US5445127A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method and system for reducing engine spark knock during a rapid transient
Assignee: Ford Global Technologies LLC
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Filing: 1994-08-31
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Granted: 1995-08-29
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Expires: 2014-08-31
Abstract
Abstract A method and system is provided for reducing engine spark knock during rapid transient operating conditions. The method includes the step of determining, at periodic intervals, an estimate of airflow into a combustion chamber. The method also includes the step of determining, at periodic intervals, whether rapid transient operating conditions exist. If such conditions exist, an estimated spark advance is determined based on the estimated airflow. Finally, a spark is fired in the combustion chamber based on the estimated spark advance parameter.
Inventors
- 👤 Michael J. Cullen
- 👤 Joseph N. Ulrey
- 👤 Michael R. Giangrande
- 👤 Patrick J. Eggers
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 03:15
CPC Classifications
F; F02; F02P; F02P5/00; F02P5/04; F02P5/145; F02P5/15; F02P5/152; F02P5/1521; Y; Y02; Y02T; Y02T10/00; Y02T10/10; Y02T10/40
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 18
Claim 1
Independent Claim
96 words
A method for reducing engine knock of a spark-ignited internal combustion engine during rapid transient operating conditions, the engine being controlled according to a control strategy executed by an electronic controller having a processor and a memory, the method comprising: determining, at periodic intervals, an estimate of airflow into a combustion chamber; determining, at periodic intervals, whether rapid transient operating conditions exist; upon determining that rapid transient operating conditions exist, calculating an estimated spark advance parameter based on the estimated airflow; and forming a spark in the combustion chamber based on the estimated spark advance parameter.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
96 words
A method for reducing engine knock of a spark-ignited internal combustion engine during rapid transient operating conditions, the engine being controlled according to a control strategy executed by an electronic controller having a processor and a memory, the method comprising: determining, at periodic intervals, an estimate of airflow into a combustion chamber; determining, at periodic intervals, whether rapid transient operating conditions exist; upon determining that rapid transient operating conditions exist, calculating an estimated spark advance parameter based on the estimated airflow; and forming a spark in the combustion chamber based on the estimated spark advance parameter.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the periodic intervals are based on an output of a crank angle sensor.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 1 including the step of receiving an interrupt indicating the beginning of a periodic interval.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
51 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the step of determining an estimated spark advance parameter includes: identifying a range from a plurality of ranges of air charge values based on the estimated airflow; and determining the estimated spark advance parameter based on a spark advance value associated with the identified range.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
50 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the step of determining an estimated spark advance parameter includes: identifying a range from a plurality of ranges of air charge values; and determining the estimated spark advance parameter based on a slope value associated with the identified range based on the estimated airflow,
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 1 further including the step of: utilizing the estimated spark advance parameter for a plurality of engine cycles.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
67 words
The method of claim 6 further including the steps of: determining that the plurality of engine cycles have occurred; determining a reduced spark advance parameter by reducing the estimated spark advance parameter a predetermined amount each engine cycle following the plurality of engine cycles; and utilizing the reduced spark advance parameter each engine cycle following the plurality of engine cycles until the reduced spark parameter equals zero.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
96 words
A system for reducing engine knock of a spark-ignited internal combustion engine during rapid transient operating conditions, the engine being controlled according to a control strategy executed by an electronic controller having a processor and a memory, the system comprising: means for determining, at periodic intervals, an estimate of airflow into a combustion chamber; means for determining, at periodic intervals, whether rapid transient operating conditions exist; means for determining an estimated spark advance parameter based on the estimated airflow; and means for igniting a spark in the combustion chamber based on the estimated spark advance parameter.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
96 words
A system for reducing engine knock of a spark-ignited internal combustion engine during rapid transient operating conditions, the engine being controlled according to a control strategy executed by an electronic controller having a processor and a memory, the system comprising: means for determining, at periodic intervals, an estimate of airflow into a combustion chamber; means for determining, at periodic intervals, whether rapid transient operating conditions exist; means for determining an estimated spark advance parameter based on the estimated airflow; and means for igniting a spark in the combustion chamber based on the estimated spark advance parameter.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
19 words
The system of claim 8 wherein the periodic intervals are based on an output of a crank angle sensor.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
18 words
The system of claim 8 including means for receiving an interrupt indicating the beginning of a periodic interval.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
55 words
The system of claim 8 wherein the means for determining an estimated spark advance parameter includes: means for identifying a range from a plurality of ranges of air charge values based on the estimated airflow; and means for determining the estimated spark advance parameter based on a spark advance value associated with the identified range.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
54 words
The system of claim 1 wherein the means for determining an estimated spark advance parameter includes: means for identifying a range from a plurality of ranges of air charge values; and means for determining the estimated spark advance parameter based on a slope value associated with the identified range based on the estimated airflow.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
21 words
The system of claim 1 further including: means for utilizing the estimated spark advance parameter for a plurality of engine cycles.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
70 words
The system of claim 13 further including: means for determining that the plurality of engine cycles have occurred; means for determining a reduced spark advance parameter by reducing the estimated spark advance parameter a predetermined amount each engine cycle following the plurality of engine cycles; and means for utilizing the reduced spark advance parameter each engine cycle following the plurality of engine cycles until the reduced spark parameter equals zero.
Claim 17
Independent Claim
115 words
A method for reducing engine knock of a spark-ignited internal combustion engine during rapid transient operating conditions, the engine being controlled according to a control strategy executed by an electronic controller having a processor and a memory, the method comprising: determining a first estimate of airflow into a combustion chamber in a background processing routine; determining, at periodic intervals in a foreground processing routine, a second estimate of airflow into the combustion chamber; calculating a difference between the first estimate of air flow and the second estimate of air flow; calculating an estimated spark advance parameter based on the difference; and forming a spark in the combustion chamber based on the estimated spark advance parameter.
Claim 18
Independent Claim
115 words
A method for reducing engine knock of a spark-ignited internal combustion engine during rapid transient operating conditions, the engine being controlled according to a control strategy executed by an electronic controller having a processor and a memory, the method comprising: determining a first estimate of airflow into a combustion chamber in a background processing routine; determining, at periodic intervals in a foreground processing routine, a second estimate of airflow into the combustion chamber; calculating a difference between the first estimate of air flow and the second estimate of air flow; calculating an estimated spark advance parameter based on the difference; and forming a spark in the combustion chamber based on the estimated spark advance parameter.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1998-08-28 | 1999-02-27 | 1999-08-29 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2002-08-28 | 2003-02-27 | 2003-08-29 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2006-08-28 | 2007-02-27 | 2007-08-29 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |