Monitor for lean capable engine
AssigneeFord Global Technologies, LLC
InventorJohn David Russell
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A method for monitoring a powertrain of a vehicle is described where powertrain output is estimated based on fuel when the powertrain operates lean of stoichiometry and powertrain output is estimated based on air when the powertrain operates rich of stoichiometry. Powetrain output is then compared with a preselected output and a reaction is initiated in response to the comparison.
Claims23
A method for monitoring a vehicle powertrain having an engine inducting air and fuel, the method comprising:
- determining a preselected powertrain output;
- calculating an actual powertrain output based on air when the powertrain is operating rich of stoichiometry;
- calculating said actual powertrain output based on fuel when the powertrain is operating lean of stoichiometry;
- and
- initiating a reaction when said actual powertrain output is greater than said preselected powertrain output.
A monitoring system comprising:
- a powertrain having an engine inducting air and fuel, wherein said engine is a direct injection engine capable of operating both in a stratified and a homogeneous mode, said engine also capable of operating rich of stoichiometry, lean of stoichiometry, and substantially near stoichiometry;
- a powertrain monitor for monitoring an engine control system, said monitor determining a preselected powertrain torque, calculating an actual powertrain torque based on first and second independent signals indicative of air when said powertrain is operating rich of stoichiometry, calculating said actual powertrain torque based on third and fourth independent signals indicative of fuel when said powertrain is operating lean of stoichiometry, and initiating a reaction when said actual powertrain torque is greater than said preselected powertrain torque.
An article of manufacture comprising:
- a computer storage medium having a computer program encoded therein for monitoring a vehicle powertrain having an engine inducting air and fuel, said computer storage medium comprising:
- code for determining a preselected powertrain torque;
- code for calculating an actual powertrain torque based on air when the powertrain is operating rich of stoichiometry;
- code for calculating said actual powertrain torque based on fuel when the powertrain is operating lean of stoichiometry;
- and
- code for initiating a reaction when said actual powertrain torque is greater than said preselected powertrain torque.
A method for monitoring and controlling a vehicle powertrain having an engine inducting air and fuel, the method comprising:
- determining a desired torque;
- selecting a combustion mode based on said desired torque;
- determining setting for an actuator coupled to the engine based on said selected combustion mode and said desired torque;
- controlling said actuator in response to said setting;
- calculating an actual powertrain torque based on air when the powertrain is operating rich of stoichiometry and based on fuel when the powertrain is operating lean of stoichiometry;
- and
- initiating a reaction when said actual powertrain output is greater than said preselected powertrain output.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.