Exhaust Gas Circulation (egc) Patents (Class 701/108)
  • Patent number: 7383118
    Abstract: This control apparatus obtains a relation (trade-off line) between NOx generation amount and PM generation amount with EGR ratio serving as a parameter from an NOx generation amount estimation model which calculates the NOx generation amount on the basis of the oxygen mole concentration of intake gas and a PM generation amount estimation model which calculates the PM generation amount on the basis of an excess air factor. Further, the control apparatus obtains a straight line (ratio determination line) which passes through a point (appropriate point A) corresponding to a combination of steady-condition appropriate values of the NOx generation amount and the PM generation amount under the present operating conditions and which has a slope K determined in consideration of a regulation value based on a law relating to emission control.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2008
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Daichi Imai, Shigeki Nakayama, Takao Fukuma
  • Publication number: 20080120017
    Abstract: A device is designed for determining a pre-set air/fuel ratio in the combustion chamber of a cylinder of an internal combustion engine. The device is further designed for determining a filtered, pre-set air/fuel ratio in the combustion chamber of the cylinder by filtering the pre-set air/fuel ratio in the combustion chamber of the cylinder by means of a filter which models the dynamic behavior of the upstream region of the exhaust gas catalyst relative to the arrangement of the exhaust gas probe in the exhaust gas catalyst, in particular its storage, reduction and/or oxidation properties. The device is further designed for determining an adjustable variable by means of a regulator as a function of the filtered and pre-set air/fuel ratio, and of a sensed air/fuel ratio in the combustion chamber of the cylinder.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 4, 2006
    Publication date: May 22, 2008
    Inventors: Paul Rodatz, Gerd Rosel, Hong Zhang
  • Publication number: 20080120013
    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: Application
    Filed: October 26, 2007
    Publication date: May 22, 2008
    Inventors: Satoshi Yamaguchi, Mamoru Hasegawa, Hideki Sakamoto, Naoto Kitayama
  • Publication number: 20080104942
    Abstract: A system, method, and software for controlling regeneration and desulfurization of a NOx adsorber is disclosed. An electronic control unit is connected with an engine for selectively controlling operation of the engine between a rich operating mode and a lean operating mode. A NOx adsorber is in fluid communication with a flow of exhaust from the engine. A NOx adsorber manager module is executable by the electronic control unit to determine the need to operate in a de-NOx mode or a de-SOx mode. If the NOx adsorber manager module determines a need exists to operate in the de-NOx mode and the de-SOx mode at the same time, the NOx adsorber manager module executes the de-SOx mode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 7, 2006
    Publication date: May 8, 2008
    Inventor: Joan M. Wills
  • Publication number: 20080109146
    Abstract: A system, method, and software for regenerating an adsorber connected with a flow of exhaust from an engine. An open-loop control module for ramping up and maintaining a temperature value of an adsorber to a regeneration temperature value by controlling an air fuel ratio value of an engine to operate at an open-loop controlled variable duty cycle. A closed-loop control module is operable to take control from the open-loop control module to maintain the adsorber at the regeneration temperature value if the temperature value of the adsorber deviates from the regeneration temperature value by controlling the air fuel ratio value of the engine to operate at a closed-loop controlled variable duty cycle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 7, 2006
    Publication date: May 8, 2008
    Inventors: Yue-Yun Wang, Sriram Satya Srinivas Popuri, Joan M. Wills
  • Publication number: 20080104957
    Abstract: A control apparatus for an internal combustion engine has an exhaust-gas turbocharger regulator which, as a function of a setpoint boost pressure and an actual boost pressure, determines a controlled actuating-variable exhaust-gas back-pressure. An exhaust-gas recirculation regulator determines, as a function of a setpoint air mass flow and an actual air mass flow, a controlled actuating-variable exhaust-gas recirculation mass flow. A first decoupling unit determines a decoupling mass flow in an exhaust-gas section. A second decoupling unit determines a decoupling exhaust-gas back-pressure. A first conversion unit determines a signal for the exhaust-gas turbocharger actuator as a function of the pilot-control actuating-variable exhaust-gas back-pressure, the controlled actuating-variable exhaust-gas back-pressure and the decoupling mass flow.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 28, 2006
    Publication date: May 8, 2008
    Inventors: Christian Birkner, Anselm Schwarte
  • Patent number: 7367188
    Abstract: A system for a diesel engine having an intake manifold and an exhaust manifold, comprises a turbocharger between the intake and exhaust manifolds; a low pressure exhaust gas recirculation system having a first valve coupled thereto for regulating flow; a high pressure exhaust gas recirculation system having a second valve coupled thereto for regulating flow; a first mass airflow sensor coupled in the engine intake manifold; and a control system configured to diagnose the degradation of the first mass airflow sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2008
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: David Barbe, Michiel J. van Nieuwstadt, Devesh Upadhyay
