Ford Global Technolgoies, LLC

Yong-Wha Kim

Michael James Uhrich

Michiel Jacques Van Nieuwstadt

Timothy Joseph Clark

Jing Sun

Ross Dykstra Pursifull

In Kwang Yoo

Gopichandra Surnilla

Imad Hassan Makki

Pankaj Kumar

Ilya V Kolmanovsky

Eric Matthew Kurtz

Allan Joseph Kotwicki

Brien Lloyd Fulton

Steven Joseph Szwabowski

Siamak Hashemi

Woong-chul Yang

Le Yi Wang

Yin Chen

Julie Helen Buckland

Jeffrey Koncsol

Embodiments for estimating intake air humidity in an engine are provided. In one example, an engine method comprises adjusting an engine parameter in response to intake air humidity estimated based on a concentration of one or more engine-out emissions. In this way, one or more exhaust emission sensors may be used to estimate intake air humidity.

Method for estimating intake air humidity

A diagnostic method for a capacitive humidity sensor comprising a heater, and a capacitance-sensing element that individually identifies heater, temperature-sensing element, or capacitance-sensing element degradation. By this method, individual elements of the sensor may be replaced or compensated for to allow for further operation.

Humidity sensor diagnostic method using condensation clearing heater

Methods and systems are provided for diagnosing an intake oxygen sensor. In one example, a method may include indicating degradation of an intake oxygen sensor based on a first time constant of an output of the intake oxygen sensor and a second time constant of an output of a throttle inlet pressure sensor. The method may further include adjusting EGR flow based on the output of the intake oxygen sensor and the output of the throttle inlet pressure sensor when the intake oxygen sensor is not degraded.

Methods and systems for diagnosing an intake oxygen sensor based on pressure

Methods and systems are provided for an engine coupled temperature-based humidity sensor. Degradation of the humidity sensor may be determined while flowing gasses into an engine intake air downstream of a humidity sensor and upstream of a compressor, indicating humidity sensor degradation when relative humidity readings change by less than a threshold while temperature at the sensor changes greater than a second threshold.

Humidity sensor and engine system

Systems and methods for diagnosing an EGR system are presented. The method provides for indicating EGR system degradation in response to a temperature at an outlet of an EGR cooler. The method may require less calibration effort than a model based diagnostic.

System for determining EGR cooler degradation

A fuel injector diagnostic is disclosed. In one example, the diagnostic can determine if that amount of fuel injected or the timing of start of injection is degraded. Thus, the fuel injector diagnostic method can distinguish between different types of injector degradation.

Method for diagnosing fuel injectors

A system and method for operating an engine is disclosed. The system and method includes performing multiple ignitions during a single engine cycle. According to one embodiment, a first ignition takes place during a first stroke in the cycle and a second ignition takes place during a second stroke in the cycle. The system and method may further include performing multiple injections during the engine cycle.

Controlled port oxidation of direct injection spark ignition engines

A computer control system is described that monitors the functionality of an emission control device that is capable of storing NOx and oxygen during lean conditions, and releasing/reducing the stored oxygen and NOx during rich operating conditions. The computer uses a readable storage medium having stored data representing instructions executable by a computer. The instructions utilize a ratio between a lean operating time and a rich operating time to determine whether the catalyst has degraded.

Computer readable storage medium with instructions for monitoring catalytic device

A method for predicting oxygen capacity of an LNT during storage phase of such LNT and the amount of NOx stored in the LNT during purge phase thereof as a function of the time history of an output signal produced by an exhaust gas sensor disposed downstream of the LNT. Oxygen storage capacity of the (LNT) is estimated by integrating output signal over time to determine the amount of oxygen stored in the LNT as function of time.

Method and apparatus for estimating oxygen storage capacity and stored NOx in a lean NOx trap (LNT)

A system and method for controlling air charge motion in the cylinder of a direct injection spark ignition engine during transitions between different combustion modes is provided. The system includes a cam profile switching device that controls the position of an intake valve for the cylinder. The system further includes an electronic control unit configured to control the cam profile switching device to position the intake valve in a first position in advance of the transition and to move the intake valve to a second position when a predetermined condition for transitioning between the two combustion modes is met.

Control system for direct injection spark ignition engines with a cam profile switching device

An ignition and fuel control system of a vehicle is provided including a controller . The controller is electrically coupled to an ignition system , a fuel system , a crankshaft position sensor , and a camshaft position sensor . The crankshaft position sensor senses a crankshaft position and generates a crankshaft position signal. A camshaft position sensor senses a camshaft position and generates a camshaft position signal. The controller determines a crankshaft position and a camshaft position in response to the crankshaft position signal and the camshaft position signal respectively. The controller identifies a reference engine cylinder in response to the crankshaft position and the camshaft position and generates a synchronization value. The controller also enables the ignition system and the fuel system in response to the synchronization value.

Growing community of inventors

Ann Arbor, MI, United States of America

Yong-Wha Kim