Control for improved vehicle performance
AssigneeFord Global Technologies, LLC
InventorsDavid Karl Bidner, Gopichandra Surnilla
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An engine control system for managing lean NOx trap decontamination uses associated fuel economy impacts to determine when decontamination is enabled. In particular, a maximum achievable benefit provided by lean operation with a decontaminated NOx trap, a present fuel economy benefit being provided by lean operation, and a fuel economy penalty for performing decontamination are used. When a resulting benefit is greater than a penalty, decontamination is enabled.
Claims36
A method for controlling an engine coupled to an emission control device susceptible to reversible contamination, the engine capable of operating at a first operating condition and a second operating condition, the method comprising;
- determining an impact of operating the engine at the first operating condition compared to operating the engine at the second operating condition;
- and
- performing a decontamination cycle in response to at least said impact, wherein said decontamination cycle reduces the reversible contamination.
A method for controlling an engine coupled to an emission control device susceptible to reversible contamination, the engine capable of operating at a first operating condition and a second operating condition, the method comprising;
- determining a fuel savings of operating the engine at the first operating condition where the engine is operated with a lean air-fuel ratio;
- determining a fuel loss of operating the engine at the second operating condition where temperature of the emission control device is elevated and the engine is operated at the substantially stoichiometric air-fuel ratio or at a rich air-fuel ratio;
- and
- enabling the second operating condition based on said fuel savings and said fuel loss, wherein said decontamination cycle reduces the reversible contamination.
A method for controlling an engine coupled to an emission control device susceptible to reversible contamination, the emission control device capable of storing and releasing an emission substance, the engine capable of lean of stoichiometry, the method comprising;
- determining a present fuel savings of operating the engine at a first operating condition where the engine is operated with a lean air-fuel ratio and wherein the emission control operates at its present condition;
- determining a potential fuel savings of operating the engine at said first operating condition where the engine is operated with said lean air-fuel ratio and wherein the emission control operates at a decontaminated condition;
- and
- determining a fuel loss of performing a decontamination cycle;
- and
- performing said decontamination cycle in response to at least said present fuel savings, said potential fuel savings, and said fuel loss.
A method for controlling an engine coupled to an emission control device, the engine capable of operating at a first operating condition and a second operating condition, the method comprising;
- determining a fuel savings of operating the engine at the first operating condition;
- determining a fuel loss of operating the engine at the second operating condition;
- and
- enabling one of the first operating condition and the second operating condition based on said fuel savings and said fuel loss.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.