  • Publication number: 20080103680
    Abstract: An exhaust gas recirculation system is provided, including an exhaust gas recirculation flowpath configured to route a portion of exhaust gases produced by an engine back to an air intake of the engine. The system may also include an exhaust gas recirculation valve configured to regulate the flow of exhaust gases through the exhaust gas recirculation flowpath. In addition, the system may include a flow detection device configured to determine the flowrate of exhaust gases through the exhaust gas recirculation flowpath. The system may further include a controller configured to control the exhaust gas recirculation valve.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2006
    Publication date: May 1, 2008
    Inventors: Evan Jacobson, Christopher Gehrke, Brian Tranel
  • Publication number: 20080092529
    Abstract: An exhaust gas purifying apparatus for an internal combustion engine having a NOx removing device provided in an exhaust system of the engine and at least one fuel injector for injecting fuel into a combustion chamber of the engine. A temperature of the NOx removing device is detected and a regeneration process, which removes sulfur oxide accumulated in the NOx removing device, is performed. The regeneration process is performed by performing at least one post injection after performing a main injection by the at least one fuel injector to raise a temperature of the NOx removing device or by increasing a main injection amount of fuel to raise the temperature of the NOx removing device without performing the post injection. The exhaust gases are then controlled to flow into the NOx removing device in the reducing state.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 1, 2007
    Publication date: April 24, 2008
    Inventors: Hisao Haga, Norio Suzuki, Katsuji Wada
  • Patent number: 7356403
    Abstract: A control apparatus for an internal combustion engine with an exhaust recirculation system includes an acceleration request sensing section to sense a driver's acceleration request; and an engine operating condition sensing section to sense a current engine operation condition at the time of detection of the driver's acceleration request, to determine a margin from the engine operating condition at the time of detection of the driver's acceleration request, to a fuel economy deterioration region on a higher load side. A controlling section controls the EGR quantity, such as EGR rate, of the exhaust recirculation system in accordance with the margin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2008
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Youko Yoshioka, Takeshi Sato
  • Publication number: 20080082249
    Abstract: In a method for determining the conversion performance of an oxygen storage-capable catalytic converter of an internal combustion engine, it is proposed that the catalytic converter be supplied with a stoichiometric exhaust gas composition, a known emission change is briefly undertaken and at the same time the signals of a lambda probe located downstream from the catalytic converter are detected so that based on the emission change and signals of the lambda probe a differentiated conclusion about the conversion performance of the catalytic converter for the pollutants hydrocarbon HC and nitrogen oxides NOx is delivered. According to the invention a simple and cost-effective method for differentiation of the pollutants hydrocarbon HC and nitrogen oxides NOx and thus for carrying out an improved diagnosis method is made available.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 25, 2007
    Publication date: April 3, 2008
    Applicant: Audi AG
    Inventor: Bodo Odendall
  • Patent number: 7349792
    Abstract: A system for a virtual liquid sensor is disclosed including a method for operating the liquid sensor. The method includes determining a rate of generating condensation with respect to the component. The method also includes determining a rate of purging condensation with respect to the component. The method further includes determining an amount of accumulated condensation with respect to the component as a function of the rate of generating condensation and the rate of purging condensation over a given period of time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2008
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventor: James C. Durand
  • Patent number: 7349791
    Abstract: An acceleration request is detected in accordance with an accelerator opening PA (time t3 in FIG. 5B). If the detected acceleration request is a moderate acceleration request, an idle opening TA0 is set as an actual throttle opening TA (FIG. 5E), and a request for retarding an intake valve timing VVT is issued (FIG. 5D). Recovery from fuel cut-off is achieved at time t4 at which a misfire limit value (combustion assurance VVT value L) is reached by an actual VVT value (FIG. 5A).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2008
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Takashi Nishikiori, Mamoru Yoshioka, Norihisa Nakagawa
  • Patent number: 7346446
    Abstract: An internal combustion engine employs exhaust gas recompression and fuel injection during the recompression as part of an overall homogeneous charge compression ignition control. In-cylinder fuel reformation is estimated using exhaust gas burned gas fractions determined from sensed exhaust gases and models. Models include air actually consumed in in-cylinder fuel combustion and reforming processes and air required to complete in-cylinder combustion reactions of reformed fuel. Reformed fuel is calculated based on the modeled and measured exhaust gas burned gas fractions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2008
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations, Inc.
