METHOD FOR OPERATING AN INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINE USING DIFFERENT FUEL TYPES

• US 20080006252A1
• Filed: 06/29/2007
• Published: 01/10/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 07/05/2006
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC (Ford Motor Company)
• Original Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC (Ford Motor Company)
• Inventors: Kramer, Ulrich
• Application Number:
  US11/770,882
• Publication Number:
  US 20080006252A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 123/575
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 13/0269 Controlling the valves to perform a Miller-Atkinson cycle
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 15/00 Varying compression ratio
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 19/06 peculiar to engines working with pluralities of fuels, e.g. alternatively with light and heavy fuel oil, other than engines indifferent to the fuel consumed
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 19/084 Blends of gasoline and alcohols, e.g. E85
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 19/088 by estimation, i.e. without using direct measurements of a corresponding sensor
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 2041/001 for engines with variable valve actuation
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 41/0002 Controlling intake air
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 41/0025 Controlling engines characterised by use of non-liquid fuels, pluralities of fuels, or non-fuel substances added to the combustible mixtures
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/12 Improving ICE efficiencies
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/30 Use of alternative fuels, e.g. biofuels
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/40 Engine management systems

Abstract

This description relates to a method for operating an internal combustion engine which is designed and suitable for use with at least two different fuel types. The fuel type is determined by an engine controller and adaptation of engine operating parameters is made in response to the fuel type.

Claims

1. A method for operating an internal combustion engine capable of operating on different fuel types, the method comprising:

increasing engine coolant temperature as the octane number of a fuel combusted in said internal combustion engine increases.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein the type of said fuel is determined by an amount of fuel that leaks from a volume of fuel.

3. The method of claim 1 further comprising increasing the cylinder charge pressure as said octane number increases.

4. The method of claim 1 further comprising increasing the compression ratio of said engine as said octane number increases.

5. The method of claim 1 further comprising retarding intake valve timing as said octane increases.

7. The method of claim 1 further comprising increasing the cylinder charge pressure as said octane number increases.

8. The method of claim 1 further comprising increasing the compression ratio of said engine as said octane number increases.

9. The method of claim 1 further comprising retarding intake valve timing as said octane increases.

6. A method for operating an internal combustion engine capable of operating on different fuel types, the method comprising:

determining a type of fuel to be combusted by said internal combustion engine; and

increasing engine coolant temperature as the knock resistance of said fuel increases.