Exhaust Gas Circulation (egc) Patents (Class 701/108)
  • Patent number: 7493896
    Abstract: A control system and method for an exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) system of an engine includes a first sensor that senses fresh mass air flow, a second sensor that senses charge air flow, where the charge air flow is based on the fresh mass air flow and EGR exhaust flow, and a calculation module that determines a difference between the fresh mass airflow and the charge air flow and generates an EGR valve control signal based on the difference.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2009
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations, Inc.
    Inventors: Sherif H. El Tahry, Ognyan N. Yanakiev
  • Publication number: 20090048765
    Abstract: An internal combustion engine is selectively operative in a spark ignition combustion mode and a controlled auto-ignition combustion mode. An EGR valve operative to control flow of exhaust gas to an intake manifold is monitored, including commanding the EGR valve to a closed position and monitoring operation of the internal combustion engine. An intake manifold pressure due to a fresh air charge is estimated based upon the operation of the engine. The intake manifold pressure is measured, and the estimated intake manifold pressure is compared to the measured intake manifold pressure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 11, 2008
    Publication date: February 19, 2009
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Jun-Mo Kang, Chen-Fang Chang, Allen B. Rayl, Vijay Ramappan
  • Publication number: 20090031710
    Abstract: An emissions control system is disclosed. The emissions control system may have an SCR device that receives a flow of exhaust. The emissions control system may also have an injector that introduces a reduction agent into the flow of exhaust at or upstream of a catalyst within the SCR device. The emissions control system may have a controller in communication with the injector, the controller being configured to calculate a first amount of the reduction agent by using an approximation that at least one of a plurality of SCR reactions must be completed before the remaining SCR reactions commence. The controller may also be configured to adjust the injector according to at least the first amount.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 31, 2007
    Publication date: February 5, 2009
    Inventors: Zhiyong Wei, Cho Ying Liang
  • Patent number: 7484504
    Abstract: An air-fuel ratio control system includes: a catalyst; an oxygen concentration sensor; an integral value calculation portion that calculates an integral value of a deviation updated by integrating the deviation between an output value from the oxygen concentration sensor and a reference value; an air-fuel ratio control portion that controls an air-fuel ratio of exhaust gas entering the catalyst to be equal to a target air-fuel ratio; a target air-fuel ratio switching portion that sets a rich target air-fuel ratio when the output value has been inverted from rich to lean while sets a lean target air-fuel ratio when the output value has been inverted from lean to rich; and an integral value correction portion that corrects the integral value of the deviation when the air-fuel ratio is being controlled to a switched target air-fuel ratio, based on whether the next inversion takes place within a predetermined time period from the last inversion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2009
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Naoto Kato, Shuntaro Okazaki
  • Publication number: 20090019833
    Abstract: An apparatus, system, and method are disclosed for determining a time-temperature history of an aftertreatment device. The apparatus includes an aftertreatment device comprising a substrate, and at least one thermal monitoring member (TMM) in thermal contact with the substrate. The TMMs may comprise a material that exhibits an electrical resistivity change at temperature over time. The apparatus may include a controller configured to measure the electrical resistivity of at least a portion of the TMMs, and to determine a thermal history based on the electrical resistivity measures.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 19, 2007
    Publication date: January 22, 2009
    Inventors: Thomas M. Yonushonis, Randall J. Stafford, Conrad J. Simon, III, Bryan E. Blackwell, Kevin Westerson
  • Patent number: 7480557
    Abstract: A control system for an internal combustion engine having fuel injectors for injecting fuel into a combustion chamber of the engine. A fuel property is estimated based on a combustion state of the fuel injected into at least one cylinder of the engine. The fuel injectors are controlled so that a specific amount of fuel is injected into the at least one cylinder and an amount of fuel corresponding to an operating condition of the engine is injected into cylinders other than the at least one cylinder. An additional fuel injection is performed after the fuel injection of the specific amount with respect to the at least one cylinder, for example, when a torque difference parameter indicative of a difference between a torque generated by the at least one cylinder and a torque generated by the other cylinders is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 20, 2009
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Satoshi Yamaguchi, Mamoru Hasegawa, Hideki Sakamoto, Naoto Kitayama
  • Patent number: 7480558
    Abstract: The invention comprises a method for controlling operation of a homogeneous charge combustion ignition engine operating in an auto-ignition mode. The method comprises determining a desired combustion phasing; and, controlling a mass flowrate of externally recirculated exhaust gas based upon an actual combustion phasing. A closed-loop control scheme is executed to control the mass flowrate of externally recirculated exhaust gas based upon a difference between the actual and the desired combustion phasing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 20, 2009
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations, Inc.
