Patent ID: 6389352
Filing Date: 2002-05-14
Classification: B60K,B60L,B60W,F01N,F02D,Y02T

Abstract:
A supplemental torque apparatus for a lean-burn engine having a crankshaft, the supplemental torque apparatus comprising:an alternator and a starter each operatively connected to the crankshaft of the engine, said alternator being operable to charge a battery during a first predetermined time period and said starter being operable to supply additional torque to the engine crankshaft at other than said first predetermined time period, wherein said first predetermined time period includes operation of the engine in a first rich mode; means for determining a first state of charge of said battery during said first time period and a second state of charge of said battery at other than said first time period; and torque control algorithm means for controlling the operation of said starter at other than said first time period based at least on the second determined state of charge of said battery, such that at other than said first time period to bring the second determined state of charge of said battery below a first threshold value.