Internal-combustion engines – Starting device – Condition responsive control of starting device
Reexamination Certificate
1999-09-03
2001-03-20
Argenbright, Tony M. (Department: 3747)
Internal-combustion engines
Starting device
Condition responsive control of starting device
C123S179210, C290S03800C, C307S010600
Reexamination Certificate
active
06202615
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The invention relates generally to internal combustion engines, and, more particularly, to methods and apparatus for starting an internal combustion engine.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
It is known that an internal combustion engine can be started with energy stored in one or more capacitors. In such arrangements, the energy required for starting is supplied to the capacitor from a vehicle battery (with 12 volts or 24 volts). The energy from the battery is brought to a higher voltage level by means of a high-positioning DC/DC converter and stored in the capacitor(s). Such starter systems are known, for example, from SU 1,265,388 A1 (MOSC AUTOMECH), as well as from EP 0 390 398 A1 (ISUZU).
In simpler systems, the capacitor(s) lie at the same voltage level as the vehicle battery, (i.e., no high positioner is connected between the capacitor(s) and the battery). Examples of such simpler systems are offered by DE 41 35 025 A1 (MAGNETI MARELLI), and U.S. Pat. No. 5,041,776 (ISUZU). In all of the aforementioned systems, the battery is separated from the starter motor during the starting process. All of the energy used for starting is, therefore, drawn from the capacitor accumulator(s).
JP 02175350 A (ISUZU) and JP 02175351 A (ISUZU) describe simple systems of the second-named type (i.e., the simple systems that do not include a voltage converter). However, in these disclosures, the battery and the precharged capacitor are connected in parallel during the starting process, so that both energy storage devices (i.e., accumulators) contribute to the starting process.
It is also known from EP 0 403 051 A1 (ISUZU) that a capacitor used to store starting energy can be charged only up to a certain variable voltage level. This maximum voltage level depends on the temperature of the engine coolant.
In addition to the above proposals which concern the use of capacitors as accumulators for storing and supplying starting energy to an electric starter, there are also proposals for using capacitors for other applications, (for example, as accumulators for storing energy required for electrical heating). EP 0 533 037 B1 (MAGNETI MARELLI) discloses electrical catalyst heating and EP 0 420 379 B1 discloses an electrical glow unit for a diesel engine, in which the heating energy is kept ready in a capacitor.
Finally, electrical systems with a starter battery and a vehicle battery are known from WO93/11003 (BOSCH) and EP 0 688 698 A2 (BMW et al.). In these arrangements, the starter battery and vehicle battery are charged together, but are separated during the stating process. In the last-named publication, the two batteries are connected via a control unit that controls the charging process.
Known starter systems employing capacitors guarantee reliable starting, even under very cold conditions. They also permit smaller layout of the ordinary vehicle battery, which, in itself, is less suited for short-term discharging during starting.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In accordance with an aspect of the invention, an apparatus is provided for use with an internal combustion engine and a consumer of electrical power. The apparatus includes an electric starter operatively coupled to the internal combustion engine. It also includes a short-term energy storage device in circuit with the starter. The short-term energy storage device stores energy for supplying the starter with power. The apparatus is also provided with a sensor for detecting a temperature of the internal combustion engine. The apparatus is further provided with a power flow controller in communication with the sensor. The power flow controller controls power flow from the energy storage device to the consumer such that a portion of the energy stored in the short-term energy storage device is delivered to the consumer of electrical power before the electric starter is supplied with power. The portion of the energy has a size which is dependent upon the sensed temperature. The size of the portion is smaller at low temperatures than at high temperatures.
In accordance with another aspect of the invention, an apparatus is provided for use with an internal combustion engine. The apparatus includes an electric starter operatively coupled to the internal combustion engine, and a short-term energy storage device in circuit with the starter. The short-term energy storage device stores energy for supplying the starter with power. The apparatus is further provided with a long-term energy storage device, a sensor for detecting a temperature of the internal combustion engine, and a coupling circuit separating the short-term energy storage device from the long-term energy storage device. The coupling circuit is arranged to permit simultaneous withdrawal of energy from the short-term energy storage device and the long-term energy storage device for delivery to the electric starter during a starting operation. The apparatus also includes a power flow controller in communication with the sensor and the coupling circuit to actively control an amount of energy withdrawn from at least one of the short-term energy storage device and the long-term energy storage device based on the sensed temperature to ensure sufficient energy is supplied to the electric starter to start the internal combustion engine.
In accordance with still another aspect of the invention, a method is provided for starting an internal combustion engine. The method comprises the steps of: charging a short-term energy storage device; measuring a temperature; and determining a first amount of energy required to start the internal combustion engine at the measured temperature. The method also includes the steps of: determining if the short-term energy device contains more than the first amount of energy; and, if so, responding to a command to start the internal combustion engine by delivering a second amount of energy from the short-term energy storage device to at least one consumer of electrical power. The method also includes the step of starting the internal combustion engine using the energy remaining in the short-term energy storage device.
In accordance with yet another aspect of the invention, a method is provided for starting an internal combustion engine. The method includes the steps of: charging a short-term energy storage device; measuring a temperature; and determining a first amount of energy required to start the internal combustion engine at the measured temperature. The method also includes the step of delivering the first amount of energy to an electric starter by: (a) simultaneously withdrawing a second amount of energy from the short-term energy storage device and a third amount of energy from the long-term energy storage device; and (b) actively controlling the size of at least one of the first and second amounts of energy based on the sensed temperature to ensure that the electric starter is supplied sufficient energy to start the internal combustion engine.
Other features and advantages are inherent in the disclosed apparatus and methods or will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description and its accompanying drawings.
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paten
Pels Thomas
Revermann Klaus
Riekenbrauck Holger
Zeyen Klaus-Peter
Argenbright Tony M.
Castro Arnold
ISAD Electronic Systems GmbH & Co. KG
Marshall O'Toole Gerstein Murray & Borun
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