Control system and method for a bi-fuel engine

• US 6,668,804 B2
• Filed: 02/14/2003
• Issued: 12/30/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 07/23/2001
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC (Ford Motor Company)
• Original Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC (Ford Motor Company)
• Inventors: Kuechler, Peter Douglas, Dobryden, Allen Dennis, Lapetz, John Milton
• Primary Examiner(s): Kwon, John
• Application Number:
  US10/367,099
• Publication Number:
  US 20030131827A1
• Time in Patent Office: 319 Days
• Field of Search: 123/1.A, 123/DIG.12, 123/480, 123/304, 123/575
• US Class Current: 123/480
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 19/061 by controlling fuel injectors
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 19/0615 being initiated by automatic means, e.g. based on engine or vehicle operating conditions
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 19/0628 Determining the fuel pressure, temperature or flow, the fuel tank fill level or a valve position
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 19/0644 the gaseous fuel being hydrogen, ammonia or carbon monoxide
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 19/0647 the gaseous fuel being liquefied petroleum gas [LPG], liquefied natural gas [LNG], compressed natural gas [CNG] or dimethyl ether [DME]
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 19/0692 Arrangement of multiple injectors per combustion chamber
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/30 Use of alternative fuels, e.g. biofuels

Abstract

A control system 14 for a bi-fuel engine 12 is provided. The control system 14 includes a powertrain controller 52 and a bi-fuel controller 54. The controller 52 has a set of fuel injector drivers 92. The controller 50 has a set of gasoline fuel injector drivers 104 and a set of alternate fuel (AF) fuel injector drivers 106. Each of drivers 92 in controller 52 is electrically connected to a driver 104 and a driver 106 in controller 50. Thus, a control signal generated by a single driver 92 can be utilized by either of drivers 104, 106 to generate a corresponding control signal for controlling a gasoline fuel injector 38 or a AF fuel injector 40, respectively.

Claims

1. A fuel injector controller for controlling first and second fuel control valves of an engine, said first and second fuel control valves controlling delivery of first and second fuel types, respectively, to an engine cylinder, comprising:

a first driver means for generating a first signal for controlling said first fuel control valve based on a received signal when said first driver means is enabled;

a second driver means for generating a second signal for controlling said second fuel control valve based on said received signal when said second driver means is enabled; and

,

a processor means for enabling one of said first and second driver means.

2. The fuel injector controller of claim 1 wherein said first and second fuel control valves comprise first and second fuel injectors, respectively.

3. A bi-fuel controller for controlling first and second fuel control valves providing first and second fuel types, respectively, to an engine cylinder, the controller comprising:

a microprocessor;

a first driver means for actuating the first fuel control valve responsive to a first received signal when said first driver means is selected by said microprocessor; and

,

a second driver means actuating the second fuel control valve responsive to the first received signal when the second driver means is selected by said microprocessor.

4. The bi-fuel controller of claim 3 wherein said first and second fuel control valves comprise first and second fuel injectors, respectively.

5. A bi-fuel control module for controlling first and second fuel control valves of an engine, said first and second fuel control valves providing first and second fuel types, respectively, to an engine cylinder, the controller comprising:

a central processing unit;

an input device operably connected to the central processing unit for receiving a first signal; and

,

first and second output drivers operably connected to said central processing unit, said central processing unit enabling one of said first and second output drivers to open one of said first and second fuel control valves responsive to said first signal.