US6863058B2
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
System and method for reducing NOx emissions during transient conditions in a diesel fueled vehicle
Assignee: Ford Global Technologies LLC
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Filing: 2003-02-03
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Granted: 2005-03-08
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Expires: 2023-02-03
Abstract
Abstract The present invention is a dual-stage fuel injection strategy for compression ignition engines in which 15-40% of the fuel is injected into the combustion chamber no later than about −20 to −30 CA ATDC and as early as IVC. The rest of the fuel is then injected in one or more fuel pulses, none of which start before about −20 to −30 CA ATDC. The fuel injected early in the compression stroke forms a lean mixture that burns with low soot and low NOx emissions. The combustion of that fuel serves to increase in-cylinder temperature such that the ignition delay of subsequent fuel injection pulses is short. This mode is utilized when it is predicted that a NOx spike is imminent. Various other alternative methods for reducing NOx spikes are also disclosed such as specialized EGR systems that can provide EGR with low manifold vacuum.
Inventors
- 👤 Eric Matthew Kurtz
- 👤 Zhiyu Han
- 👤 Richard Eugene Baker
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 21:44
CPC Classifications
F; F02; F02D; F02D41/00; F02D41/02; F02D41/021; F02D41/0235; F02D41/027; F02D41/0275; F02D41/30; F02D41/38; F02D41/40; F02D41/402; F02D41/405; F02B; F02B1/00; F02B1/12; F02M; F02M26/00; F02M26/02; F02M26/04; F02M26/05; F02M26/06; F02M26/07; F02M26/13; F02M26/22; F02M26/23; F02M26/24; Y; Y02; Y02T; Y02T10/00; Y02T10/10; Y02T10/40
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 25
Claim 1
Independent Claim
150 words
A method for controlling an internal combustion engine of a vehicle, the engine capable of injecting fuel into the cylinder multiple times during a cycle, the method comprising: operating the engine in at least two modes including a first mode where only a single fuel injection per cycle is provided to the cylinder, said at least two modes also including a second mode where at least a first and second fuel injection per cycle are provided to the cylinder, where said first fuel injection is provided before −30 CA ATDC and as early as IVC and said second fuel injection is provided after −20 CA ATDC, where an amount of fuel to be injected is determined based on engine operating conditions; and dynamically selecting between at least said first and second modes during vehicle operation based on a operating condition including at least a condition of the engine or vehicle.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
150 words
A method for controlling an internal combustion engine of a vehicle, the engine capable of injecting fuel into the cylinder multiple times during a cycle, the method comprising: operating the engine in at least two modes including a first mode where only a single fuel injection per cycle is provided to the cylinder, said at least two modes also including a second mode where at least a first and second fuel injection per cycle are provided to the cylinder, where said first fuel injection is provided before −30 CA ATDC and as early as IVC and said second fuel injection is provided after −20 CA ATDC, where an amount of fuel to be injected is determined based on engine operating conditions; and dynamically selecting between at least said first and second modes during vehicle operation based on a operating condition including at least a condition of the engine or vehicle.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method recited in claim 1 wherein said dynamic selection is based on a prediction of when a NOx spike may occur.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method recited in claim 1 wherein said dynamic selection is based on a required fuel injection amount.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method recited in claim 1 wherein said dynamic selection is based on desired engine torque.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method recited in claim 1 wherein said dynamic selection is based on pedal position.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method recited in claim 1 wherein said dynamic selection is based on manifold pressure.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method recited in claim 1 wherein said dynamic selection is based on manifold pressure rate of change.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method recited in claim 1 wherein said dynamic selection is based on engine load.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method recited in claim 1 wherein said dynamic selection is based on air/fuel ratio.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method recited in claim 1 wherein said dynamic selection is based on an EGR amount.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method recited in claim 1 wherein during said second mode EGR flow is decreased below a threshold.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
47 words
The method recited in claim 1 wherein said dynamic selection is based on predicting an increased NOx generation start when desired engine output increases beyond a threshold and an end to said increased NOx generation when engine output falls below a predetermined threshold at a predetermined rate.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
43 words
The method recited in claim 1 wherein said dynamic selection is based on predicting an increased NOx generation start when desired engine output increases beyond a threshold and an end to said increased NOx generation when engine output falls below a predetermined threshold.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method recited in claim 1 wherein the engine includes a compression device, said compression device being at least one of a supercharger or a turbocharger.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method recited in claim 1 wherein said first fuel injection forms a homogeneous lean mixture, and said second injection forms a stratified mixture.
