DE102017112627A1 - SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR TURNING ON MOTOR CYLINDERS - Google Patents

Abstract

Systems and methods for operating an engine with shut-off valves are presented. In one example, shutdown valves may be switched back on to increase a rate of phase indexing of the camshaft relative to the position of the engine crankshaft. However, if a desired rate of camshaft indexing is low, the engine cylinders may remain shut down based on the low rate of desired camshaft indexing.

Description

area

The present description relates to systems and methods for selectively shutting off and restarting one or more cylinders of an internal combustion engine. The systems and methods can be applied to engines that operate poppet valves to regulate the flow into the engine cylinders and outflow from the engine cylinders.

Background and abstract

The phase of an engine camshaft may be adjusted relative to a position of an engine crankshaft. Phase adjustments on the camshaft allow intake and exhaust valves to overlap and use internal exhaust gas recirculation (EGR). Further, camshaft phasing settings provide for a late closing of the intake valve, which may increase the rebound of gases into the engine intake manifold, so that engine pumping losses may be adjusted. The phase of a camshaft can change significantly between the different operating conditions of the engine. When the engine speed and load change rapidly without the phase of the camshaft following the change in engine operating conditions, engine emissions and power outputs can be reduced under transient conditions. One type of camshaft relates to the position change of the cam torque. If the torque applied to the camshaft is low, the camshaft phase can not be adjusted as fast as desired. As a result, engine emissions, performance and fuel efficiency can be reduced.

The inventor of the present invention has recognized the above disadvantages and developed a method of operating an engine, comprising: turning on one or more shut-off cylinder valves via a controller in response to a request to move an engine camshaft; and adjusting a position of the engine camshaft relative to a position of an engine crankshaft via a torque provided via turning on one or more deactivated cylinder valves.

By turning on one or more shutdown cylinders in response to a request to move a camshaft, it may be possible to provide the technical result of increasing a rate of camshaft phasing. For example, when multiple cylinders of an engine are shut down, the spring force acting on the camshaft from the valve springs can be reduced. However, by reactivating the cylinder and its valves, the spring force from the valve springs on the camshaft may act to increase a rate at which the cam phase can be adjusted. As a result, the phase of the camshaft may approach closer to a desired phase associated with the change in the operating conditions of the engine.

The present description can provide several advantages. For example, the approach can reduce vehicle emissions. Further, the approach may provide an increase in engine horsepower of a cylinder-shedding engine. Furthermore, the approach can improve the fuel efficiency of a cylinder-shutting engine.

The foregoing advantages, as well as other advantages and features of the present description, will be readily apparent from the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with or in connection with the accompanying drawings.

It should be understood that the foregoing summary is provided to introduce in a simplified manner a selection of concepts that are further described in the detailed description. It is not intended to identify important or essential features of the claimed subject matter, the scope of which is defined solely in the claims which follow the detailed description. Furthermore, the claimed subject matter is not limited to the implementations that overcome the disadvantages noted above or in any part of this disclosure.

Brief description of the drawings

The advantages described herein will be more fully understood by reading an example of an embodiment, referred to herein as the detailed description, whether per se or with reference to the drawings, wherein:

1A a schematic representation of a single cylinder of a motor;

1B a schematic representation of the engine after 1A is integrated in a drive train;

2A - 2F show exemplary valve designs for four-cylinder engines with cylinders that can be turned off;

3A and 3B show exemplary patterns of powered and disconnected cylinders of a four-cylinder engine;

4A - 4C show exemplary valve designs for an eight-cylinder engine with cylinders that can be shut down;

5A exemplary camshafts for a hydraulically operated valve shutdown system;

5B exemplary shut-off valve actuators for the hydraulically operated valve shutdown system shown in FIG 5A will be shown;

5C an exemplary valve actuator for the hydraulically operated valve shutdown system, which in 5A will be shown;

5D an exemplary cylinder and valve shutdown sequence for the hydraulically operated valve shutdown system shown in 5A will be shown;

6A an exemplary camshaft for an alternative hydraulically operated valve shutdown system shows;

6B shows a cross section of a camshaft and a socket for the hydraulically operated valve shutdown system, which in 6A will be shown;

6C exemplary valve shut-off valve actuators for the hydraulically operated valve shutdown system shown in FIG 6A will be shown;

6D is an exemplary cylinder and valve shutdown sequence for the hydraulically operated valve shutdown system disclosed in U.S.P. 6A will be shown;

7 Figure 3 is a flow chart of an example method of operating an engine with cylinders and valves shut down;

8A Fig. 3 is a flowchart of an exemplary method of selectively turning on and off cylinders and cylinder valves of an engine, with both shutdown and non-shutoff intake valves and only non-shutoff exhaust valves;

8B Fig. 10 is a block diagram for estimating an amount of oil in a deactivated cylinder;

9 an exemplary sequence for turning on and off cylinders and cylinder valves of an engine, with both shutdown and non-shutoff intake valves and only non-shutoff exhaust valves;

10 Figure 3 is a flowchart of an exemplary method of selectively turning on and off cylinders and cylinder valves of an engine, with both shutdown and non-shutoff intake valves and with no shutdown and shutoff exhaust valves;

11 Fig. 10 is a flowchart of a method for determining available cylinder modes;

12 a flow chart of a method for evaluating is whether cylinder deactivation may or may not occur in response to a cylinder connection / disconnection activity;

13 is a sequence showing a cylinder connection and disconnection according to the method of 12 shows;

14 Fig. 10 is a flowchart of a method of evaluating fuel consumption of an engine as a basis for selectively allowing cylinder deactivation;

15 Fig. 10 is a flowchart of a method of evaluating fuel consumption of an engine as a basis for selectively allowing cylinder deactivation;

16 Fig. 10 is a flowchart of a method of evaluating the cam phase control of an engine for selecting engine cylinder modes;

17 a sequence showing selecting engine cylinder modes in response to a cam phase control of an engine;

18 Fig. 10 is a flowchart of a method of selecting an engine cylinder mode in response to fuel consumption of an engine based on operating an engine in different gear ratios;

19 a sequence showing a selection of transmission gears and an actual total number of connected cylinders for improving the fuel consumption of an engine;

20 Fig. 10 is a flowchart of a method for selecting different engine cylinder modes during operation of a vehicle in different deceleration modes;

21 a sequence for operating an engine cylinder in different cylinder modes based on operating a vehicle in different deceleration modes;

22 a flow chart for determining whether there are conditions for operating an engine in different modes of a variable displacement engine (VDE);

23 Fig. 10 is a flowchart of a method for regulating the pressure in the intake manifold of an engine;

24 is a sequence which regulates the pressure in the intake manifold of an engine according to the method according to 23 shows;

25 Fig. 10 is a flowchart of a method for regulating the pressure in the intake manifold of an engine;

26 an operating sequence for regulating the pressure in the intake manifold of an engine;

27A and 27B show a flow chart for setting motor actuators to improve the mode changes of engine cylinders;

28A and 28B Show sequences for improving cylinder mode changes;

29 Fig. 10 is a flowchart for supplying fuel to an engine during cylinder mode changes;

30 a sequence showing the fuel supply to an engine during cylinder mode changes;

31 Fig. 10 is a flowchart of a method for regulating engine oil pressure during cylinder mode changes;

32 a sequence showing the oil pressure regulation in the course of cylinder mode changes;

33 Fig. 10 is a flowchart of a method for improving the knocking control of an engine during cylinder mode changes;

34 Fig. 10 is a sequence showing the knocking control of an engine in the course of different engine cylinder modes;

35 Fig. 10 is a flowchart of a method of adjusting the spark gain;

36 a sequence showing an adjustable spark gain;

37 Fig. 10 is a flowchart of a method of determining a knocking reference value in response to the cylinder mode;

38 is a sequence showing a selection of a knock reference value;

39 Fig. 10 is a flowchart of a method of selecting engine cylinder modes in the presence of valve wear;

40 Figure 3 is a flow chart of a sequence for selecting engine cylinder modes in the presence of valve wear;

41 Fig. 10 is a flow chart for polling an oxygen sensor in response to a cylinder deactivation; and

42 Fig. 10 is a flowchart for interrogating a camshaft sensor in response to cylinder deactivation.

Detailed description

The present description relates to systems and methods for selectively turning on and off cylinders and cylinder valves of an internal combustion engine. The engine can be like in 1A - 6D be designed and work shown. Various methods and anticipated operating sequences for an engine incorporating shutdown valves are disclosed in US Pat 7 - 42 shown. The different procedures can cooperate and with those in the 1A - 6D working systems.

It will open 1A referenced, in which an internal combustion engine 10 which comprises a plurality of cylinders, one cylinder of which is in 1A is shown by the electronic engine control 12 is controlled. The motor 10 consists of a cylinder head casting 35 and block 33 which is a combustion chamber 30 and cylinder walls 32 include. The piston 36 is positioned therein and moves via a connection with the crankshaft 40 back and forth. A flywheel 97 and a sprocket 99 are to the crankshaft 40 coupled. A starter 96 (Eg an electrical machine with low voltage (with under 30 Volt operated)) comprises a pinion axis 98 and a pinion 95 , The pinion axis 98 can the pinion 95 selectively drive it to make it the sprocket 99 engages. The ignition 96 can be mounted directly in the front part of the engine or the rear part of the engine. In some examples, the starter 96 over a belt or chain of the crankshaft 40 selectively supply a torque. In one example is the starter 96 in a ground state when it does not engage the engine crankshaft.

The combustion chamber 30 is shown as having an inlet valve 52 or exhaust valve 54 with the intake manifold 44 and the exhaust manifold 48 communicates. Each intake and exhaust valve can pass through an intake camshaft 51 and an exhaust camshaft 53 operate. The position of the intake camshaft 51 can through the intake cam sensor 55 be determined. The position of the exhaust camshaft 53 can through the exhaust cam sensor 57 be determined. An angular position of the intake valve 52 can via the phase adjustment device 59 relative to the crankshaft 40 be offset. An angular position of the exhaust valve 54 can via the phase adjustment device 58 relative to the crankshaft 40 be offset. The valve drives illustrated in detail below can apply mechanical energy from the intake camshaft 51 on the inlet valve 52 and from the exhaust camshaft 53 on the exhaust valve 54 transfer. Further, in other examples, a single camshaft may be the intake valve 52 and the exhaust valve 54 operate.

A fuel injection 66 is shown arranged to fuel directly into the cylinder 30 injects what is known in the art as direct injection. An optional fuel injection 67 is shown arranged to fuel through a suction pipe in the cylinder 30 injects what is known in the art as intake manifold fuel injection. The fuel injections 66 and 67 lead liquid fuel proportional to the pulse widths of the controller 12 to. The fuel gets the fuel injections 66 and 67 supplied by a fuel system (not shown) including a fuel tank, a fuel pump, and a fuel rail (not shown). In one example, a high pressure two-stage fuel system may be used to generate higher fuel pressures.

In addition, the intake manifold 44 as with the turbocharger compressor 162 and the engine air intake 42 communicating presented. In other examples, the compressor 162 be a compressor compressor. A wave 161 couples the turbocharger turbine wheel 164 mechanically to the turbocharger compressor 162 , An optional electronic throttle or central throttle 62 represents a position of a throttle 64 a to the air flow from the compressor 162 to the intake manifold 44 to regulate. The pressure in the loading pressure chamber 45 can be related to a throttle inlet pressure, since the inlet of the throttle 62 within the boost pressure chamber 45 located. The throttle outlet is located in the intake manifold 44 , In some examples, a charge motion control valve 63 in an air flow direction in the engine 10 the throttle 62 downstream and the inlet valve 52 arranged upstream and is controlled by the controller 12 operated to reduce the flow of air into the combustion chamber 30 to regulate. The compressor return valve 47 can be selectively set to a variety of positions between fully open and fully closed. A wastegate 163 can over the control 12 be adjusted so that exhaust fumes the turbine wheel 164 can selectively handle the speed of the compressor 162 to control. An air filter 43 cleans air entering the engine air intake 42 entry.

The distributorless ignition system 88 represents the combustion chamber 30 in response to the control 12 over the spark plug 92 a spark ready. A broadband lambda (UEGO) probe 126 is on the exhaust manifold 48 shown coupled to the catalyst 70 is upstream. Alternatively, the UEGO probe 126 be replaced by a binary lambda probe. A pressure sensor 127 is as an exhaust pressure sensor in the exhaust manifold 48 arranged shown. Alternatively, the pressure sensor 127 as a cylinder pressure sensor in the combustion chamber 30 be arranged. The spark plug 92 Can be used as an ion sensor for the ignition system 88 serve.

The catalyst 70 may include multiple catalyst building blocks in one example. In another example, multiple emission control devices, each having multiple building blocks, may be used. With the catalyst 70 in one example, it may be a three-way catalyst. Furthermore, the catalyst 70 include a particulate filter.

The control 12 is in 1A shown as a conventional microcomputer including: Microprocessor unit 102 , Input / output channels 104 , Read-only memory 106 (eg non-volatile memory), random access memory 108 , Keep-alive memory 110 and a conventional data bus. The control 12 is as diverse signals from those to the engine 10 receiving coupled sensors, in addition to those signals previously discussed, including: engine coolant temperature (ECT) from the temperature sensor 112 which is connected to a cooling sleeve 114 is coupled; an engine mount with built-in vibration and / or motion sensors 117 that can provide feedback for compensating and evaluating the noise, vibration, and roughness of the engine; a position sensor 134 which is to feel the by a foot 132 applied force to an accelerator pedal 130 is coupled; a position sensor 154 which is to feel the by a foot 152 applied force to a brake pedal 150 coupled, a measurement of the engine intake pressure (MAP) from the pressure sensor 122 that is attached to the intake manifold 44 is coupled; a motor position sensor from a Hall sensor 118 that is the position of a crankshaft 40 palpated; a measurement of the air mass entering the engine from the sensor 120 ; and a measurement of throttle position from the sensor 68 , The atmospheric pressure can also be processed by the controller 12 be detected (sensor not shown). In a preferred aspect of the present description, the engine position sensor generates 118 a predetermined number of evenly spaced pulses every revolution of the crankshaft to determine the engine speed (RPM). The control 12 can also get information from other sensors 24 which may include sensors for engine oil pressure, ambient pressure sensors and engine oil temperature sensors, the list is not exhaustive.

During operation, each cylinder in the engine 10 The cycle includes the intake stroke, the compression stroke, the power stroke and the exhaust stroke. A cylinder cycle for a four-stroke engine corresponds to two revolutions of the engine and one engine cycle also corresponds to two revolutions.

During the intake stroke, the exhaust valve generally closes 54 and the inlet valve 52 opens. The air gets over the intake manifold 44 into the combustion chamber 30 introduced and the piston 36 moves to the bottom of the cylinder, increasing the volume in the combustion chamber 30 elevated. The position on which the piston 36 near the bottom of the cylinder and at the end of its stroke is (for example, when the combustion chamber 30 their largest volume), is typically referred to by the expert as bottom dead center (UT).

During the compression stroke, the inlet valve 52 and the exhaust valve 54 closed. The piston 36 moves in the direction of the cylinder head casting 35 so that the air in the combustion chamber 30 is compressed. The point where the piston is 36 at the end of his cycle and the cylinder head casting 35 closest (for example, if the combustion chamber 30 their least volume) is typically referred to by the skilled person as top dead center (TDC). In a process hereinafter referred to as injection fuel is introduced into the combustion chamber. In an operation hereinafter referred to as ignition, the injected fuel is detected by known ignition means such as a spark plug 92 ignited, which leads to combustion.

During the working cycle the expanding gases push the piston 36 back to the UT. The crankshaft 40 converts piston movements into a torque of the rotating shaft. Finally, the exhaust valve opens 54 during the exhaust stroke to the burnt air-fuel mixture to the exhaust manifold 48 release, and the piston returns to the TDC. It should be understood that the foregoing is by way of example only and that the timing for opening and / or closing the intake and exhaust valves may vary, for example, to provide positive or negative valve overlap, late intake valve closure or various other examples.

The driver demand torque may be over a position of the accelerator pedal 130 and the speed of the vehicle can be determined. For example, accelerator pedal position and vehicle speed may be entered into a table that outputs driver demand torque. The driver demand torque may represent a desired engine torque or torque at a location along a powertrain that includes the engine. The engine torque may be determined based on the driver demand torque by adjusting the driver demand torque gear ratios, axle ratios, and other powertrain components.

It will be up now 1B referenced, wherein 1B a block diagram of a vehicle 125 that's a powertrain 100 includes. The drive train after 1B includes the in 1A shown engine 10 , The powertrain 100 can from the engine 10 are driven. The engine torque may be via an engine torque factor 191 can be adjusted, which may be a fuel injection, a camshaft, a throttle or other device. The engine crankshaft 40 is considered to be a torque converter 156 shown coupled. In particular, the engine crankshaft 40 mechanically to a torque converter impeller 285 coupled. A torque sensor 41 provides torque feedback and can be used to evaluate engine noise, vibration, and roughness. The torque converter 156 also includes a turbine wheel 186 to torque to a transmission input shaft 170 leave. The transmission input shaft 170 couples the torque converter 156 mechanically to the automatic transmission 158 , The torque converter 156 also includes a torque converter bypass lock-up clutch 121 (TCC). Torque is coming directly from the impeller 185 to the turbine wheel 186 transmitted when the TCC is locked. The TCC is controlled by the controller 12 Electrically operated. Alternatively, the TCC can be hydraulically locked. In one example, the torque converter may be referred to as a component of the transmission.

When the torque converter lockup clutch 121 is completely free, so transmits the torque converter 156 via fluid transfer between the torque converter turbine wheel 186 and the torque converter impeller 185 Motor torque to the automatic transmission 158 , which allows an increase in torque. When the torque converter lockup clutch 121 in contrast, is fully engaged, so the output torque of the engine via the torque converter clutch directly to an input shaft 170 of the transmission 158 transfer. Alternatively, the torque converter lock-up clutch 121 partially locked, which allows the amount of torque that is passed directly to the transmission, set. The control 12 can be used to adjust the amount of torque that passes through the torque converter 121 by adjusting the torque converter lock-up clutch in response to various engine operating conditions or based on a driver-based engine operating request.

The automatic transmission 158 includes gears (eg reverse gear and gears 1-6) 136 and forward clutches 135 for the courses. The corridors 136 (eg 1-10) and couplings 135 can be selectively engaged to power a vehicle. The torque output from the automatic transmission 158 can turn to the wheels 116 be passed to the vehicle via an output shaft 160 drive. Specifically, the automatic transmission 158 an input drive torque at the input shaft 170 transmitted in response to a driving condition of the vehicle before an output drive torque to the wheels 116 is transmitted.

Furthermore, by pressing the wheel brakes 119 a frictional force on the wheels 116 be exercised. In one example, the wheel brakes 119 be actuated in response to the driver as in 1A shown depresses a brake pedal with the foot down. In other examples, the controller may 12 or one with the controller 12 Connected control cause the operation of the wheel brakes. Similarly, a frictional force on the wheels 116 be reduced by the wheel brakes 119 be released in response to the driver taking his foot off a brake pedal. Further, the vehicle brakes may be transmitted as part of an automated engine stop operation via the controller 12 a frictional force on the wheels 116 exercise.

The control 12 may be for receiving inputs from the engine 10 , as in 1A shown in detail, be designed and control a torque output of the engine and / or the operation of the torque converter, transmission, clutches and / or brakes accordingly. As one example, engine torque output may be controlled by adjusting a combination of spark timing, fuel pulse width, fuel pulse count, and / or air fill by controlling throttle opening and / or valve timing, valve lift, and boost pressure for turbocharged or supercharged engines , In the case of a diesel engine, the controller 12 controlling the engine torque output by controlling a combination of fuel pulse width, fuel pulse sweep, and air fill. In all cases, engine control may be on a cylinder per cylinder basis to control engine torque output. The control 12 It may also control the torque output and the generation of electrical energy from a DISG by adjusting the current flowing to field and / or armature windings of the DISG, as known in the art.

If the conditions for an idle shutdown are met, then the controller 12 initiate an engine shutdown by cutting the fuel and / or ignitions to the engine. However, in some examples, the engine may continue to turn. To maintain a degree of torsional stress in the transmission, the controller may 12 also rotating elements of the transmission 158 to a housing 159 of the transmission and thereby ground to the frame of the vehicle. If the conditions for a restart of the engine are met and / or a vehicle operator wants to start the vehicle, then the controller 12 the engine 10 Turn it on again by the engine 10 cranked and the cylinder combustion is continued.

The intake manifold 44 of the motor 10 stands over the valve 176 in pneumatic communication with a vacuum tank 177 , The vacuum can be vacuum to the brake booster 178 , the heating / ventilation / cooling system 179 , the wastegate actuator 180 and other vacuum powered systems. In one example, the valve may be 176 to act a solenoid valve that can be selectively opened and closed to communicate between the intake manifold 44 and vacuum consumers 178 - 180 to allow or prevent. In addition, a vacuum source 183 such as a pump or an ejector to the engine intake manifold 44 selectively provide negative pressure so that the engine 10 can be revoked if there is leakage through the throttle 62 is present, wherein the pressure in the intake manifold of the engine is less than the atmospheric pressure. The vacuum source 183 also allows the vacuum consumers 178 - 180 via a three-way valve 171 selectively negative pressure, for example, when the negative pressure level in the vacuum tank 177 is below a threshold. The volume of the intake manifold 44 can via a valve with variable air collector volume 175 be set.

At this point will open 2A referenced in an exemplary interpretation of the engine 10 is shown. In this design is the engine 10 a four-cylinder in-line engine with a first valve design. The sections of the combustion chambers of the engine in the cylinder head casting 35 are trained on that can also be referred to as part of a cylinder, are according to the cylinder numbers 1-4, as for each engine cylinder 200 indicated, numbered 1-4. In this example, each combustion chamber is shown with two intake valves and two exhaust valves. Shutdown intake valves 208 are shown as poppet valves with an X through the poppet valve rod. Abschaltungsauslassventile 204 are shown as poppet valves with an X through the poppet valve rod. Not shutdown intake valves 206 are shown as poppet valves. Nichtabschaltungsauslassventile 202 are also shown as poppet valves.

The camshaft 270 is in mechanical communication with the non-shutoff exhaust valves 202 via non-shutoff outlet valve actuators 250 shown. The camshaft 270 is also in mechanical communication with the non-shutoff inlet valves 206 via non-shut-off inlet valve actuators 251 , The camshaft 270 is in mechanical communication with the shutdown exhaust valves 204 via shutoff outlet valve actuators 252 shown. The camshaft 270 is also in mechanical communication with the shutdown inlet valves 208 via shut-off inlet valve actuators 253 , In the figure, some intake and exhaust valves are not shown with valve actuators for reducing activity, however, each valve is accompanied by a valve drive (eg, non-stop valves are accompanied by non-stop valve actuators and the shut-off valves are accompanied by shut-off valve actuators).

In this design, cylinders 2 and 3 are with shut-off inlet valves 208 and shutdown exhaust valves 204 shown. Cylinders 1 and 4 are with non-shutoff inlet valves 206 and non-stop exhaust valves 202 shown. Nevertheless, the non-cut-off inlet valves 206 and non-stop exhaust valves 202 be replaced with shut-off inlet valves and shut-off valves, so that all engine cylinders can be selectively switched off.

The interpretation after 2A allows both cylinders 2 and 3 to be shut down together or separately. Since both the intake and exhaust valves of cylinders 2 and 3 are shut off, these cylinders are closed by closing both the intake and exhaust valves for a full engine cycle and stopping the fuel flow Cylinders 2 and 3 switched off. For example, in a firing order of 1-3-4-2, the engine may be engineered in an order of 1-2-1-2 or 1-3-2-1-4-2 or 1-3-2-1-3- 2-1-4-2 or other combinations in which cylinders 1 and 2 burn air and fuel. However, if each of the cylinders 1-4 included shutdown intake and exhaust valves, cylinders 1 and 2 could not fire during some engine cycles (eg, burn air and fuel). For example, the firing order of the engine may be 3-4-3-4 or 1-3-2-1-3-2 or 3-4-2-3-4-2 or other combinations in which the cylinders 1 and 2 Do not burn air or fuel during an engine cycle. It is noteworthy that a deactivated cylinder may include exhaust or fresh air depending on whether fuel is injected into the cylinder and burned before the exhaust valves are shut off in a closed position or not.

2A also shows a first knock sensor 203 and a second knock sensor 205 , The first knock sensor 203 is arranged closer to the cylinders 1 and 2. The second knock sensor 205 is arranged closer to the cylinders 3 and 4. The first knock sensor may be used to detect knocking of cylinders 1 and 2 during some conditions and knocking of cylinders 1-4 during other conditions. Similarly, the second knock sensor 205 may be used to detect knocking of cylinders 3 and 4 during some conditions and knocking of cylinders 1-4 during other conditions. Alternatively, the knock sensors may be mechanically coupled to the engine block.

It will be up now 2 B referenced in which an alternative exemplary design of the engine 10 will be shown. In this design is the engine 10 a four-cylinder in-line engine in which part of the cylinders are provided with shut-off intake valves only. Portions of the combustion chambers of the engine, in the cylinder head casting 35 are formed, are in turn numbered 1-4, as in the case of the engine cylinder 200 specified. Each cylinder is shown with two intake valves and two exhaust valves. The cylinders 1-4 include non-shutoff exhaust valves 202 and no non-turn-off outlet valves. Cylinders 1 and 4 also include non-shutoff intake valves 206 and no non-turn-off inlet valves. Cylinders 2 and 3 include shut-off inlet valves 208 and no non-turn-off inlet valves.

The camshaft 270 is in mechanical communication with the non-shutoff exhaust valves 202 via non-shutoff outlet valve actuators 250 shown. The camshaft 270 is also in mechanical communication with the non-shutoff inlet valves 206 via non-shut-off inlet valve actuators 251 , The camshaft 270 is also in mechanical communication with the shutdown inlet valves 208 Shutdown inlet valve actuators 253 , In the figure, some inlet and Exhaust valves are not shown with valve actuators to reduce activity, however, each valve is accompanied by a valve drive (eg, the non-disconnect valves are accompanied by non-disconnect valve actuators and the shut-off valves are accompanied by shut-off valve actuators).

The interpretation after 2 B allows a common or separate shutdown of the cylinders 2 and 3 via the shut-off inlet valves 208 , The exhaust valves of cylinders 2 and 3 close and open during an engine cycle as the engine rotates. Since only the intake valves of the cylinders 2 and 3 are switched off, these cylinders are switched off by closing only the intake valves for a whole engine cycle and ending the fuel flow to the cylinders 2 and 3. Again, in a firing order of 1-3-4-2, the engine may be engineered in an order of 1-2-1-2 or 1-3-2-1-4-2 or 1-3-2-1-3- 2-1-4-2 or other combinations in which cylinders 1 and 2 burn air and fuel. It is noteworthy that a deactivated cylinder in this design sucks in exhaust gas and emits exhaust gas during the exhausted cylinder exhaust stroke. Concretely, exhaust gas is drawn into the deactivated cylinder when the exhaust valve of the deactivated cylinder opens near the beginning of the exhaust stroke, and exhaust gas is exhausted from the deactivated cylinder when the piston of the cylinder approaches the top dead center in the exhaust stroke before the exhaust valve closes ,

In other examples, cylinders 1 and 4 may include shutdown intake valves while cylinders 2 and 3 include non-shutoff intake valves. Otherwise, the valve arrangement may be the same.

At this point will open 2C referenced in which an alternative exemplary engine design of the engine 10 will be shown. In this design is the engine 10 a four-cylinder in-line engine, and all engine cylinders include shutdown intake valves 208 and none of the cylinders includes shutdown exhaust valves. Portions of the combustion chambers of the engine, in the cylinder head casting 35 are formed, are in turn numbered 1-4, as in the case of the engine cylinder 200 specified. Each cylinder is shown with two intake valves and two exhaust valves. Cylinders 1-4 include shut-off inlet valves 208 and no shut-off inlet valves. Cylinders 1-4 also include non-shutoff exhaust valves 202 and no shutoff outlet valves. The motor 10 is also equipped with a first knock sensor 220 and a second knock sensor 221 shown.

The camshaft 270 is in mechanical communication with the non-shutoff exhaust valves 202 via non-shutoff outlet valve actuators 250 shown. The camshaft 270 is also in mechanical communication with the shutdown inlet valves 208 Shutdown inlet valve actuators 253 , In the figure, some intake and exhaust valves are not shown with valve actuators for reducing activity, however, each valve is accompanied by a valve drive (eg, non-stop valves are accompanied by non-stop valve actuators and the shut-off valves are accompanied by shut-off valve actuators).

The interpretation after 2C allows the cylinders 1-4 to be shut off in any combination during an engine cycle by only turning off the intake valves of the cylinders 1-4. The exhaust valves of cylinders 1-4 close and open during an engine cycle as the engine rotates. Further, the cylinders 1-4 may be shut down by closing only the intake valves for a full engine cycle and terminating the fuel flow to the cylinders 1-4, or combinations thereof. In a firing order of 1-3-4-2, the engine may be operated in an order of 1-2-1-2 or 1-3-2-1-4-2 or 1-3-2-1-3-2- 1-4-2 or other combinations of Cylinders 1-4, as each cylinder can be switched off individually and without shutting down the other engine cylinders. It is noteworthy that a deactivated cylinder in this design sucks in exhaust gas and emits exhaust gas during the exhausted cylinder exhaust stroke. Concretely, exhaust gas is drawn into the deactivated cylinder when the exhaust valve of the deactivated cylinder opens near the beginning of the exhaust stroke, and exhaust gas is exhausted from the deactivated cylinder when the piston of the cylinder approaches the top dead center in the exhaust stroke before the exhaust valve closes ,

At this point will open 2D referenced, in which an alternative engine design of the engine 10 will be shown. The system after 2D is with the system after 2A identical, except that the system after 2D an intake camshaft 271 and an exhaust camshaft 272 includes. The sections of the combustion chambers of the engine in the cylinder head casting 35 are referred to, which can also be referred to as part of a cylinder, according to the cylinder numbers 1-4, as for each engine cylinder 200 indicated, numbered 1-4.

The camshaft 271 is in mechanical communication with the non-shutoff exhaust valves 202 via non-shutoff outlet valve actuators 250 shown. The camshaft 272 is in mechanical communication with the non-cut-off inlet valves 206 via non-shut-off inlet valve actuators 251 , The camshaft 271 is in mechanical communication with the shutdown exhaust valves 204 via shut-off inlet valve actuators 252 shown. The camshaft 272 is in mechanical communication with the shut-off inlet valves 208 via shut-off inlet valve actuators 253 , In the figure, some intake and exhaust valves are not shown with valve actuators for reducing activity, however, each valve is accompanied by a valve driver (eg, non-stop valves are accompanied by non-stop valve actuators and shut-off valves are accompanied by shut-off valve actuators).

At this point will open 2E referenced, in which an alternative engine design of the engine 10 will be shown. The system after 2E is with the system after 2 B identical, except that the system after 2E an intake camshaft 271 and an exhaust camshaft 272 includes. The sections of the combustion chambers of the engine in the cylinder head casting 35 are referred to, which can also be referred to as part of a cylinder, according to the cylinder numbers 1-4, as for each engine cylinder 200 indicated, numbered 1-4.

The camshaft 271 is in mechanical communication with the non-shutoff exhaust valves 202 via non-shutoff outlet valve actuators 250 shown. The camshaft 272 is in mechanical communication with the non-cut-off inlet valves 206 via non-shut-off inlet valve actuators 251 , The camshaft 272 is also in mechanical communication with the shutdown inlet valves 208 Shutdown inlet valve actuators 253 , In the figure, some intake and exhaust valves are not shown with valve actuators for reducing activity, however, each valve is accompanied by a valve driver (eg, non-stop valves are accompanied by non-stop valve actuators and shut-off valves are accompanied by shut-off valve actuators).

At this point will open 2F referenced, in which an alternative engine design of the engine 10 will be shown. The system after 2F is with the system after 2C identical, except that the system after 2F an intake camshaft 271 and an exhaust camshaft 272 includes. The sections of the combustion chambers of the engine in the cylinder head casting 35 are referred to, which can also be referred to as part of a cylinder, according to the cylinder numbers 1-4, as for each engine cylinder 200 indicated, numbered 1-4.

The camshaft 271 is in mechanical communication with the non-shutoff exhaust valves 202 via non-shutoff outlet valve actuators 250 shown. The camshaft 272 is in mechanical communication with the shut-off inlet valves 208 Shutdown inlet valve actuators 253 , In the figure, some intake and exhaust valves are not shown with valve actuators for reducing activity, however, each valve is accompanied by a valve driver (eg, non-stop valves are accompanied by non-stop valve actuators and shut-off valves are accompanied by shut-off valve actuators).

In the 2A - 2F Shutdown valve actuators shown can be of a lever type (see e.g. 6B ), Sleeve type (see, for example, U.S. Patent Application No. 2014/0303873, U.S. Patent Application No. 14 / 105,000 entitled "Position Detection For Lobe Switching Camshaft System" filed December 12, 2013 and incorporated herein by reference) all purposes fully incorporated), a cam type, or a clearance compensation type. Furthermore, each of the in 2A - 2F shown cylinder heads mechanically to one and the same block 33 , in 1A shown, coupled. The in the 2A - 2F Cylinder heads shown may be formed of one and the same casting, and the cut-off and non-turn-off valve drives for each cylinder head design may be varied, as in FIG 2A - 2F shown.

It will be up now 3A referenced in which an exemplary cylinder deactivation pattern is shown. In 3A becomes cylinder 4 of the engine 10 shown crossed off with an X to indicate that the cylinder 4 can be turned off during one engine cycle while cylinders 1, 2 and 3 remain on. Powered cylinders are shown without X to indicate that the cylinders are on. A cylinder can over the in 2C shown system are turned off during an engine cycle. Alternatively, the cylinder 1 may be the only deactivated cylinder during an engine cycle when the engine is running 10 as in 2C is shown shown. The cylinder 2 may be the only deactivated cylinder during an engine cycle when the engine is running 10 as in 2A . 2 B and 2C is designed. Similarly, during an engine cycle, the cylinder 3 may be the only deactivated cylinder when the engine 10 as in 2A . 2 B and 2C is designed. The cylinders 200 are shown in a row.

It will be up now 3B in which another cylinder deactivation pattern is shown. In 3B become the cylinders 2 and 3 of the engine 10 shown crossed off with an X to indicate that cylinders 2 and 3 may be off during one engine cycle while cylinders 1 and 4 remain turned on. Powered cylinders are shown without X to indicate that the cylinders are on. The cylinders 2 and 3 can over the in 2A . 2 B and 2C systems are turned off during an engine cycle. Alternatively, cylinders 1 and 4 may be the only deactivated cylinders during an engine cycle when the engine is running 10 as in 2C is shown shown. At the in 2 and 3 The deactivated cylinders shown are cylinders whose valves are closed to prevent an inflow from the engine intake manifold to the engine exhaust manifold while the engine is rotating, and where fuel injection to the deactivated cylinders ends. Also, sparks that are provided to the disabled cylinders can be stopped. The cylinders 200 are shown in a row.

In this way, individual cylinders or cylinder groups can be switched off. Furthermore, deactivated cylinders may be switched on again from time to time to reduce the possibility of engine oil entering the engine cylinders. For example, a cylinder 1-4-1-4-1-4-2-1-4-3-1-4-1-4 may fire to prevent the eventuality that oil enters cylinders 2 and 3 after the cylinders 2 and 3 were turned off, decrease.

At this point will open 4A referenced in which another exemplary design of the engine 10 is pictured. The sections of the combustion chambers of the engine, which are in the cylinder heads 35 and 35a are also referred to as part of a cylinder are numbered from 1-8 according to the cylinder numbers 1-8, as indicated for each engine cylinder. The motor 10 includes a first cylinder bank 401 , including cylinders 1-4 in the cylinder head casting 35 , and a second cylinder bank 402 , including cylinders 5-8 in the cylinder head casting 35a , In this design is the engine 10 a V-eight engine, the shut-off intake valves 208 and non-shutoff inlet valves 206 includes. The motor 10 also includes shutdown exhaust valves 204 and non-stop exhaust valves 202 , The valves regulate the flow of air from the engine intake manifold to the engine exhaust manifold via the engine cylinders 200 , In some examples, the shutdown exhaust valves may 204 by non-shutoff outlet valves 202 to reduce system cost while maintaining capacity to shut down engine cylinders (eg, stop fuel flow to the deactivated cylinder and stop airflow from an engine intake manifold to an engine exhaust manifold via a cylinder while the engine is rotating). As a result, the engine can 10 in some examples, only non-shutoff outlet valves 202 in combination with shut-off inlet valves 208 and non-shutoff inlet valves 206 include.

In this example, cylinders 5, 2, 3, and 8 are shown as cylinders having valves that are always turned on so that air from the engine intake manifold to the engine exhaust manifold flows over cylinders 5, 2, 3, and 8 as the engine rotates. The cylinders 1, 6, 7 and 4 are shown as cylinders having valves which are selectively shut off in closed positions so that air does not flow from the engine intake manifold to the engine exhaust manifold via the cylinders 1, 6, 7 and 4, respectively, when the valves are shut off in the respective cylinders in a closed state during an engine cycle. In other examples, such as in 4B For example, the cylinders that have always on valves are cylinders 5 and 2. The actual total number of cylinders that have always on valves may be based on vehicle mass and engine displacement or other considerations.

The valves 202 . 204 . 206 and 208 be about a single camshaft 420 opened and closed. The valves 202 . 204 . 206 and 208 can be in mechanical communication with the single camshaft 320 about pushrods and conventional lash adjuster or shutdown adjuster or hydraulic cylinder stand as in the U.S. Patent Publication No. 2003/0145722 and the title "Hydraulic Cylinder Deactivation with Rotary Sleeves", filed February 1, 2002, and incorporated herein by reference in its entirety for all purposes. Alternatively, the valves 202 . 204 . 206 and 208 via conventional roller cam followers and / or valve actuators, as in 6A . 6B and 5C shown operated. In yet other examples, the valves may have shrouded cams, as in US Pat U.S. Patent Publication No. 2014/0303873 shown.

The camshaft 420 is in mechanical communication with the non-shutoff exhaust valves 202 via non-shutoff outlet valve actuators 250 shown. The camshaft 420 is also in mechanical communication with the non-shutoff inlet valves 206 via non-shut-off inlet valve actuators 251 , The camshaft 420 is also in mechanical communication with the shutdown inlet valves 208 Shutdown inlet valve actuators 253 , The camshaft 420 is also in mechanical Communication with the shutdown exhaust valves 204 via shut-off inlet valve actuators 252 , In the figure, some intake and exhaust valves are not shown with valve actuators for reducing activity, however, each valve is accompanied by a valve driver (eg, non-stop valves are accompanied by non-stop valve actuators and shut-off valves are accompanied by shut-off valve actuators).

