# US 8,784,265 B2 · Method for starting an engine > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 8,784,265 B2 - Document ID: US8784265B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 14/022,662 - Filed: 2013-09-10 - Published: 2014-01-09 - Granted: 2014-07-22 - Earliest claimed: 2010-07-09 - Assignees: Ford Global Technologies, LLC - Applicants: Ford Global Technologies, LLC - Inventors: Felix Nedorezov; Hong Jiang; Alex O'Connor Gibson; Roger Lyle Huffmaster; Ihab S. Soliman - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US8784265B2 ## CPC - F02N 11/0803: {characterised by means for initiating engine start or stop (F02N11/0814 takes precedence)} - B60W 10/026: {of lock-up clutches} - B60W 10/06: including control of combustion engines - B60W 10/10: including control of change-speed gearings - B60W 30/192: Mitigating problems related to power-up or power-down of the driveline, e.g. start-up of a cold engine - F02N 11/0814: {comprising means for controlling automatic idle-start-stop} - F02N 2200/124: Information about road conditions, e.g. road inclination or surface - F16H 61/0059: {Braking of gear output shaft using simultaneous engagement of engaging means, e.g. clutches or brakes, applied for different gear ratios} - Y02T 10/40: Engine management systems - Y10T 74/131: Automatic - Y10T 74/134: Clutch connection - F02N: STARTING OF COMBUSTION ENGINES; STARTING AIDS FOR SUCH ENGINES, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR - B60W: CONJOINT CONTROL OF VEHICLE SUB-UNITS OF DIFFERENT TYPE OR DIFFERENT FUNCTION; CONTROL SYSTEMS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR HYBRID VEHICLES; ROAD VEHICLE DRIVE CONTROL SYSTEMS FOR PURPOSES NOT RELATED TO THE CONTROL OF A PARTICULAR SUB-UNIT - F16H: GEARING - Y02T: CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION TECHNOLOGIES RELATED TO TRANSPORTATION - Y10T: TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION ## Abstract A method for improving starting of an engine that may be repeatedly stopped and started is presented. In one embodiment, the method adjusts a transmission actuator in response to engine combustion during an engine start. The method may improve vehicle launch for stop/start vehicles. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A method for starting an engine, comprising: tracking engine position as spark and fuel are deactivated; stopping the engine; predicting a first combustion event of a cylinder for an engine start based on the tracked engine position; and during the engine start, adjusting a transmission tie-up force in response to a timing of the first combustion event of the cylinder. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, where the transmission tie-up force is adjusted via an actuator of a transmission. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The method of claim 2, where said actuator is further adjusted during said start in response to a temperature of said transmission. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, further comprising adjusting a torque converter lockup clutch during the engine start. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The method of claim 4, where said cylinder is a first cylinder to combust an air-fuel mixture since said engine stop. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, where the transmission tie-up force is adjusted via a clutch, and where the clutch is adjusted by varying a pressure of oil supplied to said clutch. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, where the transmission tie-up force is adjusted via a gear clutch. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, where the transmission tie-up force is adjusted via an actuator, and where said actuator is further adjusted during said engine start in response to altitude. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, where the transmission tie-up force is adjusted via an actuator, the actuator is further adjusted during said engine start in response to fuel type. ### Claim 10 A method for starting an engine, comprising: stopping an engine and tracking engine position during stopping the engine as spark and fuel are deactivated; adjusting at least one actuator of a transmission to control a transmission tie-up force during said engine stop; predicting a combustion event of a cylinder based on the tracked engine position; and during an engine start, adjusting said at least one actuator of said transmission to decrease said transmission tie-up force in response to a timing of the combustion event of the cylinder of said engine since stopping the engine. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The method of claim 10, where said at least one actuator is a clutch. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The method of claim 11, where said clutch is adjusted by varying a pressure of oil supplied to said clutch. ### Claim 13 (depends on 11) The method of claim 11, where said clutch is a gear clutch. ### Claim 14 (depends on 10) The method of claim 10, where said at least one actuator is adjusted in response to a trailer coupled to a vehicle. ### Claim 15 (depends on 10) The method of claim 10, where said at least one actuator is a torque converter lockup clutch. ### Claim 16 (depends on 10) The method of claim 10, where said at least one actuator is further adjusted during said engine start in response to altitude. ### Claim 17 A method for starting an engine, comprising: during a first condition: starting an engine while a transmission is in an operator selected state; and during a second condition, different than said first condition: stopping an engine at a first engine position and tracking engine position as spark and fuel are deactivated; predicting a first combustion event of a cylinder based on the tracked engine position; starting said engine while said transmission is in a tied-up state; and reducing a tie-up force of said transmission in response to the predicted first combustion event of the cylinder since engine stop, said occurrence of a first combustion event related to said first engine position. ### Claim 18 (depends on 17) The method of claim 17, where said first condition is a first engine start after said engine has been stopped by an operator, and where a timing of said reducing said tie-up force is predicted based on said first engine position. ### Claim 19 (depends on 17) The method of claim 17, where said second condition is an engine start after said engine has been stopped via a controller. ### Claim 20 (depends on 19) The method of claim 19, where said tie-up force is reduced by opening a clutch of said transmission.