Starter system and method
First Claim
1. A method for controlling an engine starter system, said method comprising:
- providing an electronic control unit having an engine speed input and at least one output;
providing a starter capable of being controlled by the electronic control unit and having an electric motor and a pinion, the motor and pinion coupled together for transferring rotational torque from the motor to the pinion when the motor is activated;
controlling activation of the motor with an electronic control unit output motor signal in response to an engine speed input signal;
determining with the electronic control unit the pinion speed in an open loop manner based solely on the time since activation of the motor and the voltage applied to the motor; and
selectively moving the pinion between a retracted state and an extended state in response to an electronic control unit output pinion signal, whereby the starter is capable of selectively engaging an engine for cranking the engine.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A method for controlling an engine starter system including a starter capable of being controlled by an electronic control unit and having an electric motor and a pinion coupled together for transferring rotational torque from the motor to the pinion when the motor is activated; controlling activation of the motor with an electronic control unit output motor signal in response to an engine speed input signal; determining the pinion speed in an open loop manner based solely on the time since activation of the motor and the voltage applied to the motor; and selectively moving the pinion between a retracted state and an extended state in response to an electronic control unit output pinion signal, whereby the starter is capable of selectively engaging an engine for cranking the engine. Also, a starter system that facilitates this method.
16 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A method for controlling an engine starter system, said method comprising:
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providing an electronic control unit having an engine speed input and at least one output; providing a starter capable of being controlled by the electronic control unit and having an electric motor and a pinion, the motor and pinion coupled together for transferring rotational torque from the motor to the pinion when the motor is activated; controlling activation of the motor with an electronic control unit output motor signal in response to an engine speed input signal; determining with the electronic control unit the pinion speed in an open loop manner based solely on the time since activation of the motor and the voltage applied to the motor; and selectively moving the pinion between a retracted state and an extended state in response to an electronic control unit output pinion signal, whereby the starter is capable of selectively engaging an engine for cranking the engine. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. A starter system for cranking an engine, comprising:
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a starter comprising an electric motor and a pinion coupled together, rotational torque from the motor transferable to the pinion; and an electronic control unit having an engine speed input and at least one output, the motor adapted for being activated under control of the electronic control unit in response to a motor signal outputted from the electronic control unit, the pinion adapted for being moved axially between a retracted state and an extended state in response to a pinion signal outputted from the electronic control unit, the starter capable of engaging and cranking an engine in the pinion extended state, the electronic control unit capable of determining the pinion speed in an open loop manner based solely on the time since activation of the motor and the voltage applied to the motor. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification