Controlling Timing Patents (Class 701/105)
  • Patent number: 8151762
    Abstract: Disclosed is a direct-injection spark-ignition engine designed to promote catalyst activation during cold engine operation. A fuel injection timing for a fuel injection period in an compression stroke (second fuel injection period F2) is set to allow a first fuel spray Ga injected from a first spray hole 40a to enter a cavity 34 in a piston crown surface 30, and allow a second fuel spray Gb to impinge against a region of the piston crown surface 30 located closer to an injector than the cavity 34, so as to cause the second fuel spray Gb having a lowered penetration force due to the impingement to be pulled toward the cavity 34 by a negative pressure generated in the cavity 34 as a result of passing of the first fuel spray Ga therethrough.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2012
    Assignee: Mazda Motor Corporation
    Inventors: Toshiaki Nishimoto, Tomomi Watanabe, Yoshiteru Nakayama, Tatsuya Fujikawa, Masahisa Yamakawa
  • Patent number: 8146569
    Abstract: An engine control system for a vehicle comprises a combustion control module and an engine startup module. The combustion control module selectively controls a spark timing and airflow into an engine based on a counter value. The engine startup module, when the counter value is one of greater than and less than a predetermined final value, controls an equivalence ratio (EQR) of an air/fuel mixture provided to the engine during an engine cranking period based on a fuel rail pressure and controls the EQR during an engine running period based on the fuel rail pressure and an engine runtime period. The counter value is set to the predetermined final value after the engine is started for a first time after the engine is assembled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2012
    Inventors: Michael C. Zumbaugh, Jon C. Miller, Robert C. Gibson, Mark D. Carr, Michael J. Lucido, Michael N. Kotsonas
  • Patent number: 8150600
    Abstract: An internal combustion engine control device has a cylinder pressure sensor for sensing pressure in a combustion chamber and a fuel pressure sensor for sensing fuel pressure fluctuating in connection with fuel injection from an injector. The control device calculates a combustion characteristic of a cylinder (for example, an ignition delay or a combustion rate) based on both of a cylinder pressure sensing value and a fuel pressure sensing value. The control device corrects an EGR quantity, supercharging pressure, and injection start timing in accordance with the calculated combustion characteristic. Thus, the control device performs cooperative control of the injection start timing (an injection mode), the supercharging pressure and the EGR quantity (intake air conditions) in accordance with the combustion characteristic of the cylinder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2012
    Assignee: Denso Corporation
    Inventors: Koji Ishizuka, Kenichiro Nakata
  • Patent number: 8131448
    Abstract: To provide a control apparatus of an engine that improves vehicle drivability by controlling a variable valve mechanism. The control apparatus of an engine prohibits the changing of the valve duration of an intake valve during a stop of an engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2012
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Naohide Fuwa
  • Patent number: 8131449
    Abstract: A fuel injection valve coupled to a common rail is provided. When fuel injection is carried out, the fuel pressure in the fuel injection valve pulsates. An interval between a pilot injection and a main injection is set so that the main injection is carried out at a zero gradient timing as a timing when the gradient of the fuel pressure in the fuel injection valve after the pilot injection is approximately equal to zero. Owing to a fuel injection control apparatus and a fuel injection control method for an internal combustion engine that perform the above-mentioned control, the fuel injection amount for the subsequent fuel injection following the preceding fuel injection can be reliably held equal to a normal amount.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2012
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Takashi Koyama, Hisashi Ohki, Kiyoshi Fujiwara, Tomohiro Kaneko, Takahumi Yamada
  • Publication number: 20120053821
    Abstract: An engine assembly includes a controller and at least one data storage medium storing a database. The database includes empirically-derived NOx values based on engine equivalence ratio and engine speed at predetermined reference conditions. The controller is configured to retrieve a NOx value from the database that corresponds to a measured value of the equivalence ratio and a measured value of the engine speed, and to modify the NOx value to compensate for differences between the reference conditions and the actual operating conditions of the engine assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 24, 2011
    Publication date: March 1, 2012
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Kathryn Wolfe, Darrell W. Burleigh
  • Patent number: 8116964
