Controlling spark of an engine with adjustable intake valve timing
AssigneeFord Global Technologies, LLC
InventorsMichael Pozar, Robert Stein, Jeff Lyjak, Marcus Fried, Thomas Leone
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A system and method to control spark timing of an engine wherein the injection timing of the engine is varied relative to a crankshaft position depending on engine operating conditions. According to the method, spark timing is varied as fuel injection timing varies for at least a portion of the engine operating range. The method can reduce fuel consumption, reduce transient fuel requirements, improve engine performance, and reduce CO emissions, at least under some conditions.
Claims23
A method of delivering spark to an internal combustion engine, the method comprising:
- injecting fuel to a cylinder of said internal combustion engine, between a start and an end position relative to said crankshaft;
- and
- delivering spark to said cylinder at an angle that varies as said end position of said fuel injection varies.
A method of delivering spark to an internal combustion engine, the method comprising:
- injecting fuel to a cylinder of said internal combustion engine, between a start and an end position relative to said crankshaft;
- varying said end position relative to the opening position of an intake valve operating in said cylinder;
- and
- delivering spark to said cylinder at an angle that varies as the variation between said end position and said opening position varies.
A method of delivering spark to an internal combustion engine having intake valve timing that may be adjusted relative to crankshaft position, the method comprising:
- operating at least one cylinder of internal combustion engine with at least one intake valve having an opening position at a crankshaft angle that varies as engine speed and load vary;
- injecting fuel to said cylinder, between a start and an end position relative to said crankshaft, at least while said intake valve is open;
- and
- delivering spark to said cylinder at an angle that varies as said end position of said fuel injection varies.
A method of delivering spark to an internal combustion engine having intake valve timing that may be adjusted relative to crankshaft position, the method comprising:
- operating at least one cylinder of internal combustion engine with at least one intake valve having an opening position at a crankshaft angle that is retarded from top-dead-center, relative to an intake stroke of said cylinder, where said intake valve opening position is in advance of a closing of an exhaust valve in said cylinder;
- injecting fuel to said cylinder, between a start and an end position relative to said crankshaft, at least while said intake valve is open;
- and
- delivering spark to said cylinder at an angle that varies as said end position of said fuel injection varies.
A computer readable storage medium having stored data representing instructions executable by a computer to control an internal combustion engine of a vehicle, said storage medium comprising:
- instructions for injecting fuel to a cylinder of said internal combustion engine, between a start and an end position relative to said crankshaft;
- and
- instructions for delivering spark to said cylinder at an angle that varies as said end position of said fuel injection varies.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.