Method of preconditioning a battery to improve cold temperature starting of a vehicle
AssigneeFord Global Tech., Inc.
InventorJohn Michael Miller
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A method of preconditioning a battery 34 of a hybrid electric vehicle 10 to improve cold temperature starting of vehicle 10. The method utilizes the vehicle's electric starter/generator 16 to generate forward and reverse torque pulsations which draw power from battery 34, thereby heating the core of battery 34. The forward and reverse torque pulsations are further effective to rock the engine crankshaft 18, thereby eliminating static friction and reducing the torque required to crank engine 14.
Claims18
A method for improving cold temperature starting of a vehicle having a battery, an engine and an electric machine which is coupled to said battery and which is attached to the crankshaft of said engine, said method comprising the steps of:
- detecting a cold temperature starting condition;
- and
- selectively providing torque pulsations to said crankshaft by use of said electric machine during said cold temperature starting condition, said torque pulsations being effective to draw power from said battery effective to heat said battery and to remove static friction within said engine, thereby reducing the torque required to crank said engine.
A method of preconditioning a battery within a vehicle having an engine and a starter/generator which is operatively coupled to said battery and said engine, said method comprising the steps of:
- detecting a cold temperature starting condition;
- and
- selectively activating said starter/generator effective to draw power from said battery, thereby heating said battery, said selective activation of said starter/generator being further effective to generate torque pulsations to said engine which remove static friction within said engine, thereby reducing the torque required to crank said engine.
A method of preconditioning a battery within a hybrid electric vehicle of the type having an engine, a starter/generator which is operatively coupled to said engine and said battery, and a door, said method comprising the steps of:
- detecting an opening of said door;
- measuring a temperature of said battery;
- comparing said temperature to a predetermined threshold value;
- if said temperature is greater than said predetermined threshold value, starting said vehicle;
- and
- if said temperature is less than said predetermined threshold value, selectively activating said starter/generator, effective to draw power from said battery and to transmit a torque to said engine, thereby heating said battery and removing static friction from said engine.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.