Methods and systems for starting an electrically controlled engine of a transport refrigeration system
First Claim
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1. A method of starting an engine including an engine control unit (ECU) of a transport refrigeration system (TRS), the method comprising:
- transmitting a message, via a TRS controller, to the ECU at a predetermined rate to hold one or more switches of the ECU in a closed state; and
supplying power from a battery to a starter of the engine to start the engine when the battery is in a low voltage profile,wherein transmitting the message comprises activating a keyswitch signal, via the TRS controller, to close a first switch of the ECU to supply current from the battery to the ECU,wherein transmitting the message comprises activating a run signal, via the TRS controller, to set the ECU and the engine to a pre-crank state, andwherein transmitting the message comprises transmitting a CAN (Controller Area Network) message via the TRS controller, to close a second switch of the ECU to supply power from the battery to the starter.
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Abstract
Embodiments of systems and methods for starting an electronically controlled engine of a TRS by supplying power from a battery, are provided. The engine is electronically controlled by an engine control unit (ECU). The systems and methods can achieve a complete engine start even when the ECU experiences a reset during the startup of the engine.
43 Citations
14 Claims
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1. A method of starting an engine including an engine control unit (ECU) of a transport refrigeration system (TRS), the method comprising:
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transmitting a message, via a TRS controller, to the ECU at a predetermined rate to hold one or more switches of the ECU in a closed state; and supplying power from a battery to a starter of the engine to start the engine when the battery is in a low voltage profile, wherein transmitting the message comprises activating a keyswitch signal, via the TRS controller, to close a first switch of the ECU to supply current from the battery to the ECU, wherein transmitting the message comprises activating a run signal, via the TRS controller, to set the ECU and the engine to a pre-crank state, and wherein transmitting the message comprises transmitting a CAN (Controller Area Network) message via the TRS controller, to close a second switch of the ECU to supply power from the battery to the starter. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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7. A method of starting an engine including an engine control unit (ECU) of a transport refrigeration system (TRS), the method comprising:
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transmitting a message, via a TRS controller, to the ECU at a predetermined rate to hold one or more switches of the ECU in a closed state; supplying power from a battery to a starter of the engine to start the engine when the battery is in a low voltage profile; and connecting a first side of a starter relay contact to the battery, connecting a second side of the starter relay contact to a starter coil, and supplying current from the battery to a first side of a starter relay activator when setting the ECU and the engine to a pre-crank state, wherein transmitting the message comprises activating a keyswitch signal, via the TRS controller, to close a first switch of the ECU to supply current from the battery to the ECU, wherein transmitting the message comprises activating a run signal, via the TRS controller, to set the ECU and the engine to the pre-crank state. - View Dependent Claims (8)
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9. A method of starting an electronically controlled engine of a transport refrigeration system (TRS), the electronically controlled engine being configured to supply power to a transport refrigeration unit (TRU) of the TRS, the electronically controlled engine including an engine control unit (ECU), the TRU including a TRS controller, the electronically controlled engine further including a starter for initiating operation of the engine, the method comprising:
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activating a keyswitch signal, via the TRS controller, for closing a first switch of the ECU and supplying current from a battery to the ECU; activating a run signal, via the TRS controller, for setting the ECU and the electronically controlled engine to a pre-crank state, wherein a first side of a starter relay contact is connected to the battery, a second side of the starter relay contact is connected to a starter coil, current is supplied from the battery to a first side of a starter relay activator, and a current carrying contact side of a starter relay is open at the first side; and transmitting a CAN (Controller Area Network) message via the TRS controller, for closing a second switch of the ECU to supply power from the battery to the starter, wherein when the battery is in a low voltage profile for a first duration, the CAN message is transmitted at a predetermined rate to keep the keyswitch signal and the run signal active, and the first switch and the second switch are held in a closed state for a predetermined second duration, the predetermined second duration being longer than the first duration.
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10. A system for starting an electronically controlled engine of a transport refrigeration system (TRS) that includes a transport refrigeration unit (TRU), the electronically controlled engine configured to supply power to the TRU, the system comprising:
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a TRS controller; an engine control unit (ECU); a TRS controller to ECU interface configured to transmit a message between the TRS controller and the ECU; and a starter control connected to the ECU and configured to control power supply from a battery to a starter of the engine so that power is supplied from the battery to the starter to start the engine when the battery is in a low voltage profile, wherein the TRS controller to ECU interface includes a keyswitch signal connection configured to send a keyswitch signal, a CAN (Controller Area Network) communication connection configured to send a CAN message, and a run signal connection configured to send a run signal.
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11. A system for starting an electronically controlled engine of a transport refrigeration system (TRS) that includes a transport refrigeration unit (TRU), the electronically controlled engine configured to supply power to the TRU, the system comprising:
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a TRS controller; an engine control unit (ECU); a TRS controller to ECU interface configured to transmit a message between the TRS controller and the ECU; and a starter control connected to the ECU and configured to control power supply from a battery to a starter of the engine so that power is supplied from the battery to the starter to start the engine when the battery is in a low voltage profile, wherein the starter control includes a starter relay, the starter relay includes a relay activator and a couple of contacts. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14)
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Specification