IP Library › Granted Patent US 7,061,130
Granted Patent B1
US 7,061,130 · App. 10/769,879 · Granted Jun 13, 2006

Method of determining transition from starter to alternator function by monitoring starter/alternator motor phase voltage or current

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 7,061,130
App. No.
10/769,879
Granted
Jun 13, 2006
Kind
B1
Abstract

The present invention is directed to determining and controlling the appropriate moment at which a combined starter/alternator should transition from start-up mode to alternator/generator mode following an IC engine start-up sequence. The method relies on starter/alternator motor phase voltage or motor phase current monitoring to establish the timing of the transition.

Claims (22)

1. A method of controlling a starter/alternator in a start-up sequence of an IC engine driven generating system including a battery and a starter/alternator controller, comprising the steps of:

detecting a first value of a starter/alternator motor phase electrical characteristic;

initiating a start-up sequence of said IC engine by signaling said starter/alternator to operate in starter mode;

detecting a second and third value of said starter/alternator electrical characteristic as said start-up sequence is proceeding;

comparing said first, second, and third detected electrical characteristic values; and,

signaling said starter/alternator to transition to alternator/generator mode when said second detected value is between said first and third detected values.

2. A method as in claim 1 , wherein:

said motor phase electrical characteristic is voltage, and said first detected value is the highest of said first, second and third detected values.

3. A method as in claim 1 , wherein:

said motor phase electrical characteristic is current, and said first detected value is the lowest of said first, second and third detected values.

4. A method of controlling a starter/alternator in a start-up sequence of an IC engine driven generating system including a battery and a starter/alternator controller, comprising the steps of:

detecting a first value of starter/alternator motor phase voltage V 0 ;

initiating a start-up sequence of said IC engine by signaling said starter/alternator to operate in starter mode;

detecting a second and third value of said motor phase voltage V 1 and V 2 respectively as said start-up sequence is proceeding;

comparing said first, second, and third detected motor phase voltages; and,

signaling said starter/alternator to transition to alternator/generator mode when V 1 <V 2 <V 0 .

5. A method of controlling a starter/alternator in a start-up sequence of an IC engine driven generating system including a battery and a starter/alternator controller, comprising the steps of:

detecting a first value of starter/alternator motor phase current I 0 ;

initiating a start-up sequence of said IC engine by signaling said starter/alternator to operate in starter mode;

detecting a second and third value of said motor phase current I 1 and I 2 respectively as said start-up sequence is proceeding;

comparing said first, second, and third detected motor phase currents; and,

signaling said starter/alternator to transition to alternator/generator mode when I 0 <I 2 <I 1 .