Prime-mover dynamo plants – Electric control – Starting and generating dynamo
Reexamination Certificate
2000-01-18
2001-09-18
Waks, Joseph (Department: 2834)
Prime-mover dynamo plants
Electric control
Starting and generating dynamo
C123S179100, C310S113000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06291902
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an engine control system for controlling a start of an engine.
Instead of an ordinary dc starting motor, some starting systems employ an ac motor/generator having a function of power generation in addition to a function of motor. In an example shown in Japanese Patent Kokai Publication No. H7-119594, a motor/generator is directly connected with a crankshaft of an engine.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is an object of the present invention to provide apparatus and method for controlling a start of an engine so as to effectively restrain an overshoot in the engine speed.
It is another object of the present invention to provide apparatus and method capable of preventing an overshoot with an adequate timing for starting power generation of a motor/generator and with an adequate power generating quantity for effectively preventing overshoot.
According to the present invention, an engine control system comprises: an engine for a vehicle; a motor/generator having a drive mode for driving the engine to start the engine and a power generation mode for converting mechanical energy from the engine into electric energy; a first input device for producing a vehicle start command signal; a second input device for determining an engine revolution speed of the engine; and a controller for starting an engine cranking operation to start the engine by operating the motor/generator in the drive mode in response to the start command signal, for measuring a time from a start of the engine cranking operation until the engine speed reaches a predetermined engine speed value, for calculating an electric power generation quantity in accordance with the time, and for controlling the power generation of the motor/generator in accordance with the power generation quantity after the arrival of the engine speed at the predetermined engine speed value.
According to another aspect of the present invention, an engine control system comprises a controller for starting an engine cranking operation to start the engine by operating the motor/generator in the drive mode in response to the start command signal, for producing a speed condition signal when the engine speed reaches a predetermined engine speed value, and for responding to the speed condition signal by terminating the engine cranking operation and instead starting a gradual speed increasing operation to control the motor/generator so as to increase the engine speed gradually to a desired target speed.
According to still another aspect of the present invention, an engine control system comprises a controller for starting an engine cranking operation to start the engine by operating the motor/generator in the drive mode in response to the start command signal, for producing a condition signal when a duration of the engine cranking operation reaches a predetermined length, and for responding to the condition signal by terminating the engine cranking operation and instead starting a power generating operation to control the motor/generator in the power generation mode in accordance with a predetermined power generation quantity.
According to still another aspect of the present invention, an engine control apparatus for controlling a motor/generator to start an engine for a vehicle may comprise: means for responding to an engine start command signal by starting an engine cranking operation to start the engine by operating the motor/generator in a cranking mode for driving the engine; means for monitoring an operating condition of the engine cranking operation to produce a mode change signal before an engine speed exceeds a target speed; and means for responding to the mode change signal by changing over an operating mode of the motor/generator from the cranking mode to an overshoot control mode to control the motor/generator to generate electric power in such a manner that an operating parameter of the motor/generator becomes equal to a predetermined desired value.
An engine start control process according to the present invention may comprise: producing an engine start command signal; starting an engine cranking operation to start the engine by operating an motor/generator in a cranking mode for driving an engine in response to the engine start command signal; monitoring an operating condition of the engine cranking operation to produce a mode change signal before an engine speed exceeds a target speed; and responding to the mode change signal by changing over an operating mode of the motor/generator from the cranking mode to an overshoot control mode to control power generation of the motor/generator in accordance with a predetermined target parameter which is one of a desired power generation torque and a desired engine speed.
REFERENCES:
patent: 4942493 (1990-07-01), Rozman et al.
patent: 4948997 (1990-08-01), Ohmitsu et al.
patent: 5428275 (1995-06-01), Carr et al.
patent: 5430362 (1995-07-01), Carr et al.
patent: 5495127 (1996-02-01), Aota et al.
patent: 5497741 (1996-03-01), Tashiro et al.
patent: 5818116 (1998-10-01), Nakae et al.
patent: 6018198 (2000-01-01), Tsuzuki et al.
patent: 6035626 (2000-03-01), Wahl et al.
patent: 6054776 (2000-04-01), Sumi
patent: 6098584 (2000-08-01), Ahner et al.
patent: 7-119594 (1995-05-01), None
Nakajima Yuki
Ogane Hiroaki
Uchida Masaaki
Yoshino Takahiro
Foley & Lardner
Nissan Motor Co,. Ltd.
Waks Joseph
LandOfFree
Engine start control system does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Engine start control system, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Engine start control system will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2519265