    Inventors: Jun-Mo Kang, Chen-Fang Chang, Man-Feng Chang, Nicole Wermuth
  • Patent number: 7477982
    Abstract: An exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) system may include an EGR flowpath configured to route a portion of exhaust gases produced by an engine back to an air intake of the engine. The system may include an EGR valve configured to regulate the flow of exhaust gases through the EGR flowpath. In addition, the system may include a flow detection device configured to determine the flowrate of exhaust gases through the EGR flowpath. The system may further include a controller configured to control the EGR valve. In some embodiments, the controller may be configured to control the EGR valve using open-loop control when the flow detection device determines that the EGR flowrate is below a predetermined flowrate and using closed-loop control when the detection device determines that the EGR flowrate is at or above the predetermined flowrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2009
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Evan Jacobson, Christopher Gehrke, Brian Tranel
  • Publication number: 20090012665
    Abstract: A torque estimation system for a vehicle comprises an operating parameter module, a torque estimation module, and an estimation control module. The operating parameter module determines an estimated engine operating parameter based on engine speed. The torque estimation module estimates engine torque based on the engine speed and the estimated engine operating parameter. The estimation control module provides a plurality of engine speeds to the operating parameter module and the torque estimation module to determine estimated engine torque as a function of engine speed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 14, 2008
    Publication date: January 8, 2009
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Daniel G. Brennan, Leonard G. Wozniak, Robert C. Simon, JR., Jeffrey M. Kaiser, Emil Ritzen, Mats A. Reimark, Richard M. Backman, Magnus Wall, Thomas Magnusson
  • Patent number: 7472685
    Abstract: An internal combustion engine includes a throttle controlling mechanism; a valve characteristic varying mechanism which controls an internal EGR rate by the control of an overlap period Pa and a non-overlap period Pb; and an output setting means which sets a required amount of engine output. The throttle controlling mechanism controls an opening degree of a throttle valve to fully open the throttle valve at a predetermined load Da with an increase in an operating amount D in a first load range Fa which covers load range below the predetermined load Da in a low-load range, and to keeps the throttle valve fully opened in a second load range Fb which covers a load range over the predetermined load Da. The valve characteristic varying mechanism controls the engine output by controlling the overlap period Pa or the non-overlap period Pb according to the required amount D over the entire load range, and controls valve operation characteristics to obtain a maximum internal EGR rate at the predetermined load Da.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2009
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kazuya Tanabe, Takashi Tsutsumizaki, Yutaka Inomoto, Kosuke Tsunashima
  • Patent number: 7474954
    Abstract: A method for operating an electronic controlled internal combustion engine with an electronic control unit (ECU) having at least nonvolatile memory and tables resident therein to automatically recalibrate an exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) differential pressure sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2009
    Assignee: Detroit Diesel Corporation
    Inventor: Peter Zagone
  • Patent number: 7474953
    Abstract: A process for determining particle input into a particle filter arranged in the exhaust fume stream of an internal combustion engine makes it possible to determine the mass of deposited particles by taking into account particle and nitrogen oxide emission.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2009
    Assignee: AVL List GmbH
    Inventors: Holger Hülser, Manfred Krickler
  • Patent number: 7469692
    Abstract: A power system including an exhaust producing engine, an exhaust system and an exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) system is provided. The EGR system may include an EGR flowpath and an air intake system. The EGR system may also include an EGR valve configured to regulate the flow of exhaust gases through the EGR flowpath. The power system may also include a monitoring system configured to monitor operating parameters of at least two components of the EGR system. The power system may also include a controller configured to determine, based on the monitored operating parameters, a maximum flowrate value for each of the components. Each of the maximum flowrate values may represent the maximum EGR flowrate for that component. The controller may be configured to control the EGR valve, based on the maximum flowrate values, to result in an EGR flowrate no greater than the lowest of the maximum flowrate values.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2008
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin Dea, James Durand, Evan Jacobson
  • Publication number: 20080314023
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for determining the actual oxygen load of a 3-path catalyst of a lambda-controlled internal combustion engine, whereby a value for the actual oxygen load is calculated from the signal of a pre-catalyst lambda probe and the measured air mass flow rate by integration over time, whereby the post-catalyst lambda probe is initialized when the signal is interrupted.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 6, 2004
