System and method to pre-ignition in an internal combustion engine
AssigneeFord Global Technologies, LLC
InventorDiana D. Brehob
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An engine system and method are disclosed for controlling pre-ignition of an alcohol fuel. In one embodiment, the fuel injection timing is adjusted to cause the fuel to avoid combustion chamber surfaces. In another embodiment, the fuel injection timing is adjusted to spray the fuel directly onto the piston surface to cool the piston. Also disclosed is a cylinder cleaning cycle in which engine knock is purposely caused for one to hundreds of engine cycles by adjusting the fuel content away from alcohol toward gasoline. Further measures to cause knock which are disclosed: adjusting spark timing, intake boost, exhaust gas fraction in the cylinder, cam timing, and transmission gear ratio.
Claims19
A method for operating an internal combustion engine, comprising:
- detecting pre-ignition;
- and
- adjusting injection timing of a direct injector to avoid preignition, said direct injector being couple to a cylinder of the engine and sprays fuel directly into said cylinder wherein said cylinders are supplied fuel with greater than 75% alcohol content by said direct injector and gasoline fuel by a port injector wherein said gasoline may contain up to 15% alcohol.
An internal combustion engine system, comprising:
- an engine cylinder;
- a first injector capable of supplying a fuel of greater than 75% alcohol content to said cylinder;
- a second injector coupled to said cylinder capable of supplying a fuel substantially comprised of gasoline to said cylinder;
- and
- an electronic control unit electronically coupled to the engine and said first and second injectors, said electronic control unit increasing an amount of fuel supplied by said second injector and decreasing an amount of fuel supplied by said first injector in response to pre-ignition in said cylinder.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.