SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR CONTROLLING CYLINDER DEACTIVATION AND ACCESSORY DRIVE TENSIONER ARM MOTION

• US 20140163839A1
• Filed: 12/12/2012
• Published: 06/12/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 12/12/2012
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC (General Motors Company)
• Original Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC (General Motors Company)
• Inventors: Staley, Eric D., Pierik, Ronald J., Demarest, Jeremy T., Karnjate, Timothy M.
• Application Number:
  US13/712,267
• Publication Number:
  US 20140163839A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 701/103
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 17/02 Cutting-out cutting-out engines in multiple engine arrangements F02D25/04
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 2250/18 Control of the engine output torque
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 2250/24 by using an external load, e.g. a generator
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 41/0087 Selective cylinder activation, i.e. partial cylinder operation deceleration cut-off F02D41/123

Abstract

A control system for an engine includes a torque modifier module that selects one of a plurality of torque modifier values based on variations in an accessory load. A torque calculating module calculates a maximum torque value for operation in a cylinder deactivation mode based on the selected one of the plurality of torque modifier values. A torque control module selectively switches the engine between the cylinder deactivation mode and a cylinder activation mode based on the maximum torque value.

Claims

1. A control system for an engine, comprising:

a torque modifier module that selects one of a plurality of torque modifier values based on variations in an accessory load;

a torque calculating module that calculates a maximum torque value for operation in a cylinder deactivation mode based on the selected one of the plurality of torque modifier values; and

a torque control module that selectively switches the engine between the cylinder deactivation mode and a cylinder activation mode based on the maximum torque value.

2. The control system of claim 1, wherein the engine is a four cylinder engine and wherein the engine operates using two cylinders when in the cylinder deactivation mode.

3. The control system of claim 1, wherein the accessory load includes an alternator.

4. The control system of claim 1, wherein the accessory load includes an air conditioning (AC) compressor.

5. The control system of claim 1, wherein the accessory load includes at least two of an alternator, an air pump, a vacuum pump, a power steering pump, and an air conditioning (AC) compressor.

6. The control system of claim 5, wherein the torque modifier module selects:

a first torque modifier when an electrical demand is greater than a first level and the AC compressor is on;

a second torque modifier when an electrical demand is greater than a first level and the AC compressor is off;

a third torque modifier when an electrical demand is less than a first level and the AC compressor is on; and

a fourth torque modifier when an electrical demand is less than a first level and the AC compressor is off.

7. The control system of claim 6, wherein the first torque modifier, the second torque modifier, the third torque modifier and the fourth torque modifier are different values.

8. The control system of claim 1, wherein the torque calculating module comprises:

a minimum vacuum calculating module that calculates a minimum vacuum value for operation in the cylinder deactivation mode based on the selected one of the plurality of torque modifier values; and

a maximum torque calculating module that calculates the maximum torque value for operation in the cylinder deactivation mode based on the minimum vacuum value.

9. A method for controlling an engine, comprising:

selecting one of a plurality of torque modifier values based on variations in an accessory load;

calculating a maximum torque value for operation of the engine in a cylinder deactivation mode based on the selected one of the plurality of torque modifier values; and

selectively switching the engine between the cylinder deactivation mode and a cylinder activation mode based on the maximum torque value.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein the engine is a four cylinder engine and wherein the engine operates using two cylinders when in the cylinder deactivation mode.

11. The method of claim 9, wherein the accessory load includes an alternator.

12. The method of claim 9, wherein the accessory load includes an air conditioning (AC) compressor.

13. The method of claim 9, wherein the accessory load includes at least two of an alternator, an air pump, a vacuum pump, a power steering pump, and an air conditioning (AC) compressor.

14. The method of claim 13, further comprising selecting:

a first torque modifier when an electrical demand is greater than a first level and the AC compressor is on;

a second torque modifier when an electrical demand is greater than a first level and the AC compressor is off;

a third torque modifier when an electrical demand is less than a first level and the AC compressor is on; and

a fourth torque modifier when an electrical demand is less than a first level and the AC compressor is off.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein the first torque modifier, the second torque modifier, the third torque modifier and the fourth torque modifier are different values.

16. The method of claim 9, further comprising:

calculating a minimum vacuum value for operation in the cylinder deactivation mode based on the selected one of the plurality of torque modifier values;

calculating the maximum torque value for operation in the cylinder deactivation mode based on the minimum vacuum value; and

transitioning the engine between the cylinder deactivation mode and a cylinder activated mode based on the maximum torque value.