Electrically Actuated Vavle Deactivation in Response to Vehicle Electrical System Conditions

• US 20070208471A1
• Filed: 05/17/2007
• Published: 09/06/2007
• 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, Michelini, John
• Granted Patent: US 7,743,747 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 701/36
• CPC Class Codes: F01L 1/38 for engines with other than four-stroke cycle, e.g. with two-stroke cycle F01L1/26, F01L1/28 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F01L 13/0005 Deactivating valves
• CPC Class Codes: F01L 9/20 by electric means
• 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 13/06 Cutting-out cylinders
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 2013/0292 in the start-up phase, e.g. for warming-up cold engine or catalyst
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 2041/0012 with selective deactivation of cylinders
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 2200/503 Battery correction, i.e. corrections as a function of the state of the battery, its output or its type
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 41/0002 Controlling intake air
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 41/0082 per groups or banks F02D41/0087 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 41/021 Introducing corrections for particular conditions exterior to the engine conjoint control of vehicle sub-units for propelling the vehicle B60W30/18
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 41/064 at cold start F02D41/067 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F02N 19/004 Aiding engine start by using decompression means or variable valve actuation
• CPC Class Codes: F02P 5/1506 with particular means during starting
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/12 Improving ICE efficiencies
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/40 Engine management systems

Abstract

A method for controlling at least valve to operate in at least a cylinder of an internal combustion engine coupled to a manifold, the method comprising of deactivating said valve in response to an operating condition of a vehicle electrical system, wherein during at least a first condition of the vehicle electrical system said valve is deactivated in a first position that allows at least some airflow between the cylinder and the manifold.

Claims

1. A method for controlling at least valve to operate in at least a cylinder of an internal combustion engine coupled to a manifold, the method comprising:

deactivating said valve in response to an operating condition of a vehicle electrical system, wherein during at least a first condition of the vehicle electrical system said valve is deactivated in a first position that allows at least some airflow between the cylinder and the manifold.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the valve is an electromechanically actuated valve.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the valve is a mechanically actuated valve.

4. The method of claim 1 further comprising, deactivating said valve in a second position during a second condition of the electrical system, wherein the second position allows less airflow between the cylinder and the manifold than said first position.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein said second position is a closed position of said valve.

6. The method of claim 4, wherein the first condition includes a different amount of power available to the engine by the vehicle electrical system than the second condition.

7. A method for controlling at least a valve to operate in at least a cylinder of an internal combustion engine of a vehicle, the vehicle including an electrical system, the method comprising:

operating the valve in the cylinder during a first condition of the vehicle electrical system; and

deactivating operation of said valve in said cylinder during a second operating condition of the vehicle electrical system, said valve deactivated in a desired position;

wherein said second condition of said electrical system is a lower amount of power available for the engine from said electrical system compared to an amount of power available to the engine in said first condition.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein said desired position is an open position.

9. The method of claim 7, wherein said desired position is a closed position.

10. The method of claim 7, wherein said valve is an electromechanically actuated valve.

11. The method of claim 7, wherein said valve is a mechanically actuated valve.

12. A method for controlling at least a valve to operate in at least a cylinder of an internal combustion engine of a vehicle, the vehicle including an electrical system, the method comprising:

starting an engine in a first mode using a first number of valves in response to a first condition of a vehicle electrical system; and

starting said engine in a second mode using a second number of valves, said second number of valves less than said first number, in response to a second condition of said vehicle electrical system;

wherein said second condition includes a lower amount of power available to the engine from the electrical system than said first condition.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein during said second mode at least one valve is deactivated in a closed position.

14. The method of claim 12, wherein during said second mode at least one valve is deactivated in an open position.

15. The method of claim 12 further comprising, deactivating the cylinder wherein at least one valve of said first number of valves is located.

16. The method of claim 12 further comprising, deactivating ancillary vehicle electrical loads during at least one of the first mode and the second mode.

17. The method of claim 12 further comprising, reactivating said valve in response to a third operating condition of said vehicle electrical system.

18. The method of claim 17 further comprising, reactivating one or more mechanically actuated valves in order of a combustion sequence, in response to said third operating condition of said vehicle electrical system.

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

instructions for deactivating said valve of said cylinder in response to an operating condition of a vehicle electrical system while maintaining combustion in said cylinder, said valve deactivated in a desired position.

20. The computer readable storage medium of claim 19, wherein said valve is an electromechanical valve.