Fuel quality detection using torque and engine speed

• US 8,000,880 B2
• Filed: 05/15/2008
• Issued: 08/16/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 04/16/2008
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC (General Motors Company)
• Original Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC (General Motors Company)
• Inventors: Shibata, Jonathan T., Buslepp, Kenneth J., Dibble, Donovan L., Furness, Mary Beth
• Primary Examiner(s): Wolfe, Jr.; Willis R
• Assistant Examiner(s): Hoang; Johnny H
• Application Number:
  US12/120,828
• Publication Number:
  US 20090265081A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,188 Days
• Field of Search: 701101-105, 701/110, 701/112, 701/115, 123/403, 123/478, 123/480, 123/492, 123/497, 123/486, 123/494, 731/143.8, 731/180.1, 731/180.2
• US Class Current: 701/104
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 19/0649 Liquid fuels having different boiling temperatures, volatilities, densities, viscosities, cetane or octane numbers
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 19/088 by estimation, i.e. without using direct measurements of a corresponding sensor
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 2200/0612 determined by estimation
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 2200/1004 Estimation of the output torque
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 2200/1012 Engine speed gradient
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 41/0025 Controlling engines characterised by use of non-liquid fuels, pluralities of fuels, or non-fuel substances added to the combustible mixtures
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 41/1488 Inhibiting the regulation
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 41/1497 With detection of the mechanical response of the engine
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/30 Use of alternative fuels, e.g. biofuels

Abstract

An engine control system comprises a fuel quality calculation module and a fueling module. The fuel quality calculation module calculates a fuel quality value for fuel provided to an engine based on at least one operating parameter of the engine. The fueling module selectively increases an amount of fuel provided to the engine based on the fuel quality value.

Claims

1. An engine control system for a vehicle, comprising:

a fuel quality calculation module that calculates a fuel quality value for fuel provided to an engine based on a predetermined torque of said engine for a known fuel quality; and

a fueling module that selectively increases an amount of fuel provided to said engine based on said fuel quality value.

2. The engine control system of claim 1 wherein said fueling module increases said amount of fuel when said fuel quality value is greater than a predetermined value.

3. The engine control system of claim 1 wherein said fuel quality calculation module calculates said fuel quality value based on an estimated torque of said engine and a first change in engine speed (RPM) measured over a first period.

4. The engine control system of claim 3 wherein said estimated torque is based on said first period.

5. The engine control system of claim 4 wherein said fuel quality calculation module calculates said fuel quality value further based on a calibrated RPM change for said first period.

6. The engine control system of claim 5 wherein said calibrated RPM change is set based on said fuel quality value.

7. The engine control system of claim 3 wherein said fueling module decreases said amount of said fuel provided to said engine when a second RPM change measured over a second period is less than a predetermined RPM change, and

wherein said second period is after said first period.

8. The engine control system of claim 1 further comprising an open-loop mode module that selectively activates and deactivates an open-loop mode of an engine controller and that prevents said fueling module from increasing said amount of said fuel while an open-loop mode is deactivated.

9. The engine control system of claim 1 wherein said fueling module determines an increased amount of said fuel based on said fuel quality value and increases said amount of fuel based on said increased amount.

10. The engine control system of claim 1 wherein said fuel quality value corresponds to a driveability index (DI) value.

21. The engine control system of claim 1 wherein said fuel quality value is based on a torque ratio.

11. A method for controlling an engine, comprising:

calculating a fuel quality value for fuel provided to said engine based on a predetermined torque of said engine for a known fuel quality; and

selectively increasing an amount of fuel provided to said engine based on said fuel quality value.

12. The method of claim 11 wherein said amount of fuel is increased when said fuel quality value is greater than a predetermined value.

13. The method of claim 11 wherein said fuel quality value is calculated based on an estimated torque of said engine and a first change in engine speed (RPM) measured over a first period.

14. The method of claim 13 wherein said estimated torque is estimated based on said first period.

15. The method of claim 14 further comprising calculating said fuel quality value further based on a calibrated RPM change for said first period.

16. The method of claim 15 wherein said calibrated RPM change is set based on said fuel quality value.

17. The method of claim 13 further comprising decreasing said amount of said fuel provided to said engine when a second RPM change measured over a second period is less than a predetermined RPM change,

wherein said second period is after said first period.

18. The method of claim 11 further comprising:

selectively activating and deactivating an open-loop mode of an engine controller; and

preventing said increasing said amount of fuel while said open-loop mode is deactivated.

19. The method of claim 11 further comprising determining an increased fuel amount based on said fuel quality value, wherein said amount of fuel is increased based on said increased fuel amount.

20. The method of claim 11 wherein said fuel quality value corresponds to a driveability index (DI) value.

22. The method of claim 11 wherein said fuel quality value is based on a torque ratio.