Electromechanically Actuated Valve Control for an Internal Combustion Engine

• US 20070049459A1
• Filed: 10/20/2006
• Published: 03/01/2007
• 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: Lewis, Donald
• Granted Patent: US 7,367,921 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 477/109
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 13/0203 Variable control of intake and exhaust valves
• 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 13/0257 Independent control of two or more intake or exhaust valves respectively, i.e. one of two intake valves remains closed or is opened partially while the other is fully opened
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 13/04 using engine as brake
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 2041/0012 with selective deactivation of cylinders
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 2250/18 Control of the engine output torque
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 2400/12 Engine control specially adapted for a transmission comprising a torque converter or for continuously variable transmissions
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 41/0087 Selective cylinder activation, i.e. partial cylinder operation deceleration cut-off F02D41/123
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 41/022 in relation with the clutch status
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 41/0225 in relation with the gear ratio or shift lever position
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 41/023 in relation with the gear ratio shifting conjoint control for improving gear change B60W30/19
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 41/062 for starting F02D41/061 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 41/3058 the engine working with a variable number of cycles
• CPC Class Codes: F02N 19/004 Aiding engine start by using decompression means or variable valve actuation
• CPC Class Codes: F16H 63/50 Signals to an engine or motor

Abstract

A system and method to control engine valve operation in an internal combustion engine. Valves are controlled to improve vehicle drivability and reduce vehicle noise.

Claims

1. A method for operating at least a valve in at least a cylinder of an internal combustion engine, the method comprising:

operating said valve at least during a first operating condition of a transmission coupled to said internal combustion engine; and

deactivating said valve at least during a second operating condition of said transmission coupled to said internal combustion engine.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein said first operating condition of said transmission is a first transmission oil temperature.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein said first operating condition of said transmission is a first gear of said transmission.

5. The method of claim 1 wherein said second operating condition of said transmission is a fifth gear of said transmission.

3. (canceled)

6. (canceled)

7. A method for controlling at least an electrically actuated valve to operate in at least a cylinder of an internal combustion engine, the method comprising:

determining an operating condition of a transmission coupled to said internal combustion engine;

evaluating whether to operate said electrically actuated valve in said cylinder based on said operating condition; and

operating said selected electrically actuated valve during a cycle of said cylinder based on said evaluation.

8. The method of claim 7 wherein said operating condition is the current and a subsequent gear selection of said transmission.

9. The method of claim 7 wherein said operating condition is the oil temperature of said transmission.

10. The method of claim 7 wherein said operating condition is a selected transmission gear.

11. The method of claim 7 wherein said operating condition is the state of a torque converter lock-up clutch.

12. The method of claim 7 wherein said operating condition is a torque loss of said transmission.

13. The method of claim 7 wherein said operating condition is a position of a gear selector switch.

34. The method of claim 7 wherein said electrically actuated valve is an electromechanical valve.

14. A method for controlling electrically actuated valves to operate in an internal combustion engine, the method comprising:

determining an operating condition of a transmission coupled to said internal combustion engine;

selecting a number of electrically actuated valves based on said determined transmission operating condition; and

operating said internal combustion engine with said selected electrically actuated valves during a cycle of said cylinder based on said evaluation.

15. The method of claim 14 wherein said operating condition is the current and a subsequent gear selection of said transmission.

16. The method of claim 14 wherein said operating condition is the oil temperature of said transmission.

17. The method of claim 14 wherein said operating condition is a selected transmission gear.

18. The method of claim 14 wherein said operating condition is the state of a torque converter lock-up clutch.

19. The method of claim 14 wherein said operating condition is a torque loss across said transmission.

35. The method of claim 14 wherein said electrically actuated valve is an electromechanical valve.

20. A method for controlling at least an electrically actuated valve to operate in at least a cylinder of an internal combustion engine, the method comprising:

determining an operating condition of a transmission coupled to said internal combustion engine;

selecting number of cylinders to operated based on said determined transmission operating condition; and

operating said internal combustion engine with said selected number of cylinders during a cycle of said cylinder based on said determination.

21. The method of claim 20 wherein said operating condition is the current and a subsequent gear selection of said transmission.

22. The method of claim 20 wherein said operating condition is the oil temperature of said transmission.

23. The method of claim 20 wherein said operating condition is a selected transmission gear.

24. The method of claim 20 wherein said operating condition is the state of a torque converter lock-up clutch.

25. The method of claim 20 wherein said operating condition is a torque loss of said transmission.

36. The method of claim 20 wherein said electrically actuated valve is an electromechanical valve.

26. A method for controlling at least an electrically actuated valve to operate in at least a cylinder of an internal combustion engine, the method comprising:

determining an operating condition of a transmission coupled to said internal combustion engine;

selecting a number of cylinders and electrically actuated valves to operate based on said determined transmission operating condition; and

operating said internal combustion engine with said selected number of cylinders and electrically actuated valves during a cycle of said cylinder based on said determination.

27. The method of claim 26 wherein said operating condition is the current and a subsequent gear selection of said transmission.

28. The method of claim 26 wherein said operating condition is the oil temperature of said transmission.

29. The method of claim 26 wherein said operating condition is a selected transmission gear.

30. The method of claim 26 wherein said operating condition is the state of a torque converter.

31. The method of claim 26 wherein said operating condition is a torque loss of said transmission.

37. The method of claim 26 wherein said electrically actuated vale is an electromechanical valve.

32. (canceled)

33. (canceled)