    Publication date: December 25, 2008
    Inventors: Wolf-Dieter Pohmerer, Volker Renz, Gerd Rosel, Milos Tichy
  • Patent number: 7467614
    Abstract: Systems and methods for using pedal position and/or pedal change rate in the fuel side and/or air side control of an engine. By knowing the pedal position and/or pedal rate, an engine controller may anticipate future fuel and/or air needs of the engine, and adjust the fuel profile and/or air profile to meet those anticipated needs. This may help improve the responsiveness, performance and emissions of the engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2008
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: Gregory E. Stewart, Syed M. Shahed, Francesco Borrelli, Gregory J. Hampson
  • Patent number: 7469181
    Abstract: A homogeneous charge compression ignition engine is set up by first identifying combinations of compression ratio and exhaust gas percentages for each speed and load across the engines operating range. These identified ratios and exhaust gas percentages can then be converted into geometric compression ratio controller settings and exhaust gas recirculation rate controller settings that are mapped against speed and load, and made available to the electronic engine controller. This provides the engine controller with a look up table of what compression ratio and exhaust gas rates should be at each speed and load. The engine controller also balances at least one of combustion phasing and energy release among a plurality of cylinders in order to enable higher load operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2008
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin P. Duffy, Andrew J. Kieser, Michael P. Liechty, William L. Hardy, Anthony Rodman, Carl-Anders Hergart
  • Patent number: 7469177
    Abstract: Systems and methods for controlling automotive powertrains using a distributed control architecture are disclosed. A distributed control system may include a supervisory control unit for controlling one or more powertrain subsystems, and one or more subsystem control units in communication with the supervisory control unit. The supervisory control unit can be configured to execute a central optimization algorithm that computes variables from across multiple powertrain subsystems, and then outputs a number of globally approximated command values to each associated subsystem control unit. In some embodiments, the central optimization algorithm can be configured to solve a global cost function or optimization routine. One or more of the subsystem control units can be configured to execute a lower-level algorithm or routine, which can comprise a higher-fidelity model than that used by the central optimization algorithm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2008
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: Tariq Samad, Syed M. Shahed, Joseph Z. Lu, Gregory E. Stewart, Vladimir Ravlena
  • Publication number: 20080307774
    Abstract: An emissions control system comprises a temperature determination module and an emissions control module. The temperature determination module determines a first temperature of a heater element of a diesel particulate filter (DPF) assembly in an exhaust system and determines a second temperature of a catalyst of the DPF assembly. The emissions control module selectively activates the heater element, selectively initiates a predefined combustion process in an engine based upon the first temperature, and selectively starts a reductant injection process based upon the second temperature.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 28, 2007
    Publication date: December 18, 2008
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Eugene V. Gonze, Michael J. Paratore, JR.
  • Patent number: 7461627
    Abstract: A compression ignition engine (10) has a control system (40), one or more combustion chambers (12), and fuel injectors (42, 44) for injecting fuel into the combustion chambers. The control system controls fueling using a result of the processing of engine speed and engine load to select a particular domain for engine operation (HCCI, HCCI+CD, or CD, —FIG. 1). When the processing selects HCCI, the engine is fueled to cause alternative diesel combustion (such as HCCI) in all combustion chambers. When the processing selects CD, all combustion chambers are fueled for conventional diesel combustion. When the processing selects HCCI+CD, a first group of combustion chambers are fueled for HCCI combustion and a second group for CD combustion. Each group (G1, G2) has its own EGR valve (34, 38) and turbocharger (22, 24).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2008
    Assignee: International Engine Intellectual Property Company, LLC
    Inventors: Zhengbai Liu, Puning Wei
  • Publication number: 20080288110
    Abstract: This technology provides methods and systems for catalyst feasibility analysis and the optimal determination of automotive catalyst specifications utilizing, but not limited to, light-off performance, air-to-fuel ratio tolerance, and steady state emissions performance catalyst criteria. This technology additionally provides a catalyst feasibility index algorithm that includes various catalyst criteria inputs and provides for weighting factors to independently value each catalyst input. The technology further provides for the optimal determination of automotive catalyst specifications in order to reduce vehicle toxic exhaust emissions such as hydrocarbons (HC) and oxides of nitrogen (NOx).
