Combustion engine acceleration support using an integrated starter/alternator
AssigneeIllinois Institute of Technology
InventorsRanjit Jayabalan, Ali Emadi
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A method of providing acceleration support to a combustion engine using an integrated starter/alternator. The integrated starter/alternator is in rotational combination with the crankshaft and connected to a battery system. The integrated starter/alternator is adapted to function at times as a power source adding torque to rotate the crankshaft to overcome friction and non-linear hydrodynamic forces within the engine. At other times the integrated starter/alternator functions as a power generator for subtracting torque from the crankshaft to provide electrical current to the battery system.
Claims21
A method of increasing an acceleration rate of a combustion engine during combustion engine acceleration, the combustion engine including a crankshaft, the method comprising:
- providing an electromagnetic motor/generator in rotating combination with the crankshaft, the electromagnetic motor/generator adapted to rotate the crankshaft upon receiving an electrical current from a battery system;
- determining an acceleration demand of the combustion engine, wherein the acceleration demand is an amount of power needed to overcome at least one of a frictional force and a nonlinear hydrodynamic force within the combustion engine;
- powering the electromagnetic motor/generator with the electrical current, wherein the electrical current is proportional to the acceleration demand;
- and
- increasing the rotational speed of the crankshaft by the electromagnetic motor/generator;
- wherein increasing the rotational speed of the crankshaft by the electromagnetic motor/generator increases the acceleration rate of the combustion engine.
A method of operating a vehicle including a combustion engine, a transmission, an electromagnetic motor/generator, and a control system, the combustion engine having a crankshaft connected to the transmission, the electromagnetic motor/generator in rotational combination with the crankshaft and connected to a battery system, and the control system in controlling combination with the electromagnetic motor/generator, wherein the electromagnetic motor/generator is adapted to function at times as a power source adding torque to rotate the crankshaft and at other times to function as a power generator for subtracting torque from the crankshaft to provide electrical current to the battery system, the method comprising:
- determining an acceleration demand of the combustion engine during engine acceleration, wherein the acceleration demand is an amount of power needed to overcome at least one of a frictional force and a nonlinear hydrodynamic force within the combustion engine;
- directing with the control system a first electrical current from the battery system to the electromagnetic motor/generator during combustion engine acceleration, wherein the first electrical current is proportional to the acceleration demand;
- powering the electromagnetic motor/generator with the first electrical current during acceleration of the combustion engine to add torque to the crankshaft;
- determining one of a low electrical charge of the battery system and a high vehicle electrical operating load;
- powering the electromagnetic motor/generator with the crankshaft to produce a second electrical current;
- and
- directing with the control system the second electrical current to the battery system, wherein the second electrical current charges the battery system.
A method of increasing an acceleration rate of a combustion engine during combustion engine acceleration, the combustion engine including a crankshaft, the method comprising:
- providing an electromagnetic motor/generator in rotating combination with the crankshaft, wherein the electromagnetic motor/generator comprises an integrated starter/alternator having a capacity of about 2 kilowatts to about 6 kilowatts and adapted to rotate the crankshaft upon receiving an electrical current from a battery system;
- determining an acceleration demand of the combustion engine;
- powering the electromagnetic motor/generator with the electrical current, wherein the electrical current is proportional to the acceleration demand;
- and
- increasing the rotational speed of the crankshaft by the electromagnetic motor/generator;
- wherein increasing the rotational speed of the crankshaft by the electromagnetic motor/generator increases the acceleration rate of the combustion engine.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.