At this point will open 4B referenced in which another exemplary design of the engine 10 is pictured. The sections of the combustion chambers of the engine, which are in the cylinder heads 35 and 35a are also referred to as part of a cylinder are numbered from 1-8 according to the cylinder numbers 1-8, as indicated for each engine cylinder. The motor 10 includes a first cylinder bank 401 , including cylinders 1-4 in the cylinder head casting 35 , and a second cylinder bank 402 , including cylinders 5-8 in the cylinder head casting 35a , In this design is the engine 10 also a V-eight engine, the shut-off inlet valves 208 and non-shutoff inlet valves 206 includes. The motor 10 also includes shutdown exhaust valves 204 and non-stop exhaust valves 202 , The valves regulate the flow of air from the engine intake manifold to the engine exhaust manifold via the engine cylinders 200 , The valves 202 . 204 . 206 and 208 be over an intake camshaft 51 and an exhaust camshaft 53 operated. Each cylinder bank includes an intake camshaft 51 and an exhaust camshaft 53 ,

In some examples, the shutoff exhaust valves may be controlled by non-shutoff exhaust valves 204 to reduce system cost while maintaining capacity to shut down engine cylinders (eg, stop fuel flow to the deactivated cylinder and stop airflow from an engine intake manifold to an engine exhaust manifold via a cylinder while the engine is rotating). As a result, the engine can 10 in some examples, only non-shutoff outlet valves 202 in combination with shut-off inlet valves 208 and non-shutoff inlet valves 206 include.

In this example, the cylinders 5 and 2 are shown as cylinders having valves that are always on, so that air from the engine intake manifold to the engine exhaust manifold flows over the cylinders 5 and 2 as the engine rotates. The cylinders 1, 3, 4, 6, 7 and 8 are shown as cylinders having inlet and exhaust valves selectively shut off in closed positions so that air is not exhausted from the engine intake manifold to the engine exhaust manifold via the cylinders 1, 3, 4, 6, 7 and 8, respectively, when the valves in the respective cylinders are turned off in a closed state. In this example, the cylinders are shut down by shutting off the intake and exhaust valves of the cylinder being shut down. For example, the cylinder 3 may be turned off, allowing air to turn off the valves 208 and 204 not flowing through the cylinder 3.

The valves 202 . 204 . 206 and 208 are opened and closed via four camshafts. The valves 202 . 204 . 206 and 208 can over the 6A . 6B and 5C illustrated valve actuators or hydraulic cylinders or plungers, which can shut off the valves, with a camshaft in mechanical communication. In the 4A and 4B Motors shown have a firing order of 1-5-4-2-6-3-7-8.

The motor 10 is also with a first knock sensor 420 , a second knock sensor 421 , a third knock sensor 422 and a fourth knock sensor 423 shown. As a result, the first cylinder bank comprises 401 the first knock sensor 420 and the second knock sensor 421 , The first knock sensor 420 can detect a knock in the cylinder numbers 1 and 2. The second knock sensor 421 can detect a knock in cylinder numbers 3 and 4. The second cylinder bank 402 includes the third knock sensor 422 and the fourth knock sensor 423 , The third knock sensor 422 may detect knocking in the cylinders 5 and 6. The fourth knock sensor 423 can detect knocking in the cylinders 7 and 8.

The exhaust camshaft 53 is in mechanical communication with the non-shutoff exhaust valves 202 via the non-shutoff outlet valve actuators 250 shown. The intake camshaft 51 is in mechanical communication with the non-cut-off inlet valves 206 via the non-shut-off inlet valve actuators 251 , The exhaust camshaft 53 is also in mechanical communication with the shutdown exhaust valves 204 Shutdown inlet valve actuators 252 , The intake camshaft 51 is also in mechanical communication with the shutdown inlet valves 208 via the shut-off inlet valve actuators 253 , In the figure, some intake and exhaust valves are not shown with valve actuators for reducing activity, however, each valve is accompanied by a valve driver (eg, non-stop valves are accompanied by non-stop valve actuators and shut-off valves are accompanied by shut-off valve actuators).

In the 4B illustrated cylinder head design can be integrated into vehicles that have a lower mass than the vehicles in which the in 4A illustrated cylinder head design is included. The interpretation after 4B can be integrated into a lower mass vehicle since lower mass vehicles can use only two cylinders to drive at a constant highway speed. Conversely, the interpretation may 4A in vehicles with higher mass, as higher mass vehicles can use four cylinders to drive at a constant highway speed. Similarly, the cylinder heads that are in the 2A - 2F and have a lower actual total number of non-deactivating cylinders to be integrated in lower mass vehicles. The in the 2A - 2F shown cylinder heads, which have a higher actual total number of cylinders that are not shutdown, can be integrated in vehicles with higher mass. In addition, the number of cylinders in the cylinder head castings, which in 2A - 4C which are not shutdown cylinders based on the axle ratio of the vehicle. For example, if a vehicle has a lower axle ratio (eg, 2.69: 1 compared to 3.73: 1), then a cylinder head design with a lower actual total number of cylinders that are not shut down may be selected the highway driving efficiency can be improved. As a result, different vehicles having different masses and axle ratios may include a same engine block and cylinder head castings, but the actual total number of shutdown and non-cutoff valve drives may be different between the different vehicles.

At this point will open 4C referenced in which another exemplary design of the engine 10 is pictured. The sections of the combustion chambers of the engine, which are in the cylinder heads 35 and 35a are also referred to as part of a cylinder are numbered from 1-8 according to the cylinder numbers 1-8, as indicated for each engine cylinder. The motor 10 includes a first cylinder bank 401 , including cylinders 1-4 in the cylinder head casting 35 , and a second cylinder bank 402 , including cylinders 5-8 in the cylinder head casting 35a , In this design is the engine 10 also a V-eight engine, the shut-off inlet valves 208 and non-shutoff inlet valves 206 includes. The motor 10 also includes non-shutoff outlet valves 202 , The valves regulate the flow of air from the engine intake manifold to the engine exhaust manifold via the engine cylinder 200 , The valves 202 . 206 and 208 be over an intake camshaft 51 and an exhaust camshaft 53 operated. Each cylinder bank includes an intake camshaft 51 and an exhaust camshaft 53 ,

In this example, all engine exhaust valves are 202 not shut down. The exhaust camshaft 53 is in mechanical communication with the non-shutoff exhaust valves 202 via the non-shutoff outlet valve actuators 250 shown. The intake camshaft 51 is in mechanical communication with the non-cut-off inlet valves 206 via the non-shut-off inlet valve actuators 251 , The intake camshaft 51 is also in mechanical communication with the shutdown inlet valves 208 via the shut-off inlet valve actuators 253 , In the figure, some intake and exhaust valves are not shown with valve actuators for reducing activity, however, each valve is accompanied by a valve driver (eg, non-stop valves are accompanied by non-stop valve actuators and shut-off valves are accompanied by shut-off valve actuators).

In the 4A - 4C Shutdown valve actuators shown can be of a lever type (see e.g. 6B ), Sleeve type (see, for example, U.S. Patent Application No. 2014/0303873, U.S. Patent Application No. 14 / 105,000 entitled "Position Detection For Lobe Switching Camshaft System" filed December 12, 2013 and incorporated herein by reference) all purposes fully incorporated), a cam type, or a clearance compensation type. Furthermore, each of the in 4A - 4C shown cylinder heads mechanically to one and the same block 33 , in 1A shown, coupled. The in the 4A - 4C shown cylinder heads 35 may be formed from one and the same casting, and the shutdown and non-shutoff valve drives for each cylinder head design may be varied, as in FIG 4A - 4C shown. Likewise, those in the 4A - 4C shown cylinder heads 35a may be formed from one and the same casting, and the shutdown and non-shutoff valve drives for each cylinder head design may be varied, as in FIG 4A - 4C shown.

At this point will open 5A refer to an exemplary valve drive system is shown. The illustrated embodiment may represent a mechanism for a four-cylinder inline engine or one of two mechanisms for a V-8 engine. Similar mechanisms with four different numbers of engine cylinders are possible. The valve drive system 500 includes an intake camshaft 51 and an exhaust camshaft 53 , A chain, a wheel or a belt 599 couples the camshaft 51 and the camshaft 53 mechanically, so that they rotate together at the same speed. In particular, the chain is coupling 599 a drive wheel 520 mechanically to a drive wheel 503 ,

The exhaust camshaft 53 includes the cylindrical journals 504a . 504b . 504c and 504d , which are in corresponding valve bodies 501 . 501b . 501c and 501d rotate. The valve body 501 . 501b . 501c and 501d are in an exhaust camshaft socket 502 shown integrated, which is part of a cylinder head casting 35 can be. Discontinuous measuring grooves 571 . 571b . 571c and 571d are in the journals 504a . 504b . 504c and 504d integrated. The discontinuous measuring grooves 571 . 571b . 571c and 571d can on the in 1A shown crankshaft 40 be aligned to an oil flow through the journals 504a . 504b . 504c and 504d allow in accordance with a desired engine crankshaft angle range, so that the in 5B shown exhaust valve drives are switched off at a desired crank angle, whereby the air flow is stopped by the engine cylinders. The bridges 505a . 505b . 505c and 505d prevent the flow of oil to the in 5B shown valve drives, if the respective webs respective valve body outlets 506 . 508 . 510 and 512 cover.

The oil can through the valve body outlets 506 . 508 . 510 and 512 to the in 5B flow shown valve drives. Pressure oil from the oil pump 580 can selectively through the valve body inlets 570 . 572 . 574 and 576 , the measuring grooves 571 . 571b . 571c and 571d and the valve body outlets flow when the lands the valve body inlets and outlets 506 . 508 . 510 and 512 do not block. The pressure oil may shut off the valve drives, as described in more detail below. The bridges 505a . 505b . 505c and 505d open and close the access to the valve bodies 501 . 501b . 501c and 501d for pressure oil from the oil pump 580 selectively, when the exhaust camshaft 53 rotates. The exhaust camshaft 53 also includes cams 507a . 507b . 509a . 509b . 511a . 511b . 513a and 513b to open and close the exhaust valves as the cam lift increases and decreases in response to the rotation of the exhaust camshaft.

In one example, pressure oil selectively flows through the measurement groove 571 over the valve body inlet 570 to the exhaust valve drives for cylinder number one. The cams 507a and 507b may provide a mechanical force to lift the exhaust valves of cylinder number one of a four- or eight-cylinder engine when the exhaust camshaft 53 rotates. Likewise, pressure oil selectively flows through the measuring groove 571b over the valve body inlet 572 to the exhaust valve drivers for the cylinder number two. The cams 509a and 509b may provide a mechanical force to lift the exhaust valves of cylinder number two of the four- or eight-cylinder engine when the exhaust camshaft 53 rotates. Likewise, pressure oil selectively flows through the measuring groove 571c over the valve body inlet 574 to the exhaust valve drivers for cylinder number three. The cams 511a and 511b may provide a mechanical force to lift the exhaust valves of cylinder number three of a four- or eight-cylinder engine when the exhaust camshaft 53 rotates. In addition, pressure oil flows selectively through the measuring groove 571d over the valve body inlet 576 to the exhaust valve drives for cylinder number four. The cams 513a and 513b may provide a mechanical force to lift the exhaust valves of cylinder number four of a four- or eight-cylinder engine when the exhaust camshaft 53 rotates. Thus, the exhaust camshaft 53 Provide force to open the poppet valves of a cylinder bank.

The intake camshaft 51 includes the cylindrical journals 521 . 521b . 521c and 521d , which are in corresponding valve bodies 540a . 540b . 540c and 540d rotate. The valve body 540a . 540b . 540c and 540d are in an intake camshaft socket 522 shown integrated, which is part of a cylinder head casting 35 can be. Continuous measuring grooves 551a . 551b . 551c and 551d are in the journals 521 . 521b . 521c and 521d integrated. However, in some examples, the continuous measuring grooves 551a . 551b . 551c and 551d can be omitted and the oil can be pumped 580 be fed directly to the intake valve actuators.

Pressure oil flows through a passage or channel 581 from the oil pump 580 to the control valves 586 . 587 . 588 and 589 , The control valve 586 can be opened to the oil in the valve body inlet 550 , the measuring groove 551a and the valve body outlet 520a flow before the oil passes through 520b flows to the intake valve actuators of the number one cylinder. Pressure oil is through a passage or a pipe 524c also the inlet 570 fed. Thus, by closing the valve 586 a shutdown of the intake valves and exhaust valves of the number one cylinder can be prevented. The outlet 506 leads the memory 506b and the exhaust valve drivers for cylinder number one oil.

The selective operation of the intake and exhaust valves for cylinder number two is similar to the selective operation of the intake and exhaust valves for cylinder number one. Specifically, pressurized oil flows through the passage or channel 581 from the oil pump 580 to the valve 587 that can be opened to the oil into the valve body inlet 552 , the measuring groove 551b and the valve body outlet 524a flow before the oil passes through 524b to the intake valve drives of the number two cylinder flows. Pressure oil is through a passage or a pipe 524c also the valve body inlet 572 fed. Thus, by closing the valve 587 a shutdown of the intake valves and exhaust valves of the cylinder number two can be prevented. The outlet 508 leads the memory 508b and the exhaust valve drivers for cylinder number two oil.

The selective operation of the intake and exhaust valves for cylinder number three is similar to the selective operation of the intake and exhaust valves for cylinder number one. For example, pressurized oil flows through the passage or channel 581 from the oil pump 580 to the valve 588 , which can be opened to the oil in the valve body inlet 554 , the measuring groove 551c and the valve body outlet 526a flow before the oil passes through 526b flows to the intake valve drives of the number three cylinder. Pressure oil is through a passage or a pipe 526c also the valve body inlet 574 fed. Thus, by closing the valve 588 a shutdown of the intake valves and exhaust valves of the cylinder number three can be prevented. The outlet 510 leads the memory 510b and the exhaust valve drivers for cylinder number three oil.

The selective operation of the number four intake and exhaust valves is also similar to the selective operation of the number one cylinder intake and exhaust valves. In particular, pressure oil flows through the passage or channel 581 from the oil pump 580 to the valve 589 , which can be opened to the oil in the valve body inlet 556 , the measuring groove 551d and the valve body outlet 528a flow before the oil passes through 528b flows to the intake valve drives of the number four cylinder. Pressure oil is through a passage or a pipe 528c also the control valve body inlet 576 fed. Thus, by closing the valve 589 a shutdown of the intake valves and exhaust valves of the cylinder number four can be prevented. The outlet 512 leads the memory 512b and oil to the number four cylinder exhaust valve drivers.

In the 5B shown inlet valve actuators can from the cam 523a - 529b be urged to drive the intake valves of a cylinder bank. In particular, drive the cams 523a and 523b each two intake valves of the cylinder number one. The cams 525a and 525b each drive two intake valves of the cylinder number two. The cams 527a and 527b each drive two intake valves of the cylinder number three. The cams 529a and 529b each drive two intake valves of the cylinder number four.

Thus, the intake and exhaust valves of a cylinder bank can be turned on and off individually. Further, as noted in some examples previously, oil may direct the intake valve actuators directly from the valves 586 - 589 be fed so that the continuous measuring grooves 551a - 551d may be omitted to reduce system cost, if desired.

The oil pump 580 leads a cooling nozzle 535 for spraying the piston 36 , in 1A shown, via a cooling nozzle quantity control valve 534 also oil too. The oil pressure in the channel 581 can be via a quick drain valve 532 or by adjusting the oil pump displacement actuator 533 regulate the displacement of the oil pump 580 established. In the 1A shown control 12 can be in electrical communication with the cooling nozzle quantity control valve 534 , the oil pump displacement actuator 533 and the quick drain valve 532 stand. The oil pump displacement actuator may be a solenoid valve, a linear actuator, or other known displacement actuator.

At this point will open 5B in which an exemplary shut-off inlet valve drive 549 and exhaust valve drive 548 for the hydraulically operated valve shutdown system, which in 5A is shown are shown. The intake camshaft 51 turns, so the cam 523a the inlet follower 545 selectively raises which the inlet valve 52 selectively opens and closes. A steering shaft 544 provides a selective mechanical link between the inlet follower 545 and the inlet valve contact member 547 ready. A passage 546 leaves pressurized oil in 5C reached piston, so that the inlet valve 52 can be switched off (eg remain in a closed position during an engine cycle). The inlet valve 52 can be turned on when the oil pressure in the passage 546 is low.

Likewise, the exhaust camshaft rotates 53 so the cam 507a the outlet follower 543 selectively raises which the exhaust valve 54 selectively opens and closes. A steering shaft 542 represents a selective mechanical link between the outlet follower 543 and an exhaust valve contact member 540 ready. The passage 541 let the oil in 5C reach the piston shown, so the exhaust valve 54 may be switched on (eg, open and closed during an engine cycle) or switched off (eg, remain in a closed position during an engine cycle).

At this point will open 5C referenced in which an exemplary exhaust valve drive 548 will be shown. The intake valve actuators include similar components and operate similarly to the exhaust valve actuator. Therefore, for the sake of brevity, a description of the intake valve drives will be omitted.

The outlet follower 543 is with the oil passage 565 shown in the camshaft follower 564 extends. The oil passage 565 is in fluid communication with the port 568 in the steering shaft 542 , A piston 563 and a locking pin 561 lock the follower 543 selectively on the exhaust valve contact member 540 , which causes the exhaust valve contact member 540 in response to the movement of the follower 543 moves when oil is not on the piston 563 acts. The exhaust valve drive 548 is in an on state during such conditions.

On the piston 563 Can by the oil pressure within the oil passages 567 and 565 be acted. The piston 563 is due to high pressure oil in the passage 565 That's against the power of a spring 569 works out of his in 5C shown in its normally-off state). The feather 565 pulls the piston 563 in a normally locked position which allows the exhaust valve contact member 540 allowed, an exhaust valve 54 to drive when the oil pressure in the passage 565 is low.

The locking pin 561 stops at a position (eg an unlocked position) where the follower 543 no longer on the exhaust valve contact member 540 is locked, causing the exhaust valve 54 is turned off when the normally locked locking pin 561 by high pressure oil on the piston 563 interacts, is completely shifted. The camshaft follower 564 will be the movement of the cam 507a according steered when the exhaust valve drive 548 is in an off state. The outlet valve 54 and the exhaust valve contact member 540 stay stationary when the locking pin 561 of the piston is in its unlocked position.

Thus, the oil pressure can be used to selectively turn on and off the intake and exhaust valves via intake and exhaust valve drives. Specifically, the intake and exhaust valves can be shut off by allowing oil to flow to the intake and exhaust valve actuators. It is noteworthy that the intake and exhaust valve actuators over the in 5C shown mechanism can be switched on and off. 5B and 5C Shut off the shut-off valve actuators with attached steering shaft. Other types of shut-off valve actuators are possible and compatible with the invention, including disengaging roller followers, shut-off lifters, or shut-down play balancers.

At this point will open 5D referring to a valve and cylinder deactivation sequence for the mechanism 5A - 5C will be shown. The valve deactivation sequence may be performed by the system 1A and 5A - 5C to be provided.

The first illustration from the top in 5D Figure 11 is an illustration of the exhaust cam groove width versus the crank angle. The vertical axis represents the exhaust cam groove width measured at the location of the oil outlet such as the passage 506 to 5A , In the direction of the arrow of the vertical axis, the groove width increases. The horizontal axis represents the crank angle of the engine, where zero is the compression stroke at top dead center for the cylinder whose intake and exhaust grooves are shown. In this example, the outlet groove corresponds 571 to 5A , The crank angles for the exhaust groove width coincide with the crank angle in the third view from the top in FIG 5D match.

The second illustration from the top in 5D is a representation of the intake cam groove width compared to the crank angle. The vertical axis represents the intake camshaft groove width and the groove width increases in the direction of the arrow of the vertical axis. The horizontal axis represents the crank angle of the engine, where zero is the compression stroke at top dead center for the cylinder whose intake and exhaust grooves are shown. In this example, the inlet groove corresponds 551a to 5A , The crank angles for the intake groove width coincide with the crank angle in the third view from the top in FIG 5D match.

The third illustration from the top in 5D FIG. 10 is an illustration of intake and exhaust valve lift versus crank angle of the engine. FIG. The vertical axis represents the valve lift and the valve lift increases in the direction of the vertical axis arrow. The horizontal axis represents the engine crank angle and the three representations are matched to the crank angle. The thin solid line 590 represents the intake valve lift for the number one cylinder when its intake valve drive is turned on. The thick solid line 591 represents the exhaust valve lift for cylinder number one when its exhaust valve drive is on. The thin dashed lines 592 represent the intake valve lift for the number one cylinder if its intake valve drive is turned on. The thin dashed line 593 represents the exhaust valve lift for the number one cylinder if its exhaust valve drive is on. The vertical lines AD represent interest crank angles for the sequence.

As shown, the intake valve lift for the number one cylinder increases and decreases in front of the crank angle A. An oil control valve such as 586 to 5A , is closed before the crank angle A to prevent shutdown of the intake and exhaust valves. As shown, the intake valve lift increases 590 during the intake stroke of the number one cylinder before the crank angle A. Pressure oil sufficient to shut off the intake valves is not present in the continuous intake camshaft groove before the crank angle A.

In crank angle A, the oil control valve (eg. 586 to 5A ) to shut off the intake and exhaust valves. The width of the continuous intake camshaft groove is pressurized with oil after the oil control valve is opened, so that the intake valve drive lock pin can be displaced while the cam of the intake valve of the number one cylinder is on a base circle. The outlet crankshaft groove 571 is also pressurized in crank angle A with oil. The outlet 506 is not acted upon at angle A with oil, since the bridge 505a (in 5A shown) the Ventilkörperauslass 506 (in 5A shown) covers. Therefore, in the crank angle A only the shutdown of the intake valve starts. The lock pin of the intake valve drive is released from its normal position before the crank angle C to prevent the intake valve from opening.

In the crank angle B makes the bridge of Auslassnockenwellenlagerzapfens 521 for the cylinder number one place for the discontinuous groove 571 whereby oil can reach the exhaust valve drive for the number one cylinder. At crank angle B, the oil may flow to the intake valve drive and the exhaust valve drive; however, since the exhaust valve at the crank angle B is partially raised, the exhaust valve operates until the exhaust valve closes near the crank angle C. The exhaust valve actuator lock pin is released from its normally locked position prior to the crank angle D to prevent the exhaust valve from opening.

In the crank angle C, the intake valve does not open because the intake valve drive is cut off for the engine cycle. Further, the exhaust valve drive lock pin is released from its normal position before the crank angle D to prevent the exhaust valve from opening. As a result, the exhaust valve for the cylinder cycle does not open. The intake and exhaust valves may remain off until the intake and exhaust drives are turned back on by reducing the oil pressure to the intake and exhaust valve drives.

The intake and exhaust valves can be reactivated by the oil control valve 586 is shut off and allowed to reduce the oil pressure in the intake and exhaust valve drives, or by quickly taking the oil pressure out of the intake and exhaust valve actuators via a quick exhaust valve (not shown).

The oil storage 506b keeps the oil pressure in the oil passage 506 upright during the portion of the cycle after the crank angle D when the leg of the exhaust cam groove is the passageway 506 locks. During the time in which the oil supply from the pump is interrupted, the oil reservoir compensates 506b Oil leaks due to different free measurements. The oil storage 506b may comprise a fixedly associated piston and a fixedly assigned spring, or it may be connected to the locking mechanism such as the one shown in FIG 5C combined mechanism.

At this point will open 6A referenced, in which a camshaft for an alternative hydraulically operated valve shutdown system is shown. The camshaft 420 can in the in 4A shown engine system can be integrated.

In this example, the camshaft 420 an intake camshaft or exhaust camshaft or a camshaft that drives both the intake and exhaust valves. The intake and exhaust valves of each engine cylinder can be individually turned on and off. The camshaft 420 includes a drive wheel 619 It allows the crankshaft 40 to 1A the camshaft 420 over a chain drives. The camshaft 420 includes four journals 605a - 605d , the footbridges 606a - 606d have, and discontinuous grooves 608a - 608d , The camshaft base 602 includes stationary grooves 610a (in 6B shown) for each of the valve body 670a . 670b . 670c and 670d , The stationary grooves 610a are arranged so that they with the discontinuous grooves 608a - 608d are aligned. The camshaft 420 also includes cams. In one example, the camshaft 420 Both the intake and the exhaust valves operate while the camshaft 420 rotates. In particular, operates the cam 620 an intake valve of the number one cylinder and the cam 622 operates an exhaust valve of cylinder number one. The cam 638 operates an intake valve of the number two cylinder and the cam 639 operates an exhaust valve of cylinder number two. The cam 648 operates an intake valve of the number three cylinder and the cam 649 operates an exhaust valve of cylinder number three. The cam 658 operates an intake valve of the number four cylinder and the cam 659 operates an exhaust valve of cylinder number four.

The camshaft base 602 includes the valve body 670a . 670b . 670c and 670d to support and provide oil passages leading to the camshaft grooves. In particular, the valve body comprises 670a an inlet 613 , a first outlet 612 and a second outlet 616 , The first outlet 612 provides oil to the exhaust valve drives. The second outlet 616 provides oil to the intake valve actuators. The valve body 670b includes an inlet 633 , a first outlet 636 and a second outlet 632 , The first outlet 636 provides oil to the exhaust valve drives. The second outlet 632 provides oil to the intake valve actuators. The valve body 670c includes an inlet 643 , a first outlet 646 and a second outlet 642 , The first outlet 646 provides oil to the exhaust valve drives. The second outlet 642 provides oil to the intake valve actuators. The valve body 670d includes an inlet 653 , a first outlet 656 and a second outlet 652 , The first outlet 656 provides oil to the exhaust valve drives. The second outlet 652 provides oil to the intake valve actuators. The passages 616 . 632 . 642 and 652 lead the intake valve actuators 649 (in 6C represented) via a channel or passage 692 Pressure oil from the oil pump 690 for the respective cylinder number 1-4 too, if the control valves 614 . 634 . 644 and 654 turned on and open. The outlets 612 . 636 . 646 and 656 Can the exhaust valve actuators 648 (in 6C shown) supply oil pressure when the control valves 614 . 634 . 644 and 654 are open. The discontinuous grooves 608a - 608d selectively set an oil path between the inlets 613 . 633 . 643 and 653 and the valve body outlets 612 . 636 . 646 and 656 ready, which lead to the exhaust valve actuators. The journals 605a - 605d are partly due to the discontinuous grooves 608a - 608d limited. The stores 609a - 609D Make oil ready to let the exhaust valves shut off when the bridge 606a the passage 612 covered for short periods.

It will be up now 6B referenced, in which the cross section of a valve body 670a and the associated components are shown. The camshaft 420 is over the cap 699 to the camshaft base 602 coupled. The cap covers the stationary groove 610a starting in the camshaft socket 602 is trained. The camshaft 420 includes the discontinuous groove 608a that is axial with the stationary groove 610a is aligned. The valve 614 leaves the oil over the passage 616 selective to the intake valve actuators and into the stationary groove 610a flow. The jetty 606a covers the outlet 612 selectively up and down the memory 609a and the exhaust valve drives provide oil while the camshaft 420 rotates.

At this point will open 6C in which an exemplary shut-off inlet valve drive 649 and shutoff outlet valve drive 648 for the hydraulically operated valve shutdown system, which in 6A is shown are shown. The camshaft 420 turns, so the cam 620 the inlet follower 645 selectively raises which the inlet valve 52 selectively opens and closes. The steering shaft 644 provides a selective mechanical link between the inlet follower 645 and the inlet valve contact member 647 ready. The intake valve drive 649 and the exhaust valve drive 648 include the same components and work in the same way as the one in 5C described drive. A passage 646 leaves pressurized oil in 5C reached piston, so that the inlet valve 52 can be switched off (eg remain in a closed position during an engine cycle). The inlet valve 52 may be switched on (eg open and closed during an engine cycle) when the oil pressure in the passage 646 is low.

Likewise, the cam rotates 622 to the outlet follower 643 to selectively lift which is the outlet valve 54 selectively opens and closes. A steering shaft 642 represents a selective mechanical link between the outlet follower 643 and an exhaust valve contact member 640 ready. A passage 641 let oil in 5C reached piston, so that the inlet valve 54 can be switched off (eg remain in a closed position during an engine cycle). The low oil pressure in the passage 641 turns off the exhaust valve 54 on (eg, it opens and closes during a motor cycle) when the in 5C shown piston 563 over the spring 569 is returned to its normal or basic position.

In this way, a single cam can drive the intake and exhaust valves. Further, the intake and exhaust valves that are driven above the individual cams may be via the intake and exhaust valve drives 648 and 649 be switched off.

At this point will open 6D referring to a valve and cylinder deactivation sequence for the mechanism 6A - 6C will be shown. The valve deactivation sequence may be performed by the system 1A and 6A - 6C to be provided.

The first illustration from the top in 6D FIG. 12 is an illustration of the exhaust cam groove width at the passage leading to the exhaust valve drive with respect to the crankshaft. FIG. The vertical axis represents the exhaust camshaft groove width, and the groove width increases in the direction of the arrow of the vertical axis. The horizontal axis represents the crank angle of the engine, where zero is the compression stroke at top dead center for the cylinder whose intake and exhaust grooves are shown. In this example, the outlet groove corresponds to the width of the groove 608a to 6A , measured at the oil outlet 612 , The crank angles for the exhaust groove width coincide with the crank angle in the third view from the top in FIG 6D match.

The second illustration from the top in 6D FIG. 10 is an illustration of intake and exhaust valve lift versus crank angle of the engine. FIG. The vertical axis represents the valve lift and the valve lift increases in the direction of the vertical axis arrow. The horizontal axis represents the engine crank angle and the three representations are matched to the crank angle. The thin solid line 690 represents the intake valve lift for the number one cylinder when its intake valve drive is turned on. The thick solid line 691 represents the exhaust valve lift for cylinder number one when its exhaust valve drive is on. The thin dashed lines 692 represent the intake valve lift for the number one cylinder if its intake valve drive is turned on. The thin dashed line 693 represents the exhaust valve lift for the number one cylinder if its exhaust valve drive is on. The vertical lines A-D represent interest crank angles for the sequence.

As shown, the intake valve lift for the number one cylinder increases and decreases in front of the crank angle A. An oil control valve such as 614 to 6A , is closed before the crank angle A to prevent shutdown of the intake and exhaust valves. As shown, the intake valve lift increases 690 during the intake stroke of the number one cylinder before the crank angle A. Pressure oil sufficient to shut off the intake valves is not present in the continuous intake camshaft groove before the crank angle A.

In crank angle A, the oil control valve (eg. 614 to 6A ) to shut off the intake and exhaust valves. The stationary groove width (eg 608a to 6B ) and the passage 616 are pressurized with oil after the oil control valve has been opened, so that the lock pin of the intake valve drive can be displaced while the outlet 616 over the jetty 606a is covered. Thus, the outlet 616 not pressurized with oil at angle A, because the bridge 606a (in 6A shown) the Ventilkörperauslass 616 covers. Therefore, in the crank angle A only the shutdown of the intake valve starts. The lock pin of the intake valve drive is released from its normal position before the crank angle C to prevent the intake valve from opening.

In the crank angle B makes the bridge of the exhaust camshaft web 606a for the cylinder number one place for the discontinuous groove 608a , whereby oil is the outlet 616 and reach the exhaust valve drive for the number one cylinder. At crank angle B, the oil may flow to the intake valve drive and the exhaust valve drive; however, since the exhaust valve at the crank angle B is partially raised, the exhaust valve operates until the exhaust valve closes near the crank angle C. The exhaust valve actuator lock pin is released from its normally locked position prior to the crank angle D to prevent the exhaust valve from opening.

In the crank angle C, the intake valve does not open because the intake valve drive is cut off for the engine cycle. Further, the exhaust valve drive lock pin is released from its normal position before the crank angle D to prevent the exhaust valve from opening. As a result, the exhaust valve for the cylinder cycle does not open. The inlet and outlet valves can remain switched off, until the intake and exhaust drives are switched back on by reducing the oil pressure to the intake and exhaust valve drives.

The intake and exhaust valves can be reactivated by the oil control valve 614 is shut off and allowed to reduce the oil pressure in the intake and exhaust valve drives, or by quickly taking the oil pressure out of the intake and exhaust valve actuators via a quick exhaust valve (not shown).

The oil storage 609a keeps the oil pressure in the oil passage 616 upright during the portion of the cycle after the crank angle D when the leg of the exhaust cam groove is the passageway 616 locks. During the time in which the oil supply from the pump is interrupted, the oil reservoir compensates 609a Oil leaks due to different free measurements. The oil storage 609a may comprise a fixedly associated piston and a fixedly assigned spring, or it may be connected to the locking mechanism such as the one shown in FIG 5C combined mechanism.

As a result, the system adjusts to the 1A - 6D a vehicle system including: an engine including a torque-actuated camshaft and a crankshaft; and a controller including non-transitory executable instructions that, when executed by the controller, cause the controller to control a position of the torque actuated camshaft relative to a position of the crankshaft in response to the one or more valves being turned off of the engine is adjusted. The vehicle system further includes additional instructions to re-initiate combustion in one or more cylinders where the one or more shut-off valves are located. The vehicle system further includes additional instructions to determine a desired rate of cam movement. The vehicle system further includes additional instructions to re-engage the one or more shut-off valves when the torque-actuated camshaft fails to move at the desired rate of cam movement without turning on the one or more shut-off valves. The vehicle system further includes additional instructions to enrich an air-fuel ratio of a cylinder in response to the restart of the one or more shut-off valves. The vehicle system further includes additional instructions to exhaust combustion gases from a cylinder and to receive fresh air into the cylinder before the one or more shut-off valves are turned off.

It is noteworthy that the systems after 1A - 6D can be operated to provide a desired engine torque when an actual total number of cylinders connected may remain the same, while the connected cylinders forming the actual total number of connected cylinders may vary from engine cycle to engine cycle. In addition, the actual total number of cylinders that burn air and fuel at one engine cycle to produce the desired engine torque may vary from engine cycle to engine cycle, if desired. This can be referred to as a variable displacement rolling engine. For example, a four-cylinder engine with a firing order of 1-3-4-2 may designate cylinders 1 and 3 for a first engine cycle, cylinders 3 and 2 for a subsequent engine cycle, cylinders 1-3-2 for a subsequent engine cycle, cylinders Fire 3-4-2 on a subsequent engine cycle and so on to provide a constant desired engine torque.

At this point will open 7 See, in which a method for operating an engine with shutdown cylinders and valves is shown. The procedure according to 7 can in that in the 1A - 6C be described system. The method may be included as executable instructions stored in a nonvolatile memory. The procedure according to 7 can be performed cooperatively with the system hardware and other methods described herein to convert an operating state of an engine or its components.

at 702 determines the procedure 700 the configuration of the engine hardware. In one example, the configuration of the engine hardware may be stored in memory at a time of manufacture. The information about the engine hardware configuration may include information including an actual total number of engine cylinders, an actual total number of engine cylinders that do not include shutdown intake and shutoff exhaust valves, an actual total number of engine cylinders, shutdown exhaust valves, an actual total number of engine cylinders, shutdown intake valves include identities (eg, cylinder numbers) of the cylinders that include shutoff intake valves, identities of the cylinders that include shutoff exhaust valves, identities of the cylinders Cylinders that do not include shut-off intake and shut-off exhaust valves, engine knock sensor positions, an actual total number of engine knock sensors, and other system configuration parameters. The procedure 700 reads out the vehicle configuration information from the memory and goes to 704 above.

at 704 assess the procedure 700 Whether the cylinder deactivation via shut-off inlet and / or shut-off exhaust valves is due to system configuration information at 702 be available, is available. Judge the procedure 700 that the cylinder deactivation is not available or is possible via intake and / or exhaust valves, the answer is no and the procedure 700 moves to the end. Otherwise, the answer is yes and the procedure 700 go to 706 above.

at 706 assess the procedure 700 whether only the cylinder deactivation is available only with inlet. In other words, the procedure is judged 700 whether only the intake valves of the engine cylinders may be shut off (eg, kept closed during an entire engine cycle) to shut off the cylinders while all the exhaust valves of all engine cylinders continue to operate while a motor is rotating. In some engine designs, it may be desirable to shut off only intake valves of the cylinders to be shut down to reduce system costs. 2 B and 2C show two examples of such a motor design. The intake and exhaust valves of the cylinder may be turned off in a closed state in which they are not opened from a closed position over an engine cycle. The procedure 700 can judge that only the intake valves of the engine cylinders can be turned off to shut off the engine cylinders, while all the engine exhaust valves of the engine cylinders continue to operate when the engine is rotating, based on the 702 certain hardware configuration. Judge the procedure 700 in that only the intake valves of the engine cylinders can be shut down to shut off the engine cylinders while all the engine exhaust valves of the engine cylinders continue to work when the engine is rotating, the answer is yes and the method 700 go to 708 above. Otherwise, the answer is no and the procedure 700 go to 710 above.

at 708 determines the procedure 700 Engine cylinders whose intake valves can be shut off and exhaust valves continue to operate when the engine is turning. Based on the method according to 8th For example, the method may determine engine cylinders whose intake valves may be shut down while the exhaust valves continue to operate. The procedure 700 go to 712 after the engine cylinders whose intake valves can be turned off have been determined.

at 710 determines the procedure 700 the engine cylinders whose intake valves and exhaust valves can be turned off when the engine is rotating. The method may be based on the method 10 determine the engine cylinders whose intake and exhaust valves can be turned off. The procedure 700 go to 712 after all engine cylinders whose intake and exhaust valves can be shut off have been determined.

at 712 determines the procedure 700 the permitted or permissible cylinder modes for operating the engine. A cylinder mode determines how many engine cylinders are turned on and which cylinders are on (for example, cylinders number 1, 3 and 4). The procedure 700 determines the allowed cylinder modes according to the method 11 , The procedure 700 go to 714 after the allowed cylinder modes have been determined.

at 714 puts the procedure 700 the engine oil pressure in response to the cylinder modes. The procedure 700 adjusts the engine oil pressure according to the procedure 31 one. The procedure 700 go to 716 over after the engine oil pressure has been adjusted.

at 716 switches the procedure 700 the selected cylinders according to the allowed cylinder modes. The procedure 700 shuts off the intake and / or exhaust valves to return the selected cylinders to those at 712 disable certain allowed cylinder modes. For example, if the engine is a four-cylinder engine and the allowed cylinder mode includes three powered cylinders, the process switches 700 a cylinder off. The respective cylinders that are turned on and the cylinders that are turned off may be based on the cylinder modes. The cylinder modes may vary with vehicle operating conditions such that an equal actual total number of cylinders may be on and an equal actual total number of cylinders may be disabled, but the cylinders that are on and off may vary from cylinder cycle to cylinder cycle. The valve operation of deactivated cylinders is based on the cylinder deactivation mode in connection with the deactivated cylinder. For example, if the allowed cylinder modes are the cylinder deactivation modes of the method of FIG 20 include, then the valves in the deactivated cylinders according to the in 20 described cylinder deactivation modes work.

When a plurality of actual total numbers of the on-cylinders are allowed, the actual total number of cylinders turned on in a respective cylinder mode providing the lowest fuel consumption while providing the desired driver demand torque is turned on. Further, the allowed gears connected to the allowed cylinder mode that is turned on may be operated.

The procedure 700 may shut off intake and / or exhaust valves via the systems described herein or through other known valve shutdown systems. If an engine knock sensor or other sensor indicates that engine noise exceeds a threshold or vibration immediately after changing cylinder modes, then another actual total number of cylinders turned on and another transmission gear may be selected (eg, the transmission gear) and cylinder mode before changing the cylinder mode, which may be a larger actual total number of cylinders turned on). The knock sensor may be interrogated at a crankshaft interval of the engine outside of an engine knock area to prevent mode changes based on knocking. The output of the knock sensor from within the knock region may be precluded for restarting a cylinder in response to engine vibration.

