System and method for controlling engine torque while deactivating engine cylinders

• US 10,316,775 B2
• Filed: 02/10/2017
• Issued: 06/11/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 06/09/2016
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC (Ford Motor Company)
• Original Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC (Ford Motor Company)
• Inventors: Doering, Jeffrey Allen, Rollinger, John Eric, Willard, Karen, Grant, Robert Michael
• Primary Examiner(s): Nguyen, Hung Q
• Assistant Examiner(s): Mo, Xiao En
• Application Number:
  US15/429,817
• Publication Number:
  US 20170356370A1
• Time in Patent Office: 851 Days
• CPC Class Codes: F02B 37/12 Control of the pumps
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 13/0215 changing the valve timing only
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 13/04 using engine as brake
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 13/06 Cutting-out cylinders
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 17/02 Cutting-out cutting-out engines in multiple engine arrangements F02D25/04
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 2041/001 for engines with variable valve actuation
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 2041/0015 for engines with means for controlling swirl or tumble flow, e.g. by using swirl valves
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 2250/21 during a transition between engine operation modes or states
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 37/02 one of the functions being ignition
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 41/0002 Controlling intake air
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 41/0007 for control of turbo-charged or super-charged engines control of the pumps per se F02B37/12
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 41/0087 Selective cylinder activation, i.e. partial cylinder operation deceleration cut-off F02D41/123
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 41/123 the fuel injection being cut-off
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 41/18 by measuring intake air flow
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 41/26 using computer, e.g. microprocessor
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 9/08 Throttle valves specially adapted therefor; Arrangements of such valves in conduits
• CPC Class Codes: F02P 5/15 Digital data processing
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/12 Improving ICE efficiencies
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/40 Engine management systems

Abstract

Systems and methods for operating an engine with deactivating and non-deactivating valves are presented. In one example, a position of one or more volumetric efficiency control devices is changed in response to a request to deactivate one or more engine cylinders while at the same time the engine central throttle is adjusted. Spark timing may also be adjusted if engine air flow deviates from a desired engine air flow.

Claims

1. A vehicle system, comprising:

an engine including one or more cylinder poppet valves that may be deactivated, a central throttle, and an engine volumetric efficiency actuator; and

a controller including non-transitory executable instructions, which when executed by the controller, adjust the engine volumetric efficiency actuator to decrease engine volumetric efficiency before activating one or more cylinders while adjusting the central throttle to maintain engine air flow in response to a request to increase an actual total number of cylinders combusting air and fuel, where the engine volumetric efficiency actuator is one of a charge motion control valve and a turbocharger compressor, the charge motion control valve positioned in an air intake between a throttle and an intake poppet valve.

2. The vehicle system of claim 1, further comprising additional instructions to adjust the engine volumetric efficiency actuator to increase engine volumetric efficiency while adjusting the central throttle to maintain engine air flow in response to a request to decrease the actual total number of cylinders combusting air and fuel.

3. The vehicle system of claim 1, further comprising additional instructions to adjust timing of adjusting the engine volumetric efficiency actuator relative to timing of starting to deactivate the one or more cylinder poppet valves that may be deactivated.

4. The vehicle system of claim 1, further comprising additional instructions to adjust spark timing of the engine in response to an engine air flow error.

5. The vehicle system of claim 4, further comprising additional instructions to decrease boost pressure via the turbocharger compressor in response to the request to increase the actual total number of cylinders combusting air and fuel.

6. The vehicle system of claim 5, where boost pressure is decreased via a wastegate position adjustment.