公开(公告)号：US20180216541A1

公开(公告)日：2018-08-02

申请号：US15937538

申请日：2018-03-27

Applicant: Tula Technology, Inc.

Inventor： Mohammad R. PIRJABERI ,  Adya S. TRIPATHI ,  Louis J. SERRANO

IPC: F02D17/02 ,  F02D41/00 ,  F02D13/06 ,  F02D37/02 ,  F02D41/28

CPC classification number: F02D17/02 ,  F02D13/06 ,  F02D37/02 ,  F02D41/0087 ,  F02D2041/286 ,  F02D2200/101

Abstract: In various described embodiments skip fire control is used to deliver a desired engine output. A controller determines a skip fire firing fraction and (as appropriate) associated engine settings that are suitable for delivering a requested output. In one aspect, the skip fire controller is arranged to select a base firing fraction that has a repeating firing cycle length that will repeat at least a designated number of times per second at the current engine speed. Such an arrangement can be helpful in reducing the occurrence of undesirable vibrations.

公开(公告)号：US10012161B2

公开(公告)日：2018-07-03

申请号：US15171931

申请日：2016-06-02

Applicant: Tula Technology, Inc. ,  FCA US LLC

Inventor： Mark A. Shost ,  Ihab S. Soliman ,  James J. Daley

IPC: F02D17/00 ,  F02D41/00 ,  F02D29/02 ,  F02D41/26 ,  F02D17/02 ,  F02D13/06

CPC classification number: F02D41/0085 ,  F02D13/06 ,  F02D17/00 ,  F02D17/02 ,  F02D29/02 ,  F02D41/008 ,  F02D41/0087 ,  F02D41/26 ,  F02D2041/0012 ,  F02D2200/1004

Abstract: In one aspect, a method is described. An operational engine torque is calculated. The engine is operated in a skip fire manner to deliver the operational engine torque. A reference engine torque is calculated using a torque model. The torque model involves estimating torque at a working chamber level. The reference engine torque is compared to the calculated operational engine torque to assess the accuracy of the operational engine torque calculation. Various embodiments of the present invention involve software, devices, systems and engine controllers that are related to one or more of the above operations.

公开(公告)号：US09945313B2

公开(公告)日：2018-04-17

申请号：US13794157

申请日：2013-03-11

Applicant: Tula Technology, Inc.

Inventor： Allan J. Kotwicki ,  Joel D. Van Ess

IPC: F02D7/00 ,  F02D41/18 ,  F02D35/02

CPC classification number: F02D41/18 ,  F02D35/028 ,  F02D2200/0402 ,  F02D2200/0408

Abstract: In one aspect, an engine controller for an engine including multiple working chambers is described. The engine controller includes a mass air charge determining unit that estimates a mass air charge or amount of air to be delivered to a working chamber. Firing decisions made for a firing window of one or more firing opportunities are used to help determine the mass air charge. The engine controller also includes a firing controller, which is arranged to direct firings to deliver a desired output. Fuel is delivered to a working chamber based on the estimated mass air charge.

公开(公告)号：US09890732B2

公开(公告)日：2018-02-13

申请号：US15384924

申请日：2016-12-20

Applicant: Tula Technology, Inc.

Inventor： Matthew A. Younkins ,  Shikui Kevin Chen

IPC: F02D41/00 ,  F02D41/22 ,  F02D17/02 ,  F02B77/08 ,  G01M15/04 ,  G01P15/00 ,  G01L3/00 ,  F02D41/14 ,  F02D41/30 ,  F02D13/06 ,  F02D35/02

CPC classification number: F02D41/221 ,  F02B77/082 ,  F02D13/06 ,  F02D17/02 ,  F02D35/023 ,  F02D35/024 ,  F02D41/0087 ,  F02D41/1401 ,  F02D41/1448 ,  F02D41/1498 ,  F02D41/22 ,  F02D41/3058 ,  F02D2041/001 ,  F02D2041/1412 ,  F02D2041/1433 ,  F02D2041/227 ,  G01L3/00 ,  G01M15/042 ,  G01P15/00 ,  Y02T10/18

Abstract: Methods and systems are described for detecting valve actuation faults in internal combustion engines operating in a skip fire operational mode. In one aspect, for each skip fire working cycle, an expected exhaust pressure is determined for a time period corresponding to a potential exhaust event. One or more exhaust gas pressure sensors are then used to measure an actual exhaust pressure during the potential exhaust period. The actual exhaust pressure is compared to the expected exhaust pressure to determine whether a valve actuation fault has occurred. A variety of valve actuation faults can be identified using the described approach. In some embodiments pressure sensors are deployed in the runners of the exhaust manifold.

公开(公告)号：US20170342921A1

公开(公告)日：2017-11-30

申请号：US15679462

申请日：2017-08-17

Applicant: Tula Technology, Inc.

Inventor： Mohammad R. PIRJABERI ,  Kian EISAZADEH-FAR ,  Steven E. CARLSON ,  Louis J. SERRANO ,  Ying REN ,  Joel D. VAN ESS

IPC: F02D41/00 ,  F02D41/14 ,  F02D41/30

CPC classification number: F02D41/0087 ,  F02D41/0002 ,  F02D41/1498 ,  F02D41/3058 ,  F02D41/307 ,  F02D2041/0012

Abstract: Methods, devices, estimators, controllers and algorithms are described for estimating the torque profile of an engine and/or for controlling torque applied to a powertrain by one or more devices other than the engine itself to manage the net torque applied by the engine and other device(s) in manners that reduce undesirable NVH. The described approaches are particularly well suitable for use in hybrid vehicles in which the engine is operated in a skip fire or other dynamic firing level modulation manner—however they may be used in a variety of other circumstances as well. In some embodiments, the hybrid vehicle includes a motor/generator that applies the smoothing torque.

公开(公告)号：US20170306864A1

公开(公告)日：2017-10-26

申请号：US15646476

申请日：2017-07-11

Applicant: Tula Technology, Inc.

Inventor： Mohammad R. PIRJABERI ,  Louis J. SERRANO ,  Xin YUAN ,  Steven E. CARLSON ,  Siamak HASHEMI ,  Ryan A. KUHLENBECK

IPC: F02D37/02 ,  F02P5/15 ,  F02D17/02 ,  F02D41/00 ,  F02D41/28

CPC classification number: F02D37/02 ,  F02D17/02 ,  F02D41/0002 ,  F02D41/0087 ,  F02D2041/286 ,  F02D2200/0406 ,  F02D2200/101 ,  F02P5/1504 ,  Y02T10/42 ,  Y02T10/46

Abstract: Methods and arrangements are described for controlling transitions between firing fractions during skip fire operation of an engine in order to help smooth the transitions. Generally, firing fractions transitions are implemented gradually, preferably in a manner that relatively closely tracks manifold filling dynamics. In some embodiments, the commanded firing fraction is altered each firing opportunity. Another approach contemplates altering the commanded firing fraction by substantially the same amount each firing opportunity for at least a portion of the transition. These approaches work particularly well when the commanded firing fraction is provided to a skip fire controller that includes an accumulator functionality that tracks the portion of a firing that has been requested, but not delivered, or vice versa. In various embodiments, commanded firing fraction changes are delayed relative to initiation of the change in throttle position to help compensate for inherent delays associated with changing the manifold air pressure.

公开(公告)号：US20170299466A1

公开(公告)日：2017-10-19

申请号：US15641097

申请日：2017-07-03

Applicant: Tula Technology, Inc.

Inventor： Shikui Kevin CHEN ,  Allan J. KOTWICKI ,  Joel D. VAN ESS ,  Robert S. BAILEY ,  Mohammad R. PIRJABERI

IPC: G01M15/05 ,  G01M15/09 ,  F02M35/10

CPC classification number: G01M15/05 ,  F02M35/1038 ,  G01M15/09

Abstract: A variety of methods and arrangements for detecting failure of the commanded air induction in an internal combustion engine are described. In some embodiments, the intake manifold pressure is monitored. An air induction event generates a fluctuation in the intake manifold pressure, which is recorded. The signal is processed through a diagnostic filter to help determine whether the actual induction matched the commanded induction. In other embodiments, measured crankshaft acceleration is compared with estimated crankshaft acceleration. If the two quantities differ by a threshold amount an induction fault is detected. The two detection methods may also be combined. The describe approaches are particularly well suited for use in engines operating in a skip fire mode with cylinder deactivation and/or a dynamic firing level modulation mode.

公开(公告)号：US09790867B2

公开(公告)日：2017-10-17

申请号：US15009533

申请日：2016-01-28

Applicant: Tula Technology, Inc.

Inventor： Steven E. Carlson ,  Xin Yuan ,  Siamak Hashemi ,  Vijay Srinivasan ,  Srihari Kalluri ,  Andrew W. Phillips ,  Mark A. Wilcutts ,  Louis J. Serrano ,  Shikui Kevin Chen

IPC: F02D41/32 ,  F02D17/02 ,  F01N11/00 ,  F02M35/10 ,  F02D41/00 ,  F02M25/08 ,  F02D41/12 ,  F02D29/02 ,  F02D9/02

CPC classification number: F02D17/02 ,  F01N11/007 ,  F02D29/02 ,  F02D41/003 ,  F02D41/0087 ,  F02D41/126 ,  F02D2009/024 ,  F02D2041/0012 ,  F02D2200/0406 ,  F02D2250/08 ,  F02D2250/41 ,  F02M25/089 ,  F02M35/10222 ,  F02M35/10229

Abstract: Methods and arrangements for transitioning an engine between a deceleration cylinder cutoff (DCCO) state and an operational state are described. In one aspect, transitions from DCCO begin with reactivating cylinders to pump air to reduce the pressure in the intake manifold prior to firing any cylinders. In another aspect, transitions from DCCO, involve the use of an air pumping skip fire operational mode. After the manifold pressure has been reduced, the engine may transition to either a cylinder deactivation skip fire operational mode or other appropriate operational mode. In yet another aspect a method of transitioning into DCCO using a skip fire approach is described. In this aspect, the fraction of the working cycles that are fired is gradually reduced to a threshold firing fraction. All of the working chambers are then deactivated after reaching the threshold firing fraction.

公开(公告)号：US09739212B1

公开(公告)日：2017-08-22

申请号：US15148826

申请日：2016-05-06

Applicant: Tula Technology, Inc.

Inventor： Vijay Srinivasan ,  Louis J. Serrano

IPC: F02D13/06 ,  F02D17/02 ,  F02D35/00

CPC classification number: F02D41/0087 ,  F02D41/021 ,  F02D41/0225 ,  F02D2200/021 ,  F02D2200/501 ,  F02D2200/702 ,  F02D2250/18

Abstract: In one aspect, a skip fire engine controller is described. The skip fire engine controller includes a skip fire module arranged to determine an operational firing fraction and associated cylinder load for delivering a desired engine output. The skip fire engine controller also includes a firing controller arranged to direct firings in a skip fire manner that delivers the selected operational firing fraction. Various methods, modules, lookup tables and arrangements related to the selection of a suitable operational firing fraction are also described.

公开(公告)号：US20170234254A1

公开(公告)日：2017-08-17

申请号：US15147690

申请日：2016-05-05

Applicant: Tula Technology, Inc.

Inventor： Masaki NAGASHIMA ,  Mohammad R. PIRJABERI ,  Louis J. SERRANO

IPC: F02D41/14 ,  F02D41/18 ,  F02D41/04

CPC classification number: F02D41/1401 ,  F02D41/0002 ,  F02D41/0087 ,  F02D41/04 ,  F02D41/18 ,  F02D2041/001 ,  F02D2041/141 ,  F02D2200/0406 ,  F02D2200/1004 ,  F02D2250/21 ,  Y02T10/42

Abstract: A variety of methods and arrangements are described for controlling transitions between firing fractions during skip fire operation of an engine in order to help reduce undesirable NVH consequences and otherwise smooth the transitions. In general, both feed forward and feedback control are utilized in the determination of the firing fractions during transitions such that the resulting changes in the firing fraction better track cylinder air charge changing dynamics associated with the transition.