IP Library Granted Patent US 9,714,617
Granted Patent B2
US 9,714,617 · App. 13/775,673 · Granted Jul 25, 2017

System and method for limiting a volumetric efficiency of an engine during engine cranking to reduce emission

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 9,714,617
App. No.
13/775,673
Granted
Jul 25, 2017
Kind
B2
Abstract

A system according to the principles of the present disclosure includes an engine cranking module and a throttle control module. The engine cranking module determines whether an engine is cranking based on at least one of an input received from an ignition system and engine speed, and generates a signal indicating whether the engine is cranking. The throttle control module selectively adjusts a throttle of the engine to a fully closed position when the signal indicates that the engine is cranking.

Claims (30)

1. A system comprising:

an engine cranking module that:

determines whether an engine is cranking based on at least one of an input received from an ignition system and engine speed; and

generates a signal indicating whether the engine is cranking; and

a throttle control module that selectively adjusts a throttle of the engine to a fully closed position when the signal indicates that the engine is cranking and maintains the throttle in the fully closed position while the engine speed is less than a predetermined speed.

2. The system of claim 1 further comprising a valve control module that opens an intake valve for a first duration when the engine is cranking and opens the intake valve for a second duration when the engine is running, wherein the first duration is less than the second duration.

3. The system of claim 1 wherein the throttle control module adjusts the throttle to the fully closed position while the engine is cranking when an engine coolant temperature is less than a predetermined temperature.

4. The system of claim 1 wherein the engine cranking module determines that the engine starts cranking when the ignition system is switched from off to on.

5. The system of claim 1 wherein the engine cranking module determines that the engine is running when the engine speed is greater than a predetermined speed.

6. The system of claim 1 further comprising an engine speed module that determines the engine speed based on a crankshaft position.

7. The system of claim 1 further comprising an intake airflow module that determines an amount of airflow entering a cylinder of the engine based on a pressure of air within an intake manifold of the engine.

8. The system of claim 7 further comprising a fuel control module that controls a fuel injector to provide fuel to the cylinder at a desired rate.

9. The system of claim 8 wherein the fuel injector injects fuel directly into the cylinder.

10. The system of claim 9 wherein the fuel control module determines the desired rate based on the amount of airflow entering the cylinder and a desired air/fuel ratio.

11. A method comprising:

determining whether an engine is cranking based on at least one of an input received from an ignition system and engine speed;

generating a signal indicating whether the engine is cranking;

selectively adjusting a throttle of the engine to a fully closed position when the signal indicates that the engine is cranking; and

maintaining the throttle in the fully closed position while the engine speed is less than a predetermined speed.

12. The method of claim 11 further comprising:

opening an intake valve for a first duration when the engine is cranking; and

opening the intake valve for a second duration when the engine is running, wherein the first duration is less than the second duration.

13. The method of claim 11 further comprising adjusting the throttle to the fully closed position while the engine is cranking when an engine coolant temperature is less than a predetermined temperature.

14. The method of claim 11 further comprising determining that the engine starts cranking when the ignition system is switched from off to on.

15. The method of claim 11 further comprising determining that the engine is running when the engine speed is greater than a predetermined speed.

16. The method of claim 11 further comprising determining the engine speed based on a crankshaft position.

17. The method of claim 11 further comprising determining an amount of airflow entering a cylinder of the engine based on a pressure of air within an intake manifold of the engine.

18. The method of claim 17 further comprising controlling a fuel injector to provide fuel to the cylinder at a desired rate.

19. The method of claim 18 further comprising injecting fuel directly into the cylinder.

20. The method of claim 19 further comprising determining the desired rate based on the amount of airflow entering the cylinder and a desired air/fuel ratio.

Assignments (2)
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Nov 7, 2014
From: WILMINGTON TRUST COMPANY
To: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
Reel/Frame 034287/0601 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Jun 12, 2014
From: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
To: WILMINGTON TRUST COMPANY
Reel/Frame 033135/0336 →