Internal combustion engine control for improved fuel efficiency

US9982611B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• Tula eTechnology, Inc. · US

Inventors

• Adya S. Tripathi · San Jose, US
• Chester J. Silvestri · Los Gatos, US
• Christopher W. Chandler · Campbell, US
• Christopher Hand · San Jose, US
• Joshua P. Switkes · Menlo Park, US
• Mark A. Wilcutts · Berkeley, US
• Matthew A. Younkins · San Jose, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Jan 9, 2017
• Grant date: May 29, 2018
• Expiry date: Jan 9, 2037

Classification

• Technology area (CPC Y): Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
• CPC primary: Y02T10/40
• WIPO field: Engines, pumps, turbines
• WIPO sector: Mechanical engineering

Abstract

A variety of methods and arrangements for improving the fuel efficiency of internal combustion engines based on skip fire operation of the engine are described. In one aspect the skip fire decisions are made on a working cycle by working cycle basis. During selected skipped working cycles, the corresponding cylinders are deactivated such that air is not pumped through the cylinder during the selected skipped working cycles. In some implementations, the cylinders are deactivated by holding associated intake and exhaust valves closed such that an air charge is not present in the working chamber during the selected skipped working cycles.