초록 ▼

15 A method and an assembly 61 for use with a vehicle 10 having a high voltage battery 42 and an internal combustion engine 12 of the type having a selectively rotatable crankshaft 13 After the high voltage battery 42 receives a donor charge, the assembly 61 causes the crankshaft 13 to be rotated at

15 A method and an assembly 61 for use with a vehicle 10 having a high voltage battery 42 and an internal combustion engine 12 of the type having a selectively rotatable crankshaft 13 After the high voltage battery 42 receives a donor charge, the assembly 61 causes the crankshaft 13 to be rotated at a slow speed for a predetermined period of time before electrical energy is transferred to the internal combustion engine 12 and before combustion occurs within the engine 12.

대표청구항 ▼

1. An apparatus for rotating a crankshaft of an internal combustion engine after a donor charge has been communicated to a battery, said apparatus comprising a first assembly which senses the transfer of said donor charge to said battery; and a second assembly which is coupled to said crankshaft and

1. An apparatus for rotating a crankshaft of an internal combustion engine after a donor charge has been communicated to a battery, said apparatus comprising a first assembly which senses the transfer of said donor charge to said battery; and a second assembly which is coupled to said crankshaft and to said first assembly and which rotates said crankshaft at a predetermined speed after said transfer of said donor charge is completed and before combustion occurs within said engine. 2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said first assembly comprises a controller; and an electric current sensor. 3. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said second assembly comprises a torque generator. 4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said crankshaft is rotated only for a predetermined period of time. 5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said second assembly further comprises an inverter which is coupled to said torque generator. 6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said donor charge only partially charges said battery. 7. A vehicle having an internal combustion engine including a selectively rotatable crankshaft; a battery which is coupled to said engine, which supplies electrical energy to said engine, and which has a predetermined amount of electrical charge; and an assembly which is coupled to said engine and to said battery, which senses the occurrence of a predetermined loss of charge of said battery, which allows electrical charge to be communicated to said battery, and which rotates said crankshaft at a predetermined speed after said electrical charge has been communicated to said battery and before electrical energy is supplied to said engine. 8. The vehicle of claim 7 wherein said battery is only partially charged after recieving said predetermined amount of charge. 9. The vehicle of claim 8 wherein said crankshaft is rotated at said predetermined speed for only a predetermined period of time. 2 10. A method for operating a vehicle of the type having an internal combustion engine, said method comprising the steps of detecting a transfer of a donor charge to a battery; and causing said engine to rotate at a predetermined speed before combustion occurs within said engine. 11. The method of claim 10 wherein said engine is operated at said predetermined speed only for a predetermined period of time. 12. The method of claim 10 wherein said engine is operated at a predetermined speed only during the starting of said engine.