2353 results about "Starter" patented technology

The present invention provides an alternator starter accessory drive system for a hybrid vehicle. The starter alternator accessory drive system includes a planetary gear set having a first, second, and third planetary member. An engine is operatively connected to the first planetary member, and a first motor / generator is operatively connected to the second planetary member. A torque transfer device operatively connects a plurality of accessories to the third planetary member. A second motor / generator is operatively connected to either the third planetary member or the torque transfer device. Engine output is transferable through the planetary gear set to drive the accessories at a selectable rate, and the first and second motor / generators are controllable to run the accessories while the engine is off and to re-start the engine.

A system for starting a gas turbine engine of an aircraft is provided. The system includes a pneumatic starter motor, a discrete starter valve switchable between an on-state and an off-state, and a controller operable to perform a starting sequence for the gas turbine engine. The starting sequence includes alternating on and off commands to an electromechanical device coupled to the discrete starter valve to achieve a partially open position of the discrete starter valve to control a flow from a starter air supply to the pneumatic starter motor to drive rotation of a starting spool of the gas turbine engine below an engine idle speed.

There is provided a power transmission mechanism which is capable of employing one electric motor as a drive source for driving drive wheels and as a drive source for cranking an engine, thereby making it possible to reduce manufacturing costs of the hybrid vehicle, and preventing the motor from offering an extra rotational resistance to the engine when the drive wheels are being driven by the engine, thereby making it possible to enhance fuel economy. In the power transmission mechanism for transmitting the driving force from the engine and / or the electric motor to the drive wheels, when a synchro-clutch for the electric motor, driven by a switching actuator, connects the drive shaft of the electric motor and a driving drive shaft gear to each other, the electric motor is connected to the drive wheels via a meshing gear pair (driving drive shaft gear and driving output shaft gear), whereas when the synchro-clutch connects the drive shaft of the electric motor and a cranking drive shaft gear to each other, the electric motor is connected to the engine via a meshing gear pair (cranking drive shaft gear and cranking input shaft gear), the input shaft of the transmission, and a clutch.

An engine start system which may be employed in automotive idle stop systems. The engine start system includes a pinion gear to be pushed to a ring gear coupled to an engine for achieving meshing engagement with the ring gear. After the pinion gear engages the ring gear, the engine start system starts to rotate the pinion gear using a starter motor to crank the engine. Specifically, when an engine restart request is made following an engine stop request, the engine start system waits until after the speed of the engine drops below a preselected gear engageble speed and then moves the pinion gear toward the ring gear without rotating the pinion gear. This minimizes the consumption of fuel in the vehicle in supplying electric power to the starter motor and a maximum level of mechanical noise arising from the engagement of the pinion gear with the ring gear.

A vehicle includes a motor / generator, a starter motor, a disconnect clutch disposed between the engine and the motor / generator, and at least one clutch disposed between the motor / generator and the vehicle drive wheels. When an engine start is requested, various parameters are controlled to ensure a smooth engine start wherein driveline torque disturbances are minimized. The starter motor is used to crank the engine upon an engine start request, thereby eliminating the need to transfer torque from the motor / generator to the engine. This helps to further reduce torque disturbances in the driveline when the engine is started.

A starter-generator for an aircraft engine comprises a dynamoelectric machine alternatively operable as a motor or as a generator, having a rotor. A support motor is coupled to the dynamoelectric machine to assist the machine. A torque converter selectively couples and decouples the rotor to the engine, coupling the rotor to the engine at some point when dynamoelectric machine is operated as a motor. A constant speed transmission has an input adapted to be connected to the engine and an output to be connected to the rotor. The unit provides a desired speed relation between input and output. The engine may be started by the dynamoelectric machine when operated as a motor through a first power train including the torque converter and may drive the dynamoelectric machine as a generator through a second power train including the constant speed transmission.

A starter-generator for an aircraft engine comprises a variable dynamoelectric machine alternatively operable as a motor or as a generator, having a rotor. A support motor is coupled to the variable dynamoelectric machine to assist the machine. A torque converter selectively couples and decouples the rotor to the engine, coupling the rotor to the engine at some point when the dynamoelectric machine is operated as a motor. The engine may be started by the dynamoelectric machine when operated as a motor through a first power train including the torque converter and may drive the dynamoelectric machine as a generator through a second power train.

