US6286311B1
Expired / Lapsed
US
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System and method for controlling a locomotive engine during high load conditions at low ambient temperature
Assignee: Transportation IP Holdings LLC
•
Filing: 2000-05-16
•
Granted: 2001-09-11
•
Expires: 2020-05-16
Abstract
Abstract A system and method for controlling a turbocharged compression-ignition engine having an intercooling system that uses a predetermined coolant fluid is provided. The engine is configured to receive a predetermined combustion-supporting fluid into a plurality of cylinders through a respective intake manifold. The method allows for detecting a full or high load engine condition using the amount of fuel injected into a cylinder per cylinder cycle and/or throttle notch position. The method also allows for sensing a predetermined parameter indicative of a respective ambient condition. The method further allows for selecting a desired value of a predetermined operational parameter that influences peak pressures developed within the cylinders. The desired value being selected based on the value of the parameter indicative of the ambient condition. A comparing step allows for comparing an actual value of the operational parameter against the desired value of that operational parameter. An actuating step allows for selectively actuating the intercooling system based on the results of the comparison step to adjust the actual value of the operational parameter to reduce engine NO x emission and contain cylinder peak pressure within acceptable limits during high load operations regardless of the ambient condition with minimal deterioration in engine output performance and capability.
Inventors
- 👤 Gong Chen
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 15:49
CPC Classifications
F; F02; F02B; F02B29/00; F02B29/04; F02B29/0493; F02B29/0406; F02B29/0437; Y; Y02; Y02T; Y02T10/00; Y02T10/10; Y02T10/12
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 52
Claim 1
Independent Claim
152 words
A method for controlling a turbocharged compression-ignition engine during a full or high load condition, the engine having an intercooling system that uses a predetermined coolant fluid, the engine being configured to receive a predetermined combustion-supporting fluid into a plurality of cylinders through a respective intake manifold, the method comprising: detecting the presence of the full and/or high load condition of the engine; sensing a parameter indicative of a respective ambient condition; selecting a desired value of a respective operational parameter that influences peak pressures developed within the cylinders, the desired value being selected based on the value of the parameter indicative of the respective ambient condition; comparing an actual value of the operational parameter against the desired value of that operational parameter; and selectively actuating the intercooling system based on the results of the comparison step to adjust the actual value of the operational parameter to contain the peak cylinder pressures.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
152 words
A method for controlling a turbocharged compression-ignition engine during a full or high load condition, the engine having an intercooling system that uses a predetermined coolant fluid, the engine being configured to receive a predetermined combustion-supporting fluid into a plurality of cylinders through a respective intake manifold, the method comprising: detecting the presence of the full and/or high load condition of the engine; sensing a parameter indicative of a respective ambient condition; selecting a desired value of a respective operational parameter that influences peak pressures developed within the cylinders, the desired value being selected based on the value of the parameter indicative of the respective ambient condition; comparing an actual value of the operational parameter against the desired value of that operational parameter; and selectively actuating the intercooling system based on the results of the comparison step to adjust the actual value of the operational parameter to contain the peak cylinder pressures.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
11 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the combustion-supporting fluid is air.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
39 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the predetermined operational parameter is intake manifold air temperature and the detecting step comprises detecting an engine fuel value delivered to a respective cylinder per cylinder cycle and/or throttle setting of the engine.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the predetermined operational parameter is coolant fluid temperature.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the predetermined operational parameter is intake manifold air temperature and/or coolant temperature.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the sensed parameter indicative of the respective ambient condition is ambient temperature.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the sensed parameter indicative of the respective ambient condition is inlet air temperature.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the sensed parameter indicative of the respective ambient condition is barometric pressure.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
33 words
The method of claim 1 further comprising a step of updating the desired value of the predetermined operational parameter as a function of the present value of the parameter indicative of ambient conditions.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
38 words
The method of claim 9 wherein the updating step comprises selecting a lower desired value of the predetermined operational parameter as ambient and/or inlet air temperature decreases below a nominal temperature value corresponding to a sensed barometric pressure.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
39 words
The method of claim 10 wherein the updating step comprises selecting a higher desired value of the predetermined operational parameter as ambient temperature and/or inlet air temperature increases up to the nominal temperature value for the sensed barometric pressure.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
41 words
The method of claim 9 wherein the updating step comprises selecting a lower desired value of the predetermined operational parameter as barometric pressure increases above a respective nominal barometric pressure value corresponding to a sensed ambient temperature and/or inlet air temperature.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
40 words
