IP Library Granted Patent US 7,462,970
Granted Patent B2
US 7,462,970 · App. 10/740,519 · Granted Dec 9, 2008

Power system

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 7,462,970
App. No.
10/740,519
Granted
Dec 9, 2008
Kind
B2
Abstract

A power system includes an engine, a motor/generator operatively connected to the engine, and a starter operatively connected to at least one of the engine and the motor/generator.

Claims (50)

1. A power system, comprising:

an engine;

a motor/generator operatively connected to the engine; and

a starter operatively connected to at least one of the engine and the motor/generator;

wherein the starter and motor/generator are each configured to apply torque to the engine to initiate rotation of the crankshaft as a function of a sensed speed of the crankshaft and to continue to apply torque to the engine throughout a starting sequence.

2. The power system of claim 1 , further including:

a flywheel operatively connected to the engine,

wherein the motor/generator includes:

a rotor operatively connected to the flywheel; and

a stator rotatably disposed within the rotor.

3. The power system of claim 2 , wherein the starter is configured to engage the rotor.

4. The power system of claim 1 , further including:

a flywheel operatively connected to the engine,

wherein the starter is configured to engage the flywheel.

5. The power system of claim 4 , wherein the starter is configured to be selectively disengaged from the engine when the speed of the engine is above a predetermined value.

6. The power system of claim 1 , wherein the starter is further configured to selective cease application of torque to the engine when a speed of the engine is above a perdetermined value.

7. The power system of claim 1 , further including a controller in communication with at least one of the motor/generator, the starter, and the engine, the controller operable to deactivate the starter during the starting sequence when the speed of the engine is above a predetermined level.

8. A method of starting an engine, comprising:

initially actuating a starter and a motor/generator to apply torque to an engine to initiate rotation of a crankshaft as a function of a sensed speed of the crankshaft;

continuing to actuate the motor/generator to apply torque to the engine when a speed of the engine is above a predetermined value and before completion of the starting sequence; and

ceasing to actuate the starter to apply torque to the engine when the speed of the engine is above the predetermined value.

9. The method of claim 8 , further including ceasing to actuate the motor/generator to apply torque to the engine when the engine is operational.

10. The method of claim 9 , wherein when the engine is operational, the starting sequence is concluded.

11. A machine, comprising:

a traction device;

an engine configured to power the traction device;

a flywheel operatively connected to the engine;

a motor/generator including a rotor directly connected to the flywheel and a stator rotatably disposed within the rotor;

a starter operatively connected to at least one of the engine and the motor/generator; and

wherein the starter and motor/generator are configured to apply torque to the engine to initiate rotation of a crankshaft as a function of a sensed speed of the crankshaft.

12. The machine of claim 11 , wherein:

the starter and motor/generator are configured to apply torque to the engine during a starting sequence of the engine when a speed of the engine is below a predetermined value; and

the motor/generator is configured to apply torque to the engine without the starter during the starting sequence of the engine when the speed of the engine is above the predetermined value.

13. The machine of claim 11 , wherein the starter is configured to engage the rotor.

14. The machine of claim 11 , wherein the starter is configured to engage the flywheel to apply torque to the engine.

15. The machine of claim 14 , wherein the starter is configured to disengage the flywheel to cease applying torque to the engine when the speed of the engine is above a predetermined value during a starting sequence.

16. The machine of claim 11 , wherein the motor/generator is configured to cease applying torque to the engine when the engine is operational.

17. The machine of claim 11 , further including a controller in communication with at least one of the motor/generator, the starter, and the engine, the controller operable to deactivate the starter when the speed of the engine is above a predetermined value.

18. A power system, comprising:

an engine;

a first means for starting the engine, wherein the first means for starting is configured to generate power when the engine is running; and

a second means for starting the engine;

wherein the first and second means for starting the engine are configured to apply torque to the engine to initiate rotation of a crankshaft as a function of a sensed speed of the crankshaft and continue to apply torque to the engine throughout a starting sequence.

19. The power system of claim 18 , further including:

a flywheel operatively connected to the engine,

wherein the second means for starting is configured to engage the flywheel.

20. The power system of claim 18 , wherein the first means for starting is a motor/generator and the second means for starting is a starter, the starter being in engagement with the motor/generator.

21. The power system of claim 18 , wherein the second means for starting is configured to selectively cease application of torque to the engine when a speed of the engine is above a predetermined value during the starting sequence.

22. The power system of claim 18 , wherein the first and second means for starting are configured to cease application of torque to the engine when the engine is operational.

23. The power system of claim 18 , further including a means for controlling at least one of the first means for starting, the second means for starting, and the engine, the means for controlling operable to deactivate the second means for starting to cease application of torque to the engine when the speed of the engine is above a predetermined level.

Assignments (3)
CONFIRMATORY LICENSE Recorded Nov 6, 2008
From: CATERPILLAR INC.
To: ENERGY, UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF
Reel/Frame 021794/0412 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Oct 18, 2007
From: SUTHERLAND, TERRANCE WILLIAM; FITZGERALD, STEPHEN; LAURENT, FREDERIC ST.
To: CE COMPOSITES BASEBALL INC.
Reel/Frame 019992/0925 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Dec 22, 2003
From: HOFF, BRIAN D.; ALGRAIN, MARCELO C.
To: CATERPILLAR INC.
Reel/Frame 014824/0863 →