# US 2006/0213193 A1 · Internal combustion engine and method for performing a mode switch in said engine > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2006/0213193 A1 - Document ID: US20060213193A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 11/374,909 - Filed: 2006-03-14 - Published: 2006-09-28 - Earliest claimed: 2005-03-22 - Assignees: Ford Global Technologies, LLC - Inventors: Lucien Koopmans - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20060213193A1 ## CPC - F02D 41/3029: {further comprising a homogeneous charge spark-ignited mode} - F01L 1/462: {Valve return spring arrangements} - F01L 1/465: {Pneumatic arrangements} - F02B 17/005: {having direct injection in the combustion chamber} - F02B 37/00: Engines characterised by provision of pumps driven at least for part of the time by exhaust - F02B 69/00: Internal-combustion engines convertible into other combustion-engine type, not provided for in F02B11/00; Internal-combustion engines of different types characterised by constructions facilitating use of same main engine-parts in different types - F02D 35/027: {using knock sensors} - F02D 37/02: one of the functions being ignition - F02D 41/0007: {for control of turbo-charged or super-charged engines (control of the pumps per se F02B37/12)} - F02D 41/3011: {according to or using specific or several modes of combustion} - F02D 41/3035: {a mode being the premixed charge compression-ignition mode} - F02D 41/3041: {with means for triggering compression ignition, e.g. spark plug} - F02D 2041/001: {for engines with variable valve actuation} - Y02T 10/12: Improving ICE efficiencies - F02D: CONTROLLING COMBUSTION ENGINES (vehicle fittings, acting on a single sub-unit only, for automatically controlling vehicle speed B60K31/00; conjoint control of vehicle sub-units of different type or different function, road vehicle drive control systems for purposes other than the control of a single sub-unit B60W) - F01L: CYCLICALLY OPERATING VALVES FOR MACHINES OR ENGINES - F02B: INTERNAL-COMBUSTION PISTON ENGINES; COMBUSTION ENGINES IN GENERAL (gas-turbine plants F02C; hot-gas or combustion-product positive-displacement engine plants F02G) - Y02T: CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION TECHNOLOGIES RELATED TO TRANSPORTATION ## Abstract The invention relates to an internal combustion engine provided with at least one cylinder and comprising a fuel injection system, an intake air charging system for supplying air under pressure to an air intake manifold, a controller for controlling the fuel injection system, a spark ignition system and the intake air charger. The control unit is adapted to switch the engine from a first combustion mode using a higher manifold pressure to a second combustion mode using a lower manifold pressure, and further adapted to control the intake air charging system to cause a surge in the intake air, in order to evacuate the higher manifold pressure. The invention further relates to a method for controlling the internal combustion engine and a vehicle provided with such an internal combustion engine. ## Claims ### Claim 1 An automotive system, comprising: an internal combustion engine, comprising: at least one cylinder; a piston whose compression action causes a mixture of air and fuel within a combustion chamber of said cylinder to be ignited; at least one inlet valve for admitting gas which includes fresh air into said cylinder; at least one exhaust valve for exhausting combusted gases from said cylinder; a fuel injection system having at least one fuel injector, through which fuel is injected into said combustion chamber of said cylinder; an intake air charging system for supplying air under pressure to an engine air intake manifold; at least one sensor for measuring an engine operating parameter; and a controller operating said engine in a first combustion mode, said controller subsequently switching engine operation to a second combustion mode wherein manifold pressure in said second combustion mode is lower than manifold pressure in said first combustion mode; and controlling said intake air charging system to cause a temporary airflow reversal thereby equalizing a pressure difference between said intake valve and said exhaust valve. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) An automotive system according to claim 1 wherein said controller is arranged to switch said intake air charging system from a part load map to a map corresponding to a higher load map. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) An automotive system according to claim 2, wherein said controller is arranged to switch said intake air charging system from a part load map to a full load map. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) An automotive system according to claim 1, wherein said controller is arranged to switch the engine from said first combustion mode to said second combustion mode in response to a change in engine load or speed. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) An automotive system according to claim 1, wherein said intake air charging system is a variable compressor. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) An automotive system according to claim 5, wherein said intake air charging system is provided with a variable vane diffuser. ### Claim 7 (depends on 5) An automotive system according to claim 5, wherein said intake air charging system is provided with swirl reversal vanes. ### Claim 8 (depends on 5) An automotive system according to claim 5, wherein said intake air charging system is provided with a variable nozzle. ### Claim 9 (depends on 5) An automotive system according to claim 5, wherein said intake air charging system is a turbocharger compressor. ### Claim 10 (depends on 5) An automotive system according to claim 5, wherein said intake air charging system is a supercharging compressor. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) An automotive system according to claim 1, wherein said first combustion mode is a homogenous charge compression ignition mode and said second combustion mode spark ignition mode. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) An automotive system according to claim 1, wherein said first combustion mode is a stratified combustion and said second combustion mode is a homogenous combustion. ### Claim 13 A method for controlling an internal combustion engine having an intake air charger, comprising: sensing a load change requiring a combustion mode switch; switching the engine from a first combustion mode using a higher manifold pressure to a second combustion mode using a lower manifold pressure; and controlling said intake air charger to initiate a surge during said combustion mode switch to evacuate excess air from engine manifold. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The method according to claim 13, wherein said surge is accomplished by disabling a part load map. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) The method according to claim 14, wherein said surge is accomplished by switching the intake air charger from a part load map to a full load map. ### Claim 16 (depends on 13) The method according to claim 13, wherein the air charger is a variable vane compressor. ### Claim 17 (depends on 13) The method according to claim 13, wherein said first combustion mode is a homogenous charge compression ignition mode and said second combustion mode is a spark ignition mode. ### Claim 18 (depends on 13) The method according to claim 13, wherein said first combustion mode is a stratified combustion mode and said second combustion mode is a homogenous combustion mode.