The method of claim 12 wherein the updating step comprises selecting a higher desired value of the predetermined operational parameter as barometric pressure decreases up to the nominal barometric pressure value for the sensed ambient temperature and/or inlet air temperature.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
48 words
The method of claim 9 wherein the updating step comprises setting the desired value of the predetermined operational parameter to be equal to a default value corresponding to a sensed barometric pressure when ambient temperature and/or inlet air temperature is equal to or above a nominal temperature value.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the engine is in a locomotive and the engine comprises a diesel engine.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
138 words
A control system for controlling a turbocharged compression-ignition engine having an intercooling system that uses a predetermined coolant fluid, the engine being configured to receive a predetermined combustion-supporting fluid into a plurality of cylinders through a respective intake manifold, the control system comprising: means for sensing a predetermined parameter indicative of a respective ambient condition; means for selecting a desired value of a predetermined operational parameter that influences peak pressures developed within the cylinders, the desired value being selected based on the value of the parameter indicative of the respective ambient condition; means for comparing an actual value of the operational parameter against the desired value of that operational parameter; and means for selectively actuating the intercooling system based on the comparison results to adjust the actual value of the operational parameter to contain the peak cylinder pressures.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
138 words
A control system for controlling a turbocharged compression-ignition engine having an intercooling system that uses a predetermined coolant fluid, the engine being configured to receive a predetermined combustion-supporting fluid into a plurality of cylinders through a respective intake manifold, the control system comprising: means for sensing a predetermined parameter indicative of a respective ambient condition; means for selecting a desired value of a predetermined operational parameter that influences peak pressures developed within the cylinders, the desired value being selected based on the value of the parameter indicative of the respective ambient condition; means for comparing an actual value of the operational parameter against the desired value of that operational parameter; and means for selectively actuating the intercooling system based on the comparison results to adjust the actual value of the operational parameter to contain the peak cylinder pressures.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
11 words
The system of claim 16 wherein the combustion-supporting fluid is air.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
15 words
The system of claim 16 wherein the predetermined operational parameter is intake manifold air temperature.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
14 words
The system of claim 16 wherein the predetermined operational parameter is coolant fluid temperature.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
18 words
The system of claim 16 wherein the predetermined operational parameter is intake manifold air temperature and/or coolant temperature.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
18 words
The system of claim 16 wherein the sensed parameter indicative of the respective ambient condition is ambient temperature.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
19 words
The system of claim 16 wherein the sensed parameter indicative of the respective ambient condition is air inlet temperature.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
18 words
The system of claim 16 wherein the sensed parameter indicative of the respective ambient condition is barometric pressure.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
26 words
The system of claim 16 further comprising means for storing the desired values of the predetermined operational parameter as a function of the respective ambient condition.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
33 words
The system of claim 16 further comprising means for updating the desired value of the predetermined operational parameter as a function of the present value of the parameter indicative of the ambient condition.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
40 words
The system of claim 25 wherein the updating means comprises means for selecting a lower desired value of the predetermined operational parameter as ambient and/or inlet air temperature decreases below a nominal temperature value corresponding to a sensed barometric pressure.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
42 words
The system of claim 26 wherein the updating means further comprises means for selecting a higher desired value of the predetermined operational parameter as ambient temperature and/or inlet air temperature increases up to the nominal temperature value for the sensed barometric pressure.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
44 words
The system of claim 25 wherein the updating means further comprises means for selecting a lower desired value of the predetermined operational parameter as barometric pressure increases above a respective nominal barometric pressure value corresponding to a sensed ambient temperature and/or inlet air temperature.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
43 words
The system of claim 28 wherein the updating means further comprises means for selecting a higher desired value of the predetermined operational parameter as barometric pressure decreases up to the nominal barometric pressure value for the sensed ambient temperature and/or inlet air temperature.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
50 words
The system of claim 25 wherein the updating means further comprises means for setting the desired value of the predetermined operational parameter to be equal to a default value corresponding to a sensed barometric pressure when ambient temperature and/or inlet air temperature is equal or above a nominal temperature value.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
19 words
The system of claim 16 wherein the engine is in a locomotive and the engine comprises a diesel engine.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
178 words
