With Electrical Means For Fail-safe, Backup, Or Malfunction Detecting Of Egr System Patents (Class 123/568.16)
  • Patent number: 11280289
    Abstract: An internal combustion engine is equipped with a downstream temperature sensor arranged in an intake passage, an upstream temperature sensor arranged in the intake passage upstream of the downstream temperature sensor, an EGR temperature sensor arranged in an EGR passage, and an airflow meter arranged in the intake passage. A control device corrects a temperature detected by each of the temperature sensors based on an amount of deviation of the temperature detected by that one of the temperature sensors upon activation of the control device after the lapse of a prescribed time or more since stoppage of the internal combustion engine from a reference temperature. Then, the control device calculates a flow rate of EGR gas based on the corrected temperature of that one of the temperature sensors and a flow rate of intake air, and detects the clogging of the EGR passage based on the flow rate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2022
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Masanori Toya
  • Patent number: 11215532
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for an EGR system reverse hose diagnostic. In one example, a method includes executing the reverse hose diagnostic in response to an EGR flowrate exceeding a threshold flow rate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2022
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Sumanth Reddy Dadam, Robert Roy Jentz, Herbert Thomas Meissner
  • Patent number: 11143124
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for calibrating an effective area associated with an exhaust gas recirculation valve and/or a variable orifice associated with the exhaust gas recirculation valve. In one example, a method may include attaining a first steady-state intake pressure with the exhaust gas recirculation valve closed, determining a second steady-state intake pressure and a differential pressure across the variable orifice with the exhaust gas recirculation valve open, and estimating the variable orifice effective area based on the second steady-state intake pressure and the differential pressure. In this way, a calibration table may be updated for an exhaust gas recirculation control apparatus that includes an exhaust gas recirculation valve and a variable orifice, such that an actual amount of recirculated exhaust gas reflects a commanded amount.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2021
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Rani Kiwan, Imtiaz Ali, Gopichandra Surnilla
  • Patent number: 11118542
    Abstract: This engine system is provided with a throttle device, an EGR valve, and an ECU. The ECU diagnoses an abnormality of the EGR valve on the basis of an operating state during an engine deceleration, and diagnoses combustion deterioration of an engine on the basis of a crank angle speed change during the engine deceleration (not during a fuel cut-off). The ECU executes an engine stall avoidance control with the throttle device when it is determined there is an abnormality in the EGR valve, makes a final determination that the EGR valve has an abnormality and continues the engine stall avoidance control when it is determined thereafter that there is combustion deterioration, and makes a final determination that the EGR valve is normal and cancels the engine stall avoidance control when it is determined that there is no combustion deterioration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2021
    Assignee: AISAN KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Masanao Kurita, Masateru Nagao
  • Patent number: 11035312
    Abstract: An apparatus for diagnosing an exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) valve includes: an EGR apparatus including an EGR line connecting an exhaust line and an intake line and an EGR valve installed in the EGR line; an electric supercharger installed in the intake line to change an internal pressure of an intake manifold; a manifold pressure sensor measuring the internal pressure of the intake manifold; and a controller that when an engine is stopped while a vehicle is running, learns on an amount of opening of the EGR valve, diagnoses a fixation of the EGR valve and e a leakage of the EGR valve based on the internal pressure of the intake manifold detected by the manifold pressure sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2021
    Assignees: HYUNDAI MOTOR COMPANY, KIA MOTORS COMPANY
    Inventors: Heechang Oh, Dong Hee Han, Hyunjin Kang, Kwanhee Lee, Yeongseop Park, Seungwoo Hong, Jonghyeok Lee, Yong Kak Choi
  • Patent number: 11022060
    Abstract: A system includes a controller having a control signal generation unit that provides control signals to actuate one or more valve actuators of an engine to a desired position, and control signals to modify one or more operational parameters and an operational mode of the engine. A parameter signal process unit receives parameter signals corresponding to at least one operational parameter of the engine, and at least one sensor coupled to the engine. At least one sensor corresponds to a position of a valve. A failure detection unit generates at least one fault code corresponding to one or more failure modes. A failure mode isolation unit isolates a failure mode from the one or more failure modes in response to modifying the operational parameters or the operational mode, causing actuation of the valves to a desired position, or receiving the parameter signals and the sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2021
    Assignee: Cummins Inc.
