# US 9,435,270 B2 · Methods and systems for an engine > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 9,435,270 B2 - Document ID: US9435270B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 14/279,127 - Filed: 2014-05-15 - Published: 2014-09-04 - Granted: 2016-09-06 - Earliest claimed: 2011-10-12 - Assignees: Ford Global Technologies, LLC - Applicants: Ford Global Technologies, LLC - Inventors: Thomas G. Leone; John Anthony DeMarco - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US9435270B2 ## CPC - F02D 9/08: Throttle valves specially adapted therefor; Arrangements of such valves in conduits - F02D 9/1055: {having a fluid by-pass} - F02D 11/10: of the electric type - F02D 29/06: peculiar to engines driving electric generators - F02D 41/0005: {during deceleration} - F02D 41/12: for deceleration {(F02D41/0005, F02D41/107 take precedence)} - F02D 2009/0283: {Throttle in the form of an expander} - F02D 2200/503: Battery correction, i.e. corrections as a function of the state of the battery, its output or its type - F02D: CONTROLLING COMBUSTION ENGINES (vehicle fittings, acting on a single sub-unit only, for automatically controlling vehicle speed B60K31/00; conjoint control of vehicle sub-units of different type or different function, road vehicle drive control systems for purposes other than the control of a single sub-unit B60W) ## Abstract Various systems and methods for an engine system which includes a throttle turbine generator having a turbine which drives an auxiliary generator and disposed in a throttle bypass are described. In some examples, a throttle bypass valve is controlled to adjust airflow through the throttle bypass responsive to airflow to cylinders of the engine. In other examples, an operating parameter such as throttle position is controlled based on transient operating conditions of the engine. In still other examples, charging of a battery is coordinated between the auxiliary generator and a primary generator. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A method for an engine, comprising: when a state of charge of a battery is less than a threshold, directing intake air through a throttle bypass around a throttle disposed in an intake passage of the engine and through a turbine to drive an auxiliary generator; charging the battery via the auxiliary generator; during deceleration of a vehicle in which the engine is positioned, charging the battery via the auxiliary generator and a primary generator; and increasing intake manifold vacuum when the primary generator is degraded and charging the battery via the auxiliary generator. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the threshold is a first, high threshold value, and further comprising charging the battery via the auxiliary generator when the state of charge is less than a second, low threshold value. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the threshold is a first, high threshold value, and further comprising, during deceleration of the vehicle in which the engine is positioned, charging the battery via the auxiliary generator and the primary generator when the state of charge is less than a second, low threshold value. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the threshold is a first, high threshold value, and further comprising charging the battery via the auxiliary generator and the primary generator when the state of charge is less than a second, low threshold value and the vehicle is not decelerating. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the threshold is a first, high threshold value, and further comprising charging the battery via the auxiliary generator when the state of charge is less than a second, low threshold value and the primary generator is degraded. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The method of claim 5, further comprising adjusting one or more of variable valve timing, exhaust gas recirculation, gear ratio, cylinder deactivation, vacuum pump, and air fuel ratio to increase charging via the auxiliary generator when the primary generator is degraded. ### Claim 7 A method for an engine, comprising: during vehicle deceleration, directing intake air through a throttle bypass around a throttle disposed in an intake passage of the engine and through a turbine to drive an auxiliary generator to maintain a battery state of charge; and during degradation of a primary generator, increasing engine intake manifold vacuum to increase charging of a battery via the auxiliary generator. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The method of claim 7, wherein the degradation of the primary generator further includes the state of charge of the battery being less than a threshold. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The method of claim 8, wherein the engine is a direct fuel injection engine. ### Claim 10 (depends on 7) The method of claim 7, wherein increasing the engine intake manifold vacuum includes adjusting engine variable valve timing. ### Claim 11 (depends on 7) The method of claim 7, wherein increasing the engine intake manifold vacuum includes reducing exhaust gas recirculation. ### Claim 12 (depends on 7) The method of claim 7, wherein increasing the engine intake manifold vacuum includes downshifting a transmission gear ratio. ### Claim 13 (depends on 7) The method of claim 7, wherein increasing the engine intake manifold vacuum includes adjusting cylinder deactivation. ### Claim 14 (depends on 7) The method of claim 7, wherein increasing the engine intake manifold vacuum includes turning on a vacuum pump. ### Claim 15 (depends on 7) The method of claim 7, wherein increasing the engine intake manifold vacuum includes adjusting an air fuel ratio. ### Claim 16 (depends on 9) The method of claim 9, wherein during vehicle deceleration the method includes charging the battery via the auxiliary generator and the primary generator.