Pulsed charge starter/alternator control system

摘要

A system and method of charging an energy storage device in a vehicle including an engine coupled to a combined starter/alternator and an energy storage device connected to said starter/alternator. The energy storage device provides electrical power to the vehicle. The method comprises the steps of determining a peak efficiency torque value of the starter/alternator when operating as an electrical generator, and intermittently operating the starter/alternator for a predetermined period of time as an electrical generator at approximately the peak efficiency torque value. In this way, the output of the starter/generator is substantially greater than an average power load value of the vehicle for a predetermined period of time, but the average power output of the starter/generator is approximately equal to the average power load requirements of the vehicle. In one aspect of the invention, the engine output torque is increased by the peak efficiency torque value associated with the starter/alternator, and a switching circuit is periodically activated to maintain the desired charge on the energy storage device.