The engine cylinders can be shut off by holding the intake valves in closed positions over a full engine cycle. Further, the fuel injection into deactivated cylinders may also be terminated. The spark discharge to deactivated cylinders can also be stopped. Also, in some examples, the exhaust valves of cylinders that are being shut off are held in closed positions throughout the engine cycle while the intake valves are off, thereby trapping gases in the deactivated cylinders. The procedure 700 go to 718 over after selected engine cylinders have been shut down via intake and exhaust valves.

at 718 regulates the procedure 700 engine knock in response to cylinder deactivation. The procedure 700 Regulates engine knock according to the procedure 33 - 38 , After the regulation of the engine knocking goes the procedure 700 to 720 above.

at 720 takes the procedure 700 a cylinder deactivation diagnosis. The procedure 700 Takes the cylinder diagnosis according to the procedure 39 - 40 in front. The procedure 700 advances to the end after making the cylinder diagnosis.

At this point will open 8A in which a method for determining cylinders whose intake valves can be turned off is shown. The procedure according to 8th can in that in the 1A - 6C be described system. The method may be included as executable instructions stored in a nonvolatile memory. The procedure according to 8th can be performed cooperatively with the system hardware and other methods described herein to convert an operating state of an engine or its components.

at 802 chooses the procedure 800 an actual total number of cylinders for the engine. The actual total number of cylinders may be based on vehicle mass and power requirements. In some examples, the engine will include four cylinders, while in other examples the engine will include six or eight cylinders. Furthermore, the actual total number of engine cylinders is determined by valves that remain always on while the engine is rotating. In one example, the actual total number of cylinders including valves (eg, intake and exhaust valve valves) that remain on while the engine is rotating is based on an amount of power required for the vehicle to operate at a desired speed (FIG. eg 60 KPH). If the engine has the capacity to provide the performance with two or more cylinders, the engine may be made with two cylinders that include valves that remain always on (eg, open and close over one engine cycle). If the engine has the capacity to provide four or more cylinder performance, the engine may be manufactured with four cylinders that include valves that remain always on. The remaining cylinders are provided with shut-off inlet valves and non-shutoff outlet valves. The procedure 800 go to 804 after the actual total number of engine cylinders and the actual total number of cylinders with valves that are always turned on have been determined.

at 804 For example, the engine is designed with non-shutoff intake valve drives and non-shutoff exhaust valve drives in the engine cylinders that remain on while the engine is rotating. The remaining engine cylinders are provided shutdown intake valve actuators and non-shutoff exhaust valve actuators. The procedure 800 go to 806 after the engine has been equipped with shutdown and non-shutoff valves.

at 806 appreciates the process 800 an amount of oil in the cylinders with intake valves that are turned off during an engine cycle so that the intake valves do not open during an engine cycle or cycle of the cylinder in which the intake valves are operating. In one example, the amount of oil in the engine cylinders is based on the in 8B described empirical model. The procedure 800 estimates the amounts of oil in each engine cylinder, turning off the intake valves of the cylinder, and shutting off the cylinder so that the flow of air through the cylinder is substantially completed (eg, below 10% of the air flow through the cylinder during idle conditions). The amount of oil in each cylinder is rechecked at each engine cycle. The procedure 800 go to 808 over after determining the amount of oil in each cylinder.

In addition, the procedure can 800 at 806 estimate the quality of the engine oil. Engine oil quality can be an estimate of the contaminants in the engine oil. The engine oil quality can be assigned a value from 0 to 100, where zero equals oil at the end of its useful life and one hundred fresh oil. In one example, the estimation of oil quality is based on engine running time, engine load during runtime, and engine speed during runtime. For example, the average load and speed of the engine over the engine run time can be determined. The mean engine load and speed are entered into a table of empirically determined values and the table gives an oil quality value. It may be desirable to limit a period of time in which cylinder deactivation is available in response to oil quality, as low oil quality may increase engine wear during cylinder deactivation and / or increase engine emissions during cylinder deactivation.

The procedure 800 can also determine an actual total number of particle regenerations since a last engine oil change. A particulate filter may be regenerated by increasing the particulate filter temperature and burning the carbonaceous soot stored in the particulate filter. Each time the particulate filter is regenerated after an engine oil change, an actual total number of particulate filter regenerations increases.

at 808 prevents the procedure 800 in that cylinders containing more than one oil limit are switched off. In other words, when a cylinder with intake valves off (eg, intake valves closed over an engine cycle) contains more than an oil limit amount, the cylinder is re-engaged (eg, the cylinder intake and exhaust valves open and close during an engine cycle and air and fuel are burned in the cylinder), so that oil entry into the cylinder can be limited. The cylinder is turned on again by turning on the intake valve drive and supplying sparks and fuel to the cylinder. When the cylinder is turned back on, it will remain on at least until an amount of oil in the cylinder is below a limit. Further, the amount of timing overlap between the intake valve and exhaust valve openings may be increased in response to the amount of oil in the deactivated cylinder exceeding a threshold. By increasing the amount of timing overlap between the intake valve and exhaust valve openings in response to the amount of oil in a cylinder exceeding a threshold, it may be possible to evacuate oil vapors from the cylinder to improve the stability and emissions of a subsequent combustion process , Further, a cylinder may be shut down in response to an amount of oil in the one cylinder while a second cylinder may be shut down during a same engine cycle such that a total actual number of engine cylinders connected remains constant during an engine cycle. The cylinders can be turned on and off as described elsewhere herein. For example, the one cylinder may be turned on by opening the intake and exhaust valves during one cycle of the one cylinder. The second cylinder may be turned off by closing the intake valves or the intake and exhaust valves and keeping them closed during one cycle of the second cylinder.

When a cylinder having shut-off inlet valves and non-shutoff exhaust valves is shut off by keeping the shut-off cylinder intake valves closed during a cylinder-off cycle while the exhaust valves continue to open and close, the exhaust valve closing timing control can be adjusted in response to the cylinder being shut down so that the losses due to cylinder compaction and expansion can be reduced. The procedure 800 advances to the end after the cylinders containing more than a limit amount of oil have been restarted.

at 808 For example, in response to the oil quality being below a threshold, the cylinders may not be turned off or may be turned back on (eg, burn air and fuel in the cylinders). Furthermore, the method can 800 in response to an actual total number of particulate filter regenerations exceeding a threshold since a last engine oil change, turning on the engine cylinders or preventing the engine cylinders from being shut down. These measures can improve vehicle emissions and / or reduce engine wear.

At this point will open 8B Referring now to the drawings, there is shown a block diagram of an example empirical model for estimating an amount of oil in an engine cylinder. An amount of oil in each deactivated cylinder can over a the model 850 similar model, although the variables in the described functions or tables may have different values depending on the cylinder number.

The model 850 estimates an oil baseline amount entering cylinders, which shutoff intake valves (eg, intake valves that remain in a closed position throughout an engine or cylinder cycle) and at block 852 Drive exhaust valves. The amounts of cylinder oil are empirically determined and integrated into a table or function stored in the memory of the controller. In one example, the table or function is maintained according to engine speed and cylinder or exhaust pressure. The table or function outputs an amount of oil in the cylinder. The oil quantity is to block 854 passed.

At block 854 The amount of oil in a cylinder is multiplied by a scalar or real number that sets the amount of oil in response to the oil temperature. The viscosity of the oil may vary with the oil temperature and the amount of oil that may enter a deactivated cylinder may vary with the oil temperature. Since the oil viscosity may decrease with the oil temperature, the amount of oil that may enter a deactivated cylinder may increase with the oil temperature. In one example, block 854 a multitude of empirically determined scalars for different oil temperatures. The amount of oil from block 852 will block with the scalar 854 multiplied to determine the amount of oil in the engine cylinder as a function of the oil temperature.

at 856 For example, a scalar based on the compression ratio (CR) of the engine or cylinder becomes block output 854 multiplied to determine the amount of oil in the engine cylinder as a function of the oil temperature and the compression ratio of the engine. In one example, the amount of oil in the cylinder is increased for higher cylinder compression ratios because a vacuum is created in the cylinder after the exhaust valve closes. The value of 856 is determined empirically and stored in the memory.

at 858 the amount of oil in the cylinder is multiplied by a value that is a function of the exhaust valve closing position or the enclosed cylinder volume. The value decreases when the timing of the exhaust valve closing is delayed from the exhaust timing at top dead center because an additional volume of exhaust gas is trapped in the cylinder as the exhaust valve closing delay increases. The value decreases when the timing of the exhaust valve closing is advanced from the exhaust timing at top dead center because an additional volume of exhaust gas is trapped in the cylinder as the projection of the exhaust valve closing increases. The function of 858 is determined empirically and stored in the memory. The amount of oil in the cylinder is at block 860 passed.

At block 860 The quantity of oil in a cylinder is multiplied by a scalar, which sets the amount of oil in response to the engine temperature. The engine temperature may affect freeances between the engine components, and the amount of oil entering the cylinder may vary with engine temperature and free-space between the engine components. In one example, block 860 a multitude of empirically determined scalars for different engine temperatures. The amount of oil entering the cylinder decreases as the engine temperature increases, as free-loads between engine components may become less with increasing engine temperature. block 860 gives an estimate for oil in an engine cylinder.

It will be up now 9 See, in which an exemplary operating sequence for a four-cylinder engine is shown. In this example, the engine cylinders number two and three can be selectively turned on and off by turning on and off the intake valves of the cylinders number two and three. The four-cylinder engine has a firing order of 1-3-4-2 when it's air and fuel burns. The vertical markings at time T0-T7 represent relevant times in the sequence. The representations after 9 are timed and occur simultaneously.

The first illustration from the top in 9 is a representation of estimated oil in cylinder number two over time. The vertical axis represents an estimated amount of oil in cylinder number two and the estimated oil quantity in cylinder number two increases in the direction of the arrow of the vertical axis. The horizontal axis represents time and time increases from the left side of the display to the right side of the display. The horizontal line 902 represents a limit for an oil quantity in cylinder number two, which must not be exceeded.

The second illustration from the top in 9 is a representation of estimated oil in cylinder number three over time. The vertical axis represents an estimated oil amount in cylinder number three and the estimated oil quantity in cylinder number three increases in the direction of the arrow of the vertical axis. The horizontal axis represents time and time increases from the left side of the display to the right side of the display. The horizontal line 904 represents a limit for an oil quantity in cylinder number three, which must not be exceeded.

The third illustration from the top in 9 is an illustration of the number of working cylinders required. The number of working cylinders required may be a function of driver demand torque, engine speed, and other operating conditions. The vertical axis represents the requested number of working engine cylinders and the requested number of working engine cylinders are shown along the vertical axis. The horizontal axis represents time and time increases from the left side of the display to the right side of the display.

The fourth representation from above in 9 is a representation of the operating state of cylinder number two over time. The vertical axis represents the operating state of cylinder number two. Cylinder number two works and burns air and fuel with the intake and exhaust valves opening and closing during an engine cycle when the trace is at a higher level near the vertical axis arrow. Cylinder number two does not work and does not burn air and fuel when the trace is at a lower level near the horizontal axis. The intake valves are closed for the entire engine cycle when the trace is near the horizontal axis, and the exhaust valves open and close during an engine cycle when the trace is at the lower level near the horizontal axis arrow.

The fifth representation from above in 9 is a representation of the operating state of cylinder number three over time. The vertical axis represents the operating state of cylinder number three. Cylinder number three works and burns air and fuel, with the intake and exhaust valves opening and closing during an engine cycle when the trace is at a higher level near the vertical axis arrow. Cylinder number three does not work and does not burn air and fuel when the trace is at a lower level near the horizontal axis. The intake valves are closed for the entire engine cycle when the trace is near the horizontal axis, and the exhaust valves open and close during an engine cycle when the trace is at the lower level near the horizontal axis arrow.

At time T0, the estimated amount of oil in cylinder number two is low. The estimated amount of oil in cylinder number three is also low. The engine operates with four cylinders on (eg, cylinders burning air and fuel) as indicated by the number of cylinders requested being four and the operating states of cylinder number two and number three on (e.g. For example, the traces of the cylinder operating state are at higher levels. Cylinders number one and four are always on when the engine is running, burning air and fuel.

At time T1, the estimated amounts of oil in cylinders number two and three are low. The number of working cylinders required is reduced from four to three. The requested number of engine cylinders may be reduced in response to lower driver demand torque. Cylinder number three is turned off in response to the requested number of cylinders being three (eg, the combustion is stopped in cylinder number three, the intake valves of cylinder number three are turned off so that they do not open during an engine cycle and Close, the fuel supply to the cylinder is stopped, the spark discharge to the cylinder can be terminated and the exhaust valves of Cylinder number three open and close during each engine cycle). Cylinder number two continues to work with intake valves on and combustion.

Between time T1 and time T2, the estimated amount of oil in cylinder number two remains low and constant. The estimated amount of oil in cylinder number three is increasing. The amount of oil in cylinder number three increases because in cylinder number three a vacuum can form after the exhaust valves of cylinder number three close because the intake valves of cylinder number three are off.

At time T2, the amount of oil in cylinder number three corresponds to the threshold 904 or exceeds this. Therefore, cylinder number three is switched back on, which increases the pressure in the cylinder and forces oil past the cylinder rings out of the cylinder, reducing the amount of oil in cylinder number three. However, since the requested number of cylinders is three, cylinder number two is turned off (eg, the combustion in cylinder number two is stopped, the intake valves of cylinder number two are turned off, so they do not open and close during an engine cycle, the Fueling to the cylinder is stopped, sparking to the cylinder can be stopped and the exhaust valves of cylinder number two open and close during each engine cycle). Thus, the requested number of working cylinders is provided even if the oil quantity of a cylinder is at or above a limit value. The estimated amount of oil in cylinder number two is at a lower level. The operating state of cylinder number two is low to indicate that cylinder number two is off. The operating state of cylinder number three is high to indicate that cylinder number three is on.

At time T3, the number of requested working cylinders is two and the estimated oil quantity in cylinder number two is low. Cylinder number three is turned off in response to the low volume of oil in cylinder number three and the number of working cylinders requested. Cylinder number two remains in a shutdown state. The oil quantity in cylinder number two continues to rise.

At time T4, the amount of oil in cylinder number two exceeds the threshold level 902 and the number of working cylinders required is two. Cylinder number two is switched back on to evacuate oil from cylinder number two. Cylinder number three remains off, so the number of burning cylinders is close to the requested number of working cylinders. Shortly after time T4, cylinder number two is re-enabled in response to the estimated amount of oil in cylinder number two being low.

At time T5, the amount of oil in cylinder number three exceeds the threshold level 904 and the number of working cylinders required is two. Cylinder number three is switched back on to evacuate oil from cylinder number three. Cylinder number two remains off so the number of burning cylinders is close to the requested number of working cylinders. Shortly after time T5, cylinder number three is restarted in response to the estimated amount of oil in cylinder number three being low.

At time T6, the amount of oil in cylinder number two exceeds the threshold level 902 and the number of working cylinders required is two. Cylinder number two is switched back on to evacuate oil from cylinder number two. Cylinder number three remains off, so the number of burning cylinders is close to the requested number of working cylinders. Shortly after time T6, cylinder number two is restarted in response to the estimated amount of oil in cylinder number two being low.

At time T7, the requested number of working cylinders is increased in response to an increase in driver demand torque. The operating states of cylinder numbers two and three switch to on to indicate that cylinder numbers two and three have been re-engaged in response to the number of cylinders operating. The estimated amount of oil in cylinders number two and three is reduced by turning cylinder number two and three on.

Thus, engine cylinders can be selectively shut down and turned on to save fuel and reduce oil in the engine cylinders. Further, the on-off cylinders may be shut down to reduce oil in the engine cylinders and to attempt to match the requested number of operating cylinders. Turning on cylinders to remove oil from the cylinders has priority over shutting down cylinders to meet the requested number of working cylinders, so oil consumption can be reduced.

At this point will open 10 in which a method for determining cylinders whose intake valves can be turned off is shown. The procedure according to 10 can in the system that in the 1A - 6C will be included. The method may be included as executable instructions stored in a nonvolatile memory. The procedure according to 10 can be performed cooperatively with the system hardware and other methods described herein to convert an operating state of an engine or its components.

at 1002 chooses the procedure 1000 an actual total number of cylinders for the engine. The actual total number of cylinders may be based on vehicle mass and power requirements. In some examples, the engine will include four cylinders, while in other examples the engine will include six or eight cylinders. Furthermore, the actual total number of engine cylinders is determined by valves that remain always on while the engine is rotating. In one example, the actual total number of cylinders including valves (eg, intake and exhaust valve valves) that remain on while the engine is rotating is based on an amount of power required for the vehicle to operate at a desired speed (FIG. eg 60 KPH). If the engine has the capacity to provide four or more cylinder performance, the engine may be manufactured with four cylinders that include valves that remain always on (eg, open and close over one engine cycle). If the engine has the capacity to provide six or more cylinder performance, the engine may be manufactured with six cylinders that include valves that remain always on. The remaining cylinders are provided with shut-off inlet valves and non-shutoff outlet valves. The procedure 1000 go to 1004 after the actual total number of engine cylinders and the actual total number of cylinders with valves that are always turned on have been determined.

at 1004 For example, the engine is designed with non-shutoff intake valve drives and non-shutoff exhaust valve drives in the engine cylinders that remain on while the engine is rotating. The remaining engine cylinders are provided shutdown intake valve actuators and shutoff exhaust valve actuators. The procedure 1000 go to 1006 after the engine has been equipped with shutdown and non-shutoff valves.

at 1006 appreciates the process 1000 an amount of oil in the cylinders with intake valves that are turned off during an engine cycle so that the intake valves do not open during an engine cycle or cycle of the cylinder in which the intake valves are operating. In one example, the amount of oil in the engine cylinders is based on the in 8B determined empirical model determined; however, the in 8B described functions and / or tables include variable values other than those for an engine with cylinders, which are switched off by the sole closing of the intake valves over an engine cycle. The procedure 1000 estimates the amounts of oil in each engine cylinder, turning off the intake valves of the cylinder, and shutting off the cylinder so that the flow of air through the cylinder is substantially completed (eg, below 10% of the air flow through the cylinder during idle conditions). The amount of oil in each cylinder is rechecked at each engine cycle. The procedure 1000 go to 1008 over after determining the amount of oil in each cylinder.

at 1008 prevents the procedure 1000 in that cylinders containing more than one oil limit are switched off. In other words, if a cylinder with intake and exhaust valves shut off (eg, intake and exhaust valves remaining closed over one engine cycle) contains more than an oil limit, the cylinder is re-engaged (eg, open and close the cylinder intake and exhaust valves during an engine cycle and air and fuel are burned in the cylinder) so that oil ingress into the cylinder can be limited. The cylinder is turned on again by turning on the intake valve drive and supplying sparks and fuel to the cylinder. The procedure 1000 advances to the end after the cylinders containing more than a limit amount of oil have been restarted.

At this point will open 11 in which a method for determining available cylinder modes for an engine is shown. The procedure according to 11 can in the system that in the 1A - 6C will be included. The method may be included as executable instructions stored in a nonvolatile memory. The procedure according to 11 can be performed cooperatively with the system hardware and other methods described herein to convert an operating state of an engine or its components.

at 1102 evaluates the procedure 1100 engine cylinder mode activity in terms of thresholds to determine whether changing the cylinder modes is too much activity or appropriate. If the cylinder mode is changed too frequently, the vehicle occupants may become aware of the cylinder mode switching, so that the cylinder mode switching is undesirable. The procedure 1100 evaluates the cylinder mode switching according to the method 12 and go to 1106 above.

at 1106 evaluates the procedure 1100 which cylinder modes can provide a requested amount of engine braking torque. The procedure 1100 go to the procedure 14 to determine which cylinder modes can provide the requested amount of engine braking torque. The procedure 1100 go to 1108 after determining which cylinder modes can provide the requested amount of braking torque.

at 1108 evaluates the procedure 1100 whether changing the cylinder mode will reduce fuel consumption. The procedure 11 go to the procedure 15 to determine if changing the cylinder mode can save fuel. The procedure 1100 go to 1112 after determining whether changing the cylinder mode will save fuel.

at 1112 evaluates the procedure 1100 a cam phase control rate for determining the cylinder mode. The cam phase control rate is a rate at which a pointer-operated by the cam torque changes a position of the cam of an engine relative to a position of the crankshaft of the engine. Because cam actuated phase actuators for variable valve actuation rely on valve spring force for operation, and since shutting off the valves of a cylinder reduces the reaction force provided by the valve springs, the use of some cylinder modes may not be desirable if high rates of change of the cam phase are desired. The procedure 1100 evaluates the cam phase rate for available cylinder modes according to the method 16 and then go to 1114 above.

at 1114 evaluates the procedure 1100 different gears to select the cylinder mode. The procedure 1100 evaluates different transmissions for selecting the cylinder mode according to the method 18 , The procedure 1100 go to 1116 after evaluating different gears to select the cylinder mode.

at 1116 evaluates the procedure 1100 Towing and traction modes for selecting the cylinder mode. The procedure 1100 evaluates the towing and traction modes for selecting the cylinder mode according to the method 20 , The procedure 1100 go to 1118 after evaluating the drag and pull modes to select the cylinder mode.

at 1118 assess the procedure 1100 Whether there are selected states for selecting the cylinder mode. The procedure 1100 determines whether conditions for determining the cylinder mode according to the method 22 available. The procedure 1100 go to 1120 after determining if there are conditions for selecting the cylinder mode.

at 1120 regulates the procedure 1100 absolute engine intake pressure (MAP) during conditions in which one or more cylinders are shut off by shutting off the intake and / or exhaust valves of the engine cylinders. Further, the fuel supply to the cylinder and the spark discharge to the cylinder are stopped when the cylinder is turned off. The procedure 1100 Regulates the MAP according to the procedure 23 and go to 1121 above.

at 1121 regulates the procedure 1100 the absolute engine intake pressure (MAP) during conditions in which one or more cylinders are turned on by turning on the intake and / or exhaust valves of the engine cylinders. Further, the fuel supply to the cylinder and the spark discharge to the cylinder are turned on when the cylinder is turned on. The procedure 1100 Regulates the MAP according to the procedure 25 and go to 1122 above.

at 1122 regulates the procedure 1100 the engine torque during the change of the cylinder modes. The procedure 1100 Regulates the engine torque according to the procedure 27A before it's too 1124 passes.

at 1124 regulates the procedure 1100 the fuel that is supplied to the engine for changing the cylinder modes. The procedure 1100 Regulates the fuel supplied to the engine according to the procedure 29 , The procedure 1100 advances to the end after the fuel flow to the engine has been regulated.

At this point will open 12 in which a method of evaluating whether changing the cylinder mode exceeds activity limits or not is shown. The procedure according to 12 can in the system that in the 1A - 6C will be included. The procedure according to 12 may be included as executable instructions stored in nonvolatile memory. The procedure according to 12 can be performed cooperatively with the system hardware and other methods described herein to convert an operating state of an engine or its components.

at 1202 assess the procedure 1200 Whether the present embodiment of the method 1200 a first embodiment of the method 1200 is since the vehicle and the engine stopped and shut down. The procedure 1200 can judge that the present execution of the procedure 1200 a first embodiment has been since the vehicle was turned on after the vehicle was turned off (eg, stopped without immediate restarting). In one example, the method assesses 1200 in that the present embodiment is a first embodiment when a value in memory is zero and the method has not been performed since a driver has requested to start the vehicle via a push button or a key. Judge the procedure 1200 that the present embodiment of the method 1200 a first embodiment of the method 1200 since the engine has been stopped, the answer is yes and the procedure 1200 go to 1220 above. Otherwise, the answer is no and the procedure 1200 go to 1204 above.

at 1220 determines the procedure 1200 Values for the tags AMORTIZATION TIME and VDE_USUSED. The variable AMORTIZATION TIME is a period of time required in a newly selected cylinder mode or variable displacement engine (VDE) mode to cover fuel costs for switching from a cylinder mode or VDE mode to the next cylinder mode or VDE mode. The fuel cost may be due to the engine torque being reduced via spark retard or to another setting for regulating engine torque during mode shifts. The VDE_USED_VALUE variable is a value that is a basis for determining whether cylinder mode or VDE switching is occurring at a higher frequency than desired. The value is updated based on the number of cylinder mode or VDE switches and the amount of time spent in a cylinder mode or VDE mode. VDE_OFFED is initially set to zero and AMORTIZATION TIME is determined empirically and stored in memory. In one example, the variable AMORTIZATION TIME may vary depending on the cylinder mode that is ending and the cylinder mode being activated. There may be VDE_USED variables for each cylinder mode, as in 13 shown. The procedure 1200 go to 1204 over after the variable values have been determined.

at 1204 assess the procedure 1200 Whether the engine completes a valve shutdown mode. The procedure 1200 may judge that the engine is terminating a valve deactivation mode when valves of one or more cylinders are turned on in an engine cycle (eg, when intake valves fail to open and close during an engine cycle) Open and close motor cycle). Judge the procedure 1200 in that the engine terminates a valve deactivation mode and valves of at least one cylinder are switched back on during an engine cycle, the answer is yes and the method 1200 go to 1208 above. Otherwise, the answer is no and the procedure 1200 go to 1230 above.

at 1230 assess the procedure 1200 whether the engine is operating in a valve shutdown mode. The procedure 1200 may judge that the engine is operating in a valve-shutdown mode when the intake and / or exhaust valves of an engine cylinder remain closed and do not open and close during an engine cycle. Judge the procedure 1200 in that the engine is operating in a valve deactivation mode, the answer is Yes and the method 1200 go to 1232 above. Otherwise, the answer is no and the procedure 1200 go to 1210 above.

at 1232 counts the procedure 1200 a time measurement during which one or more cylinders have valves in an off state to determine a time period during which the engine is in a shutdown mode. The engine may have more than one shutdown mode and the time in each shutdown mode may be determined. For example, an eight-cylinder engine may shut down two cylinders or four cylinders to provide two shutdown modes. The first shutdown mode is when two cylinders are turned off and the second shutdown mode is when four cylinders are turned off. The procedure 1200 determines the period during which the engine has two cylinders off and the period during which the engine shut off four Cylinder has. The procedure 1200 go to 1210 after determining a time period during which one or more engine cylinders are in a shutdown mode.

at 1208 determines the procedure 1200 a period of time to be added to or subtracted from the VDE_USED variable, based on a period of time during which one or more cylinders have valves turned off, and the AMORTIZATION TIME. A larger number is added to the VDE_USED variable when the engine is in a mode for a short period of time relative to the AMORTIZATION TIME. For example, if an eight-cylinder engine operates with valves on in four cylinders for four seconds, the process may 1200 a value of 120 add to the VDE_USABLE variable if the variable AMORTIZATION_TIME 20 is. On the other hand, if an eight-cylinder engine operates with valves on in four cylinders for 19 seconds, the process can 1200 a value of 40 add to the VDE_USABLE variable if the variable AMORTIZATION_TIME 20 is. If the eight-cylinder engine is operating in four cylinders for 45 seconds with valves on, the procedure may be 1200 Add a value of -10 to the VDE_USED variable if the variable AMORTIZATION_TIME 20 is. The value added to VDE_EXPLUSED may be a linear or non-linear function of the difference between the time that the engine spends in the cylinder deactivation mode and the value of the AMORTIZATION TIME. The procedure 1200 go to 1210 over after the value of VDE_AUSGELASTET has been set.

at 1210 subtracts the procedure 1200 a predetermined amount or a predetermined value from the VDE_USABLE tag. For example, the procedure 1210 Subtract 5 from the VDE_USED variable. By subtracting a given amount from the VDE_USED_VOLTED variable, the VDE_USED_STRUMBER variable can be driven to a value of zero. The VDE_USABLE value is limited to positive values greater than zero. The procedure 1200 go to 1212 after subtracting the given amount from the VDE_USED_LOADED variable.

at 1212 assess the procedure 1200 whether a cylinder valve shutdown is requested to reduce the number of cylinders turned on. A cylinder valve shutdown may be requested in response to lower driver demand torque or other driving conditions. Judge the procedure 1200 in that a cylinder valve deactivation is requested from the present cylinder mode or VDE mode, the answer is Yes and the method 1200 go to 1214 above. Otherwise, the answer is no and the procedure 1200 go to 1240 above.

at 1240 assess the procedure 1200 whether a cylinder valve reconnection is requested to increase the number of cylinders turned on (e.g., if it is requested that the intake valves of two cylinders be re-engaged in response to an increase in driver demand torque). Cylinder valves can be switched back on to restart a cylinder valve. The cylinder may be restarted in response to an increase in driver demand torque or another condition. Judge the procedure 1200 in that a cylinder valve reconnection is requested, the answer is Yes and the method 1200 go to 1244 above. Otherwise, the answer is no and the procedure 1200 go to 1242 above.

at 1244 allows the procedure 1200 the reconnection of deactivated cylinder valves and cylinders. The cylinder valves can over the in 6A and 6B shown or other known mechanisms are switched back. After allowing the reconnection of shut off cylinder valves, the procedure moves 1200 to the end. The valves can according to the method 22 be turned on.

at 1242 allows the procedure 1200 no turning on or turning off a different number of cylinder valves than those currently on or off. In other words, the current value of the number of valves and cylinders turned on is maintained. After maintaining the current number of cylinders turned on and off, the procedure moves 1200 to the end.

at 1214 assess the procedure 1200 whether a period of time since a cylinder valve reconnection request is greater than the value of the variable VDE_OFFED. If so, the answer is yes and the procedure 1200 go to 1216 above. Otherwise, the answer is no and the procedure 1200 go to 1242 above. In this way, the cylinder valve shutdown may be delayed until a period between a cylinder mode or VDE mode change is greater than the value for VDE_WASCHED off, which increases, when the frequency of the cylinder valve shutdown increases and decreases as the frequency of the cylinder valve shutdown decreases.

at 1216 allows the procedure 1200 Disconnection of selected cylinder valves to shut off selected cylinders. Shutdown of fuel supplied to the cylinders and termination of spark delivery to the cylinders may also be permitted. The valves can according to the method 22 be switched off.

At this point will open 13 in which an engine operating sequence according to the method of 12 is shown. The vertical lines at time T1300-T1314 represent relevant times in the sequence. 13 shows six representations and the representations are timed and occur simultaneously. In this example, shutting down a cylinder means shutting off at least the intake valves of the cylinder, which is turned off, so that the shut-off intake valves remain in closed states during an entire engine cycle. In some examples, the exhausted cylinder exhaust valves are also turned off so that the exhaust valves remain in a closed state during one cycle of the engine. Sparks and fuel are not emitted to deactivated cylinders, so no combustion takes place in deactivated cylinders. Alternatively, the cylinder deactivation may include stopping combustion and fuel injection into a cylinder while the valves of the cylinder continue to operate.

The first illustration from the top in 13 Figure 12 is an illustration of the cylinder deactivation request versus time. Engine cylinders may be shut down in response to the cylinder deactivation request. The vertical axis represents the cylinder deactivation request and the horizontal axis represents the time. The time increases from the left side of the figure to the right side of the figure. In this example, the engine is an eight-cylinder engine that can operate on four, six, or eight connected cylinders. The numbers on the vertical axis indicate for which cylinders a shutdown is requested or not requested. For example, if the trace is at level eight, the shutdown is not requested by any cylinder. If the trace is at level six, the shutdown of two cylinders is requested. Shutdown of four cylinders is requested when the trace is at level four. A cylinder deactivation request may be based on driver demand torque or other vehicle conditions. In some examples, only the intake valves of a cylinder are turned off to shut off a cylinder. In other examples, the intake valves and the exhaust valves are turned off to shut off a cylinder. If a cylinder is switched off, the spark discharge and the fuel flow end to the cylinder.

The second illustration from the top in 13 is an illustration of the cylinder connection state versus time. The cylinder lock condition provides the actual operating condition of engine cylinders. The vertical axis represents the cylinder connection state and the horizontal axis represents time. The numbers on the vertical axis indicate which cylinders are on. For example, if the trace is at level eight, all cylinders are on. If the trace is at level six, six cylinders are turned on. There are four cylinders turned on when the trace is at level four. The horizontal axis represents time and time increases from the left side of the figure to the right side of the figure.

In the third illustration from the top in 13 it is a representation of the period during which the engine is in the first cylinder mode, in this example, a six-cylinder operation. The vertical axis represents the period in the first cylinder mode and the time in the first cylinder mode increases in the direction of the vertical axis arrow. The horizontal axis represents time and time increases from the left side of the figure to the right side of the figure.

In the fourth illustration from above in 13 it is a representation of the period during which the engine is in the second cylinder mode, in this example, a four-cylinder operation. The vertical axis represents the period in the second cylinder mode and the time in the second cylinder mode increases in the direction of the arrow of the vertical axis. The horizontal axis represents time and time increases from the left side of the figure to the right side of the figure.

The fifth representation from above in 13 FIG. 12 is an illustration of the value of the VDE_USED_VOLTED variable for the first cylinder valve shutdown mode, in this example a six cylinder operation. The vertical axis represents the value of the VDE_USABLE variable in the first cylinder mode. The value corresponds to a period of time that must elapse after a request, the first Activate cylinder mode has been requested before the first cylinder mode can be activated. The horizontal axis represents time and time increases from the left side of the figure to the right side of the figure.

The sixth representation from above in 13 is a representation of the value of the VDE_USABLE variable for the second cylinder mode, in this example four cylinder operation. The vertical axis represents the value of the VDE_USED variable in the second cylinder mode. The value corresponds to a period of time that must elapse after a request to activate the second cylinder mode has been requested before the second cylinder mode can be activated. The horizontal axis represents time and time increases from the left side of the figure to the right side of the figure.

At time T1300, the engine is running on all valves and cylinders, indicating a value of eight for the cylinder lockup condition. The cylinder deactivation request does not request shutdown of valves or cylinders, and the period in the first and second cylinder modes is zero. The VDE_USABLE value for the first cylinder mode turning off the cylinder is zero. The VDE_EXGED variable for the second cylinder mode turning off the cylinder is also zero.

At time T1301, the cylinder deactivation request changes state to request the shutdown of the valves of two cylinders, so that the eight-cylinder engine operates with six cylinders on. The cylinder lock condition changes state to indicate that the engine is operating with six cylinders on and two cylinders off. The time accumulates in the first cylinder mode because the engine is in the first cylinder mode (eg working with six cylinders turned on). In the second cylinder mode, there is no accumulation of time because the engine is not operating in the second cylinder mode (eg, working with four cylinders on). The variables VDE_USEDED for the first cylinder mode and VDE_USEDED for the second cylinder mode are zero because the engine has not completed the first or second cylinder mode.

At time T1302, the cylinder deactivation request changes state to request shutdown of no cylinder valves so that the engine operates as an eight-cylinder engine. The cylinder lock condition changes state to indicate that the engine is operating with eight cylinders turned on and no valves off. The accumulation of time in the first cylinder mode ends because the engine works with all cylinder valves and as an eight-cylinder engine. In the second cylinder mode, no time accumulates because the engine is not operating in the second cylinder mode. The value for VDE_WROSTED for the first cylinder mode increases based on the period during which the engine was in the first cylinder mode.

At time T1303, the cylinder deactivation request again changes state to request the shutdown of the valves of two cylinders, so that the eight-cylinder engine operates with six cylinders on. The cylinder lock condition does not change state because the value for VDE_USEDED for the first cylinder mode is greater than the variable AMORTIZATION TIME (not shown). The VDE_USED_PAST value for the first cylinder mode decreases because a predetermined amount of time is subtracted from the first cylinder mode VDE_USED each time the procedure is executed. In the second cylinder mode, there is no accumulation of time because the engine is not operating in the second cylinder mode (eg, working with four cylinders on). VDE_EXHAUSED for the second cylinder mode is zero because the engine has not completed the second cylinder mode.

At time T1304, the value for VDE_USED_STRUSED for the first cylinder mode is equal to or less than the value for the variable AMORTIZATION_TIME, whereby the cylinder valves are turned off to provide six-cylinder operation, which is indicated by the cylinder lockup condition transitioning to the level indicative of six-cylinder engine operation indicates. The period in the first cylinder mode starts to increase. The period in the second cylinder mode remains at zero. The value for VDE_USED_PRESSED for the first cylinder valve deactivation mode continues to decrease, and the value for VDE_USED_PRESSED for the second cylinder valve deactivation mode remains at zero.

At time T1305, the cylinder deactivation request transitions to the value of eight. The cylinder-on state also changes to a value of eight based on the cylinder deactivation request. The period in the first cylinder mode is small, which increases the value of VDE_EXHAUSED for the first cylinder mode by a large amount. The VDE_EXHAUSED value for the second cylinder mode is zero because the engine was not in the second cylinder mode. Shortly thereafter, the cylinder deactivation request transitions to a value of six to request the shutdown of valves in two engine cylinders so that the engine operates as a six-cylinder engine providing air-fuel Mixtures burned in six of eight cylinders. However, the engine is not switched to six-cylinder operation, which is indicated by the cylinder lock condition maintaining a value of eight. The engine does not switch to six-cylinder mode and shuts off the valves of two cylinders, since the value for VDE_USED-OUT for the first cylinder mode is greater than the value for the variable AMORTIZATION TIME (not shown).

At time T1306, the engine enters six-cylinder mode in which the cylinder valves in two engine cylinders are shut down to shut down two cylinders. Fuel and sparks are not provided to the two deactivated cylinders. The cylinder lock condition transitions to a value of six to indicate that the engine is operating in six-cylinder mode with cylinder valves shut off in two cylinders. The period in the first cylinder mode starts to increase. The period in the second cylinder mode remains at zero. The value for VDE_EXHAUSED for the first cylinder mode continues to decrease, and the value for VDE_EXHAUSED for the second cylinder mode remains at zero.

At time T1307, the cylinder deactivation request advances to eight to request eight powered-on cylinders. The period during which the engine operates in the first cylinder mode is long, which corrects the value for VDE_USEDED for the first mode to a low value. The cylinder lock condition is converted to a value of eight to indicate that the engine has turned on all eight cylinders and valves. The period in the second cylinder mode is zero and the value for VDE_USEDED for the second cylinder mode is zero.

At time T1308, the cylinder deactivation request transitions to a value of six in response to a reduced driver demand torque (not shown). Almost at the same time, the cylinder connection state also changes to a value of six based on the cylinder deactivation request. The period in the first cylinder mode begins to increase and the period in the second cylinder mode remains at zero. The values for VDE_USEDED for the first and second valve shutdown modes are zero.

At time T1309, the cylinder deactivation request transitions to a value of four in response to the driver demand torque (not shown). The cylinder lockup condition also transitions to a value of four in response to the cylinder deactivation request value. The period in the first cylinder mode is set to zero and the VDE_USED_STRED value for the first cylinder mode is set to zero. The period in the second cylinder mode begins to increase and the VDE_WASH value for the second cylinder valve shutdown mode remains at a value of zero.

At time T1310, the cylinder valve deactivation request returns to a value of six in response to the driver demand torque (not shown) increasing. The cylinder lockup condition reverts to a value of six in response to the cylinder deactivation request. The value for VDE_WASH OFF for the second cylinder valve deactivation mode is increased in response to the short period during which the engine is operating in four-cylinder mode. The period in the first cylinder mode starts to increase and the period in the second cylinder mode is set to zero.

At time T1311, the cylinder deactivation request reverts to a value of four in response to the driver demand torque (not shown) decreasing. The cylinder lockup state remains at a value of six because the value for VDE_USEDED for the second cylinder mode is greater than the value of the variable AMORTIZATION TIME (not shown). The period in the first cylinder mode continues to increase and the period in the second cylinder mode remains at zero. The value for VDE_USEDED for the first cylinder valve shutdown mode remains at zero.

At time T1312, the cylinder deactivation request reverts to a value of six in response to the driver demand torque (not shown) increasing. The cylinder lockup condition is a value of six based on the cylinder deactivation request value. The period in the first cylinder mode continues to increase and the period in the second cylinder mode is zero. The value for VDE_EXHAUSED for the second cylinder mode continues to decrease as the engine has not been taken out of the second cylinder mode.

At time T1313, the cylinder deactivation request transitions to a value of four in response to the driver demand torque (not shown) decreasing. The cylinder lock condition remains at a value of six, because the value for VDE_USUSGELASTET for the second cylinder mode greater than the value of the AMORTIZATION TIME variable (not shown). Therefore, the valves of two cylinders are turned off, although the cylinder deactivation request is at a value of four. The period in the first cylinder mode continues to increase and the period in the second cylinder mode remains at zero. The value for VDE_USEDED for the first cylinder mode remains at zero.

At time T1314, the cylinder deactivation request remains at a value of four, and the cylinder lockup condition transitions to a value of four in response to the value of the AMORTIZATION TIME (not shown). Therefore, the valves of four cylinders are turned off and four cylinders are turned on. The period in the first cylinder mode is set to zero and the VDE_USED_STRED value for the first cylinder mode is set to zero. The period in the second cylinder mode begins to increase and the VDE_WASH value for the second cylinder mode continues to decrease.

At time T1315, the cylinder deactivation request transitions to a value of eight to request the connection of all cylinder valves and cylinders. The cylinder lock condition is converted to a value of eight to indicate that all cylinder valves and cylinders are on. The time duration in the second cylinder mode is long, which lowers the VDE_EXHAUSED value for the second valve mode, allowing a smooth transition to four-cylinder mode in which the cylinder valves of four cylinders are turned on.

Therefore, it can be observed that the activation of the different cylinder modes based on the period in a cylinder mode can be prevented relative to a payback period. Further, the cylinder modes are not disabled in response to the alternating activity between the cylinder modes. Instead, the activation of the different cylinder modes may be delayed for varying periods of time to reduce the perception of a driver's cylinder mode cycling activity.

At this point will open 14 in which a method of evaluating engine brake torque in available cylinder modes as a basis for selectively allowing cylinder deactivation is shown. The procedure according to 14 can in that in the 1A - 6C be described system. The procedure according to 14 may be included as executable instructions stored in nonvolatile memory. The procedure according to 14 can be performed cooperatively with the system hardware and other methods described herein to convert an operating state of an engine or its components.

at 1402 determines the procedure 1400 a desired engine torque and a current engine speed. The engine speed may be determined via a motor position or speed sensor. A period of time that an engine takes to move between two positions is the engine speed. The desired engine torque may be determined based on driver demand torque. In one example, the driver demand torque is based on accelerator pedal position and vehicle speed. Accelerator pedal position and vehicle speed are entered into a table of empirically determined values for driver demand torque. The driver demand torque value corresponds to a desired torque at a position along the powertrain. The position along the powertrain may be the engine crankshaft, the transmission input shaft, transmission output shaft or the vehicle wheel. If the driver demand torque is a motor torque, the output from the table is the desired or requested motor torque. Torques at other locations along the powertrain may be determined by setting a desired torque at a location based on ratios, torque multiplication devices, clutches, and torque capacities of clutches.

For example, if a driver demand torque is a wheel torque, the engine torque may be determined by multiplying the driver demand torque (or desired wheel torque) by the ratios between the wheel and the engine. Further, when the powertrain includes a torque converter, the desired wheel torque may be divided by the torque multiplication factor of the torque converter to determine engine torque. A torque transmitted via clutches can be estimated as a multiplier. For example, if there is no slip in a clutch, the torque input to the clutch corresponds to the torque output by the clutch and the multiplier value is one. The torque entered into the clutch multiplies by one the torque delivered by the clutch. If there is slippage in the clutch, the multiplier is a value from 0 to a number less than one. The multiplier value may be based on the torque capacity of the clutch. The procedure 1400 go to 1404 above.

at 1404 determines the procedure 1400 Cylinder modes that can provide the desired engine torque. In one example, an engine torque table may be provided that describes the maximum engine torque output versus cylinder mode and engine speed. The desired engine torque is compared with the engine cylinder valve control and the atmospheric pressure compensated outputs from the engine torque table maintained after the cylinder mode at the current engine speed, the current atmospheric pressure, and the current cylinder valve timing (eg, intake valve closure timing). When the engine torque table outputs a torque value greater than the desired engine torque plus offset torque, it may be determined that the cylinder mode corresponding to the torque output from the table is a cylinder mode providing the desired engine torque. The values stored in the engine torque table may be empirically determined and stored in the memory of the controller.

An example of an engine brake torque table is given in FIG 1 shown. It is an engine torque table for a four-cylinder engine. The engine torque table may include torque output values for three cylinder modes; one mode with two cylinders on, one mode with three cylinders on, and one mode with four cylinders on. The engine torque table may also include a plurality of engine speeds. The torque values between the engine speeds can be interpolated. Table 1: On-line cylinders Engine speed 500 1000 2000 3000 4000 2 39 48 52 49 43 3 58 74 79 76 65 4 77 96 104 100 88 Table 1.

Thus, Table 1 contains lines with the cylinder modes activated and engine speed columns. In this example, Table 1 gives the torque values in units of Nm. The engine braking torque values output from the brake torque table may be adjusted based on the spark timing based on the minimum torque output (MBT) spark output; the timing of the intake valve closing from a nominal timing of the intake valve closing, the air-fuel ratio of the engine and the engine temperature. The functions empirically output multipliers that modify the value of the engine braking torque output from the engine braking torque table. The desired engine braking torque is compared with the changed value output from the engine braking torque table. It should be noted that the desired wheel torque may be converted to a desired engine torque by multiplying the desired wheel torque by the ratio between the wheels and the engine. Further, determining the engine torque may include modifying the wheel torque according to the torque multiplication of the torque converter of the transmission. Additionally or alternatively, cylinder modes including various firing orders or powered cylinders in an engine cycle may also be a basis for incorporating and storing values in an engine brake torque table. The procedure 1400 go to 1406 above.

at 1406 leaves the procedure 1400 Cylinder modes that can provide the desired engine torque that is allowed. The approved cylinder modes may be included 716 in 7 be turned on.

An example using Table 1: Table 1 is maintained according to engine speed and cylinder mode. The cylinder mode starts at a minimum value, in this example two, and is incremented until it reaches the maximum cylinder mode. For example, if the engine is operating at 1000 RPM and the desired engine torque is 54 Nm, Table 1 outputs a value of 48 Nm corresponding to 1000 RPM and cylinder mode two (eg, two powered cylinders) of 74 Nm 1000 RPM and cylinder mode three (eg, three powered cylinders), and 96 Nm, which corresponds to 1000 RPM and cylinder mode four (eg, four cylinders turned on). Cylinder mode with two cylinders connected at 1000 RPM is not allowed because two cylinders connected are missing the capacity to provide the desired 74 Nm of torque. The cylinder modes with three and four cylinders are allowed. In some examples, the desired engine torque is plus a predetermined offset with values that are output from the table. If the desired engine torque plus the predetermined offset is greater than an output from the table, then the cylinder mode corresponding to the table output is not allowed. Allowed and disallowed cylinder modes can be specified by variable values stored in memory. For example, if the three-cylinder mode is allowed at 1000 RPM, a variable in memory corresponding to the three-cylinder mode at 1000 RPM may be occupied with a value of one. If cylinder mode three is not allowed at 500 RPM, a variable in memory corresponding to cylinder mode three at 500 RPM may be filled with a value of zero. The procedure 1400 moves to the end.

Therefore, the engine cylinder modes and the engine braking torque available in the cylinder modes may provide a basis for determining which cylinder mode the engine is operating on. Further, cylinder modes with lower fuel consumption may be given a selection priority, so that fuel can be saved.

At this point will open 15 in which a method for evaluating the fuel consumption of the engine in available cylinder modes as a basis for selectively allowing the cylinder deactivation is shown. The procedure according to 15 can in that in the 1A - 6C be described system. The procedure according to 15 may be included as executable instructions stored in nonvolatile memory. The procedure according to 15 can be performed cooperatively with the system hardware and other methods described herein to convert an operating state of an engine or its components.

at 1502 determines the procedure 1500 a desired engine torque and a current engine speed. The engine speed may be determined via a motor position or speed sensor. The procedure 1500 go to 1504 above.

at 1504 determines the procedure 1500 Cylinder modes that can provide the desired engine torque. In one example, the cylinder modes that can provide the desired engine torque are as in FIG 14 described determined.

at 1506 appreciates the process 1500 the fuel consumption in cylinder modes that are approved. The approved cylinder modes come from 1406 in 14 , In one example, a brake-specific fuel map or function gives in to cylinder modes of the approved cylinder modes 14 , Engine speed and desired engine torque are incorporated, a brake-specific fuel consumption. The values stored in the brake-specific fuel map may be empirically determined and stored in the memory of the controller. The value for the brake specific fuel consumption can be set based on the ignition timing based on the minimum torque output (MBT) spark output; the timing of the intake valve closing from a nominal timing of the intake valve closing, the air-fuel ratio of the engine and the engine temperature. The functions empirically output multipliers that modify the value for the brake specific fuel consumption output from the table. The brake specific fuel values for each approved cylinder mode at the current engine speed are output from the brake specific fuel map. For example, the actual number of powered cylinders is from that at 1406 example, three and four, since three and four-cylinder modes provide the desired engine torque. The procedure 1500 go to 1508 above.

at 1508 compares the procedure 1500 the fuel consumption for the approved cylinder modes that can provide the requested torque. In one example, the current fuel consumption of the engine, which may be determined from the current fuel flow rate of the engine, is compared to values output for approved cylinder modes from the brake-specific fuel map. The comparison may be made by subtracting the values output from the brake-specific fuel map from the current fuel consumption rate of the engine. Alternatively, the comparison may be based on a division of the value for the current fuel consumption of the engine by the values output from the brake-specific fuel map.

Cylinder modes are allowed to provide a percentage improvement in fuel economy of the engine that is above a threshold compared to the current cylinder mode.

Therefore, the cylinder modes and fuel consumption in the cylinder modes may be a basis for determining which cylinder mode the engine is operating on. Further, cylinder modes with lower fuel consumption may be given a selection priority, so that fuel can be saved.

At this point will open 16 in which a method of evaluating a cam phasing rate for cam torque actuated cam phasing is shown. The procedure according to 16 can in that in the 1A - 6C be described system. The procedure according to 16 may be included as executable instructions stored in nonvolatile memory. The procedure according to 16 can be performed cooperatively with the system hardware and other methods described herein to convert an operating state of an engine or its components. The procedure 1600 can be performed for each camshaft of the engine.

at 1602 determines the procedure 1600 Engine conditions. The engine conditions may include, but are not limited to, an actual total number of cylinder valves shut down during an engine cycle, engine speed, driver demand torque, vehicle speed, engine temperature, and ambient temperature. The procedure 1600 go to 1604 after the operating conditions have been determined.

at 1604 assess the procedure 1600 whether one or more cylinder valves are switched off. The procedure 1600 For example, based on a value of a bit stored in the memory, an output of a sensor that measures the valve drive position, cylinder pressure sensors or other sensors may judge that one or more cylinders are off. Judge the procedure 1600 in that one or more cylinder valves are switched off, the answer is Yes and the procedure 1600 go to 1606 above. Otherwise, the answer is no and the procedure 1600 go to 1634 above.

at 1606 assess the procedure 1600 whether an adjustment of the camshaft position relative to the crankshaft position is desired. For example, the method assesses 1600 whether it is desirable to prefer the camshaft timing by 5 degrees relative to crankshaft control so that the intake or exhaust valves open 5 degrees crankshaft rotation sooner after the camshaft position has been adjusted. The camshaft position may be adjusted in response to the driver demand torque and the engine speed. If the driver demand torque increases rapidly and the engine speed increases rapidly, it may be desirable to set the camshaft position at a higher speed relative to the crankshaft position so that the engine provides a desired level of torque and engine emissions. In one example, the method determines 1600 whether an adjustment of the camshaft position relative to the crankshaft position is desired based on an actual camshaft position relative to the crankshaft position and a change in the driver demand torque and the engine speed. Judge the procedure 1600 that a setting of the camshaft position is desired, the answer is Yes and the method 1600 go to 1608 above. Otherwise, the answer is no and the procedure 1600 go to 1634 above. In some examples 1606 be omitted and the procedure 1600 can easy too 1608 pass.

at 1608 determines the procedure 1600 a desired rate of change of camshaft position relative to crankshaft position. In one example, the method determines 1600 a desired rate of change of the camshaft position based on a rate of change of the driver demand torque. When the rate of change of the driver demand torque is small, the rate of change of the camshaft position relative to the crankshaft position is small. If the rate of change of the driver demand torque is high, then the rate of change of the camshaft position relative to the crankshaft position is high. For example, the camshaft may be advanced at 0.5 degrees crankshaft rotation per second when a change in driver demand torque is small (eg, 5 Nm / second). However, if the change in driver demand torque is high (eg, 200 Nm / second), the camshaft may be advanced at 5 degrees crankshaft rotation per second. In one example, the desired rate of change of the camshaft position relative to the crankshaft position is determined empirically and stored in a table or function in the memory. The table or function is entered based on a rate of change of the driver demand torque, the table or function outputs a desired rate of change of the camshaft position relative to the crankshaft position. The procedure 1600 go to 1610 after determining the desired rate of change of camshaft position.

at 1610 assess the procedure 1600 whether an actual total number of powered cylinder valves (eg, valves that open and close during an engine cycle) that are currently operating is sufficient to move the camshaft relative to the crankshaft at the desired rate. In one Example describes a table or function of a camshaft rate of change of position relative to the crankshaft position based on an actual total number of connected cylinder valves. The table is maintained over the actual total number of valves connected and outputs a rate of change in camshaft position relative to crankshaft position. The values in the table or function are determined empirically and stored in the memory. The output from the table or function is included with the 1608 compared to certain value. Is the camshaft rate of position change off? 1610 greater than the camshaft rate of position change off 1608 , so the answer is yes and the procedure 1600 go to 1634 above. Otherwise, the answer is no and the procedure 1600 go to 1612 above.

at 1612 assess the procedure 1600 whether the camshaft drives both the intake and exhaust valves. In one example, a bit in memory determines that the camshaft drives only the intake valves when a value of the bit is zero. If the value of the bit is one, then the camshaft drives both the intake and exhaust valves. Judge the procedure 1600 in that the camshaft drives the intake and exhaust valves, the answer is yes and the procedure 1600 go to 1630 above. Otherwise, the answer is no and the procedure 1600 go to 1614 above.

at 1614 assess the procedure 1600 whether the camshaft is an intake camshaft. The procedure 1600 For example, based on a value of a bit stored in the memory, it may judge whether the camshaft is an intake camshaft. The bit can be programmed at the time of manufacture. Judge the procedure 1600 in that the camshaft is an intake camshaft, the answer is Yes and the method 1600 go to 1616 above. Otherwise, the answer is no and the procedure 1600 go to 1620 above.

at 1620 allows the procedure 1600 the connection of one or more shut off exhaust valves. In one example, the desired rate of change in the exhaust camshaft position relative to FIG 1608 specific crankshaft position used to populate a table or function empirically determined values that describe an actual total number of valves that need to work to provide the desired rate of adjustment of the exhaust camshaft position relative to the crankshaft position. The procedure 1600 requests or allows the drive to drive the actual total number of exhaust valves output from the table or function. The exhaust valves may be turned on with or without turning on the cylinders that comprise the exhaust valves being turned on. As the driver demand torque increases, the cylinders with the exhaust valves being turned on may be turned on to increase the engine torque while increasing the change in camshaft position. When the driver demand torque decreases, the cylinders with the exhaust valves that are turned on can not be turned on, so that the fuel consumption can be reduced. The procedure 1600 go to 1634 above.

at 1634 moves the procedure 1600 the camshaft and drives valves for operating conditions, as a result, the camshaft was moved. The camshaft can be moved while valves are turned on to move the camshaft as quickly as possible to a desired position. Once the camshaft reaches its desired position relative to the crankshaft position, the cylinder valves may be shut down based on vehicle conditions other than the desired rate of change in camshaft position. Thus, valves may be re-engaged to improve a rate at which a camshaft position moves relative to a crankshaft position. The engine cylinders can also be switched on again when the cylinder valves are switched back on. The procedure 1600 advances to the end after the camshaft begins to move to its desired new position based on the driver demand torque and engine speed.

at 1616 allows the procedure 1600 the connection of one or more disconnected inlet valves. In one example, the desired rate of change in intake camshaft position relative to FIG 1608 certain crankshaft position used to populate a table or function empirically determined values that describe an actual total number of valves that need to work to provide the desired rate of adjustment of the intake camshaft position relative to the crankshaft position. The procedure 1600 requests or allows the drive to drive the actual total number of intake valves output from the table or function. The cylinders, which include the intake valves that are turned on, may be turned on or they may not burn air and fuel during engine cycles in which intake valves are operated. In one example, the cylinders with intake valves being turned on burn air and fuel in the course of engine cycles in response to an increase in driver demand torque. The cylinders with intake valves that are turned on may turn on air and fuel in response to a reduction in driver demand torque do not burn during engine cycles. Disconnected inlet valves can as in 22 be turned on.

In addition, the process can 1600 increase a level of charge provided to the engine so that the additional charge can blow exhaust gases out of the cylinder before closing the exhaust valve of the cylinder being switched back on. By removing exhaust gases from the cylinder, combustion stability can improve and the cylinder can provide additional power. In addition, an amount of overlap (eg, opening time) between the intake valves and exhaust valves of the cylinder may be increased to further allow compressed air from the intake manifold to clean the cylinder being turned on. The procedure 1600 go to 1634 over after the intake valves have been turned on.

at 1630 assess the procedure 1600 whether engine noise, vibration, and ruggedness (NVH) are below threshold levels when one or more cylinders are re-engaged and combustion occurs in the re-engaged cylinders. In one example, the method assesses 1600 based on an output from a table or function describing NVH of the engine and / or powertrain, whether turning on one or more cylinders, including the combustion of air and fuel in the re-engaged cylinder, results in higher NVH than desired. The table is maintained via the engine speed, the driver demand torque, and the cylinder mode being turned on (eg, four or six cylinder mode). The table outputs a numerical value that is determined empirically, for example via a microphone or an accelerometer. If the output value is below a threshold, the answer is Yes and the method 1600 go to 1632 above. Otherwise, the answer is no and the procedure 1600 go to 1640 above.

at 1632 allows the procedure 1600 turning on one or more cylinders via turning on the valves of the cylinder and supplying fuel, air and sparks to the cylinder. The cylinder begins to burn air and fuel when it is switched back on. Therefore, if the restarting of one or more cylinders to increase the camshaft rate of position change causes little disturbing NVH, the cylinder is switched back on by reactivating the valves of the cylinder and starting the combustion in the reclosed cylinder. The procedure 1600 go to 1634 above.

at 1640 allows the procedure 1600 the switching on of one or more valves of a deactivated cylinder, which burns no air and no fuel. When the cylinder includes shut off intake and exhaust valves, only the exhaust valves of the cylinder may be turned on to improve the rate of adjustment of the camshaft position relative to the crankshaft position. By reactivating the exhaust valves of the cylinder alone, the cam torque can be increased to improve the adjustment of the camshaft position relative to the crankshaft position without allowing air to flow through the cylinder. Stopping airflow through the cylinder can help keep the catalyst temperature high and maintain a desired amount of oxygen in the catalyst. When both the intake and exhaust valves of the cylinder are reconnected, air can flow through the cylinder after the intake and exhaust valves are turned on. Sparks and fuel are not supplied to cylinders with valves switched back on, so NVH can not degrade. The procedure 1600 go to 1642 above.

at 1642 increases the procedure 1600 an amount of fuel supplied to a connected cylinder that burns air and fuel to enrich the mixture burned by the turned-on cylinder when air flows through the cylinder where one or more valves are permitted 1640 to be turned on. By enriching the mixture of an on-cylinder, which burns air and fuel while air is flowing through a cylinder, it may be possible to maintain desired levels of hydrocarbons and oxygen in a catalyst so that the catalyst can efficiently convert exhaust gases. For example, if cylinder number eight of an eight-cylinder engine restarts its own intake and exhaust valves while cylinder number eight burns neither air nor fuel, then the air-fuel ratio of number one cylinder, which burns air and fuel, can be enriched to improve or maintain the efficiency of the catalyst. The procedure 1600 go to 1634 after the air-fuel ratio has been enriched by at least one cylinder.

Therefore, the method after 16 a method of operating an engine, comprising:
Turning on one or more deactivated cylinder valves via a controller in response to a request to move an engine camshaft; and adjusting a position of the engine camshaft relative to a position of an engine crankshaft via a torque provided via turning on one or more deactivated cylinder valves. The method includes where the one or more deactivated cylinder valves comprise an exhaust valve. The method includes where the engine cam shaft operates engine intake and exhaust valves. The method includes where the engine cam shaft operates engine exhaust valves and not engine intake valves. The method includes where the engine cam shaft operates engine intake valves and not engine exhaust valves. The method includes where the one or more deactivated cylinder valves are turned on before the position of the engine camshaft is adjusted.

The procedure according to 16 also provides a method of operating an engine, comprising:
Turning on one or more deactivated cylinder valves via a controller in response to a request to move an engine camshaft at a first condition; and not activating one or more deactivated cylinder valves via a controller in response to a request to move an engine camshaft at a second condition. The method includes where the first condition is a rate of cam movement below a threshold. The method includes where the second condition is the rate of cam movement above the threshold. The method includes where the one or more deactivated cylinder valves are in a single cylinder. The method includes where the one or more deactivated cylinder valves are in more than one cylinder. The method further comprises enriching an air-fuel ratio of a cylinder in response to turning on the one or more deactivated cylinder valves. The method includes where the air-fuel ratio of the cylinder is in a cylinder other than the cylinders that comprise one or more deactivated cylinder valves. The method further comprises moving the engine camshaft.

Now referring to 17 For example, a sequence for operating an engine according to the method is provided 16 shown. The vertical lines at time T1700- T1704 represent relevant times in the sequence. 17 shows six representations and the representations are timed and occur simultaneously. In this example, the engine is a four-cylinder engine with a firing order of 1-3-4-2. The cylinders 2 and 3 have shut-off valve actuators for shutting off the cylinders 3 and 4. The valves of the cylinders 1 and 4 are always turned on.

The first illustration from the top in 17 Figure 12 is an illustration of a camshaft movement request versus time. A camshaft movement request is a request to change a position of a camshaft relative to a position of a crankshaft. For example, if a camshaft has a cam that starts to open an intake valve of the number one cylinder of an engine 370 degrees crankshaft rotation before top dead center of the compression stroke (eg, crankshaft position at zero degrees), then the position of the engine may be Camshaft are moved relative to the crankshaft, so that the cam of the cam shaft starts to open the intake valve of the number one cylinder of the engine at 380 degrees crankshaft rotation before the top dead center of the compression stroke. As a result, the relative position of the camshaft in this example is advanced by 10 degrees crankshaft rotation relative to the crankshaft position.

sThe vertical axis represents the camshaft movement request. The trace of the cam move request is at a higher level and is acknowledged when it is desired to move the engine camshaft relative to the engine crankshaft. The trace of the cam move request is at a lower level and will not be acknowledged if it is not desired to move the engine camshaft relative to the engine crankshaft. The horizontal axis represents time and time increases from the left side of the figure to the right side of the figure.

The second illustration from the top in 17 is a representation of the camshaft position versus time. The vertical axis represents the camshaft position and the camshaft is further advanced in the direction of the arrow of the vertical axis. The horizontal axis represents time and time increases from the left side of the figure to the right side of the figure.

The third illustration from the top in 17 FIG. 12 is an illustration of the state of the shut-off cylinder intake valve. FIG. In this example, the shutdown cylinder may be cylinder number two or cylinder number three. The state of the shut-off cylinder intake valve indicates whether the intake valve of the shut-off cylinder is turned on (eg, opening and closing during an engine cycle) or switched off (eg kept closed during an entire engine cycle). The vertical axis represents the state of the shutdown cylinder intake valve. The shut-off cylinder intake valve is turned on when the trace is at a higher level near the arrow of the vertical axis. The shut-off cylinder intake valve is turned off when the trace is at a lower level near the horizontal axis. The horizontal axis represents time and time increases from the left side of the figure to the right side of the figure.

The fourth representation from above in 17 Fig. 12 is an illustration of the state of the shutdown cylinder exhaust valve. In this example, the shutdown cylinder may be cylinder number two or cylinder number three. The condition of the shutdown cylinder exhaust valve indicates whether or not the exhaust valve of the shutdown cylinder is on (eg, opens and closes during an engine cycle) or off (eg, is held closed during an engine cycle). The vertical axis represents the state of the shutdown cylinder exhaust valve. The shutdown cylinder exhaust valve is turned on when the trace is at a higher level near the arrow of the vertical axis. The shutdown cylinder outlet valve is turned off when the trace is at a lower level near the horizontal axis. The horizontal axis represents time and time increases from the left side of the figure to the right side of the figure.

The fifth representation from above in 17 Fig. 10 is an illustration of the state of the cut-off cylinder fuel flow. In this example, the shutdown cylinder may be cylinder number two or cylinder number three. The condition of the cutoff cylinder fuel flow indicates whether or not the fuel is flowing to the shutdown cylinder. The vertical axis represents the state of the cut-off cylinder fuel flow. The fuel flows to the shutdown cylinder when the trace cylinder fuel flow trace is at a higher level near the vertical axis arrow. The fuel will not flow to the shutdown cylinder if the trace cylinder fuel flow trace is at a lower level near the horizontal axis. The horizontal axis represents time and time increases from the left side of the figure to the right side of the figure.

The sixth representation from above in 17 is a representation of the air-fuel ratio of the connected cylinder. In this example, the cylinder being turned on may be cylinder number 1 or cylinder number 4. The vertical axis represents the air-fuel ratio of the on-cylinder, and the air-fuel ratio increases (becomes leaner, for example) in the direction of the arrow of the vertical axis. The horizontal axis represents time and time increases from the left side of the figure to the right side of the figure. The horizontal line 1702 represents a stoichiometric air-fuel ratio.

At time T1700 there is no camshaft movement request and the camshaft is relatively decelerated. The condition of the shut-off cylinder intake valve indicates that the shut-off cylinder intake valve is turned off (eg, does not open during one cycle of the engine). The condition of the shutdown cylinder exhaust valve indicates that the shutdown cylinder exhaust valve is off (eg, does not open during one cycle of the engine). The on-off cylinder operates at a stoichiometric air-fuel ratio and no fuel flows to the shutdown cylinder, which is indicated by the condition of the shutdown cylinder fuel flow being at a low level.

At time T1701, the camshaft movement request is confirmed, requesting a change in the camshaft position relative to a position of the engine crankshaft. The request may be initiated via an increase in driver demand torque or a change in another operating condition. The rate of change of the position of the engine camshaft relative to the position of the engine crankshaft (not shown) is greater than that achievable with the shutdown cylinder intake and exhaust valves shut off because driving fewer valves provides less torque to actuate the camshaft movement. Therefore, the intake and exhaust valves of the shut-off cylinder are turned on again, which is indicated by the state of the shut-off cylinder intake valve and exhaust valve transitioning to higher levels to indicate that the intake and exhaust valves of the shut-off cylinder are reconnected. In addition, fuel flows to the shutdown cylinder and combustion in the shutdown cylinder begins (not shown). The camshaft position is advanced while the shut-off cylinder intake and exhaust valves are turned on. The air-fuel ratio of the connected cylinders is stoichiometric.

At time T1702, the camshaft movement request transits to an unconfirmed state. The camshaft movement request may transition to unacknowledged if the Camshaft reached its destination. Further, the fuel flow stops at the shutdown cylinder and combustion in the shutdown cylinder stops (not shown). The camshaft position reaches a moderately advanced position and its position is maintained. The air-fuel ratios of the connected cylinders remain stoichiometric.

At time T1703, the camshaft movement request is again confirmed, requesting a change in camshaft position relative to a position of the engine crankshaft. The request may be initiated via an increase in driver demand torque or a change in another operating condition. The rate of change of the position of the engine camshaft relative to the position of the engine crankshaft (not shown) is greater than that achievable with the shutdown cylinder intake and exhaust valves shut off because driving fewer valves provides less torque to actuate the camshaft movement. As a result, the intake and exhaust valves of the shutdown cylinder are turned back on, which is indicated by the state of the shutdown cylinder intake valve and exhaust valve transitioning to higher levels to indicate that the intake and exhaust valves of the shutdown cylinder are reconnected. The fuel flow to the shutdown cylinders remains stopped. In this example, combustion in the shutdown cylinders is not re-initiated because it is expected that a turn on of the shutdown cylinders will generate NVH levels that are greater than desired. The camshaft position is advanced while the shutoff cylinder intake and exhaust valves are turned on. The air-fuel ratio of the connected cylinders is enriched, so that stoichiometric exhaust gases are provided to the catalyst when the enriched exhaust gas from the connected cylinders collides with oxygen from the shut-off cylinders.

At time T1704, the camshaft movement request transits to an unconfirmed state. The camshaft movement request may transition to unconfirmed when the camshaft reaches its destination. Further, the intake and exhaust valves of the shutdown cylinder are turned on, which is indicated by the conditions of the shutdown cylinder inlet and outlet valves. The camshaft position reaches a fully advanced position and its position is maintained. The air-fuel ratios of the on-off cylinders revert to a stoichiometric air-fuel ratio by purging the air-fuel mixtures of the shutdown cylinders.

Thus, cylinder intake and exhaust valves that have been shut off may be re-engaged to provide faster position adjustments of the engine camshaft. Further, stoichiometric exhaust gases may be provided to a catalyst to maintain the efficiency of the catalyst regardless of whether air or exhaust gases are exhausted from the shutdown cylinders.

At this point will open 18 in which a method of judging whether or not to shift gears is shown when cylinder mode changes are evaluated. The procedure according to 18 can in that in the 1A - 6C be described system. The procedure according to 18 may be included as executable instructions stored in nonvolatile memory. The procedure according to 18 can be performed cooperatively with the system hardware and other methods described herein to convert an operating state of an engine or its components.

at 1802 determines the procedure 1800 a desired wheel torque. In one example, the desired wheel torque is based on accelerator pedal position and vehicle speed. For example, the accelerator pedal position and the vehicle speed are entered into a table that outputs a desired wheel torque. The values in the table can be determined empirically and stored in the memory of the controller. In other examples, accelerator pedal position and vehicle speed may be entered into a table that outputs a desired engine braking torque or torque at a different location of the powertrain (eg, transmission input shaft). The output from the table is multiplied by translations between the torque location (eg, engine), torque converter multiplication, and torque losses on the powertrain to estimate the desired wheel torque. The procedure 1800 go to 1804 above.

at 1804 determines the procedure 1800 the currently selected gear. The procedure 1800 may determine the currently selected gear via a value of a location in the memory of the controller. For example, a variable in memory may be in a range of 1-10, indicating the currently selected translation. The procedure 1800 go to 1806 above.

at 1806 appreciates the process 1800 the fuel consumption of the engine in cylinder modes that can provide the desired wheel torque in the current transmission gear. The procedure 1800 determines the brake specific fuel consumption of the engine in the current transmission gear according to the method 15 , The procedure 1800 go to 1808 above.

at 1808 appreciates the process 1800 the fuel consumption of the engine in cylinder modes that can provide the desired wheel torque in the next higher gear. For example, if the transmission is currently in 3rd gear, the fuel consumption of the engine is determined to provide equivalent wheel torque with the 4th gear transmission. In one example, the method determines 1800 The current vehicle speed is divided by the ratio between the engine and the wheels including the next higher gear to estimate the engine speed in the next higher gear. The current wheel torque is divided by the ratio between the engine and the wheels to estimate the engine torque to provide an equivalent wheel torque in the next higher gear. The translation between the engine and the wheels can also compensate for the torque converter, if any. The procedure 1800 determines cylinder modes that the desired wheel torque in the next higher gear in accordance with the method 14 using the estimate of engine torque in the next higher gear that provides wheel torque equivalent to the current wheel torque. It should be noted that the present wheel torque may be the desired wheel torque. The estimated fuel consumption of the engine then becomes as described in the description of the method 15 certainly. The procedure 1800 go to 1810 above.

at 1810 appreciates the process 1800 the fuel consumption of the engine in cylinder modes, which can provide the desired wheel torque in the next lower gear. For example, if the transmission is currently in 3rd gear, the fuel consumption of the engine is determined to provide equivalent wheel torque with the transmission in 2nd gear. In one example, the method determines 1800 The current vehicle speed is divided by the ratio between the engine and the wheels, including the next lower gear, to estimate the engine speed in the next higher gear. The current wheel torque is divided by the ratio between the engine and the wheels to estimate the engine torque to provide an equivalent wheel torque in the next lower gear. The translation between the engine and the wheels can also compensate for the torque converter, if any. The procedure 1800 determines cylinder modes that the desired wheel torque in the next lower gear according to the method according to 14 using the estimate of engine torque in the next lower gear that provides wheel torque equivalent to the current wheel torque. It should be noted that the present wheel torque may be the desired wheel torque. The estimated fuel consumption of the engine then becomes as described in the description of the method 15 certainly. The procedure 1800 go to 1812 above.

In some examples, the method estimates 1800 the fuel consumption of the engine in cylinder modes, which can provide the desired wheel torque for all gears. For example, if the transmission is currently in 3rd gear and the transmission includes five forward gears, the fuel consumption of the engine is determined to provide equivalent wheel torque to the transmission in gears 1, 2, 4 and 5. In this way, it may be possible to select which gear provides the most improvement in fuel economy of the vehicle.

at 1812 leaves the procedure 1800 a connection of gears and cylinder modes that provide a percentage reduction in fuel consumption of the engine, which is above a threshold compared to the current cylinder mode and transmission gear. In one example, the engine brake specific fuel consumption in engine cylinder modes that provide the desired engine torque or wheel torque in the next higher transmission gear is divided by the brake specific fuel consumption of the engine in the current cylinder mode and gearbox. If the result is above a threshold, then the engine cylinder modes are allowed to provide the desired engine torque or wheel torque in the next higher transmission gear. Similarly, the fuel consumption of the engine in engine cylinder modes, which is the desired Provide engine torque or wheel torque in the next lower gear, compared with the fuel consumption of the engine in the current cylinder mode and current transmission gear. If the result is above a threshold, then the engine cylinder modes are allowed to provide the desired engine torque or wheel torque in the next lower gear. Additionally, it may be in accordance with the procedure 1800 It may be necessary for an expected noise level and expected vibration level in a new gear (eg, a higher or lower gear than the current gear) to be below noise and vibration thresholds. The levels of noise and vibration can be as with 22 be evaluated described. Further, the transmission may be returned to its previous gear state when an engine knock sensor or other sensor detects engine vibration that is above a threshold after a gear change.

Now referring to 19 For example, a sequence for operating an engine according to the method is provided 18 shown. The vertical lines at time T1900-T1905 represent relevant times in the sequence. 19 shows four representations and the representations are timed and occur simultaneously. In this example, the vehicle is maintained at a constant speed and the requested wheel torque is varied to maintain constant vehicle speed. The vehicle includes a four-cylinder engine.

The first illustration from the top in 19 is an illustration of a requested wheel torque versus time. In one example, requested wheel torque is based on accelerator pedal position and vehicle speed. The requested wheel torque increases in the direction of the vertical axis arrow. The horizontal axis represents time and time increases from the left side of the figure to the right side of the figure.

The second illustration from the top in 19 is a representation of the gearbox connected to the time. The vertical axis represents the currently engaged gear and the gears are indicated on the vertical axis. The horizontal axis represents time and time increases from the left side of the figure to the right side of the figure.

The third illustration from the top in 19 is a representation of the actual total number of engine cylinders connected to the time. The actual total number of powered engine cylinders is listed on the vertical axis. The horizontal axis represents time and time increases from the left side of the figure to the right side of the figure.

The fourth representation from above in 19 is a representation of the estimated fuel consumption of the engine over time. The vertical axis represents the estimated fuel consumption of the engine and the estimated fuel consumption of the engine increases in the direction of the vertical axis arrow. The horizontal axis represents time and time increases from the left side of the figure to the right side of the figure. The trace 1902 represents the fuel consumption of the engine when the engine is operated with the transmission in third gear. The trace 1904 represents the fuel consumption of the engine when the engine is operated with the transmission in second gear.

At time T1900, the requested wheel torque is at a lower middle level and the transmission is in third gear. The actual total number of engine cylinders turned on is two and the estimated fuel consumption of the engine is at an intermediate level.

Between time T1900 and time T1901, the requested wheel torque gradually increases. The engaged or present transmission gear is the third gear and the actual total number of engine cylinders engaged is two. The estimated fuel consumption of the engine for operating the engine in second gear is higher than the estimated fuel consumption of the engine for operating the engine in third gear.

At time T1901, the wheel torque has increased to a value at which the estimated fuel consumption of the engine for operating the engine while the transmission is in second gear is less than the estimated fuel consumption for operating the engine while the transmission is in third gear located. Therefore, the transmission is downshifted to increase the fuel efficiency of the vehicle. The number of cylinders turned on remains at a value of two and the estimated fuel consumption increases with increasing requested wheel torque.

At T1902, the number of cylinders turned on increases from two to three in response to the increase in requested wheel torque. The requested wheel torque and fuel consumption of the engine continue to increase. The transmission remains in second gear.

At T1903, the number of cylinders turned on increases from three to four in response to the increase in requested wheel torque. The requested wheel torque and fuel consumption of the engine continue to increase. The transmission remains in second gear when the requested wheel torque increases.

At time T1904, the requested wheel torque decreases and has dropped to a level at which the estimated engine fuel consumption for operating the third-gear vehicle is less than the estimated engine fuel consumption for operating the second-gear vehicle. Therefore, the transmission is changed to the third gear. The actual total number of cylinders turned on is also reduced in response to the decreasing requested wheel torque.

at 1904 For example, the requested wheel torque has dropped to a level at which the actual total number of cylinders turned on is reduced from three to two. The transmission remains in third gear and the estimated fuel consumption of the engine decreases with the decrease in requested engine torque.

At this point will open 20 in which a method of evaluating tow / train modes for selecting the cylinder mode or VDE mode is shown. The procedure according to 20 can in that in the 1A - 6C be described system. The procedure according to 20 may be included as executable instructions stored in nonvolatile memory. The procedure according to 20 may be performed in conjunction with the system hardware and other methods described herein to alter an operating condition of an engine or its components.

