Method and system for controlling combustion stability for lean-burn engines
US5720260A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Dec 13, 1996 |
| Grant date | Feb 24, 1998 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Dec 13, 2016 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC F)Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
- CPC primaryF02D2200/1015
- WIPO fieldEngines, pumps, turbines
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A method and system for controlling combustion stability for a lean-burn engine having a plurality of cylinders including a plurality of cylinder pairs utilizes a speed sensor for sensing an engine speed and generating a corresponding temperature signal and an air flow sensor for sensing a cylinder air mass and generating a corresponding air mass signal. An average event time for each of the plurality of cylinders is determined, as well as an instantaneous variation in event times between each of the plurality of cylinder pairs. An actual level of engine roughness is determined based on the variation in instantaneous event times from the average event times. A desired level of engine roughness is determined based on the speed signal, the air mass signal, and a desired air/fuel ratio. The engine is then controlled based on the actual level of engine roughness and the desired level of engine roughness so as to directly control the combustion stability of the engine and to indirectly control the air/fuel ratio of the engine.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.