US 9,551,418 B1 · System and method for reducing engine flywheel power reduction while protecting drivetrain components

Abstract

Methods and systems are disclosed for reducing engine flywheel power reduction of an engine while protecting a drivetrain. The method includes monitoring transmission gear selection; determining reduction in flywheel power to protect the drivetrain; and monitoring engine power consumption by other engine power loads. When other engine power loads consume less power than the reduction in flywheel power to protect the drivetrain, the method includes reducing flywheel power by the power difference. When other engine power loads consume the same or more power than the reduction in flywheel power to protect the drivetrain, the method includes not reducing the flywheel power. Engine power can be consumed by both on-vehicle and off-vehicle power loads. Engine power can be consumed by an electric generator and/or a plurality of inverters, and their power consumption can be monitored. Information and commands can be communicated over a controller area network (CAN) bus.

Claims20

Dependent claims

A method for reducing engine flywheel power reduction of an engine on a vehicle while protecting a drivetrain of the vehicle, the method comprising:

monitoring gear selection of a transmission of the vehicle;
determining a reduction in engine flywheel power needed to protect the drivetrain as a result of the gear selection of the transmission;
monitoring engine power consumption by power loads other than the drivetrain consuming power produced by the engine;
when the engine power consumption by the power loads other than the drivetrain is less than the reduction in engine flywheel power needed to protect the drivetrain, reducing engine flywheel power by the difference between the reduction in engine flywheel power needed to protect the drivetrain and the engine power consumption by the power loads other than the drivetrain;
and
when the engine power consumption by the power loads other than the drivetrain is greater than or equal to the reduction in engine flywheel power needed to protect the drivetrain, not reducing the engine flywheel power.

3 more elements

A system for reducing engine flywheel power reduction of an engine on a vehicle while protecting a drivetrain of the vehicle, the system comprising:

a vehicle interface controller that monitors a transmission gear selection of the vehicle;
a power management unit that monitors engine power consumption by power loads other than the drivetrain that consume power produced by the engine;
an engine interface controller that determines a reduction in engine flywheel power needed to protect the drivetrain based on the transmission gear selection, and compares the reduction in engine flywheel power needed to protect the drivetrain with the engine power consumption by the power loads other than the drivetrain;
wherein when the engine power consumption by the power loads other than the drivetrain is less than the reduction in engine flywheel power needed to protect the drivetrain, the engine interface controller generates a command to reduce engine flywheel power by the difference between the reduction in engine flywheel power needed to protect the drivetrain and the engine power consumption by the power loads other than the drivetrain;
and when the engine power consumption by the power loads other than the drivetrain is greater than or equal to the reduction in engine flywheel power needed to protect the drivetrain, the engine interface controller does not generate a command to reduce the engine flywheel power.

2 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

System and method for reducing engine flywheel power reduction while protecting drivetrain components

Life of this patent

System and method for reducing engine flywheel power reduction while protecting drivetrain components

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims20