Control system and method for a valve actuator

• US 7,228,828 B2
• Filed: 11/15/2005
• Issued: 06/12/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 07/15/2003
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Caterpillar Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Caterpillar Incorporated
• Inventors: Bloms, Jason K., Funke, Steven J., Kagy, Robert A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Chang; Ching
• Application Number:
  US11/273,023
• Publication Number:
  US 20060065221A1
• Time in Patent Office: 574 Days
• Field of Search: 123/90.12, 123/90.13, 123/90.39, 123/90.41, 123/90.44, 123/296, 123/297, 123/445, 123/90.15, 123/90.17
• US Class Current: 123/90.15
• CPC Class Codes: F01L 1/267 with means for varying the timing or the lift of the valves
• CPC Class Codes: F01L 13/0015 for optimising engine performances by modifying valve lift according to various working parameters, e.g. rotational speed, load, torque
• CPC Class Codes: F01L 2013/0089 with means for delaying valve closing
• CPC Class Codes: F01L 2800/00 Methods of operation using a variable valve timing mechanism
• CPC Class Codes: F01L 9/10 by fluid means, e.g. hydraulic
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 13/0203 Variable control of intake and exhaust valves
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 13/0223 Variable control of the intake valves only
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/12 Improving ICE efficiencies

Abstract

A method of controlling an engine having a valve actuation system is provided. The engine is started. A first parameter indicative of a first temperature of the engine is sensed. A second parameter indicative of a second temperature of the engine is sensed. The valve actuation system is disabled to prevent the implementation of a variation on conventional engine valve actuation timing in response to each of the first and second temperatures being below a predetermined value.

Claims

1. A method of controlling an engine, the engine including an engine valve, first and second valve actuators, and a cylinder, the method comprising:

enabling the first valve actuator to actuate the engine valve from a first position in which fluid is prevented from flowing past the engine valve to a second position in which fluid is permitted to flow past the engine valve and return the engine valve to the first position, the first valve actuator including a cam-follower arrangement;

sensing a first temperature indicative of an engine coolant temperature;

enabling the second valve actuator to prohibit the engine valve from returning to the first position when the first temperature is above a first predetermined value, the second valve actuator including a piston-cylinder arrangement; and

disabling the second valve actuator when the first temperature is below the first predetermined value.

2. The method of claim 1, further including sensing a second temperature indicative of an intake manifold temperature;

and

enabling the second valve actuator to prohibit the engine valve from returning to the first position when the first temperature is above the first predetermined value and the second temperature is below a second predetermined value.

3. The method of claim 2, further including:

limiting an amount of fuel delivered to the cylinder when the first temperature is below the first predetermined value; and

not limiting an amount of fuel delivered to the cylinder when the first temperature is above the first predetermined value and the second temperature is above the second predetermined value.

4. The method of claim 2, further including limiting an amount of fuel delivered to the cylinder when the first temperature is above the first predetermined value and the second temperature is below the second predetermined value.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein enabling the second valve actuator includes closing a control valve to increase the pressure of fluid directed toward the piston-cylinder arrangement.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the engine further includes a detection system, the method further including limiting an amount of fuel delivered to the cylinder when the detection system detects improper operation of the second valve actuator and not limiting an amount of fuel delivered to the cylinder when the detection system detects proper operation of the second valve actuator and the second temperature is above the second predetermined value.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein disabling the second valve actuator includes opening a control valve to decrease the pressure of fluid directed toward the piston-cylinder arrangement.

8. A method of controlling an engine, the engine including an engine valve, a detection system, a valve actuator, and a cylinder, the method comprising:

activating the engine valve from a first position in which fluid is prevented from flowing past the engine valve to a second position in which fluid is permitted to flow past the engine valve and returning the engine valve to the first position with a first valve timing;

sensing a first parameter indicative of a first temperature;

sensing a second parameter indicative of a second temperature;

enabling the detection system to monitor an operation of the valve actuator when at least one of the first and second parameters is above a first predetermined value;

enabling the valve actuator to modify the first valve timing when at least one of the first and second parameters is above the first predetermined value and the detection system detects proper operation of the valve actuator;

limiting an amount of fuel delivered to the cylinder when the detection system detects improper operation of the valve actuator; and

disabling the detection system when the first and second parameters are each below the first predetermined value.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein enabling the valve actuator to modify the first valve timing includes enabling the valve actuator to modify the first valve timing when the first and second parameters are each above the first predetermined value and the detection system detects proper operation of the valve actuator.

10. The method of claim 8, further including limiting an amount of fuel delivered to the cylinder when the first and second parameters are each above the first parameter and the detection system detects an improper operation of the valve actuator.

12. The method of claim 8, further including not limiting an amount of fuel delivered to the cylinder when the detection system detects proper operation of the valve actuator and at least one of the first and second parameters is above the first predetermined value.

13. The method of claim 8, wherein the first parameter is indicative of an engine coolant temperature and the second parameter is indicative of an intake manifold temperature.

11. The method of 8, further including limiting an amount of torque generated by the engine when the detection system determines an improper operation of the valve actuator.

14. An engine valve actuation system comprising:

a first valve actuator configured to move an engine valve between a first position substantially blocking a flow of fluid past the engine valve and a second position allowing a flow of fluid past the engine valve;

a second valve actuator configured to hold the engine valve in a third position allowing a flow of fluid past the engine valve;

a first sensor configured to establish a signal indicative of a first temperature;

a second sensor configured to establish a signal indicative of a second temperature;

a fuel injection system configured to deliver fuel to a combustion chamber;

a controller configured to enable operation of the second valve actuator by closing a control valve and selectively enable operation of the second valve actuator when the first temperature is above a first predetermined value and the second temperature is below a second predetermined value.

15. The system of claim 14, wherein the controller is further configured to selectively enable operation of the second valve actuator when the first and second temperatures are above first and second predetermined values, respectively.

16. The system of claim 14, wherein the controller is further configured to disable operation of the second valve actuator by opening the control valve and selectively disable operation of the second valve actuator when the first and second temperatures are below the first and second predetermined values, respectively.

17. The system of claim 14, wherein the controller is further configured to disable operation of the second valve actuator subsequent to the controller enabling operation of the second valve actuator and after a predetermined period of time.

18. The system of claim 14, wherein:

the first valve actuator includes a cam-follower arrangement configured to move the engine valve between the first and second positions as a function of the rotation of the cam; and

the second valve actuator includes a piston-cylinder arrangement configured to hold the engine valve in the third position as a function of the pressure of fluid directed toward the cylinder.

19. The system of claim 14, wherein the first temperature is indicative of an engine coolant temperature and the second temperature is indicative of an intake manifold temperature.