EVENT BASED ENGINE CONTROL SYSTEM AND METHOD

• US 20120166065A1
• Filed: 03/08/2012
• Published: 06/28/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 11/30/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC (Ford Motor Company)
• Original Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC (Ford Motor Company)
• Inventors: Lewis, Donald J., Lippa, Allan J., Russell, John D.
• Granted Patent: US 8,393,312 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 701/103
• CPC Class Codes: F02B 37/00 Engines characterised by provision of pumps driven at least for part of the time by exhaust
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 2200/0612 determined by estimation
• 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: F02D 41/062 for starting F02D41/061 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 41/3094 the fuel injection being effected by at least two different injectors, e.g. one in the intake manifold and one in the cylinder
• CPC Class Codes: F02M 43/00 Fuel-injection apparatus operating simultaneously on two or more fuels, or on a liquid fuel and another liquid, e.g. the other liquid being an anti-knock additive
• CPC Class Codes: F02M 69/046 for injecting into both the combustion chamber and the intake conduit
• CPC Class Codes: F02N 19/00 Starting aids for combustion engines, not otherwise provided for

Abstract

A system for starting an engine is described. In one example, the engine is supplied two fuels via two injectors. The method may improve engine starting and reduce engine emissions.

Claims

1-16. -16. (canceled)

17. A system for an engine of a vehicle, comprising:

a turbocharger coupled to the engine;

a cylinder of the engine;

a spark plug positioned in the cylinder;

a first injector configured to inject a first substance to said cylinder;

a second injector configured to inject a second substance to said cylinder; and

a controller configured to perform injection from said first and second injector in response to a number of combustion events from an engine start.

18. The system of claim 17 wherein said first injector is a port injector.

19. The system of claim 17 wherein said first injector is a direct cylinder injector.

20. The system of claim 17 wherein said second injector is a port injector.

21. The system of claim 17 wherein said injection is further in response to engine operating conditions.

22. The system of claim 17 wherein said start includes cold engine operation.

23. The system of claim 17 wherein said first substance and said second substance are each a fuel.

24. The system of claim 17 wherein said first substance includes gasoline and said second substance includes an alcohol.

25. The system of claim 17 wherein said first substance includes gasoline and said second substance includes water.

26. The system of claim 17 wherein said first substance includes gasoline and said second substance includes water and ethanol.

27. The system of claim 17 wherein said start includes an engine re-start condition.

28. The system of claim 17 wherein said controller further performs an injection from the other of said injectors after engine coolant temperature reaches a threshold value.

29. The system of claim 17 wherein said first substance includes methanol and water.

30. A method for controlling an engine of a vehicle, the engine having a cylinder with a first fuel injector configured to inject a first substance to the cylinder, and a second injector configured to inject a second substance to the cylinder, the method comprising:

boosting intake air delivered to the cylinder;

commencing combustion in the engine by injecting fuel into said cylinder and spark-igniting the injected fuel, where said fuel is injected by only one of said first and second injectors during said start; and

enabling injection from an other of said first and second injectors in response to an operating condition;

performing an injection from the other of said injectors after a predetermined number of injection events.

31. The method of claim 30 wherein said first injector is a direct cylinder injector and said second cylinder is a port injector, where only said port injector supplies fuel at least during a portion of said start, said first substance includes gasoline, and said second substance includes ethanol.

32. A system for an engine of a vehicle, comprising:

a turbocharger coupled to the engine;

a cylinder of the engine;

a spark plug coupled in the cylinder;

a first direct injector configured to inject a first substance to said cylinder;

a second port injector configured to inject a fuel to said cylinder; and

a controller configured to perform combustion in the engine by injecting fuel into said cylinder, where said fuel is injected by said port injector during selected engine starting conditions, and injection by the direct injector is enabled based on an operating condition.

33. The system of claim 32 wherein said operating condition is temperature, and wherein said first substance includes ethanol.

34. The system of claim 32 wherein said operating condition is temperature, and wherein said first substance includes methanol and water.