# US 8,783,031 B2 · Method and system for providing air to an engine > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 8,783,031 B2 - Document ID: US8783031B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 13/452,735 - Filed: 2012-04-20 - Published: 2012-10-04 - Granted: 2014-07-22 - Earliest claimed: 2011-03-29 - Assignees: Ford Global Technologies, LLC - Applicants: Joseph Norman Ulrey; Jeffrey Allen Doering; Ross Dykstra Pursifull; Donald J. Lewis - Inventors: Joseph Norman Ulrey; Jeffrey Allen Doering; Ross Dykstra Pursifull; Donald J. Lewis - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US8783031B2 ## CPC - F02D 41/0007: {for control of turbo-charged or super-charged engines (control of the pumps per se F02B37/12)} - F02D 41/0005: {during deceleration} - F02D 41/1497: {With detection of the mechanical response of the engine} - F02M 26/06: Low pressure loops, i.e. wherein recirculated exhaust gas is taken out from the exhaust downstream of the turbocharger turbine and reintroduced into the intake system upstream of the compressor - F02B 37/16: by bypassing charging air - F02B 37/18: by bypassing exhaust {from the inlet to the outlet of turbine or to the atmosphere} - F02D 41/005: {according to engine operating conditions} - F02D 2041/0017: {by simultaneous control of throttle and exhaust gas recirculation} - F02D 2250/18: Control of the engine output torque - Y02T 10/12: Improving ICE efficiencies - Y02T 10/40: Engine management systems - F02D: CONTROLLING COMBUSTION ENGINES (vehicle fittings, acting on a single sub-unit only, for automatically controlling vehicle speed B60K31/00; conjoint control of vehicle sub-units of different type or different function, road vehicle drive control systems for purposes other than the control of a single sub-unit B60W) - F02M: SUPPLYING COMBUSTION ENGINES IN GENERAL WITH COMBUSTIBLE MIXTURES OR CONSTITUENTS THEREOF - F02B: INTERNAL-COMBUSTION PISTON ENGINES; COMBUSTION ENGINES IN GENERAL (gas-turbine plants F02C; hot-gas or combustion-product positive-displacement engine plants F02G) - Y02T: CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION TECHNOLOGIES RELATED TO TRANSPORTATION ## Abstract Systems and methods for supplying air to an engine are disclosed. In one example, an air inlet throttle is at least partially closed in response to a change in engine torque request. In another example, the air inlet throttle is adjusted in conjunction with adjusting an engine throttle. The approach can reduce compressor noise and may reduce the possibility of compressor surge. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A method for supplying air to an engine, comprising: controlling air flow to a compressor via a first throttle; controlling air flow from the compressor to engine cylinders via a second throttle; at least partially closing the first throttle during a condition of surge of the compressor; and adjusting a position of the first throttle in response to a desired EGR flow rate when the compressor is not in the condition of surge. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, where the first throttle is substantially fully closed during the condition of surge of the compressor. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, further comprising where the first throttle is not opened until a pressure of an air intake system of the engine is less than a predetermined level or until an engine torque request is greater than a predetermined level. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, further comprising where the first throttle is not opened until a predetermined amount of time has elapsed or until a predetermined number of combustion events have occurred. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, further comprising opening the second throttle before opening the first throttle, and opening the first throttle when a pressure of an air duct is less than a predetermined level. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, further comprising opening a compressor bypass valve during the condition of surge of the compressor. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) The method of claim 6, further comprising closing an EGR valve during the condition of surge of the compressor. ### Claim 8 A method for supplying air to an engine, comprising: in response to a transition of engine torque demand or a change in engine air intake system pressure; at least partially closing a first throttle of an engine air intake system to reduce a possibility of surge of a compressor, the first throttle, being positioned upstream of the compressor, controlling air flow to the compressor; at least partially closing a second throttle of the engine air intake system to provide a desired amount of engine torque, the second throttle, being positioned downstream of the compressor, controlling air flow to cylinders of the engine; and opening a compressor bypass valve, being positioned in a bypass around the compressor, in response to the transition of the engine torque demand. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The method of claim 8, where during the at least partial closing of the first throttle and during the at least partial closing of the second throttle, the first throttle is closed at a faster rate than the second throttle. ### Claim 10 (depends on 8) The method of claim 8, where the first throttle begins to close before the second throttle and where the second throttle is opened before the first throttle, and opening the first throttle when a pressure of an air duct is less than a predetermined level. ### Claim 11 (depends on 8) The method of claim 8, where the first throttle is not closed unless a transition from a higher engine torque demand to a lower engine torque demand exceeds a predetermined change. ### Claim 12 A method for supplying air to an engine, comprising: in response to a transition from a higher engine torque demand to a lower engine torque demand or a change in engine air intake system pressure: at least partially closing a first throttle of an engine air intake system to reduce a possibility of surge of a compressor, the first throttle controlling air flow to the compressor; at least partially closing a second throttle of the engine air intake system to provide a desired amount of engine torque, the second throttle controlling air flow to cylinders of the engine; and adjusting a position of a turbocharger waste gate in response to the transition from the higher engine torque demand to the lower engine torque demand.