Detection of engine intake manifold air-leaks

• US 8,447,456 B2
• Filed: 01/17/2008
• Issued: 05/21/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 01/17/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC (General Motors Company)
• Original Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC (General Motors Company)
• Inventors: Wang, Wenbo, McLain, Kurt D.
• Primary Examiner(s): Tran, Khoi
• Assistant Examiner(s): Sample, Jonathan L
• Application Number:
  US12/015,750
• Publication Number:
  US 20090187301A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,951 Days
• Field of Search: None
• US Class Current: 701/29.1
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 2200/0402 the parameter being determined by using a model of the engine intake or its components
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 41/0002 Controlling intake air
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 41/18 by measuring intake air flow
• 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

Abstract

A method of determining an engine intake air leak may include measuring an air flow rate into an internal combustion engine, comparing the measured air flow rate to a first predetermined air flow limit, calculating an estimated air flow rate into the engine when the measured air flow rate is less than the first predetermined air flow limit, comparing the estimated air flow rate to second and third predetermined air flow limits, and indicating an air leak when the estimated air flow rate is greater than the second predetermined air flow limit and less than the third predetermined air flow limit.

Claims

1. A method comprising:

measuring an air flow rate into an internal combustion engine;

comparing said measured air flow rate to a first predetermined air flow limit;

calculating an estimated air flow rate into said engine when said measured air flow rate is less than said first predetermined air flow limit;

comparing said estimated air flow rate to second and third predetermined air flow limits; and

indicating an air leak when said estimated air flow rate is greater than said second predetermined air flow limit, and less than said third predetermined air flow limit.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising determining an oxygen level of an exhaust gas exiting said engine and indicating an air leak when said oxygen level is greater than a predetermined oxygen level limit.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein said determining occurs after said comparing said estimated air flow rate.

4. The method of claim 2, further comprising determining a commanded air-fuel ratio based on said measured air flow rate and providing an amount of fuel to said engine based on said air-fuel ratio, said indicating occurring when an oxygen level of said exhaust gas is greater than an expected oxygen level associated with said air-fuel ratio.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein said air-fuel ratio is less than 14.7-to-1.

6. The method of claim 1, further comprising controlling an amount of fuel supplied to said engine based on said estimated air flow rate after said air leak is indicated.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein, said comparing said measured air flow rate occurs when said engine is operating at an idle condition.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein said first predetermined air flow limit is generally less than said third predetermined air flow limit.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein said first predetermined air flow limit is generally equal to said second predetermined air flow limit.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein said estimated air flow rate is calculated based on an air pressure measurement within an intake system of said engine.

11. A method comprising:

measuring an air flow rate into an internal combustion engine;

comparing said measured air flow rate to a first predetermined air flow limit;

calculating an estimated air flow rate into said engine when said measured air flow rate is less than said first predetermined air flow limit;

comparing said estimated air flow rate to second and third predetermined air flow limits; and

controlling an amount of fuel supplied to said engine based on said estimated air flow rate when said estimated air flow rate is greater than said second predetermined air flow limit and less than said third predetermined air flow limit.

12. The method of claim 11, further comprising indicating an air leak when said estimated air flow rate is greater than said second predetermined air flow limit and less than said third predetermined air flow limit.

13. The method of claim 11, further comprising determining an oxygen level of an exhaust gas exiting said engine and controlling an amount of fuel supplied to said engine based on said estimated air flow rate when said oxygen level is greater than a predetermined oxygen level limit.

14. The method of claim 13, further comprising indicating an air leak when said oxygen level is greater than said predetermined oxygen level limit.

15. The method of claim 13, further comprising determining a commanded air-fuel ratio based on said measured air flow rate and providing an amount of fuel to said engine based on said air-fuel ratio, said controlling occurring when said oxygen level is greater than an oxygen level associated with said air-fuel ratio.

16. A control module comprising:

an air flow measurement module that measures an air flow rate into an internal combustion engine;

an air flow calculation module that calculates an estimated air flow rate into said engine; and

an air leak determination module in communication with said air flow measurement module and said air flow calculation module that determines an air leak condition in an intake system of said engine when said measured air flow rate is less than a first predetermined air flow limit and said estimated air flow rate is greater than a second predetermined air flow limit and less than a third predetermined air flow limit.

17. The control module of claim 16, further comprising an exhaust gas evaluation module in communication with said air leak determination module that determines an oxygen level of an exhaust gas exiting said engine, said air leak determination module indicating an air leak when said oxygen level is greater than a predetermined oxygen level limit.

18. The control module of claim 17, further comprising a fuel control module in communication with said air flow calculation module and said an air leak determination module that controls a commanded air-fuel ratio provided to said engine based on said estimated air flow rate after said air leak condition is determined.

19. The control module of claim 17, further comprising a fuel control module in communication with said air flow measurement module and said air leak determination module that controls a commanded air-fuel ratio provided to said engine based on said measured air flow rate, said air leak determination module determining said air leak condition when an oxygen level of an exhaust gas from said engine is greater than an oxygen level associated with said air-fuel ratio.

20. The control module of claim 16, wherein said estimated air flow rate is calculated based on an air pressure measurement within an intake system of said engine.