Patent classifications
F02N11/00
Hybrid vehicle and method for controlling hybrid vehicle
A hybrid vehicle includes: an engine; a motor; a drive system battery connected to a drive system power line; an auxiliary system battery connected to an auxiliary system power line; a bidirectional power converter configured to step down power on the drive system power line to supply the stepped-down power to the auxiliary system power line, and configured to boost power on the auxiliary system power line to supply the boosted power to the drive system power line; and a control device. The control device is configured to, upon a cold start in which the engine is started, control the engine, the motor, and the bidirectional power converter to cause the motor to crank the engine while causing the bidirectional power converter to boost the power on the auxiliary system power line to supply the boosted power to the drive system power line.
Ultracapacitor to augment starter system during starting of vehicle engine
A system in a vehicle includes a starter motor to start an engine of the vehicle and a battery configured to power the starter motor during the start of the engine. An ultracapacitor is controllably connected in series with the battery to provide additional power to the starter motor during the start of the engine.
Method for controlling a hybrid powertrain, a hybrid powertrain, and a vehicle comprising such a hybrid powertrain
The present invention relates to a method to control a hybrid powertrain, comprising a combustion engine, an electric machine, a gearbox with input shaft and output shaft, wherein the combustion engine and the electric machine are connected to the input shaft. The method comprises the following steps: a) disconnecting the combustion engine from the input shaft with a coupling device, b) engaging a starting gear in the gearbox, which starting gear is higher than the gear at which the combustion engine's torque at idling speed is able to operate the input shaft, c) generating a torque in the input shaft with the electric machine, d) accelerating the electric machine, and e) connecting the combustion engine to the input shaft with the coupling device when the electric machine has reached substantially the same rotational speed as the combustion engine. The invention also relates to a hybrid powertrain and a vehicle.
Additional battery to augment starter system during starting of vehicle engine
A system in a vehicle includes a starter motor to start an engine of the vehicle. The system also includes a first battery connected to the starter motor to power the starter motor during the start of the engine and a second battery controllably connected in series or in parallel with the first battery to provide additional power to the starter motor during the start of the engine.
Vehicle exhaust and air-circulation system for cold start
A vehicle includes an engine having an intake manifold and an exhaust manifold. An exhaust system is connected to the exhaust manifold and has an aftertreatment device. The aftertreatment device has a body defining inlet and outlet cones, a heating element, and a catalyst disposed in the body between the cones. An air-circulation system has conduit extending from downstream of the catalyst to the intake manifold and an air-circulation device configured to circulate air from the outlet cone, through the conduit to the intake manifold, through the engine, to the inlet cone, and through the aftertreatment device.
Engine starting system
An electric starting system is provided for an engine. The electric starting system may include a self-contained housing configured to be mounted between an engine and a tool driven by the engine. The electric starting system may also include an electric motor mounted to the housing, the electric motor configured rotationally engage an output shaft of the engine to effectuate starting of the engine.
Engine starting system
An electric starting system is provided for an engine. The electric starting system may include a self-contained housing configured to be mounted between an engine and a tool driven by the engine. The electric starting system may also include an electric motor mounted to the housing, the electric motor configured rotationally engage an output shaft of the engine to effectuate starting of the engine.
Electro-pneumatic starter and engine starting system methodology
An electro-pneumatic starter for use with a natural gas powered, reciprocating internal combustion engine in oil and gas industrial applications, and a method of starting an internal combustion engine, are provided. A novel combination of an electric motor and a pneumatically actuated transmission are provided for the innovation as claimed, wherein power is translated from an output shaft and motor gear, through a transmission gear and transmission shaft, and to an output gear mated with a ring gear of a host engine, the transmission shaft being extendable by means of a pneumatically controlled piston. When the transmission shaft is extended it is in the engaged position, capable of providing torque to the ring gear of the host engine; when retracted, the same is disengaged from the host engine.
Electro-pneumatic starter and engine starting system methodology
An electro-pneumatic starter for use with a natural gas powered, reciprocating internal combustion engine in oil and gas industrial applications, and a method of starting an internal combustion engine, are provided. A novel combination of an electric motor and a pneumatically actuated transmission are provided for the innovation as claimed, wherein power is translated from an output shaft and motor gear, through a transmission gear and transmission shaft, and to an output gear mated with a ring gear of a host engine, the transmission shaft being extendable by means of a pneumatically controlled piston. When the transmission shaft is extended it is in the engaged position, capable of providing torque to the ring gear of the host engine; when retracted, the same is disengaged from the host engine.
Devices and methods for determining a vehicle alternator condition
Devices and systems for determining an alternator condition in a motor vehicle are provided. The method includes performing a plurality of micro wakeups to capture voltage values during a cranking event, determining the maximum cranking voltage and its timestamp, detecting an ignition signal, determining the maximum device voltage and its timestamp, and determining a potential alternator undercharging condition if a duration between the maximum cranking voltage timestamp and the maximum device voltage timestamp is greater than an undercharging indicator duration threshold. Advantageously, an alternator may be repaired or replaced before it fails thus averting having the motor vehicles inoperable.