US6182636B1
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Lean burn engine speed control
Assignee: Ford Motor Co
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Filing: 1999-10-18
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Granted: 2001-02-06
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Expires: 2019-10-18
Abstract
Abstract A method for controlling an engine having both an electronically controlled inlet device, such as an electronic throttle unit, and an electronically controlled outlet device, such as a variable cam timing system is disclosed. The method of the present invention achieves cylinder air charge control that is faster than possible by using an inlet device alone. In other words, the method of the present invention controls cylinder air charge faster than manifold dynamics by coordination of the inlet and outlet device. This improved control is used to improve various engine control functions.
Inventors
- 👤 John David Russell
- 👤 Allan Joseph Kotwicki
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 22:39
CPC Classifications
F; F02; F02D; F02D31/00; F02D31/001; F02D31/002; F02D13/00; F02D13/02; F02D13/0203; F02D13/0215; F02D41/00; F02D41/0002; F02D13/0207; F02D2041/001; F02D2041/002; F02D41/02; F02D41/14; F02D41/1401; F02D2041/1409; F02D41/30; F02D41/38; F02D2041/389; F02D2250/00; F02D2250/18; Y; Y02; Y02T; Y02T10/00; Y02T10/10; Y02T10/12; Y02T10/40
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 23
Claim 1
Independent Claim
82 words
A method for controlling an engine having at least one cylinder, the engine also having an intake manifold and an outlet control device for controlling flow from the intake manifold into the cylinder and an inlet control device for controlling flow into the intake manifold, comprising: generating a fuel injection amount; and preventing an engine air/fuel ratio from entering a predetermined air/fuel ratio range by changing both the inlet control device and the outlet control device based on said fuel injection amount.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
82 words
A method for controlling an engine having at least one cylinder, the engine also having an intake manifold and an outlet control device for controlling flow from the intake manifold into the cylinder and an inlet control device for controlling flow into the intake manifold, comprising: generating a fuel injection amount; and preventing an engine air/fuel ratio from entering a predetermined air/fuel ratio range by changing both the inlet control device and the outlet control device based on said fuel injection amount.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
47 words
The method recited in claim 1 wherein said preventing step further comprises: determining a restricted air amount range based on said fuel injection amount; adjusting both the inlet control device and the outlet control device to control an actual air amount outside said restricted air amount range.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method recited in claim 2 wherein said restricted air amount range is further based on said predetermined air/fuel range.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method recited in claim 3 wherein said restricted air amount range is defined by a minimum air amount and a maximum air amount.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
33 words
The method recited in claim 4 wherein said actual air amount is controlled to be higher than said maximum air amount when said maximum air amount is achievable for current engine operating conditions.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
33 words
The method recited in claim 5 wherein said actual air amount is controlled to be lower than said minimum air amount when said maximum air amount is unachievable for current engine operating conditions.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method recited in claim 1 wherein said outlet control device is a variable cam timing system.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method recited in claim 1 wherein said outlet control device is a variable valve timing system.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method recited in claim 1 wherein said inlet control device is a throttle.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method recited in claim 9 wherein said inlet control device is an exhaust gas recirculation valve.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method recited in claim 9 wherein said inlet control device is a throttle.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
92 words
A method for controlling an engine having at least one cylinder, the engine also having an intake manifold and an outlet control device for controlling flow from the intake manifold into the cylinder and an inlet control device for controlling flow into the intake manifold, comprising: generating a fuel injection amount; determining a restricted range of the flow into the cylinders based on said fuel injection amount and a restricted air/fuel ratio range; and adjusting both the inlet control device and the outlet control device based on said restricted air amount range.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
92 words
A method for controlling an engine having at least one cylinder, the engine also having an intake manifold and an outlet control device for controlling flow from the intake manifold into the cylinder and an inlet control device for controlling flow into the intake manifold, comprising: generating a fuel injection amount; determining a restricted range of the flow into the cylinders based on said fuel injection amount and a restricted air/fuel ratio range; and adjusting both the inlet control device and the outlet control device based on said restricted air amount range.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method recited in claim 12 wherein said restricted air range of the flow into the cylinders is defined by a minimum air amount and a maximum air amount.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
67 words
The method recited in claim 13 wherein said adjusting step further comprises the steps of: adjusting both the inlet control device and the outlet control device to provide said maximum air amount when atmospheric pressure is greater than a preselected value; adjusting both the inlet control device and the outlet control device to provide said minimum air amount when atmospheric pressure is less than said preselected value.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
105 words
An article of manufacture comprising: a computer storage medium having a computer program encoded therein for controlling an engine having at least one cylinder, the engine also having an intake manifold and an outlet control device for controlling flow from the intake manifold into the cylinder and an inlet control device for controlling flow into the intake manifold, said computer storage medium comprising: code for generating a fuel injection amount; code for determining a restricted air amount range based on said fuel injection amount; and code for adjusting both the inlet control device and the outlet control device based on said restricted air amount range.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
105 words
An article of manufacture comprising: a computer storage medium having a computer program encoded therein for controlling an engine having at least one cylinder, the engine also having an intake manifold and an outlet control device for controlling flow from the intake manifold into the cylinder and an inlet control device for controlling flow into the intake manifold, said computer storage medium comprising: code for generating a fuel injection amount; code for determining a restricted air amount range based on said fuel injection amount; and code for adjusting both the inlet control device and the outlet control device based on said restricted air amount range.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
33 words
The article recited in claim 15 further comprising code for determining said restricted air range of the flow into the cylinders based on said fuel injection amount and a restricted air/fuel ratio range.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
75 words
The article recited in claim 16 further comprising: code for determining a desired air amount based on said restricted air amount range; code for adjusting the inlet control device and the outlet control device to affect flow in similar directions in response to said desired air amount; and code for adjusting the inlet control device and the outlet control device to affect flow in opposite directions in response to an outlet control device setpoint error.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
32 words
The article recited in claim 17 wherein said desired air amount is determined by selecting a maximum air amount outside said restricted air amount range in a first predetermine operating condition range.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
32 words
The article recited in claim 18 wherein said desired air amount is determined by selecting a minimum air amount outside said restricted air amount range in a second predetermine operating condition range.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
27 words
The article recited in claim 19 further comprising code for determining said first predetermined operating condition range and said second predetermined operating range based on atmospheric pressure.
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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) | 2004-02-06 | 2004-08-07 | 2005-02-06 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2008-02-06 | 2008-08-07 | 2009-02-06 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2012-02-06 | 2012-08-07 | 2013-02-06 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |