control a load applied to the engine via an alternator rotor.

4. The system of claim 3, wherein the instructions further comprise bypassing electrical buffering of the field coil excitation circuit of the alternator after a voltage at the battery is greater than a threshold voltage.

5. The system of claim 4 wherein the electrical buffering is via a switch.