A Method Of Torque Control For An Engine With Valves That May Be Deactivated

• US 20060241847A1
• Filed: 06/30/2006
• Published: 10/26/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 03/19/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC (Ford Motor Company)
• Original Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC (Ford Motor Company)
• Inventors: Kolmanovsky, Ilya V., Michelini, John O.
• Granted Patent: US 7,321,821 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 701/103
• CPC Class Codes: F01L 13/0005 Deactivating valves
• CPC Class Codes: F01L 9/20 by electric means
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 13/0211 the change of valve timing is caused by the change in valve lift, i.e. both valve lift and timing are functionally related
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 13/0253 Fully variable control of valve lift and timing using camless actuation systems such as hydraulic, pneumatic or electromagnetic actuators, e.g. solenoid valves
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 13/06 Cutting-out cylinders
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 2041/001 for engines with variable valve actuation
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 2041/0012 with selective deactivation of cylinders
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 2200/1006 Engine torque losses, e.g. friction or pumping losses or losses caused by external loads of accessories
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 2250/18 Control of the engine output torque
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 41/0087 Selective cylinder activation, i.e. partial cylinder operation deceleration cut-off F02D41/123
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/12 Improving ICE efficiencies

Abstract

A method to determine and control engine torque in an internal combustion engine. The method may significantly reduce torque strategy calculations and the calibration complexity.

Claims

1. A method for determining engine torque loss in an internal combustion engine for an engine controlled by a torque control strategy, the method comprising:

determining inactive cylinder torque losses of said engine;

determining active cylinder torque losses of said engine; and

determining an engine torque loss by summing said inactive cylinder torque loss and said active cylinder torque loss.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein said inactive cylinder torque loss is determined from friction torque loss and pumping torque losses.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein said active cylinder torque loss is determined from friction torque loss and pumping torque losses.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein said engine torque loss is further based on engine accessory losses.

5. The method of claim 1 wherein said inactive cylinder losses and active cylinder losses are based on an engine speed.

6. The method of claim 1 wherein said inactive cylinder losses and active cylinder losses are based on valve timing in respective cylinders.

7-15. -15. (canceled)

16. A system for operating an internal combustion engine with electromechanical valves, the system comprising:

a cylinder with at least an electromechanical intake valve and at least an mechanically actuated exhaust valve that can be controlled to adjust valve opening and closing events relative to a crankshaft location; and

a controller to adjust said electromechanical valve timing and said mechanically actuated valve timing.

17. The system of claim 16 wherein said mechanically actuated valve timing adjusts the phase of exhaust valve timing relative to a crankshaft position.

18. A computer readable storage medium having stored data representing instructions executable by a computer to control an internal combustion engine of a vehicle, said storage medium comprising:

instructions for determining inactive cylinder torque losses of said engine;

determining active cylinder torque losses of said engine; and

determining an engine torque loss by summing said inactive cylinder torque loss and said active cylinder torque loss.