    Abstract: The invention relates to a system for controlling a thermal engine with valves, that comprises an engine control unit (1) and a plurality of valve actuators (3), wherein the engine control unit is connected to a communication bus (2) and the actuators are distributed into at least two sets each comprising a connection interface (4) to the communication bus, the engine control unit being designed so as to define actuator driving instructions and to transmit into the bus and for each set an individualised frame including the driving instructions for the related set.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2012
    Assignee: Valeo Systemes de Controle Moteur
    Inventors: Nicolas Gelez, Boris Bouchez, Ronan Danioux
  • Patent number: 8113178
    Abstract: An apparatus for controlling the quantity of fuel over a common rail diesel engine includes a wave speed correction map correcting a wave speed and a time corrector, a first adder multiplying the corrected wave speed by an injection time difference, a base correction map using an output of the first adder and a former injection quantity as input variables, an amplitude map using a following injection quantity and a rail pressure as input variables, and a second adder multiplying a base correction map value of the base correction map by an amplitude map value of the amplitude map, and outputting a finally corrected value of the fuel quantity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2012
    Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventor: Dong Won Park
  • Publication number: 20120035834
    Abstract: Disclosed is a control device that is used for an internal combustion engine and capable of periodically varying an air-fuel ratio while keeping torque generated by the internal combustion engine at a target torque. The control device can periodically vary a target air-fuel ratio and controls a fuel injection amount in accordance with the target air-fuel ratio which periodically varies. Further, the control device sets an air amount control torque in accordance with the target torque and calculates a target air amount for achieving the air amount control torque at a predetermined virtual air-fuel ratio. The control device then provides air amount control in accordance with the target air amount and calculates an air amount that is estimated to be achieved by the air amount control.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 27, 2010
    Publication date: February 9, 2012
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Kiyonori Takahashi
  • Patent number: 8108126
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for controlling fuel injection in an engine is described. The apparatus comprises at least one fuel injector which is connected in an injector drive circuit powered by a power source. The method comprises determining an injection event sequence of the at least one fuel injector based on at least one engine operating parameter, determining a magnitude of a load parameter of the power source, comparing the magnitude to a predetermined threshold level for the load parameter, and determining a modified injection event sequence in the event that the magnitude is substantially equal to or greater than the predetermined threshold level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2012
    Assignee: Delphi Technologies Holding S.arl
    Inventors: Martin A. P. Sykes, Steven J. Martin
  • Patent number: 8103425
    Abstract: A method of controlling an HCCI engine-based power system may include receiving performance information relating to a desired operating state for the HCCI engine-based power system, evaluating operational information associated with a current operating state of the HCCI engine-based power system, and determining one or more control parameter values based on the performance information and the operational information. The method may further include predicting a response of the HCCI engine-based power system based on the one or more control parameter values and determining whether the response satisfies one or more desired performance characteristics associated with the HCCI engine-based power system. If the response satisfies the one or more desired performance characteristics, control of at least one component of the HCCI engine-based power system may be enabled based on the one or more control parameter values.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2012
    Assignee: Perkins Engines Company Limited
    Inventors: Cathy Y. Choi, Stephen A. Faulkner, Mary Lou Kesse
  • Patent number: 8103426
    Abstract: At each engine cycle, nearby the TDCC, an injector is driven so as to perform a fuel injection sequence according to a predetermined pattern (A-Z), including a plurality of successive, separate fuel injection pulses (pulse 1-pulse N) having respective predetermined durations. The start of the first injection pulse (Pulse 1) of the sequence is defined as a predetermined angular distance from the TDCC. For each injection pulse (pulse 2-pulse N) following the first one (pulse 1) the respective start is selectively determined either as a time distance from the end of the immediately preceding injection pulse (pulse 1-pulse N?1) or as an angular distance from the relevant TDCC, in dependence on the instantaneous value of at least one predetermined parameter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2012
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Filippo Parisi, Ivan Pelizzoni, Eugenio Pisoni
