Engine start/stop control for multiple engine ohv based on operating conditions

An off-highway vehicle comprising:

• a plurality of engines;
• a controller for controlling operation of the engines, wherein when a first engine of the plurality of engines is operating and a second engine of the plurality of engines is not operating, said controller initiates operation of the second engine when a set of operating conditions are met, said operating conditions comprising:
• a throttle position of the off-highway vehicle is greater than a predetermined throttle position;
• a speed of the off-highway vehicle is greater than a predetermined speed;
• and
• the first engine is operating at an output level greater than a predetermined output level.

A method of operating an off-highway vehicle having a plurality of engines wherein a first engine and a second engine of the plurality of engines are operating and an operator reduces a throttle position of the off-highway vehicle to a predefined amount, said method comprising:

• operating the second engine at a revolutions per minute corresponding to an idle condition and thereafter controlling the second engine revolutions per minute as a function of the throttle position;
• controlling the first engine revolutions per minute as a function of the throttle position;
• and
• stopping the second engine after a predetermined period of time during which the second engine has been in the idle condition.

The method of claim 19 wherein:

• the predetermined shutoff time is 5 minutes;
• the predetermined period of time is 3 seconds the predefined amount of throttle position adjustment is the amount that adjusts the throttle position to notch 3 or lower;
• the predetermined speed is 4 miles per hour;
• and
• the predetermined output level is 90% of a horsepower rating of the first engine.

An off-highway vehicle comprising:

• a plurality of engines;
• a controller for controlling operation of the engines wherein when a first engine and a second engine of the plurality of engines are operating and an operator reduces a throttle position of the off-highway vehicle to a predefined amount, said controller:
• operates the second engine at a revolutions per minute corresponding to an idle condition and thereafter controls the second engine revolutions per minute as a function of the throttle position;
• controls the first engine revolutions per minute as a function of the throttle position;
• and
• stops the second engine after a predetermined period of time during which the second engine has been in the idle condition.

A method of minimizing fuel consumption of an engine of an off-highway vehicle having an idle state wherein the engine produces no motive force in the idle state and wherein the engine is in said idle state, said method comprising:

• starting the engine in response to at least one of the following start-up conditions:
• a battery voltage less than a predetermined first battery voltage;
• an ambient air temperature less than a predetermined first ambient air temperature;
• a direction input changed from neutral to either forward or reverse;
• a brake cylinder pressure below a predetermined first brake cylinder pressure;
• and
• an engine start input activated by an operator;
• and
• stopping the engine after a predetermined idle period of time in response to at least one of the following shutdown conditions:
• a battery charging current less than a predetermined battery charging current;
• a battery voltage greater than a predetermined second battery voltage;
• an ambient air temperature greater than a predetermined second ambient air temperature;
• a direction input in neutral;
• and
• a brake cylinder pressure above a predetermined second brake cylinder pressure.

An off-highway vehicle having an idle state wherein the off-highway vehicle produces no motive force in the idle state and the off-highway vehicle is in said idle state, said vehicle comprising:

• an engine;
• a controller for controlling operation of the engine, said controller monitoring at least one of a battery voltage of the vehicle, an ambient air temperature of the vehicle, a direction input of the vehicle, a brake cylinder pressure of the vehicle, an engine start input of the vehicle, and a battery charging current;
• said controller starting the engine in response to at least one of the following start-up conditions:
• the monitored battery voltage is less than a predetermined first battery voltage;
• the monitored ambient air temperature is less than a predetermined first ambient air temperature;
• the monitored direction input is changed from neutral to either forward or reverse;
• the monitored brake cylinder pressure is below a predetermined first brake cylinder pressure;
• and
• the monitored engine start input is activated by an operator;
• and
• said controller stopping the engine after a predetermined idle period of time in response to at least one of the following shutdown conditions:
• the monitored battery charging current is less than a predetermined battery charging current;
• the monitored battery voltage is greater than a predetermined second battery voltage;
• the monitored ambient air temperature is greater than a predetermined second ambient air temperature;
• the monitored direction input is in neutral;
• and
• the monitored brake cylinder pressure is above a predetermined second brake cylinder pressure.