Spark timing control of multiple fuel engine
AssigneeFord Motor Company
InventorsRichard J. Wineland, Roberta J. Nichols, Eric L. Clinton
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A method for controlling the amount of spark advance for an internal combustion engine using a fuel mixture having a first and a second fuel of different volatility and volumetric energy content. The percentage of the first fuel in the fuel mixture is sensed and a desired base spark advance is determined. The desired base spark advance is adjusted as a function of the percentage of the first fuel to achieve a desired engine operating condition.
Claims9
A method for controlling the operation of an internal combustion engine using a fuel mixture, including a first and second fuel of different volatility and volumetric energy content, wherein said method includes controlling the spark advance during open and closed loop engine control operation by the steps of:
- sensing a parameter related to the percentage of the first fuel in the fuel mixture;
- determining the percentage of the first fuel in the fuel mixture during open and closed loop engine control operation;
- determining a base spark advance as a function of percentage of the first fuel to achieve an engine operating condition by adjusting the base spark advance using two predetermined engine speed and load maps, a first engine speed and load map having stored values as a function of the first fuel, and a second engine speed and load map having stored values as a function of the second fuel;
- and
- wherein said sensing step includes detecting the index of refraction of the fuel mixture.
A method for controlling the operation of an internal combustion engine using a fuel mixture, including a first and second fuel of different volatility and volumetric energy content, wherein said method includes controlling the spark advance during open and closed loop engine control operation by the steps of:
- sensing a parameter related to the percentage of the first fuel in the fuel mixture;
- determining the percentage of the first fuel in the fuel mixture during open and closed loop engine control operation;
- determining a base spark advance as a function of percentage of the first fuel to achieve an engine operating condition by adjusting the base spark advance using two predetermined engine speed and load maps, a first engine speed and load map having stored values as a function of the first fuel, and a second engine speed and load map having stored values as a function of the second fuel;
- and
- further comprising the step of determining the amount of fuel mixture to be provided during cranking of the internal combustion engine as a function of air temperature, percentage of the first fuel, engine speed, engine load, and engine coolant temperature.
A method for controlling the operation of an internal combustion engine using a fuel mixture, including a first and second fuel of different volatility and volumetric energy content, wherein said method includes controlling the spark advance during open and closed loop engine control operation by the steps of:
- sensing a parameter related to the percentage of the first fuel in the fuel mixture;
- determining the percentage of the first fuel in the fuel mixture during open and closed loop engine control operation;
- determining a base spark advance as a function of percentage of the first fuel to achieve an engine operating condition by adjusting the base spark advance using two predetermined engine speed and load maps, a first engine speed and load map having stored values as a function of the first fuel, and a second engine speed and load map having stored values as a function of the second fuel;
- and
- wherein the fuel mixture includes a first and a second fuel of different volumetric energy content, said method further comprising the steps of:
- determining a first desired air fuel ratio for the first fuel;
- determining a second desired air fuel ratio for the second fuel;
- determining a third desired air fuel ratio for the fuel mixture as a function of the first desired air fuel ratio for the first fuel and the second desired air fuel ratio for the second fuel;
- and
- generating an output signal for controlling air fuel ratio as a function of the third desired air fuel ratio.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.