  • Publication number: 20120016572
    Abstract: In a method for carrying out a number of injections for at least one cylinder of an internal combustion engine, a reference point in time for a control application onset of an injection is ascertained for the at least one cylinder, and a target point in time for the control application onset is determined from the reference point in time plus a delay time.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 17, 2009
    Publication date: January 19, 2012
    Applicant: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Joerg Maas, Stefan Schempp
  • Patent number: 8096286
    Abstract: A method for controlling an internal combustion engine, in which a traveling with reduced cylinders is controlled according to the idle-speed after the engine starting, so as to restrain the discharge of white smokes at the time lag for temperature equilibration soon after a cold starting. The method comprises a coolant water temperature detecting means 10 for detecting the coolant water temperature in the internal combustion engine 1, a rotation speed detecting means 12 for detecting the rotation speed of the internal combustion engine 1 and a control means for controlling the operation of the internal combustion engine 1 in accordance with the coolant water temperature and the rotation speed. When the internal combustion engine is evaluated that it is at the cold starting and the rotation speed reaches the predetermined rotation speed after the engine starting, a traveling with reduces cylinders is performed, which reduces the number of cylinders injecting fuels for a certain period of time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2012
    Assignee: Yanmar Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Gou Asai, Hitoshi Adachi, Isao Takagawa, Takashi Miyamoto
  • Patent number: 8095295
    Abstract: In a method for controlling fuel injection by means of injectors in a multicylinder internal combustion engine, the injectors are controlled sequentially according to control data for opening and closing in injection processes, wherein for each cylinder in an operating cycle a certain injection segment is defined, during which injection is possible. For the cylinders, a plurality of injection processes are performed per injection segment, the duration and temporal position for these injection processes are defined in the operating cycle, and in a conflict correction step a shift, or suppression, is performed of at least partially overlapping, and therefore conflicting, injection processes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2012
    Assignee: Continental Automotive GmbH
    Inventors: Joachim Engelmann, Joao Graciano, Diego Valero-Bertrand
  • Patent number: 8090521
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for operating an engine including a first and a second bank of cylinders. One example method comprises, adjusting engine injection timing based on a first temperature of a first intake of the first bank and a second temperature of a second intake of the second bank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2012
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Ryan John Goes, Shawn Gallagher, Eric Dillen, Rajani Boddu
  • Publication number: 20110320108
    Abstract: This disclosure provides a method of controlling a diesel engine, which includes executing a premix combustion pattern fuel injection containing one or more injections at a first timing, while introducing an amount of EGR gas according to an operating condition of the engine into a cylinder, when an engine load is low, to operate in a premix combustion mode, executing a diffusion combustion pattern fuel injection containing one or more injections at a second timing that is later than the first timing, when the engine load is high, to operate in a diffusion combustion mode, and executing a diffusion combustion pattern fuel injection at a third timing that is later than the second timing, while introducing the amount of EGR gas according to the operating condition of the engine into the cylinder, when shifting from the diffusion combustion mode to the premix combustion mode with a decrease in engine load.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 23, 2011
    Publication date: December 29, 2011
    Applicant: MAZDA MOTOR CORPORATION
    Inventors: Shinichi Morinaga, Daisuke Shimo, Hiroshi Hayashibara, Kenji Tanimura
  • Publication number: 20110313641
    Abstract: Methods are provided for controlling an engine in response to a pre-ignition event. A pre-ignition threshold and a pre-ignition mitigating action are adjusted based on a rate of change of cylinder aircharge. As a result, pre-ignition events occurring during transient engine operating conditions are detected and addressed different from pre-ignition events occurring during steady-state engine operating conditions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 3, 2011
    Publication date: December 22, 2011
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Chris Paul Glugla, Michael Mancini
  • Publication number: 20110307164
    Abstract: Provided is a control device for an in-cylinder injection engine which reduces an amount of fuel attaching and remaining on a piston crown surface so as to bring the first injection as advanced as possible and suppress an increase in the number of exhaust particles of PM, when fuel injection is performed a plurality of times in one cycle in the in-cylinder injection engine. At least the first fuel injection of the respective injections dividedly performed the plurality of times is performed in an intake stroke. At least the first injection start timing of the respective injections dividedly performed the plurality of times is set in accordance with an EGR amount. The first injection start timing is more advanced when the EGR amount is large than when the EGR amount is small.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 9, 2011
    Publication date: December 15, 2011
    Applicant: Hitachi Automotive Systems, Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoshinobu ARIHARA, Tetsuo Matsumura
  • Patent number: 8078387
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a control apparatus for a spark-ignition engine that is capable of avoiding knocking at the time of high-load operation. With this control apparatus, a residual-gas suction unit or the like is not used, an exhaust gas does not deteriorate due to injection in a compression stroke, and a thermal efficiency also does not decrease. An engine control apparatus (ECU) 20 is used for the control of a direct-injection type spark-ignition engine. During the high-load operation of the spark-ignition engine, the ECU 20 injects fuel a plurality of times. In addition, the ECU performs first fuel injection toward internal EGR that exists in a combustion chamber of the spark-ignition engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2011
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Kengo Kumano, Shiro Yamaoka, Hiromu Kakuya, Yoshihiro Sukegawa
  • Publication number: 20110301828
    Abstract: In a control apparatus, when an engine is cranked, “an air-fuel mixture (an air-fuel mixture used for determination of fuel property) including fuel in a first predetermined fuel amount TAUm and air in a first predetermined air amount Mcm”, which generates torque that does not make the engine autonomously operate, is formed in a first cylinder (cylinder used for determination of the fuel property), and the air-fuel mixture is ignited and combusted by a spark at an ignition timing after a compression top dead center. Further, the control apparatus determines “an amount of heat generated per unit mass of the fuel” when the air-fuel mixture is combusted in the first cylinder, and determines a property of the fuel based on the amount of generated heat.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 24, 2008
    Publication date: December 8, 2011
    Applicant: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hidenori Moriya, Hiromichi Yasuda, Ryo Tadokoro, Ryusuke Ogino
  • Patent number: 8068944
    Abstract: The present application relates to a control apparatus for an internal combustion engine. It is an object of the present application to prevent an excessive reaction of a throttle valve when the opening of the throttle valve is controlled on the basis of a plurality of required torques. The control apparatus includes: required torque consolidation means for calculating an after-consolidation required torque; first torque control means which causes an actual torque to follow variation of the after-consolidation required torque by changing the opening of the throttle valve in accordance with the variation of the after-consolidation required torque; and second torque control means which fixes the opening of the throttle valve and causes the actual torque to follow variation of the after-consolidation required torque.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2011
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Hiroyuki Tanaka
  • Publication number: 20110288749
    Abstract: A combustion control system for a direct injection engine includes a mean effective pressure (MEP) determination module, a coefficient of variation (COV) determination module, a spark timing module, and a fuel control module. The MEP determination module determines a MEP for a first combustion event of a cylinder based on cylinder pressure measured by a cylinder pressure sensor during the first combustion event. The COV determination module determines a COV for the cylinder based on the MEP. The spark timing module selectively sets a spark timing for a second combustion event of the cylinder based on the COV. The second combustion event is after the first combustion event. The fuel control module that selectively provides fuel for the second combustion event based on the COV.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 18, 2010
    Publication date: November 24, 2011
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventor: Halim G. Santoso
  • Publication number: 20110288750
    Abstract: A direct-injection internal combustion engine is fluidly coupled to a passive SCR system including a three-way catalytic converter upstream to an ammonia-selective catalytic reduction catalyst. Transition from an HCCI combustion mode to an SI combustion mode includes determining a preferred air/fuel ratio to achieve a minimum fuel consumption and maintain combustion stability at an acceptable level for a predetermined engine operating point during the SI combustion mode. A fuel injection timing, an engine spark timing and an engine valve lift are substantially immediately controlled from respective HCCI combustion mode settings to respective SI combustion mode settings. A transition to the preferred air/fuel ratio is coordinated with a transition of an engine valve phase from a respective HCCI combustion mode setting to a respective SI combustion mode phase setting.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 2, 2011
    Publication date: November 24, 2011
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Nicole Wermuth, Paul M. Najt, Kushal Narayanaswamy, Hanho Yun
  • Publication number: 20110276211
    Abstract: When there is a request to set the output of an engine to correspond to the load of the engine during catalyst warm-up control by which the engine ignition timing is retarded, ECU sets the engine operation line as an emission line to control the engine using the set emission line. The emission line corresponds to a line for controlling the engine to be operated at a relatively high revolution speed and at a relatively low torque as compared with the case of the normal line that is set at the time when catalyst warm-up control is not being performed. The emission line is obtained in advance by experiments and the like in consideration of the amount of retarding the ignition timing during catalyst warm-up control, and the like.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 9, 2009
    Publication date: November 10, 2011
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Ryuta Teraya
  • Publication number: 20110276255
    Abstract: A method for adjusting fuel injection timing in an internal combustion engine including a cylinder and configured to operate multiple fuel injections in the cylinder per combustion cycle includes monitoring in-cylinder pressure through a first combustion cycle, determining actual combustion phasing metrics based upon the in-cylinder pressure, monitoring a baseline fuel injection timing comprising a first injection timing and a second injection timing, providing expected combustion phasing metrics based upon the baseline fuel injection timing, comparing the actual combustion phasing metrics to the expected combustion phasing metrics, and adjusting the baseline fuel injection timing in a second combustion cycle based upon the comparing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 7, 2010
    Publication date: November 10, 2011
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Ibrahim Haskara, Yue-Yun Wang, Chol-Bum M. Kweon, Frederic Anton Matekunas, Oguz H. Dagci
  • Patent number: 8051838
    Abstract: A high-pressure pump section pumps fuel in a fuel tank into a delivery pipe. An injector injects the fuel in the delivery pipe directly into a combustion chamber of an engine. An ECU calculates fuel injection quantity based on an operation state of the engine and calculates fuel injection time based on the fuel injection quantity and pressure of the fuel in the delivery pipe. The ECU calculates fuel injection start timing based on the operation state of the engine. The ECU sets the fuel injection time and the fuel injection start timing as a base injection period. When a fuel inflow period, in which the high-pressure fuel flows into the delivery pipe with the fuel pumping by the high-pressure pump section, overlaps with the base injection period, the ECU changes the base injection period to eliminate or reduce the overlap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2011
    Assignee: Denso Corporation
    Inventor: Makoto Tanaka
  • Publication number: 20110270510
    Abstract: A method for controlling differences in exhaust gas residual amount for a two cylinder bank engine having at least one turbocharger is presented. In one example, the description includes a method for adjusting valve timing to reduce cylinder exhaust gas residual variation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 24, 2011
    Publication date: November 3, 2011
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Julia Helen Buckland, Mrdjan J. Jankovic
  • Publication number: 20110270511
    Abstract: An engine starting method is disclosed. In one example, engine operation is adjusted to reduce catalyst light off time. Exhaust temperatures may be increased until a threshold engine temperature is reached.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 21, 2011
    Publication date: November 3, 2011
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventor: Eric Kurtz
  • Patent number: 8050848
    Abstract: A method and system for igniting a lean fuel mixture in a main chamber of an internal combustion engine by igniting a rich air-fuel mixture in a pre-combustion chamber which is fuelled using a controlled valve. For a stable and consistent ignition of the main chamber and simultaneous reduction of emission of the internal combustion engine, a closed loop control adjusts the fuel amount and the fuelling time for the pre-combustion chamber in order to achieve a light off in an optimal time window and by sufficient ignition energy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2011
    Assignee: Hoerbiger Kompressortechnik Holding GmbH
    Inventors: Matthias Huschenbett, Greg Beshouri
  • Patent number: 8046154
    Abstract: A method for controlling a continuous variable valve timing apparatus that can control a phase angle of a camshaft quickly and precisely according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention may include: calculating a difference between a target phase angle and a current phase angle of a camshaft; determining whether the difference between the target phase angle and the current phase angle of the camshaft is larger than or equal to a predetermined value; calculating a base torque Tb based on the target phase angle if the difference between the target phase angle and the current phase angle of the camshaft is larger than or equal to the predetermined value; calculating an effective torque Teff by modifying the base torque Tb corresponding to engine speed and temperature of engine oil; and calculating an effective current Ieff corresponding to the effective torque Teff.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2011
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors Corporation
    Inventor: Maru Yoon
  • Publication number: 20110239987
    Abstract: An internal combustion engine which includes a valve deactivation mechanism for reducing an output power shock upon changing of the cylinder number. In an internal combustion engine which includes a valve deactivation mechanism driven by a slide pin which is driven by hydraulic pressure, response delay time after a signal is sent to oil control valves until an intake valve and an exhaust valve are activated or deactivated is used to form a control map in response to control parameters, and the valve deactivation mechanism is controlled based on the control map.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 28, 2011
    Publication date: October 6, 2011
    Inventors: Hayato MAEHARA, Shunsuke Kitawaki, Shinji Saito, Yukihiro Asada
  • Patent number: 8027778
    Abstract: A system for controlling a multiple cylinder internal combustion engine having a plurality of cylinders with electronically actuated valves (EVA) is presented. The system is designed to improve the torque delivery of an EVA engine that operates a portion of cylinders in an HCCI combustion mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2011
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Vincent J. Winstead
  • Patent number: 8019528
    Abstract: A system for controlling combustion phasing in an internal combustion engine is provided that includes, but is not limited to a first sensor positioned within a first variable volume combustion chamber and a vibration sensor positioned outside of the first and second variable volume combustion chambers. A first signal from the first sensor is used to control the combustion process in the first variable volume combustion chamber and a combination of the first signal from the first sensor and the second signal from the vibration sensor is used to control the combustion process in the at least one second variable volume combustion chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2011
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventor: Alessandro Catanese
  • Patent number: 8019527
    Abstract: In a method for operating an internal combustion engine including inlet valves with variably adjustable opening curves, during part-load operation, the closing time of the inlet valves and the fuel injection time are controlled as a function of the cylinder internal temperature so as to maintain the cylinder internal temperature relatively low in a controllable manner for reducing NOx emissions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2011
    Assignee: Daimler AG
    Inventors: Wolfram Schmid, Siegfried Sumser
  • Patent number: 8014916
    Abstract: The internal-combustion-engine ignition diagnosis apparatus is configured in such a way that the first duration setting unit sets the first detection duration in a predetermined duration including a time instant when the spark discharge is generated, the second duration setting unit sets the second detection duration after the first detection duration, the diagnosis unit determines normality of the spark discharge, based on a signal state in the second detection duration, and regardless of the signal state in the second detection duration, determines abnormality of the spark discharge, based on a signal state in the first detection duration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2011
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
    Inventor: Kimihiko Tanaya
  • Patent number: 8010277
    Abstract: A fuel injection controller (incorporated in an engine control ECU) for controlling an injection operation of an injector has a program for executing injections in plural injection patterns including an injection pattern of a multiple injection in a certain order into a certain cylinder of the engine during non-injection operation and a program for obtaining sums of fluctuation degrees of an engine operating condition due to all the injections in a first injection unit composed of one (single stage injection) of the plural patterns and all the injections in a second injection unit composed of a different one (multiple injection of two stages) of the plural patterns which are executed by the former program, with an injection condition (cylinder number and data number N).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2011
    Assignee: Denso Corporation
    Inventors: Kouji Ishizuka, Yuuki Tarusawa, Minoru Imai
  • Publication number: 20110208408
    Abstract: A method and system for adaptively controlling a diesel engine to account for variations in the cetane number of the diesel fuel being used. An engine controller includes various control modules with algorithms for estimating the fuel cetane number, or determining the ignition delay that the engine is experiencing, or both. With this information, the controller can adjust the amount of exhaust gas recirculation that is used, thus varying the amount of oxygen that is available in the intake charge to burn the fuel. The controller can also adjust the timing of the fuel injection event, as another way of altering the nature of combustion. Using these techniques, the controller can optimize the engine operation based on the fuel currently being used.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 24, 2010
    Publication date: August 25, 2011
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Ibrahim Haskara, Yue-Yun Wang
  • Patent number: 8000881
    Abstract: The present invention provides an internal combustion engine control device which is capable of implementing a plurality of functions desired to the internal combustion engine. An adder unit determines a total energy E_total that should be generated by the engine by adding a target work, a target exhaust energy and cooling heat loss, which are calculated in a style of energy. A target fuel supply quantity calculation unit calculates a target fuel supply quantity necessary for generating the E_total. A target intake quantity calculating unit calculates a target intake quantity based on the target fuel supply quantity and a target A/F. A target ignition timing calculation unit calculates a target ignition timing necessary for realizing the target exhaust energy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2011
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Shinichi Soejima, Keisuke Kawai, Hiroyuki Tanaka
  • Patent number: 7996145
    Abstract: There is provided a control scheme for restarting an internal combustion engine of a hybrid powertrain during ongoing vehicle operation. The method includes generating a torque output from an electrical machine to rotate the engine, and determining an engine crank torque. The torque output from the electrical machine is selectively controlled based upon the engine crank torque. The engine is fired when rotational speed of the engine exceeds a threshold. An engine torque simulation model accurately determines engine compression pressures in real-time to accommodate changes in engine operating conditions, based upon present engine operating conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2011
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventor: Bryan R. Snyder
  • Patent number: 7996143
    Abstract: An evaporated fuel gas concentration learning section A8 renews an evaporated fuel gas concentration learning value based on a feedback correction amount FAF. An estimated purge rate calculating section A9 estimates, a flow of an evaporated fuel gas introduced into a combustion chamber based on a flow KP of an evaporated fuel gas passing through a purge control valve in consideration of a transportation delay time duration and a behavior of the evaporated fuel gas. An instructed injection amount determining section A10 calculates a purge correction amount based on the evaporated fuel gas concentration learning value and the estimated purge flow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2011
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Shuntaro Okazaki
  • Patent number: 7996147
    Abstract: A method, in certain embodiments, includes controlling a first parameter set (e.g., fuel injection timing, engine speed, etc.) of an engine to reduce specific fuel consumption to account for a plurality of different fuels alone or in combination with one another. The method also may include controlling a second parameter set (e.g., engine duration, engine speed, manifold air pressure, fuel supply temperature, fuel supply pressure, etc.) of the engine to reduce the possibility of exceeding design limits associated with the engine to account for the plurality of different fuels alone or in combination with one another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2011
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventor: Manoj Prakash Gokhale
  • Publication number: 20110184630
    Abstract: An internal combustion engine system is equipped with a controllable engine valve actuation system. Controlling lift of an engine valve includes periodically monitoring engine valve lift and engine crank angle. A preferred engine valve lift profile is determined in a crank angle-domain. A preferred engine valve position is determined in the crank angle-domain. The preferred engine valve position is interpolated to determine a preferred engine valve position in the time-domain. The control circuit is actuated to control the engine valve in the time-domain.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 26, 2010
    Publication date: July 28, 2011
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Jun-Mo Kang, Hanho Yun, Chen-Fang Chang
  • Publication number: 20110178696
