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US 8,569,902 B2Granted
Methods and systems for engine starting
AssigneeFord Global Technologies, LLC
InventorsAlex O'Connor Gibson, John Anthony DeMarco, Allan Roy Gale, Vincent John Boscheratto
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A system for improving engine starting is disclosed. In one example, an engine starting is improved by providing a predictable load to the engine during engine starting. The predictable load may be provided by controlling alternator field voltage during the engine start.
Claims12
A vehicle system, comprising:
- an engine that is selectively shut-down during engine idle-stop conditions;
- a battery;
- a starter;
- a DC/DC converter electrically coupled to the battery, the DC/DC converter configured to provide a regulated voltage output;
- an alternator including an alternator field coil excitation circuit, the alternator field coil excitation circuit electrically coupled to an output of the DC/DC converter during an engine start, the alternator mechanically coupled to the engine;
- and
- a controller with computer readable instructions for,
- during an engine restart from idle-stop conditions, adjusting engine torque via at least one torque actuator.
5 more elements
A method of controlling a vehicle system including an engine that is selectively shut-down during engine idle-stop conditions, comprising:
- during an engine start,
- electrically buffering an alternator field coil excitation circuit of an alternator from a battery supplying power to a starter;
- and
- maintaining an alternator field coil excitation circuit input voltage to control a load applied to the engine via an alternator rotor.
1 more element
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.