Claim 17
Independent Claim
180 words
A method for controlling an internal combustion engine of a vehicle, the engine capable of injecting fuel into the cylinder multiple times during a cycle, the method comprising: operating the engine in at least two modes including a first mode where only a single fuel injection per cycle is provided to the cylinder, said at least two modes also including a second mode where at least a first and second fuel injection per cycle are provided to the cylinder, where said first fuel injection is provided no later than −30 CA ATDC and said second fuel injection is provided after −20 CA ATDC, where an amount of fuel to be injected is determined based on engine operating conditions; estimating an interval where increased NOx emissions may occur, a start of said interval being based at least on a said amount of fuel to be injected and an end of said interval being based at least on manifold pressure; and operating at least in said second mode during said interval and operating at least in said first mode outside said interval.
Claim 18
Independent Claim
180 words
A method for controlling an internal combustion engine of a vehicle, the engine capable of injecting fuel into the cylinder multiple times during a cycle, the method comprising: operating the engine in at least two modes including a first mode where only a single fuel injection per cycle is provided to the cylinder, said at least two modes also including a second mode where at least a first and second fuel injection per cycle are provided to the cylinder, where said first fuel injection is provided no later than −30 CA ATDC and said second fuel injection is provided after −20 CA ATDC, where an amount of fuel to be injected is determined based on engine operating conditions; estimating an interval where increased NOx emissions may occur, a start of said interval being based at least on a said amount of fuel to be injected and an end of said interval being based at least on manifold pressure; and operating at least in said second mode during said interval and operating at least in said first mode outside said interval.
Claim 19
Independent Claim
78 words
A method for controlling an engine, comprising: compressing an airflow entering the engine via a compression device; predicting an engine NOx spike based on engine operating conditions; and in response to said prediction, while continuing said compressing of said airflow, changing a fuel injection mode of the engine from operating with only a single fuel injection to operating with at least a first and second fuel injection, where said first fuel injection is provided before −30 CA ATDC.
Claim 20
Independent Claim
78 words
A method for controlling an engine, comprising: compressing an airflow entering the engine via a compression device; predicting an engine NOx spike based on engine operating conditions; and in response to said prediction, while continuing said compressing of said airflow, changing a fuel injection mode of the engine from operating with only a single fuel injection to operating with at least a first and second fuel injection, where said first fuel injection is provided before −30 CA ATDC.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method recited in claim 17 further comprising, in response to said prediction, adjusting recirculated exhaust gas into the engine.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
34 words
The method recited in claim 18 wherein said exhaust gas is passed through an expansion side of said compression device before entering the engine, without passing through a compression side of said compression device.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
32 words
The method recited in claim 18 wherein said exhaust gas is passed through an expansion side of said compression device and a compression side of said compression device before entering the engine.
Claim 24
Independent Claim
129 words
A method for controlling an internal combustion engine of a vehicle, the engine capable of injecting fuel into the cylinder multiple times during a cycle, the method comprising: operating the engine in at least three modes including a first mode where at least exhaust gas recirculation is utilized to reduce NOx emissions, said at least three modes also including a second mode, said second mode including at least a first and second fuel injection per cycle being provided to the cylinder, said at least three modes further including a third mode, said third mode including only a single fuel injection during a cycle of the cylinder; and dynamically selecting between at least said first, second, and third modes during vehicle operation based on a prediction of engine out NOx.
Claim 25
Independent Claim
129 words
A method for controlling an internal combustion engine of a vehicle, the engine capable of injecting fuel into the cylinder multiple times during a cycle, the method comprising: operating the engine in at least three modes including a first mode where at least exhaust gas recirculation is utilized to reduce NOx emissions, said at least three modes also including a second mode, said second mode including at least a first and second fuel injection per cycle being provided to the cylinder, said at least three modes further including a third mode, said third mode including only a single fuel injection during a cycle of the cylinder; and dynamically selecting between at least said first, second, and third modes during vehicle operation based on a prediction of engine out NOx.
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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) | 2008-03-07 | 2008-09-06 | 2009-03-08 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2012-03-07 | 2012-09-06 | 2013-03-08 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2016-03-07 | 2016-09-06 | 2017-03-08 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |