Ford Global Technolgoies, LLC

Suzanne Kay Wait

Jeffrey Allen Doering

Julia Helen Buckland

Matthew John Gerhart

Gopichandra Surnilla

John Eric Rollinger

Tobias John Pallett

Adam Nathan Banker

Peter Douglas Kuechler

De-Shiou Chen

Joseph Norman Ulrey

James Michael Kerns

Ralph Wayne Cunningham

Mrdjan J Jankovic

Ilya V Kolmanovsky

Michael Howard Shelby

Amey Y Karnik

Uros Kalabic

Naginder Gogna

Methods and systems are provided for monitoring torque delivery in a variable displacement engine using air flow metered via a throttle body model. During conditions when air flow estimation can be inaccurate, such as at wide open throttle, an induction ratio applied to the engine is constrained to 1.0, even if the operator torque demand is low. VDE degradation is inferred based on the commanded induction ratio relative to an actual induction ratio estimated based on the torque delivery.

Method and system for a variable displacement engine

A method and system for providing a suitable engine torque response during a transient condition is presented. In one example, when a desired inlet manifold pressure is greater than a throttle inlet pressure of a first throttle, a second throttle positioned upstream from the first throttle is opened to increase the throttle inlet pressure. The method may provide an appropriate torque response while minimizing impact on fuel economy.

Methods and systems for providing transient torque response

Methods and systems are provided for improving surge control. When surge conditions are approached, a reference governor reduces engine airflow at a slower rate and to a higher level than the engine airflow required to meet the reduced torque demand. The excess torque resulting from the extra airflow is offset by applying a negative torque on the driveshaft via an electric machine coupled to the engine or via alternate engine actuator adjustments.

Methods and systems for torque control

Methods and systems are provided for controlling a vehicle engine, the engine including a turbocharger and a transmission. One example method comprises, operating the transmission at a first lower gear with a first boost level, increasing the boost from the first boost level before completing a shift from the first lower gear to a second higher gear, and after completing the shift, operating the transmission at the second higher gear with the increased boost.

Methods and systems for turbocharger control

A multi-cylinder group engine system operable in at least a first mode and a second mode, where in the first mode a first and second cylinder group combust air and fuel, and where in the second mode at least one of the first and second cylinder group combusts air and fuel and the other one of the first and second cylinder group pumps air without injected fuel, the engine system comprising of a first linear exhaust gas sensor disposed in a first exhaust passage to measure air fuel exhausted from the first cylinder group; a first switching type exhaust gas sensor disposed in a second exhaust passage to measure air-fuel exhausted from the second cylinder group; a second linear exhaust gas sensor disposed downstream of a junction between the first exhaust passage and the second exhaust passage; and a controller configured to validate a reading of the first linear exhaust gas sensor during the first mode of engine operation based on a reading of the second linear exhaust gas sensor when a lean air-fuel ratio is commanded.

Air/fuel ratio validation for lean burn

A multi-cylinder group engine system operable in at least a first mode and a second mode, where in the first mode a first and second cylinder group combust air and fuel with a lean air-fuel ratio, and where in the second mode at least one of the first and second cylinder groups combusts air and fuel and the other one of the first and second cylinder groups pumps air without injected fuel, the engine system comprising of a fuel injection activity sensor coupled to each cylinder in the first and second cylinder groups; a exhaust gas sensor disposed in an exhaust passage to measure air fuel exhausted from the engine; and a controller configured to transition out of the first mode responsive to detection of exhaust gas sensor degradation and to transition out of the second mode responsive to detection of fuel injection sensor degradation. In one example, the transition out of the second mode may be slower than the transition out of the first mode in response to the respective degradation.

Default mode for lean burn engine

Growing community of inventors

Royal Oak, MI, United States of America

Suzanne Kay Wait