Method and apparatus for inferring the actual air charge in an internal combustion engine during transient conditions
AssigneeFord Motor Company
InventorsIsis A. Messih, Lawrence H. Buch, Michael J. Cullen
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A mass airflow based control system for an internal combustion engine is provided which is capable of inferring cylinder air charge during non-steady state periods of operation of the engine. The control system infers cylinder air charge from values of rotational engine speed, air mass flow inducted into the engine, inlet air temperature, engine coolant temperature, and barometric pressure. The control system employs the inferred cylinder air charge value for air/fuel ratio control.
Claims21
A method for controlling the operation of an internal combustion engine comprising the steps of:
- measuring the rotational speed of said engine;
- measuring air mass flow being inducted into said engine;
- measuring the temperature of the air entering said engine;
- measuring the temperature of a coolant circulating through said engine;
- determining barometric pressure surrounding said engine;
- inferring a cylinder air charge value based upon said measured rotational speed of said engine, said measured air mass flow, said measured air temperature, said measured coolant temperature, and said determined barometric pressure;
- and
- controlling the operation of said engine by employing said inferred cylinder air charge value.
A system for controlling the operation of an internal combustion engine comprising:
- means for measuring the rotational speed of said engine;
- means for measuring air mass flow inducted into said engine;
- means for measuring the temperature of the air entering said engine;
- means for measuring the temperature of a coolant circulating through said engine;
- means for determining barometric pressure surrounding said engine;
- processor means for sampling inputs from said means for measuring the rotational speed of said engine, said means for measuring air mass flow, said means for measuring air temperature, said means for measuring coolant temperature, and said means for determining barometric pressure, and for inferring a cylinder air charge value based upon said inputs;
- and
- said processor means further controlling the operation of said engine by employing said inferred cylinder air charge value.
A method for controlling the operation of an internal combustion engine comprising the steps of:
- measuring the rotational speed of said engine;
- measuring air mass flow inducted into said engine;
- measuring the temperature of the air entering said engine;
- measuring the temperature of a coolant circulating through said engine;
- determining barometric pressure surrounding said engine;
- inferring a cylinder air mass flow value based upon said measured rotational speed of said engine, said measured air mass flow inducted into said engine, said measured air temperature, said measured coolant temperature, and said determined barometric pressure;
- and
- controlling the operation of said engine by employing said inferred air mass flow value.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.