IP Library › Granted Patent US 12,246,717
Granted Patent B2
US 12,246,717 · App. 17/818,401 · Granted Mar 11, 2025

Systems and methods for re-starting engine during coasting event

Inventor: David Michael Elkins (Columbus, IN)
Assignee: Cummins Inc.
B60W30/18072B60W10/02B60W10/06B60W2510/0208B60W2510/0638B60W2710/0627B60W2710/0644
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 12,246,717
App. No.
17/818,401
Granted
Mar 11, 2025
Kind
B2
Abstract

A system, method, and apparatus includes management of engine off coasting during operation of a vehicle. The engine speed is increased and/or fueling of the engine is re-initiated before the engine and driveline are finally engaged when the engine off coasting mode of operation is terminated.

Claims (30)

1. A method comprising:

operating a vehicle in a coasting mode during which fuel to an engine of the vehicle is cut-off and a driveline of the vehicle is disengaged from the engine while the vehicle coasts;

determining the coasting mode of operation of the vehicle is to be terminated;

in response to the determining, selecting an engine re-start mode that increases a speed of the engine by coupling the engine to the driveline, wherein the engine re-start mode includes initiating closing a clutch between the driveline and the engine before re-initiating fueling to the engine and re-initiating fueling to the engine during closing the clutch in response to the speed of the engine increasing to a speed threshold less than a desired operating speed; and

re-engaging the driveline to the engine in response to the speed of the engine being increased to the desired operating speed.

2. A method comprising:

operating a vehicle in a coasting mode during which fuel to an engine of the vehicle is cut-off and a driveline of the vehicle is disengaged from the engine while the vehicle coasts;

determining the coasting mode of operation of the vehicle is to be terminated;

in response to the determining, selecting an engine re-start mode that increases a speed of the engine by coupling the engine to the driveline, wherein the engine re-start mode includes initiating closing a clutch between the driveline and the engine, then re-opening the clutch before re-initiating fueling to the engine, and then re-initiating fueling to the engine while the clutch is re-opened; and

re-engaging the driveline to the engine in response to the speed of the engine being increased to a desired operating speed.

3. The method of claim 2 , wherein the clutch is re-opened in response to the speed of the engine increasing to a first threshold less than the desired operating speed.

4. The method of claim 3 , further comprising re-closing the clutch in response to the speed of the engine achieving a second threshold greater than the first threshold via fueling to the engine.

5. The method of claim 4 , wherein the second threshold approximates the desired operating speed.

6. The method of claim 1 , wherein in response to determining the coasting mode of operation of the vehicle is to be terminated, first selecting a different engine re-start mode that increases the speed of the engine by engaging a starter to increase the speed of the engine to a first threshold before re-initiating fueling the engine, and then disengaging the starter in response to the speed of the engine reaching the first threshold and then selecting the engine re-start mode that increases the speed of the engine by coupling the engine to the driveline.

7. The method of claim 6 , further comprising closing the clutch after increasing the speed of the engine to a second threshold greater than the first threshold via re-initiating fueling to the engine.

8. An apparatus comprising:

a coasting controller for a vehicle having an engine structured to provide motive power to the vehicle, wherein the coasting controller is configured to:

operate the vehicle in a coasting mode during which fuel to the engine of the vehicle is cut-off and a driveline of the vehicle is disengaged from the engine while the vehicle coasts;

determine the coasting mode is to be terminated;

select an engine re-start mode that couples the engine to the driveline, wherein the engine re-start mode includes initiating closing a clutch between the driveline and the engine to increase a speed of the engine before and re-initiating fueling of the engine and re-initiating fueling to the engine during closing the clutch in response to the speed of the engine increasing to a speed threshold less than a desired operating speed; and

re-engage the driveline to the engine in response to the speed of the engine reaching a desired operating speed.

9. An apparatus comprising:

a coasting controller for a vehicle having an engine structured to provide motive power to the vehicle, wherein the coasting controller is configured to:

operate the vehicle in a coasting mode during which fuel to the engine of the vehicle is cut-off and a driveline of the vehicle is disengaged from the engine while the vehicle coasts;

determine the coasting mode is to be terminated;

select an engine re-start mode that couples the engine to the driveline, wherein the engine re-start mode includes initiating closing a clutch between the driveline and the engine to increase a speed of the engine, re-opening the clutch before fueling to the engine is re-initiated, and then re-initiate fueling to the engine while the clutch is re-opened; and

re-engage the driveline to the engine in response to the speed of the engine reaching a desired operating speed.

10. The apparatus of claim 9 , wherein the coasting controller is configured to re-open the clutch in response to the speed of the engine increasing to a first threshold less than the desired operating speed.

11. The apparatus of claim 10 , wherein the coasting controller is configured to re-close the clutch in response to the speed of the engine achieving a second threshold greater than the first threshold via fueling re-initiated to the engine.

12. The apparatus of claim 11 , wherein the second threshold approximates the desired operating speed.

Assignments (1)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Aug 9, 2022
From: ELKINS, DAVID MICHAEL
To: CUMMINS INC.
Reel/Frame 060759/0147 →
Continuity (2)
Provisional Application 63242747 · Sep 10, 2021
Related Publication 20230080451A1 · Mar 16, 2023
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