Engine control system with throttle preload during cylinder deactivation

• US 6,915,781 B2
• Filed: 05/17/2002
• Issued: 07/12/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 05/17/2002
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC (General Motors Company)
• Original Assignee: General Motors Corporation (General Motors Company)
• Inventors: Rayl, Allen B.
• Primary Examiner(s): Argenbright, Tony M.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Hoang, Johnny H.
• Application Number:
  US10/150,522
• Publication Number:
  US 20030213466A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,152 Days
• Field of Search: 123/399, 123/417, 123/481, 123/198.F, 123/319, 123/491, 123/688, 123/406.65, 731/16, 731/173, 731/182
• US Class Current: 123/399
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 11/105 characterised by the function converting demand to actuation, e.g. a map indicating relations between an accelerator pedal position and throttle valve opening or target engine torque
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 2011/102 at least one throttle being moved only by an electric actuator
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 2200/0404 Throttle position
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 2200/0406 Intake manifold pressure
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 2200/602 Pedal position
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 2250/21 during a transition between engine operation modes or states
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 37/02 one of the functions being ignition
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 41/10 for acceleration
• CPC Class Codes: F02P 5/045 combined with electronic control of other engine functions, e.g. fuel injection in general F02D37/02
• CPC Class Codes: F02P 5/1504 with particular means during a transient phase, e.g. acceleration, deceleration, gear change during starting F02P5/1506
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/40 Engine management systems

Abstract

An engine control system and method for a displacement on demand internal combustion engine includes a throttle preload signal generator that outputs a throttle preload area signal having a base portion and ramp out portion. A combining circuit combines the throttle preload area signal with a current throttle area signal to generate a throttle preload difference signal that adjusts throttle area to smooth transitions during at cylinder deactivation. The engine control system smoothes the transition between activated and inactivated modes by increasing throttle area and manifold pressure when transitioning between activated and deactivated modes.

Claims

1. An engine control system for a displacement on demand internal combustion engine, comprising:

a throttle preload signal generator that outputs a throttle preload area signal having a base portion and ramp out portion; and

a combining circuit for combining said throttle preload area signal with a current throttle area signal to generate a throttle preload difference signal that adjusts throttle area to smooth transitions during at least one of cylinder activation and deactivation.

2. The engine control system of claim 1 wherein said throttle preload area signal further includes a ramp in portion which reduces throttle noise.

3. The engine control system of claim 1 further comprising a preload throttle area generator that provides a preload area based on rpm and a desired air per cylinder.

4. The engine control system of claim 3 further comprising a preload duration generator that provides a preload base duration signal based on rpm and a desired air per cylinder.

5. The engine control system of claim 4 further comprising an adaptive throttle preload generator that receives a measured air per cylinder and a desired air per cylinder and that outputs an adjusted air per cylinder.

6. The engine control system of claim 5 wherein said adjusted air per cylinder is input to an inverting input of a summing circuit wherein said desired air per cylinder is input to a noninverting input of said summing circuit, and wherein said summing circuit outputs said adjusted desired air per cylinder to said preload throttle area generator and said preload duration generator.

7. The engine control system of claim 4 further comprising:

a ramp generator that receives said preload area signal and said preload duration signal;

a ramp in calibration circuit that provides a ramp in period; and

a ramp out calibration circuit that provides a ramp out period.

8. The engine control system of claim 4 further comprising:

a mode actuator; and

an offset circuit that generates an offset period, wherein said mode actuator generates a holdoff complete signal at said offset period before an end of said preload base duration signal.

9. The engine control system of claim 4 further comprising:

a mode actuator;

an offset circuit that generates an offset period that is input to said mode actuator;

a comparator that generates a signal when a measured air per cylinder exceeds a desired air per cylinder; and

an OR circuit that is coupled to said mode actuator and said comparator and that generates a holdoff complete signal if said measured air per cylinder exceeds said desired air per cylinder or at said offset period before an end of said preload base duration signal.

10. The engine control system of claim 4 further comprising a correction circuit that adjust said preload throttle area for variations in at least one of temperature and barometric pressure.

11. A method for smoothing transitions in a displacement on demand engine, comprising:

generating a throttle preload area signal having a base portion and ramp out portion;

combining said throttle preload area signal with a current throttle area signal to generate a preload difference signal; and

adjusting throttle area using said preload difference signal to smooth transitions during at least one of cylinder activation and deactivation.

12. The method of claim 11 wherein said throttle preload area signal further includes a ramp in portion.

13. The method of claim 11 further comprising generating a preload area based on rpm and a desired air per cylinder.

14. The method of claim 13 further comprising generating a preload base duration signal based on rpm and a desired air per cylinder.

15. The method of claim 14 further comprising:

receiving a measured air per cylinder and a desired air per cylinder; and

generating an adjusted air per cylinder.

16. The method of claim 15 further comprising generating an adjusted desired air per cylinder based on said adjusted air per cylinder and said desired air per cylinder.

17. The method of claim 14 further comprising:

generating a ramp in period; and

generating a ramp out period.

18. The method of claim 14 further comprising:

generating an offset period;

generating a holdoff complete signal at said offset period before an end of said preload base duration signal.

19. The method of claim 14 further comprising:

generating an offset period;

generating a holdoff complete signal at said offset period before an end of said preload base duration signal;

generating a signal when a measured air per cylinder exceeds a desired air per cylinder; and

generating a holdoff complete signal if said measured air per cylinder exceeds said desired air per cylinder or at said offset period before an end of said preload base duration signal.

20. The method of claim 14 further comprising adjusting said preload throttle area for variations in at least one of temperature and barometric pressure.