Abstract:
An internal combustion engine is configured with combustion chamber pressure sensing and exhaust gas recirculation apparatus. Exhaust gas recirculation control includes closed-loop controlling exhaust gas recirculation apparatus in accordance with a predetermined control target. Adjustments to the control target are made based on combustion chamber pressure information.
Abstract:
An exhaust gas recirculation system adapted for use by an internal combustion engine, and for selectively diverting a recirculated portion of the engine exhaust away from the EGR cooler, includes a by-pass conduit and/or feed line shiftable between open and closed conditions, and an active material actuator.
Abstract:
A cleaning mechanism for and method of autonomously removing deposits from the interior surface of a tube comprises a cleaning member secured relative to the surface and preferably, an active material element drivenly coupled to or engaged with the member so as to selectively cause the member to translate, thereby removing deposits from the surface.
Abstract:
A heat exchanger device for an exhaust gas recirculation system of an internal combustion engine includes a heat exchange device including a first surface and a second surface. The first surface is in fluid contact with a recirculated portion of exhaust gas flowing in an exhaust system and the second surface is in fluid contact with a second fluid. The first surface is subjected to a surface treatment effective to reduce adhesive properties that relate to surface tension of particulate matter that precipitates from the recirculated portion of the exhaust gas.
Abstract:
The invention comprises a method to operate a direct-injection engine operative at various air/fuel ratios. The method comprises monitoring in-cylinder pressure, along with a corresponding engine crank position to periodically to determine instantaneous in-cylinder pressure states corresponding to the engine crank position during compression and expansion. Pressure ratios are determined based upon the instantaneous in-cylinder pressure states. A combustion heat release is determined based upon the pressure ratios. An aspect of the invention comprises extending the operation to diesel, diesel premixed and to HCCI engines.
Abstract:
The invention comprises a method to determine a position of a piston in a cylinder of an engine during ongoing operation, comprising adapting pressure sensing devices to monitor in-cylinder pressure, and, operating the engine. In-cylinder pressure is monitored along with a corresponding engine crank position. The engine is operated in a motoring mode and in a cylinder firing mode, and a plurality of instantaneous in-cylinder pressure states are determined during compression and expansion strokes. Pressure ratios are determined based upon the instantaneous in-cylinder pressure states, which are used to determine an engine crank angle and compression ratio error and, adjust the monitored engine crank position based upon the crank angle error and readjust engine operation according to these sensed errors.
Abstract:
A method for controlling operation of an internal combustion engine operating lean of stoichiometry is described. The engine comprises a multi-cylinder direct-injection engine, the engine operative in repetitive cycles each cycle comprising intake, compression, expansion, and exhaust strokes. The method comprises adapting a plurality of fuel injectors to directly inject a first and a second mass of fuel into the cylinders during each cycle. Pressure sensing devices monitor in-cylinder pressure in the cylinders during ongoing operation. The first mass of fuel is injected into one of the cylinders. A cylinder pressure ratio is determined in the cylinder subsequent to injecting the first mass of fuel based upon the monitored pressure. The first mass of fuel injected is adjusted during a subsequent cycle based upon the cylinder pressure ratio.
Abstract:
Exhaust gas temperature is increased to improve the effectiveness of an after-treatment system having an activation temperature by deactivating one or more engine cylinders to increase the exhaust gas temperature from the remaining cylinders (during acceleration) or to decreasing exhaust gas flow rate (during deceleration or idling). In the system of the invention, a controller effects the deactivation and reactivation of cylinders and/or decrease and increase of exhaust gas flow in response to one or more sensors providing input of exhaust gas temperature or information from which exhaust gas temperature can be approximated. By achieving and maintaining the activation temperature, the present invention improves the effectiveness of after-treatment devices thereby lowering regulated emissions to desired levels.
Abstract:
An internal combustion engine is equipped with an EGR system that includes an EGR heat exchanger. A method for monitoring the EGR heat exchanger includes monitoring an EGR gas inlet temperature to the EGR heat exchanger, an EGR gas outlet temperature from the EGR heat exchanger, a coolant temperature and a mass EGR flowrate through the EGR heat exchanger for a present engine operating point. An actual thermal effectiveness of the EGR heat exchanger for the present engine operating point is determined. A maximum heat transfer coefficient for the EGR side of the EGR heat exchanger is determined for the present engine operating point. The EGR heat exchanger is regenerated when the actual heat transfer coefficient differs from the maximum heat transfer coefficient for the present engine operating point.
Abstract:
A vehicular heat exchanger processes a exhaust gas recirculation flow. A method to manage combustion by-product contaminant deposits within the heat exchanger includes repeatedly cycling a flow control device controlling the exhaust gas recirculation flow through the heat exchanger from an original position to an intermediate position and back to the original position. The original position is determined based upon a required exhaust gas recirculation flow into an intake manifold.