Chrysler Corporation

Daniel W Sullivan

John G Hatfield

Robert C Wind

An apparatus and method for controlling low engine idle RPM without discharging a vehicle battery by monitoring the vehicle alternator field modulation. The apparatus includes an engine control module, an alternator, electrical loads and a switch module. The engine control module includes a first input and a first output forming a portion of a first feedback loop. The first input and first output enable the engine control module to sense and control the idle RPM of the engine. The alternator includes an armature and a field coil where rotation of the armature and modulation of the field coil controls the amount of current supplied by the alternator. The switch module modulates the field coil upon receipt of a drive signal from the engine control module. The switch module forms a part of the engine control module such that the engine control module can adjust the idle RPM of the engine to a minimum idle RPM necessary to supply current to the electrical loads by determining the idle RPM of the vehicle with the first feedback loop and by automatically knowing the field coil modulation of the field coil by generating the drive signal.

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Detroit, MI, United States of America

Daniel W Sullivan