Refueling controller

• US 10,087,865 B2
• Filed: 07/19/2016
• Issued: 10/02/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 07/19/2016
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC (Ford Motor Company)
• Original Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC (Ford Motor Company)
• Inventors: Dudar, Aed M.
• Primary Examiner(s): Vo, Hieu T
• Assistant Examiner(s): Castro, Arnold
• Application Number:
  US15/213,783
• Publication Number:
  US 20180023495A1
• Time in Patent Office: 805 Days
• Field of Search: 12340611, 12340629, 701102, 701111
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 35/027 using knock sensors
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 37/02 one of the functions being ignition
• 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 41/1498 measuring engine roughness
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 41/22 Safety or indicating devices for abnormal conditions in air/fuel ratio feedback systems F02D41/1495, in electric control linkage F02D11/107, in purge control systems F02M25/0809
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 41/26 using computer, e.g. microprocessor
• CPC Class Codes: F02P 5/145 using electrical means
• CPC Class Codes: F02P 5/1527 with means allowing burning of two or more fuels, e.g. super or normal, premium or regular
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 1/0088 characterized by the autonomous decision making process, e.g. artificial intelligence, predefined behaviours using knowledge based models G06N5/00
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/40 Engine management systems

Abstract

A controller includes a processor and a memory storing processor-executable instructions. The processor is programmed to receive a signal indicating engine knocking, adjust an octane requirement in response to the signal, and request a fuel for refueling meeting the octane requirement. The processor may also be programmed to avoid a gas station of most recent refueling in response to the signal and retard ignition timing of a spark plug in response to the signal.

Claims

1. A method comprising:

receiving a first signal indicating engine knocking;

adjusting an octane requirement for refueling in response to the signal;

requesting a fuel for refueling meeting the octane requirement; and

requesting an engine servicing upon receiving second and third signals indicating engine knocking, the second signal occurring between refueling at a gas station and a next refueling, the third signal occurring between refueling at a different gas station and a next refueling.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising avoiding a gas station of most recent refueling in response to the first signal.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein adjusting the octane requirement in response to the first signal occurs after avoiding the gas station of most recent refueling in response to the first signal.

4. The method of claim 3, further comprising retarding ignition timing of a spark plug in response to the first signal.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein avoiding the gas station of most recent refueling in response to the first signal occurs after retarding ignition timing of a spark plug in response to the signal.

6. The method of claim 5, further comprising determining that the octane requirement is at a maximum available octane requirement;

and then requesting an engine servicing in response to the first signal.

7. The method of claim 1, further comprising retarding ignition timing of a spark plug in response to the first signal.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein adjusting the octane requirement in response to the first signal occurs after retarding ignition timing of the spark plug in response to the first signal.

9. The method of claim 1, further comprising determining that the octane requirement is at a maximum available octane requirement;

and then requesting an engine servicing in response to the first signal.

10. The method of claim 1, further comprising receiving a fourth signal indicating engine knocking after a refueling after adjusting the octane requirement, and adjusting the octane requirement in response to the fourth signal.

11. A controller comprising a processor and a memory storing processor executable instructions, wherein the processor is programmed to:

receive a first signal indicating engine knocking;

adjust an octane requirement for refueling in response to the signal;

request a fuel for refueling meeting the octane requirement; and

request an engine servicing upon receiving second and third signals indicating engine knocking, the second signal occurring between refueling at a gas station and a next refueling, the third signal occurring between refueling at a different gas station and a next refueling.

12. The controller of claim 11, wherein the processor is further programmed to avoid a gas station of most recent refueling in response to the first signal.

13. The controller of claim 12, wherein the processor is programmed to execute the command to adjust the octane requirement in response to the first signal after executing the command to avoid a gas station of most recent refueling in response to the first signal.

14. The controller of claim 13, wherein the processor is further programmed to retard ignition timing of a spark plug in response to the first signal.

15. The controller of claim 14, wherein the processor is programmed to execute the command to avoid a gas station of most recent refueling in response to the first signal after executing the command to retard ignition timing of a spark plug in response to the first signal.

16. The controller of claim 15, wherein the processor is further programmed to determine that the octane requirement is at a maximum available octane requirement;

and then request an engine servicing in response to the first signal.

17. The controller of claim 11, wherein the processor is further programmed to retard ignition timing of a spark plug in response to the first signal.

18. The controller of claim 17, wherein the processor is programmed to execute the command to adjust the octane requirement in response to the first signal after executing the command to retard ignition timing of a spark plug in response to the first signal.

19. The controller of claim 11, wherein the processor is further programmed to determine that the octane requirement is at a maximum available octane requirement;

and then request an engine servicing in response to the first signal.

20. The controller of claim 11, wherein the processor is further programmed to receive a fourth signal indicating engine knocking after a refueling after executing the command to adjust the octane requirement, and adjust the octane requirement in response to the fourth signal.