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US 9,512,797 B2Granted
Method and system for improving engine starting
AssigneeFord Global Technologies, LLC
InventorsThomas G. Leone, Ross Dykstra Pursifull, Joseph Norman Ulrey, Donald J. Lewis
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An engine system and method for improving engine starting are disclosed. In one example, engine port throttles are adjusted to improve fuel vaporization of a fuel that includes alcohol. The system and method may improve engine starting and emissions.
Claims20
A method of starting an engine, comprising:
- substantially closing a cylinder port throttle;
- and
- directly injecting an amount of fuel to a cylinder during a cylinder cycle while cylinder vacuum varies with engine rotation and while the cylinder port throttle is substantially closed during engine cranking, the amount of fuel injected being during an interval that includes a middle position which is substantially aligned with a predetermined cylinder vacuum level.
A method of starting an engine, comprising:
- substantially closing a port throttle of a cylinder during a cylinder cycle of engine cranking;
- at least partially opening the port throttle before closing an intake valve of the cylinder during the cylinder cycle after substantially closing the port throttle and after beginning to inject a fuel to the cylinder during the cylinder cycle;
- and
- substantially closing the port throttle after the intake valve of the cylinder closes.
1 more element
A system for controlling an engine, comprising:
- an engine air intake throttle located along an engine air intake passage;
- a first engine cylinder port throttle located along the engine air intake passage downstream of the engine air intake throttle and upstream of a poppet valve;
- a first fuel injector located downstream of the first engine cylinder port throttle and coupled to the engine to directly inject fuel;
- a cylinder receiving a fuel via the first fuel injector and air via the first engine cylinder port throttle;
- and
- a controller including instructions for selecting a cylinder vacuum level where a substantially same amount of fuel is injected to the cylinder before and after the cylinder vacuum level is reached during a cycle of the cylinder as the engine rotates, and including additional instructions for opening the first engine cylinder port throttle after the first fuel injector begins to inject fuel during the cycle of the cylinder.
3 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.