The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
May. 15, 2007
Filed:
Feb. 15, 2005
William C. Albertson, Clinton Township, MI (US);
Mike M. Mcdonald, Macomb, MI (US);
Dimitrios Rizoulis, Ann Arbor, MI (US);
Kenneth J. Buslepp, Brighton, MI (US);
Douglas R. Verner, Sterling Heights, MI (US);
William C. Albertson, Clinton Township, MI (US);
Mike M. McDonald, Macomb, MI (US);
Dimitrios Rizoulis, Ann Arbor, MI (US);
Kenneth J. Buslepp, Brighton, MI (US);
Douglas R. Verner, Sterling Heights, MI (US);
General Motors Corporation, Detroit, MI (US);
Abstract
The present invention relates to a start-stop 'mild hybrid' vehicle with a starting system which utilizes traditional engine and transmission architecture. The present invention separates the pinion actuator solenoid from the starter motor power switching circuit. A power relay is provided to switch the starter motor. The pinion gear in the present invention is pre-shuttled to, and held in mesh with, the flywheel ring gear during engine stop conditions. A 'prime current' is then applied to the power relay just below that which is required to energize the power relay. Upon request for an engine start, the current will increase to energize the relay and allow the starter motor to spin. A significant amount of time lag is thusly removed from the starting system permitting an expedient restart and launch. The pinion actuator solenoid in this invention may also have two coils which may be selectively energized.