IP Library Granted Patent US 8,631,783
Granted Patent B2
US 8,631,783 · App. 12/620,848 · Granted Jan 21, 2014

Method and apparatus for controlling engine torque during intrusive testing

View Patent ↗
Loading inventors, assignments & file history…
Monitor This Case
Get email alerts when status or documents change.
Order Certified Copies
Most orders are placed with the USPTO same day — all within 24 business hours.
Order via The Patent Place →
Pre-filled with this patent's details
Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 8,631,783
App. No.
12/620,848
Granted
Jan 21, 2014
Kind
B2
Abstract

A control system and method for controlling an engine includes a control module. The control module includes an evaporation control valve module closing a canister purge valve during a system diagnostic. A torque determination module determines a torque change for an end of the system diagnostic. A torque adjustment module changes an engine torque to a changed torque corresponding to the torque change. The evaporation control valve module opens the purge valve at the end of the diagnostic.

Claims (38)

1. A method of controlling an engine comprising:

closing a canister purge valve;

performing a system diagnostic;

determining a torque change;

creating an engine torque reserve for fueling changes for when the system diagnostic ends;

using fast engine actuators to counteract engine idle speed deviations from fueling changes when the system diagnostic ends; and

opening the purge valve.

2. A method as recited in claim 1 wherein creating the engine torque reserve comprises creating the engine torque reserve a first period before opening the purge valve.

3. A method as recited in claim 2 wherein creating the engine torque reserve comprises maintaining the engine torque reserve for a second period after opening the purge valve.

4. A method as recited in claim 3 wherein changing the engine torque comprises changing a throttle signal from a first level to a second level and after the second period changing the throttle signal from a second level to the first level.

5. A method as recited in claim 1 wherein changing the engine torque comprises changing a throttle signal from a first level to a second level.

6. A method as recited in claim 1 wherein changing the engine torque comprises changing a spark timing.

7. A method as recited in claim 1 wherein changing the engine torque comprises changing a throttle and changing a spark timing.

8. A method as recited in claim 1 wherein opening the purge valve comprises opening the purge valve after creating the engine torque reserve.

9. A method as recited in claim 1 wherein determining a maximum potential torque loss comprises determining the maximum potential torque loss based on a maximum potential change in a commanded maximum fuel level.

10. A method as recited in claim 1 wherein determining a torque change comprises determining the torque change based on a long-term memory value, a short-term memory value and an air mass.

11. A method as recited in claim 1 further comprising changing a fast engine actuator spark to adjust engine torque to counteract the engine speed deviation to consuming the torque reserve.

12. A method as recited in claim 11 wherein performing the system diagnostic is performed prior to determining a torque loss change, and wherein opening the purge valve comprises opening the purge valve at the end of the system diagnostic.

13. A method of controlling an engine comprising:

closing a canister purge valve during a system diagnostic;

performing the system diagnostic;

determining a maximum possible torque loss due to a fueling change when the system diagnostic ends and the canister purge valve is opened;

creating a torque reserve by opening a throttle and retarding spark at a predetermined first period prior to opening a purge valve;

thereafter, opening the purge valve and ending the system diagnostic;

adjusting engine torque with spark based on engine speed deviations from idle utilizing the torque reserve; and

maintaining the torque reserve a second predetermined period after opening the purge valve and ending the system diagnostic.

14. A method as recited in claim 13 wherein creating the torque reserve comprises changing a throttle signal from a first level to a second level.

15. A method as recited in claim 13 further comprising prior to opening the purge valve, waiting a predetermined time corresponding to an air transport delay.

16. A control module for an engine comprising:

an evaporation control valve module closing a canister purge valve during a system diagnostic;

a torque determination module determining a torque change and generating a torque reserve for fueling changes for when the system diagnostic ends; and

a torque adjustment module that controls fast engine actuators to counteract engine idle speed deviations from fueling changes when the system diagnostic ends,

said evaporation control valve module opening the purge valve at an end of the diagnostic.

17. A system as recited in claim 16 wherein the torque adjustment module creates the torque reserve a first period before opening the purge valve.

18. A system as recited in claim 17 wherein the torque adjustment module creates the torque reserve for a second period after opening the purge valve.

19. A system as recited in claim 18 wherein the torque adjustment module changes an engine torque from a first level to a second level and after a second period changes a throttle signal from a second level to the first level.

20. A system as recited in claim 16 wherein the torque adjustment module changes an engine torque by changing a throttle signal.

21. A system as recited in claim 16 wherein the torque adjustment module changes an engine torque by changing a spark timing.

Assignments (8)
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Nov 7, 2014
From: WILMINGTON TRUST COMPANY
To: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
Reel/Frame 034287/0001 →
CHANGE OF NAME Recorded Feb 10, 2011
From: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
To: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
Reel/Frame 025781/0299 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Nov 8, 2010
From: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
To: WILMINGTON TRUST COMPANY
Reel/Frame 025324/0555 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Nov 5, 2010
From: UAW RETIREE MEDICAL BENEFITS TRUST
To: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
Reel/Frame 025315/0136 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Nov 4, 2010
From: UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY
To: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
Reel/Frame 025246/0234 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Feb 25, 2010
From: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
To: UAW RETIREE MEDICAL BENEFITS TRUST
Reel/Frame 023990/0001 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Feb 25, 2010
From: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
To: UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY
Reel/Frame 023989/0155 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Nov 19, 2009
From: WANG, LAN; WANG, ZHONG; WHITNEY, CHRISTOPHER E.; PENG, JINCHUN; MAC EWEN, IAN J.
To: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
Reel/Frame 023541/0842 →