SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR CONTROLLING AN OPERATING FREQUENCY OF A PURGE VALVE TO IMPROVE FUEL DISTRIBUTION TO CYLINDERS OF AN ENGINE

• US 20140278001A1
• Filed: 03/15/2013
• Published: 09/18/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 03/15/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC (General Motors Company)
• Original Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC (General Motors Company)
• Inventors: Miller, Jon C., Jeffrey, Scott, Prout, David Edward
• Granted Patent: US 9,316,166 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 701/103
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 2041/2027 Control of the current by pulse width modulation or duty cycle control
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 2200/101 Engine speed
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 41/004 Control of the valve or purge actuator, e.g. duty cycle, closed loop control of position
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 41/0097 using means for generating speed signals

Abstract

A system according to the principles of the present disclosure includes an engine speed module and a valve control module. The engine speed module determines a speed of an engine based on a position of a crankshaft. The valve control module selectively adjusts an operating frequency of a purge valve based on the engine speed.

Claims

1. A system comprising:

an engine speed module that determines a speed of an engine based on a position of a crankshaft; and

a valve control module that selectively adjusts an operating frequency of a purge valve based on the engine speed.

2. The system of claim 1 further comprising a harmonic speed module that determines a first speed of the engine that corresponds to a harmonic of the operating frequency of the purge valve, wherein the valve control module adjusts the operating frequency of the purge valve when the engine speed is equal to the first speed.

3. The system of claim 2 wherein the valve control module adjusts the operating frequency of the purge valve when the engine speed is within a predetermined range of the first speed.

4. The system of claim 3 wherein the valve control module decreases the operating frequency of the purge valve by a predetermined amount when the engine speed is within the predetermined range of the first speed.

5. The system of claim 3 wherein the valve control module maintains the operating frequency of the purge valve at a predetermined frequency when the engine speed is outside of the predetermined range of the first speed.

6. The system of claim 1 wherein the valve control module:

adjusts the operating frequency of the purge valve to a first frequency when a frequency corresponding to the engine speed is within a predetermined range of a harmonic of the operating frequency of the purge valve; and

selects the first frequency such that the frequency corresponding to the engine speed is outside of a predetermined range of harmonics of the operating frequency of the purge valve when the operating frequency is adjusted to the first frequency.

7. The system of claim 1 further comprising a converter module that converts the engine speed into a frequency of the engine, wherein the valve control module adjusts the operating frequency of the purge valve when the frequency of the engine is within a predetermined range of a harmonic of the operating frequency of the purge valve.

8. The system of claim 1 further comprising a valve harmonic module that determines harmonics of the operating frequency of the purge valve, wherein the valve control module adjusts the operating frequency of the purge valve when a frequency corresponding to the engine speed is within a predetermined range of one of the harmonics.

9. The system of claim 1 wherein the valve control module selectively adjusts the operating frequency of the purge valve further based on a duty cycle of the purge valve.

10. The system of claim 9 wherein the valve control module selectively adjusts the operating frequency of the purge valve based on the engine speed when the duty cycle of the purge valve is less than a predetermined percentage.

11. A method comprising:

determining a speed of an engine based on a position of a crankshaft; and

selectively adjusting an operating frequency of a purge valve based on the engine speed.

12. The method of claim 11 further comprising:

determining a first speed of the engine that corresponds to a harmonic of the operating frequency of the purge valve; and

adjusting the operating frequency of the purge valve when the engine speed is equal to the first speed.

13. The method of claim 12 further comprising adjusting the operating frequency of the purge valve when the engine speed is within a predetermined range of the first speed.

14. The method of claim 13 further comprising decreasing the operating frequency of the purge valve by a predetermined amount when the engine speed is within the predetermined range of the first speed.

15. The method of claim 13 further comprising maintaining the operating frequency of the purge valve at a predetermined frequency when the engine speed is outside of the predetermined range of the first speed.

16. The method of claim 11 further comprising:

adjusting the operating frequency of the purge valve to a first frequency when a frequency corresponding to the engine speed is within a predetermined range of a harmonic of the operating frequency of the purge valve; and

selecting the first frequency such that the frequency corresponding to the engine speed is outside of a predetermined range of harmonics of the operating frequency of the purge valve when the operating frequency is adjusted to the first frequency.

17. The method of claim 11 further comprising:

converting the engine speed into a frequency of the engine; and

adjusting the operating frequency of the purge valve when the frequency of the engine is within a predetermined range of a harmonic of the operating frequency of the purge valve.

18. The method of claim 11 further comprising:

determining harmonics of the operating frequency of the purge valve; and

adjusting the operating frequency of the purge valve when a frequency corresponding to the engine speed is within a predetermined range of one of the harmonics.

19. The method of claim 11 further comprising selectively adjusting the operating frequency of the purge valve further based on a duty cycle of the purge valve.

20. The method of claim 19 further comprising selectively adjusting the operating frequency of the purge valve based on the engine speed when the duty cycle of the purge valve is less than a predetermined percentage.