Remy Technologies, LLC

German Holguin Pallares

Kirk E Neet

David A Fulton

Mingshe Zhou

Joel Michael Gray

Andrew Dragon

William E Bowman

An internal combustion engine includes a ring gear, a speed sensor operatively associated with the ring gear, and a change of mind (COM) starter motor mechanically linked to the internal combustion engine. The COM starter motor includes an armature and a pinion operatively connected to the armature. A solenoid is operatively connected to the COM starter motor. The solenoid selectively moves the pinion into engagement with the ring gear. An electronic control unit (ECU) is operatively connected to the speed sensor and the solenoid. The ECU is configured and disposed to indirectly detect a rotational speed of the pinion and selectively energize the solenoid to axially shift the pinion into engagement with the ring gear when the pinion reaches a particular rotational speed relative to a rotational speed of the ring gear.

Internal combustion engine having a change of mind (COM) starter system and a COM starter system

A lockout circuit which limits the field voltage in an alternator while the vehicle starter is activated. The lockout circuit may be configured to limit the field voltage while the charging circuit voltage is below a threshold value. A timer circuit may advantageously be employed with the lockout circuit. A temperature compensating function may also be employed to change the threshold value in response to temperature changes. The disclosed circuit is particularly advantageous when employed in cold weather conditions. A method of starting the engine of a vehicle is also disclosed.

Alternator with lockout mode

A starter assembly adapted for use with an engine having a flywheel and electronic control unit. The starter includes a motor, magnetic field source and a pinion gear engageable with the flywheel. An internal power train transmits torque from the armature to the pinion gear and includes a gear set dividing the internal power train into a first segment with the armature and a second segment with the pinion gear. During operation the first segment has a faster rotational speed than the second segment. A speed sensor senses the speed of the first segment and communicates it to the electronic control unit. The starter assembly can be used in a vehicle with an automatic start-stop function and facilitates the synchronizing of the pinion gear and flywheel speeds when restarting the engine. The speed sensor can take various forms and is advantageously supported on the field frame assembly proximate the commutator.

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Noblesville, IN, United States of America

German Holguin Pallares