Method of determining transition from starter to alternator function by monitoring starter/alternator motor phase voltage or current

• US 7,061,130 B1
• Filed: 02/03/2004
• Issued: 06/13/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 02/03/2004
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Dana Automotive Systems Group, LLC (Dana, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Dana Corporation (Dana, Inc.)
• Inventors: Blackburn, Scott Evart, Manning, Eric Keith
• Primary Examiner(s): Schuberg, Darren
• Assistant Examiner(s): Cuevas, Pedro J.
• Application Number:
  US10/769,879
• Time in Patent Office: 861 Days
• Field of Search: 290/31, 322/99, 180/65.2, 180/65.4
• US Class Current: 290/31
• CPC Class Codes: F02N 11/04 the motors being associated with current generators
• CPC Class Codes: F02N 11/0848 with means for detecting successful engine start, e.g. to stop starter actuation
• CPC Class Codes: F02N 2200/044 Starter current
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/1446 in response to parameters of a vehicle

Abstract

The present invention is directed to determining and controlling the appropriate moment at which a combined starter/alternator should transition from start-up mode to alternator/generator mode following an IC engine start-up sequence. The method relies on starter/alternator motor phase voltage or motor phase current monitoring to establish the timing of the transition.

Claims

1. A method of controlling a starter/alternator in a start-up sequence of an IC engine driven generating system including a battery and a starter/alternator controller, comprising the steps of:

detecting a first value of a starter/alternator motor phase electrical characteristic;

initiating a start-up sequence of said IC engine by signaling said starter/alternator to operate in starter mode;

detecting a second and third value of said starter/alternator electrical characteristic as said start-up sequence is proceeding;

comparing said first, second, and third detected electrical characteristic values; and

,

signaling said starter/alternator to transition to alternator/generator mode when said second detected value is between said first and third detected values.

2. A method as in claim 1, wherein:

said motor phase electrical characteristic is voltage, and said first detected value is the highest of said first, second and third detected values.

3. A method as in claim 1, wherein:

said motor phase electrical characteristic is current, and said first detected value is the lowest of said first, second and third detected values.

4. A method of controlling a starter/alternator in a start-up sequence of an IC engine driven generating system including a battery and a starter/alternator controller, comprising the steps of:

detecting a first value of starter/alternator motor phase voltage V₀;

initiating a start-up sequence of said IC engine by signaling said starter/alternator to operate in starter mode;

detecting a second and third value of said motor phase voltage V₁ and V₂ respectively as said start-up sequence is proceeding;

comparing said first, second, and third detected motor phase voltages; and

,

signaling said starter/alternator to transition to alternator/generator mode when V₁<

V₂<

V₀.

5. A method of controlling a starter/alternator in a start-up sequence of an IC engine driven generating system including a battery and a starter/alternator controller, comprising the steps of:

detecting a first value of starter/alternator motor phase current I₀;

initiating a start-up sequence of said IC engine by signaling said starter/alternator to operate in starter mode;

detecting a second and third value of said motor phase current I₁ and I₂ respectively as said start-up sequence is proceeding;

comparing said first, second, and third detected motor phase currents; and

,

signaling said starter/alternator to transition to alternator/generator mode when I₀<

I₂<

I₁.