Motor vehicle drivetrain controller
AssigneeGM Global Technology Operations LLC
InventorHartmut Fischer
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A method for controlling a drivetrain of a motor vehicle is disclosed. Either a start mode for starting the reciprocating engine is activated via the driving vehicle wheel, or a coasting mode is activated for driving the reciprocating engine via the driving vehicle wheel. At least one volume-reducing stroke is executed that follows an intake stroke for at least one cylinder of the reciprocating engine with at least intermittently open cylinder. Alternately at least one volume-enlarging stroke is executed for at least one cylinder of the reciprocating engine, which is followed by a compression stroke of this cylinder, and at least one volume-reducing stroke of this cylinder, which follows an expansion stroke that follows the compression stroke, with a cylinder that is closed, if possible, in this operating mode.
Claims19
A method for controlling a drivetrain of a motor vehicle including a reciprocating engine and a vehicle wheel selectively coupled with the reciprocating engine, the method comprising:
- actuating a driven mode of the drivetrain, wherein the vehicle wheel at least partially drives a crankshaft of the reciprocating engine such that a piston operably coupled to the crankshaft repeatedly cycles through a first expansion stroke, a first reduction stroke, a second expansion stroke and a second reduction stroke;
- and
- actuating a resistance-reducing mode to reduce the compression work and pump loss of the reciprocating engine including:
- opening a decompression element during the first reduction stroke following the first expansion stroke for at least one cycle of the reciprocating engine thereby providing an intermittently open cylinder;
- and
- closing the decompression element through the first expansion stroke and the second reduction stroke for at least one cycle of the reciprocating engine thereby providing a closed cylinder.
A system for controlling a drivetrain of a motor vehicle having a reciprocating engine and a vehicle wheel selectively coupled with the reciprocating engine, wherein the system comprises an electronic control unit configured to:
- actuate a driven mode of the drivetrain, wherein the vehicle wheel at least partially drives a crankshaft of the reciprocating engine such that a piston operably coupled to the crankshaft repeatedly cycles through a first expansion stroke, a first reduction stroke, a second expansion stroke and a second reduction stroke;
- and
- actuate a resistance-reducing mode to reduce the compression work and pump loss of the reciprocating engine including:
- opening a decompression element during the first reduction stroke following the first expansion stroke for at least one cycle of the reciprocating engine thereby providing an intermittently open cylinder;
- and
- closing the decompression element through the first expansion stroke and the second reduction stroke for at least one cycle of the reciprocating engine thereby providing a closed cylinder.
A system for controlling a drivetrain of a motor vehicle having a reciprocating engine and a vehicle wheel selectively coupled with the reciprocating engine, wherein the system comprises an electronic control unit configured to:
- actuate a driven mode of the drivetrain, wherein the vehicle wheel at least partially drives a crankshaft of the reciprocating engine such that a piston operably coupled to the crankshaft repeatedly cycles through a first expansion stroke, a first reduction stroke, a second expansion stroke and a second reduction stroke in an engine cylinder;
- and
- actuate a resistance-reducing mode to reduce the compression work and pump loss of the reciprocating engine including:
- opening a valve during the first reduction stroke following the first expansion stroke for at least one cycle of the reciprocating engine to intermittently open the engine cylinder;
- and
- closing the valve through the first expansion stroke and the second reduction stroke for at least one cycle of the reciprocating engine to close the engine cylinder.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.