Multi-stroke cylinder operation in an internal combustion engine

• US 7,320,300 B2
• Filed: 12/27/2006
• Issued: 01/22/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 03/19/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC (Ford Motor Company)
• Original Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC (Ford Motor Company)
• Inventors: Megli, Thomas W., Trask, Nate, Russell, John D., Lewis, Donald J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Cronin; Stephen K.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Castro; Arnold
• Application Number:
  US11/647,043
• Publication Number:
  US 20070107687A1
• Time in Patent Office: 391 Days
• Field of Search: 123/179.1, 123/179.3, 123/179.4, 123/179.5, 123/179.16, 123/179.15, 123/491, 123/685, 123/686, 123/198.F
• US Class Current: 123/179.16
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 10/06 including control of combustion engines
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 20/00 Control systems specially adapted for hybrid vehicles hybrid vehicle design, B60K6/00; electric vehicles B60L
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 30/192 Mitigating problems related to power-up or power-down of the driveline, e.g. start-up of a cold engine
• CPC Class Codes: F01L 13/0005 Deactivating valves
• CPC Class Codes: F01L 2013/001 Deactivating cylinders
• CPC Class Codes: F01L 2800/01 Starting
• CPC Class Codes: F01L 9/20 by electric means
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 13/0215 changing the valve timing only
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 13/0253 Fully variable control of valve lift and timing using camless actuation systems such as hydraulic, pneumatic or electromagnetic actuators, e.g. solenoid valves
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 13/0257 Independent control of two or more intake or exhaust valves respectively, i.e. one of two intake valves remains closed or is opened partially while the other is fully opened
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 13/06 Cutting-out cylinders
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 2013/0292 in the start-up phase, e.g. for warming-up cold engine or catalyst
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 2041/001 for engines with variable valve actuation
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 2041/0012 with selective deactivation of cylinders
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 41/0002 Controlling intake air
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 41/0087 Selective cylinder activation, i.e. partial cylinder operation deceleration cut-off F02D41/123
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 41/024 to increase temperature of the exhaust gas treating apparatus
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 41/042 for stopping the engine
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 41/047 Taking into account fuel evaporation or wall wetting; special correction after fuel cut-off F02D41/126
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 41/062 for starting F02D41/061 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F02N 19/004 : Aiding engine start by using decompression means or variable valve actuation
• CPC Class Codes: F02N 99/006 : Providing a combustible mixture inside the cylinder
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/12 : Improving ICE efficiencies
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/40 : Engine management systems

Abstract

A system and method to control engine valve timing to during the start of an internal combustion engine. Valves that may be deactivated are controlled in a manner to reduce hydrocarbon emissions during the start of an internal combustion engine.

Claims

1. A method for starting an internal combustion engine of a hybrid-electric vehicle having a controller, the engine having at least a valve that may be held in a position for a cycle of a cylinder, the method comprising:

deactivating a cylinder in said engine in response to a signal from the controller of the hybrid-electric vehicle;

closing at least an exhaust valve of at least the cylinder in said engine in response to a request to start said engine from the controller of the hybrid-electric vehicle;

opening said exhaust valve after a combustion event in said cylinder; and

varying a number or spatial pattern of operating valves in at least a cylinder of said engine after said combustion event.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein said exhaust valve is a valve that may be mechanically held in position.

3. A method for starting an internal combustion engine of a hybrid-electric vehicle having a controller, the engine having at least a valve that may be held in position for a cycle of a cylinder, the method comprising:

closing at least an exhaust valve in at least a cylinder of said engine in response to a signal from the controller of the hybrid-electric vehicle;

determining engine position in response to a request to start said engine from the controller of the hybrid-electric vehicle;

injecting fuel to said cylinder based on said determined engine position;

combusting said injected fuel in said cylinder;

maintaining said exhaust valve closed until after combustion of said injected fuel in said cylinder; and

varying a number or pattern of operating valves in at least a cylinder of said engine, during a cycle of ais cylinder, after said combustion event.

4. The method of claim 3 wherein said exhaust valve is a valve that may be mechanically held in position.

5. A method for starting an internal combustion engine with electrically actuated valves, the method comprising:

closing at least an exhaust valve of said engine in response to a request to start said engine;

opening at least an intake valve of said engine in response to said request;

rotating engine in response to said request;

closing said at least one intake valve;

injecting fuel to said at least a cylinder of said engine;

combusting said fuel in said at least a cylinder of said engine; and

operating said at least an exhaust valve in said at least a cylinder after said combustion in said at least a cylinder.

6. The method of claim 5 wherein said opening the intake valve includes opening the intake valve during an intake stroke of said cylinder, and where said fuel is directly injected into the cylinder.

7. The method of claim 5 wherein said opening the intake valve includes opening the intake valve during an intake stroke of said cylinder, and where said fuel is port injected into the cylinder.