Bombardier Recreational Products Inc.

Other

Michel Bernier

Bruno Schuehmacher

David Monfette

Normand Lebreux

Jasmin Rouleau

Pierre-Luc Milot

Jean-Sebastien Pard

Michel Lefebvre

Benoit Pion

Xavier-Pierre Aitcin

Marc Giguere

A vehicle has a frame, a front suspension assembly, a pair of skis, an endless drive track, and an internal combustion engine. The engine has: a motor-generator having a rotor and a stator, the motor-generator being operable in motor mode and in generator mode; a recoil starter operable to rotate a crankshaft of the engine via the rotor in a same direction as does the motor-generator in generator mode; at least one sensor adapted for sensing at least one engine parameter; and an engine control unit (ECU) receiving a signal from the at least one sensor, the ECU controlling a rotation of the crankshaft by one of the motor-generator and the recoil starter based on the signal.

Method and system for starting an internal combustion engine

A method for starting an internal combustion engine (ICE) having a crankshaft and an electric turning machine (ETM) operatively connected to the crankshaft is disclosed. The method includes: sensing a voltage of a capacitance connected to the ETM and configured to power the ETM; detecting a rotation of the crankshaft resulting from an actuation of a recoil starter; in response to detecting the rotation of the crankshaft, determining if an assisted start condition is met; in response to the assisted start condition being met, delivering power from the capacitance to the ETM and the ETM assisting the recoil starter; in response to the assisted start condition not being met, continuing to turn the crankshaft with the recoil starter without assistance from the ETM; determining if the ICE has started; and in response to the ICE being started, delivering power from the ETM to the capacitance.

A vehicle has a frame, a front suspension assembly, a pair of skis, an endless drive track, and an internal combustion engine. The engine has: a motor-generator having a rotor and a stator, the motor-generator being operable in motor mode and in generator mode; a recoil starter operable to rotate a crankshaft of the engine via the rotor in a same direction as does the motor-generator in generator mode; at least one sensor adapted for sensing at least one engine parameter; and an engine control unit (ECU) receiving a signal from the at least one sensor, the ECU controlling a rotation of the crankshaft by one of the motor-generator and the recoil starter based on the signal. The vehicle also has a display for displaying a message when the crankshaft is to be rotated by the recoil starter.

A method for starting an internal combustion engine (ICE) having a crankshaft and an electric turning machine (ETM) operatively connected to the crankshaft comprises energizing an absolute position sensor adapted for providing an indication of an angular position of a rotor of the ETM and applying a current to the ETM to generate a sufficient torque to rotate the crankshaft.

A method for starting an internal combustion engine of a snowmobile is disclosed. The method comprises actuating a start switch of the snowmobile; in response to the start switch being actuated, sensing a temperature; in response to the sensed temperature being above a predetermined temperature, starting the engine using a motor-generator; and in response to the sensed temperature being below the predetermined temperature, starting the engine using a recoil starter.

An electric turning machine (ETM) operatively connected to an internal combustion engine (ICE) is operated as a motor with a first control strategy and as a generator with a second control strategy. In the first control strategy, electric power is delivered from a power source to the ETM selectively through at least one transistor of an electrical converter. After switching from the first control strategy to the second control strategy, the ETM delivers electric power to an accessory selectively through the at least one transistor of the electrical converter.

Method for operating an electric turning machine operatively connected to an internal combustion engine

An internal combustion engine (ICE) includes a crankshaft, a cylinder head defining in part a variable combustion chamber of the ICE, a direct fuel injector mounted on the cylinder head, a power source, an electric turning machine (ETM) rotating the crankshaft, an absolute position sensor providing an indication of an angular position of a rotor of the ETM, and an engine control unit (ECU) operatively connected to the absolute position sensor. The ECU controls a delivery of electric power from the power source to the ETM based on the angular position of the rotor of the ETM and causes the direct fuel injector to inject fuel directly in the combustion chamber at a time selected based on the angular position reached by the rotor of the ETM.

A method for controlling delivery of electric power between a power source and an electric turning machine (ETM) comprises applying a start signal to a start-up power electronic switch to cause turning on of the start-up power electronic switch and to allow delivery of electric power from the power source to the ETM via the start-up power electronic switch. A recharge signal is applied to a run-time power electronic switch to cause turning on of the run-time power electronic switch for delivery of electric power from the ETM to the power source via the run-time power electronic switch. A circuit comprises a discharging circuit including the start-up power electronic switch for delivering the electric power when the start-up power electronic switch is turned on. A charging circuit includes the run-time power electronic switch for delivering the electric power when the run-time power electronic switch is turned on.

Monitoring is provided for a drive belt of a continuously variable transmission (CVT) mounted in a vehicle having a motor driving the CVT. A rotational speed of the motor and a power level of the motor are sensed. An abuse indicator for the drive belt is set when, concurrently, the rotational speed of the motor increases at a rate that exceeds a change threshold and the power level of the motor exceeds a power threshold. A level of abuse of the drive belt is calculated based on a speed of the vehicle and on a drive belt temperature. Damage to the drive belt may be prevented by limiting a power output of the motor when an accumulated level of abuse exceeds an abuse threshold. A vehicle having an electronic control unit configured to perform the method is also disclosed.

Method for monitoring a drive belt of a continuously variable transmission and method for preventing damage to the drive belt

A method and a system for starting an internal combustion engine (ICE) having a crankshaft and an electric turning machine (ETM) operatively connected to the crankshaft are disclosed. An absolute angular position of the crankshaft related to a top dead center position of a piston in a combustion chamber of the ICE is determined. Electric power is delivered to the ETM at a first level to rotate the crankshaft. Electric power is then delivered to the ETM at a second level greater than the first level when the piston reaches a predetermined position before the TDC position. Fuel is injected in the combustion chamber after the piston has passed beyond the TDC position. The fuel is then ignited. In an implementation, the ICE is started in less than 110 degrees of rotation of the crankshaft.

An internal combustion engine comprises at least one cylinder, at least one cylinder head connected to at least one cylinder, at least one piston disposed in the at least one cylinder, a crankshaft operatively connected to the at least one piston, a crankcase housing at least a portion of the crankshaft, a motor-generator operatively connected to the crankshaft, a recoil starter operatively connected to the crankshaft, and a drive pulley of a continuously variable transmission (CVT) operatively connected to the crankshaft, the motor-generator. The recoil starter, the crankshaft and the drive pulley are coaxial. The motor-generator operates in motor mode to rotate the crankshaft and in generator mode to generate electricity.

A method and a system for operating an electric turning machine (ETM) operatively connected to an internal combustion engine (ICE) are disclosed. The ETM operates as a motor with a first control strategy and as a generator with a second control strategy, the second control strategy being distinct from the first control strategy. The system comprises an engine control unit adapted for controlling an operation of the ETM according to the first and second control strategies. Electric and assisted start procedures are available for starting the ICE by delivering electric power from a power source to the ETM which is co-axially mounted to a crankshaft of the ICE. Assisted start includes delivering the electric power to the ETM while a recoil starter is used to rotate the crankshaft. A manual start procedure is also available. The power source is charged by the ETM when the ICE is running.

A method for operating an electric turning machine (ETM) operatively connected to an internal combustion engine (ICE) are disclosed. An engine control unit (ECU) controls the ETM to operate as a motor with a first control strategy and as a generator with a second control strategy. The second control strategy is distinct from the first control strategy. The ECU controls switching the operation of the ETM from the first control strategy to the second control strategy when a sensor senses that a rotational speed of the ICE is equal to or above a minimum revolution threshold.

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Sherbrooke, Canada

Michel Bernier