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 17, 2007
    Publication date: November 20, 2008
    Inventors: William E. Leisenring, Vipul Patel, Kevin Deweerdt
  • Publication number: 20080275627
    Abstract: The invention provides a fuel injection control device for an internal combustion engine that can improve the accuracy of combustion control regarding smoke suppression. The fuel injection control device is applied to an engine provided with an EGR device for returning, as a part of an intake gas flown into the cylinder, an EGR gas, withdrawn from an exhaust passage, to an air intake passage. The amount of oxygen OXM contained in the intake gas and the concentration of oxygen OXC contained in the intake gas are detected (steps S1 and S2).
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 8, 2006
    Publication date: November 6, 2008
    Inventor: Akio Matsunaga
  • Patent number: 7447587
    Abstract: Method and system for controlling cylinder to cylinder variations of undesirable emissions in exhaust gas of engines with exhaust gas recirculation. An engine model is used to predict the intake composition of the next cylinder firing based on the composition of the exhaust, as a function of time and applicable engine conditions. At least one engine parameter is adjusted to compensate for the predicted intake composition in order to minimize cylinder to cylinder variations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2008
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: Lubmir Baramov, Vladimir Havlena, Michael L. Rhodes, Tariq Samad
  • Publication number: 20080264393
    Abstract: Methods of operating low emission high performance compression ignition engines. After an expansion stroke during which combustion occurred, a predetermined amount of exhaust gas is trapped in the combustion chamber during the next compression stroke, typically by closure of an exhaust valve. Then fuel is injected into the combustion chamber, the amount of exhaust gas trapped being limited so that that compression stroke does not cause compression ignition. Then typically near the end of the following expansion stoke, air is injected so that compression ignition occurs at or near the end of the next compression stoke.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 29, 2008
    Publication date: October 30, 2008
    Applicant: Sturman Digital Systems, LLC
    Inventor: Oded Eddie Sturman
  • Patent number: 7444220
    Abstract: Under a switchover operation of an EGR valve from OFF to ON or from ON to OFF, the control procedure of the invention keeps an engine power demand Pe*, which is to be output from an engine and is set corresponding to a torque demand Tr* to be output to a drive shaft, unchanged to a previous level (Previous Pe*) set immediately before the switchover operation of the EGR valve (step S120). A torque command Tm2* of a motor MG2 is set to ensure output of the torque demand Tr* to the drive shaft (step S126). The engine and motors MG1 and MG2 are then driven and controlled with preset target values and torque commands. Such control desirably prevents a variation in load of the engine simultaneous with the switchover operation of the EGR valve and accordingly ensures favorable emission control performance, while attaining output of the torque demand Tr* to the drive shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2008
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Makoto Yamazaki
  • Patent number: 7440836
    Abstract: A control system for an internal combustion engine, which is capable of properly performing air-fuel ratio control and ignition timing control according to an actual amount of intake air, even when reliability of the results of detection of the operating condition of a variable intake mechanism is low. The control system for controlling air-fuel ratio and ignition timing includes an ECU. The ECU calculates a target air-fuel ratio, calculates an air-fuel ratio correction coefficient, calculates a statistically processed value of an air-fuel ratio index value, calculates a corrected valve lift and a corrected cam phase, and determines a fuel injection amount according to the corrected valve lift, the corrected cam phase, and the air-fuel ratio correction coefficient.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2008
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yuji Yasui, Masahiro Sato, Mitsunobu Saito, Hiroshi Tagami, Kosuke Higashitani
  • Patent number: 7437874
    Abstract: A method for controlling exhaust gas particulate emissions from a compression ignition internal combustion engine having a variable geometry turbocharger (VGT) includes the steps of determining backpressure across the engine and air mass flow into the engine, closing vanes of the VGT to provide air mass flow increase when backpressure is increasing, and stopping the step of closing the vanes of the VGT when a decrease in rate of change of air mass flow is determined.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2008
    Assignee: Detroit Diesel Corporation
    Inventors: Ravishankar Ramamurthy, Laurentiu Vaduva, Admir Krejo
  • Patent number: 7430483
    Abstract: A method of analyzing variations in an indicator of the behavior of a mechanism, in which noise is extracted, and any discontinuities from an indicator in order to obtain a trend, variations in the trend are compared with one or more reference values; and a fault of the mechanism is indicated as a function of the result of the comparison. Any outlier data in the indicated data are search for and subtracted, and any edge data are extracted from the data obtained from the search operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2008
