Use of different pneumatic cylinder spring types in a variable displacement engine for engine and aftertreatment system temperature control
AssigneeTula Technology, Inc.
InventorsMatthew A. Younkins, Xi Luo
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A system and method for a variable displacement internal combustion engine using different types of pneumatic cylinder springs on skipped working cycles to control engine and aftertreatment system temperatures are described. The system and method may be used to rapidly heat up the aftertreatment system(s) and/or an engine block of the engine following a cold start by using one or more different types of pneumatic cylinder springs during skipped firing opportunities. By rapidly heating the aftertreatment system(s) and/or engine block, noxious emissions such as hydrocarbons, carbon monoxide, NOx and/or particulates, following cold starts are significantly reduced.
Claims20
A controller configured to operate an internal combustion engine during a cold start such that (a) some skipped cylinder firing opportunities are operated as a first pneumatic cylinder spring until an aftertreatment system fluidly coupled to the internal combustion engine has reached a first threshold temperature, and (b) other skipped firing opportunities are operated as a second pneumatic cylinder spring until the internal combustion engine has reached a second threshold temperature.
A vehicle, comprising:
- an internal combustion engine (ICE);
- an aftertreatment system fluidly coupled to the ICE;
- a controller configured to control operation of the ICE, the controller configured to:
- detect a cold start of the ICE;
- operate some skipped cylinder firing opportunities of the ICE as a first pneumatic cylinder spring until the aftertreatment system has reached a first threshold temperature;
- and
- operate other skipped cylinder firing opportunities as a second pneumatic cylinder spring until the ICE has reached a second threshold temperature.
A vehicle, comprising:
- a variable displacement internal combustion engine having a plurality of working chambers that operate on a working cycle basis, each working chamber having an intake valve and an exhaust valve;
- a controller configured to control operation of the variable displacement internal combustion engine, the controller configured to:
- operate the internal combustion engine at less than full displacement following a cold start of the variable displacement internal combustion engine;
- ascertain a temperature of an aftertreatment system fluidly coupled to the exhaust valves of the plurality of working chambers;
- while the variable displacement internal combustion engine is operating at less than the full displacement, operate some working cycles that are skipped as a first pneumatic cylinder spring based at least in part on the ascertained temperature of the aftertreatment system;
- and
- while the variable displacement internal combustion engine is operating at less than the full displacement, operate other working cycles that are skipped as a second pneumatic cylinder spring based at least in part on an ascertained temperature of the variable displacement internal combustion engine.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.