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US 6,550,434 B2Granted
Selecting operating mode in an engine with a hybrid valvetrain
AssigneeFord Global Technologies, LLC
InventorsThomas George Leone, Diana Dawn Brehob, John D. Russell
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A method for selecting which intake valves are operated in an internal combustion with intake valves operated by more than one type of actuation device is disclosed. A criterion for selecting which valves to operate is energy consumed in operating the valvetrain.
Claims15
A method for controlling an internal combustion engine having at least two intake valves, comprising:
- estimating a first energy loss associated with a first operating mode in which a first intake valve is deactivated;
- estimating a second energy loss associated with a second operating mode in which a second intake valve is deactivated;
- and
- selecting one of said first and second operating modes based on said first and second energy losses.
1 more element
An internal combustion system, comprising:
- a first intake valve coupled to the cylinder head of the engine, wherein said first intake valve is capable of being deactivated;
- a second intake valve coupled to the cylinder head of the engine, wherein said second intake valve is capable of being deactivated;
- an engine control unit operably coupled to the engine, said first intake valve, and said second intake valve, said engine control unit estimating a first energy loss corresponding to a first operating mode of the engine and a second energy loss corresponding to a second operating mode of the engine, said engine control unit further selecting one of said first operating mode and said second operating mode wherein said selection is based on said first and second energy losses.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.