    Assignee: Eurocopter
    Inventor: Johan Wiig
  • Publication number: 20080221780
    Abstract: A control device is provided that controls the injection quantity and injection timing of fuel injected into the cylinder of a diesel engine, in which are provided two control modes of: a normal injection mode in which the injection quantity and injection timing are controlled so that the injected fuel ignites near compression top dead center during an injection period; and a premixed injection mode in which the injection quantity and injection timing are controlled so that fuel injection is completed before compression top dead center and the injected fuel ignites near compression top dead center after a premixing period, and target values of control parameters (pilot injection timing, and the like) are set in advance separately for each control mode, the control device comprising change means for gradually changing target values V1 of one control mode into the target values V2 of the other control mode when switching from one control mode to the other control mode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 4, 2005
    Publication date: September 11, 2008
    Applicant: Isuzu Motors Limited
    Inventor: Naoya Ishikawa
  • Patent number: 7421333
    Abstract: A technique is provided which can specify a member in which malfunction really occurs when there exists malfunction in at least one of a plurality of state values representing the state of an internal combustion engine. When an amount of fresh intake air is controlled by increasing and decreasing an amount of EGR gas in a feedback manner, and when an amount of fuel to be added to an exhaust gas is controlled based on an air fuel ratio sensor in a feedback manner, a determination is made, based on the result of comparison between output values and command values of members to be detected and corresponding reference values, as to in which member malfunction occurs. Such a determination is based on the fact that relations between output values and command values of the members to be detected and corresponding reference values in individual operating states are different from one another depending on sensors or devices in which malfunction occurs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2008
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hiroshi Sawada, Daisuke Shibata
  • Publication number: 20080196394
    Abstract: The invention concerns a system for assisting regeneration of pollution management means (1) integrated in an exhaust line (3) of a diesel engine (4), wherein the engine (4) is associated with common ramp means (7, 8) injecting fuel into the cylinders thereof, based on at least one post-injection and adapted to implement, in isocouple, through modification of engine operation control parameters, at least two regeneration strategies called level 1 and level 2 strategies and a second regeneration strategy including level 1 strategies and a sequence alternating the level 2 and over-calibrated level 2 strategies, enabling different thermal levels to be achieved in the exhaust line.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 20, 2005
    Publication date: August 21, 2008
    Applicant: PEUGEOT CITROEN AUTOMOBILES SA
    Inventor: Christophe Colignon
  • Publication number: 20080189027
    Abstract: An engine control system that includes a throttle and an exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) valve to regulate a mass air flow (MAF) into an engine includes a first module that determines a MAF control command based on a MAF error. A second module determines an EGR valve position based on the MAF control command and a maximum EGR valve range and the throttle resolution. The throttle is fully open and the EGR valve based on the EGR position when the desired MAF is less than the maximum EGR valve range.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 6, 2007
    Publication date: August 7, 2008
    Inventor: Qian Chen
  • Patent number: 7400967
    Abstract: A control system for an internal combustion engine having at least one fuel injection valve for injecting fuel to an intake pipe or a combustion chamber of the engine. Intake gas state parameters indicative of a state of the intake gases supplied to the engine are detected. Demand values of the intake gas state parameters are calculated according to operating condition parameters indicative of an operating condition of the engine. The intake gas state is controlled so that the intake gas state parameters coincide with the demand values. A control value is then calculated according to the operating condition parameters and deviations of the intake gas state parameters from the demand values. Accordingly, an amount of fuel injected by the at least one fuel injection valve is controlled according to the control value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2008
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd
    Inventors: Masaki Ueno, Katsuji Wada
  • Patent number: 7398773
