Electromechanical valve timing during a start

• US 7,717,071 B2
• Filed: 06/10/2008
• Issued: 05/18/2010
• 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: Russell, John D., Lewis, Donald J.
• Primary Examiner(s): KWON, JOHN
• Application Number:
  US12/136,366
• Publication Number:
  US 20080283004A1
• Time in Patent Office: 707 Days
• Field of Search: 123/90.11, 123/90.15, 123/345, 123/346, 123/347, 123/348, 123/321, 123/322, 123/434, 123/480, 123/491, 123/179.16
• US Class Current: 123/90.11
• CPC Class Codes: F01L 1/38 for engines with other than four-stroke cycle, e.g. with two-stroke cycle F01L1/26, F01L1/28 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F01L 13/0005 Deactivating valves
• CPC Class Codes: F01L 2800/01 Starting
• CPC Class Codes: F01L 9/20 by electric means
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 13/0207 changing valve lift or valve lift and timing
• 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 2200/703 Atmospheric pressure
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 41/042 for stopping the engine
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 41/062 for starting F02D41/061 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F02N 11/0814 comprising means for controlling automatic idle-start-stop
• CPC Class Codes: F02N 19/004 Aiding engine start by using decompression means or variable valve actuation
• CPC Class Codes: F02P 5/1506 with particular means during starting
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/12 Improving ICE efficiencies

Abstract

A method for starting an internal combustion engine with electrically actuated valves, the method comprising during at least a run-up in engine speed of engine starting, adjusting intake valve timing of an electrically actuated valve of a cylinder to provide a desired air amount in said cylinder, based on at least an operating condition of said engine.

Claims

1. A method for starting an internal combustion engine comprising:

during at least a run-up in engine speed of engine staffing, adjusting intake valve closing timing of an electrically actuated valve of a cylinder in response to barometric pressure to provide a desired air amount in said cylinder, with a longer valve opening with respect to crankshaft angle at higher altitudes compared to a shorter valve opening with respect to crankshaft angle at lower altitudes.

2. The method of claim 1 further comprising adjusting said intake valve closing timing of said electrically actuated valve in response to a temperature of said engine.

3. The method of claim 1 further comprising adjusting said intake valve closing timing of said electrically actuated valve in response to a temperature of ambient air.

4. The method of claim 1 further comprising adjusting said intake valve closing timing of said electrically actuated valve in response to a desired engine torque amount.

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

during at least engine cranking and run-up in engine speed of engine starting, adjusting intake valve timing of an electrically actuated valve of a cylinder to provide a desired air amount in said cylinder even as barometric pressure changes, where the intake valve timing adjustment compensates for changes in barometric pressure by generating a longer crank angle valve opening at higher altitudes compared to a shorter crank angle valve opening at lower altitudes.

6. The method of claim 5 where the desired air amount includes a predetermined cylinder air amount.

7. The method of claim 5 further comprising injecting a fuel amount based on the desired air amount.

8. The method of claim 7 where the fuel amount is further based on a number of fueled cylinder events.

9. The method of claim 5 where the desired air amount is further based on a temperature of said engine.

10. The method of claim 5 further comprising adjusting a spark timing based on said air amount.

11. The method of claim 7 further comprising injecting fuel directly into the cylinder.

12. A computer readable storage medium having stored data representing instructions executable by a computer to control an internal combustion engine of a vehicle, said storage medium comprising:

instructions for determining a target cylinder air amount, for at least a cylinder, based on at least an operating condition of said engine; and

instructions for, during at least engine cranking and run-up, adjusting at least intake valve timing of the cylinder based on said target cylinder air amount, where said adjusting is further responsive to barometric pressure to provide a longer crank angle intake valve opening at higher altitudes compared to a shorter crank angle valve opening at lower altitudes to provide said target cylinder air amount.