Fuel alcohol content detection via an exhaust gas sensor
AssigneeFord Global Technologies, LLC
InventorsRichard E. Soltis, Gopichandra Surnilla, Carolyn Parks Hubbard, Kenneth John Behr, Timothy Joseph Clark
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Abstract
Various systems and methods are described for an exhaust gas sensor coupled to an exhaust system of an engine. One example method comprises, during selected engine fueling conditions, alternating between applying different voltages to the sensor; and identifying an amount of alcohol in fuel injected to the engine based on sensor outputs at the different voltages.
Claims20
A method for an exhaust gas sensor coupled to an engine exhaust system, comprising:
- during selected non-fueling conditions, applying different voltage values to the exhaust gas sensor and detecting ambient humidity based on sensor outputs at the different voltage values;
- and
- during selected fueling conditions, applying different voltage values to the exhaust gas sensor and identifying an amount of alcohol in fuel injected to the engine based on sensor outputs at the different voltage values and based on the detected ambient humidity.
A method for an exhaust gas sensor coupled to an engine exhaust system, comprising:
- during selected non-fueling conditions, applying first and second voltage values to the exhaust gas sensor and generating an indication of ambient humidity based on sensor outputs at the first and second voltage values;
- during selected fueling conditions, applying the first and second voltage values as well as a third voltage value to the exhaust gas sensor, and identifying an amount of alcohol in fuel injected to the engine based on sensor outputs at the first and second voltage values and the ambient humidity;
- and
- identifying fuel type of fuel injected to the engine based on sensor outputs at the first, second, and third voltage values and the ambient humidity.
A method for a first and second exhaust gas sensor coupled to an exhaust system of an engine, comprising:
- during an engine non-fueling mode:
- generating an indication of ambient humidity with the first and second sensors;
- during a first engine fueling mode:
- applying different voltage values to the first sensor and identifying an amount of alcohol in fuel injected to the engine based on sensor outputs of the first sensor at the different voltage values and the ambient humidity, and adjusting fuel injection in response to feedback from the second exhaust gas sensor to maintain a desired air-fuel ratio;
- and
- during a second engine fueling mode:
- maintaining voltages applied to the first and second sensors and adjusting fuel injection in response to feedback from the first and second sensors to maintain desired air-fuel ratio.
A method for an engine, comprising:
- identifying fuel alcohol content of a fuel injected to the engine in response to water content in an exhaust system of the engine and ambient humidity, the water content generated from an oxygen sensor operating with different cell potentials during selected engine fueling conditions and from an indication of ambient humidity generated by the oxygen sensor operating with different cell potentials during selected non-fueling conditions.
A method for an engine, comprising:
- identifying fuel type of a fuel injected to the engine in response to water and CO2 content in an exhaust system of the engine and ambient humidity, the water and CO2 content generated from an oxygen sensor operating with different cell potentials during selected engine fueling conditions and from an indication of ambient humidity generated by the oxygen sensor operating with different cell potentials during selected non-fueling conditions.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.