Direct injection engine system and method

• US 6,336,071 B2
• Filed: 04/02/2001
• Issued: 01/01/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 10/18/1999
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC (Ford Motor Company)
• Original Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC (Ford Motor Company)
• Inventors: Grizzle, Jessy W., Sun, Jing
• Primary Examiner(s): Kwon, John
• Application Number:
  US09/824,409
• Publication Number:
  US 20010013330A1
• Time in Patent Office: 274 Days
• Field of Search: 701/104, 701/109, 701/115, 123/481, 123/198.T
• US Class Current: 701/115
• CPC Class Codes: F02B 17/005 having direct injection in the combustion chamber
• CPC Class Codes: F02B 2075/125 Direct injection in the combustion chamber for spark ignition engines, i.e. not in pre-combustion chamber
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 17/02 Cutting-out cutting-out engines in multiple engine arrangements F02D25/04
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 2041/389 for injecting directly into the cylinder
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 41/0087 Selective cylinder activation, i.e. partial cylinder operation deceleration cut-off F02D41/123
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 41/3029 further comprising a homogeneous charge spark-ignited mode
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 41/307 to avoid torque shocks
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/12 Improving ICE efficiencies

Abstract

A method for controlling mode transitions, such as from stratified to homogeneous mode, in a direct injection engine adjusts a number of cylinders carrying out combustion to prevent engine torque disturbances. Cylinder activation is used when changes in cylinder air/fuel ratio cannot be compensated using ignition timing adjustments. In addition, the number of cylinders to activate is also determined and measures are taken if the number of cylinders determined are not available to be activated.

Claims

1. An article of manufacture comprising:

a computer storage medium having a computer program encoded therein for controlling an engine during a cylinder air/fuel ratio change from a first cylinder air/fuel ratio to a second cylinder air/fuel ratio, said computer storage medium comprising;

code for determining a first number of cylinders to enable to perform combustion so that the cylinder air/fuel ratio change can occur without a disturbance in engine torque;

code for enabling said first number of cylinders and changing the cylinder air/fuel from the first cylinder air/fuel ratio to the second cylinder air/fuel ratio when said number of cylinders are currently disabled;

code for disabling a second number of cylinders and changing the cylinder air/fuel ratio from the first cylinder air/fuel ratio to a third cylinder air/fuel ratio otherwise; and

code for performing said enabling code after performing said disabling code.