Controlling Exhaust Gas Recirculation

• US 20100242936A1
• Filed: 03/31/2009
• Published: 09/30/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 03/31/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Innio Waukesha Gas Engines Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Dresser Incorporated (Nagano Keiki Company Limited)
• Inventors: May, Andrew, Konkle, Kevin Paul, Zurlo, James Richard
• Granted Patent: US 8,108,128 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 123/704
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 2200/0411 Volumetric efficiency
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 41/0052 Feedback control of engine parameters, e.g. for control of air/fuel ratio or intake air amount
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 41/187 using a hot wire flow sensor
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/30 Use of alternative fuels, e.g. biofuels
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/40 Engine management systems

Abstract

In controlling an engine, an amount of an intake charge provided, during operation of the engine, to a combustion chamber of the engine is determined. The intake charge includes an air component, a fuel component and a diluent component. An amount of the air component of the intake charge is determined. An amount of the diluent component of the intake charge is determined utilizing the amount of the intake charge, the amount of the air component and, in some instances, the amount of the fuel component. An amount of a diluent supplied to the intake charge is adjusted based at least in part on the determined amount of diluent component of the intake charge.

Claims

1. A method for controlling an engine, comprising:

determining an amount of an intake charge provided, during operation of the engine, to a combustion chamber of the engine, the intake charge comprising an air component, a fuel component, and a diluent component;

determining an amount of the air component of the intake charge;

determining an amount of the diluent component of the intake charge utilizing the amount of the intake charge and the amount of the air component; and

adjusting an amount of a diluent supplied to the intake charge based at least in part on the determined amount of diluent component of the intake charge.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising determining an amount of the fuel component of the intake charge, and

wherein determining an amount of the diluent component of the intake charge comprises determining an amount of the diluent component of the intake charge utilizing the amount of the intake charge, the amount of the air component, and the amount of the fuel component.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein adjusting an amount of diluent supplied to the intake charge comprises adjusting an amount of exhaust gas introduced into the intake charge.

4. The method of claim 2, wherein determining an amount of the fuel component of the intake charge comprises measuring a power output by the engine.

5. The method of claim 2, wherein determining an amount of the fuel component of the intake charge comprises utilizing a duty cycle of an air/fuel control device of the engine.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein determining an amount of the air component of the intake charge comprises utilizing a mass air flow sensor of the engine.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein determining an amount of the air component comprises utilizing a lambda sensor of the engine.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein determining an amount of an intake charge provided, during operation of the engine, to a combustion chamber of the engine comprises calculating the amount of the intake charge as a function of engine volumetric efficiency, a flow rate of the air component, a density of the air component, and engine speed.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein adjusting an amount of a diluent supplied to the intake charge comprises adjusting the amount of the diluent supplied to the intake charge to be substantially equal to a specified amount.

10. An engine control module comprising:

a processor; and

a memory storing instructions for the processor that cause the processor to perform operations comprising;

determining an amount of an intake charge provided, during operation of the engine, to a combustion chamber of the engine, the intake charge comprising an air component, a fuel component and a diluent component, the diluent component comprising exhaust gas;

determining an amount of the air component of the intake charge;

determining an amount of the diluent component of the intake charge utilizing the amount of the intake charge and the amount of the air component; and

adjusting an amount of exhaust gas supplied to the intake charge based at least in part on the determined amount of diluent component of the intake charge and a specified amount of exhaust gas.

11. The engine control module of claim 10, wherein the operations further comprise determining an amount of the fuel component of the intake charge, and wherein determining an amount of the diluent component of the intake charge comprises determining an amount of the diluent component of the intake charge utilizing the amount of the intake charge, the amount of the air component, and the amount of the fuel component.

12. The engine control module of claim 11, wherein determining an amount of the fuel component of the intake charge comprises measuring a power output by the engine.

13. The engine control module of claim 11, wherein determining an amount of the fuel component of the intake charge comprises utilizing a duty cycle of an air/fuel control device of the engine.

14. The engine control module of claim 10, wherein determining an amount of the air component of the intake charge comprises utilizing a mass air flow sensor of the engine.

15. The engine control module of claim 10, wherein determining an amount of the air component comprises utilizing a lambda sensor of the engine.

16. The engine control module of claim 10, wherein determining an amount of an intake charge provided, during operation of the engine, to a combustion chamber of the engine comprises calculating the amount of the intake charge as a function of engine volumetric efficiency, flow rate of the air component, density of the air component, and engine speed.

17. (canceled)

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20. (canceled)