Abstract:
A method is provided for control of a direct-injection engine operated with controlled auto-ignition (HCCI) during load transient operations between modes of lean combustion low load (HCCI/Lean) and stiochiometric combustion medium load (HCCI/Stoich.). The method includes 1) operating the engine at steady state, within a homogeneous charge compression-ignition (HCCI) load range, with fuel-air-exhaust gas mixtures at predetermined conditions, for each speed and load, and controlling the engine during changes of operating mode between one to another of the HCCI/Stoich. medium load mode and the HCCI/Lean lower load mode by synchronizing change rates of predetermined controlled inputs to the current engine fueling change rate.
Abstract:
An engine control system and method maintains an optimum exhaust fuel to air ratio in an internal combustion engine. A secondary air injection (SAI) pressure is measured in an SAI system. The SAI pressure measurement is converted into an SAI flow value. A fuel compensation value is obtained based on the SAI flow value. Fuel delivery is compensated to the engine based on the fuel compensation value. In a second embodiment, the fuel compensation value is obtained based on the SAI pressure measurement. Fuel delivery is compensated to the engine based on the fuel compensation value. In a third embodiment, a primary flow value is calculated at an air intake of the engine. A fuel compensation value is calculated based on the SAI flow and primary flow values. Fuel delivery to the engine is compensated based on the fuel compensation value.
Abstract:
Part load operating point for a controlled auto-ignition four-stroke internal combustion engine is reduced without compromising combustion stability through load dependent valve controls and fueling strategies. Optimal fuel economy is achieved by employing negative valve overlap to trap and re-compress combusted gases below a predetermined engine load and employing exhaust gas re-breathing above the predetermined engine load. Split-injection fuel controls are implemented during low and intermediate part load operation whereas a single-injection fuel control is implemented during high part load operation. Split-injections are characterized by lean fuel/air ratios and single-injections are characterized by either lean or stoichiometric fuel/air ratios. Controlled autoignition is thereby enabled through an extended range of engine loads while maintaining acceptable combustion stability and emissions at optimal fuel economy.
Abstract:
Part load operating point for a controlled auto-ignition four-stroke internal combustion engine is reduced without compromising combustion stability through a valve control operative to establish low pressure conditions within the combustion chamber into which fuel and exhaust gases are introduced. Combustion chamber pressures during the intake cycle are controlled lower as engine load decreases. Combusted gases are recirculated into the combustion chamber through a variety of internal and external recirculation mechanizations. A split-injection fuel control is implemented during low part load operation whereas a single-injection fuel control is implemented during intermediate and high part load operation. Split-injections are characterized by lean fuel/air ratios and single-injections are characterized by either lean or stoichiometric fuel/air ratios. Controlled autoignition is thereby enabled through an extended range of engine loads while maintaining acceptable combustion stability and emissions.
Abstract:
A four-stroke internal combustion engine is operated in controlled auto-ignition mode by any of a variety of valve control strategies conducive to controlled auto-ignition conditions in conjunction with in-cylinder fuel charges that are at either stoichiometric or lean of stoichiometric air-fuel ratios. A measure of engine NOx emission is provided and when it crosses a predetermined threshold, the in-cylinder fuel charge is transitioned from the operative one of the stoichiometric or lean of stoichiometric air-fuel ratios to the inoperative one of the stoichiometric or lean of stoichiometric air-fuel ratios.
Abstract:
A method of operating a four-stroke gasoline direct-injection controlled auto-ignition combustion engine includes opening both the intake and exhaust valves during terminal portions of the expansion strokes and initial portions of the contraction strokes, injecting fuel directly into the combustion chamber for mixing with retained gases and igniting the fuel near the ends of the contraction strokes. In the process, combustion gases are expanded to produce power during major portions of the expansion strokes, combusted gases are blown down into the exhaust outlet and the air inlet and are partially redrawn into the cylinder with fresh air during the terminal portions of the expansion strokes so the air charges are heated by the hot exhaust gases. Portions of the charges re-expelled and the remaining portions of the charges and injected fuel are compressed for ignition of the dilute fuel/air and exhaust gas mixture. Substantial reductions of NOx emissions result from the method.
Abstract:
A control system and method to dynamically determine a parametric value for combustion chamber deposits (CCD), e.g. in a controlled auto-ignition engine, including in-situ evaluation of thickness of CCD, based on a sensor which monitors combustion. It includes a temperature sensor operative to monitor the combustion chamber, and a CCD parameter that is based upon a peak combustion temperature measured at a crank angle. A CCD parameter can also be determined utilizing an in-cylinder pressure monitor, wherein a combustion chamber deposit parameter is based upon crank angle location of a peak in-cylinder pressure parameter.
Abstract:
The present invention relates to methods for robust controlled auto-ignition and spark ignited combustion controls in gasoline direct-injection engines, including transients, using either exhaust re-breathing or a combination of exhaust re-compression and re-breathing valve strategy. These methods are capable of enabling engine operation with either lean of stoichiometric or stoichiometric air/fuel ratio for oxides of nitrogen (NOx) control, with varying exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) rates and throttle valve positions for knock control, and with a combination of homogeneous charge compression ignition (HCCI) and spark ignition (SI) combustion modes to optimize fuel economy over a wide range of engine operating conditions.
Abstract:
A direct injection controlled auto-ignition engine is operated at steady state, within a homogeneous charge compression-ignition (HCCI) load range and with fuel-air-diluent mixtures at predetermined conditions, for each speed and load, of engine control inputs, including at least injection timing (FI), spark timing (SI), throttle position, exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) valve setting and exhaust recompression obtained by negative valve overlap (NVO). During engine speed transients, the control inputs are synchronized to changes in the current engine speed, and also with any concurrent changes in the engine fueling rate. Inputs that are inactive during all or part of a speed change have a zero change rate while inactive. The method maintains robust auto-ignition combustion during speed transients with constant or variable fueling rates and with or without load changes.
Abstract:
A method is provided for control of transition between combustion modes of a direct-injection engine operable in a homogeneous charge compression ignition (HCCI) mode at lower loads and a spark ignition flame propagation (SI) mode at higher loads. The engine includes a variable valve actuation system including two-step high and low lift valve actuation and separate cam phasing for both intake and exhaust valves. The method includes operating the engine at steady state, with fuel-air-exhaust gas mixtures at predetermined conditions, for each speed and load, and controlling the engine during mode changes between the HCCI mode and the SI mode by switching the exhaust and intake valves between low lift for HCCI operation and high lift for SI operation. High load may be an SI throttled mode with an intermediate unthrottled mode (SI/NTLC} in which transition between HCCI and SI/NTLC modes requires switching only the exhaust valve lift and transition between SI/NTLC and SI throttled modes requires switching only the intake valve lift, with predetermined phase adjustments in the valve timing phasing.