Cylinder cutout strategy for engine stability

• US 20040177836A1
• Filed: 03/11/2003
• Published: 09/16/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 03/11/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Caterpillar Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Caterpillar Incorporated
• Inventors: Zwetz, David L., Hasler, Gregory S.
• Granted Patent: US 7,073,488 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 123/481
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 17/02 Cutting-out cutting-out engines in multiple engine arrangements F02D25/04
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 41/0087 Selective cylinder activation, i.e. partial cylinder operation deceleration cut-off F02D41/123
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 41/1497 With detection of the mechanical response of the engine

Abstract

A method for controlling operation of an engine having a plurality of cylinders. The method includes monitoring a parameter associated with engine operation, determining a range of fluctuation of the parameter from a desired parameter value, and selectively disabling operation of at least one cylinder and less than all of the plurality of cylinders in response to the range of fluctuation being greater than a predetermined threshold.

Claims

1. A method for controlling operation of an engine having a plurality of cylinders, comprising the steps of:

determining an operating condition of the engine;

monitoring a parameter associated with engine operation;

determining a range of fluctuation of the parameter from a desired parameter value; and

selectively disabling operation of at least one cylinder and less than all of the plurality of cylinders in response to the range of fluctuation being greater than a predetermined threshold.

2. A method, as set forth in claim 1, further including the step of enabling operation of each of the plurality of cylinders in response to determining a change in the determined operating condition of the engine.

3. A method, as set forth in claim 2, wherein determining an operating condition of the engine includes the step of determining a no load idle operating condition of the engine.

4. A method, as set forth in claim 3, wherein determining a change in the determined operating condition of the engine includes the step of determining a load being applied to the engine.

5. A method, as set forth in claim 1, wherein monitoring a parameter includes the step of monitoring a parameter associated with a speed of the engine.

6. A method, as set forth in claim 5, wherein determining a range of fluctuation includes the step of determining a range of fluctuation of the speed of the engine.

7. A method, as set forth in claim 6, wherein determining a range of fluctuation includes the step of determining a range of fluctuation of the engine speed from a desired engine speed.

8. A method, as set forth in claim 1, further including the step of increasing a delivery of fuel to each enabled cylinder in response to at least one cylinder being selectively disabled.

9. A method for controlling operation of an engine having a plurality of cylinders and a corresponding one of a plurality of fuel injectors for each cylinder, comprising the steps of:

determining an operating condition of the engine;

monitoring a parameter associated with engine operation;

determining a range of fluctuation of the parameter from a desired parameter value;

selectively disabling a delivery of fuel from at least one fuel injector and less than all of the plurality of fuel injectors to a corresponding at least one cylinder in response to the range of fluctuation being greater than a predetermined threshold; and

increasing a delivery of fuel from a normal operating value to an increased operating value from each of the remaining enabled fuel injectors to each corresponding enabled cylinder.

10. A method, as set forth in claim 9, wherein determining an operating condition of the engine includes the step of determining a no load idle operating condition of the engine.

11. A method, as set forth in claim 10, further including the step of enabling a delivery of fuel at the normal operating value from each fuel injector in response to determining a load being applied to the engine.

12. A method, as set forth in claim 9, wherein determining a range of fluctuation includes the step of determining a range of fluctuation of an engine speed from a desired engine speed.

13. A method for controlling operation of an engine having a plurality of cylinders, comprising the steps of:

determining a no load idle operating condition of the engine;

monitoring a speed of the engine;

determining a range of fluctuation of the engine speed from a desired engine speed;

selectively disabling operation of at least one cylinder and less than all of the plurality of cylinders in response to the range of fluctuation being greater than a predetermined threshold; and

enabling operation of each of the plurality of cylinders in response to determining a load being applied to the engine.