    Abstract: The invention relates to a control unit (19, 20) for one or more electromagnetic actuators (15, 16) of the valve (13, 14) of a heat engine, wherein said control unit can be connected by linking means (24, 25) to a main management unit (21) of the heat engine, the control unit (19, 20) acting under the action of at least a first driving program for driving the actuator based on a signal transmitted to the control unit by the main management unit via the linking means. According to the invention, the control unit includes a memory (26, 27) containing backup information and, in the case of a signal interruption, the control unit runs a second driving program for driving the actuator based on workaround information. The invention also relates to different assemblies of such control units and such electromagnetic actuators.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 30, 2008
    Publication date: July 21, 2011
    Applicant: VALEO SYSTEMES DE CONTROLE MOTEUR
    Inventors: Nicolas Gelez, Ronan Danioux, Boris Bouchez
  • Patent number: 7980220
    Abstract: A method is described for operating a gaseous fueled engine, where gaseous fuel and intake air are delivered to a first intake port of a cylinder of the engine and intake air without gaseous fuel is delivered to a second intake port of the cylinder, the first port separated from the second port. Further, the method includes inducting the fuel and intake air from the first port via a first intake valve, and the intake air from the second port via a second intake valve, into the cylinder, where the first intake valve is opened after the second intake valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2011
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Brad Alan Boyer, Hosuk Howard Jung, William Francis Stockhausen
  • Patent number: 7983832
    Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a fuel injection control technique which maximizes engine power according to fuel evaporation characteristics. The fuel injection timing in the intake stroke is delayed according as a physical quantity affecting the fuel evaporation time changes such that the fuel evaporation time decreases. Further, the fuel injection timing when a physical quantity affecting the fuel evaporation time is such that the fuel evaporation time decreases is set closer to the end of the intake stroke than the fuel injection timing when the physical quantity is such that the fuel evaporation time increases. The fuel injection timing is controlled so as to maximize engine power according to fuel evaporation times.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2011
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoshihiro Sukegawa, Hiroshi Fujii
  • Publication number: 20110172891
    Abstract: Boosted engine operation and spark timing of an engine may be adjusted with alcohol content of the fuel in a direct injection engine. Further, various adjustments may be performed in numerous related systems to account for increased maximum engine torque, such as traction control, transmission shifting, etc.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 22, 2011
    Publication date: July 14, 2011
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventor: Robert A. Stein
  • Patent number: 7979195
    Abstract: A valve control system for an internal combustion engine includes a valve actuation system that actuates each of an intake valve and an exhaust valve between N open lift modes where N is an integer greater than one. A control module defines a switching window having a start time based on intake valve timing and an end time based on exhaust valve timing. The control module enables transitioning of at least one of the intake and exhaust valves between the N open lift modes based on the switching window.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2011
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventor: Allen B. Rayl
  • Patent number: 7979194
    Abstract: The operation of a fuel injector for an internal combustion engine is controlled, wherein the fuel injector has an on time that includes a pull-in time during which injector current increases to a pull-in current followed by a hold time during which the injector current is limited to a hold current that is less than the pull-in current. A control circuit receives a pressure signal from a pressure sensor that corresponds to a pressure of fuel supplied to the fuel injector for injection into the engine, correlates the pressure signal with fuel pressure, and decreases the pull-in time with increasing fuel pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2011
    Assignee: Cummins Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel D. Wilhelm, David L. Buchanan
  • Patent number: 7974766
    Abstract: A valve control system for an internal combustion engine includes a valve actuation system. The valve actuation system includes lift control valves that actuate at least one of an intake valve and an exhaust valve between N open lift modes, where N is an integer greater than one. A control module enables transitioning of at least one of the intake valve and the exhaust valve between the open lift modes. The control module synchronizes transitions between the N open lift modes with crankshaft and valvetrain timing. The control module generates an engine position synchronization signal based on the transitioning.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2011
    Inventor: Allen B. Rayl