A control system for controlling a turbocharged compression-ignition engine having an intercooling system that uses a predetermined coolant fluid, the engine being configured to receive a predetermined combustion-supporting fluid into a plurality of cylinders through a respective intake manifold, the control system comprising: a detector coupled to detect the presence of the full or high load condition of the engine; a sensor coupled to generate a predetermined parameter indicative of a respective ambient condition; a module coupled to the sensor and configured to select a desired value of a predetermined operational parameter that influences peak pressures developed within the cylinders, the desired value being selected based on the value of the parameter indicative of the respective ambient condition; a comparator module coupled to compare an actual value of the operational parameter against the desired value of that operational parameter to generate a comparator output signal; and a control module coupled to the receive the comparator output signal to selectively actuate the intercooling system to adjust the actual value of the operational parameter to contain the peak cylinder pressures.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
178 words
A control system for controlling a turbocharged compression-ignition engine having an intercooling system that uses a predetermined coolant fluid, the engine being configured to receive a predetermined combustion-supporting fluid into a plurality of cylinders through a respective intake manifold, the control system comprising: a detector coupled to detect the presence of the full or high load condition of the engine; a sensor coupled to generate a predetermined parameter indicative of a respective ambient condition; a module coupled to the sensor and configured to select a desired value of a predetermined operational parameter that influences peak pressures developed within the cylinders, the desired value being selected based on the value of the parameter indicative of the respective ambient condition; a comparator module coupled to compare an actual value of the operational parameter against the desired value of that operational parameter to generate a comparator output signal; and a control module coupled to the receive the comparator output signal to selectively actuate the intercooling system to adjust the actual value of the operational parameter to contain the peak cylinder pressures.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
11 words
The system of claim 32 wherein the combustion-supporting fluid is air.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
15 words
The system of claim 32 wherein the predetermined operational parameter is intake manifold air temperature.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
14 words
The system of claim 32 wherein the predetermined operational parameter is coolant fluid temperature.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
18 words
The system of claim 32 wherein the predetermined operational parameter is intake manifold air temperature and/or coolant temperature.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
18 words
The system of claim 32 wherein the sensed parameter indicative of the respective ambient condition is ambient temperature.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
19 words
The system of claim 32 wherein the sensed parameter indicative of the respective ambient condition is air inlet temperature.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
18 words
The system of claim 32 wherein the sensed parameter indicative of the respective ambient condition is barometric pressure.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
29 words
The system of claim 32 further comprising a memory unit configured to store the desired values of the predetermined operational parameter as a function of the respective ambient condition.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
42 words
The system of claim 32 wherein the module coupled to the sensor includes a submodule configured to update the desired value of the predetermined operational parameter as a function of the present value of the parameter indicative of the respective ambient condition.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
40 words
The system of claim 41 wherein the submodule is further configured to select a lower desired value of the predetermined operational parameter as ambient and/or inlet air temperature decreases below a nominal temperature value corresponding to a sensed barometric pressure.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
41 words
The system of claim 42 wherein the submodule is further configured to select a higher desired value of the predetermined operational parameter as ambient temperature and/or inlet air temperature increases up to the nominal temperature value for the sensed barometric pressure.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
43 words
The system of claim 41 wherein the submodule is further configured to select a lower desired value of the predetermined operational parameter as barometric pressure increases above a respective nominal barometric pressure value corresponding to a sensed ambient temperature and/or inlet air temperature.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
42 words
The system of claim 44 wherein the submodule is further configured to select a higher desired value of the predetermined operational parameter as barometric pressure decreases up to the nominal barometric pressure value for the sensed ambient temperature and/or inlet air temperature.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
45 words
The system of claim 41 wherein the submodule is further configured to set the desired value of the predetermined operational parameter to be equal to a default value corresponding to a sensed barometric pressure when ambient temperature is equal or above a nominal temperature value.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
19 words
The system of claim 32 wherein the engine is in a locomotive and the engine comprises a diesel engine.
Claim 51
Dependent Claim
20 words
The system of claim 32 wherein the detector comprises means for detecting a respective throttle notch setting of the engine.
Claim 52
Dependent Claim
24 words
The system of claim 32 wherein the detector comprises means for detecting an engine fuel value received by a respective cylinder per cylinder cycle.
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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) | 2004-09-10 | 2005-03-12 | 2005-09-11 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2008-09-10 | 2009-03-12 | 2009-09-11 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2012-09-10 | 2013-03-12 | 2013-09-11 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |