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US 9,903,265 B2Granted
Method for estimating charge air cooler condensation storage with an intake oxygen sensor
AssigneeFord Global Technologies, LLC
InventorsGopichandra Surnilla, Daniel Joseph Styles, James Alfred Hilditch, Mehdi Abarham
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Methods and systems are provided for estimating water storage in a charge air cooler (CAC). In one example, an amount of water accumulating in the CAC may be based on an output of an oxygen sensor positioned downstream of the CAC and ambient humidity. Further, engine actuators may be adjusted to purge condensate from the CAC and/or reduce condensate formation based on the amount of water inside the CAC.
Claims21
An engine method, comprising:
- decreasing charge air cooler efficiency based on a water storage rate at a charge air cooler greater than a threshold rate, the water storage rate estimated based on an output of an oxygen sensor positioned at an outlet of the charge air cooler and ambient humidity.
An engine method, comprising:
- periodically flowing exhaust gas from engine exhaust to an engine intake;
- when exhaust gas is not flowing from engine exhaust to the engine intake, adjusting engine actuators based on water storage at a charge air cooler, the water storage estimated based on an output of an oxygen sensor positioned downstream of the charge air cooler and ambient humidity;
- and
- when exhaust gas is flowing from engine exhaust to the engine intake, adjusting engine actuators based on water storage at the charge air cooler, the water storage estimated based on alternative parameters other than the oxygen sensor output.
1 more element
An engine system, comprising:
- an intake manifold;
- a low-pressure exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) system;
- a charge air cooler positioned upstream of the intake manifold;
- an oxygen sensor positioned at an outlet of the charge air cooler;
- and
- a controller with computer readable instructions for adjusting engine operation responsive to EGR flow in the EGR system and water storage at the charge air cooler, the water storage estimated based on an output of the oxygen sensor and ambient humidity when exhaust gas recirculation is not flowing.
3 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.