CONTROLLING CYLINDER MIXTURE AND TURBOCHARGER OPERATION

• US 20090018751A1
• Filed: 07/13/2007
• Published: 01/15/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 07/13/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC (Ford Motor Company)
• Original Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC (Ford Motor Company)
• Inventors: Buckland, Julia Helen, Jankovic, Mrdjan J.
• Granted Patent: US 7,801,665 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 701/103
• CPC Class Codes: F01L 1/34 characterised by the provision of means for changing the timing of the valves without changing the duration of opening and without affecting the magnitude of the valve lift
• CPC Class Codes: F01L 2001/0537 Double overhead camshafts [DOHC]
• CPC Class Codes: F01L 9/10 by fluid means, e.g. hydraulic
• CPC Class Codes: F01L 9/20 by electric means
• CPC Class Codes: F01N 13/107 More than one exhaust manifold or exhaust collector
• CPC Class Codes: F02B 37/007 with exhaust-driven pumps arranged in parallel , e.g. at least one pump supplying alternatively
• CPC Class Codes: F02B 37/18 by bypassing exhaust from the inlet to the outlet of turbine or to the atmosphere
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 13/0207 changing valve lift or valve lift and timing
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 13/0261 Controlling the valve overlap
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 2041/001 for engines with variable valve actuation
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 41/0007 for control of turbo-charged or super-charged engines control of the pumps per se F02B37/12
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 41/0062 Estimating, calculating or determining the internal EGR rate, amount or flow
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 41/0082 per groups or banks F02D41/0087 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 41/18 by measuring intake air flow
• CPC Class Codes: F02M 26/01 Internal exhaust gas recirculation, i.e. wherein the residual exhaust gases are trapped in the cylinder or pushed back from the intake or the exhaust manifold into the combustion chamber without the use of additional passages
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/12 Improving ICE efficiencies
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/40 Engine management systems

Abstract

A method for controlling differences in exhaust gas residual amount for a two cylinder bank engine having at least one turbocharger is presented. In one example, the description includes a method for adjusting valve timing to reduce cylinder exhaust gas residual variation.

Claims

1. A method for controlling an internal combustion engine, the method comprising:

varying valve operation of at least a cylinder in a second group of cylinders as a waste gate position of a first turbocharger is adjusted, said first turbocharger located in the exhaust path of a first group of cylinders.

2. The method of claim 1 further comprising said second turbocharger in communication with said second group of cylinders.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein varying valve operation of at least a cylinder in a second group of cylinders varies the valve timing relative to a crankshaft.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein said valve operation is varied as an amount of exhaust residuals vary in said first group of cylinders.

5. The method of claim 1 wherein said valve operation is varied by varying the valve lift.

6. The method of claim 1 wherein varying said valve operation of said at least a cylinder increases an amount of valve overlap between intake and exhaust valves of said at least a cylinder.

7. The method of claim 1 further comprising adjusting the position of a throttle plate as said valve operation is varied.

8. The method of claim 1 wherein said valve operation is a timing of an exhaust valve relative to a crankshaft position.

9. The method of claim 1 wherein said valve operation is a timing of an intake valve relative to a crankshaft position.

10. The method of claim 1 wherein said valve operation of all cylinders of said first group of cylinders is adjusted.

11. A method for controlling an internal combustion engine, the method comprising:

varying valve operation of at least a cylinder in a second group of cylinders as a waste gate position of a first turbocharger is adjusted, said first turbocharger having a turbine located in the exhaust path of a first group of cylinders; and

varying the position of a throttle while varying said valve operation.

12. The method of claim 11 further comprising a second turbocharger having a turbine located in the exhaust path of said second group of cylinders.

13. The method of claim 11 further comprising adjusting spark in said second group of cylinders as said valve operation is varied in said second group of cylinders.

14. A method for controlling an internal combustion engine, the method comprising:

varying intake valve operation of at least a first cylinder in a first group of cylinders and the position of a throttle plate located upstream of said first group of cylinders as an exhaust gas residual amount used in a combustion cycle of said at least a first cylinder varies from and exhaust gas residual amount used in a combustion cycle of at least a second cylinder, said at least a second cylinder in a second group of cylinders, said second group of cylinders in communication with a turbocharger.

15. The method of claim 14 further comprising varying timing of an exhaust valve of said at least a cylinder as said exhaust gas residual amount varies.

16. The method of claim 14 wherein said exhaust gas residual amount is inferred.

17. The method of claim 14 wherein said throttle plate is further adjusted in response to an amount of desired engine torque.

18. A method for controlling an internal combustion engine, the method comprising:

varying valve operation of at least a cylinder in a group of cylinders as a turbocharger compressor is operating within a predetermined range of a compressor surge condition.

19. The method of claim 18 wherein said varying valve operation changes the valve lift or timing.

20. The method of claim 18 wherein said predetermined range is within a predetermined amount of compressor flow or within a predetermined pressure ratio of said compressor surge condition.

21. The method of claim 18 further comprising adjusting operation of a turbocharger control actuator as said turbocharger compressor is within said predetermined range.