Ford Global Technolgoies, LLC

Nate Trask

Donald James Lewis

Thomas Megli

Gopichandra Surnilla

Ross Dykstra Pursifull

John Ottavio Michelini

Alex Gibson

John David Russell

Ilya V Kolmanovsky

Dennis C Reed

Gang Song

Shane Elwart

Stephen B Smith

Davor Hrovat

Bala Chander

Vince Winstead

Alex O'Connor Gibson

Brian Moorhead

Vincent J Winstead

Vince J Winstead

Vince John Winstead

A method for controlling an engine during a start is presented. In one example, the method includes direct starting an engine with a port fuel injector. The method can improve engine starting during some conditions.

Engine starting for engine having adjustable valve operation and port fuel injection

A method for controlling a vehicle engine having a plurality of cylinders is provided. The method comprises: during engine idling, advancing spark timing of at least one cylinder to before a peak torque timing, and retarding spark timing from the advanced timing toward the peak torque timing in response to decreased engine speed to maintain idling speed.

Engine and exhaust heating

A method for detection of emissions levels during extended engine speed controlled operation is provided. The method includes monitoring mass airflow passing through the engine while operating the engine. The method further includes adjusting mass airflow responsive to engine speed to maintain a desired engine speed. The method further includes shutting down the engine when engine mass airflow becomes higher than a predetermined mass airflow threshold.

Method for detection of emissions levels during extended engine speed controlled operation

A method for controlling a vehicle engine having a plurality of cylinders and an electric motor configured to rotate the engine is provided. The method includes, during engine idling, advancing spark timing of at least one cylinder to substantially before a peak torque timing. The method further includes adjusting motor torque output of the electric motor to maintain engine idle speed.

Engine and exhaust heating for hybrid vehicle

A method of operating an engine for a vehicle having at least a first cylinder, the method comprising of operating the first cylinder to provide at least one of compression braking and expansion braking by holding one of an intake valve and an exhaust valve of the first cylinder closed while opening, closing, and opening the other of the intake valve and the exhaust valve during a cycle of the first cylinder and during a first vacuum level of an intake manifold upstream of the first cylinder; and operating the first cylinder to provide at least one of compression braking and expansion braking by operating both the intake valve and the exhaust valve of the first cylinder during a cycle of the first cylinder to allow at least some air to flow through the first cylinder during a second vacuum level of the intake manifold.

Vehicle braking control

A system for controlling a multiple cylinder internal combustion engine with electromagnetic valve actuation, comprising of at least one cylinder with an engine cylinder valve, a second controller operably coupled to the engine cylinder valve, said second controller configured to adjust at least one of the valve opening and closing timing of the engine cylinder valve, and a first controller connected with the second controller over a first link and a second link, wherein the first controller is configured to send an engine position indication signal to the second controller over the first link and receive a status signal from the second controller over the second link, and wherein the first controller outputs a synchronization degradation signal responsive to a synchronization error between the engine position indication signal and the status signal.

Valve control synchronization and error detection in an electronic valve actuation engine system

A method of transitioning a cylinder of an engine from a spark ignition mode to a homogeneous charge compression ignition mode, the cylinder having at least one electrically actuated intake valve and at least one exhaust valve, the method comprising of before a transition, operating the cylinder with at least some overlap between an opening event of the intake valve and an opening event of the exhaust valve in the spark ignition mode; in response to a transition request, operating the cylinder with at least some negative overlap between an opening event of the intake valve and an opening event of the exhaust valve, retarding the intake valve opening and closing timing by different amounts and retarding ignition timing; and further increasing negative overlap and performing the homogeneous charge compression ignition mode.

Approach for facilitating engine mode transitions

A method for controlling stopping and starting of an engine having a variable event valvetrain is described. According to the method engine valves may be used to reduce engine evaporative emissions as well as engine starting emissions. Since the engine configuration shown has electrically actuated intake and exhaust valves it is possible to reconfigure the engine operating sequence during a start. For example, the pistons for cylinders two and three are in the same position at the same time. This allows either cylinder to be set to an intake stroke during a subsequent engine restart when the piston is traveling away from the cylinder head while the companion cylinder is set to the expansion or power stroke. Thus, the cylinder having the first intake stroke could be configured to provide a first combustion event during an engine restart. On the other hand, the cylinder set to the power stroke could have been set to the intake stroke such that it is the first cylinder to provide a combustion stroke during a restart.

Method for stopping and starting an internal combustion engine having a variable event valvetrain

A system and method for controlling operation of cylinder with at least an intake and exhaust valve and a piston are described. In one aspect, the method comprises maintaining at least one of the intake and exhaust valves in a closed position during a period. Further, closing the other of the intake and exhaust valves with the piston at a first position from, and then opening the other of the intake and exhaust valves at a second position of the piston closer to bottom center than said first position, during said period.

Engine expansion braking with adjustable valve timing

A method for improving engine starting for an engine having a variable event valvetrain is described. According to one aspect of the description, valve timing during a start can be set so that combustion stability and emissions may be improved.

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Dearborn, MI, United States of America

Nate Trask