INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINE USING VARIABLE VALVE LIFT AND SKIP FIRE CONTROL

• US 20150322869A1
• Filed: 05/06/2015
• Published: 11/12/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 05/12/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Tula Technology, Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Tula Technology, Incorporated
• Inventors: SHOST, Mark A., YOUNKINS, Matthew A.
• Granted Patent: US 10,233,796 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: F01L 1/146 Push-rods
• CPC Class Codes: F01L 1/181 Centre pivot rocking arms
• 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 1/344 changing the angular relationship between crankshaft and camshaft, e.g. using helicoidal gear
• CPC Class Codes: F01L 13/0005 Deactivating valves
• CPC Class Codes: F01L 13/0026 by means of an eccentric
• CPC Class Codes: F01L 2013/001 Deactivating cylinders
• CPC Class Codes: F01L 2013/0068 with an oscillating cam acting on the valve of the "BMW-Valvetronic" type
• CPC Class Codes: F01L 2013/0073 with an oscillating cam acting on the valve of the "Delphi" type
• CPC Class Codes: F01L 2305/00 Valve arrangements comprising rollers
• CPC Class Codes: F01L 2800/08 Timing or lift different for valves of different cylinders
• CPC Class Codes: F01L 2820/01 Absolute values
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 17/02 Cutting-out cutting-out engines in multiple engine arrangements F02D25/04
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 2041/0012 with selective deactivation of cylinders
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 41/0002 Controlling intake air
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 41/0082 per groups or banks F02D41/0087 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 41/0085 Balancing of cylinder outputs, e.g. speed, torque or air-fuel ratio
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 41/0087 Selective cylinder activation, i.e. partial cylinder operation deceleration cut-off F02D41/123
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/40 Engine management systems

Abstract

An internal combustion engine capable of cylinder deactivation or skip fire control in combination with variable valve lift control. One bank of cylinders can be deactivated while the air induction of the other bank of cylinders is regulated using variable valve lift control to increase engine efficiency. An internal combustion engine with two cylinder banks, where control of one cylinder bank using skip fire control can be operating at an appropriate firing fraction in combination with variable valve lift control on the other cylinder bank. A single bank of cylinders can be controlled in a skip fire manner in conjunction with variable valve lift control.

Claims

1. A method of operating an internal combustion engine having a plurality of cylinders, the method comprising:

deactivating at least one cylinder; and

controlling at least another one of the cylinders using variable valve lift to control an amount of air charge in the cylinder.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the engine has two banks of cylinders and a first bank of cylinders can be deactivated as a group while a second bank of cylinders is controlled using variable valve lift control.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the first bank of cylinders is deactivated by a mechanical means and the variable valve lift on the second bank of cylinders is controlled by a separate mechanical means.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the internal combustion engine has an intake manifold, the intake manifold pressure being maintained substantially at a pressure selected from the group consisting of 75, 80, 85, 90 and 95 kPa.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the internal combustion engine has no intake manifold.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the engine has two banks of cylinders and a first bank of cylinders can be deactivated using skip fire control while a second bank of cylinders is controlled using variable valve lift control.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein the skip fire control and variable valve lift control work cooperatively to substantially maximize fuel efficiency.

8. An internal combustion engine having a plurality of cylinders arranged in a bank, comprising:

at least one of the plurality of cylinders capable of variable valve lift control; and

at least one of the plurality of cylinders capable of valve deactivation.

9. The internal combustion engine of claim 8, wherein all cylinders in the bank are capable of both valve deactivation and variable valve lift control.

10. The internal combustion engine of claim 8, wherein all cylinders in the bank are capable of being controlled in a skip fire manner.

11. The internal combustion engine of claim 8, wherein the plurality of cylinders is at least 3 cylinders.

12. The internal combustion engine of claim 8, wherein the plurality of cylinders is 4 cylinders.

13. The internal combustion engine of claim 8, wherein the internal combustion engine has two cylinder banks.

14. The internal combustion engine of claim 13, wherein all cylinders in both the cylinder banks are capable of both valve deactivation and variable valve lift control.

15. The internal combustion engine of claim 8, wherein intake of all of the cylinders of the first bank is controlled using variable valve lift control.

16. The internal combustion engine of claim 8, wherein the engine does not include a throttle.

17. An internal combustion engine, comprising

a first bank including a plurality of cylinders controlled by skip fire control;

and

a second bank including a plurality of cylinders, wherein each cylinder on the second bank includes an intake valve regulated by variable valve lift control.

18. The internal combustion engine of claim 17, wherein the first bank and the second bank are separately controlled.

19. The internal combustion engine of claim 17, wherein the first bank includes a cam phaser.

20. The internal combustion engine of claim 19, wherein the second bank includes a cam phaser.

21. The internal combustion engine of claim 17, wherein the engine does not include a throttle.