Hydraulic actuation system for improved engine start
AssigneeFord Global Technologies, LLC
InventorsJohn D. Russell, Michael Andri
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A method of starting an internal combustion engine for a vehicle having at least a hydraulic pump configured to be powered at least partially by a source other than the engine and an adjustable hydraulic actuator configured to be adjusted by hydraulic fluid of the hydraulic pump is provided. The method comprises during a first start of the engine, operating with the hydraulic actuator in a first position; and during a second start of the engine, operating with the hydraulic actuator in a second position, said second position different from said first position.
Claims24
A method of starting an internal combustion engine for a vehicle having at least a hydraulic pump configured to be powered at least partially by an alternative source other than the engine and an adjustable hydraulic actuator configured to be adjusted by hydraulic fluid of at least the hydraulic pump, the method comprising:
- during a first shutdown, mechanically adjusting the hydraulic actuator from a first position to a second position via hydraulic pressure to the hydraulic actuator including:
- providing additional hydraulic pressure via the alternative source and the hydraulic pump if the hydraulic pressure is less than a sufficient pressure for adjusting the hydraulic actuator;
- during a subsequent start of the engine following said first shutdown, operating with the hydraulic actuator in the second position, said second position different from said first position;
- during a second shutdown, shutting off the hydraulic pump receiving power from the alternative source if the hydraulic actuator is not to be mechanically adjusted from the first position;
- and
- during a subsequent start of the engine following the second shutdown, operating with the hydraulic actuator in the first position.
A method of operating an internal combustion engine including at least a combustion chamber configured with a hydraulic actuator;
- an energy storage device;
- and at least a hydraulic pump configured to be powered at least partially by the energy storage device, wherein the hydraulic pump is further configured to provide a pressurized hydraulic fluid to the hydraulic actuator to cause an adjustment of at least one of an intake valve and an exhaust valve of the combustion chamber, the method comprising:
- operating the engine, wherein the hydraulic actuator is in a first position;
- performing an engine shutdown;
- after a first engine shutdown, operating the hydraulic pump to supply hydraulic pressure to the hydraulic actuator to move the hydraulic actuator to a second position different from the first position via hydraulic pressure to the hydraulic actuator, the operating including providing additional hydraulic pressure via the energy storage device if the hydraulic pressure is less than a sufficient pressure for adjusting the hydraulic actuator;
- starting the engine after the first engine shutdown with the hydraulic actuator in the second position, said second position different from said first position;
- after a second engine shutdown, shutting off the hydraulic pump receiving power from the energy storage device if the hydraulic actuator is not mechanically adjusted from the first position;
- and
- starting the engine after the second engine shutdown, with the hydraulic actuator in the first position.
A method of starting an internal combustion engine for a vehicle having at least a first hydraulic pump driven solely by the engine, a second hydraulic pump configured to be powered at least partially by an alternative source other than the engine, and an adjustable hydraulic actuator configured to be adjusted by hydraulic fluid of the hydraulic pumps, the method comprising:
- providing an additional hydraulic pressure via the alternative source and the second hydraulic pump when mechanically adjusting the hydraulic actuator if a hydraulic pressure to the hydraulic actuator is less than a sufficient pressure for adjusting the hydraulic actuator;
- mechanically adjusting the hydraulic actuator without providing the additional hydraulic pressure if the hydraulic pressure is at least the sufficient pressure for adjusting the hydraulic actuator;
- and
- shutting off the second hydraulic pump if the hydraulic actuator is not being mechanically adjusted.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.