A turbofan gas turbine propulsion engine includes a multi-speed transmission between the high pressure and low pressure turbines and associated high pressure and low pressure starter-generators. The multi-speed transmission reduces the operating speed range from the low pressure turbine to its associated starter-generator, and is configurable to allow the starter-generator associated with the low pressure turbine to supply starting torque to the engine.

The invention relates to a dual-clutch transmission applied to a hybrid electric vehicle, wherein an output shaft of a motor / generator is connected with a first driving gear and a second driving gear through a double clutch respectively; an engine shaft of an engine is connected with an engine driving gear through an engine clutch; a second driven gear is meshed with the second driving gear and the engine driving gear respectively and connected with a first driven gear and a main reduction driving gear respectively through a synchronizer; the first driven gear is meshed with the first driving gear; the main reduction driving gear is meshed with a main reduction driven gear; the main reduction driven gear is mounted on a differential mechanism; a first gear clutch starter and a second gear clutch starter are connected with the double clutch respectively; and an engine clutch starter is connected with an engine clutch. The invention further relates to an application method of the dual-clutch transmission. The dual-clutch transmission applied to the hybrid electric vehicle has the advantages of unique design, simple structure, environmental friendliness, high driving range, economical efficiency, and good dynamic property, and generates enormous social and economic benefits.

An energy storage device for storing energy for starting an internal combustion engine of a motor vehicle includes a DC-DC converter, a plurality of capacitors connected electrically to the DC-DC converter, and a housing for containing the DC-DC converter and the capacitors. The DC-DC converter converts a voltage provided by the motor vehicle's battery to a second voltage stored by the capacitors. During an engine start cycle, energy discharges from the capacitors to the starter motor of the engine, wherein the stored voltage of the capacitors provides energy to start the engine. The capacitors are recharged by the vehicle's battery. A thermally insulated barrier separates the DC-DC converter and the capacitors. The housing may be sized and shaped substantially as that of a standard motor vehicle battery, enabling the energy storage device to be installed within the motor vehicle as a substitute for one or more of the vehicle's batteries.

Various systems and methods are described for controlling an engine in a vehicle, the engine being coupled to a transmission. One example method comprises, under selected braking conditions, shutting-off the engine and spinning-down the engine to rest while the vehicle is traveling, and in response to a foot-off-brake event, restarting the engine by at least partially engaging the transmission to assist in spinning-up of the engine from rest while the vehicle is traveling.

A vehicle includes a motor / generator, a starter motor, a disconnect clutch disposed between the engine and the motor / generator, and at least one clutch disposed between the motor / generator and the vehicle drive wheels. When an engine start is requested, various parameters are controlled to ensure a smooth engine start wherein driveline torque disturbances are minimized. The starter motor is used to crank the engine at the lowest engine speeds when the engine-required torque is the highest. This reduces the amount of torque necessary to be supplied from the motor / generator, and further helps to reduce torque disturbances in the driveline. If the motor / generator is producing torque to propel the vehicle at the time the engine start is requested, a launch clutch or one or more transmission clutches can be controlled to provide slip between the motor / generator and the vehicle drive wheels to further reduce torque disturbances in the driveline.

Various systems and methods are described for controlling an engine in a vehicle, the engine being coupled to a transmission. One example method comprises, under selected braking conditions, shutting-off the engine and spinning-down the engine to rest while the vehicle is traveling, and in response to a foot-off-brake event, restarting the engine by at least partially engaging the transmission and adjusting engine torque control actuators.

An engine starting device which makes fuel injected in preparation for ignition performed in a cylinder of an engine after starting drive of a starter motor in a forward rotational direction so as to start the engine, and makes ignition performed in a suitable ignition position at the time of engine start while the starter motor is driven in a forward rotational direction, the engine starting device being comprised so as to continue driving the starter motor in a direction for starting the engine, even when a crankshaft stops before a piston in a cylinder of the engine reaches a top dead center of a compression stroke.

An engine starting method for starting an engine by causing first fuel injection when a crankshaft is reversely rotated by a predetermined angle at the start, and then rotating the crankshaft forward to perform first ignition, the method comprising the steps of immediately stopping driving of a starter motor when a starter switch is turned off before the first fuel injection at the start; and continuously driving the starter motor forward until a cylinder into which an air / fuel mixture is supplied by the first fuel injection performs at least one exhaust stroke and then stopping the driving of the starter motor when the starter switch is turned off after the first fuel injection at the start.

A full hybrid electric vehicle comprises a heat engine, a one-way-clutch connected to the engine shaft, an electric motor, a planetary gear unit, a clutch with limited torque, and a transmission. The planetary gear unit includes at least a sun gear (an input element), a ring gear (an input element) and a pinion carrier (an output element). The torque-limited clutch seats between two of the planetary gear elements. The engine is connected to and applies torque on one of the input elements. The electric motor is connected to and applies torque on the other input element. While the vehicle is running, the engine can be started smoothly by engaging the torque-limited clutch and controlling the motor torque, and a shock on the vehicle similar to a rough shift can be avoided.

An engine start system which may be employed in automotive idle stop systems. To start an engine, the system brings a pinion gear into engagement with a ring gear coupled to the engine and turns on an electric motor to rotate the ring gear through the pinion gear to crank the engine. When it is requested to start the engine during deceleration of the engine before stop thereof, the system thrusts the pinion into engagement with the ring gear and then turns on the motor to rotate the pinion gear, in other words, delays the activation of the motor until after the pinion gear has engaged the ring gear. This minimizes mechanical impact or noise arising from the engagement of the pinion gear with the ring gear and improves the reliability in engagement with the ring gear during the deceleration of the engine and durability of the system.

A hybrid electric drive system for an automotive vehicle comprises a heat engine, an electric motor, a one-way-clutch, a torque-limiting clutch, and a transmission. The one-way-clutch disposed between the engine shaft and the motor shaft, and it can transmit torque from the engine shaft to the motor shaft. The transmission has an input shaft being connected to the motor shaft and an output shaft to drive the wheels. The torque-limiting clutch is also disposed between the engine shaft and the motor shaft. When it is disengaged, the torque-limiting clutch disconnects the motor shaft from the engine shaft, so the motor can solely drive the vehicle. When it is engaged, the clutch transmits a pre-determined level of torque from the motor shaft to the engine shaft in order to start the engine. The torque limiting clutch will smooth out the torque peak when the system starts the engine while the vehicle is running.

Apparatus for monitoring an electrical power supply system of a vehicle, the vehicle having a battery and internal combustion engine, an alternator, and a starter. The apparatus has a filter for determining the battery terminal voltage when the vehicle ignition is turned on. There is also a voltage gradient detector for detecting phase and gradient change of the battery terminal voltage when the vehicle ignition is on. A waveform detector is used for detecting and separating different waveforms when the vehicle ignition is on, and an engine-rotating sensor is used to sense a speed of the internal combustion engine when the vehicle ignition is on. Also included is a processor for processing at least one of the battery terminal voltage, the phase and gradient change, the different waveforms, and the speed of the internal combustion engine. An output is provided that is indicative of a condition of the electrical power supply system. A system for monitoring an electrical power supply system of a vehicle is also disclosed.

A start-stop retrofit kit includes a start-stop module configured to monitor one or more parameters of a vehicle, configured to automatically stop an engine of the vehicle when the vehicle is idling during operation, and configured to automatically start the engine when the vehicle is not idling during operation. The retrofit kit further includes a wire harness configured to couple the start-stop module to a switch disposed between a starter motor and an ignition of the engine of the vehicle, wherein the switch is disposed in parallel with an existing connection between the ignition and the starter motor.

A system and methods are provided for combining systems of an upper stage space launch vehicle for enhancing the operation of the space vehicle. Hydrogen and oxygen already on board as propellant for the upper stage rockets is also used for other upper stage functions to include propellant tank pressurization, attitude control, vehicle settling, and electrical requirements. Specifically, gases from the propellant tanks, instead of being dumped overboard, are used as fuel and oxidizer to power an internal combustion engine that produces mechanical power for driving other elements including a starter / generator for generation of electrical current, mechanical power for fluid pumps, and other uses. The exhaust gas from the internal combustion engine is also used directly in one or more vehicle settling thrusters. Accumulators which store the waste ullage gases are pressurized and provide pressurization control for the propellant tanks. The system is constructed in a modular configuration in which two redundant integrated fluid modules may be mounted to the vehicle, each of the modules capable of supporting the upper stage functions.

A systematic method and system for testing the charging and starting systems of a vehicle, which requires each individual test to pass before proceeding is provided. In addition, the system and method incorporates an improved alternator test that determines whether the alternator belt is slipping using data read using a vehicle data port. Further, the system and method provides a battery bank test that correlates the voltage before and after a load is applied to the battery bank to the batteries' conditions. When testing the starter, the oil temperature is read via the vehicle data port, allowing for a determination of whether the current draw is abnormally high.

A portable range extender is provided for an electric vehicle having a vehicle controller, and an electric traction motor powered by a battery. The portable range extender has an engine, a dynamoelectric machine coupled to the engine by a shaft and electrically connectable to the vehicle, and a range extender controller for controlling operations of the range extender independently of the vehicle controller. The range extender controller monitors voltage of the battery to automatically activate the range extender when the battery voltage is less than a first threshold value and automatically deactivate the range extender when the battery voltage reaches a second threshold value. The dynamoelectric machine operates as a motor for starting the engine when the battery voltage is less than the first threshold value. In response to prescribed engine conditions, the range extender controller operates the dynamoelectric machine as a generator driven by the engine to generate electric power supplied to the vehicle.

A starter and accessory drive system and method for hybrid drive vehicles is provided. The invention isolates the accessory drive system from the transfer of torque between a starter motor and the crankshaft of the engine. In one embodiment, a dedicated flexible drive member transfers torque from the starter motor to the crankshaft to re-start the engine. In another embodiment, a torque transfer control is employed to selectively apply torque from the starter motor to the accessory drive, to drive the accessories when the engine is stopped, and / or to the engine crankshaft to re-start the engine. In another embodiment of the invention, the accessory drive is isolated from the engine crankshaft and is instead driven by a drive motor on the accessory drive while the engine crankshaft is connected to a starter motor and / or generator which can be energized to re-start the engine.

A backpack blower has a lightweight engine, a starter, a fuel tank, a fan, a frame for the engine, two hollow tubes, and a control mechanism upon one tube. The blower improvement comes from a housing and two elbows. The round housing contains the fan and has two tangential outlets. The two elbows have a generally round cross section and a generally right angle shape. On each elbow, the first end connects with an outlet and the second end joins a tube. The elbows rotate and bend, directing leaves and debris with airflow from the tubes.

Provided is a hybrid driving device capable of transmitting a target torque to a speed change gear without deficiency and without excess, regarding a technology of starting up an engine by a driving force of a rotating electrical machine during EV driving. The hybrid driving device is provided with a rotating electrical machine which is connected to a speed change gear through a hydraulic power transmission having a lockup clutch; and an engine start control device which starts an engine by controlling the number of rotations so that the number of rotations of the rotating electrical machine becomes a target number of rotations, by slipping the lockup clutch, prior to starting the engine. A transmission torque estimation means for estimating a transmission torque which is transmitted by the lockup clutch, under the condition that the lockup clutch slips, and a target rotation number determination means for determining a target number of rotations regarding the rotation number control for the rotating electrical machine, on the basis of the transmission torque estimated by the transmission torque estimation means, a target input torque to the speed change gear, and an actual turbine rotation number, are provided. The engine start control device controls the velocity so that the rotating electrical machine has the determined target number of rotations.

An internal combustion engine, especially an engine for a motor vehicle, is described which is provided with a piston, which is movable in a cylinder and acts on a crankshaft. The piston can run through an intake phase, a compression phase, a work phase and a discharge phase. A control apparatus is provided with which the fuel can be injected directly into a combustion chamber delimited by the cylinder and the piston in a first operating mode during a compression phase or in a second operating mode during an intake phase. The control apparatus is so configured that, for starting the engine at standstill of the crankshaft, fuel can be injected into that cylinder (no. 1) whose piston is disposed in the compression phase and can be ignited (20, 21) so that the crankshaft moves rearwardly (22).

A vehicle-starting-engine-torque restricting device is provided to restrict engine torque upon starting of a vehicle with an engine used as a vehicle drive power source, so that a required output of a first electric motor which generates a reaction force corresponding to the engine torque can be made smaller than when the engine torque is not restricted. Namely, the vehicle-starting-engine-torque restricting device eliminates a need of increasing the maximum output of the first electric motor to generate the reaction force corresponding to the engine torque, making it possible to reduce the required size of the first electric motor.