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US 9,327,706 B2Granted
Systems and methods for improving engine starting
AssigneeFord Global Technologies, LLC
InventorsDennis Craig Reed, Jeffrey Allen Doering, David Oshinsky, Adam Nathan Banker
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Systems and methods for improving operation of a hybrid vehicle are presented. In one example, an engine is rotated to increase pressure within a fuel rail. The engine is rotated without combusting air and fuel within the engine.
Claims18
A method of engine starting, comprising:
- rotating an engine in response to a vehicle activation request and in absence of an engine start request, the engine rotation driving a fuel pump that pressurizes a fuel rail with fuel from a tank;
- not supplying fuel to the rotating engine;
- stopping the rotating engine in response to fuel rail pressure greater than a threshold pressure;
- and
- starting the stopped engine in response to an engine start request.
2 more elements
A method of engine starting, comprising:
- rotating an engine in response to a vehicle activation request and in absence of an engine start request;
- not supplying fuel to the rotating engine;
- stopping the rotating engine;
- and
- starting the stopped engine in response to an engine start request, where the vehicle activation request is made via a driver entering a passenger cabin of a vehicle that includes the engine.
2 more elements
A method of engine starting, comprising:
- stopping rotation of an engine in response to an engine stop request;
- closing a driveline disconnect clutch in response to a vehicle activation request and fuel rail pressure being less than a threshold pressure;
- rotating the engine by a motor via the closed driveline disconnect clutch while not supplying fuel to the engine;
- and
- supplying spark and fuel to the engine in response to driver demand torque exceeding a threshold torque.
2 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.