It may be more desirable to drive a cylinder with closed intake and exhaust valves and with air or exhaust trapped in the cylinder during an engine cycle because the vehicle may coast for longer because the trapped air or trapped exhaust provides a spring-like function, which reduces the braking torque of the cylinder. Further, closing the intake and exhaust valves limits the flow of air to the catalyst in the exhaust system, so that no excess fuel may need to be added to the engine exhaust gas to consume excess oxygen in the catalyst. However, during towing / pulling and downhill modes, it may be desirable to provide higher levels of cylinder braking torque, which may make it desirable to open and close intake and exhaust valves.

at 2002 assess the procedure 2000 whether the engine is or should be in fuel cut mode for deceleration. In the fuel cutoff mode for deceleration, one or more engine cylinders may be shut off by stopping fuel flow to the cylinders. Further, the gas flow may be stopped by one or more cylinders via shutdown of intake valves or intake and exhaust valves of a cylinder that is shut off in closed positions when the engine is rotating through an engine cycle. Thus, deactivated cylinders do not burn air and fuel. In one example, the method assesses 2000 in that the engine should be in a fuel cut-off mode for deceleration when the driver demand decreases from a higher value to a lower value and the vehicle speed is above a limit speed. Judge the procedure 2000 that the engine should be in the fuel cut-off mode for deceleration, the answer is yes and the procedure 2000 go to 2004 above. Otherwise, the answer is no and the procedure 2000 go to 2020 above.

at 2020 drives the process 2000 all engine cylinders and all cylinder valves are switched on. Furthermore, all engine cylinders burn air and fuel mixtures. Alternatively, less than all engine cylinders may be turned on when driver demand torque is low. The procedure 2000 advances to the end after the cylinders are turned on.

at 2004 assess the procedure 2000 whether the vehicle is in towing or towing mode. In one example, the method assesses 2000 based on an operating state of a pushbutton, a switch or a variable in the memory, that the vehicle is in a towing or towing mode. Judge the procedure 2000 that the vehicle is in a towing or towing mode, the answer is yes and the procedure 2000 go to 2006 above. Otherwise, the answer is no and the procedure 2000 go to 2030 above.

A vehicle may include a transmission that shifts according to a first shift schedule (eg, gearshifts based on driver demand torque and vehicle speed) when the vehicle is not in a towing or towing mode. The transmission of the vehicle switches in a towing or towing mode according to a second circuit diagram. The second circuit diagram can be used at higher Upshift demand torques and higher vehicle speeds than the first circuit diagram. The second shift schedule may downshift at higher vehicle speeds to increase powertrain braking.

at 2006 determines the procedure 2000 a desired level of engine braking torque for cylinders that do not burn air and fuel. In one example, the desired amount of engine braking torque may be an empirically determined input to a table or function. The table or function can be entered via the driver demand torque, the vehicle speed and the transmission gear. The table outputs the desired engine braking torque (eg, a negative braking torque that the engine provides to the powertrain to decelerate the vehicle driveline). The procedure 2000 go to 2008 over after the desired engine braking torque has been determined.

at 2008 switches the procedure 2000 the gears according to a second gearshift diagram. For example, at a driver demand torque greater than 50 Nm and a vehicle speed of 16 KPH, the transmission may shift up from first to second gear. The second transmission gearshift shifts gears at higher engine speeds and higher vehicle speeds than the first transmission gearshift schedule. The second transmission gearshift shifts gears even at higher engine speeds and higher vehicle speeds than the first transmission shift schedule to provide additional engine braking as compared to the first transmission gearshift schedule. The second transmission gearshift shifts gears at lower engine speeds and lower vehicle speeds than the third transmission gearshift. The second transmission gearshift shifts gears at lower engine speeds and lower vehicle speeds than the third transmission shift schedule to provide fewer engine brakes as compared to the third transmission gearshift schedule. The procedure 2000 go to 2010 over after the gears have been shifted in accordance with the second transmission shift schedule.

at 2010 determines the procedure 2000 the cylinder deactivation mode of each deactivated cylinder to achieve the desired engine braking torque provided via deactivated cylinders. It should be noted that the cylinder deactivation mode is different from the cylinder mode. The cylinder deactivation mode defines how the valves of a deactivated cylinder are driven while the cylinder mode defines the actual total number of cylinders turned on and the cylinders that are on. In one example, a cylinder having intake and exhaust valves that open and close during an engine cycle without fuel injection (eg, a first cylinder deactivation mode) and combustion is assigned a first brake torque. A cylinder with intake valves kept closed over one engine cycle and exhaust valves that open and close over the engine cycle without fuel injection (eg, a second cylinder deactivation mode) are assigned a second brake torque. A cylinder with intake and exhaust valves kept closed over an engine cycle without fuel injection (eg, a third cylinder deactivation mode) is assigned a third braking torque. The first braking torque is greater than the second braking torque and the second braking torque is greater than the third braking torque. Therefore, the engine cylinders can provide three levels of braking torque in three different cylinder deactivation modes, and the desired braking torque can be provided by driving different cylinders at different braking torque generation levels.

Further, the assigned brake torque values for each of the three cylinder deactivation modes may be adjusted via an adjustment of the timing of the intake valve closing. For example, the assigned values for the braking torque may be increased by delaying the timing of the intake valve closing. Likewise, the assigned braking torque values may be lowered by advancing the timing of the intake valve closing. In one example, a valve control compensation function entered via outputs related to the timing of the intake valve closure outputs a value that is multiplied by the assigned first brake torque, the assigned second brake torque, and the assigned third brake torque to cylinder brake torque compensated values by the valve timing control which are used to determine, by the valve control, compensated brake torque values provided by the cylinders in the various cylinder modes. In addition, an atmospheric pressure compensating function that is applied after the atmospheric pressure outputs a value that is multiplied by the brake torque compensated by the valve timing to provide values for the atmospheric pressure and the valve timing compensated braking torque provided by the cylinders in the various cylinder deactivation modes become. The intake and exhaust valve controls for each cylinder deactivation mode may be adjusted to increase or decrease the brake torque, that of the three Cylinder deactivation modes based on the atmospheric pressure and the desired engine braking torque is provided. For example, as the atmospheric pressure decreases and the desired braking torque increases, the intake valve control may be retarded in each of the three cylinder deactivation modes to compensate for the lower atmospheric pressure and higher desired braking torque.

In one example, the method determines 2000 the valve drive for the engine cylinders according to the desired engine braking torque and the amount of valve timing and atmospheric pressure compensated braking torque that each cylinder provides in the various operating modes. For example, in the case of a four-cylinder engine whose desired engine braking torque is 2.5 Nm, the deactivation modes of each cylinder are based on the valve timing and atmospheric pressure compensated braking torques that provide the cylinders in the three different cylinder deactivation modes described above. When one cylinder provides 0.25Nm of brake torque in the first cylinder deactivation mode, 0.5Nm in the second cylinder deactivation mode, and 1Nm in the third cylinder deactivation mode, the four-cylinder engine is operated with two cylinders in the third cylinder deactivation mode and two cylinders in the first cylinder deactivation mode.

The cylinder deactivation mode for each cylinder may be determined by the method 2000 determining which evaluates engine braking torque for all engine cylinders operating in the first cylinder deactivation mode. When the engine braking torque for operating the engine with all cylinders in the first cylinder deactivation mode is greater than or equal to the desired engine braking torque, all engine cylinders are allowed to operate in the first cylinder deactivation mode, in which the intake valves and exhaust valves are kept closed while the engine is running Motorcycle turns. If the engine braking torque for operating the engine with all cylinders in the first cylinder deactivation mode is less than the desired engine braking torque, then an engine braking torque is determined for operating the engine with one cylinder in the second cylinder deactivation mode and three cylinders in the first cylinder deactivation mode. When the engine braking torque for operating the engine with one cylinder in the second cylinder deactivation mode and three cylinders in the first cylinder deactivation mode is greater than or equal to the desired engine braking torque, a cylinder is allowed to operate in the second cylinder deactivation mode and three cylinders operate in the first cylinder deactivation mode , Otherwise, an engine torque is determined to operate the engine with two cylinders in the second cylinder deactivation mode and two cylinders in the first cylinder deactivation mode. In this manner, the cylinder deactivation modes of each cylinder may be sequentially incremented from the first cylinder deactivation mode to the third cylinder deactivation mode until the engine cylinder deactivation modes that provide the desired engine braking torque are determined.

If the vehicle is not in tow / train or downhill mode, it may be determined to be in a fuel economy mode during deceleration conditions. Therefore, an actual number of engine cylinders having intake and exhaust valves kept closed during one engine cycle and burning no air and no fuel can be increased to improve the coasting time and fuel economy of the vehicle. For example, the command may be issued to keep the intake and exhaust valves of all engine cylinders closed during one engine cycle. The procedure 2000 go to 2050 above.

at 2050 allows the procedure 2000 the shutdown of the engine cylinders and their shutdown modes which provide the desired engine braking torque. According to the cylinder deactivation modes, the valves are allowed to be turned on or off, and no fuel is injected into the cylinders, so no combustion occurs in the fuel cut-off mode for decelerating in the cylinders.

at 2030 assess the procedure 2000 whether the vehicle is in a downhill mode. In one example, the method assesses 2000 based on an operating state of a pushbutton, a switch or a variable in the memory, that the vehicle is in a downhill mode. Judge the procedure 2000 that the vehicle is in a downhill mode, the answer is yes and the procedure 2000 go to 2032 above. Otherwise, the answer is no and the procedure 2000 go to 2040 above.

In one example, the vehicle is regulated to a requested or desired speed when the accelerator pedal is not applied via a regulation of negative torque generated in downhill mode via the engine and vehicle brakes. The vehicle may activate downhill mode via accelerator release. Furthermore, engine braking may be in downhill mode be regulated by adjusting the engine valve control. Further, the gears may be shifted to provide desired braking on the vehicle wheels via the engine.

at 2032 determines the procedure 2000 a desired level of engine braking torque for cylinders that do not burn air and fuel. In one example, the desired amount of engine braking torque may be an empirically determined input to a table or function. The table or function may be specific to downhill mode and may differ from the table or function for towing / towing mode. The table or function can be entered via the driver demand torque, the vehicle speed and the transmission gear. The table outputs the desired engine braking torque (eg, a negative braking torque that the engine provides to the powertrain to decelerate the vehicle driveline). The procedure 2000 go to 2034 over after the desired engine braking torque has been determined.

at 2034 switches the procedure 2000 the gears according to a third gearshift diagram. The third transmission gearshift shifts gears at higher engine speeds and higher vehicle speeds than the first and second transmission shifts. The third transmission gearshift shifts gears even at higher engine speeds and higher vehicle speeds than the first and second transmission shifts to provide additional engine braking as compared to the first and second transmission shifts. The procedure 2000 go to 2010 over after the gears have been shifted in accordance with the third transmission shift schedule.

at 2040 determines the procedure 2000 a desired level of engine braking torque for cylinders that do not burn air and fuel. In one example, the desired amount of engine braking torque may be an empirically determined input to a table or function. The table or function may be specific to the fuel cut-off mode that does not belong to tow / pull mode or downhill mode. The table or function can be entered via the driver demand torque, the vehicle speed and the transmission gear. The table outputs the desired engine braking torque (eg, a negative braking torque that the engine provides to the powertrain to decelerate the vehicle driveline). The procedure 2000 go to 2042 over after the desired engine braking torque has been determined.

at 2042 switches the procedure 2000 the gears according to a first gearshift diagram. The first transmission gearshift shifts gears at lower engine speeds and lower vehicle speeds than the second and third gearshift diagrams. The first transmission gearshift shifts gears even at lower engine speeds and lower vehicle speeds than the second and third transmission shifts to provide fewer engine brakes compared to the second and third transmission shifts. The procedure 2000 go to 2010 over after the gears have been shifted in accordance with the first transmission shift schedule.

In this manner, cylinders may be operated in various modes in which valves may be turned on or off to regulate engine braking while stopping fuel flow to the engine cylinders. Different cylinders may be operated in different modes to provide the desired engine braking torque.

Now referring to 21 For example, a sequence for operating an engine according to the method is provided 20 shown. The vertical lines at time T2100-T2108 represent relevant times in the sequence. 21 shows six representations and the representations are timed and occur simultaneously.

The first illustration from the top in 21 Figure 11 is an illustration of a fuel cutoff condition for deceleration against time. The vertical axis represents the fuel cutoff state for deceleration. The engine is in the fuel cutoff mode for deceleration when the trace is at a higher level near the arrow of the vertical axis. The engine is not in the fuel cut-off mode for deceleration when the trace is at a lower level near the horizontal axis. The horizontal axis represents time and time increases from the left side of the figure to the right side of the figure.

The second illustration from the top in 21 is a representation of downhill mode versus time. The vertical axis represents downhill mode and the vehicle is in downhill mode when the trace is at a higher level near the vertical axis arrow. The vehicle is not in Downhill mode when the trace is at a lower level near the horizontal axis. The horizontal axis represents time and time increases from the left side of the figure to the right side of the figure.

The third illustration from the top in 21 is a representation of the towing / pulling state versus time. The vertical axis represents the towing / traction mode and the vehicle is in towing / traction mode when the tracing is at a higher level near the arrow of the vertical axis. The vehicle is not in tow / pull mode when the trace is at a lower level near the horizontal axis. The horizontal axis represents time and time increases from the left side of the figure to the right side of the figure.

The fourth representation from above in 21 is a representation of the transmission gear versus time. The vertical axis represents the gear and the gears are indicated on the vertical axis. The horizontal axis represents time and time increases from the left side of the figure to the right side of the figure.

The fifth representation from above in 21 is an illustration of the state of the Zylindertellerventils against time. The state of the poppet valve can be turned on (eg, poppet valves open and close during an engine cycle), off (eg, poppet valves do not open and close during an engine cycle), partially on (PA) (eg intake valves are kept closed during an engine cycle and exhaust valves open and close over the engine cycle). The horizontal axis represents time and time increases from the left side of the figure to the right side of the figure.

The sixth representation from above in 21 Fig. 10 is an illustration of the state of fuel injection versus time. The vertical axis represents the fuel injection state and the fuel injection state is turned on when the trace is near the arrow of the vertical axis. Fuel injection is disabled when the trace is near the horizontal axis. The horizontal axis represents time and time increases from the left side of the figure to the right side of the figure.

At the time 2100 The engine cylinders are turned on and the cylinder valves open and close over the engine cycle as the engine rotates and burns air and fuel since the poppet valves are on and there is no fuel cutoff for deceleration. The vehicle is neither in downhill mode nor in towing / towing mode. The transmission of the vehicle is in third gear and all cylinder poppet valves are on (opening and closing eg beyond the engine cycle). The fuel injection is turned on and fuel is delivered to the engine cylinders.

at 2101 the engine enters the fuel cutoff mode for deceleration. The engine may enter the fuel cutoff mode for deceleration in response to a low driver demand torque and the vehicle speed being above a threshold. The vehicle is neither in downhill mode nor in towing / towing mode. The transmission of the vehicle is in third gear and all cylinder poppet valves are switched off (eg they do not open and close over the engine cycle). The cylinder poppet valves are turned off so that the engine cylinders respond in response to a low engine braking torque (not shown) in a third cylinder deactivation mode. Further, exhaust gas or fresh air is trapped in the cylinder, so that there is a spring-like effect on the piston. The closed intake and exhaust valves reduce engine pumping losses and can extend the distance over which the vehicle rolls. Closing the intake and exhaust valves of the engine also stops the pumping of fresh air to the catalyst in the exhaust system by the engine, so that the catalyst is not cooled down as much as if fresh air were flowing to the catalyst. Further, the amount of oxygen stored in the catalyst is not increased, so that the efficiency of the catalyst may be high when the engine cylinders resume combustion. The fuel injection into the cylinders of the engine is also terminated so that combustion does not occur in the engine cylinders.

At the time 2102 The engine exits the fuel cut-off mode to decelerate and the poppet valves of the cylinder valves are turned back on, which indicates the course of the poppet valve state. The fuel injection is also switched back on and combustion begins in the engine cylinder. The engine may exit the fuel cut to decelerate in response to an increase in driver demand torque or vehicle speed below a threshold. The vehicle is neither in downhill mode nor in towing / towing mode. The transmission of the vehicle is in third gear.

At the time 2103 the vehicle enters the downhill mode. The vehicle may enter the downhill mode by a driver pressing a push button or other input device. The vehicle is not in fuel cut-off mode for deceleration and is not in towing / traction mode. The transmission of the vehicle is in third gear and the poppet valves of the cylinder are switched on. In addition, fuel is injected into the engine cylinder and the engine burns air and fuel.

At the time 2104 the engine enters the fuel cutoff mode for deceleration while in downhill mode. The vehicle is not in towing / traction mode and the transmission is in third gear. The poppet valves of the cylinder are partially de-energized in response to a mid-stage engine braking torque request while the engine is rotating (eg, intake valves are held closed during an engine cycle and exhaust valves open and close during the engine cycle). The engine cylinders are in a second cylinder deactivation mode when the engine braking torque is in the middle stage. However, engine cylinders may enter the first mode when the vehicle is accelerating at a higher rate than desired. Likewise, the engine cylinders may enter the third cylinder deactivation mode as the vehicle decelerates faster than desired. The fuel injection is switched off, so there is no combustion in engine cylinders.

At the time 2105 In response, the vehicle exits the fuel cutoff mode to decelerate that an increasing driver demand torque or vehicle speed is below a limit speed (not shown). The vehicle remains in downhill mode and the transmission is in third gear. The vehicle is not in towing / traction mode and the cylinder valve valves are turned on again. Fuel injection into the engine cylinders is also re-engaged, causing the engine cylinders to resume combustion of air and fuel.

Between the time 2105 and the time 2106 the vehicle exits the downhill mode. The driver may request to exit the downhill mode by making an input to the vehicle or engine controller. The other engine / vehicle conditions remain at their previous levels.

At the time 2106 the vehicle enters the towing / pulling mode. The vehicle may enter the towing / pulling mode by a driver actuating a pushbutton or a switch that provides the vehicle or engine control or input. The other engine / vehicle conditions remain at their previous levels.

At the time 2107 For example, in response to a low driver demand torque and a vehicle speed exceeding a limit speed, the engine enters the fuel cutoff mode for deceleration. The vehicle is also in towing / pulling mode. The transmission of the vehicle is briefly downshifted to second gear after it has entered the fuel cutoff mode to decelerate to boost engine braking via an increase in engine speed (not shown). In response to an engine braking torque request at a higher level (not shown), all engine cylinder poppet valves remain on. The fuel injection into the engine cylinders is stopped and the engine does not burn air and fuel when the engine is turning. Driving all the cylinder valves while the engine throttle is closed (not shown) increases engine pumping losses and engine braking torque.

at 2108 In response, the vehicle exits from the fuel cutoff mode for deceleration, such that an increase in driver demand torque or engine speed is reduced to a level below a threshold. The vehicle remains in towing / pulling mode and the cylinder valve valves are still switched on.

In this manner, cylinder modes may be used in which cylinder poppet valves are variously driven to vary the engine braking torque so that a desired engine braking torque may be provided by the engine of the vehicle. Further, some engine cylinders may be in a first mode of operation while other engine cylinders are in a second or third mode of operation, such that the desired engine braking torque may be provided.

At this point will open 22 in which a method for selecting a cylinder mode from available cylinder modes is shown. The procedure according to 22 can in that in the 1A - 6C be described system. The procedure according to 22 may be included as executable instructions stored in nonvolatile memory. The procedure according to 22 may be performed in conjunction with the system hardware and other methods described herein to alter an operating condition of an engine or its components.

at 2202 assess the procedure 2200 whether ground conditions exist to allow cylinder modes in which cylinders can be shut down. The ground states may include, but are not limited to, the engine temperature is above a threshold, the exhaust aftertreatment temperature is above a threshold, the battery state of charge is above a threshold, and the engine speed is above a threshold. The procedure 2200 checks whether the conditions exist or not by monitoring different system sensors. Judge the procedure 2200 that there are ground conditions for cylinder deactivation and variable displacement engine operation, the answer is Yes and the method 2200 go to 2204 above. Otherwise, the answer is no and the procedure 2200 go to 2220 above.

at 2220 calls for the procedure 2200 all engine cylinders are on, burning air and fuel. The intake and exhaust valves of connected cylinders open and close during an engine cycle, so that air and combustion products flow through connected cylinders. The spark and fuel delivery is also on, burning fuel-air mixtures in on-board cylinders. The procedure 2200 moves to the end.

at 2204 appreciates the process 2200 Noise, vibration and roughness (NVH) in the available cylinder modes. In one example, a noise table empirically outputs certain expected audible noise levels for the engine / vehicle. The noise table is entered via the actual total number of engine cylinders connected, the engine speed and the engine torque. A vibration table empirically outputs expected levels of audible noise to the engine / vehicle. The vibration table is entered via the cylinder mode, the engine speed and the engine torque. The noise and vibration values are output for the current engine speed, the engine speed after a transmission gear shift, the current driver demand torque, and the driver demand torque after a transmission shift. In addition, the process can 2200 compare the outputs of vibration sensors (eg, an engine knock sensor) and acoustic sensors with threshold levels, with the purpose of eliminating currently disabled cylinder deactivation modes that can not provide a desired level of noise and vibration. The procedure 2200 go to 2206 above.

at 2206 rate the procedure 2200 Noise and vibration outputs from the noise and vibration tables when the expected noise level from a table output exceeds a threshold, or when the expected vibration level from a table output exceeds a threshold, the cylinder mode that provided the expected noise and expected vibration is determined by the currently available cylinder modes excluded. For example, when the expected engine noise for operating a four-cylinder engine in a second cylinder mode with two cylinders on 2000 RPM exceeds a threshold at the current driver demand torque or driver demand torque after a transmission shift, then the second cylinder mode becomes 2000 RPM excluded from a list of available cylinder modes.

Alternatively, or in addition, the process can 2200 Compare noise and vibration sensor outputs with thresholds. When the engine noise exceeds a threshold in a currently-on cylinder mode, the currently-on cylinder mode is excluded from the available cylinder modes, so a cylinder mode providing less engine noise can be selected. Likewise, when the engine noise exceeds a threshold in a currently-on cylinder mode, the currently engaged cylinder mode is excluded from the available cylinder modes, so a cylinder mode providing less engine noise can be selected.

In addition, the process can 2200 Allow cylinder modes in which the expected cylinder blow-through air (eg, the airflow from the engine's intake manifold to the engine's exhaust manifold not involved in combustion) is expected to be below a threshold immediately after a cylinder mode change. It may be desirable to avoid cylinder mode change when the cylinder blow-through air is above the threshold to avoid interfering oxygen in a catalyst downstream of the engine. The engine cylinder blow-through rate may be determined in accordance with U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 13 / 293,015, filed November 9, 2011, which is hereby fully incorporated by reference for all purposes. In one example, a table or function indicates an engine or engine Cylinder flow rate based on cylinder mode, engine speed and cylinder valve control off. If the output from the table is below the limit, the cylinder mode can be allowed. The procedure 2200 go to 2208 above.

at 2208 leaves the procedure 2200 Cylinder modes that are available and that have not been excluded from the available cylinder modes. Furthermore, transmissions are authorized that have been available and not excluded. Cylinder modes may be allowed to ultimately contribute to operating the engine 716 in 7 can be selected. A cylinder mode in which all engine cylinders are on is always an approved cylinder mode unless engine or valve wear is present. In one example, a matrix containing cells representing cylinders is used to track approved and excluded cylinder modes. Cylinder modes may be allowed by inserting a value of one in cells corresponding to available cylinder modes. Cylinder modes may be eliminated by inserting a value of zero in cells corresponding to cylinder modes that have become unavailable or excluded from engine operation. As noted previously, different cylinder modes may have an equal number of actual total connected cylinders while having different powered cylinders. For example, if it is determined desirable to operate three cylinders of a four-cylinder engine to meet driver demand torque, then cylinder mode numbers three and four may be permitted, with cylinder mode three having a firing order of 1-3-2 and cylinder mode four firing order from 3-4-2. In one engine cycle, cylinder mode three can be turned on. During a subsequent engine cycle, cylinder mode four may be turned on. In this way, the firing order of the engine can be varied while maintaining an actual total number of cylinders turned on. The procedure 2200 moves to the end.

In this way it can be identified which cylinder deactivation modes are to be provided or excluded. Further, any ground conditions must be met before available cylinder modes can be made into allowable cylinder modes for engine operation.

At this point will open 23 in which a method for regulating engine intake manifold absolute pressure (MAP) during a fuel cutoff mode for deceleration is shown. The procedure according to 23 can in that in the 1A - 6C be described system. The procedure according to 23 may be included as executable instructions stored in nonvolatile memory. The procedure according to 23 can be performed cooperatively with the system hardware and other methods described herein to convert an operating state of an engine or its components.

at 2302 assess the procedure 2300 whether the engine is or should be in fuel cut mode for deceleration. In the fuel cutoff mode for deceleration, one or more engine cylinders, which may include all engine cylinders, may be shut off by stopping fuel flow to the cylinders. Further, the gas flow may be stopped by one or more cylinders via shutdown of intake valves or intake and exhaust valves of a cylinder that is shut off in closed positions when the engine is rotating through an engine cycle. In one example, the method assesses 2300 in that the engine should be in a fuel cut-off mode for deceleration when the driver demand decreases from a higher value to a lower value and the vehicle speed is above a limit speed. Judge the procedure 2300 that the engine should be in the fuel cut-off mode for deceleration, the answer is yes and the procedure 2300 go to 2304 above. Otherwise, the answer is no and the procedure 2000 go to 2320 above.

at 2320 operates the procedure 2300 the motor to provide a desired amount of torque. The desired amount of torque may be driver demand torque or based on driver demand torque. The valves of the engine are turned on as required to provide the desired torque, and the engine burns air and fuel to provide the desired torque.

The procedure 2300 advances to the end after providing the desired amount of torque.

at 2304 determines the procedure 2300 a desired pressure in the intake manifold and an actual total number of cylinder intake valve opening events (eg, the intake valves of each cylinder open once during an intake stroke of the cylinder with opening intake valves) or Cylinder intake strokes that introduce air to reduce the pressure in the intake manifold to a desired intake manifold pressure. The actual total number of cylinder intake valve opening events may allow better inferences of intake manifold pressure than the time necessary to pump the pressure in the intake manifold. In one example, the methods used in U.S. Patent No. 6,708,102 or U.S. Patent No. 6,170,475 which are fully incorporated herein for all purposes to estimate the pressure in the intake manifold for a desired number of intake valve opening events or intake strokes in the future. For example, in response to activation of the fuel cutoff mode for deceleration, the throttle may follow a predetermined course from its current position to a fully closed position. The predicted throttle position can be estimated from the given curve using the following equation: θ (k + 1) = θ (k) + [θ (k) - θ (k-1)] where θ (k + 1) is the throttle position estimate at the next engine intake event; θ (k) is the measured throttle position at the current engine intake event; and θ (k-1) is the measured throttle position at the previous engine intake event.

wobei P_amb und P_{amb_nom} den aktuellen Umgebungsdruck und den nominalen Wert für den Umgebungsdruck (z. B. 101 kPa) darstellen. Die Motorpumpparameter α₁(N) und α₂(N) werden von den statischen Motorzuordnungsdaten regrediert, welche bei nominalen Umgebungszuständen erhalten wurden. Nachdem dieser Ausdruck in die dynamische Gleichung für den Druck im Ansaugkrümmer substituiert und beide Seiten differenziert wurden, um die Änderungsrate für den Druck im Ansaugkrümmer zu erhalten, erhält man:

The gas in the intake manifold of the engine is fresh air and the pressure in the engine intake manifold is directly connected to the cylinder air charge. Throttle position, intake manifold pressure, intake manifold temperature, and engine speed are determined by the different engine sensors. The starting point for determining the pressure build-up in the intake manifold is a standard dynamic model that regulates the change in intake manifold pressure as follows: P _m = R / TV (MAF-M _cyl ) wherein T is the temperature in the intake manifold according to the intake manifold temperature sensor measurement, V is the volume of the intake manifold, R is the specific gas constant, MAF is the mass flow rate into the intake manifold, and M _{cyl is} the flow rate into the cylinder. The mass flow rate into the cylinders (M _cyl ) is represented as a linear function of the pressure in the intake manifold, wherein the slope and y-intercept depend on engine speed and ambient conditions as follows:

where P _amb and P _{amb_nom represent} the current ambient pressure and the nominal value for ambient pressure (eg 101 kPa). The engine pump parameters α ₁ (N) and α ₂ (N) are regressed from the static engine allocation data obtained at nominal ambient conditions. After substituting this expression into the dynamic pressure manifold pressure equation and differentiating both sides to obtain the intake manifold pressure change rate, one obtains:

The dynamics governing the change in engine speed are slower than the intake manifold dynamics. A good trade-off between performance and simplicity is keeping α ₁ (slope) and omitting α ₂ (y intercept). With this simplification, the second derivative of P _{m is} given by: P .. = R / TV [d / dtMAF -α ₁ P. _m - α. ₁ P _m

In order to discretize the above equation, dP is defined _m (k) as a discrete version of the time derivative of P _m, that is dP _m (k) = (P _m (k + 1) - P _m (k)) / At, thereby obtaining: dP _m (k + 1) = (1-Δtα ₁ (N (k) R / TV) dP _m + R / TV [MAF (k + 1) -R / TV [α ₁ (N (k + 1) ) - α ₁ (N (k))] P _m (k)

wobei P_amb und P_{amb_nom} für den aktuellen und nominalen (d. h. 101 kPa) absoluten Umgebungsdruck stehen, T_amb und T_{amb_nom} für die aktuelle und nominale (d. h. 300 K) absolute Umgebungstemperatur stehen und C(ө) die Schallflusseigenschaft der Drossel ist, welche von den statischen Motordaten ausgehend erhalten wurde. Fn_Unterschall ist die Standardkorrektur für die Unterschallströmung:

wobei P_m (k) die aktuelle Messung des Drucks im Ansaugkrümmer ist. Für die Umsetzung im Inneren des Fahrzeugs kann die Funktion Fn_Unterschall als eine tabellarisierte Nachschlagefunktion für das Druckverhältnis implementiert werden. In diesem Falle sollte der Umfang der Steigung begrenzt werden, um ein Oszillationsverhalten unter Zuständen einer weit geöffneten Drossel zu verhindern, und zwar möglicherweise durch ein Erweitern des Nulldurchgangs der Funktion auf einen Wert des Druckverhältnisses, der knapp über 1 liegt. Thus, this equation defines the predicted rate of change in intake manifold pressure around an engine event in the future used to determine the future intake manifold pressure values. However, the signals from the next (k + 1) time to time k are not available. To implement the right-hand side, instead of its value at time k + 1, we use the one event before the predicted value for the MAF signal at time k, which was obtained by using one event before the prediction of the throttle position as follows:

where P _amb and P _{amb_nom represent} the current and nominal (ie, 101 kPa) absolute ambient pressures, T _amb and T _{amb_nom represent} the current and nominal (ie, 300 K) absolute ambient temperatures, and C (ө) is the sonic flux characteristic of the throttle obtained from the static engine data. Fn_Underschall is the default correction for subsonic flow:

where P _m (k) is the current measurement of intake manifold pressure. For implementation inside the vehicle, the function Fn_Unterschall can be implemented as a tabulated look-up function for the pressure ratio. In this case, the magnitude of the slope should be limited to prevent oscillatory behavior under wide open throttle conditions, possibly by extending the zero crossing of the function to a value of the pressure ratio that is just above 1.

There are several different choices available to obtain the quantity MAF (k) to use to determine the future rate of change in intake manifold pressure. The following formula, which uses the previous predicted throttle position value and the current intake manifold pressure value, provides the best overshoot and stability performance at wide throttle:

To avoid the engine speed prediction, we estimate α ₁ by subtracting the old value of one event from the present, rather than deducting the present value of α ₁ from the prediction one step earlier. The above changes cause the dP _m signal, which corresponds to the one event before the predicted value for the time derivative for P _m , ie the rate of change of the future pressure in the intake manifold: dP + 1 / n (k) = (1 -Δtα ₁ (N (k)) R / TV) dP + 1 / m (k-1) + R / TV [MAF ^{+ 1} (k) - MAF (k )] - R / TV [α ₁ (N (k)) α ₁ (N (k-1))] P _m (k)

It should be noted that the value for dP _m ^{+ 1} (k) depends only on the signals available at the intake event k. Therefore, it can be used as follows in the prediction of the pressure in the intake manifold: P + 1 / m (k) = P _m (k) + Δtd P + 1 / m (k - 1) P + 2 / m (k) = P _m (k) + Δtd P + 1 / m (k-1) + Δtd P + 1 / m (k) where P _m + 1 (k) and P _m + 2 (k) are one and two-step forecasts before pressure in the intake manifold. The engine intake manifold pressure equations may be extended beyond two intake events in the future to a number of intake events that provide the desired pressure in the intake manifold. In one example, the desired pressure in the intake manifold during the deceleration mode may be determined empirically and stored in memory. For example, the desired pressure in the intake manifold may be determined empirically based on the atmospheric pressure and the vehicle speed and stored in the memory. In one example, the desired pressure in the engine intake manifold, a pressure in the intake manifold when the engine is operating at idle speed when the driver demand torque is zero or substantially zero (eg, less than 10 Nm). Furthermore, the desired pressure in the engine intake manifold can be adjusted depending on the ambient pressure. For example, if the ambient pressure increases, the desired pressure in the intake manifold of the engine can be reduced. The procedure 2300 go to 2306 after determining the desired pressure in the intake manifold of the engine and the number of cylinder intake events to achieve the desired pressure in the intake manifold of the engine.

at 2306 closes the procedure 2300 the engine throttle completes and completes all engine intake events, after the number of intake events occurring at 2304 has been determined to provide the desired pressure in the intake manifold of the engine, has been performed. Is at 2304 For example, determining that the desired pressure in the intake manifold is 75 kPa, and that the desired pressure in the intake manifold can be achieved when the throttle closes in four cylinder intake valve opening events, intake valves are closed by cylinders, and in some cases exhaust valves, so that a total of the actual number at cylinder aspiration events after activation of the fuel cut to deceleration is four. In this way, the cylinder valves are closed based on an actual total number of intake valve opening events since a request for a fuel cut-off mode to decelerate to provide a desired pressure in the intake manifold. Once the cylinder valves are closed, the engine can be started without having to evacuate air from the intake manifold. As a result, less fuel may be used to enrich the engine exhaust to improve catalyst efficiency. Further, the engine may be operated with less spark retard when cylinders are re-engaged because the cylinder charge is below a full charge. The procedure 2300 go to 2308 above.

at 2308 closes the procedure 2300 the engine intake manifold for all vacuum consumers. Vacuum consumers can include vacuum tank; Vehicle brakes; Heating, ventilation and cooling systems and vacuum actuators such as turbocharger waste gates include. When the vacuum in some systems (eg, brakes) is reduced below a threshold, the systems may open by opening a valve 176 , as in 1B shown, for vacuum again have access to the engine intake manifold. Further, during such conditions, the valves may be turned on again, allowing the engine to provide additional vacuum to vacuum consumers. In one example, vacuum pickups are provided via one or more solenoid valves with selective access to the pressure in the intake manifold of the engine. The procedure 2300 go to 2310 above.

at 2310 operates the procedure 2300 a vacuum source to maintain the pressure in the intake manifold of the engine at the desired level. If air escapes from the throttle, pressure in the intake manifold may increase, so if the engine is relieved to atmospheric pressure with intake manifold pressure, more fuel may be used to start the engine than desired. As a result, the engine's fuel consumption may increase more than desired as the engine is revived with a higher pressure in the intake manifold than desired. Therefore, the vacuum source may be turned on in response to the pressure in the intake manifold being higher than the desired pressure in the intake manifold such that the pressure in the intake manifold is lower than the atmospheric pressure (eg, there is a vacuum in the intake manifold). The vacuum source may be supplied with electrical energy which is generated via the kinetic energy of the vehicle or a battery. In addition, the vacuum source may be turned on to evacuate air from the vacuum reservoir in response to a slight vacuum in a vacuum reservoir. The procedure 2300 go to 2312 above.

at 2312 terminate the procedure 2300 the fuel flow and spark output to engine cylinders. Air that is introduced during intake events after the throttle begins to close, with the intake events at 2304 certain actual number of intake valve opening events is combined with fuel and burned before the fuel and spark output to engine cylinders is terminated. The procedure 2300 go to 2314 above.

at 2314 assess the procedure 2300 whether there are conditions to exit the fuel cut to decelerate. In one example, the fuel cut may be exited for deceleration in response to a driver demand torque being above a threshold or the vehicle speed being below a threshold. Judge the procedure 2300 that the conditions exist to exit the fuel cut-off mode for deceleration, the answer is Yes and the method 2300 go to 2316 above. The engine will decelerate during a fuel cut because a part of the kinetic energy of the engine can be transmitted to the engine. Otherwise, the procedure returns 2300 to 2310 back.

at 2316 switches the procedure 2300 Re-engage the cylinder valves so that the valves open and close during an engine cycle. Further, the cylinders are also provided with fuel flow and spark discharge. The combustion is resumed in the cylinders and the position of the engine throttle is adjusted to provide the desired engine airflow and engine torque. The cylinder valve control and throttle positions may be empirically determined values stored in memory, which is maintained according to engine speed and engine demand torque (eg, driver demand torque). The procedure 2300 moves to the end.

In this way, the pressure in the intake manifold of the engine may be regulated to improve cylinder reconnection and combustion in engine cylinders so that fuel consumption can be reduced and the catalyst balance (eg, the balance between hydrocarbons and oxygen in the catalyst) recovered wherein less fuel is provided to the engine and / or catalyst.

Now referring to 24 For example, a sequence for operating an engine according to the method is provided 23 shown. The vertical lines at time T2400-T2408 represent relevant times in the sequence. 24 shows six representations and the representations are timed and occur simultaneously.

The first illustration from the top in 24 Figure 11 is an illustration of a fuel cutoff condition for deceleration against time. The vertical axis represents the fuel cutoff state for deceleration. The engine is in the fuel cutoff mode for deceleration when the trace is at a higher level near the arrow of the vertical axis. The engine is not in the fuel cut-off mode for deceleration when the trace is at a lower level near the horizontal axis. The horizontal axis represents time and time increases from the left side of the figure to the right side of the figure.

The second illustration from the top in 24 is a plot of absolute engine intake pressure (MAP) versus time. The vertical axis represents the MAP and the MAP increases in the direction of the vertical axis arrow. The horizontal axis represents time and time increases from the left side of the figure to the right side of the figure. The horizontal line 2402 represents a desired MAP during the fuel cutoff mode for deceleration.

The third illustration from the top in 24 is a representation of the engine throttle position versus time. The vertical axis represents the engine throttle position and the engine throttle position increases in the direction of the vertical axis arrow. The horizontal axis represents time and time increases from the left side of the figure to the right side of the figure.

The fourth representation from above in 24 is an illustration of the state of the vacuum source with respect to time. The vertical axis represents the operating state of the vacuum source (eg, operating state of the vacuum pump), and the vacuum source is turned on when the trace is near the arrow of the vertical axis. The vacuum source is not turned on when the trace is near the horizontal axis. The horizontal axis represents time and time increases from the left side of the figure to the right side of the figure.

The fifth representation from above in 24 is a representation of the state of fuel supply over time. The vertical axis represents the state of fueling and the fuel is supplied to the engine cylinders when the trace is near the arrow of the vertical axis. Fuel is not supplied to the engine cylinders when the trace is near the horizontal axis. The horizontal axis represents time and time increases from the left side of the figure to the right side of the figure.

The sixth representation from above in 24 is an illustration of the state of the vacuum cleaner over time. The vertical axis represents the state of the vacuum pickup and the state of the vacuum pickup is on when the trace is near the vertical axis arrow. The vacuum pickups are not turned on when the trace is near the horizontal axis. Vacuum consumers are not in pneumatic communication with the engine intake manifold when the tracer vacuum is at a lower level. Vacuum receivers are in pneumatic communication with the engine intake manifold when the tracer vacuum is at a higher level. The horizontal axis represents time and time increases from the left side of the figure to the right side of the figure.

At time T2400, the engine is not in the fuel cutoff mode for deceleration, whereupon the fuel cutoff condition is indicative of deceleration at a lower level. The engine MAP is relatively high, indicating a higher engine load. The throttle position is largely open and the state of the vacuum device is off to indicate that the vacuum source is not turned on. Fuel is supplied to engine cylinders, which is indicated by the fuel condition being at a high level. The vacuum pickups operate and are capable of vacuuming based on the vacuum bag condition.

At the time 2402 the engine shifts to the fuel cutoff mode for deceleration, which is indicated by the trace for the desired fuel cutoff condition increasing from a lower level to a higher level. The engine may enter the fuel cutoff mode for deceleration in response to a reduction in driver demand torque and the vehicle speed being above a threshold. The throttle is also closed in response to entry into the fuel cutoff mode for deceleration. Likewise, the fuel flow to engine cylinders is shut off, indicated by the fuel status trace being at a lower level. The vacuum pickup condition drops to a lower level to indicate that the receipt of vacuum from the engine intake manifold by the vacuum consumers is blocked. By blocking the flow of air from vacuum pickups into the engine intake manifold, the pressure in the intake manifold can be reduced, so that a large amount of fuel is not needed to recharge the engine with stoichiometric air-fuel ratios in engine cylinders. The cylinder valves are also closed in response to the entry into the fuel cutoff mode for deceleration. An overall actual number of intake valve opening events may be performed in response to activation of the fuel cutoff mode for deceleration before the flow of air through engine cylinders is stopped by closing cylinder intake valves over one or more engine cycles while the engine continues to rotate. The actual total number of intake valve opening events may be a number that provides a desired pressure in the engine intake manifold. In some examples, engine intake valves and exhaust valves may be closed over an engine cycle in response to a fuel cutoff mode being activated for deceleration.

Between 2402 and 2404 the MAP is reduced and the engine remains in fuel cut-off mode for deceleration. The MAP will be at a level of the desired MAP 2402 reduced. In one example, the MAP becomes a desired MAP 2402 by opening cylinder intake valves for an actual total number of times, based on an estimate of intake manifold pressure 2402 reached.

at 2404 the MAP rises to a level above 2402 due to air leakage from the engine throttle or other air flow into the engine intake manifold. The vacuum source is turned on in response to the increased MAP, so the MAP on 2402 is lowered. The engine remains in fuel cut-off mode to decelerate and the throttle remains closed. The engine continues to rotate (not shown) and fuel flow to the engine cylinders is stopped. The cylinder intake valves remain shut off and closed (not shown) for each engine cycle. The vacuum source is in response to the MAP being lower than 2402 is off shortly after it was turned on. The state of the vacuum source indicates the connection (ON) and shutdown (OFF) of the vacuum source.

at 2406 the MAP increases to a second level 2402 due to air leakage from the engine throttle or other air flow into the engine intake manifold. The vacuum source is turned on in response to the increased MAP, so the MAP on 2402 is lowered. The engine remains in fuel cut-off mode to decelerate and the throttle remains closed. The engine continues to rotate (not shown) and fuel flow to the engine cylinders is stopped. The cylinder intake valves remain shut off and closed (not shown) for each engine cycle. The vacuum source is in response to the MAP being lower than 2402 is off shortly after it was turned on. The state of the vacuum source indicates the connection (ON) and shutdown (OFF) of the vacuum source.

At time T2408, the engine exits the fuel cut-off mode for deceleration while the pressure in the intake manifold is low. The engine may exit the fuel cutoff mode for deceleration in response to an increase in driver demand torque. The lower pressure in the intake manifold may reduce the use of ignition delay and save fuel to reconnect engine cylinders and the catalyst in the engine exhaust system. The engine cylinders are turned on again by supplying fuel to the cylinders and turning cylinder valves on again (not shown). The vacuum consumers are also reconnected by allowing communication between the vacuum consumers and the engine intake manifold. The MAP increases while the throttle is opened.

In this way, the MAP may be controlled to decelerate during the fuel cutoff mode to reduce fuel consumption. Further, powertrain torque disturbances can be reduced because the engine is started with less air charge compared to starting the engine at atmospheric pressure in the engine intake manifold.

At this point will open 25 in which a method is shown for controlling an absolute engine intake pressure during a cylinder reconnection after entering a fuel cutoff mode for deceleration. The procedure according to 25 can in that in the 1A - 6C be described system. The procedure according to 25 may be included as executable instructions stored in nonvolatile memory. The procedure according to 25 can be performed cooperatively with the system hardware and other methods described herein to convert an operating state of an engine or its components.

at 2502 assess the procedure 2500 whether the cylinders and valves are shut down during a fuel cutoff mode for deceleration. In one example, the method may 2500 judge that engine cylinders are shut down (eg, do not burn air and fuel mixtures while the engine is rotating), and valves are shut down (eg, held closed, do not open and close while the engine is rotating over an engine cycle) ) when a bit in memory is a predetermined value. It should be noted that all or only part of the engine cylinders can be switched off. If the procedure 2500 judges that the engine cylinders and valves are turned off during the fuel cutoff mode for deceleration, the answer is Yes and the method 2500 go to 2504 above. Otherwise, the answer is no and the procedure 2500 go to 2540 above.

at 2540 operates the procedure 2500 Engine cylinders and valves to provide a desired torque. The desired torque may be based on an accelerator pedal position or a torque determined by a controller. The engine cylinders are turned on by fueling the cylinders. The valves are switched on by activating valve actuators. Furthermore, delivery factor actuators are moved to positions other than 2508 set for equal engine speed and torque demand to improve vehicle emissions and fuel economy. The procedure 2500 moves to the end.

at 2504 assess the procedure 2500 whether a cylinder reconnection is required. The cylinder reconnection may be requested in response to an increase in driver demand torque or a vehicle speed that is below a limit speed. Judge the procedure 2500 in that a cylinder reconnect is requested, the answer is yes and the procedure 2500 go to 2506 above. Otherwise, the procedure goes 2500 to 2550 above.

at 2550 keeps the procedure 2500 the cylinders in a disconnected state. The cylinders are not supplied with fuel and the cylinder valves remain switched off. The procedure 2500 moves to the end.

at 2506 assess the procedure 2500 whether the pressure in the intake manifold of the engine exceeds a desired limit pressure. If the pressure in the intake manifold of the engine is above a threshold pressure, engine cylinders may produce more torque than desired, or the spark timing may be retarded to reduce engine torque. If the pressure in the intake manifold of the engine is greater than desired, cylinders may burn more fuel than desired to provide stoichiometric exhaust. Therefore, it may be desirable to reduce the pressure in the intake manifold of the engine as early as possible when engine cylinders are shut down, so that fuel can be saved. Judge the procedure 2500 that the pressure in the intake manifold exceeds the limit pressure, the answer is yes and the procedure 2500 go to 2508 above. Otherwise, the answer is no and the procedure 2500 go to 2520 above. The limit pressure may vary with engine speed, vehicle speed, and ambient pressure.

at 2520 puts the procedure 2500 Engine delivery factors and engine throttle based on engine speed and driver demand torque. In one example, the driver demand torque is based on accelerator pedal position and vehicle speed. The engine delivery factors may include engine camshafts, charge motion control valves, and variable air manifold volume valves. The positions of the delivery degree actuators may be determined empirically and stored in a table in a memory maintained via the driver demand torque and the engine speed. Various tables output different positions for the camshafts, charge motion control valves, and the variable air manifold volume valves. The procedure 2500 go to 2522 above.

at 2522 switches the procedure 2500 the engine cylinders and the cylinder valves again. The cylinders are switched back on by supplying the cylinders with fuel and sparks. The cylinder valve valves are switched on again by connecting valve drives. The valve actuators can be part of a as in 5B shown arrangement, other described here valve actuators or other known valve actuators. Turning on the valve drives causes the intake valves to open and close during an engine cycle. After switching on the engine cylinder moves the process 2500 to the end.

at 2508 arranges the procedure 2500 Motor delivery actuators to increase engine efficiency before restoring engine cylinders and valves. The delivery degree actuators are arranged to increase the engine delivery level at the current engine speed and current operator demand torque as compared to adjusting the delivery grade actuators in response to engine speed and driver demand torque. In one example, cylinder charge motion control valves are fully opened to reduce resistance to flow entering the engine cylinders. Further, the intake valve control and the exhaust valve timing are adjusted via camshaft timing so as not to provide intake valve and exhaust valve overlap (eg, simultaneous opening of intake and exhaust valves). Further, the intake valve control may be advanced or retarded to maximize the air in the cylinder at the time of intake valve closure. The variable air accumulator volume valve is adjusted to minimize the intake manifold volume. The engine throttle will not stop when the engine delivery degree actuators are set. Engine boost pressure may also be increased to increase engine delivery by closing a turbocharger wastegate or bypass valve. The procedure 2500 go to 2510 after setting the delivery engine factors.

at 2510 switches the procedure 2500 the engine cylinders and the cylinder valves again. The cylinders are switched back on by supplying the cylinders with fuel and sparks. The cylinder valve valves are switched on again by connecting valve drives. The valve actuators can be part of a as in 5B shown arrangement, other described here valve actuators or other known valve actuators. Turning on the valve drives causes the intake valves to open and close during an engine cycle. After switching on the engine cylinder, the procedure goes 2500 to 2512 above.

at 2512 assess the procedure 2500 whether the pressure in the intake manifold of the engine is at a desired pressure. The desired pressure may be determined empirically based on engine speed and driver demand torque. Judge the procedure 2500 in that the pressure in the intake manifold of the engine meets the desired pressure in the intake manifold of the engine, the answer is yes and the procedure 2500 go to 2514 above. Otherwise, the answer is no and the procedure 2500 returns 2512 back.

at 2514 arranges the procedure 2500 Engine delivery factors and engine throttle based on engine speed and driver demand torque. The positions of the delivery degree actuators may be determined empirically and stored in a table in a memory maintained via the driver demand torque and the engine speed. Various tables output different positions for the camshafts, charge motion control valves, and the variable air manifold volume valves. The procedure 2500 moves to the end.

Now referring to 26 For example, a sequence for operating an engine according to the method is provided 25 shown. The vertical lines at time T2600-T2405 represent relevant times in the sequence. 26 shows six representations and the representations are timed and occur simultaneously.

The first illustration from the top in 24 Figure 12 is an illustration of the cylinder deactivation request versus time. The vertical axis represents the cylinder deactivation request. Cylinder deactivation is requested when the cylinder deactivation request trace is at a higher level near the arrow of the vertical axis. The cylinder deactivation is not requested when the cylinder deactivation request trace is at a lower level near the horizontal axis. The horizontal axis represents time and time increases from the left side of the figure to the right side of the figure.

The first illustration from the top in 26 is a representation of the cylinder state versus time. The vertical axis represents the cylinder state. The cylinder shuts off when the cylinder condition trace is at a lower level near the horizontal axis. The cylinder will not shut down if the cylinder trace is at a higher level near the vertical axis. The horizontal axis represents time and time increases from the left side of the figure to the right side of the figure.

The third illustration from the top in 26 is a representation of the pressure in the intake manifold of the engine over time. The vertical axis represents the pressure in the intake manifold of the engine and the pressure in the intake manifold of the engine increases in the direction of the arrow of the vertical axis. The horizontal axis represents time and time increases from the left side of the figure to the right side of the figure. The horizontal line 2602 represents a desired pressure in the intake manifold of the engine during shutdown for deceleration. The level at 2602 may represent a same pressure as in the case that the engine is operating at idle speed and no driver demand torque.

The fourth representation from above in 26 FIG. 12 is an illustration of the state of the delivery factor of the engine versus time. FIG. The vertical axis represents the state of the engine delivery degree factor, and the engine output degree factor increases the delivery rate of the engine in the direction of the arrow of the vertical axis. The condition of the engine delivery factor lowers the engine's efficiency when the trace is near the horizontal axis. The horizontal axis represents time and time increases from the left side of the figure to the right side of the figure.

The fifth representation from above in 26 is a representation of the engine throttle position versus time. The vertical axis represents the engine throttle position and the throttle opening size increases as the trace is closer to the vertical axis arrow. The amount of engine throttle opening decreases when the trace is near the horizontal axis. The horizontal axis represents time and time increases from the left side of the figure to the right side of the figure.

The sixth representation from above in 26 is a representation of driver demand torque versus time. The vertical axis represents the driver demand torque and the driver demand torque increases in the vertical axis direction. The driver demand torque returns when the driver demand torque trace is near the horizontal axis. The horizontal axis represents time and time increases from the left side of the figure to the right side of the figure.

At time T2600, the cylinder deactivation request is not confirmed and the cylinder condition is confirmed to indicate that engine cylinders are on and are burning air and fuel. The pressure in the intake manifold of the engine is at a higher level and the engine throttle position is wider than a median open. The engine delivery factors (eg, camshafts, charge motion control valves, and variable air manifold volume valves) are at mid-position to provide an average level of engine load. The driver demand torque is at a middle level.

At time T2601, the cylinder deactivation request is confirmed. The cylinder deactivation request is acknowledged in response to a decrease in driver demand torque and the engine may be in the fuel cutoff mode for deceleration. The engine throttle position is also reduced in response to the decrease in driver demand torque. The cylinder state transitions to unacknowledged to indicate that engine cylinders are being shut down in response to the cylinder deactivation request. The pressure in the intake manifold of the engine decreases in response to the throttle closing. The cylinder intake valves of cylinders are closed after the throttle closes, and after an actual total number of cylinder intake events, the pressure in the intake manifold is at a desired level 2602 have reduced. The cylinder outlet valves can also be closed (not shown). The intake valves of the engine are kept closed for one or more engine cycles when the cylinders are shut down. The fuel flow to the cylinders is also shut off (not shown). The position of the engine delivery degree actuators remains unchanged.

Between time T2601 and time T2602, the pressure in the intake manifold (MAP) of the engine increases in response to air escaping into the engine intake manifold. The air is not evacuated from the engine intake manifold as the cylinder intake valves are closed. The cylinder deactivation request remains confirmed and the cylinders remain off. The throttle position remains in a fully closed state and the driver's demand remains low.

At time T2602, the position of the engine delivery degree actuators is adjusted to increase the engine delivery level in anticipation of engine cylinder restart. The engine output factors are not set to positions based on engine speed and driver demand torque. Rather, they are set to positions that increase the engine delivery level beyond engine boost levels that the actuators provide when adjusted in response to engine speed and driver demand torque. In this example, the position of delivery degree actuators is adjusted in response to the pressure in the intake manifold of the engine setting a desired pressure in the intake manifold of the engine 2602 exceeds. By adjusting the delivery degree actuators in response to the MAP, undesirable changes in the positions of delivery factors may be avoided. The pressure in the intake manifold of the engine increases from a pressure below 2602 to a pressure of over 2602 , However, the engine delivery modifiers may be adjusted for a predetermined period of time after cylinder deactivation or in response to a request to reengage engine cylinders. Alternatively, the position of the engine delivery degree actuators may be adjusted to increase the engine delivery level in response to the cylinder deactivation request. In one example, the camshaft control is advanced or retarded to maximize the air introduced from the engine intake manifold into engine cylinders (eg, the camshaft timing is adjusted to provide higher cylinder pressure at the time of intake valve closure). Further, the overlap between the intake valve opening and exhaust valve opening is set to zero or negative to reduce the flow of air into the cylinder from the exhaust system (not shown). The engine throttle position and the driver demand torque remain unchanged.

At time T2603, the cylinder deactivation request is transmitted to unacknowledged in response to an increase in driver demand torque. The cylinder deactivation request may transition to unacknowledged (not shown) in response to an increase in driver demand torque or a vehicle speed that is below a threshold speed. Shortly thereafter, the engine cylinders are restarted (eg, intake and exhaust valves open and close each engine cycle, and sparks and fuel are burned within the engine cylinders), which is indicated by the cylinder condition transitioning to the indication of cylinders being turned on. Further, the position of the delivery degree actuators is set to a position based on the engine speed and the driver demand torque. The throttle position shifts in response to the driver demand torque.

Between time T2603 and time T2604, the driver demand torque increases and then returns. The throttle position also increases and decreases in response to the driver demand torque. The pressure in the intake manifold of the engine rises and then sinks below 2602 from.

At time T2604, cylinder deactivation is requested a second time. As the pressure in the intake manifold of the engine is below the level 2602 However, the position of the delivery factors is not set. The engine cylinders are turned off (eg, combustion in the cylinders is inhibited by stopping the flow of fuel and sparking to the cylinders, and cylinder valves are also shut off so that they are kept closed over one or more engine cycles), thereby indicating will cause the cylinder state trace to go to a lower level.

At time T2605, the cylinder deactivation request is in response to unconfirmed that the vehicle speed is below a threshold (not shown). The engine cylinders are also restarted, as indicated by the cylinder state trace progressing to a higher level. The positions of the delivery degree actuators are not set in response to the shutdown request not being confirmed because the pressure in the intake manifold of the engine is lower than 2602 is.

In this way, the MAP can be regulated when a cylinder deactivation condition is exited to save fuel and reduce torque disturbances. The delivery degree actuators are adjusted to increase the amount of air introduced into engine cylinders so that the pressure in the intake manifold of the engine was reduced soon after engine cylinders were switched on again.

At this point will open 27A and 27B referring to a method of controlling engine torque during cylinder modes. The procedure according to 27A and 27B can in the system that in the 1A - 6C is included. The procedure according to 27A and 27B can be included as executable instructions stored in nonvolatile memory. The procedure according to 27A and 27B can be performed cooperatively with the system hardware and other methods described herein to convert an operating state of an engine or its components.

at 2702 assess the procedure 2700 whether there is a requirement to reduce an actual total number of cylinders turned on (eg, cylinders with valves that open and close during an engine cycle and cylinders that burn air and fuel during an engine cycle). The procedure 2700 can judge that there is a demand to reduce an actual total number of actual cylinders in response to a decrease in driver demand torque, vehicle speed is above a threshold, and / or other conditions. Judge the procedure 2700 that there is a requirement to reduce an actual total number of cylinders turned on, the answer is Yes and the method 2700 go to 2704 above. Otherwise, the answer is no and the procedure 2700 go to 2714 above.

at 2704 determines the procedure 2700 a desired flow for delivery degree actuators for reducing an actual total number of connected cylinders. The advance for the delivery degree actuators is a period between a timing at which positions of delivery degree actuators for decreasing a total number of cylinders turned on are set and a timing at which cylinder deactivation starts. Adjusting the lead time for the delivery grade actuators may smooth the engine torque and provide time for the delivery rate actuators to reach desired positions before cylinder deactivation commences, such that the engine does not provide more or less torque than desired. In one example, the lead time is determined empirically and stored in memory. Further, the pre-stored value stored in the memory may be adjusted based on a difference between desired cylinder air charge and actual cylinder air charge during a transition that reduces the actual total number of powered cylinders. The value of the lead time is taken from the memory. The procedure 2700 go to 2706 above.

at 2706 arranges the procedure 2700 the engine delivery factors including a level of boost provided by a turbocharger to increase engine efficiency. For example, boost pressure may be increased, charge motion control valves may be fully opened, plenum volume intake valves disposed to decrease intake manifold volume, compressor bypass valves at least partially closed, and camshaft control adjusted to maximize cylinder charge at the time of intake valve closure. The engine boost pressure may be increased by closing a wastegate or closing the compressor bypass valve. Adjusting the positions of engine delivery modifiers increases the delivery rate of cylinders that remain on after the actual total number of cylinders turned on is reduced. Further, the central throttle of the engine is at least partially closed at the same time (eg, simultaneously) to which the aforementioned engine delivery degree actuators are set. Closing the central throttle maintains the engine airflow rate while adjusting engine delivery modal factors to increase engine efficiency. The procedure 2700 go to 2708 above.

at 2708 selected cylinders are switched off after the lead time has expired. The cylinders are shut off by keeping the intake valves of the cylinder closed over one or more engine cycles while the engine is rotating. In some examples, exhaust valves of the cylinders that are shut down may also be kept closed for one or more engine cycles while the engine is rotating. Further, fuel flow and sparks are not delivered to cylinders that are turned off. As the cylinders are shut down, the central throttle is snapped and fuel delivery is increased to cylinders being turned on so that torque generated by the cylinders on counteract torque loss due to cylinder deactivation. The procedure 2700 go to 2710 above.

at 2710 puts the procedure 2700 the ignition timing in response to a fault between a desired engine airflow and an actual engine airflow. The desired engine airflow is the engine airflow based on the driver demand torque at the time of the cylinder deactivation request. The actual engine airflow is the airflow measured by an airflow sensor. For example, if the actual engine airflow is greater than the desired engine airflow, the engine airflow error is negative and the spark timing is retarded to maintain engine torque. If the actual engine airflow is less than the desired engine airflow, the engine airflow error is positive and the ignition timing is advanced to maintain engine torque. The procedure 2700 go to 2712 above.

at 2712 assess the procedure 2700 whether the delivery engine actuators are at their desired positions. For example, the method assesses 2700 whether the actual engine boost matches the desired engine boost pressure. Furthermore, the method assesses 2700 whether the actual camshaft timing matches the desired camshaft timing. Equally, the process is judged 2700 whether the actual position of the charge motion control valve corresponds to the desired position of the charge motion control valve. The procedure 2700 can judge that delivery-grade actuators are at their desired positions based on one or more sensors, such as an intake manifold pressure sensor. If the engine delivery factors are at their desired positions, the answer is Yes and the procedure 2700 go to 2714 above. Otherwise, the answer is no and the procedure 2700 returns 2706 back to provide more time to move the engine delivery factors.

at 2714 puts the procedure 2700 the central throttle of the engine to provide a desired engine torque. The desired engine torque may be based on driver demand torque. The procedure 2700 go to 2720 above.

at 2720 assess the procedure 2700 whether there is a requirement to increase an actual total number of cylinders turned on (eg cylinders with valves that open and close during an engine cycle and cylinders that burn air and fuel during an engine cycle). The procedure 2700 may judge that there is a request to increase an actual total number of actual cylinders in response to an increase in driver demand torque, vehicle speed is below a threshold, and / or other conditions. Judge the procedure 2700 that there is a requirement to increase an actual total number of cylinders turned on, the answer is Yes and the method 2700 go to 2722 above. Otherwise, the answer is no and the procedure 2700 moves to the end.

at 2722 arranges the engine delivery degree actuators including a level of boost pressure provided by a turbocharger to lower the engine's efficiency. For example, the boost pressure may be lowered, charge motion control valves may be at least partially closed, air manifold volume intake valves arranged to increase the intake manifold volume, and the camshaft control set to reduce cylinder charge at the time of intake valve closure. Adjusting the positions of engine delivery degree actuators lowers the delivery rate of cylinders that are turned on before the actual total number of cylinders turned on is reduced. Further, the central throttle of the engine is at least partially opened at the same time (eg, simultaneously) to which the aforementioned engine delivery degree actuators are set. The opening of the central throttle maintains the engine airflow rate while adjusting engine delivery factors to decrease the engine's efficiency.

In addition, in some examples, a time overlap of intake valve and exhaust valve opening of engine cylinders (eg, on-actuated cylinders and / or cylinders that are turned on) may be increased in response to a turbocharger wastegate position one cylinder cycle prior to cylinder reconnection. The turbocharger wastegate position may indicate the exhaust pressure in deactivated cylinders, including exhaust valves that open and close while the cylinder is being shut down. However, in other examples, the amount of overlap may be due to an amount of residual exhaust gas in the cylinder. For example, the amount of overlap may be increased as the exhaust residual amount in the cylinder increases. If the deactivated cylinders include non-deactivation exhaust valves, the boost pressure may be less reduced than in the case where the cylinder is designed with shut-off exhaust valves, because the exhaust density in cylinders with non-deactivation cylinders may be higher for otherwise equal conditions because exhaust may be higher in cylinders with non-deactivation cylinders is cooler. The procedure 2700 go to 2724 above.

at 2724 Selected cylinders are switched on again. The cylinders are reconnected by cylinder opening and closing intake valves over one engine cycle or multiple engine cycles while the engine is rotating. In some examples, the exhausted cylinders exhaust valves may also be opened and closed over one or more engine cycles as the engine rotates. Further, fuel flow and sparks are delivered to cylinders which are turned on again. As the cylinders are re-engaged, the central throttle is snapped shut and fuel delivery is reduced to cylinders being turned on so that torque generated by the cylinders on counteracts torque increase due to the reconnection of cylinders. The procedure 2700 go to 2726 above.

at 2726 puts the procedure 2700 the ignition timing in response to a fault between a desired engine airflow and an actual engine airflow. The desired engine airflow is the engine airflow based on the driver demand torque at the time of the cylinder deactivation request. For example, if the actual engine airflow is greater than the desired engine airflow, the engine airflow error is negative and the spark timing is retarded to maintain engine torque. If the actual engine airflow is less than the desired engine airflow, the engine airflow error is positive and the ignition timing is advanced to maintain engine torque. The procedure 2700 go to 2728 above.

at 2728 assess the procedure 2700 whether the delivery engine actuators are at their desired positions. For example, the method assesses 2700 whether the actual engine boost matches the desired engine boost pressure. Furthermore, the method assesses 2700 whether the actual camshaft timing matches the desired camshaft timing. Equally, the process is judged 2700 whether the actual position of the charge motion control valve corresponds to the desired position of the charge motion control valve. The procedure 2700 can judge that delivery-grade actuators are at their desired positions based on one or more sensors, such as an intake manifold pressure sensor. If the engine delivery factors are at their desired positions, the answer is Yes and the procedure 2700 go to 2714 above. Otherwise, the answer is no and the procedure 2700 returns 2706 back to provide more time to move the engine delivery factors.

at 2730 puts the procedure 2700 the central throttle of the engine to provide a desired engine torque. The desired engine torque may be based on driver demand torque. The procedure 2700 moves to the end.

In this way, the positions of engine delivery factors of an engine can be adjusted as the actual total number of cylinders turned on is increased or decreased. By moving the delivery degree actuators at the same time as the central throttle of the engine is being moved, engine torque disturbances can be reduced and the fuel consumption of the engine can be reduced.

At this point will open 28A in which a sequence for operating an engine according to the method of 27A and 27B will be shown. The engine in the sequence is a four-cylinder engine with a firing order of 1-3-4-2. The vertical lines at time T2800-T2804 represent relevant times in the sequence. 28A shows five representations and the representations are timed and occur simultaneously.

The first illustration from the top in 28A is a representation of a desired number of engine cylinders on (eg, cylinders with intake and exhaust valves opening and closing during an engine cycle and cylinders in which combustion is taking place) over time. The vertical axis represents the desired number of engine cylinders connected and the desired number of engine cylinders connected is listed along the vertical axis. The horizontal axis represents time and time increases from the left side of the figure to the right side of the figure.

The second illustration from the top in 28A Figure 12 is an illustration of an actual number of engine cylinders turned on (eg, cylinders with intake and exhaust valves opening and closing during an engine cycle and cylinders in which combustion is occurring) versus time. The vertical axis represents the actual number of engine cylinders connected and the actual number of engine cylinders connected is listed along the vertical axis. The horizontal axis represents time and time increases from the left side of the figure to the right side of the figure.

The third illustration from the top in 28A Fig. 13 is an illustration of the position of the delivery factor of the engine (eg, wastegate position for adjusting the engine boost pressure, camshaft position, position of the charge motion control valves, plenum actuator position) versus time. The vertical axis represents the position of the delivery factor of the engine and the position of the actuator increases the delivery rate of the motor in the direction of the arrow of the vertical axis. The position of the actuator reduces the efficiency of the engine near the horizontal axis. The horizontal axis represents time and time increases from the left side of the figure to the right side of the figure.

The fourth representation from above in 28A is a representation of the central throttle position versus time. The vertical axis represents the central throttle position and the central throttle position increases in the direction of the arrow of the vertical axis. The horizontal axis represents time and time increases from the left side of the figure to the right side of the figure.

The fifth representation from above in 28A is a representation of the ignition timing versus time. The vertical axis represents the ignition timing and the ignition timing increases in the direction of the arrow of the vertical axis. The ignition timing is delayed near the horizontal axis. The horizontal axis represents time and time increases from the left side of the figure to the right side of the figure.

At time T2800, the desired actual total number of engine cylinders is four and the actual total number of cylinders connected is four. The engine output factors are positioned to provide a lower level of delivery. For example, a wastegate is opened to reduce boost pressure, the cam timing is advanced to reduce cylinder fill, a plenum valve is positioned to increase the volume in the intake manifold, and the charge motion control valves are closed to reduce the level of delivery. The engine throttle is partially open and the ignition timing is advanced to a medium level.

At the time 2801 goes from four to two the desired actual total number of connected cylinders. The desired actual total number of cylinders engaged may be reduced in response to the driver demand torque reduction (not shown) or other conditions. The actual total number of cylinders turned on remains at a value of four because no cylinder has been shut down in response to the desired actual total number of cylinders turned on. The position of the delivery degree actuator provides a low level of engine delivery and the throttle position is at a medium level. The ignition timing is advanced to a middle level.

Between the time T2801 and the time T2802, the position of the delivery degree actuator is changed to increase the degree of delivery of the engine, and the throttle starts to close. The desired actual total number of connected cylinders and the actual total number of connected cylinders remains constant. The ignition time also remains constant.

At time T2802, the ignition timing is delayed in response to an error between the actual airflow in the engine that is greater than a desired airflow in the engine. Delaying the ignition timing shortens engine torque so that engine torque can be kept constant. The position of the delivery degree actuator continues to change to increase engine efficiency, and the throttle begins to close. The desired actual total number of connected cylinders and the actual total number of connected cylinders remains constant.

At time T2803, the shutdown of cylinder valves begins. The cylinder valves can be over in 5B described valve actuators, other valve actuators described herein or other known valve actuators are switched off. In one example, valve actuators are turned off to shut off cylinder intake valves. Cylinder exhaust valves can also be turned off. The throttle position is increased to open the throttle so that additional air flows into the two cylinders that remain turned on. Increasing the throttle position increases the pressure in the intake manifold (MAP), increasing the flow of air into the powered engine cylinders. The air flow to the deactivated cylinders is terminated when the intake valves of the cylinders to be shut down are shut off and kept closed. The ignition timing starts to be decelerated because the amount of air in the cylinder is increased. The engine output factor does not change position and the desired actual total number of cylinders connected remains at a value of two. The actual total number of connected cylinders also remains two, since no engine cylinders have been switched off.

At time T2804, the actual total number of cylinders turned on changes from four to two. The intake valves of two cylinders (eg, cylinders number 2 and 3) are turned off (not shown) and the throttle position remains constant. The ignition timing does not change anymore and the engine output factor does not change position.

In this way, the positions of the delivery degree actuators and the engine throttle can be adjusted before cylinder valves are shut down, so that less fuel is consumed during cylinder mode transitions. Further, the spark timing may be adjusted in response to a cylinder air charge error instead of in response to a change in engine throttle position, such that a lower spark retard may be used.

At this point will open 28B in which a sequence for operating an engine according to the method of 27A and 27B will be shown. The engine in the sequence is a four-cylinder engine with a firing order of 1-3-4-2. The vertical lines at time T2820-T2823 represent relevant times in the sequence. 28B shows five representations and the representations are timed and occur simultaneously.

The first illustration from the top in 28B is a representation of a desired number of engine cylinders on (eg, cylinders with intake and exhaust valves opening and closing during an engine cycle and cylinders in which combustion is taking place) over time. The vertical axis represents the desired number of engine cylinders connected and the desired number of engine cylinders connected is listed along the vertical axis. The horizontal axis represents time and time increases from the left side of the figure to the right side of the figure.

The second illustration from the top in 28B Figure 12 is an illustration of an actual number of engine cylinders turned on (eg, cylinders with intake and exhaust valves opening and closing during an engine cycle and cylinders in which combustion is occurring) versus time. The vertical axis represents the actual number of engine cylinders connected and the actual number of engine cylinders connected is listed along the vertical axis. The horizontal axis represents time and time increases from the left side of the figure to the right side of the figure.

The third illustration from the top in 28B Fig. 13 is an illustration of the position of the delivery factor of the engine (eg, wastegate position for adjusting the engine boost pressure, camshaft position, position of the charge motion control valves, plenum actuator position) versus time. The vertical axis represents the position of the delivery factor of the engine and the position of the actuator increases the delivery rate of the motor in the direction of the arrow of the vertical axis. The position of the actuator reduces the efficiency of the engine near the horizontal axis. The horizontal axis represents time and time increases from the left side of the figure to the right side of the figure.

The fourth representation from above in 28B is a representation of the central throttle position versus time. The vertical axis represents the central throttle position and the central throttle position increases in the direction of the arrow of the vertical axis. The horizontal axis represents time and time increases from the left side of the figure to the right side of the figure.

The fifth representation from above in 28B is a representation of the ignition timing versus time. The vertical axis represents the ignition timing and the ignition timing increases in the direction of the arrow of the vertical axis. The ignition timing is delayed near the horizontal axis. The horizontal axis represents time and time increases from the left side of the figure to the right side of the figure.

At time T2820, the desired actual total number of engine cylinders is two and the actual total number of cylinders connected is two. The engine output factors are positioned to provide a higher level of delivery. For example, a waste gate is closed to increase boost pressure, the cam timing is delayed to increase cylinder charge, a plenum valve is positioned to reduce the volume in the intake manifold, and the charge motion control valves are opened to increase the delivery rate. The engine throttle is partially open and the ignition timing is advanced to a lower middle level.

At the time 2821 the desired actual total number of connected cylinders transitions from two to four. The desired actual total number of cylinders engaged may be increased in response to the increase in driver demand torque (not shown) or other conditions. The actual total number of cylinders turned on remains at a value of two because no cylinder has been switched back on in response to the desired actual total number of cylinders turned on. The position of the delivery degree actuator provides a higher level of engine delivery and throttle position is at a medium level. The ignition timing is advanced to a lower middle level.

Between time T2821 and time T2822, the position of the delivery degree actuator is changed to reduce the engine output and the throttle starts to open. The desired actual total number of connected cylinders and the actual total number of connected cylinders remains constant. The ignition timing is constant.

At the time T2822 the renewed connection of cylinder valves begins. The cylinder valves can be over in 5B described valve actuators, other valve actuators described herein or other known valve actuators be switched back. In one example, valve drives are turned on again to turn on cylinder intake valves again. Cylinder exhaust valves can also be turned on again. The throttle position is reduced to close the throttle so that less air flows into the two cylinders that are turned on. Reducing the throttle position decreases the pressure in the intake manifold (MAP), which reduces the flow of air into the powered engine cylinders. Air flows into the re-connection cylinders when the intake valves of the cylinders to be re-opened and closed. The ignition timing starts to be advanced because the air fill quantity of connected cylinders decreases. The engine output factor does not change position and the desired actual total number of cylinders turned on remains at a value of four. The actual total number of connected cylinders remains two, since no engine cylinders were switched on again.

At time T2823, the actual total number of cylinders turned on changes from two to four. The intake valves of two cylinders (eg, cylinder numbers 2 and 3) are turned on again (not shown) and the throttle position remains constant. The ignition timing does not change anymore and the engine output factor does not change position.

In this way, the positions of the delivery degree actuators and the engine throttle may be adjusted before cylinder valves are switched back on so that less fuel is consumed during cylinder mode transitions. Further, the spark timing may be adjusted in response to a cylinder air charge error instead of in response to a change in engine throttle position, such that a lower spark retard may be used.

At this point will open 29 in which a method of controlling engine fuel injection during a cylinder reconnection is shown after entering a cylinder deactivation mode. The procedure according to 29 can in that in the 1A - 6C be described system. The procedure according to 29 may be included as executable instructions stored in nonvolatile memory. The procedure according to 29 can be performed cooperatively with the system hardware and other methods described herein to convert an operating state of an engine or its components.

at 2902 assess the procedure 2900 whether one or more engine cylinders are shut down (eg, intake valves are kept closed over one engine cycle when the engine is spinning, and there is no combustion in the deactivated cylinders). In one example, the method may 2900 judge that one or more cylinders are shut down based on a value of a variable stored in memory or an output from one or more sensors. If the procedure 2900 judges that one or more engine cylinders are off, the answer is Yes and the procedure 2900 go to 2904 above. Otherwise, the answer is no and the procedure 2900 go to 2903 above.

at 2903 operates the procedure 2900 Engine cylinders and valves to provide a desired torque. The desired torque may be based on an accelerator pedal position or a torque determined by a controller. The engine cylinders are turned on by fueling the cylinders. The valves are switched on by activating valve actuators. The procedure 2900 moves to the end.

at 2904 assess the procedure 2900 whether a cylinder reconnection is required. The cylinder reconnection may be requested in response to an increase in driver demand torque or a vehicle speed that is below a limit speed. Judge that method 2900 in that a cylinder reconnect is requested, the answer is yes and the procedure 2900 go to 2906 above. Otherwise, the procedure goes 2900 to 2905 above.

at 2905 keeps the procedure 2900 the cylinders in a disconnected state. The cylinders are not supplied with fuel and the cylinder valves remain switched off. The procedure 2900 moves to the end.

at 2906 assess the procedure 2900 whether the engine is operating in a direct fuel injection (DI) range only or whether there is a change in the requested engine torque exceeding a threshold. An intake manifold and direct fuel injection engine engine may operate only the direct fuel injector within a first defined engine operating range (eg, a defined engine speed and engine torque output range). Similarly, an intake manifold and direct fuel injection engine engine may operate only intake manifold fuel injectors within a second defined engine operating range. Further, fuel may be supplied to an engine in some engine operating ranges via intake manifold and direct fuel injectors. The method determines the engine speed and the engine torque and then determines whether the engine is operating in an area where only the direct fuel injection is turned on. If so, the answer is yes and the procedure 2900 go to 2908 above. Otherwise, the answer is no and the procedure 2900 go to 2920 above.

at 2920 switches the procedure 2900 one or more engine cylinders via the supply of sparks and fuel to the deactivated cylinders. In addition, valves of the deactivated cylinders, which have been kept closed over one or more engine cycles, are turned on to open and close over one engine cycle. The fuel is injected into the cylinders via intake manifold fuel injectors since the engine is operating in a direct injection only engine operating range and since the rate of change of requested engine torque is below the threshold. After switching on one or more deactivated cylinders, the process moves 2900 to the end.

at 2908 switches the procedure 2900 one or more engine cylinders via the restart of the cylinder valves and the supply of fuel, air and sparks to the deactivated cylinders again. The engine cylinders are restarted so that the valves, which have been closed over one or more engine cycles, open and close during one or more engine cycles. The previously deactivated cylinders are fueled by directly injecting fuel into the cylinders.

Direct injection offers the ability to burn air and fuel in the previously off cylinders rather than intake manifold fuel injection because direct fuel injectors can inject fuel during a compression stroke of one cylinder cycle (eg later in the cylinder cycle) while a port fuel injector fuel during a cylinder cylinder intake stroke or rather inject to assist combustion during the cylinder cycle. Thus, when cylinder reconnection is requested after an intake stroke of a cylinder, fuel may be injected during the compression stroke of the cylinder to assist in-cylinder combustion during the compression stroke. In this way, direct injection may enable combustion in a deactivated cylinder in less than 180 degrees of crankshaft rotation from the degree crankshaft rotation where cylinder engagement is requested, with intake manifold fuel injection to a previously disabled cylinder greater than 180 degrees crankshaft rotation from the crankshaft rotation degree the cylinder connection is requested may amount to participate in the combustion.

