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US 10,502,177 B2Granted
Methods and systems for improving engine starting
AssigneeFord Global Technologies, LLC
InventorsAlex O'Connor Gibson, David Bruce Reiche, Steven Wooldridge
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Systems and methods for restarting an engine are presented. In one example, spark timing during engine starting is adjusted in response to engine speed and a second control parameter. The second control parameter may be correlated with crankshaft or rod degradation. Spark may be advanced from minimum spark for best torque when engine speed is greater than desired and when the second control parameter does not provide an indication of engine degradation.
Claims16
A method for operating an engine, comprising:
- during an engine starting and run-up, retarding a spark timing advanced from a minimum spark timing for best torque spark timing via a controller in response to an output of a knock sensor filtered via a first filter, and retarding spark timing via the controller in response to an output of the knock sensor filtered via a second filter after the engine starting and run-up;
- and
- counting an actual total number of combustion events since engine stop and adjusting spark timing of a spark profile based on engine speed deviation at an engine combustion event number, the engine combustion event number based on the counted actual total number of combustion events since engine stop, and retarding the spark timing advanced from the minimum spark timing for best torque spark timing in further response to the output of the knock sensor filtered via the first filter exceeding a first threshold level.
A method for operating an engine, comprising:
- during a first engine start and run-up, advancing a spark timing advanced from a minimum spark timing for best torque spark timing via a controller in response to an output of a knock sensor not exceeding a threshold, the output filtered via a first filter and not a second filter during the first engine start and run-up and the output filtered via the second filter and not the first filter after the first engine start and run-up;
- and
- counting an actual total number of engine events since engine stop and recording an engine event number where the output of the knock sensor exceeds the threshold, and advancing the spark timing advanced from the minimum spark timing for best torque spark timing at the engine event number where the output of the knock sensor exceeds the threshold.
A vehicle system, comprising:
- an engine including a knock sensor;
- and
- a controller including instructions stored in non-transitory memory executable to adjust a spark timing advanced from minimum spark for best torque spark timing during engine run-up in response to an output of the knock sensor that is filtered via a first filter having a pass frequency below an engine knock frequency,
- wherein the engine knock frequency is between 5 and 7 kHz, and where the pass frequency is below 3 kHz.
1 more element
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.