    Inventors: Jun-Mo Kang, Chen-Fang Chang, Tang-Wei Kuo
  • Publication number: 20080040014
    Abstract: There is provided with an ECU for estimating an unburned fuel amount (HC) emitted from an engine after fuel combustion or a temperature of a DPF based upon a required engine operating condition as a control target value. An exhaust gas temperature sensor for detecting a temperature of an exhaust gas emitted directly from the engine is provided. A program for compensating for an estimation error in regard to an estimation value of the unburned fuel amount estimated from the required engine operating condition, that is, an operating condition difference amount between the required engine operating condition and an actual engine operating condition, based upon an engine exhaust gas temperature detected from the exhaust gas temperature sensor is provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 16, 2007
    Publication date: February 14, 2008
    Applicant: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Shigeto Yahata, Shinichirou Okugawa, Tsutomu Soga
  • Patent number: 7328577
    Abstract: A multivariable controller that models the interaction between groups of sensors and groups of actuators during the operation of an engine. By accounting for the interactive effects that a group of actuators has on a sensor or group of sensors, improved system performance may be achieved. When emission sensors are used, such as NOX and/or PM sensors, the multivariable controller may help control the various engine actuators to reduce emissions of the engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2008
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: Gregory E. Stewart, Soumitri N. Kolavennu, Francesco Borrelli, Gregory J. Hampson, Syed M. Shahed, Tariq Samad, Michael L. Rhodes
  • Publication number: 20080028749
    Abstract: In a control device for an internal combustion engine provided with a NOX catalytic converter in an exhaust passage thereof, the progress of sulfur purging is computed from the consumption of reducing agent contained in the exhaust gas in the NOX catalytic converter. This computation may be based on the air fuel ratio of exhaust gas upstream of the NOX catalytic converter and the estimated consumption of the reducing agent contained in the exhaust gas or on the difference between the air fuel ratios of exhaust gas upstream and downstream of the NOX catalytic converter. In either case, the accuracy can be improved by taking into account the space velocity of the exhaust gas.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 31, 2007
    Publication date: February 7, 2008
    Inventors: Hisao Haga, Norio Suzuki, Katsuji Wada, Nobuhiro Komatsu
  • Patent number: 7321820
    Abstract: An engine control system that having an exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) valve includes a first module that determines an EGR error and a second module that calculates a fuel injection timing based on the EGR error. Operation of an engine is regulated based on the fuel injection timing to reduce emissions during transient operation of the engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2008
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations, Inc.
    Inventors: Ognyan N. Yanakiev, Chan-Chiao Lin, Sherif H. El Tahry
  • Patent number: 7320219
    Abstract: A method for controlling an internal combustion engine using model based control, the engine including a variable geometry turbocharger (VGT) driven in response to a VGT command signal and/or an exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) valve driven in response to an EGR valve command signal to recirculate exhaust to an engine intake manifold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2008
    Assignee: Detroit Diesel Corporation
    Inventor: Min Sun
  • Patent number: 7314041
    Abstract: An EGR control system that is capable of controlling the amount of recirculation of high-temperature and low-temperature recirculated gases, with high accuracy, to thereby improve the control accuracy of in-cylinder temperature. An ECU of an ERG control system calculates a fresh intake air ratio, and sets a target value of the fresh intake air ratio. The ECU calculates a feedback correction coefficient for converging the fresh intake air ratio to the target value, with an I-PD control algorithm, and sets an external EGR ratio and an internal EGR ratio. The ECU controls the EGR amount whose ratio is the larger, according to the larger one of the two ratios and the feedback correction coefficient, and controls the EGR amount whose ratio is the smaller, according to the smaller of the ratios and the learned value thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2008
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Ken Ogawa, Toru Kitamura, Atsushi Umemoto, Toshinari Shinohara, Mitsuru Sugimoto, Tetsuaki Nakano
  • Publication number: 20070276580
    Abstract: A deterioration signal generation device for a gas sensor for simulating a deterioration signal output by a gas sensor in a deteriorated state, the gas sensor detecting the fuel-air ratio of exhaust gas from an internal combustion engine based on the concentration of particular components in the exhaust gas, the deterioration signal generation device including a reference signal acquisition unit as defined herein, a reference signal storing unit as defined herein, a delay time setting unit as defined herein and a signal delay generation unit as defined herein.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 23, 2007
    Publication date: November 29, 2007
    Applicant: NGK SPARK PLUG CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Satoru Toda, Kunihiko Takamatsu, Naoto Sawaki
  • Patent number: 7292929
    Abstract: A system for a virtual dew point sensor is disclosed including a method for operating the virtual dew point sensor. The method includes determining a first humidity ratio indicative of the humidity associated with an ambient air as a function of at least a relative humidity associated with the ambient air. The method also includes determining a second humidity ratio indicative of the humidity associated with an exhaust gas as a function of at least one engine parameter. The method also includes determining a third humidity ratio indicative of combustion air directed toward an inlet manifold of an engine as a function of the first and second humidity ratios. The method further includes determining at least one dew point indicative of the combustion air as a function of the third humidity ratio and a pressure indicative of the combustion air.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2007
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventor: James C. Durand
  • Publication number: 20070250256
    Abstract: An HCCI engine is operated by controlling a plurality of engine operating parameters in accordance with a calibration data set representing equilibrium set-points of engine operation characterized by combustion phasing that is relatively least sensitive to cylinder charge temperature deviations.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 24, 2007
    Publication date: October 25, 2007
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Jun-Mo Kang, Chen-Fang Chang, Man-Feng Chang, Tang-Wei Kuo, Paul M. Najt
  • Patent number: 7275374
    Abstract: Methods and systems for controlling a diesel engine using a combined fuel and air-side controller are disclosed. An illustrative method may include the steps of providing a combined fuel and air-side controller adapted to coordinate both the fuel and air-side control of an engine, sensing one or more parameters, and outputting a fuel profile signal and one or more air-side control signals for controlling at least a part of the fuel-side and at least a part of the air-side of the engine. By centrally coordinating both the fuel and air-side control of the engine, the system can be configured to anticipate future fuel and/or air-side needs of the engine, thus improving system response, performance, and/or emissions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2007
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: Gregory E. Stewart, Syed M. Shahed, Francesco Borrelli
  • Patent number: 7275525
    Abstract: A control apparatus for an internal combustion engine can compensate for a variation of intake pressure resulting from various factors whereby a failure detection area can be expanded, and false detection can be prevented to enable failure determination for an EGR system with high reliability. The apparatus determines whether a vehicle is decelerating, forcedly opens and closes an EGR valve, and determines whether an EGR control device is in failure by comparing a pressure change index value based on intake pressures upon the forced opening and closing of the EGR valve with a failure determination value. The apparatus adjusts the intake pressure to a predetermined state before the EGR valve is forcedly opened and closed, whereby a failure determination can be always made based on the intake pressure whose variation was compensated for with the intake pressure becoming a predetermined characteristic to the number of revolutions per minute of the engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2007
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Masakazu Miyasako, Koji Wada, Motoyasu Suenaga
  • Patent number: 7272487
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for monitoring combustion stability of an HCCI internal combustion engine equipped with a crankshaft, an intake manifold and at least one cylinder, wherein stability is determined based on a deviation of an engine operating parameter such as, for example engine load or engine speed, from a predetermined threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2007
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Urs Christen, Paul Moraal, Alain Chevalier, Katie Vantine
  • Patent number: 7267117
    Abstract: A method and a device for controlling the exhaust gas recirculation in an internal-combustion engine are described herein. The engine is provided with an air-intake system, a gas-exhaust system, and an exhaust-gas-recirculation system. A linear oxygen sensor is arranged along the air-intake system in a section traversed, in use, by the air/recirculated-exhaust-gas mixture, for measuring the oxygen concentration in the mixture itself An electronic control unit is connected to the oxygen sensor and to the exhaust-gas-recirculation system for controlling the flow rate of recirculated exhaust gases on the basis of the oxygen concentration in the mixture taken in by the engine. In particular, the oxygen sensor is a UHEGO probe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2007
    Assignee: C.R.F. Societa Consortile per Azioni
    Inventors: Marco Tonetti, Enrico Lanfranco, Andrea Ruggiero
  • Patent number: 7269497
    Abstract: A method for engine control in a motor vehicle is specified, in particular a method for controlling a combustion engine in a motor vehicle, namely for optimally adjusting a quantity of exhaust gas, which is recirculated, in an exhaust gas recirculation branch, from an exhaust manifold situated after the engine on the output side to an intake manifold situated before the engine on the input side, and a device functioning according to the method, which enables controlling and, where applicable, regulation of the recirculated exhaust gas quantity, whereby the regulation, in a preferred embodiment of the invention, is supplemented with possibilities for parameter adaptation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2007
    Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Bart Hubert Schreurs, Julien Schmitt
  • Patent number: 7263428
    Abstract: A cylinder inflow exhaust gas amount calculation system of an internal combustion engine provided with an intake passage, an exhaust passage, an exhaust gas recirculation passage connecting the intake passage and exhaust passage, and an exhaust gas flow rate control valve arranged in the exhaust gas recirculation passage for controlling the flow rate of the exhaust gas flowing in the exhaust gas recirculation passage, and the system calculating an amount of cylinder inflow exhaust gas defined as an amount of exhaust gas flowing into a cylinder, utilizing an amount of passage exhaust gas defined as an amount of exhaust gas passing through the exhaust gas flow rate control valve, wherein an amount of cylinder inflow exhaust gas is calculated considering the dead time corresponding to the time taken until the exhaust gas passing through the exhaust gas flow rate control valve reaches the cylinder and a tracking lag of a change in the amount of cylinder inflow exhaust gas with respect to a change in the amount of
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2007
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Daisuke Kobayashi, Harufumi Muto, Masato Ehara, Jyunichi Kako
  • Patent number: 7260468
    Abstract: In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, a method of controlling an internal combustion engine system having an internal combustion engine is disclosed. The internal combustion engine includes an engine block defining a plurality of combustion chambers, an intake air system in fluid communication with the combustion chambers and providing intake air thereto, an exhaust gas system in fluid communication with the combustion chambers and carrying exhaust gas therefrom, a cooling system having a cooling fluid circulated therein and a recirculated gas system in fluid communication with the exhaust gas system and intake air system wherein a portion of the exhaust gas is routed from the exhaust gas system to the intake air system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2007
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc
    Inventors: James C Durand, Neil A Terry, Gregory W. Tomlins
  • Patent number: 7260467
    Abstract: A system and method are described for reducing engine vibration during cylinder deactivation in selected operating conditions. The method utilizes open valve deactivation to better match the cylinder pressure of deactivated cylinders to combusting cylinders. This mode is utilized, along with cylinder closed valve cylinder deactivation, to improve overall fuel economy, while at the same time reducing vibration felt by the vehicle driver.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2007
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Thomas W. Megli, Nate Trask
  • Patent number: 7255095
    Abstract: In an engine in which a first portion of engine cylinders operate in HCCI combustion mode only and a second portion of engine cylinders operate in SI combustion mode only, two EGR ducts and valves are provided: a first EGR duct adapted to provide flow from an exhaust of HCCI engine cylinders to an intake of HCCI cylinders; a first EGR valve disposed in the first EGR duct; a second EGR duct adapted to provide flow from an exhaust of SI cylinders to an intake of HCCI cylinders via a first EGR valve; and a second EGR valve disposed in the second EGR duct. By adjusting the EGR valves, the intake temperature to HCCI cylinders is controlled. During cold start, the second EGR valve is opened to pull SI exhaust through HCCI cylinders for the purpose of preheating HCCI cylinders.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2007
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: John Brevick, Diana D. Brehob
  • Patent number: 7251555
    Abstract: An exhaust gas recirculation passage connects an exhaust passage with an intake passage. A cooling device is mounted to the exhaust gas recirculation passage for cooling exhaust gas in the exhaust gas recirculation passage. An EGR valve adjusts a flow passage area of the exhaust gas recirculation passage. An exhaust gas quantity (EGR quantity) in the exhaust gas recirculation passage is feedback-controlled by manipulating an opening degree of the EGR valve based on a measurement value of an airflow meter. Existence or nonexistence of an abnormality in the cooling device is diagnosed based on whether a measurement value of the opening degree of the EGR valve contains a component corresponding to compensation for reduction of the EGR quantity due to degradation of cooling performance of the cooling device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2007
    Assignee: DENSO Corporation
    Inventor: Takahiko Kimura
  • Patent number: 7243019
    Abstract: An exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) valve positioning system that positions an EGR valve pintle includes a predicted temperature fuzzy logic module, an under heat fuzzy logic module, an over heat fuzzy logic module, and a multiplication module. The predicted temperature fuzzy logic module determines a predicted temperature of the pintle and generates a predicted temperature modifier based thereon. The under heat fuzzy logic module generates an under heat modifier representing the temperature of the pintle during warmup of an engine. The over heat fuzzy logic module generates an over heat modifier representing the temperature of the pintle after warmup of the engine. The multiplication module communicates with the predicted temperature fuzzy logic module, the under heat fuzzy logic module, and the over heat fuzzy logic module and generates a modifier signal based on the product of the predicted temperature modifier, the under heat modifier, and the over heat modifier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2007
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations, Inc.
    Inventors: Kurt D. McLain, Wenbo Wang
  • Patent number: 7228852
    Abstract: An engine control system that monitors flow restriction through an exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) system of an engine includes a first module that calculates a test EGR mass flow rate based on a first average EGR mass flow rate when the EGR system is in an EGR OFF mode and a second average EGR mass flow rate when the EGR system is in an EGR ON mode. A second module selectively generates a fault signal based on the test EGR mass flow rate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2007
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations, Inc.
    Inventors: Wenbo Wang, Kurt D. McLain
  • Patent number: 7222615
    Abstract: Provided are a method and device for operating an internal combustion engine having exhaust-gas recirculation, the method and device allowing a diagnosis of an exhaust-gas recirculation cooler during normal operation of the internal combustion engine. In this context, a variable characteristic of the functioning of the exhaust-gas recirculation cooler is monitored. The variable characteristic of the functioning of the cooling device is ascertained as a function of a measured value. The variable characteristic of the functioning of the exhaust-gas recirculation cooler is specified on the basis of an intact exhaust-gas recirculation cooler. The ascertained value of the variable characteristic of the functioning of the exhaust-gas recirculation cooler is compared to the predefined value. An error is detected when the ascertained value of the variable characteristic of the function of cooling device deviates from the specified value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2007
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Rainer Buck, Dirk Foerstner, Wilhelm Blumendeller
  • Patent number: 7218999
    Abstract: A target value processing unit, includes: an input section to which a target value signal showing a target value of a control process is inputted; a target value shaping unit shaping the target value signal inputted to the input section, into a signal form which is proper for a control treatment of a regulator implementing the control process; and an output section outputting to the regulator a shaped target value signal which is shaped by the target value shaping unit. The target value processing unit realizes the high-level control process without improving the regulator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2007
    Assignee: Omron Corporation
    Inventors: Nobutomo Matsunaga, Shigeyasu Kawaji, Ikuo Nanno, Masahito Tanaka, Takaaki Yamada, Yosuke Iwai, Takeshi Wakabayashi, Kazuo Tsuboi
  • Patent number: 7212908
    Abstract: A method of reducing nitrogen oxides (NOx) and particulate matter (PM) in compression ignition engine emissions. The method includes monitoring at least one engine sensor that generates a signal in response to at least one engine operating condition, and adjusting at least one engine control parameter in response to the signal such that in-cylinder spacial distribution of equivalence ratio and temperature is substantially maintained to an operating region. The operating region corresponds to a set of equivalence ratio with respect to temperature values that are substantially outside regions supportive of NOx and PM formation. The temperature values are greater than 1650 K, and the equivalence ratio values are greater than 0.5.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2007
    Assignee: Detroit Diesel Corporation
    Inventors: Xiaobin Li, Zornitza Pavlinova Pavlova-MacKinnon, Adedejo Bukola Oladipo, Rakesh Aneja
  • Patent number: 7201158
    Abstract: An exhaust gas recirculation control device in a diesel engine, capable of suppressing NOx and smoke discharged. A first temperature sensor (11) is provided at a portion more on the upstream side than a portion where a suction air path (3) joins an exhaust gas recirculation path (4), and a second temperature sensor (12) is provided on the downstream side. Further, an engine load detection sensor (6) and an engine speed detection sensor (7) are arranged. The exhaust gas recirculation control device also has memory means where the temperature of suction air before it is mixed with an exhaust gas and a temperature value at a second temperature sensor installation position are previously memorized, the temperature value corresponding to an appropriate exhaust gas recirculation amount that is uniquely defined by an engine load and an engine speed. Further, judging means is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2007
    Assignee: Yanmar Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Akihiro Nishimura, Michihiko Hara
  • Patent number: 7191052
    Abstract: In a method for determining the exhaust-gas recirculation quantity for an internal combustion engine having exhaust-gas recirculation, a basic quantity of a gas mixture inducted into the engine combustion chamber(s) is determined in advance, as well as a basic pressure and/or a basic temperature of the gas mixture for at least one predefinable basic state of the combustion engine at deactivated exhaust-gas recirculation is ascertained. With the engine running, pressure and/or temperature of the inducted gas mixture are/is then determined for the current engine state at activated exhaust-gas recirculation. The currently inducted gas-mixture quantity as the basic quantity is then corrected by at least the ratio of current pressure to basic pressure of the gas mixture and/or the ratio of basic temperature to current temperature of the gas mixture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2007
    Assignee: DaimlerChrysler AG
    Inventors: Christian Barba, Martin Dietz, Guenter Moll
  • Patent number: 7184877
    Abstract: A diesel engine (10) operates by alternative diesel combustion. Formation of fuel and charge air mixtures is controlled by processing a particular set of values for certain input data according to a predictor algorithm model (50) to develop data values for predicted time of auto-ignition and resulting torque, and also develop data values for control of fuel and air that will produce the predicted time of auto-ignition and resulting torque. The data values developed by the predictor algorithm and data values for at least some of the input data are processed according to a control algorithm (52) that compensates for any disturbance introduced into any of the data values for at least some of the input data being processed by the control algorithm. This causes the systems to be controlled by compensated data values that produce predicted time of auto-ignition and resulting torque in the presence of any such disturbance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2007
    Assignee: International Engine Intellectual Property Company, LLC
    Inventor: William de Ojeda
  • Patent number: 7181332
    Abstract: A residual ratio factor characterizing the amount of residual exhaust gas left in a selected cylinder at the end of a piston intake stroke is determined from tabular and surface models based on previously gathered dynamometer data from a test vehicle at various engine speeds. The residual ratio factor is then used to calculate the mole fractions of air and residual exhaust gas in the selected cylinder, which, in turn, are used to determine mass airflow at an engine intake port at the end of the intake stroke. The mass airflow can then be used to derive further models for determining an engine operating parameter, such as fuel/air ratio, required for achieving at preselected vehicle operating condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2007
    Assignee: DaimlerChrysler Corporation
    Inventors: Roger K Vick, Michael J Prucka, Timothy A Coatesworth, Denise M Kramer, Eugenio DiValentin, Gregory L Ohl
  • Patent number: 7181336
    Abstract: A control system of an internal combustion engine provided with a throttle valve passage air flow calculation equation by which the throttle valve passage air flow mt is expressed as a function of the downstream side intake pipe pressure at the downstream side of the throttle valve and a cylinder intake air flow calculation equation by which the cylinder intake air flow mc is expressed as a function of the downstream side intake pipe pressure, where said downstream side intake pipe pressure Pm and cylinder intake air flow mc when the throttle valve passage air flow mt found from said throttle valve passage air flow calculation equation and the cylinder intake air flow mc found from said cylinder intake air flow calculation equation match are calculated as the downstream side intake pipe pressure Pmta and cylinder intake air flow mcta at the time of steady operation under the operating conditions at that time is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2007
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Harufumi Muto, Yuichiro Ido
  • Patent number: 7181335
    Abstract: In a method for determination of a change in volumetric efficiency for an internal combustion engine, a reference volumetric efficiency is determined in advance. A first actual volumetric efficiency value which corresponds to a sensor error, is then determined at a first measurement point in a first rotational speed range in which a change in the flow losses in an intake tract has only a minor effect on the volumetric efficiency. A second actual volumetric efficiency value is determined at a second measurement point in a second rotational speed range that is greater than the first rotational speed range. The second actual volumetric efficiency value is corrected by means of the first actual volumetric efficiency value, and the change in volumetric efficiency is determined from the reference volumetric efficiency and the corrected second actual volumetric efficiency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2007
    Assignee: DaimlerChrysler AG
    Inventors: Christian Barba, Martin Dietz, Guenter Moll
  • Patent number: 7174714
    Abstract: Turbocompound systems can be used to affect engine operation using the energy in exhaust gas that is driving the available turbocharger. A first electrical device acts as a generator in response to turbocharger rotation. A second electrical device acts as a motor to put mechanical power into the engine, typically at the crankshaft. Apparatus, systems, steps, and methods are described to control the generator and motor operations to control the amount of power being recovered. This can control engine operation closer to desirable parameters for given engine-related operating conditions compared to actual. The electrical devices can also operate in “reverse,” going between motor and generator functions. This permits the electrical device associated with the crankshaft to drive the electrical device associated with the turbocharger as a motor, overcoming deficient engine operating conditions such as associated with turbocharger lag.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2007
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc
    Inventor: Marcelo C. Algrain
  • Patent number: 7177754
    Abstract: In an electronic control unit 31, a duty conversion map 41 from which a driving duty in energizing and driving an electromagnetic coil, not shown, of an electromagnetic vacuum adjustment valve 12 on the basis of a variable equivalent to target quantity of feedback of exhaust gas, for example, the magnitude of a desired negative pressure to a negative pressure output port (not shown) of the electromagnetic vacuum adjustment valve 12, and a duty correction map 42 from which a correction value for the driving duty is acquired on the basis inputted battery voltage and engine cooling water temperature, are provided. The driving duty is multiplied by the correction value acquired from the duty correction map 42, and on the basis of the corrected driving duty, energization to the electromagnetic vacuum adjustment valve 12 is performed by a driving circuit 26.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2007
    Assignee: Bosch Automotive Systems Corporation
    Inventors: Junichi Kaneko, Toshiko Okazaki
  • Patent number: 7174713
    Abstract: An engine management system uses physically based models to determine the composition and mass of the fresh air/exhaust gas mixture suctioned by an internal combustion engine. The models are closely coupled to each other in a partial manner and are used to simulate the filling of the combustion chamber with the suctioned fresh air/waste gas mixture in order to simulate the flow of the mass of re-circulating exhaust gas, the behavior of the exhaust gas manifold upstream and downstream from a turbine, the storage behavior of the intake manifold, and the behavior of the intake pipe or inlet manifold whereby the fresh air/exhaust gas mixture is fed to the combustion engine from a corresponding mixing point where the suctioned fresh air is mixed with the exhaust gas re-circulated via the exhaust gas re-circulation line. As a result, a plurality of additional state variables can be determined without additional sensors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2007
    Assignee: Volkswagen Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Hans-Georg Nitzke, Thorsten Rebohl, Jens Jeschke
  • Patent number: 7174250
    Abstract: In a method of determining the quantity of exhaust gas recirculation for an internal combustion engine having exhaust gas recirculation, the exhaust gas recirculation quantity (rAGR, mAGR) is determined from an exhaust gas temperature (Texhaust), a fresh gas temperature (Tair2), a fresh gas quantity (mair) and/or a volumetric efficiency (?). The fresh gas temperature (Tair2) is determined by a fresh gas temperature model (15) which is adaptively adjusted in response to influencing parameters relevant to the fresh gas temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2007
    Assignee: DaimlerChrysler AG
    Inventors: Christian Barba, Martin Dietz, Guenter Moll
  • Patent number: 7165399
    Abstract: Methods and Systems for using a measure of fueling rate in the air side control of an engine. By using a measure of the fueling rate, the air side control may, for example, anticipate the future air side needs of the engine, and adjust one or more air side parameters to meet the anticipated future air side needs of the engine. This may improve the responsiveness, performance and emissions of the engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2007
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventor: Gregory E. Stewart
  • Patent number: 7155331
    Abstract: Methods for estimating the mass flow rate of NOx in an exhaust stream by correlating the level of NOx to an engine parameter. The level of NOx can be estimated as a function of engine power, of intake pressure, of exhaust temperature, as a function of the percentage of O2 in the exhaust stream, or as a combination of any of these. Once the level of NOx is approximately known, the exhaust system of the engine system can be modified to improve the removal efficiency of NOx and exhaust particulate matter from the exhaust stream. These methods for estimating the NOx mass flow rate can be used for an exhaust configuration that includes a lean NOx catalyst (LNC), a selective catalytic reduction (SCR) catalyst, or a lean NOx trap (LNT). A particulate filter can be present in the exhaust configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2006
    Assignee: Donaldson Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Wenzhong Zhang, Theodore G. Angelo