Speed control method

• US 7,249,588 B2
• Filed: 09/02/2005
• Issued: 07/31/2007
• 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: Russell, John David, Rutkowski, Brian D.
• Primary Examiner(s): KWON, JOHN
• Application Number:
  US11/218,987
• Publication Number:
  US 20060000441A1
• Time in Patent Office: 697 Days
• Field of Search: 123/348, 123/361, 123/399, 123/672, 123/679, 123/352, 123/90.15, 123/90.16
• US Class Current: 123/348
• 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: F02D 13/02 during engine operation
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 2041/001 for engines with variable valve actuation
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 2041/002 by simultaneous control of throttle and variable valve actuation
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 2200/0402 the parameter being determined by using a model of the engine intake or its components
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 2250/18 Control of the engine output torque
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 31/002 controlling air supply
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 41/0007 for control of turbo-charged or super-charged engines control of the pumps per se F02B37/12
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 41/3029 further comprising a homogeneous charge spark-ignited mode
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/12 Improving ICE efficiencies

Abstract

A method for controlling an engine having both an electronically controlled inlet device, such as an electronic throttle unit, and an electronically controlled outlet device, such as a variable cam timing system is disclosed. The method of the present invention achieves cylinder air charge control that is faster than possible by using an inlet device alone. In other words, the method of the present invention controls cylinder air charge faster than manifold dynamics by coordination of the inlet and outlet device. This improved control is used to improve various engine control functions.

Claims

1. A method for controlling an engine airflow, the engine having at least one cylinder, the engine also having an intake manifold and an outlet control device for controlling flow from the intake manifold into the cylinder, the outlet control device including variable valve lift, the engine having an exhaust system with a three-way catalytic converter and exhaust gas oxygen sensor, the method comprising:

generating a desired engine speed;

changing valve lift to control the engine speed to said desired engine speed;

directly injecting fuel into the cylinder based on a signal from the sensor to maintain average air/fuel at stoichiometry.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein the sensor is located upstream of the three-way catalyst.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein the engine also has an electronic throttle coupled to said intake manifold, the method further comprising adjusting said throttle based on an operating condition.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein said adjusting further comprises adjusting valve lift based on an error between said engine speed and determined engine speed.

5. The method of claim 1 wherein the engine is a v-type dual bank engine.

6. The method of claim 1 wherein said directly injecting fuel further comprises directly injecting fuel into the cylinder during the intake stroke so that a substantially homogeneous air/fuel mixture is formed.