    Abstract: An EGR recovery system and method includes calculating a transient volume of EGR sufficient to maintain NOx emitted by an engine below a predetermined level during a period of transient operation of said engine, supplying an actual volume of EGR during said period of transient operation, measuring said actual level of EGR during said period of transient operation, calculating an EGR deficit between said transient volume of EGR and said actual of volume of EGR during said period of transient operation, integrating said EGR deficit over said period of transient operation to calculate a deficit volume of EGR, calculating a following steady-state volume of EGR sufficient to maintain NOx emitted by said engine of said engine below said predetermined level during a following period of substantially steady-state operation of said engine, and supplying said following steady-state volume of EGR plus said deficit volume of EGR during said following period of substantially steady-state operation of said engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2008
    Assignee: Mack Trucks, Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen Geyer, Gregory J. Birky
  • Patent number: 7398649
    Abstract: The invention relates to a system and method for use in a homogeneous charge compression ignition (HCCI) combustion engine that is preferably equipped with an exhaust gas recirculation device. This system and method enable an improved adjustment of the temperature level inside the combustion chamber. In addition to adjusting the temperature by using the exhaust gas recirculation device, an influencing of the temperature, which is independent thereof, ensues based on the compression of the induced fresh air by the exhaust gas turbocharger. An increase in temperature is maintained even after the compressed air is expanded on a throttle valve, and this increase in temperature can, in the end, be used for influencing the energy content inside the combustion chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2008
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Erwin Bauer, Dietmar Ellmer, Thorsten Lauer
  • Publication number: 20080167791
    Abstract: A system includes a hydrogen fueled internal combustion engine, a fuel system configured to provide a flow of hydrogen fuel to the engine, and an exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) system configured to provide a flow of recirculated gas to the engine which includes exhaust gases. The system also includes an engine controller configured to control the fuel system and the EGR system, such that the engine receives a mixture which includes the hydrogen fuel, the ambient air and the recirculated gas in a stoichiometric fuel/air ratio that meets the torque demand on the engine. A method includes the steps of providing a flow of gaseous hydrogen fuel, a flow of ambient air, and a flow of recirculated exhaust gas to the engine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 13, 2007
    Publication date: July 10, 2008
    Inventors: Justin Fulton, Franklin Earl Lynch
  • Publication number: 20080163855
    Abstract: One embodiment is a unique system for controlling EGR. Other embodiments include unique apparatuses, systems, devices, hardware, software, methods, and combinations of these and other techniques for controlling EGR.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 17, 2007
    Publication date: July 10, 2008
    Inventors: Jeff Matthews, Ward Edwards, Vivek Sujan, Adrian Dale, Sam Geckler
  • Publication number: 20080167790
    Abstract: An EGR control device includes an EGR control means (44) which, when a large-amount EGR is requested, continuously controls an EGR valve (26) toward a fully open condition, and then continuously controls an intake throttle valve (12) toward a fully closed condition, and in a dead region where a change in the opening of the intake throttle valve only causes a small change in EGR quantity, the control means restricts a feedback control of the EGR quantity using the intake throttle valve and performs a feedback control of the EGR quantity using the EGR valve to compensate for the restriction of the feedback control using the intake throttle valve.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 28, 2005
    Publication date: July 10, 2008
    Applicant: MITSUBISHI FUSO TRUCK AND BUS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Seijiro Kotooka, Susumu Kohketsu, Hitoshi Yokomura
  • Patent number: 7398149
    Abstract: A control system for an internal combustion engine having a compressor wheel and a turbine wheel connected with the compressor wheel and rotationally driven by kinetic energy of exhaust gases from the engine, an exhaust gas flow rate changing device for changing a flow rate of exhaust gases injected to the turbine wheel, an exhaust gas recirculation passage for recirculating the exhaust gases to an intake pipe of the engine, and an exhaust gas recirculation control valve disposed in the exhaust gas recirculation passage. An exhaust pressure is detected, and a value of an intake gas parameter is obtained. A target value of the exhaust pressure and a target value of the intake pipe gas parameter are calculated. A control amount of the exhaust gas flow rate changing device and an opening control amount of the exhaust gas recirculation control valve are calculated using a model predictive control.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2008
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Masaki Ueno, Mitsuhiro Iwadare
  • Patent number: 7398148
