System and method for controlling an engine in a vehicle
AssigneeFord Global Technologies, LLC
InventorsDavid Bevan, David Liller, Douglas Martin, John Shanahan
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A system and method for controlling an engine in a vehicle to facilitate heat transfer to a passenger compartment is provided. A number of conditions are examined, and if it is found that one or more of these conditions matches a corresponding predetermined condition, the spark timing of the engine is retarded. In addition, a charge motion control valve is opened, thereby increasing the amount, and reducing the turbulence, of the air entering the engine. This facilitates hotter combustion within the engine, and therefore faster heat transfer to the vehicle passenger compartment.
Claims21
A method for controlling an engine in a vehicle to facilitate heat transfer to a passenger compartment in the vehicle, the engine including a valve for controlling the motion of intake air entering the engine, the method comprising:
- setting at least one engine parameter to effect an increase in a rate of temperature increase of the engine when at least one predetermined condition is met, thereby facilitating an increase in a rate of heat transfer from the engine to the passenger compartment;
- and
- at least partially opening the valve, thereby inhibiting turbulence and increasing the amount of the intake air entering the engine, when the at least one predetermined condition is met.
A method for controlling an engine in a vehicle to facilitate heat transfer to a passenger compartment in the vehicle, the engine including a valve for controlling the motion of intake air entering the engine, the method comprising:
- retarding a spark timing of the engine when at least one predetermined condition is met, the at least one predetermined condition including at least one vehicle condition;
- and
- at least partially opening the valve, thereby inhibiting turbulence and increasing the amount of the intake air entering the engine, when the at least one predetermined condition is met.
A system for controlling an engine in a vehicle to facilitate heat transfer to a passenger compartment in the vehicle, system comprising:
- a valve for controlling the motion of intake air entering the engine, the valve having a closed position for effecting turbulence in, and restricting the flow of, the intake air entering the engine, the valve further having at least one open position for inhibiting turbulence in, and reducing the restriction of the flow of, the intake air entering the engine;
- and
- a control system including at least one controller, the control system being configured to:
- determine when at least one predetermined condition is met,
- set at least one engine parameter to effect an increase in a rate of temperature increase of the engine when the at least one predetermined condition is met, thereby facilitating an increase in a rate of heat transfer from the engine to the passenger compartment, and
- move the valve from the closed position to one of the at least one open positions when the at least one predetermined condition is met.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.