    Inventors: Jason Ward, Krithika Mohan
  • Patent number: 10961936
    Abstract: A learned neural network in weights using at least the four parameters of the engine load, engine speed, intake pressure inside the intake passage downstream of the throttle valve (12), and amount of intake air fed into the engine as input parameters of the neural network and using a target EGR rate as training data is stored. At the time of engine operation, the learned neural network is used to estimate the target EGR rate from the above parameters and abnormality of the exhaust gas recirculation system is detected based on the difference between the estimated value of the target EGR rate and the target EGR rate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2021
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Harufumi Muto, Yuki Ikejiri, Akihiro Katayama, Yosuke Hashimoto
  • Patent number: 10941734
    Abstract: An engine control apparatus includes first and second fuel injection amount calculators, a fuel injection controller, an EGR valve controller, and an EGR valve diagnosis unit. The first and second fuel injection amount calculators are configured to calculate first and second fuel injection amounts on the basis of a detected intake air amount and detected pressure in an intake pipe, respectively. The fuel injection controller is configured to control a fuel injection apparatus for an engine on the basis of a correction fuel injection amount that is a result of addition of the first and second fuel injection amounts respectively multiplied by first and second weight coefficients. When the fuel injection is restarted after diagnosis of the EGR valve carried out by the EGR valve diagnosis unit, the fuel injection controller increases the second weight coefficient, and thereafter gradually increases and reduces the first and second weight coefficients, respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2021
    Assignee: SUBARU CORPORATION
    Inventors: Tazuki Watanabe, Taichiro Kitamura
  • Patent number: 10920695
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for regenerating an aftertreatment device of a vehicle. In one example, a method may include adjusting conditions of the regeneration in response to a stickiness of the exhaust valve. Adjusting conditions may include adjusting an air/fuel ratio and/or a post-injection amount.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2021
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: John Paul Bogema, Joseph Goode, Kirk Andrew Parrish, Peter Mitchell Lyon, Sanket Anil Gujarathi, William Clifford Brown
  • Patent number: 10914251
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for diagnosing degradation of an exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) valve. In one example, a method may include, during a vehicle key-off condition, routing compressed air through an EGR passage housing the EGR valve, and indicating degradation of the EGR valve based on a change in an estimated EGR pressure, upon a commanded change in EGR valve position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2021
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Aed M. Dudar
  • Patent number: 10876444
    Abstract: Provided is an electric valve device which is capable of improving the accuracy of detecting whether there is a gas leakage from a blow-by gas passage and capable of detecting detachment of the electric valve device from a pipe of a fresh air passage. The electric valve device includes an inflow side pipe portion, an outflow side pipe portion, a barrier which partitions off the inflow side pipe portion from the outflow side pipe portion, a valve body which opens and closes an opening arranged on the barrier by moving in the axial direction, and a solenoid which drives the valve body. The inflow side pipe portion includes a bypass path which communicates with the outflow side pipe portion through a second opening separately from a passage which communicates with the outflow side pipe portion through a first opening used as the opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2020
    Assignee: NIDEC TOSOK CORPORATION
    Inventors: Dongming Chen, Tomohiko Nakanishi
  • Patent number: 10787953
    Abstract: A coolant temperature sensor abnormality determination device includes a determination unit configured to determine whether or not two coolant temperature sensors, which are configured to detect the temperature of the coolant, have an abnormality. The determination unit has a determination permission condition under which a reference temperature is set to an estimated temperature of a present time point and the estimated temperature is then changed from the reference temperature by a determination temperature. The determination unit is configured to determine, when the determination permission condition is satisfied, that the two coolant temperature sensors are functioning normally if a discrepancy between detection values of the two coolant temperature sensors is less than a normal temperature that is less than or equal to the determination temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2020
    Assignee: HINO MOTORS, LTD.
    Inventor: Motoyoshi Kaneta
  • Patent number: 10619751
    Abstract: An exhaust gas control valve for regulating a flow of exhaust gas includes a housing having an interior wall defining a housing interior, a yoke disposed in the housing interior and having a length and an axis extending along the length, with the yoke being moveable between a first and second yoke position. The exhaust gas control valve further includes a valve member including a valve shaft and a valve body. The valve member is moveable between a first valve position and a second valve position. The exhaust gas control valve also includes a retainer coupled to the yoke, and a biasing member disposed in the housing interior and coupled to the yoke and the retainer to bias the yoke and the retainer in opposite directions, with the biasing member being configured to prevent free play of the yoke and the valve member with respect to said housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2020
    Assignee: BorgWarner Inc.
    Inventor: Petr Malik
  • Patent number: 10612482
    Abstract: A method for controlling stabilization of an exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) gas supply may include executing an intake detector condensation stuck resolving mode including, when output abnormality of an intake detector provided at an intake manifold and a variation amount of an EGR rate of an EGR system are detected by a controller while the EGR system is operated, stopping an operation of an EGR valve of the EGR system and then re-operating the EGR valve to resolve abnormality of the intake detector, which is caused by condensation of the EGR gas which is supplied to the intake manifold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2020
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Tae-Hyung Koo, Neung-Seop Oh
  • Patent number: 10598564
    Abstract: An apparatus and a method for detecting leakage in a hydrogen tank of a hydrogen fuel cell vehicle are provided. Particularly, leakage is detected due to failure of an airtight seal of a solenoid valve in a hydrogen tank based on a change of the sensing value of a high pressure sensor which represents a hydrogen tank pressure during a process of performing a wakeup operation at the time of key-off of a vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2020
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Sung Mun Cho, Kang Sik Jeon, Sae Hoon Kim
  • Patent number: 10428754
    Abstract: A number of variations may include a product including an inline diagnostic device connected to a control status line at a position between an electronic control unit (ECU) and a turbocharger component actuator, the inline diagnostic device being constructed and arranged to intercept data being transmitted from the actuator to the ECU, and to process the data intercepted from the actuator to determine whether the components are binding or sticking, and to transmit a signal indicating that the components are binding or sticking.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2019
    Assignee: BorgWarner Inc.
    Inventors: Patrick Kennedy, Sean Hastings, Evan Lucas, Brian Stevens
  • Patent number: 10344691
    Abstract: Systems and methods for a turbocharged gasoline engine utilize a controller configured to receive a set of parameters including a measured pressure delta across an exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) valve disposed in a low pressure EGR (LPEGR) system of the engine and a measured pressure at an outlet of a differential pressure (dP) valve disposed in and distinct from a throttle valve of an induction system of the engine. The controller is further configured to determine a set of modeled pressures based on the set of parameters, a target EGR valve mass flow, a target EGR valve delta pressure, a current dP valve mass flow, and a pressure at an outlet of the air filter, determine target positions for the EGR valve and the dP valve based on the set of modeled pressures, and control the EGR valve and the dP valve based on their respective target positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2019
    Assignee: FCA US LLC
    Inventors: Shu Wang, William P Attard, David Lawrence, Ethan E Bayer, Tyler Tutton
  • Patent number: 10337467
    Abstract: An EGR valve includes a valve seat in a flow passage of a housing, a valve element seatable on the valve seat, a rotary shaft to open or close the valve element, a motor and a speed reducing mechanism, a return spring urging the valve element in a valve closing direction, and an opening-degree sensor to detect an opening degree of the valve element. An electronic control unit (ECU) diagnoses abnormality due to lodging of foreign matter between the valve seat and the valve element during full close. When driving the motor to urge the valve element in the valve closing direction during full close of the valve element, the ECU determines the EGR valve to be abnormal because of lodging of foreign matter if a difference between a value detected by the opening-degree sensor and a predetermined reference value is larger than a first determination value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2019
    Assignee: AISAN KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Mamoru Yoshioka, Takashige Inagaki, Naruto Ito, Toshiyuki Fujimura
  • Patent number: 10221798
    Abstract: Various methods and systems are provided for controlling emissions. In one example, a controller is configured to respond to a sensed or estimated intake oxygen fraction by controlling an exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) amount supplied to an engine to maintain a level of particulate matter (PM) in a determined PM range and a level of NOx in a determined NOx range, and adjusting a target intake manifold oxygen fraction or target intake manifold EGR fraction in response to a NOx sensor feedback signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2019
    Assignee: GE Global Sourcing LLC
    Inventors: James Robert Mischler, Luke Michael Henry, David Zielinski
  • Patent number: 10113488
    Abstract: An apparatus for controlling fuel injection according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure may include a driving information detector for detecting driving information including a fresh air amount flowing into an intake manifold through a throttle valve, a recirculation gas amount supplied to the intake manifold through an exhaust gas recirculation apparatus, a fuel vapor amount supplied to the intake manifold through a canister purge system, a gas amount supplied to a cylinder from the intake manifold, an internal pressure of the intake manifold, an internal temperature of the intake manifold, a pressure of a recirculation gas and a temperature of the recirculation gas; an injector for injecting fuel into the cylinder; and a controller for calculating gas amount supplied to the cylinder at a next intake stroke from the driving information and controlling fuel amount injected by the injector at the next intake stroke to be a target air-fuel ratio.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2018
    Assignees: HYUNDAI MOTOR COMPANY, KIA MOTORS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Dong Hee Han, Seungwoo Hong, Yeongseop Park, Jong Il Park, Hyungbok Lee
  • Patent number: 10066584
    Abstract: An anomaly determination unit includes an EGR amount acquisition section configured to acquire an actual amount of an EGR amount, which is a flow rate of EGR gas; an estimation amount computation section configured to compute an estimated amount of the EGR amount based on a working gas pressure, which is a pressure of working gas in which the EGR gas and intake air are mixed, an EGR temperature, which is a temperature of the EGR gas immediately upstream of an EGR valve, an EGR pressure, which is a pressure of the EGR gas immediately upstream of the EGR valve, and an opening degree instruction value for the EGR valve; and a determination section configured to determine the presence or absence of an anomaly in the EGR valve based on the divergence between the actual amount of the EGR amount and the estimated amount.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2018
    Assignee: HINO MOTORS, LTD.
    Inventor: Hitoshi Nakano
  • Patent number: 10066543
    Abstract: Supply a control device for an internal combustion engine in which an abnormality of an exhaust-bypass valve, such as a WGV, can be certainly detected under wide operation conditions. In the control device, a required-operation position of the exhaust-bypass valve, which is set in accordance with an operating condition of the internal combustion engine, is set to a target position, and an exhaust-bypass-valve-driving device is controlled in such a way that a real position, which is detected by a position sensor, agrees with the target position, and when a real position, which is detected by a position sensor, reaches a predetermined abnormality-judgment value, it is judged that an abnormality is caused in a mechanical-connecting condition from the exhaust-bypass valve to the exhaust-bypass-valve-driving device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 2, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2018
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
    Inventor: Takahiko Ono
  • Patent number: 10012158
    Abstract: System, apparatus, and methods are disclosed for controlling one or more actuators of an air handling system of an internal combustion engine. The one or more actuators are controlled in response to one or more feedforward references that are adjusted by a reference governor that predicts one or more operating parameters and imposes constraints on the one or more feedforward references to reduce the potential for violating limits on the one or more operating parameters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2018
    Assignee: Cummins Inc.
    Inventors: Govindarajan Kothandaraman, Hoseinali Borhan, Bibin N. Patel
  • Patent number: 9845737
    Abstract: An engine system includes main exhaust ports fluidly communicating with each combustion chamber. An exhaust variable valve lift apparatus controls an operation of a main exhaust valve which closes or opens each main exhaust port. A main exhaust manifold is connected with the main exhaust ports. Scavenge exhaust ports fluidly communicate with each combustion chamber. A variable scavenge apparatus controls an operation of a scavenge valve which closes and opens each scavenge exhaust port. A scavenge manifold is connected with the scavenge exhaust ports. A controller is configured to control operations of the exhaust variable valve lift apparatus and the variable scavenge apparatus according to a vehicle operation state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2017
    Assignee: HYUNDAI MOTOR COMPANY
    Inventor: Byong Young Choi
  • Patent number: 9828949
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for an engine including a humidity sensor. Degradation of the humidity sensor may be determined based on a change in intake air relative humidity as compared to a change in intake air temperature or pressure, under selected conditions. An amount of exhaust gas recirculated to an engine intake is adjusted differently based on whether the humidity sensor is degraded or functional.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2017
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Gopichandra Surnilla, Imad Hassan Makki, James Michael Kerns, Robert Roy Jentz, Timothy Joseph Clark, Michael James Uhrich, Richard E. Soltis
  • Patent number: 9804037
    Abstract: A first temperature sensor measures a first temperature of an object related to an engine. A fuel temperature sensor measures a fuel temperature. A diagnostic apparatus includes a diagnostic unit diagnosing the first temperature sensor based at least in part on the first temperature measured at the first temperature sensor. The diagnostic apparatus also includes a first determining unit determining whether the state of fault of the first temperature sensor is unclear or not based at least in part on the variation in the fuel temperature after the start-up of the engine for the diagnosis at the diagnostic unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2017
    Assignee: MITSUBISHI JIDOSHA KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Shoya Tano, Hideo Matsunaga, Junya Kitada
  • Patent number: 9778143
    Abstract: A system and method are provided for estimating an operating parameter of an exhaust manifold of an engine. In the system, a flow value is determined that corresponds to a flow rate of exhaust gas through an EGR conduit fluidly coupled between the exhaust manifold and the intake manifold. The EGR conduit includes an exhaust gas cooler disposed in-line with the EGR conduit and a property of the exhaust gas exiting an exhaust gas outlet of the cooler is measured. The operating parameter of the exhaust manifold is estimated as a function of at least the flow value and the property of the exhaust gas exiting the exhaust gas outlet of the cooler. Illustratively, the operating parameter of the exhaust manifold may be exhaust manifold pressure and/or temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2017
    Assignee: Cummins Inc.
    Inventors: John N. Chi, Indranil Brahma
  • Patent number: 9759165
    Abstract: An upper-limit threshold value and a lower-limit threshold value of a fore-and-aft differential pressure of an EGR control valve is calculated based on an intake-air quantity detected by an airflow meter. An actual fore-and-aft differential pressure of the EGR control valve is calculated from detected values of an upstream-side pressure sensor and a downstream-side pressure sensor. Then, these threshold values are compared with the actual fore-and-aft differential pressure, and when the actual fore-and-aft differential pressure exceeds the upper-limit threshold value or when the actual fore-and-aft differential pressure is less than the lower-limit threshold value, it is determined that the pressure loss of an intake and exhaust system has changed. If it is determined that the pressure loss of an intake and exhaust system has changed, EGR is inhibited, and if not so, EGR is permitted to be performed. These threshold values are varied depending on a target EGR rate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2017
    Assignee: NISSAN MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Daisuke Takaki, Hirofumi Tsuchida, Takeshi Tsuyuki
  • Patent number: 9746199
    Abstract: An integrated device in an HVAC system is configured to modify an environmental condition of a building. The device includes a valve configured to regulate the flow of fluid through a conduit, an actuator comprising a motor and a drive device, and a communications mechanism. The communications mechanism is configured to receive a flow rate setpoint from an external control device of an outer control loop. The device further includes a processing circuit. The processing circuit is configured to determine an actuator position setpoint using a cascaded feedback control mechanism based on the flow rate setpoint and a flow rate measurement from a flow rate sensor of an inner control loop. The valve, the actuator, the communications mechanism, and the processing circuit are located within a common integrated device chassis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2017
    Assignee: Johnson Controls Technology Company
    Inventors: Kirk H. Drees, Herbert J. Doll, Gerald A. Duenkel, Marcello Passoni
  • Patent number: 9664129
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for determining changes in a flow area of an exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) valve for EGR flow estimates due to a change in temperature difference between a stem and body of the EGR valve. In one example, a method includes adjusting an EGR valve based on an estimate of EGR flow, the EGR flow estimated based on a pressure difference across the EGR valve and an adjusted valve flow area. The adjusted valve flow area may be based on the temperature difference between the stem and body of the EGR valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2017
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Gopichandra Surnilla, Daniel Joseph Styles, James Alfred Hilditch, Imtiaz Ali, Yan Wang, Todd Anthony Rumpsa
  • Patent number: 9617885
    Abstract: A method is made available for monitoring a pressure sensor (18) in a pressure-controlled delivery and metering system for a liquid reactant of a catalytic converter, in particular of an SCR catalytic converter. The delivery and metering system is provided for delivering the reactant from a tank (10) and for metering the reactant via a pressure line (16) and a metering module (19). In order to monitor the pressure sensor (18) which is located in the pressure line (16), a flow rate measurement is carried out in the pressure line (16) and/or in a return path (17) taking into account the relationship between the pressure p and the corresponding flow rate v.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2017
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Damian Dyrbusch, Andreas Feldges
  • Patent number: 9470188
    Abstract: In an engine with a supercharger, a low pressure loop EGR apparatus includes a EGR passage to allow part of exhaust gas discharged from a combustion chamber of the engine to an exhaust passage to flow as EGR gas in an intake passage to return to the combustion chamber, and a EGR valve to regulate a flow of EGR gas in the EGR passage. The EGR passage has an inlet connected to the exhaust passage downstream of a turbine and an outlet connected to the intake passage upstream of a compressor. An ECU controls the EGR valve while the engine is in a predetermined operating condition, and determines whether or not the EGR valve is failed based on changes in intake amount in the intake passage during control of the EGR valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2016
    Assignee: AISAN KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Mamoru Yoshioka
  • Patent number: 9429111
    Abstract: In an engine with a supercharger, a low pressure loop EGR apparatus includes a EGR passage to allow part of exhaust gas discharged from a combustion chamber of the engine to an exhaust passage to flow as EGR gas in an intake passage to return to the combustion chamber, and a EGR valve to regulate a flow of EGR gas in the EGR passage. The EGR passage has an inlet connected to the exhaust passage downstream of a turbine and an outlet connected to the intake passage upstream of a compressor. An ECU controls the EGR valve while the engine is in a predetermined operating condition, and determines whether or not the EGR valve is failed based on changes in intake amount in the intake passage during control of the EGR valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2016
    Assignee: AISAN KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Mamoru Yoshioka
  • Patent number: 9422896
    Abstract: Various methods and systems are provided for diagnosing the position and function of a valve in an engine system. In one embodiment, a method for an engine comprises determining a position of a valve in an engine system based on a turbine speed response upon commanded actuation of the valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2016
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Chirag Bipinchandra Parikh, Shashi Kiran, Eric David Peters
  • Patent number: 9422877
    Abstract: A system includes a reciprocating internal combustion engine with one or more reaction zones configured to receive a charge flow that is configured to react within the one or more reaction zones, thereby forming an exhaust gas flow, and a controller. The charge flow includes an oxidant flow, a fuel flow, and a recirculated portion of the exhaust gas flow. The controller is configured to control a ratio of the recirculated portion of the exhaust gas flow to a fuel mixture. The controller controls the ratio based at least in part on a first temperature, a second temperature of the charge flow, and a third temperature of the recirculated portion of the exhaust gas flow. The fuel mixture includes the oxidant flow and the fuel flow. The first temperature includes one or any combination of a sensed temperature of the oxidant flow, the fuel flow, or the fuel mixture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2016
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventor: Gregory Walter Sorge
  • Patent number: 9410475
    Abstract: A method for operating a vehicle system is described herein. The method includes indicating a variable geometry turbine degradation based on a comparison of a modeled set of turbine pressure values and a sensed set of turbine pressure values, each set of turbine pressure values including a pressure value upstream of the turbine and a pressure value downstream of the turbine and the variable geometry turbine positioned downstream of an engine cylinder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2016
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Anthony Morelli, Brien Lloyd Fulton, Thomas Kostrzewski, Jason Ronald Smith, Kyle Pohlkamp
  • Patent number: 9341131
    Abstract: Various systems and methods are described for controlling operation of a motor vehicle based on a sensor. One example method comprises receiving sensed parameter data from the sensor, receiving calibration data from the sensor, and adjusting a vehicle operating parameter in response to the sensed parameter data and the calibration data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2016
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Dave Charles Weber, David John Kubinski, Michiel J. Van Nieuwstadt
  • Patent number: 9309826
    Abstract: A method for determining a modeling value of a physical variable in a gas guiding section of an engine system including an internal combustion engine, includes the following steps: operating the engine system in such a way that an air mass flow is present in the gas guiding section; determining instantaneous values of other physical variables; and determining the modeling value of the physical variable by solving a differential equation, which results as the discretization of a differential equation, with the aid of the previously ascertained instantaneous values of the other physical variables.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2016
    Assignee: ROBERT BOSCH GMBH
    Inventors: Alexandre Wagner, Thomas Bleile, Slobodanka Lux, Christian Fleck
  • Patent number: 9243977
    Abstract: In a method for diagnosing a valve in a fluid supply line to a suction line of an air system of a combustion engine, the fluid supply line being is part of an exhaust-gas recirculation system or a crankcase ventilation system, when the valve is actuated, a first pressure in the suction line is monitored for change, and an error of the valve is detected if the change of the first pressure lies outside a specific reference range when the valve is actuated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2016
    Assignee: ROBERT BOSCH GMBH
    Inventors: Matthias Heinkele, Michael Drung, Martin Kroener
  • Patent number: 9234449
    Abstract: A diagnostic system for a vehicle is disclosed. A first difference module generates a first difference based on a first pressure measured at a first secondary air injection (SAI) valve and a previous value of the first pressure. A first summer module generates a first accumulated difference based on a sum of values of the first difference generated during a predetermined period. A second difference module generates a second difference based on a second pressure measured at a second SAI valve and a previous value of the second pressure. A second summer module generates a second accumulated difference based on a sum of values of the second difference generated during the predetermined period. A fault indication module selectively indicates that a fault is present downstream of one of the first and second SAI valves based on the first and second accumulated differences.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2016
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Ian J. Mac Ewen, Steven Ward Majors, Eric Russell Clark, II
  • Patent number: 9228524
    Abstract: An oxygen sensor pressure compensation system includes a static pressure compensation module to receive an oxygen sensor signal from an oxygen sensor and a pressure signal from a pressure sensor and to perform static pressure compensation. A dynamic pressure compensation module receives the oxygen sensor signal and the pressure signal and to perform dynamic pressure compensation. A summing module generates a compensated oxygen signal based on the static pressure compensation and the dynamic pressure compensation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2016
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventor: B. Jerry Song
  • Patent number: 9227625
    Abstract: A method for operating a driving system of a motor vehicle, in particular, the driving system having an internal combustion engine and at least one electric motor, and during warm-up of the internal combustion engine, the latter being loaded with a specifiable torque; and the at least one electric motor generating a torque at least at times, to unload or load the internal combustion engine. An actual torque of the internal combustion engine is compared to a specifiable first setpoint torque of the internal combustion engine; a difference of the actual torque from the first setpoint torque being formed; and a time integral being formed over the difference formed; and a fault being detected in the warm-up of the internal combustion engine, as a function of the time integral formed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2016
    Assignee: ROBERT BOSCH GMBH
    Inventors: Daniel Rieker, Frank Meier, Bernd Kesch, Holger Jessen
  • Patent number: 9212631
    Abstract: Provided is a control apparatus of the internal combustion engine capable of removing deposited foreign matters accumulated on an EGR valve without deteriorating a combustion state of the internal combustion engine. When the vehicle is under deceleration and under fuel cut operation, the ECU opens an EGR shutoff valve and obtains an intake pressure “Pclose” under the EGR valve in the fully closed state. Then, the ECU opens the EGR valve and obtains an intake pressure “Popen” under the EGR valve in the fully opened state. Then, the ECU calculates a difference ?P between “Popen” and “Pclose”, and closes the EGR shutoff valve on the condition that the difference ?P is equal to or smaller than a threshold value “Pth1”. Then, the ECU opens the EGR valve, and subsequently opens the EGR valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2015
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Kazuya Mikashima, Tomoyuki Noguchi
  • Patent number: 9046059
    Abstract: An electric vehicle includes engine in which the amount of fuel supply is controlled by a throttle, a generator that produces electricity using the power of the engine, a motor outputs power to a drive shaft, an EGR system that supplies gas, exhausted from the engine, to a manifold of the engine, a clutch that switches between the transmission and the non-transmission of power from the engine to the drive shaft, a sensor that measures the change of a pressure of the manifold before and after the EGR system supplies the gas to the manifold, and ECU that performs fault detection of the EGR system using the sensor when conditions, where a series mode is selected, the degree of opening of the throttle is constant, are satisfied.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2015
    Assignee: MITSUBISHI JIDOSHA KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Katsuhiro Furuta, Hideo Matsunaga, Hitoshi Kamura, Kenji Saito
  • Publication number: 20150128917
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for expediting purging of LP-EGR from an air intake system during conditions of decreasing engine load. During a tip-out, an EGR valve is closed while the engine is shifted to a VDE mode of operation to improve engine tolerance to EGR at lower engine loads and until the EGR is sufficiently purged. A non-VDE mode is resumed if higher engine loads are restored, else, a deceleration fuel shut-off mode is selected if the tip-out continues to zero load.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 8, 2013
    Publication date: May 14, 2015
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Gopichandra Surnilla, James Alfred Hilditch, Jeffrey Allen Doering, Adam Nathan Banker, Daniel Joseph Styles
  • Patent number: 9027535
    Abstract: A control apparatus for an internal combustion engine is provided that can favorably determine a shut-off failure of an EGR valve under a high intake pressure condition in which an intake pressure becomes higher than an exhaust pressure. In a case where the high intake pressure condition and a transition condition are established at a time of a shut-off instruction on shutting off the EGR valve, it is determined that a shut-off failure of the EGR valve has occurred if an actual measurement value of the air-fuel ratio of exhaust gas detected by a main air-fuel ratio sensor is a value that is leaner by an amount equal to or greater than a predetermined lean determination value relative to a target value of the air-fuel ratio of the exhaust gas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2015
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Masahiro Inoue
  • Patent number: 9010113
    Abstract: A control apparatus judges an abnormality of an internal combustion engine. The engine has an external EGR apparatus, including an exhaust gas recirculation passage that connects an exhaust passage with an intake passage, and an EGR valve that can increase and decrease an outside EGR flow quantity that flows back into the intake passage from said exhaust passage through the exhaust gas recirculation passage by being adjusted in its opening angle. The control apparatus acquires an output value of the engine and determines occurrence of abnormality in the external EGR apparatus according to a predetermined criterion based on a difference between an output of the engine in which a first EGR flow quantity is flown back and an output of the engine in which a second EGR flow quantity is flown back.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2015
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Kenji Harima
  • Publication number: 20150101327
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for accurately learning the zero point of an intake gas oxygen sensor during selected engine no-fueling conditions. The learned zero point is used to infer EGR flow and accordingly adjust EGR valve control. In addition, EGR valve leakage is diagnosed based on the zero point learned during a DFSO adaptation relative to a zero point learned during an idle adaptation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 11, 2013
    Publication date: April 16, 2015
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Timothy Joseph Clark, Gopichandra Surnilla, Matthew John Gerhart, Daniel Joseph Styles
  • Patent number: 8905009
    Abstract: When a failure occurs in synchronizing mechanism, an intake air throttle valve is rotated in a direction that is opposite from a normal operational time valve closing direction, so that an arm of a driven plate contacts a throttle valve side stopper to stop rotation of the intake air throttle valve. Thereafter, when a low pressure EGR valve is rotated from a full close position to a full open position, an EGR valve side stopper contacts the arm of the driven plate to stop the low pressure EGR valve. A rotational angle of the EGR valve is sensed with a sensor and is outputted to an ECU. The ECU determines that a failure mode is set when a valve angle sensed with the sensor coincides with a rotation stop position of the EGR valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2014
    Assignee: Denso Corporation
    Inventors: Yuichiro Moritani, Shinsuke Miyazaki, Kazushi Sasaki, Koji Hashimoto
  • Patent number: 8869528
    Abstract: A method for determining intake air leakage in a low pressure EGR system may include a first step of measuring an intake air leaking amount Leak_Air, a second step of determining whether intake air may be leaked by comparing the intake air leaking amount Leak_Air and an intake air leakage determination value Leak_Air_Det with each other, and a third step of notifying leakage information against an intake air leakage when the intake air leakage may be settled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2014
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Junkyun Ryu, Kihyun Baek