Block heater detection for improved startability

• US 8,886,444 B2
• Filed: 08/04/2011
• Issued: 11/11/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 08/04/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC (General Motors Company)
• Original Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC (General Motors Company)
• Inventors: Holbert, Timothy J., Westfall, Scott Alan
• Primary Examiner(s): MOULIS, THOMAS N
• Application Number:
  US13/198,295
• Publication Number:
  US 20130035840A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,195 Days
• Field of Search: 123/179.3, 123/179.6, 123/179.16, 123/196.AB, 123/491, 123/435, 123/142.5 E, 701/103, 701/105, 701/113
• US Class Current: 701/113
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 2200/021 Engine temperature
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 2200/023 Temperature of lubricating oil or working fluid
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 2200/0606 Fuel temperature
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 41/06 for engine starting or warming up F02D41/0255 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F02N 11/08 Circuits or control means specially adapted for starting of engines
• CPC Class Codes: F02N 2200/023 Engine temperature
• CPC Class Codes: F02N 2300/104 Control of the starter motor torque
• CPC Class Codes: F02P 19/02 electric, e.g. layout of circuits of apparatus having glowing plugs
• CPC Class Codes: G16Z 99/00 Subject matter not provided for in other main groups of this subclass

Abstract

A method of starting an internal combustion engine includes sensing a temperature of an engine coolant at an engine block of the internal combustion engine, and sensing a temperature of a secondary engine component remote from the engine block when the internal combustion engine is not running. A numerical difference between the temperature of the engine coolant and the temperature of the secondary engine component is calculated. A start parameter setting used to control the start of the internal combustion engine is adjusted based upon both the sensed temperature of the engine coolant and the numerical difference between the sensed temperature of the engine coolant and the sensed temperature of the secondary engine component.

Claims

1. A method of operating an internal combustion engine, the method comprising:

sensing a temperature of an engine coolant when the internal combustion engine is not running;

sensing a temperature of a secondary engine component when the internal combustion engine is not running;

calculating a numerical difference between the sensed temperature of the engine coolant and the sensed temperature of the secondary engine component; and

adjusting at least one start parameter setting used to start the internal combustion engine to compensate for a low temperature start of the internal combustion engine, wherein a magnitude of the adjustment is based upon the sensed temperature of the engine coolant and the numerical difference between the sensed temperature of the engine coolant and the sensed temperature of the secondary engine component.

2. A method as set forth in claim 1 wherein adjusting at least one start parameter setting includes applying a compensation setting to the at least one start parameter setting.

3. A method as set forth in claim 2 wherein a value of the compensation setting increases in magnitude with an increase in the numerical difference between the sensed temperature of the engine coolant and the sensed temperature of the secondary engine component.

4. A method as set forth in claim 3 wherein the value of the compensation setting increases in magnitude with a decrease in the temperature of the engine coolant.

5. A method as set forth in claim 1 wherein the secondary engine component includes an engine component that is not thermally affected by a block heater configured for heating an engine block of the internal combustion engine.

6. A method as set forth in claim 5 wherein the secondary engine component includes one of a fuel for the internal combustion engine or a lubricant for the internal combustion engine, wherein the fuel is stored in a fuel tank located remotely from the engine block of the internal combustion engine such that the temperature of the fuel in the fuel tank is not thermally affected by the block heater, and wherein the lubricant for the internal combustion engine is stored in a sump such that the temperature of the lubricant in the sump is not thermally affected by the block heater.

7. A method as set forth in claim 1 wherein sensing a temperature of the secondary engine component is further defined as sensing the temperature of the secondary engine component remote from the internal combustion engine.

8. A method as set forth in claim 1 further comprising starting the internal combustion engine after adjusting the at least one start parameter setting.

9. A method as set forth in claim 1 wherein the at least one start parameter setting includes one of a starter cutout time, an engine running threshold, an initial idle torque, a post start glow plug time, a turbine protection wait time, a start torque, an engine timing, or a fuel injection rate.

10. A method as set forth in claim 1 further comprising identifying the operation of a block heater to heat the internal combustion engine prior to starting the internal combustion engine when the numerical difference between the sensed temperature of the engine coolant and the sensed temperature of the secondary engine component is greater than a pre-defined value.

11. A method of starting an internal combustion engine, the method comprising:

sensing a temperature of an engine coolant at an engine block of the internal combustion engine when the internal combustion engine is not running;

sensing a temperature of a secondary engine component that is not thermally affected by a block heater operable to heat the engine block of the internal combustion engine, when the internal combustion engine is not running;

calculating a numerical difference between the sensed temperature of the engine coolant and the sensed temperature of the secondary engine component;

adjusting at least one start parameter setting used to start the internal combustion engine to compensate for a low temperature start of the internal combustion engine, wherein a magnitude of the adjustment is based upon the sensed temperature of the engine coolant and the numerical difference between the sensed temperature of the engine coolant and the sensed temperature of the secondary engine component; and

starting the internal combustion engine after adjusting the at least one start parameter setting.

12. A method as set forth in claim 11 wherein the at least one start parameter setting includes one of a starter cutout time, an engine running threshold, an initial idle torque, a post start glow plug time, a turbine protection wait time, a start torque, an engine timing, or a fuel injection rate.

13. A method as set forth in claim 12 wherein adjusting at least one start parameter setting includes applying a compensation setting to the at least one start parameter setting.

14. A method as set forth in claim 13 wherein a value of the compensation setting increases in magnitude with an increase in the numerical difference between the sensed temperature of the engine coolant and the sensed temperature of the secondary engine component.

15. A method as set forth in claim 14 wherein the value of the compensation setting increases in magnitude with a decrease in the temperature of the engine coolant.

16. A method as set forth in claim 15 wherein the secondary engine component includes one of a fuel for the internal combustion engine or a lubricant for the internal combustion engine, wherein the fuel is stored in a fuel tank located remotely from the engine block of the internal combustion engine such that the temperature of the fuel in the fuel tank is not thermally affected by the block heater, and wherein the lubricant for the internal combustion engine is stored in a sump such that the temperature of the lubricant in the sump is not thermally affected by the block heater.