Method and system for reducing operating errors in a variable value actuation system

• US 8,290,690 B2
• Filed: 09/09/2009
• Issued: 10/16/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 09/09/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC (General Motors Company)
• Original Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC (General Motors Company)
• Inventors: Rayl, Allen B.
• Primary Examiner(s): Vo, Hieu T
• Application Number:
  US12/556,190
• Publication Number:
  US 20110060516A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,133 Days
• Field of Search: 701/112, 701/113, 701/101, 701/102, 701/115, 123/198.D, 123/198.F, 123/198.R
• US Class Current: 701/112
• CPC Class Codes: F01L 1/185 Overhead end-pivot rocking arms
• CPC Class Codes: F01L 1/2405 by means of a hydraulic adjusting device located between the cylinder head and rocker arm
• CPC Class Codes: F01L 13/0036 the valves being driven by two or more cams with different shape, size or timing or a single cam profiled in axial and radial direction
• CPC Class Codes: F01L 2001/0537 Double overhead camshafts [DOHC]
• CPC Class Codes: F01L 2001/34496 Two phasers on different camshafts
• CPC Class Codes: F01L 2800/03 Stopping; Stalling
• CPC Class Codes: F01L 2820/042 Crankshafts position
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 13/0207 changing valve lift or valve lift and timing
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 13/0219 by shifting the phase, i.e. the opening periods of the valves are constant
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 13/08 for rendering engine inoperative or idling
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 2041/001 for engines with variable valve actuation
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 37/02 one of the functions being ignition
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 41/0002 Controlling intake air
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 41/021 Introducing corrections for particular conditions exterior to the engine conjoint control of vehicle sub-units for propelling the vehicle B60W30/18
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 41/042 for stopping the engine
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 41/1497 With detection of the mechanical response of the engine
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/12 Improving ICE efficiencies
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/40 Engine management systems

Abstract

A method and control module for controlling an engine includes a lift command module that commands a first lift state after detecting an engine shut-down signal and a shut-down delay determination module that determines a shut-down delay period, that continues spark and fuel control before the shut-down delay period and that ends spark and fuel control to shut down the engine after the shut-down delay period.

Claims

1. A control system for an engine, the system comprising:

a lift command module that commands a first lift state after detecting an engine shut-down signal; and

a shut-down delay determination module that determines a shut-down delay period that continues spark and fuel control before the shut-down delay period and that ends spark and fuel control to shut down the engine after the shut-down delay period.

2. A control system as recited in claim 1 wherein an engine deactivation module generates an engine shut-down signal.

3. A control system as recited in claim 1 further comprising an accessory load control module that disables accessory loads after the lift command module commands the first lift state.

4. A control system as recited in claim 1 further comprising an accessory load control module that reduces pumping loads after the lift command module commands the first lift state.

5. A control system as recited in claim 1 wherein the shut-down delay determination module determines the shut-down delay period based on spin-down event period.

6. A control system as recited in claim 5 wherein the spin-down event period is based on at least one of engine speed, friction torque, pump torque, engine accessory torque, transmission gear, and engine cylinder count.

7. A control system as recited in claim 5 wherein the spin-down event period is based on engine speed, friction torque, pump torque, engine accessory torque, transmission gear, and engine cylinder count.

8. A control system as recited in claim 1 wherein the shut-down delay period is based on a hardware event offset period.

9. A control system as recited in claim 8 wherein the hardware event offset period comprises a difference of a minimum low-lift event period and a current low-lift event period.

10. A control system as recited in claim 1 wherein the shut-down delay period is based on spin-down event period, a hardware event offset period and a maximum low-lift to high-lift event period.

11. A method of controlling an engine, the method comprising:

detecting an engine shut-down signal;

thereafter, commanding a first lift state,

determining a shut-down delay period;

before the shut-down delay period, continuing spark and fuel control; and

after the shut-down delay period, ending spark and fuel control to shut down the engine.

12. A method as recited in claim 11 wherein detecting an engine shut-down signal comprises detecting an engine shut-down signal from an ignition system.

13. A method as recited in claim 11 wherein, after commanding a first lift state, disabling accessory loads.

14. A method as recited in claim 11 wherein, after commanding a first lift state, reducing pumping loads.

15. A method as recited in claim 11 wherein determining a shut-down delay period comprises determining the shut-down delay period based on spin-down event period.

16. A method as recited in claim 15 wherein the spin-down event period is based on at least one of engine speed, friction torque, pump torque, engine accessory torque, transmission gear, and engine cylinder count.

17. A method as recited in claim 15 wherein the spin-down event period is based on engine speed, friction torque, pump torque, engine accessory torque, transmission gear, and engine cylinder count.

18. A method as recited in claim 11 wherein determining a shut-down delay period comprises determining the shut-down delay period based on a hardware event offset period.

19. A method as recited in claim 18 wherein the hardware event offset period comprises a difference of a minimum low-lift event period and a current low-lift event period.

20. A method as recited in claim 11 wherein determining a shut-down delay period comprises determining the shut-down delay period based on spin-down event period, a hardware event offset period and a maximum low-lift to high-lift event period.