    Abstract: The valve timing is changed to increase the internal EGR amount the moment a fuel cut process begins (FIG. 2C). Before a sufficient amount of internal EGR is obtained, control is exercised so that the throttle-opening angle TA is larger than a basic idle-opening angle TA0. When a sufficient amount of internal EGR is obtained, control is exercised so that the throttle-opening angle TA is smaller than the basic idle-opening angle TA0 (FIG. 2D). The increase in the internal EGR amount is rendered smaller during fuel cut at a low rotation speed than during fuel cut at a high rotation speed. In addition, the amount of decrease in the throttle-opening angle TA is rendered smaller during fuel cut at a low rotation speed than during fuel cut at a high rotation speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2008
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Mamoru Yoshioka, Yasuyuki Takama
  • Publication number: 20080162018
    Abstract: A power system including an exhaust producing engine, an exhaust system and an exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) system is provided. The EGR system may include an EGR flowpath and an air intake system. The EGR system may also include an EGR valve configured to regulate the flow of exhaust gases through the EGR flowpath. The power system may also include a monitoring system configured to monitor operating parameters of at least two components of the EGR system. The power system may also include a controller configured to determine, based on the monitored operating parameters, a maximum flowrate value for each of the components. Each of the maximum flowrate values may represent the maximum EGR flowrate for that component. The controller may be configured to control the EGR valve, based on the maximum flowrate values, to result in an EGR flowrate no greater than the lowest of the maximum flowrate values.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 29, 2006
    Publication date: July 3, 2008
    Inventors: Kevin Dea, James Durand, Evan Jacobson
  • Publication number: 20080162019
    Abstract: An internal combustion engine is provided with a control arrangement for influencing exhaust gas pressures and the level of In-Cylinder-Charge-Dilution (ICCD) so as to provide cycles with different emission characteristics. The exhaust gas pressure may be influenced by adjusting a combustion parameter between various cycles. The adjustment of the combustion parameter may, for example, include an adjustment of the injection timing, a change in shot mode, or a change in fuel quantity. By making such adjustments, cycle-to-cycle exhaust gas pressure variations may be introduced so as to influence future combustion events and reduce overall emissions and noise levels.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2007
    Publication date: July 3, 2008
    Inventor: Thomas W. Carlill
  • Publication number: 20080162020
    Abstract: An EGR control apparatus and method for an internal combustion engine which burns an air-fuel mixture with self ignition in addition to a flame propagation combustion, are provided for improving the combustion efficiency, engine output, drivability, and exhaust gas characteristics in an internal combustion engine which involves a self ignition combustion of an air-fuel mixture in addition to a flame propagation combustion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 27, 2007
    Publication date: July 3, 2008
    Applicant: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Chiho Itoga, Ken Ogawa, Toru Kitamura, Toshinari Shinohara
  • Publication number: 20080162021
    Abstract: A control apparatus and method for an internal combustion engine are provided for ensuring a stable combustion state and improving the fuel efficiency when an air-fuel mixture is burnt with self ignition while auxiliarily using a spark ignition. The control apparatus for an internal combustion engine which is operated in a plurality of modes including a torch self ignition combustion mode comprises an ECU. In the torch self ignition combustion mode, the ECU controls an internal EGR amount, calculates an actual exhaust closing angle, calculates a target exhaust closing angle, calculates a closing angle deviation, calculates a fuel injection amount for forming a homogeneous air-fuel mixture, calculates a correction coefficient in accordance with the closing angle deviation, and corrects a basic value by the correction coefficient to calculate a fuel injection amount for forming a stratified air-fuel mixture.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 28, 2007
    Publication date: July 3, 2008
    Applicant: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Chiho Itoga, Ken Ogawa, Toru Kitamura, Toshinari Shinohara
  • Publication number: 20080149078
    Abstract: A method of operating an internal combustion engine employs exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) in combination with directly injected gaseous fuels that are burned within the engine in a stratified combustion mode. An engine that employs EGR includes an injector adapted to provide a high pressure quantity of fuel into a combustion chamber within a given pressure range, at a given angle and through a nozzle hole size to help provide for EGR tolerance and, consequently, reduce emissions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 13, 2007
    Publication date: June 26, 2008
    Applicant: WESTPORT POWER INC.
