Engine control method and apparatus using a fuel volatility sensor
OwnerDavid K. Lambert, Gary Charles Abusamra +4inventors
InventorsDavid K. Lambert, Gary Charles Abusamra, Charles Robert Harrington, John E. Kirwan, Han-Sheng Lee, Michael Joseph Niemiec
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Abstract
The invention provides an improvement over conventional engine controls by directly measuring fuel volatility, and using this measured value to adjust the engine air/fuel ratio during engine start and initial operation. Engine startability and initial operation are improved as compared to conventional engine control systems by compensating the engine air/fuel ratio during engine start and initial engine operation, using a direct measurement of the fuel volatility.
Claims27
A system for controlling an internal combustion engine during engine start, comprising:
- an engine having a plurality of sensors operable to sense engine conditions;
- a fuel system operable to deliver an amount of fuel to said engine;
- a sensing unit operable to measure a fuel volatility;
- and
- an engine controller, said engine controller operable to determine an intake of air mass to the engine as a function of sensed engine conditions, select a desired air/fuel ratio to start said engine as a function of said sensed engine conditions, and control the amount of fuel delivered to the engine as a function of said desired air/fuel ratio, said fuel volatility and said intake of air mass.
A system for controlling an internal combustion engine during initial engine operation as a function of fuel volatility, comprising
- an engine having a plurality of sensors operable to sense engine conditions;
- a fuel system operable to deliver an amount of fuel to said engine;
- a sensing unit operable to measure a fuel volatility;
- and
- an engine controller, said engine controller operable to determine an intake of air mass to the engine as a function of sensed engine conditions, select a desired air/fuel ratio to operate said engine as a function of said sensed engine conditions, and control the amount of fuel delivered to the engine as a function of said desired air/fuel ratio, said fuel volatility and said intake of air mass.
A control system for controlling an internal combustion engine during engine start and operation, comprising:
- a sensing unit operable to measure fuel volatility;
- said sensing unit in communication with an engine controller;
- wherein said engine controller is operable to control an amount of fuel delivered to the engine based upon the measured fuel volatility.
A control system for controlling an internal combustion engine during engine start and operation, comprising:
- an engine with a plurality of sensors operable to sense engine conditions;
- a fuel system operable to deliver an amount of fuel to said engine;
- a sensing unit operable to measure fuel volatility;
- and
- an engine controller, said engine controller operable to determine an intake of air mass to the engine based upon sensed engine conditions, select a desired air/fuel ratio to operate said engine based upon said sensed engine conditions, and control the amount of fuel delivered to said engine based upon said desired air/fuel ratio, said fuel volatility and said intake of air mass.
A method for controlling an internal combustion engine during initial engine operation, comprising:
- providing said engine with a fuel system, an engine controller, a plurality of sensors, and a fuel volatility sensor;
- sensing engine conditions using the plurality of sensors;
- sensing fuel volatility with a sensing unit;
- determining an intake of air mass to the engine as a function of sensed engine conditions;
- selecting a desired air/fuel ratio to operate said engine as a function of said sensed engine conditions;
- and
- controlling an amount of fuel to be delivered to the engine as a function of said desired air/fuel ratio, said fuel volatility and said intake of air mass.
A method for controlling an internal combustion engine during engine start, comprising:
- providing said engine with a fuel system, an engine controller, a plurality of sensors, and a fuel volatility sensor;
- sensing engine conditions using the plurality of sensors;
- sensing fuel volatility with a sensing unit;
- determining an intake of air mass to the engine as a function of sensed engine conditions;
- selecting a desired air/fuel ratio to start said engine as a function of said sensed engine conditions;
- and
- controlling an amount of fuel to be delivered to the engine as a function of said desired air/fuel ratio, said fuel volatility and said intake of air mass.
A method for controlling an internal combustion engine during engine starting and initial operation, comprising:
- sensing engine operating conditions with a plurality of sensors;
- sensing fuel volatility with a fuel volatility sensing unit;
- determining an intake of air mass to the engine based upon sensed engine operating conditions;
- selecting a desired air/fuel ratio to operate said engine based upon said sensed engine conditions;
- and
- controlling an amount of fuel to be delivered to the engine based upon said desired air/fuel ratio, said fuel volatility and said intake of air mass.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.