IP Library Granted Patent US 8,050,841
Granted Patent B2
US 8,050,841 · App. 12/254,926 · Granted Nov 1, 2011

Security for engine torque input air-per-cylinder calculations

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 8,050,841
App. No.
12/254,926
Granted
Nov 1, 2011
Kind
B2
Abstract

An air-per-cylinder (APC) security system for a vehicle comprises an APC determination module, an APC threshold determination module, and an APC diagnostic module. The APC determination module determines first and second APC values for first and second cylinders of an engine, respectively, based on mass airflow (MAF) into the engine. The APC threshold determination module determines an APC threshold based on the first APC value and a spark timing for the first cylinder. The APC diagnostic module selectively diagnoses a fault in the APC determination module when the second APC value is greater than a sum of the first APC value and the APC threshold.

Claims (28)

1. An air-per-cylinder (APC) security system for a vehicle, comprising:

an APC determination module that determines first and second APC values for first and second cylinders of an engine, respectively, based on mass airflow (MAF) into said engine;

an APC threshold determination module that determines an APC threshold based on said first APC value and a spark timing for said first cylinder; and

an APC diagnostic module that selectively diagnoses a fault in said APC determination module when said second APC value is greater than a sum of said first APC value and said APC threshold.

2. The APC security system of claim 1 wherein said first cylinder is a next cylinder to be fired in a firing order and said second cylinder is to be fired after said first cylinder.

3. The APC security system of claim 1 wherein said APC threshold determination module determines said APC threshold further based on a derivative of an estimated torque output of said engine with respect to APC.

4. The APC security system of claim 1 wherein said APC diagnostic module increments a timer when said second APC value is greater than said sum.

5. The APC security system of claim 4 further comprising an APC storage module, wherein said APC diagnostic module sets said first APC value in at least one predetermined location in said APC storage module.

6. The APC security system of claim 5 wherein said APC diagnostic module limits said first APC value before setting said first APC value in said APC storage module when said timer is greater than a first period.

7. The APC security system of claim 6 wherein said APC diagnostic module limits said first APC value based on said second APC value.

8. The APC security system of claim 6 wherein said APC diagnostic module diagnoses said fault when said timer is greater than a second period, wherein said second period is greater than said first period.

9. The APC security system of claim 4 wherein said APC diagnostic module decrements said timer when said second APC value is less than or equal to said sum.

10. The APC security system of claim 1 further comprising a diagnostic enabling module that one of enables and disables said APC diagnostic module based on an engine speed.

11. The APC security system of claim 10 wherein said diagnostic enabling module disables said APC diagnostic module when said engine speed is less than a speed threshold.

12. A method for an air-per-cylinder (APC) system of a vehicle, the method comprising:

determining first and second APC values for first and second cylinders of an engine, respectively, based on mass airflow (MAF) into said engine;

determining an APC threshold based on said first APC value and a spark timing for said first cylinder; and

selectively diagnosing a fault in said first APC value when said second APC value is greater than a sum of said first APC value and said APC threshold.

13. The method of claim 12 wherein said first cylinder is a next cylinder to be fired in a firing order and said second cylinder is to be fired after said first cylinder.

14. The method of claim 12 further comprising determining said APC threshold further based on a derivative of an estimated torque output of said engine with respect to APC.

15. The method of claim 12 further comprising incrementing a timer when said second APC value is greater than said sum.

16. The method of claim 15 further comprising setting said first APC value in at least one predetermined location.

17. The method of claim 16 further comprising limiting said first APC value before said setting when said timer is greater than a first period.

18. The method of claim 17 wherein said limiting comprises limiting said first APC value based on said second APC value.

19. The method of claim 17 wherein said selectively diagnosing comprises diagnosing said fault when said timer is greater than a second period, wherein said second period is greater than said first period.

20. The method of claim 15 further comprising decrementing said timer when said second APC value is less than or equal to said sum.

21. The method of claim 12 further comprising one of enabling and disabling said diagnosing based on an engine speed.

22. The method of claim 21 wherein said one of enabling and disabling comprises disabling said diagnosing when said engine speed is less than a speed threshold.

Assignments (13)
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Nov 7, 2014
From: WILMINGTON TRUST COMPANY
To: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
Reel/Frame 034384/0758 →
CHANGE OF NAME Recorded Feb 10, 2011
From: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
To: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
Reel/Frame 025781/0245 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Nov 8, 2010
From: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
To: WILMINGTON TRUST COMPANY
Reel/Frame 025324/0515 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Nov 5, 2010
From: UAW RETIREE MEDICAL BENEFITS TRUST
To: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
Reel/Frame 025315/0046 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Nov 4, 2010
From: UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY
To: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
Reel/Frame 025245/0909 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Aug 28, 2009
From: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
To: UAW RETIREE MEDICAL BENEFITS TRUST
Reel/Frame 023162/0237 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Aug 27, 2009
From: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
To: UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY
Reel/Frame 023156/0313 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Aug 21, 2009
From: UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY
To: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
Reel/Frame 023126/0914 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Aug 21, 2009
From: CITICORP USA, INC. AS AGENT FOR BANK PRIORITY SECURED PARTIES; CITICORP USA, INC. AS AGENT FOR HEDGE PRIORITY SECURED PARTIES
To: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
Reel/Frame 023155/0769 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Apr 16, 2009
From: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
To: CITICORP USA, INC. AS AGENT FOR BANK PRIORITY SECURED PARTIES; CITICORP USA, INC. AS AGENT FOR HEDGE PRIORITY SECURED PARTIES
Reel/Frame 022554/0538 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Feb 4, 2009
From: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
To: UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY
Reel/Frame 022201/0405 →
CORRECTIVE ASSIGNMENT TO CORRECT THE THIRD LISTED ASSIGNOR'S NAME PREVIOUSLY RECORDED ON REEL 021712 FRAME 0237. ASSIGNOR(S) HEREBY CONFIRMS THE CORRECTED ASSIGNOR'S NAME SHOULD BE: ROBERTO DE PAULA. Recorded Nov 7, 2008
From: COSTIN, MARK H.; HARTREY, TIMOTHY J.; WIGGINS, LAYNE K.; LEHMAN, BRYAN D.; DE PAULA, ROBERTO; STEMPNIK, JOSEPH M.
To: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
Reel/Frame 021800/0757 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Oct 21, 2008
From: COSTIN, MARK H.; HARTREY, TIMOTHY J.; WIGGINS, LAYNE K.; LEHMAN, BRYAN D.; DE PAULA, ROBERT; STEMPNIK, JOSEPH M.
To: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
Reel/Frame 021712/0237 →
Continuity (2)
Provisional Application 61054914 · May 21, 2008
Related Publication 20090292435A1 · Nov 26, 2009