Ford Global Technolgoies, LLC

Ford Motor Company Limited

Garth Michael Meyer

Joseph Richard Asik

Daniel Lawrence Meyer

Michiel Jacques Van Nieuwstadt

Donald James Lewis

Jeffrey Scott Hepburn

In Kwang Yoo

Rogelio G Samson

Frank Gonzales, Jr

Ben Allen Strayer

Michael Smokovitz

Devesh Upadhyay

Jacobus Hendrik Visser

David John Kubinski

Xiaoguo Tang

Kelvin Lee Dobbins

George Tom Calvas

Ronald L Martelli

Venki Nallaperumal

Methods and systems are provided for detecting NOx sensor degradation based on results from a NOx sensor self-diagnostic (SD) test. In one example, a method may comprise: determining that a nitrogen oxide (NOx) sensor is degraded if outputs received from the sensor via a CAN bus during a self-diagnostic test are outside a threshold range. Additionally, only outputs received from the sensor during a self-diagnostic (SD) test performed after a first completed SD test after a key-off event, where the outputs are generated under conditions where a temperature at the sensor is less than a threshold, and an oxygen concentration is within a threshold range may be used to determine if the sensor is degraded.

Systems and methods for running a NOx self-diagnostic test

Various systems and methods for detecting exhaust reductant injector degradation based on an exhaust NOsensor are disclosed. In one example, degradation of the reductant injector is indicated when an actual NOsensor output differs from an expected NOsensor output by more than a threshold amount under engine off conditions.

Method and system for reductant injector degradation

A method to deliver fuel during a start for an internal combustion engine is described. The method provides individual cylinder fuel control based on the number of fueled cylinder events. The method offers improved engine emissions while maintaining engine run-up performance.

Cylinder event based fuel control

An internal combustion engine having a crankshaft rotatable within an engine block of the engine and at least one camshaft driven by the crankshaft. The crankshaft is fixed to a crankshaft wheel having a plurality of crankshaft wheel marks and at least one crankshaft position indicia. The camshaft is fixed to a camshaft wheel having a predetermined pattern of camshaft wheel marks. A crankshaft sensor is fixed to the engine block for producing a crankshaft signal in response to detection of the crankshaft position indicia. A camshaft sensor is fixed to the engine block for producing camshaft signals in response to detection of the camshaft wheel marks. Rotation of the crankshaft generates a pattern comprising the crankshaft signal and the camshaft signals. A processor compares the generated pattern to a stored reference pattern for determining from such comparison the position of the crankshaft within the engine block.

Method and system for determining cylinder position with an internal combustion engine

A method to deliver spark during a start for an internal combustion engine is described. The method provides individual cylinder spark angle control based on the number of fueled cylinder events. The method offers improved engine emissions while maintaining engine speed run-up performance.

Cylinder event based spark

A method to deliver spark during a start for an internal combustion engine is described. The method provides individual cylinder spark angle control based on the number of cylinders after synchronization between engine timing and an engine controller are achieved. The method offers improved engine emissions while maintaining engine speed run-up performance.

Synchronized cylinder event based spark

A system and method are provided for closed-loop monitoring of temperature within a vehicle emission control device to control air-fuel ratio (AFR) and corresponding production of exotherm to accurately maintain a desired temperature range. A temperature sensor is positioned within the emission control device to provide a direct measurement of temperature within the device. Inlet temperature can be either directly measured or estimated using a temperature model. Actual temperature within the device is estimated as a function of the inlet and measured temperatures. The estimated actual temperature is used to modify the AFR in the exhaust gases flowing through the emission control device.

Closed-loop temperature control for an emission control device

A method and system are provided for determining a present value representative of the quantity of oxygen that is stored in an emission control device receiving exhaust gas generated by an internal combustion engine, as well as a present value for the maximum capacity of the device to store a selected constituent gas of the exhaust gas. The resulting values are advantageously used for adaption of predetermined values for controlling device fill and purge times when operating in an open-loop control mode, whereby open-loop device operation is optimized to reflect changes in device operating conditions.

Method for quantifying oxygen stored in a vehicle emission control device

A method and system for optimizing the purging of a constituent gas of a vehicle engine's generated exhaust gas from an emission control device is disclosed wherein the amplitude of the output signal generated by a downstream switching oxygen sensor, and the time response of the sensor, is used to iteratively adjust a current purge time to obtain an optimized purge time.

Method and system for optimizing purge of exhaust gas constituent stored in an emission control device

A system and method for optimizing the regeneration cycle of an emission control device, such as a lean NO trap, is disclosed wherein the device is filled to a predetermined fraction of its existing capacity and is then completely emptied during a device purge. As device capacity is substantially reduced, as indicated by the actual fill time becoming equal to or less than a predetermined minimum fill time, a device desulfation event is performed to attempt to restore device capacity. A programmed computer controls the fill and purge times based on the amplitude of the voltage of a switching-type oxygen sensor and the time response of the sensor. The frequency of the purge, which ideally is directly related to the device capacity depletion rate, is controlled so that the device is not filled beyond the storage capacity limit.

Method and system for controlling a regeneration cycle of an emission control device

A method of optimizing vehicle emissions during lean engine operation is disclosed wherein an emission control device receiving engine exhaust gases is filled with one or more constituent gases of the exhaust gas to a predetermined fraction of the device storage capacity, and is then completely emptied during a subsequent purge. As the device storage capacity is substantially reduced, as indicated by an actual fill time becoming equal to or less than a predetermined minimum fill time, a device regeneration cycle is performed to attempt to restore device capacity. A programmed computer controls the fill and purge times based on the amplitude of the voltage of a switching-type oxygen sensor and the time response of the sensor. The frequency of the purge, which ideally is directly related to the device capacity depletion rate, is controlled so that the device is not filled beyond its storage capacity limit.

Method and system for controlling an emission control device based on depletion of device storage capacity

A method and system are provided for adaptive control of a purge time and a fill time for an emission control device used to reduce emission of a selected constituent gas, such NO , of an engine's generated exhaust gas, with optimization and adapting of stored values to reflect changes in device operating conditions. The invention determines a present value representative of the quantity of oxygen stored in the device, as well as a present value for the maximum device NO -storage capacity to provide real-time adjustment of purge and fill time to achieve optimum overall operation of the device. The invention also periodically determines actual fill times which corresponding to optimal fill times to generate adaptive values for use during normal open-loop control.

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Dearborn, MI, United States of America

Garth Michael Meyer