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06/18/09 - USPTO Class 477 |  25 views | #20090156360 | Prev - Next | About this Page  477 rss/xml feed  monitor keywords

Part-throttle performance optimization

USPTO Application #: 20090156360
Title: Part-throttle performance optimization
Abstract: A system and method for optimizing machine performance using speed shaping in a machine having an engine and a drivetrain implementing engine underspeed module receives a throttle command requesting an increase in engine speed and transmits the throttle command to the engine. If the requested increase exceeds a predetermined function, the predetermined function is forwarded to the engine underspeed module as a speed standard. The engine underspeed module determines whether the actual engine speed attained by the engine is less than the speed standard by more than a predetermined gap value and, if so, reduces the power required by the drivetrain to avoid lugging of the engine. (end of abstract)



Agent: Leydig, Voit & Mayer, Ltd - Chicago, IL, US
Inventors: Michael Barngrover, Thomas M. Sopko, Brian D. Kuras, Brian D. Hoff
USPTO Applicaton #: 20090156360 - Class: 477111 (USPTO)

Part-throttle performance optimization description/claims


The Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20090156360, Part-throttle performance optimization.

Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
  monitor keywords TECHNICAL FIELD

This disclosure relates generally to systems and methods for controlling CVT transmissions and, more particularly, to anti-lugging systems and methods for machines having CVT transmissions.

BACKGROUND

Most engines comprise a number of rotating parts, and thus have an ideal speed range in which their power output is optimum. This ideal range may correspond, for example, to a range exhibiting peak torque output as a function of RPM. A broader permissible speed range encompasses this ideal range and includes greater and lesser speeds at which the engine may operate, even if in a suboptimum manner. Finally, outside of this permissible speed range lie speeds at which the engine cannot provide sustained operation. For example, speeds that are higher than the highest speed in the permissible range may cause greatly accelerated or catastrophic failure of the engine, transmission, or implement system.

At speeds lower than the bottom limit of the larger range, the engine may cease rotation. In particular, most engines operate via an inertia-driven cycle, wherein preceding combustion events power the engine toward subsequent combustion events via the engine\'s rotational inertia. When the engine speed decreases below a certain lower limit, the engine\'s rotational inertia is insufficient for the engine to reach subsequent combustion events. An example of a lowest reliable operating speed based on this principle is the engine “idle” speed. Typically, lower engine speeds are possible, but the idle speed is set to a value that allows for a slight decrease in engine speed without causing the engine to drop out of the sustained combustion range.

In a typical machine arrangement, the engine inertia must be sufficient to overcome not only the internal resistance leading up to a subsequent combustion event, but also any outside resistance imposed by the power train. For example, the inertial, frictional, or other resistance involved in moving the machine must be overcome when the machine is in gear. Thus, while the idle speed is a realistic lower limit when the machine is stationary, a machine in operation may have a heightened lower limit, below which the engine lacks sufficient power to accelerate or even continue a present operation. When the engine speed drops past this lower limit, the engine is said to “lug” down or “bog” down, and continued reliable operation is jeopardized.

In a conventional-drive machine, the engine is generally linked to the power train and other power sinks of the machine via a torque converter. In these systems, a higher resistance (required torque) is automatically mitigated by the natural loading characteristics of a torque converter, thus preventing the engine from lugging down and stalling. However, in a CVT-driven machine (“CVT” denotes a continuously variable transmission), there is generally no torque converter, and the machine resistance will be able to lug down and stall the machine absent an external control mechanism. Typically, the engine is monitored for lug/stall problems and the throttle or transmission is actively controlled, e.g., via a software Engine Underspeed Algorithm (EUA) in an Electronic Control Module (ECM) to avoid lug/stall.

A typical EUA reduces the drivetrain power demand, implement power demand, or other parasitic demand (e.g., power steering system, air conditioning system, etc.) in reaction to a difference between the actual engine speed and the desired engine speed (e.g., “speed standard”), detected from a user interface or from an engine control component as a response to changed conditions. However, during part-throttle operation, the desired engine speed command can change much more rapidly than the engine can react to that command. This may cause the EUA to over-correct and artificially reduce machine performance. In this case, the EUA appears to fulfill its mandate of preventing lugging, however lugging would not have occurred regardless, and the user was unnecessarily subjected to reduced system performance.

Although the resolution of deficiencies, noted or otherwise, of the prior art has been found by the inventors to be desirable, such resolution is not a critical or essential limitation of the disclosed principles. Moreover, this background section is presented as a convenience to the reader who may not be of skill in this art. However, it will be appreciated that this section is too brief to attempt to accurately and completely survey the prior art. The preceding background description is thus a simplified and anecdotal narrative and is not intended to replace printed references in the art. To the extent an inconsistency or omission between the demonstrated state of the printed art and the foregoing narrative exists, the foregoing narrative is not intended to cure such inconsistency or omission. Rather, applicants would defer to the demonstrated state of the printed art.

SUMMARY

In one aspect, the disclosure pertains to a method of optimizing machine performance using desired engine speed shaping. In this aspect, the method comprises receiving a throttle command requesting an increase in engine speed and transmitting the throttle command to the engine. Next, it is determined whether the requested increase exceeds a predetermined function and the predetermined function is forwarded to the engine underspeed module as a speed standard if the requested increase exceeds the predetermined function. Subsequently, the speed standard (derived from the predetermined function) is used in lieu of the actual desired speed for purposes of anti-lugging to avoid unnecessary decreases in system performance.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an engine speed graph showing a desired engine speed curve and an actual engine speed curve, wherein anti-lugging may decrease system performance;

FIG. 2 is a system schematic diagram for a drivetrain system wherein part throttle optimization may be employed in accordance with the disclosed principles;

FIG. 3 is system data flow schematic for a drivetrain system in accordance with the disclosed principles;

FIG. 4 is an engine speed graph showing a desired engine speed curve and an actual engine speed curve, and a shaped engine speed curve in accordance with the disclosed principles;

FIG. 5 is a flow chart showing a process of drivetrain management in accordance with the disclosed principles;

FIG. 6 is a speed plot showing a desired engine speed shaping technique in accordance with the disclosed principles;

FIG. 7 is a speed plot showing a further desired engine speed shaping technique in accordance with the disclosed principles; and

FIG. 8 is a speed plot showing yet a further desired engine speed shaping technique in accordance with the disclosed principles.



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20090280956 - Multi-group transmission of a motor vehicle - A motor vehicle transmission and method of its operation. The transmission has at least two transmission groups including a way of maintaining traction force during gearshifting operations. Two change-under-load clutches and an intermediate-gear clutch enable traction-force-maintaining gearshifts to be carried out on a splitter group. The first change-under-load clutch has ...


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Interrelated power delivery controls, including engine control

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