Ford Global Technolgoies, LLC

Gary Paisley

David Hesketh

Dilli Poudel

Chris Edward Pedlar

Hafiz Shafeek Khafagy

Hank Kwong

Christopher Edward Pedlar

Jonathan Wentworth

Methods and systems are provided for an engine. In one example, a method of operating an engine of a vehicle, the vehicle comprising a brake pedal, a clutch pedal and a transmission having a neutral position and at least one in-gear position, comprises starting the engine if either the brake pedal of the vehicle is released or the transmission has been in neutral for a predetermined period of time, and the clutch pedal of the vehicle is depressed concurrently with the transmission being moved out of the neutral position into an in-gear position.

Methods and systems for an engine

A method of controlling the engine of a vehicle having a stop-in-gear (SIG) stop-start system includes: a control module determining that a brake is being applied, based on an output from a brake sensor, and that a transmission is in an in-gear position, based on an output from a transmission sensor; and, while the brake is applied and the transmission is in an in-gear position, the control module causing the engine to start in response to detecting movement of a clutch pedal towards a released position based on an output from a clutch pedal sensor.

Stop-in-gear auto-start control

Methods and systems are provided for dealing with a change of mind event during an automatic shut-down of an engine in which the speed at which a starter motor used to restart the engine is disengaged is based upon the comparison of current engine speed (N) with a cranking speed limit (S). In one example, during an engine restart while the engine is spinning down, the starter motor may crank the engine to a threshold cranking engine speed adjusted based on a position of the gear.

Methods and systems for controlling a starter motor

Systems and methods for operating an engine of a vehicle that may be automatically stopped and started are disclosed. In one example, a speed at which a vehicle system induced automatic engine stop inhibit request is cleared may be adjusted to permit automatic engine stopping during a wide variety of driving conditions so that fuel may be conserved and the possibility of disturbing vehicle occupants may be reduced.

Methods and system for operating an engine

Systems and methods are provided for a vehicle including a start-stop system configured to shut down and restart an engine of the vehicle automatically based on a brake value of a brake system. In one example, the method may include determining a first threshold brake value as a first function of a gradient of a surface on which the vehicle is positioned, determining a second threshold brake value as a second function of the gradient, wherein a difference between the first and second threshold brake values varies as a function of the gradient, shut down the engine when the brake value exceeds the first threshold brake value, and restart the engine when the brake value drops below the second threshold brake value. In this way, an incidence of inadvertent engine shut downs and restarts when the vehicle is stopped on an incline may be decreased.

Start-stop system

A vehicle and method of controlling a vehicle having an engine and braking system having an associated braking pressure include stopping the engine responsive to the brake pressure being above a first threshold, restarting the engine responsive to the brake pressure falling below a second threshold, reducing the second threshold for a predetermined time after the vehicle speed falls below a speed threshold, and resetting the second threshold after the predetermined time. The predetermined time may be modified based on input from a user interface or a user-selected vehicle operating mode.

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Romford, United Kingdom

Gary Paisley