Multi-component transient fuel compensation

• US 8,113,180 B2
• Filed: 06/24/2011
• Issued: 02/14/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 04/14/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC (Ford Motor Company)
• Original Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC (Ford Motor Company)
• Inventors: Jankovic, Mrdjan J., Cooper, Stephen Lee
• Primary Examiner(s): Kwon, John
• Application Number:
  US13/168,714
• Publication Number:
  US 20110253117A1
• Time in Patent Office: 235 Days
• Field of Search: 123/294, 123/304, 123/381, 123/406.47, 123429-433, 123/518, 123/574, 73/250.4, 73/290.3, 73/616.2
• US Class Current: 123/518
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 2041/1433 using a model or simulation of the system
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 2200/021 Engine temperature
• 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 41/047 Taking into account fuel evaporation or wall wetting; special correction after fuel cut-off F02D41/126
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 41/2451 characterised by what is learned or calibrated

Abstract

A method adjusts fuel injection to account for fuel puddling in the engine intake. The fuel is adjusted based on the ethanol content of the fuel in the puddle, and the make-up of the various fuel components in the puddle. In this way, it is possible to better account for the effects of these parameters on puddle evaporation.

Claims

1. A method of engine fuel injection, comprising:

determining an amount of fuel evaporated from a port puddle during an intake stroke; and

adjusting a fuel injection amount to the engine based on an ethanol content of fuel in the port puddle, a vapor pressure of the fuel in the port puddle, and the amount of evaporated fuel.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein determining the amount of fuel evaporated from the port puddle includes determining an amount of each of two or more components of fuel evaporated from the port puddle during the intake stroke, the components having different vapor pressures.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein adjusting the amount of the fuel injection to the engine based on the vapor pressure of the fuel in the port puddle includes adjusting the fuel injection amount based on a vapor pressure of each of the two or more components.

4. The method of claim 3, further comprising determining a ratio of mass fractions of the fuel and air based on the vapor pressure of each of the two or more components, and wherein adjusting the amount of the fuel injection to the engine is further based on the ratio of mass fractions of the fuel and air.

5. The method of claim 2, further comprising calibrating a parameter describing convective evaporation dependence on an air flow, and wherein determining the amount of each of the two or more components of fuel evaporated from the port puddle during the intake stroke is based on the parameter.

6. The method of claim 2, further comprising calibrating a parameter describing a fraction of injected fuel that hits the port puddle, and wherein adjusting the amount of the fuel injection to the engine is further based on the parameter.

7. The method of claim 1 wherein adjusting the fuel injection amount includes determining a transient fuel compensation based on the ethanol content of fuel in the port puddle, the vapor pressure of the fuel in the port puddle, and the amount of evaporated fuel.

8. The method of claim 1 wherein the engine is a boosted engine.