    Inventors: Philip G. Hill, Mark E. Dunn, Sandeep Munshi
  • Publication number: 20080149080
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for operating an internal combustion engine, wherein exhaust gas produced by the internal combustion engine is returned to the internal combustion engine via an exhaust gas recirculation device, which comprises at least two cooling units with each of which a bypass is associated, the exhaust gas being cooled in the exhaust gas recirculation device as a function of the load state of the internal combustion engine, and wherein fresh air is fed to the internal combustion engine via a charge-air feed device, which comprises at least one cooling unit and at least one bypass connected in parallel to the cooling unit, the fresh air being supplied via the cooling unit and/or the bypass as a function of the load state. The invention also relates to an internal combustion engine comprising an exhaust gas recirculation device and a charge-air feed device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 6, 2007
    Publication date: June 26, 2008
    Applicant: Audi AG
    Inventors: Thomas Reuss, Axel Macher, Martin Gruber
  • Patent number: 7392129
    Abstract: This disclosure teaches a method of controlling a direct injection internal combustion engine and predicting the behaviour of a direct injection internal combustion engine. An estimation of initial cylinder pressure, air flow and EGR flow (if applicable) is used to establish a system that provides engine behaviour by integrating an injection module, combustion module and engine control module to provide data indicative of engine behaviour such as brake torque and power, air flow, EGR flow, cylinder pressure, brake specific fuel consumption, start of combustion, heat release rate, turbo-charger speed and other variables. These values can then be used to adjust commanded variables such as start of injection, commanded pulse width, rail pressure to meet operator demand. Also the output data can be used as a tool to determine how a conceptualised engine design will behave.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2008
    Assignee: Westport Power Inc.
    Inventors: Philip G. Hill, Mark E. Dunn, Guowei Li, Dehong Zhang
  • Publication number: 20080135026
    Abstract: An exhaust-gas introducing passage is branched, on an outlet side of a valve, into parts, correspondingly to the number of an exhaust port of an internal combustion engine and the branching section is located at a position directly opposed to a movable valving element of the valve so as to cause exhaust gas to easily flow only in the direction of the outlet, which has introducing passages of exhaust gas communicating with a plurality of intake ports of the internal combustion engine to approach as near as possible a state in which each of the introducing passages is isolated from another introducing passages, and they assume an aspect just as if the introducing passages do not substantially communicate with one another.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 26, 2005
    Publication date: June 12, 2008
    Inventors: Hidetoshi Okada, Toshihiko Miyake, Hisashi Yokoyama
  • Publication number: 20080140298
    Abstract: An engine torque control apparatus is applied to an engine control system comprising an engine for rotating an output shaft by using torque generated through combustion in cylinders. In the apparatus, exhaust gas passing through an exhaust passage of the engine is partially recirculated into an intake passage of the engine. Also, variable control is conducted in the apparatus, when an air-fuel ratio indicating a proportion between air and fuel supplied into the cylinders of the engine is changed to a leaner air-fuel ratio, so that torque parameters for increasing/decreasing output torque of the engine can be variably controlled. As a result, torque fluctuation associated with a temporarily changing recirculated uncombusted fuel quantity can be cancelled in a manner suitable for the temporarily changing recirculated uncombusted fuel quantity, at least during a predetermined period immediately after timing for changing the air-fuel ratio.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 12, 2007
    Publication date: June 12, 2008
    Applicant: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Youhei MORIMOTO, Hiroshi Haraguchi, Kazuo Kojima, Jyun Kawamura
  • Publication number: 20080133113
    Abstract: In a system for controlling an engine having an input u, there are provided with applying means (vibration signal) for applying a component p that changes at a predetermined cycle to the plant, a Washout Filter for calculating a parameter h based on an output y of the plant, a finite interval integrator for integrating a value j obtained by multiplying the calculated parameter h by the applied component p in an interval of integral multiple of a cycle of the component p, and an infinite interval integrator, etc. for calculating the input u based on the integrated value g obtained by the integration. Owing to this configuration, it becomes possible to provide a system that can optimize the output y, while preventing the resonance of the control system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 22, 2005
    Publication date: June 5, 2008
    Inventor: Yuji Yasui
  • Publication number: 20080133114
    Abstract: If a demanded power exceeds a predetermined threshold, where the threshold is based on a catalyst temperature, power from a power storage unit is supplied to a wheel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 5, 2006
    Publication date: June 5, 2008
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Shunsuke Okubo, Ming Kuang, Kenneth Frederick, Matthew Smith