When the cylinder is operating in an area where fuel is injected into the cylinders via only one intake manifold, except during engine cycles in which the cylinders are re-engaged, the cylinders may be injected by injecting fuel directly into the cylinders for a predetermined number of engine cycles Cylinder inlet events are switched back on. Intake manifold fuel injection may be re-enabled in the recently re-engaged cylinders after the predetermined number of engine cycles or cylinder intake events that terminate direct fuel injection to the recently re-engaged cylinders. In this way, the previously deactivated cylinders may start earlier and the direct injection to the cylinders may be terminated after the predetermined number of engine cycles or cylinder intake events, so that the mixture preparation in the cylinders may improve shortly after the cylinders have been re-engaged. This may be desirable, especially during conditions where the rate of change in the requested engine torque exceeds a threshold, so that the driver may experience a faster torque response to the driver demand torque.

When the engine is operating in a range providing direct injection only to the engine cylinders, direct injection to the deactivated cylinders is resumed, and the cylinders operate with improved charge cooling. Direct fuel injection may continue in the engine cylinders until engine operating conditions change. The procedure 2900 go to 2910 above.

at 2910 assess the procedure 2900 whether it is permissible to inject fuel via the intake manifold or whether only direct fuel injection (DI) is desired. The intake manifold fuel injection may be commenced after a predetermined actual total number of cylinder intake events since the request to power on one or more cylinders. The predetermined actual total number of events ensures that direct fuel injection fuel is injected into previously disabled cylinders in a timely manner, and that the fuel mixture preparation improves in a timely manner after the deactivated cylinders have been reconnected. Alternatively, only direct fuel injection may be desired under the present engine operating conditions. If the procedure 2900 judged that it is permissible to inject fuel through a draft tube or if only direct fuel injection is desired, the answer is Yes and the method 2900 go to 2912 above. Otherwise, the procedure returns 2900 to 2908 back.

at 2912 operates the procedure 2900 Direct and Intake Manifold Fuel Injectors in accordance with a basic plan. The basic plan may be based on engine speed and driver demand torque. For this reason, direct fuel injection may be used to reconnect deactivated cylinders at earlier crankshaft angles after requesting cylinders to be engaged, then intake manifold fuel injection or intake manifold fuel injection and direct fuel injection may only replace direct injection of fuel. The procedure 2900 moves to the end.

Now referring to 30 For example, a sequence for operating an engine according to the method is provided 29 shown. The vertical lines at time T3000-T3002 represent relevant times in the sequence. 30 shows three representations and the representations are timed and occur simultaneously. The SS markings along each plot represent timely braking. Any timely braking may be of long or short duration. Events to the left of the SS markings represent the engine operating conditions where fuel is injected only via an intake manifold as long as the engine cylinders are not restarted. Events to the right of the SS markings represent engine operating conditions where fuel is only injected directly. The sequence after 30 is for a four-cylinder engine with a firing order of 1-3-4-2. The three representations are aligned with the crankshaft position.

Exemplary opening times of the exhaust valve are indicated by the cross-hatched patterns 3002 . 3012 . 3023 . 3028 . 3051 . 3056 . 3064 and 3069 specified. Exemplary opening times of the intake valve are indicated by the hatched pattern 3004 . 3013 . 3024 . 3029 . 3052 . 3057 . 3065 and 3070 specified. The beginning of the direct fuel injection events is through the nozzles 3006 . 3053 . 3058 . 3062 and 3066 specified. Ignition events are indicated by the * 3010 . 3015 . 3026 . 3054 . 3059 . 3063 and 3067 specified. The beginning of the intake manifold fuel injection operations is through the nozzles 3008 . 3014 . 3021 and 3025 specified.

The first illustration from the top in 30 is a representation of engine events versus engine position for cylinder number three. Motor cycles are represented along the horizontal axis and indicated by the letters I, C, P and E. I represents an intake stroke. C represents a compression stroke, P represents a stroke, and E represents an exhaust stroke. Vertical bars separate each bar and represent the top dead center or bottom dead center of the piston travel. The intake manifold fuel injection windows, such as 3001 and 3011 , are called PFI. Fuel may be injected into a cylinder for a cylinder cycle through the intake manifold fuel injection window via intake manifold fuel injectors. Intake manifold injection of fuel outside the intake manifold fuel injection window supplies fuel to another cylinder cycle. The direct fuel injection in cylinders may take place during the intake and compression stroke.

The second illustration from the top in 30 is a representation of engine events versus engine position for cylinder number two. Motor cycles are represented along the horizontal axis and indicated by the letters I, C, P and E. I represents an intake stroke. C represents a compression stroke, P represents a stroke, and E represents an exhaust stroke. Vertical bars separate each bar and represent top dead center or bottom dead center of the piston stroke.

The third illustration is an illustration of a state of a cylinder deactivation request versus engine position. The vertical axis represents the state of the cylinder reconnection and the Cylinder reconnection is requested when the trace is near the height of the vertical axis arrow. The cylinder reconnection state does not request cylinder re-activation when the trace of the representation is near the horizontal axis. In some examples, the cylinder retarget request may be replaced by a requested number of cylinders on-demand variable.

At time T3000, cylinders number two and three are turned off (eg, fuel is not injected into the cylinders and the intake and exhaust valves of the cylinders are kept in a closed state over an engine cycle), and the cylinder reconnection request is not confirmed. As a result, no fuel is injected into cylinders number two and three. Further, the intake and exhaust valves of cylinders number two and three are kept closed. Number one and four cylinders are mixtures of burning air and fuel burning (not shown) while the engine is rotating.

At time T3001, a request is made to re-engage the engine cylinders, which is indicated by the cylinder retransmission request transitioning to a higher level. The cylinder reconnection request occurs at half the intake manifold fuel injection (PFI) window 3001 and may be based on an increase in driver demand torque. Since the intake manifold fuel injector must accurately provide smaller amounts of fuel and larger amounts of fuel, the flow rate is such that it is during the intake manifold fuel injection window 3001 can not provide enough fuel to provide a stoichiometric mixture in cylinder number three. For this reason, fuel is injected directly so that combustion in cylinder number three can begin as soon as possible after the cylinder reconnection request. Fuel is injected directly after time T3001 after the first intake stroke. The at 3006 injected fuel is added 3010 burned.

The cylinder reconnection request occurs at the end of the port injection window 3020 on before disconnected intake and exhaust valves begin to work. Intake manifold fuel injection begins at 3021 at the beginning of the intake manifold fuel injection window 3022 so that the intake manifold fuel injector of cylinder number two has sufficient time to inject an amount of fuel that produces a stoichiometric mixture in cylinder number two. Fuel is not injected directly into cylinder number two because the cylinder re-engagement request occurs too late in the compression stroke to directly inject a desired amount of fuel.

Fuel is fed into cylinder number three via an intake manifold in cylinder number three for a second combustion event 3008 injected. Fuel becomes at the beginning of the intake manifold fuel injection window 3011 injected via a suction pipe, so that a stoichiometric mixture can be provided in cylinder number three. The at 3008 injected fuel is introduced into cylinder number three when the intake valve is at 3013 is open. The second combustion process will be in cylinder number three 3015 instead of.

Fuel is fed into cylinder number two via an intake manifold in cylinder number two for a second combustion event 3025 injected. Fuel becomes at the beginning of the intake manifold fuel injection window 3027 injected via a suction pipe, so that a stoichiometric mixture in cylinder number two can be provided. The at 3025 injected fuel is introduced into cylinder number two when the intake valve is at 3029 is open. The second combustion process will be in cylinder number three 3026 instead of.

Cylinders number two and three are turned off a second time between the SS flags and time T3002. At this time, no fuel is injected and there is no combustion in the cylinders. The number one and four cylinders burn air and fuel while the engine is rotating (not shown). No renewed cylinder connection is required.

At time T3002, the cylinder re-engagement is confirmed a second time. The cylinder retarget request may be acknowledged in response to an increase in driver demand torque or other conditions. The engine operates under conditions where only direct fuel injection is planned. Since intake manifold fuel injection is not scheduled, the first direct injection occurs since the cylinder reconnect request 3062 , Fuel is injected during a compression stroke of cylinder number two and it burns with air trapped in the cylinder when cylinder number two has been shut down. The injected fuel becomes at a first combustion event 3063 since cylinder restart request burned at T3002. In some examples, however, exhaust may be trapped in cylinder number two, or air may escape via the pistons, when cylinder number two is turned on for a prolonged period. Under these conditions, the first direct fuel injection would be in cylinder number two after cylinder reconnection 3066 , where fresh air is routed to cylinder number two.

A first direct injection for cylinder number three after time T3002 occurs 3053 on after the intake and exhaust valves come on 3051 and 3052 were switched on again and opened. The at 3053 injected fuel is added 3054 burned.

A second direct injection into the cylinder number two becomes at 3066 carried out. at 3066 injected fuel is included with 3065 introduced air burned. The spark at 3067 initiates the second combustion event in cylinder number two since the cylinder reconnect request at T3002.

A second direct injection into the cylinder number three is at 3058 carried out. at 3058 injected fuel is included with 3057 introduced air burned. The spark at 3059 initiates the second combustion event in cylinder number three since the cylinder reconnect request at T3002.

In this way, direct fuel injection may reduce a period of time to reconnect the engine cylinders that have been shut down. Further, fuel may be injected via an intake manifold after the engine cylinders are reconnected with direct injection to improve mixing in the engine cylinders, thereby reducing engine emissions.

At this point will open 31 referenced in which a method for controlling an engine oil pump in response to the cylinder mode is shown. The procedure according to 31 can in that in the 1A - 6C be described system. The procedure according to 31 may be included as executable instructions stored in nonvolatile memory. The procedure according to 31 can be performed cooperatively with the system hardware and other methods described herein to convert an operating state of an engine or its components.

at 3102 assess the procedure 3100 Whether there is a request to switch the cylinder intake valves or intake valves and exhaust valves to a shut-off state. The request may be based on the procedure 22 based. Judge the procedure 3100 in that there is a request to switch the cylinder poppet valves to a shutdown state, the answer is Yes and the method 3100 go to 3104 above. Otherwise, the procedure goes 3100 to 3120 above.

at 3104 determines the procedure 3100 a minimum oil line pressure to shut off the cylinder valve valves at the present engine operating conditions. In one example, the engine intake and exhaust valves are normally on and are shut off by supplying pressure to the valve actuators. The pressure oil shuts off the intake and exhaust valves, keeping the intake and exhaust valves closed over one or more engine cycles. When the pressure of the oil is reduced, the shut-off valves are turned on again so that they open and close over one engine cycle.

The minimum oil pressure to shut off the cylinder valve valves may be determined empirically based on parameters such as engine oil temperature and engine speed. The minimum oil pressure to shut off the cylinder valve valves can be stored in a table or function in the memory, which is entered via the parameters. The procedure 3100 Maintains the table or function to determine the minimum oil pressure to shut off the cylinder valve valves under present engine operating conditions, and increases 3106 above.

at 3106 determines the procedure 3100 a minimum oil pressure for lubricating the engine at the present engine operating conditions. The minimum oil pressure for lubricating the engine may be empirically determined based on parameters such as engine oil temperature, engine torque, and engine speed. The minimum oil pressure to lubricate the engine can be stored in a table or function in memory, which is entered via the parameters. The procedure 3100 Maintains the table or function to determine the minimum oil pressure to lubricate the engine under present engine operating conditions, and is on track 3108 above.

at 3108 determines the procedure 3100 a minimum oil pressure for operating variable-time camshafts in the present engine operating conditions. The minimum oil pressure to operate the Timing variable camshafts may be empirically determined based on parameters such as engine oil temperature, engine torque, and engine speed. The minimum oil pressure for confirming the variable-time camshafts can be stored in a table or function in the memory, which is entered via the parameters. The procedure 3100 Maintains the table or function to determine the minimum oil pressure to confirm the variable-time camshafts at present engine operating conditions, and is on track 3110 above.

at 3110 determines the procedure 3100 a maximum oil pressure of the at 3104 - 3108 certain minimum oil pressures and adjusts actuators to provide the same value. For example, when the minimum oil pressure for the poppet shut-off is 100 kPa, the minimum oil pressure for lubricating the engine is 200 kPa and the minimum oil pressure for adjusting the camshaft position relative to the crankshaft position is 150 kPa, and the maximum oil pressure from the minimum oil pressures is 200 kPa. The command is issued that the oil pressure delivered by the oil pump is 200 kPa. The resulting oil pressure requirement is the static oil pressure requirement. The oil pressure can be adjusted by adjusting the oil pump displacement, the position of a quick drain valve or the flow of oil through cooling nozzles. The procedure 3100 go to 3110 above.

at 3112 gives the procedure 3100 command to increase the oil pressure in an oil line to the cylinder valve actuators. The oil pressure may be increased by increasing a pump displacement command, reducing flow through an oil line quick exhaust valve, reducing flow through piston cooling nozzles, or increasing the oil pumping speed. The oil pressure command is increased to a value higher than a value to keep the valves in a closed state, so that the valves are quickly shut down. This increase in oil pressure requirement is the dynamic requirement. The dynamic command may be empirically determined and stored in a table or field maintained according to engine speed and oil temperature. The duration of the dynamic request is relatively short and the duration of the static request is longer. In this way, the oil pump pressure request may consist of a static request and a dynamic request. In addition, the process can 3100 Adjust the oil pressure output from the oil pump in response to the oil quality. For example, if the oil quality is high, the oil pump pressure may be reduced based on the improved oil lubricity of newer or higher quality oil. Furthermore, the method can 3100 Do not turn on the cylinder cooling nozzles at the same time as turning on or off cylinders via inlet and exhaust valve actuators. The procedure 3100 go to 3114 above.

at 3114 reduces the procedure 3100 the oil pressure in the oil line to the value at 3110 has been determined, or the static oil pressure command, once it has been determined that the desired cylinder valve valves are turned off. The procedure 3100 go to 3116 above.

at 3116 moves the procedure 3100 the cylinder poppet valves to the requested state or holds them in their present state, when there is no request to change the cylinder state. The procedure 3100 moves to the end.

at 3120 assess the procedure 3100 Whether there is a request to switch the cylinder intake valves or intake valves and exhaust valves to a switched-on state. The request may be based on driver demand torque and / or other vehicle operating conditions. Judge the procedure 3100 in that there is a request to switch the cylinder poppet valves to an on state, the answer is yes and the method 3100 go to 3122 above. Otherwise, the procedure goes 3100 to 3114 above.

at 3122 reduces the procedure 3100 the oil pressure in an oil line to the Zylindertellerventilantrieben. The oil pressure can be reduced by reducing a pump displacement command, increasing flow through an oil line quick exhaust valve, increasing flow through piston cooling nozzles, or reducing oil pumping speed. The procedure 3100 go to 3114 above.

Now referring to 32 For example, a sequence for operating an engine according to the method is provided 31 shown. The vertical lines at time T3200-T3204 represent relevant times in the sequence. 32 shows six representations and the representations are timed and occur simultaneously.

The first illustration from the top in 32 FIG. 12 is an illustration of a state of a cylinder deactivation request against time. FIG. The cylinder deactivation request forms the basis for the Turning on and off of cylinders. Further, cylinder valves may be turned on and off based on the cylinder deactivation request. The vertical axis represents the cylinder deactivation request and cylinder deactivation is requested when the tracing is at a higher level near the vertical axis arrow. Cylinder deactivation is not requested when the trace is at a lower level near the horizontal axis. The horizontal axis represents time and time increases from the left side of the figure to the right side of the figure.

The second illustration from the top in 32 is an illustration of the cylinder deactivation state versus time. The vertical axis represents the state of the cylinder deactivation and one or more engine cylinders are turned off when the trace down trace is at a higher level near the vertical axis arrow. Cylinders will not shut off when the trace is at a lower level near the horizontal axis. Fuel stops flowing to the deactivated cylinders and the intake and exhaust valves of deactivated cylinders are kept closed over one or more engine cycles so that no combustion occurs in the deactivated cylinders. The horizontal axis represents time and time increases from the left side of the figure to the right side of the figure.

The third illustration from the top in 32 is a representation of the displacement command of the engine oil pump over time. The vertical axis represents the oil pump displacement command, and the value of the oil pump displacement command increases in the direction of the arrow of the vertical axis. The engine oil pump displacement command consists of the combined values of the static oil pressure command and the dynamic oil pressure command. The horizontal axis represents time and time increases from the left side of the figure to the right side of the figure.

The fourth representation from above in 32 is a representation of the static oil pressure requirement versus time. The vertical axis represents the static oil pressure request and the value of the static oil pressure demand increases in the direction of the arrow of the vertical axis. The horizontal axis represents time and time increases from the left side of the figure to the right side of the figure.

The fifth representation from above in 32 is a representation of the dynamic oil pressure command versus time. The vertical axis represents the dynamic oil pressure demand and the value of the dynamic oil pressure demand increases in the direction of the arrow of the vertical axis. The horizontal axis represents time and time increases from the left side of the figure to the right side of the figure.

The sixth representation from above in 32 is a representation of the pressure command of the engine oil pipe over time. The vertical axis represents the engine oil line pressure and the value of the command for the engine oil line pressure increases in the direction of the arrow of the vertical axis. The horizontal axis represents time and time increases from the left side of the figure to the right side of the figure. The horizontal line 3202 represents a minimum oil line pressure to keep a shut off valve in a disconnected state.

At time T3200, the cylinder deactivation is not requested and the cylinders are not shut down. The static oil pressure requirement is at a lower level and the displacement command of the oil pump is at a lower level. The dynamic oil pressure requirement is zero. The engine oil line pressure is at a lower level.

At time T3202, the cylinder deactivation request is confirmed. The cylinder deactivation request may be confirmed in response to a decrease in driver demand torque or other vehicle operating conditions. The cylinder deactivation state indicates that the cylinders are not turned off. The dynamic oil pressure request is increased in response to the cylinder deactivation request. The static oil pressure request is also increased in response to the cylinder deactivation request. The oil pump displacement command increases in response to the cylinder re-request. The oil pump displacement command adjusts the oil pump displacement. The oil line pressure increases in response to the oil pump displacement command.

Alternatively, an oil line drain valve may be at least partially closed to increase the oil line pressure as shown. Further, in some examples, the engine cooling nozzle flow may be reduced to increase the oil line pressure as shown. Still further, in some examples, the oil pump speed is increased to increase the oil line pressure as shown.

At time T3203, the cylinder deactivation state transitions to a higher level to indicate that the cylinder valves are turned off and held closed for one or more engine cycles. The cylinder deactivation state may be based on the output of one or more sensors (eg, valve actuation sensors, exhaust gas sensors, or other sensors). The oil pump displacement command decreases and the dynamic oil pressure command decreases. The static oil pressure requirement remains at its previous value. The oil line pressure decreases at an oil pressure of slightly more than 3202 so that the valves can remain switched off and the energy consumption of the oil pump can be reduced.

At time T3204, the cylinder retransmission request is set to a lower level by the transition of the cylinder deactivation state. The cylinder reconnection may be in response to an increase in driver demand torque or another vehicle operating condition. The cylinder deactivation state indicates that the cylinders are off. The dynamic oil pressure command is reduced in response to the cylinder restart request. The static oil pressure command is also reduced in response to the cylinder restart request. The oil pump displacement command decreases in response to the cylinder restart request. The oil pump displacement command adjusts the oil pump displacement. The oil line pressure decreases in response to the oil pump displacement command.

Alternatively, an oil line quick drain valve may be at least partially opened to reduce the oil line pressure as shown. Further, in some examples, the engine cooling nozzle flow may be increased to reduce the oil line pressure as shown. Still further, in some examples, the oil pump speed is reduced to reduce the oil line pressure as shown.

At time T3204, the cylinder deactivation state transitions to a lower level to indicate that the cylinder valves are reconnected and opened and closed over one or more engine cycles. The cylinder reconnection state may be based on the output of one or more sensors (eg, valve drive sensors, exhaust gas sensors, or other sensors). The oil pump displacement command increases and the dynamic oil pressure command increases. The static oil pressure requirement remains at its previous value. The oil line pressure decreases to a value corresponding to a maximum oil pressure of a minimum oil pressure for lubricating the engine, wherein the minimum oil pressure is for confirming the camshafts at a desired rate.

In this way, the cylinder and cylinder valve shutdown can be accelerated while reducing the energy consumed by the oil pump. Further, the cylinder valves can be quickly switched back on by including a dynamic oil pressure regulation command.

At this point will open 33 in which a method of controlling engine knock in response to the cylinder operating mode is shown. The procedure according to 33 can in that in the 1A - 6C be described system. The procedure according to 33 may be included as executable instructions stored in nonvolatile memory. The procedure according to 33 can be performed cooperatively with the system hardware and other methods described herein to convert an operating state of an engine or its components.

at 3302 forms the procedure 3300 Outputs of engine knock sensors or assigns engine knock sensor outputs to on-off cylinders. Alternatively, the method 3300 Illustrate engine knock sensor outputs based on a disabled cylinder card. For example, knock sensors for a four-cylinder engine with a firing order of 1-3-4-2 and engine knock sensors constructed as in FIG 1A are shown as shown in Table 2. Cylinder deactivation mode cylinder mode 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 FUEL 1.2 1.2 1 2 1 2 1 FUEL AND AIR 1.2 1.2 1.2 1.2 1.2 2 1.2 Table 2

Table 2 contains two cylinder deactivation modes. The first mode is labeled FUEL and describes a mode in which cylinders stop by supplying fuel to the cylinders be shut off while inlet and outlet valves continue to open and close over one engine cycle. The second mode is labeled FUEL AND AIR and describes a mode in which cylinders are shut off by terminating fueling to the cylinders while maintaining intake and exhaust valves in a closed state throughout an engine cycle.

The cylinder modes are referred to as 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7. Changes between the various modes may be due to the time the engine is operating in one mode, the amount of oil in deactivated cylinders, the number of engine revolutions in the mode, and other conditions described herein that may result in mode changes between cylinder modes. Mode 1 is when cylinders 1-4 are on (eg, air and fuel burning while valves are opening and closing over one engine cycle) and the engine is rotating through a torque generated across cylinders 1-4. Mode 2 is when cylinders 1 and 4 are on and the engine is rotating through torque generated across cylinders 1 and 4. Mode 3 is when the cylinders 1, 4 and 2 are on and the engine is rotating by torque generated across the cylinders 1, 4 and 2. Mode 4 is when cylinders 1, 3 and 4 are on and the engine is rotating by torque generated across cylinders 1, 3 and 4. Mode 5 is when the cylinders 3 and 2 are turned on and the engine rotates through torque generated across the cylinders 3 and 2. Mode 6 is when the cylinders 3, 4 and 2 are turned on and the engine rotates through torque generated across the cylinders 3, 4 and 2. Mode 7 is when the cylinders 1, 3 and 2 are turned on and the engine rotates through torque generated across the cylinders 1, 3 and 2. Alternatively, the cylinder modes may describe cylinders that are off.

In this example, the table cells are filled with the values 1 and / or 2, but other values can be used. A value of one indicates that a knock sensor positioned near cylinders # 1 and 2 is selected for detecting and determining engine knock. A value of two indicates that a knock sensor positioned near cylinders number 3 and 4 is selected to interrogate and determine engine knock. For example, when the engine is operating in cylinder mode A with a FUEL cylinder deactivation mode, the knock sensors 1 and 2 are selected and interrogated to determine engine knock in cylinders 1-4. On the other hand, when the engine is operating in cylinder mode F with a FUEL-AND-AIR cylinder deactivation mode, the knock sensor 2 is the only knock sensor that is selected and interrogated to determine engine knock in the cylinders 3, 4 and 2.

Table 2 shows that individual engine knock sensors can be assigned to detect knock in different cylinders for different cylinder modes and different cylinder deactivation modes. An engine knock sensor may provide an improved signal-to-noise ratio in one cylinder mode and one cylinder deactivation mode while another knock sensor may provide an improved signal-to-noise ratio in the one cylinder mode and a second cylinder deactivation mode. Further, the engine knock thresholds may be adjusted in response to the knock sensor providing knock data according to the knock sensor assignments. The engine knock sensor or sensors associated with a particular cylinder mode or skip mode are polled during an engine cycle to indicate knock in on-off cylinders. An engine knock sensor that is not associated with a particular cylinder mode and a cylinder deactivation mode is not polled, or the values determined for that knock sensor are not used to determine engine knock during an engine cycle. In this way, engine knock sensors can be imaged to improve signal-to-noise ratios. Similar maps can be provided for six and eight cylinder engines. The procedure 33 go to 3304 above.

at 3304 determines the procedure 3300 which engine cylinders are turned on and off. In one example, the powered cylinders are as in 1118 in 11 determining whether there are conditions to shut down one or more cylinders. In other examples, powered-on cylinders may be identified values of variables at specific locations in memory. The values of the variables can be revised each time a cylinder is switched on or off. For example, a variable in memory may indicate the operating status of cylinder number one. A value of one in the variable may indicate that cylinder number one is on, while a value of zero in the variable may indicate cylinder number one is off. In this way, the operating condition of each cylinder can be determined. The procedure 3300 go to 3306 above.

at 3306 determines the procedure 3300 which engine cylinders are turned off by adjusting the fuel flow to the cylinders but not adjusting the air flow to the cylinders. The method 3300 also determines which cylinders are shut down by adjusting the fuel flow and air flow to the deactivated cylinders. In one example, the controller allocates a variable in memory to each cylinder to track the cylinder's shutdown mode. The shutdown mode of a cylinder is stored in the memory of the controller when the cylinder is turned off. For example, a value of a variable is one when the number one cylinder is turned off by stopping the fuel flow to the deactivated cylinder number one, but not by stopping the air flow to the number one cylinder off. Conversely, the value of the variable is 0 when the number one cylinder is turned off by stopping the fuel flow and the airflow to shut off the number one cylinder. A cylinder may be shut down by any of the methods and systems described herein. The values of the variables can be revised each time a cylinder is switched off.

In some examples, a table similar to Table 2 may be created to output a threshold knock value based on the cylinder mode and the cylinder deactivation mode. The values in the table can be determined empirically and stored in the table. The table is entered via the cylinder mode and the cylinder deactivation mode. The table outputs the threshold knock values against which the knock sensor outputs are compared. If the knock sensor output exceeds the threshold knock value, the knock may be determined. The procedure 3300 go to 3308 above.

at 3308 watch the procedure 3300 selected knock sensors to determine engine knock. In particular, knock sensors are based on the 3302 map described with knock sensors selected. The map of knock sensors is entered via the cylinder mode and the cylinder deactivation mode. The table outputs the engine knock sensors that are polled during an engine cycle for engine knock in the various cylinder modes and cylinder deactivation modes. In one example, the knock sensors are monitored at specific angular ranges of the crankshaft for detecting knock in on-off cylinders.

If the knock sensor output exceeds a threshold (eg, at 3306 knock threshold values described), an engine knock is indicated. In some examples, the knock sensor output may be integrated and compared to the threshold. If the integrated knock sensor output is greater than the threshold, engine knock is indicated. The procedure 3300 go to 3310 above.

at 3310 fits the procedure 3300 an actuator in response to the knock indication. In one example, spark timing is retarded to reduce engine knock. The start of injection timing for fuel injection may be delayed to reduce cylinder pressure and engine knock. Alternatively, the amount of fuel injected may be increased. Further, in some cases, the cylinder air charge may be reduced to reduce the possibility of engine knock. In addition, the ratio of an amount of fuel injected via an intake to an amount of directly injected fuel in response to the engine knock may be adjusted. For example, the amount of directly injected fuel may be increased while the amount of fuel injected by the intake manifold may be reduced. The procedure 3300 advances to the end after the actuator is set.

Now referring to 34 For example, a sequence for operating an engine according to the method is provided 34 shown. The vertical lines at time T3400-T3407 represent relevant times in the sequence. 34 shows six representations and the representations are timed and occur simultaneously. The sequence after 34 represents a sequence for operating a four-cylinder engine at a substantially constant speed and a substantially constant driver demand torque (eg, less than 5% torque and speed change).

The first illustration from the top in 34 is a plot of spark timing for on-the-fly cylinders (eg, cylinders burning air and fuel) versus time. The vertical axis represents the ignition timing for the cylinders turned on, and the spark is advanced further when the trace is at a higher level near the arrow of the vertical axis. The spark will be less advanced or delayed if the trace is at a lower level near the horizontal axis. The horizontal axis represents time and time increases from the left side of the figure to the right side of the figure.

The second illustration from the top in 34 is a representation of the connected cylinder group with respect to time. The vertical axis represents the activated cylinder group and the cylinder group is turned on when the trace is at the cylinder group level. There are in this example two possible cylinder groups A and B as indicated along the vertical axis. Group 1 indicates that cylinders 1-4 are on, burning air and fuel. Group 2 indicates that cylinders 1 and 4 are on, burning air and fuel. The cylinders 2 and 3 are turned off when the group 3 is turned on. The horizontal axis represents time and time increases from the left side of the figure to the right side of the figure.

The third illustration from the top in 34 is an illustration of the cylinder deactivation mode versus time. The vertical axis represents the cylinder deactivation mode. The cylinders are not shut down when the cylinder deactivation trace is near the center of the vertical axis. Disconnected cylinders are shut off by stopping air and fuel supply to the deactivated cylinders when the trace is near the vertical axis arrow. Disconnected cylinders are shut off by stopping supply of the deactivated cylinders with fuel while air flows through the deactivated cylinders when the trace is near the horizontal axis. The horizontal axis represents time and time increases from the left side of the figure to the right side of the figure.

The fourth representation from above in 34 is a representation showing the polled knock sensors versus time. The vertical axis represents the interrogated knock sensors. A value one indicates that only the first knock sensor is interrogated. A value of two indicates that only the second knock sensor is polled. Values 1 and 2 indicate that both the first and second knock sensors are interrogated. The horizontal axis represents time and time increases from the left side of the figure to the right side of the figure.

The fifth representation from above in 34 FIG. 13 is a plot of the knock sensor output amplitude versus time. FIG. The vertical axis represents the knock sensor amplitude and the knock sensor output increases in the direction of the arrow of the vertical axis. The solid line 3404 is the output of the first knock sensor. The dashed line 3406 is the output of the second knock sensor. The horizontal axis represents time and time increases from the left side of the figure to the right side of the figure. The dashed line 3402 represents a threshold for the comparison of the knock sensor output. If the knock sensor output is greater than 3402 is, an engine knock is specified. The level of 3402 is adjusted for the cylinder group and the cylinder deactivation mode.

The sixth representation from above in 34 is a representation of the specified engine knock over time. The vertical axis represents the specified engine knock. The horizontal axis represents time and time increases from the left side of the figure to the right side of the figure. A motor actuator may be adjusted in response to an indicated engine knock to reduce the possibility of further engine knock.

At time T3400, cylinder group 1 is on and the ignition timing is further advanced. The cylinders are not turned off, so the cylinder deactivation mode indicates no deactivated cylinders. The interrogated knock sensors are 1 & 2 so that the first and second knock sensors are interrogated to determine if engine knock is present. The outputs of the first and second knock sensors are less than the threshold 3402 , therefore no engine knock is indicated.

At time T3401, the cylinder group switched to Group 2 changes. Two engine cylinders are switched off under group 2 (eg cylinders number 2 and 3). The on-cylinder group may change in response to reducing driver demand torque or other changes in vehicle operating conditions (eg, engine temperature reaching a threshold temperature). The ignition timing is delayed to reflect a higher load in the two cylinders turned on, even if the driver demand torque has not changed (not shown). The two cylinders are switched off by switching off the fuel flow to the cylinders. The fuel injection is stopped to stop the fuel flow to the two cylinders. Air continues to flow through the deactivated cylinders because the cylinder deactivation mode is FUEL. The polled knock sensors remain unchanged. The knock sensor threshold 3402 is reduced to a lower level because the background noise can be reduced because two engine cylinders are inactive and the combustion noise can be reduced. The outputs of the knock sensors do not exceed the threshold 3402 , therefore no engine knock is indicated.

At time T3402, the activated cylinder group changes back to group 1. The activated cylinder group can change the state in response to an increase in driver demand torque, change a motor temperature reduction or another condition. The cylinder deactivation mode returns to the average to indicate that no cylinders are off. The polled knock sensors remain unchanged. The knock sensor threshold increases back to its previous level and no engine knock is indicated because the knock sensor outputs are below the threshold 3402 lie. The ignition timing of the engine returns to the previous value.

At time T3403, the group of cylinders turned on again changes to group 2. The two cylinders are turned off by shutting off fuel and air to the cylinders. The fuel injection is stopped to stop the fuel flow to the two cylinders, and the intake and exhaust valves of the two deactivated cylinders are kept closed during one engine cycle to stop the flow of air to the two deactivated cylinders. The polled knock sensors remain unchanged. The knock sensor threshold 3402 is reduced to a minimum level since the background noise can be reduced by the absence of combustion in the deactivated cylinders and shut-off cylinder valves as the valve influence is reduced. The outputs of the first and second knock sensors do not exceed the threshold 3402 , therefore no engine knock is indicated. Ignition timing is retarded to reflect the increased load on the on-off cylinders to maintain driver demand torque.

At time T3404, the output of the first knock sensor exceeds the threshold 3402 , Therefore, engine knock is indicated as shown in the sixth diagram. The ignition timing is further delayed in response to the indication of engine knock. The activated cylinder group remains 2 and the cylinder air flow and - fuel flow to the deactivated cylinders remains stopped. The polled knock sensors remain unchanged. The knock sensor output decreases in response to an increased ignition delay.

At time T3405, the cylinder group switched back to Group 1. The cylinder deactivation mode returns to the average to indicate that no cylinders are off. The polled knock sensors remain unchanged. The knock sensor threshold increases back to its initial level and no engine knock is indicated because the knock sensor outputs are below the threshold 3402 lie.

At time T3406, the group of cylinders switched to group 3 changes. Three cylinders (eg cylinders number 1, 4 and 2) are connected in cylinder group 3. The polled knock sensors change from 1 & 2 to 1. For this reason, the first knock sensor is the only knock sensor interrogated when Group 3 is turned on and the cylinders are turned off by stopping the fuel flow without stopping the air flow to the off cylinders (eg, FUEL, as shown in Table 2). By switching the polled knock sensors, the signal-to-noise ratio for determining engine knock can be improved. Engine knock is not indicated because the first and second knock sensor outputs are below the threshold 3402 lies.

At time T3407, the cylinder group switched back to group 1. The cylinder deactivation mode returns to the average to indicate that no cylinders are off. The knock sensor threshold increases back to its initial level and no engine knock is indicated as the output of the first and second knock sensors is below the threshold 3402 lies.

In this way, different knock sensors can be interrogated in response to the on-cylinder group and cylinder deactivation mode. Further, the threshold value with which the knock sensor outputs are compared may change in response to the cylinder mode and the cylinder deactivation mode. The cylinder modes, the interrogated knock sensors, the knock thresholds, and the cylinder groups are exemplary in nature and are not intended to limit the scope or breadth of the disclosure.

At this point will open 35 in which a method of controlling engine knock in response to the cylinder deactivation mode is shown. The procedure according to 35 can in that in the 1A - 6C be described system. The procedure according to 35 may be included as executable instructions stored in nonvolatile memory. The procedure according to 35 can be performed cooperatively with the system hardware and other methods described herein to convert an operating state of an engine or its components.

wobei CYL_tmp die endgültige geschätzte Zylindertemperatur ist, CYL₀ die anfängliche Zylindertemperatur ist, t die Zeit ist und τ eine Systemzeitkonstante ist. In einem Beispiel ist τ eine Funktion des Luftstroms durch den Zylinder, dessen Temperatur geschätzt wird, und der Motortemperatur. Insbesondere strömt Luft durch den Zylinder, wenn der Kraftstofffluss durch den Zylinder abgeschaltet ist und die Verbrennung im Zylinder beendet wird. Der Wert von τ erhöht sich, wenn der Luftstrom durch den Zylinder abnimmt, und der Wert von τ nimmt ab, wenn der Luftstrom durch den Zylinder zunimmt. Der Wert von τ nimmt ab, wenn sich die Motortemperatur erhöht, und der Wert von τ nimmt zu, wenn die Motortemperatur sinkt. Der Wert von CYL_tmp nähert sich dem Wert CYLss, wenn der Zylinder für eine längere Zeit nicht abgeschaltet wird. Das Verfahren 3500 geht zu 3506 über. at 3502 appreciates the process 3500 Engine cylinder temperatures across a model and / or count an actual total number of engine cycles over which the deactivated cylinders are shut down. It The temperatures of the switched on and off cylinders are modeled. In one example, a stationary temperature of a cylinder is added 3504 determined by the following equation: CYLss = Cyl_temp_fn (N, L, Cyl_d_state) AF_fn_ (afr) Spk_fn (spkMBT) EGR_fn (EGR) where CYLss is the estimate of a steady-state cylinder temperature (eg, temperature of a cylinder); Cyl_temp_fn is the cylinder temperature as a function of engine speed (N), engine load (L) and cylinder deactivation state (CYL_d_state); AF_fn is a function that provides a multiplier of real numbers for the air-fuel ratio in the cylinder (afr); Spk_fn is a function that provides a multiplier of real numbers for cylinder ignition based on the ignition delay for the MBT spark timing (spkMBT); and EGR_fn is a function that provides a multiplier of real numbers for the percentage of exhaust gas recirculation (EGR). CYL_d_state determines if the cylinder is on and burns air and fuel, or does not burn air and fuel, so that the output CYLss changes as the engine cylinder changes from on to off, or vice versa. The steady state temperature of a cylinder is changed by a time constant to provide the cylinder temperature estimate via the following equation:

where CYL _{tmp is} the final estimated cylinder temperature, CYL _{0 is} the initial cylinder temperature, t is the time, and τ is a system time constant. In one example, τ is a function of the air flow through the cylinder, whose temperature is estimated, and the engine temperature. In particular, air flows through the cylinder when fuel flow through the cylinder is shut off and combustion in the cylinder is stopped. The value of τ increases as the air flow through the cylinder decreases, and the value of τ decreases as the air flow through the cylinder increases. The value of τ decreases as the engine temperature increases, and the value of τ increases as the engine temperature decreases. The value of CYL _tmp approaches CYLss if the cylinder is not turned off for a long time. The procedure 3500 go to 3506 above.

at 3506 counts the procedure 3500 an actual total number of engine cycles over which the one or more cylinders are shut down and will not burn air and fuel. In one example, a counter counts the actual number of engine cycles over which the one or more cylinders are shut down by counting an actual total number of engine revolutions as the one or more cylinders are shut down and the result is divided by two. because there are two engine revolutions in one engine cycle. The actual number of engine revolutions is determined by the output of the engine crankshaft position sensor.

at 3508 monitors the procedure 3500 the knocking of all engine cylinders. All engine cylinders can be checked for knock by one or more engine knock sensors. Engine knock sensors may include, but are not limited to, accelerometers, pressure sensors, and acoustic sensors. Tapping for individual cylinders may be monitored during predetermined angular intervals or windows of the crankshaft. Engine knock may be present when the output of a knock sensor exceeds a threshold. The procedure 3500 go to 3510 above.

at 3510 reduces the procedure 3500 the possibility of knocking in the engine cylinders, where the knocking is stated. In one example, the procedure reduces 3500 the possibility of engine knock in cylinders, where engine knocking at 3508 by delaying the ignition timing of the cylinders where the engine knock was indicated. In other examples, the beginning of the fuel injection timing may be delayed. The procedure 3500 go to 3512 above.

at 3512 pulls the procedure 3500 the ignition timing of cylinders in which the ignition timing was delayed to reduce the possibility of engine knock. The ignition timing is advanced to improve the fuel efficiency of the engine, the engine emissions and the engine efficiency. The spark timing may be advanced from the retarded spark timing to an ignition timing limit (eg, minimum spark advance for best engine torque (MBT)) based on a basic spark advance gain.

A pre-ignition boost for a cylinder may be on at 3504 estimated temperature of the cylinder and / or the counted number of cycles over which the cylinder was turned off and the counted Number of cylinder cycles over which the cylinder was turned on since the cylinder was last turned off. The basic spark advance gain may be added to the retarded spark timing. In one example, pre-ignition gain may be expressed as X degrees / second, where the value of variable X is based on cylinder temperature. Accordingly, the ignition may be brought forward from a delayed time by adding the spark advance gain value to the delayed spark timing. For example, if the MBT spark timing is 20 degrees before top dead center and the spark timing in response to engine knock is 10 degrees crankshaft rotation before top dead center, the spark advance boost pulls the spark timing from 10 degrees crankshaft rotation before top dead center to 20 degrees crankshaft rotation ahead of the top Dead center in one second, unless the engine knocking is specified during the advance of the ignition timing. In other examples, the spark advance gain may be a multiplier that increases or decreases a basic spark timing. For example, pre-ignition gain may be a real number that varies between 1 and 2, so if a basic spark timing is 10 degrees before top dead center, spark timing may be brought forward by 20 degrees before top dead center by using the basic ignition timing Pre-ignition gain is multiplied. In this way, spark timing back to MBT spark timing may be preferred to improve engine emissions, fuel efficiency and performance. The procedure 3500 moves to the end.

Alternatively, the ignition gain may be a function of the counted number of cycles over which the cylinder was turned off and the counted number of cylinder cycles over which the cylinder was turned on since the cylinder was last turned off. For example, if the cylinder has been shut down for 10,000 engine cycles and turned on for 5 engine cycles before knocking has occurred in the cylinder, the ignition gain may be a greater value (eg, 2 degrees / second). If, however, the cylinder for 500 Engine cycles have been switched off and switched on for 5 cycles before knocking has occurred in the cylinder, the ignition gain may be a smaller value (eg 1 degree / second).

Accordingly, a rate at which ignition may be advanced after retarding ignition for engine knock may be adjusted in response to temperatures of cylinders and / or a number of actual total engine cycles because one or more cylinders have been shut down. Thus, the rate at which the ignition is advanced may be adjusted to reduce the possibility of engine knock when ignition is advanced. However, ignition may be preferred at a rate that improves engine efficiency, economy, and performance.

Now referring to 36 For example, a sequence for operating an engine according to the method is provided 35 shown. The vertical lines at time T3600-T3606 represent relevant times in the sequence. 36 shows five representations and the representations are timed and occur simultaneously. The sequence after 36 represents a sequence for operating a four-cylinder engine at a constant speed and a constant driver demand torque.

The first illustration from the top in 36 Fig. 11 is an illustration of the temperature of a cylinder (eg, a cylinder that does not burn fuel and air) versus time for operation of the cylinder being mapped. The vertical axis represents the cylinder temperature and the cylinder temperature increases in the direction of the arrow of the vertical axis. The horizontal axis represents time and time increases from the left side of the figure to the right side of the figure.

The second illustration from the top in 36 is a representation of the ignition timing of the cylinder over the time for the operation of the cylinder to be imaged. The vertical axis represents the ignition timing of the cylinder and the spark advance increases in the direction of the arrow of the vertical axis. The horizontal axis represents time and time increases from the left side of the figure to the right side of the figure.

The third illustration from the top in 36 is an illustration of the cylinder deactivation mode versus time for the cylinder being mapped. The vertical axis represents the cylinder deactivation mode. The cylinder will not shut off when the cylinder deactivation trace is near the midpoint of the vertical axis. The cylinder is shut off by stopping the supply of air and fuel to the cylinder when the trace is near the vertical axis arrow. The cylinder is shut off by stopping the supply of fuel to the cylinder while air flows through the cylinder when the trace is near the horizontal axis. The horizontal axis represents time and time increases from the left side of the figure to the right side of the figure.

The fourth representation from above in 36 FIG. 12 is an illustration of the spark advance gain of the cylinder for the mapped cylinder in degrees crankshaft rotation per second versus time. FIG. The vertical axis represents the pre-ignition gain, and the pre-ignition gain increases in the direction of the arrow of the vertical axis. The horizontal axis represents time and time increases from the left side of the figure to the right side of the figure.

The fifth representation from above in 36 is a representation of the specified engine knock over time. The vertical axis represents the indication of engine knock and engine knock is indicated when the trace is at a level near the arrow of the vertical axis. The horizontal axis represents time and time increases from the left side of the figure to the right side of the figure.

At time T3600, the cylinder temperature is high and the ignition timing of the cylinder is further advanced. The cylinder is not turned off as indicated by the cylinder deactivation mode while the trace is at a medium level. The ignition gain of the cylinder is at a lower level and engine knock is not indicated.

At time T3601, the engine cylinder is shut off by terminating the fuel flow and air flow to the cylinder, as indicated by the cylinder deactivation mode trace. The airflow to the deactivated cylinder is stopped by keeping the intake and exhaust valve of the cylinder closed during one engine cycle. Alternatively, the shutoff cylinder intake valves may be kept closed while the shutoff cylinder exhaust valves open and close during an engine cycle. The temperature of the cylinder begins to drop, but at a lower rate because the air does not flow through the deactivated cylinder. The pre-ignition gain of the cylinder remains unchanged while the cylinder is turned off. The ignition timing for the cylinder is not shown because the cylinder is off. No engine knock is indicated.

At time T3602, the cylinder is reconnected by supplying the cylinder with fuel and air, as indicated by the cylinder deactivation mode trace, which transitions to the middle stage. The pre-ignition gain of the cylinder increases on the basis of the temperature of the cylinder. The ignition timing of the cylinder returns to an advanced stage and the temperature of the cylinder begins to increase. No knock is specified.

At time T3603, an engine knock is indicated and the spark timing of the cylinder is decelerated to reduce engine knock. The cylinder temperature increases, but at a stage below a long-term stable level for the present engine speed and load. The cylinder is on and the spark advance of the cylinder is at an elevated level.

Between time T3603 and time T3604, the ignition timing for the cylinder is increased by means of the pre-ignition boost based on the temperature of the cylinder. There is no knock in the cylinder as the cylinder's spark advance increases. The pre-ignition increases at a predetermined rate (eg, 10 degrees crankshaft rotation / second), so engine efficiency, power, and emissions can be improved after the spark timing of the cylinder is decelerated in response to engine knock. The spark advance of the cylinder is lowered after the cylinder has been shut down and the cylinder temperature has increased.

At time T3604, the engine cylinder is shut down a second time by stopping fuel flow to the cylinder while air continues to flow through the shutdown cylinder, as indicated by the cylinder deactivation mode trace. The cylinder temperature is at a stage at which it was at time T3600 and then begins to decrease faster as the air flowing through the cylinder cools the cylinder. No knocking is indicated in the cylinder as the cylinder is switched off.

At time T3605, the cylinder is switched back on by supplying the cylinder with sparks and fuel. The cylinder may be restarted in response to an increase in requested torque or other condition. The ignition timing of the cylinder is at a more advanced value or time. The cylinder temperature begins to increase after the cylinder is turned on again. The preignition gain of the cylinder is also increased in response to the cylinder being turned on. No knocking is indicated in the cylinder.

At time T3606 an engine knock is indicated. The temperature of the cylinder is at a lower level and when knocking is indicated. The ignition timing for the cylinder is delayed in response to knocking in the cylinder. The temperature of the cylinder continues to rise.

After time T3606, the ignition timing of the cylinder is advanced to a predetermined rate (eg, 15 degrees crankshaft rotation / second) so that engine efficiency, power, and emissions can be improved after retarding spark timing of the cylinder in response to engine knock. The ignition timing of the cylinder increases in a ramp and increases at a higher speed than at time T3603. The ignition timing can be increased at a higher speed as the cylinder temperature is lower than at time T3603. An engine knock in the cylinder is not specified and the cylinder temperature continues to rise.

In this way, the ignition timing of the engine may be adjusted in response to the cylinder deactivation mode and the spark advance gain of the cylinder. Further, engine knocking can be reduced if the reduction in engine output and emissions is reduced.

Now, referring to 37 A method of controlling engine knock in the presence of cylinder deactivation is shown. The procedure according to 37 can in that in the 1A - 6C be described system. The procedure according to 37 may be included as executable instructions stored in nonvolatile memory. The procedure according to 37 can be performed cooperatively with the system hardware and other methods described herein to convert an operating state of an engine or its components.

Now referring to 3702 determines the procedure 3700 Engine knock window for detecting knock in each engine cylinder. In one example, the engine knock detection windows are engine crankshaft intervals at which the occurrence of engine knock is expected. For example, if the compression stroke at top dead center for number one cylinder is 0 degrees crankshaft rotation, knock into number one cylinder may occur in a range of between 20 degrees crankshaft rotation after the compression stroke of cylinder number one at top dead center and 50 degrees crankshaft rotation after the compression stroke of the cylinder Number two expected at top dead center. Thus, the knock detection for number one cylinder in this example is between 20 and 50 degrees crankshaft rotation after the compression stroke of the number one cylinder at top dead center. The knock detection windows for other engine cylinders can be similarly defined. The areas of the engine knock window for each cylinder may be determined empirically and stored in a table or function in the memory of the controller. The table can be entered via engine speed and engine torque. The procedure 3700 go to 3704 above.

at 3704 asks the procedure 3700 selectively dispense one or more engine knock sensor outputs based on the present engine position and the engine knock window. For example, the process asks 3700 an engine knock sensor in a range of between 20 degrees crankshaft rotation after the compression stroke of cylinder number one at top dead center and 50 degrees crankshaft rotation after the compression stroke of cylinder number one at top dead center to determine the knock sensor output for the cylinder lock number one cylinder. The procedure 3700 go to 3706 above.

at 3706 determines the procedure 3700 whether there is a good signal-to-noise ratio for the knock sensor output in the most recent or existing knock sensor window. In one example, the method may 3700 based on the judgment of the predetermined signal-to-noise ratios stored in a table or function in the memory of the controller. The table or function may be entered according to the present cylinder knock window, present engine speed, and present engine torque. Judge the procedure 3700 that a good signal-to-noise ratio is present, the answer is yes and the method 3700 go to 3720 above. Otherwise, the answer is no and the procedure 3700 go to 3708 above.

at 3708 assess the procedure 3700 whether one or more engine cylinders are switched off. In one example, the variables in memory contain values that determine disabled cylinders. For example, a variable representing the operating state of cylinder number one may have a value of zero when the cylinder is off and a value of one when the cylinder is turned on and burning fuel and air. Judge the procedure 3700 that one or more engine cylinders are off, the answer is Yes and the procedure 3700 go to 3710 above. Otherwise, the answer is no and the procedure 3700 go to 3740 above.

at 3710 assess the procedure 3700 whether the knock sensor output sound is in the knock window at the present crankshaft angle (eg, knock window) or the knock sensor output sound in a knock window in which the knock sensor output was only interrogated (eg, knock window) from the fuel and air cylinder deactivation of a cylinder was influenced. For example, the combustion events for eight-cylinder engines are only ninety degrees crankshaft rotation away. For this reason, the combustion noise (eg, valve closing and block vibration induced by the combustion pressure) for an eight-cylinder engine having a firing order of 1-3-7-2-6-5-4-8 from cylinder number 6 into the Enter the knock window of cylinder number 5. If the procedure 3700 a knock sensor noise is evaluated in the knock sensor of cylinder number five and cylinder number five is turned off by switching off the fuel flow and the air flow to cylinder number five, the method may 3700 assess that the fuel and air-based cylinder deactivation affects the knock sensor noise in the knock window of cylinder number five. It should be noted that, even though cylinder number five is disabled in this example, the noise in its knock window may be used to process the knock sensor output when cylinder number five is turned on in low signal to noise ratio conditions.

Alternatively, if the procedure 3700 When a knock sensor noise in the knock sensor of cylinder number five is evaluated, cylinder number six is turned off by shutting off the fuel flow and air flow to cylinder number six, and when the noise (eg, noise from exhaust valve closure while intake valves are held closed during a cylinder cycle) or Noise from compression and expansion in the deactivated cylinder) from cylinder number six enters the knock window of cylinder number five, while cylinder number five is turned on and burns fuel and air, the procedure may 3700 assess that fuel and air-based cylinder deactivation affects the knock sensor noise in the knock window of cylinder number five. Judge the procedure 3700 in that the knock sensor output sound is in the knock window at the present crankshaft angle (eg, present knock window) or the knock sensor output sound in a knock window in which the knock sensor output has only been interrogated (eg, present knock window) from the fuel and air cylinder shutdown of a cylinder the answer is yes and the procedure is 3700 go to 3742 above. Otherwise, the answer is no and the procedure 3700 go to 3712 above.

at 3712 assess the procedure 3700 Whether the knock sensor output sound in the knock window at the present crankshaft angle (eg, present knock window) or the knock sensor output sound in a knock window in which the knock sensor output was only interrogated (eg, present knock window) was affected by the fuel-based cylinder deactivation of a cylinder. If, for example, the procedure 3700 A knock sensor noise can be evaluated in the knock window of cylinder number five, and cylinder number five is turned off by shutting off the fuel flow while air is flowing to cylinder number five 3700 judge that fuel-based cylinder deactivation affects knock sensor noise (eg, noise by opening and closing valves of cylinders number five and six and compression and expansion sounds of cylinders number five and six) in the knock window of cylinder number five.

Alternatively, if the procedure 3700 If a knock sensor noise is evaluated in the knock sensor of cylinder number five, cylinder number six will be shut off by shutting off the fuel flow to cylinder number six while air to cylinder number six is flowing and if the noise (eg, noise due to exhaust valves closing during exhaust) Intake valves are kept closed during a cylinder cycle, or noise from a compression and expansion in the deactivated cylinder) from cylinder number six enters the knock window of cylinder number five, while cylinder number five is turned on and burns fuel and air, the procedure may 3700 assess that fuel and air-based cylinder deactivation affects the knock sensor noise in the knock window of cylinder number five. Judge the procedure 3700 in that the knock sensor output sound in the knocking window at the present crankshaft angle (e.g., knock window) or the knock sensor output sound has been affected by the fuel-based cylinder deactivation of a cylinder in a knock window in which the knock sensor output has only been interrogated (eg, present knock window); the answer is yes and the procedure 3700 go to 3742 above. Otherwise, the answer is no and the procedure 3700 go to 3730 above.

at 3714 filters the process 3700 the output via a bandpass from a knock sensor detected during the knock window. The bandpass filter may be a first order or higher order filter. An average of the filtered knock sensor data is determined to provide a second knock reference value. In some examples, the second knock reference value may be determined under conditions under which it is expected that no knocking takes place. For example, a second knock reference value may be determined if the ignition timing is subtracted three degrees crankshaft rotation before the Grenzzündzeitpunkt. Furthermore, second knock reference values may be periodically (eg once for all 1000 Combustion events in a cylinder at a particular engine speed and engine torque) instead of each engine cycle. The procedure 3700 go to 3716 above.

at 3716 processes the procedure 3700 the knock sensor data recorded in the present knock window based on the second knock reference to determine whether there is knock in the cylinder in which combustion has occurred for the present knock window. In one example, the knock sensor data taken in the present knock window is integrated to provide an integrated knock value. The integrated knock value is then divided by the second knock reference value and the result is compared to a threshold value. If the result is greater than the threshold, a knock is indicated for the cylinder associated with the knock region. Otherwise, no knock is specified. A knock can be specified by changing a value of a variable in memory. The procedure 3700 go to 3718 above.

at 3718 puts the procedure 3700 an actuator to reduce the engine knock. In one example, the ignition timing is delayed for the cylinder associated with the knock window. Additionally, or alternatively, the air flow to the cylinder associated with the knock window may be reduced by adjusting the valve timing. In another example, an air-fuel ratio of the cylinder associated with the knock window may be enriched by adjusting the timing of a fuel injection system. The procedure 3700 will be terminated after action has been taken to reduce engine knock.

at 3720 assess the procedure 3700 whether one or more engine cylinders are switched on again. The procedure 3700 may judge that one or more engine cylinders are being restarted or that their reconnection is being requested based on one or more variables in the memory change state. For example, a variable representing the operating state of cylinder number one may have a value of zero when the cylinder is off, and the value may transition to a value of one when the cylinder is re-engaged. Judge the procedure 3700 that one or more engine cylinders should be switched back on, the answer is yes and the procedure 3700 go to 3722 above. Otherwise, the answer is no and the procedure 3700 go to 3724 above.

at 3722 puts the procedure 3700 one or more knock reference values for the cylinders to be readjusted to a predetermined value or to predetermined values that had the knock reference values just before the cylinders to be readmitted were turned off. The predetermined value can be determined empirically and stored in memory. The values that had the knock reference values just before the cylinders to be switched back off were stored in memory when cylinder deactivation is requested. Thus, the knocking thresholds for knocking windows of each cylinder are stored in memory at different engine speeds and torques in response to the cylinder deactivation, and the same knocking reference values are retrieved from the memory in response to turning off cylinders off, so that the knocking reference values for on-cylinder conditions are appropriate, instead of Using knock reference values determined during cylinder deactivation. Retrieving the knock reference values from memory may improve knock detection when cylinders are re-enabled. The procedure 3700 go to 3724 above.

at 3724 filters the process 3700 the output via a bandpass from a knock sensor detected during the knock window. The bandpass filter may be a first order or higher order filter. An average of the filtered knock sensor data is determined to provide a third knock reference value. In some examples, the third knock reference value may be determined under conditions under which knocking is not expected to occur. For example, a third knock reference value may be determined if the ignition timing is subtracted three degrees crankshaft rotation before the Grenzzündzeitpunkt. Furthermore, third knock reference values may be periodically (eg once for all 1000 Combustion events in a cylinder at a particular engine speed and engine torque) instead of each engine cycle. The knock reference value may not be corrected to a third reference value until a predetermined amount of time or amount of engine cycles has occurred since the cylinder reconnection. Instead, the third knock reference value at 3722 be certain knock reference value until the predetermined conditions have been met. The procedure 3700 go to 3726 above.

at 3726 processes the procedure 3700 the knock sensor data extracted in the present knock window based on the third knock reference to determine whether in the cylinder in which a Combustion occurred for the present knock window is present. In one example, the knock sensor data taken in the present knock window is integrated to provide an integrated knock value. The integrated knock value is then divided by the third knock reference value and the result is compared to a threshold value. If the result is greater than the threshold, a knock is indicated for the cylinder associated with the knock region. Otherwise, no knock is specified. A knock can be specified by changing a value of a variable in memory. The procedure 3700 go to 3718 above.

at 3730 and 3740 filters the process 3700 the output via a bandpass from a knock sensor detected during the present knock window. The bandpass filter may be a first order or higher order filter. An average of the filtered knock sensor data is determined to provide a fourth knock reference value. In some examples, the fourth knock reference value may be determined under conditions under which knocking is not expected to occur. For example, a fourth knock reference value may be determined if the ignition timing is delayed three degrees crankshaft rotation before the Grenzzündzeitpunkt. Furthermore, fourth knock reference values may be generated regularly (eg once for all 1000 Combustion events in a cylinder at a particular engine speed and engine torque) instead of each engine cycle. The procedure 3700 go to 3746 above.

at 3746 assess the procedure 3700 whether the fourth knock value is greater than a threshold. The threshold can be determined empirically and stored in memory. If the further knock reference value exceeds the threshold value, the knock intensity value may be reduced due to the manner in which the intensity is determined. In order to improve the signal-to-noise ratio of the knock sensor output, the first knock reference value (eg at 3742 determined) or the second knock reference value (eg at 3714 determined) are selected to process knock sensor data instead of the fourth knock reference value. If the procedure 3700 is judged that the fourth knock reference value is greater than the threshold, then the answer is Yes and the method 3700 go to 3750 above. Otherwise, the answer is no and the procedure 3700 go to 3748 above.

at 3748 processes the procedure 3700 the knock sensor data taken in the present knock window based on the fourth knock reference to determine whether there is knock in the cylinder in which combustion has occurred for the present knock window. In one example, the knock sensor data taken in the present knock window is integrated to provide an integrated knock value. The integrated knock value is then divided by the fourth knock reference value and the result is compared to a threshold value. If the result is greater than the threshold, a knock is indicated for the cylinder associated with the knock region. Otherwise, no knock is specified. A knock can be specified by changing a value of a variable in memory. The procedure 3700 go to 3718 above.

at 3750 processes the procedure 3700 the knock sensor data extracted in the present knock window based on the first or second knock reference determined for the present engine speed and torque but with the cylinders off, to determine whether knocking occurred in the cylinder in which combustion occurred present knock window is present. The integrated knock value is then divided by the first or second knock reference value and the result is compared to a threshold value. If the result is greater than the threshold, a knock is indicated for the cylinder associated with the knock region. Otherwise, no knock is specified. A knock can be specified by changing a value of a variable in memory. The first knock reference value may be used to determine engine knock during a first condition and the second knock reference may be used to determine engine knock during a second condition. For example, the first knock reference value may be used when the closing noise of the engine valve exceeds a threshold. The second knock reference value may be used when the closing sound of the engine value falls below a threshold value. The procedure 3700 go to 3718 above.

at 3742 filters the process 3700 the output via a bandpass from a knock sensor detected during the knock window. The bandpass filter may be a first order or higher order filter. An average of the filtered knock sensor data is determined to provide a first knock reference value. In some examples, the first knock reference value may be determined under conditions under which knocking is not expected to occur. For example, a first knock reference value may be determined if the ignition timing is delayed three degrees crankshaft rotation before the Grenzzündzeitpunkt. Furthermore, first knock reference values may be periodically (eg once for all 1000 Combustion events in a cylinder at a particular engine speed and engine torque) instead of each engine cycle. The procedure 3700 go to 3744 above.

at 3744 processes the procedure 3700 the knock sensor data taken in the present knock window based on the first knock reference to determine whether there is any presence in the cylinder in which combustion has occurred for the present knock window. In one example, the knock sensor data taken in the present knock window is integrated to provide an integrated knock value. The integrated knock value is then divided by the first knock reference value and the result is compared to a threshold value. If the result is greater than the threshold, a knock is indicated for the cylinder associated with the knock region. Otherwise, no knock is specified. A knock can be specified by changing a value of a variable in memory. The procedure 3700 go to 3718 above.

The procedure 3700 can be performed for each engine cylinder as the engine rotates through all engine cylinder knock windows in one engine cycle. The examples in the description of the method 3700 are exemplary in nature and are not intended to limit the disclosure.

Additionally, knocked-off knock control may be interrupted by not updating variables and / or adjusting ignition timing with respect to deactivated cylinders (eg, not providing ignition to the deactivated cylinders). In one example, cylinders that are off are indicated to an engine knock control such that the knock control does not need to further process knocked cylinder knock sensor data.

In this manner, knock reference values may be adjusted in response to cylinder deactivation modes and cylinder deactivation to improve signal-to-noise ratios and engine knock detection. Further, multiple knock reference values may be provided at a particular engine speed and engine torque based on the cylinder deactivation.

Now referring to 38 For example, a sequence for operating an engine according to the method is provided 37 shown. The vertical lines at time T3800-T3804 represent relevant times in the sequence. 38 shows three representations and the representations are timed and occur simultaneously. The sequence after 38 represents a sequence for operating a four-cylinder engine at a constant speed and a constant driver demand torque.

The first illustration from the top in 38 FIG. 12 is an illustration of a knocking reference value for cylinder number one versus time. FIG. The vertical axis represents the knock reference value for cylinder number one and the knock reference value increases in the direction of the arrow of the vertical axis. A higher knocking reference value indicates a louder background engine noise (eg, engine noise is not caused by knocking in the cylinder to be knock-evaluated). The horizontal axis represents time and time increases from the left side of the figure to the right side of the figure. The knock reference value for cylinder number one may be based on first, second, third or further reference values depending on operating conditions. The horizontal line 3802 represents a threshold above which the fourth knock reference value can not be selected.

The second illustration from the top in 38 is a representation of a selected knock reference value for cylinder number one versus time. The vertical axis represents the selected knock reference value for cylinder number one and the knock reference value increases in the direction of the vertical axis arrow. The selected knock reference value may be based on a first, second, third or fourth knock reference value. The fourth knock reference values become as in 37 and the selected knocking reference is based on the present vehicle conditions. The selected reference value is the reference value used to process the knock sensor information retrieved in the knock sensor to judge whether or not knock is indicated (eg, at 3748 to 37 ). The horizontal axis represents time and time increases from the left side of the figure to the right side of the figure.

The third illustration from the top in 38 is an illustration of the cylinder deactivation mode versus time. The vertical axis represents the cylinder deactivation mode. The cylinders are not shut down when the cylinder deactivation trace is near the center of the vertical axis. Disconnected cylinders are shut off by stopping air and fuel supply to the deactivated cylinders when the trace is near the vertical axis arrow. Disconnected cylinders are turned off by stopping the supply Cylinder is shut off with fuel while air flows through the deactivated cylinders when the trace is near the horizontal axis. The horizontal axis represents time and time increases from the left side of the figure to the right side of the figure.

At the time 3800 For example, the knock reference value of cylinder number one is a higher average below the threshold 3802 , The knock reference value for cylinder number one is the third knock reference value (eg. 3724 out 37 ), because the cylinders are not turned off and the signal-to-noise ratio of the knock sensor is low. Engine cylinders are not de-energized as indicated by the mid-stage deactivated cylinder condition. The selected knock reference mode is the value of the knock reference value for cylinder number one because the knock reference value for cylinder number one is less than the threshold 3802 is.

At the time 3801 the knocking reference value of the number one cylinder changes to a lower value below the threshold value 3802 , The knock reference value of cylinder number one is the first knock reference value (eg. 3742 out 37 ), because the cylinders are switched off via fuel and air and because the signal-to-noise ratio of the knock sensor is low. Engine cylinders are shut off via air and fuel (eg, fuel flow and airflow through cylinder number one is terminated), as indicated by the deactivated cylinder state at the low level. The selected knock reference mode is the value of the knock reference value for cylinder number one because the knock reference value for cylinder number one is less than the threshold 3802 is. Since the cylinders are turned off at time T3801 and since the deactivated cylinder affects the noise in the knock window of cylinder number one, the reference value of cylinder number one is the first knock reference value (e.g. 3742 out 37 ).

At time T3802, the knocking reference value for cylinder number one increases in response to cylinders restarting. The knock reference value for cylinder number one is the third knock reference value (eg. 3724 out 37 ), since this was the value before the cylinders were turned off at time T3801. The engine cylinders are reconnected by supplying the number one cylinder with air and fuel, as indicated by the mid-stage deactivated cylinder condition. The selected knock reference value is set to the knock reference value of cylinder number one before the cylinders are turned off at time T3801. By using the knock reference value before the cylinders have been turned off, an improved knock reference value may be provided because the knock reference value is based on on-cylinders (eg, the current engine operating state) and non-deactivated cylinders (eg, earlier engine operating state).

At the time 3803 the knocking reference value of the number one cylinder changes to a lower value below the threshold value 3802 , The knock reference value of cylinder number one is the second knock reference value (eg. 3714 out 37 ), because the cylinders are shut off via fuel (eg, fuel injection to the cylinders is stopped while air is flowing through the cylinders) and because the signal-to-noise ratio of the knock sensor is low. The selected knock reference value is the value of the knock reference value for cylinder number one because the knock reference value for cylinder number one is less than the threshold 3802 is. Since the cylinders are turned off at time T3803, and because the deactivated cylinder affects the noise in the knock window of cylinder number one, the reference value of cylinder number one is the second knock reference value (e.g. 3714 out 37 ).

At time T3804, the knocking reference value for cylinder number one increases in response to cylinders being restarted. The knock reference value for cylinder number one is the third knock reference value (eg. 3724 out 37 ), as this was the value before the cylinders were shut down at time T3803. The engine cylinders are reconnected by supplying the number one cylinder with air and fuel, as indicated by the mid-stage deactivated cylinder condition. The selected knock reference value is set to the knock reference value of cylinder number one before the cylinders are turned off at time T3803.

In this way, the knocking reference values of the cylinders that are the basis for determining the presence or absence of engine knock may be adjusted in response to the cylinder deactivation and the cylinder deactivation mode.

Now, referring to 39 a method of performing the diagnosis of an engine is shown. The procedure according to 39 can in that in the 1A - 6C be described system. The procedure according to 39 may be included as executable instructions stored in nonvolatile memory. The procedure according to 39 can with the system hardware and others here described methods are performed cooperatively to convert an operating condition of an engine or its components.

at 3902 monitors the procedure 3900 the operating conditions of engine intake and exhaust valves. In one example, the operating conditions of engine intake and exhaust valves are monitored by pressure sensors in the engine cylinders, in the engine exhaust system, and / or in the engine intake system (eg, in the engine intake manifold). The procedure 3900 go to 3904 above.

at 3904 assess the procedure 3900 Whether cylinder deactivation (eg, stopping combustion in the cylinder or in the cylinders) is being requested, or whether cylinder deactivation is currently in progress. The procedure 3900 can determine which engine cylinders are turned on (eg, air and fuel burn) and off, as at 1118 in 11 or activated cylinders may be values of variables determined at certain locations in memory. The values of the variables can be revised each time a cylinder is switched on or off. For example, a variable in memory may indicate the operating status of cylinder number one. A value of one in the variable may indicate that cylinder number one is on, while a value of zero in the variable may indicate cylinder number one is off. In this way, the operating state of each engine cylinder can be determined. A request to disable cylinders may also be based on a value of a variable in memory. Cylinder interface requests and shutdown requests may be commands issued by the controller. Judge the procedure 3900 that one or more cylinders are shut down or that their shutdown is requested, the answer is yes and the procedure 3900 go to 3906 above. Otherwise, the answer is no and the procedure 3500 go to 3930 above.

at 3906 assess the procedure 3900 whether one or more poppet valves of cylinders whose shutdown was requested are turned off after commanding the poppet valve to stop and after providing sufficient time to shut down the cylinders (eg, a full engine cycle has been performed upon a request) are. Based on cylinder pressure, exhaust pressure or suction pressure, it may be determined that one or more poppet valves remain on. Alternatively, sensors may be positioned on the individual valve actuators to determine if valves are still operating after the command for their shutdown has been issued. If the procedure 3900 judges that one or more poppet valves for which the shutdown command (eg, held closed during an engine cycle when the engine is spinning) continue to operate (eg, open and close during the engine cycle when the engine is spinning), the answer is yes and the procedure 3900 go to 3908 above. Otherwise, the answer is no and the procedure 3900 go to 3920 above. It should be noted that the procedure 3900 may wait a certain amount of time after the command has been issued to shut off the one or more poppet valves before 3908 is passed to ensure that the state of the poppet valve is valid.

at 3908 switches the procedure 3900 the cylinder or cylinders in which the poppet valves continue to work again. The cylinder or cylinders are switched back on by turning on the poppet valves of the cylinder and supplying the cylinders with fuel and sparks. Turning on the cylinder valve valves provides air to the cylinder. Air and fuel are burned in the connected cylinders. The procedure 3900 go to 3910 above.

at 3910 removes the procedure 3900 the cylinders with one or more valves that have not turned off, from a list of cylinders that can be shut down. Thus, the process inhibits 3900 Cylinder deactivation for the cylinders with valves that did not shut off when the valves were asked to shut down. The procedure 3900 go to 3912 above.

at 3912 switches the procedure 3900 an alternate cylinder to provide a desired number of deactivated cylinders. For example, if it is requested to turn off cylinder number two of a four-cylinder engine, but the valves of cylinder number two do not turn off while cylinders number one, three, and four are turned on, cylinder number two will be turned back on, as at 3910 and the command is issued to turn off cylinder number three. In this example, the desired number of deactivated cylinders is one and the number of desired cylinders is three. In this way, the desired number of switched on and off cylinders can be provided. Consequently, improved fuel efficiency can be maintained even in the presence of wear of the valve drive. The procedure 3900 moves to the end.

at 3920 puts the procedure 3900 a desired amount of engine torque is available via connected cylinders. The desired amount of engine torque may be based on driver demand torque and the driver demand torque may be based on a position of an accelerator pedal and a vehicle speed. The desired amount of torque from the on-off cylinders is provided by controlling the airflow and fuel flow to the on-off cylinders. The procedure 3900 moves to the end.

at 3930 assess the procedure 3900 whether one or more poppet valves of cylinders whose turn on or off was requested, after commanding to turn on the poppet valve, and after providing sufficient time to turn on the cylinders (eg, a full engine cycle was performed upon a request ), are switched off. Based on cylinder pressure, exhaust pressure or suction pressure, it may be determined that one or more poppet valves remain shut off. Alternatively, sensors may be positioned on the individual valve drives to determine whether valves will not open and close during an engine cycle after the command has been issued to turn them on. If the procedure 3900 judges that one or more poppet valves for which the command to turn on (eg, open and close during an engine cycle when the engine is spinning) do not open and close during the engine cycle, the answer is yes and the procedure 3900 go to 3932 above. Otherwise, the answer is no and the procedure 3900 go to 3940 above. It should be noted that the procedure 3900 may wait a predetermined amount of time before 3932 after the instruction has been issued to turn on the one or more poppet valves to ensure that the state of the poppet valve is valid.

at 3932 switches the procedure 3900 the cylinder or cylinders in which the poppet valves do not open and close during a cylinder cycle. The cylinder or cylinders are turned off by turning off the poppet valves of the cylinder and stopping the supply of fuel and sparks to the cylinder. Turning off the cylinder valve valves stops the flow of air to the cylinder. The procedure 3900 go to 3934 above.

at 3934 removes the procedure 3900 the cylinder with one or more valves that have not turned on, from a list of cylinders that can be turned on. Thus, the process inhibits 3900 the cylinder interface for the cylinders with valves that did not turn on when the valves were prompted to turn on. The combustion is inhibited in cylinders that have been removed from the list of cylinders that can be turned on. The procedure 3900 go to 3936 above.

at 3936 puts the procedure 3900 a requested engine torque up to the capacity of the cylinders in the list of cylinders that can be turned on ready. The actual total number of cylinders that are on may be increased or decreased in response to the engine torque request in response to the engine torque request. As a result, a significant amount of engine torque may be provided even if poppet valves of one or more cylinders are wearing out. The procedure 3900 moves to the end.

at 3940 puts the procedure 3900 a desired amount of engine torque is available via connected cylinders. The desired amount of engine speed may be based on driver demand torque and the driver demand torque may be based on a position of an accelerator pedal and a vehicle speed. The desired amount of torque from the on-off cylinders is provided by controlling the airflow and fuel flow to the on-off cylinders. The procedure 3900 moves to the end.

Now referring to 40 For example, a sequence for operating an engine according to the method is provided 39 shown. The vertical lines at time T4000-T4005 represent relevant times in the sequence. 40 shows five representations and the representations are timed and occur simultaneously. SS along the time line of each representation indicates an interruption of the sequence. The time between interruptions can be long or short. The sequence after 40 represents a sequence for operating a four-cylinder engine with a firing order of 1-3-4-2.

The first illustration from the top in 40 Figure 12 is an illustration of the cylinder deactivation request (eg, a request to end combustion in one or more cylinders) versus time. The vertical axis represents the cylinder deactivation request and the cylinder deactivation is requested when the tracing is at a level close to the vertical axis arrow. The horizontal axis represents time and time increases from the left side of the figure to the right side of the figure.

The second illustration from the top in 40 is a representation of the valve operating state of cylinder number two over time. The cylinder valves in cylinder number two are turned on when the trace is at a higher level near the arrow of the vertical axis. The cylinder valves in cylinder number two are off when the trace is at a lower level near the horizontal axis. The horizontal axis represents time and time increases from the left side of the figure to the right side of the figure.

The third illustration from the top in 40 is a representation of the valve operating state of cylinder number three against time. The cylinder valves in cylinder number three are on when the trace is at a higher level near the arrow of the vertical axis. The cylinder valves in cylinder number three are off when the trace is at a lower level near the horizontal axis. The horizontal axis represents time and time increases from the left side of the figure to the right side of the figure.

The fourth representation from above in 40 FIG. 13 is an illustration of an actual total number of requested engine cylinders that are requested versus time. FIG. The vertical axis represents the actual total number of cylinders requested and the total number of cylinders requested is listed along the vertical axis. The horizontal axis represents time and time increases from the left side of the figure to the right side of the figure.

The fifth representation from above in 40 is a representation of the requested engine torque versus time. The vertical axis represents the requested torque and the value of the requested torque increases in the direction of the arrow of the vertical axis. The horizontal axis represents time and time increases from the left side of the figure to the right side of the figure.

At time T4000, it is not requested to shut down the cylinders as indicated by the cylinder deactivation request at a lesser level. The valves of cylinders number two and three are switched on. The valves of cylinders number two and three are turned on based on the number of requested cylinders turned on (eg, air and fuel burning) being four. The requested engine torque is at a higher level.

At the time 4001 decreases the requested engine torque. The requested engine torque may decrease in response to reducing the driver demand torque. The number of requested engine cylinders is reduced from four to three in response to the decrease in requested engine torque. Further, the cylinder deactivation request is acknowledged in response to the decrease in the requested engine torque. For cylinder number two, the shutdown is requested and the command is given to close the cylinder valve valves of cylinder number two. However, the valves of cylinder number two remain on, as indicated by the valve state of cylinder number two. Since the poppet valves of cylinder number two remain on (eg, open and close during an engine cycle when the engine is rotating), the command is issued to re-engage cylinder number two, such as the number of cylinders engaged to which four returns, displayed. Shortly thereafter, the command is given to disable cylinder number three in response to the number of cylinders turned on, which are changed back to three. The poppet valves of cylinder number three become inactive (eg, are kept closed during the engine cycle) and the requested number of cylinders turned on remain constant at a value of three.

At time T4002, the requested engine torque increases and the number of requested cylinders requested is increased back to four. Cylinder number three is switched back on and the valves of cylinder number three are turned on as indicated by the valve state of cylinder number three. Cylinder number two remains on and the cylinder deactivation request is not acknowledged in response to the number of requested cylinders requested.

At time T4003, the cylinder deactivation request is confirmed in response to the number of requested cylinders requested, which is two. The valves of cylinder number two and cylinder number three are switched off. The requested engine torque is at a low level, whereby the engine can provide the requested torque below the full complement of powered cylinders.

At the time 4004 The engine torque request increases in response to an increase in driver demand torque (not shown). The number of requested cylinders is increased in response to the increased requested torque to a value of four. The valves of cylinder number three turn on again, but the cylinders of cylinder number two do not turn on in response to the number of cylinders requested. Shortly after time T4004, the number of requested cylinders turned on passes to a value of three, and cylinder number two is commanded to turn off (eg, stopping the supply of fuel and holding the poppet valves closed in one engine cycle). , Further, the cylinder deactivation request is again confirmed for cylinder number two. The engine provides as much of the requested torque as the torque capacity of the three active cylinders allows.

At the time 4005 the requested engine torque is lowered in response to a decrease in driver demand torque. The number of requested cylinders that are requested is reduced from three to two in response to the decrease in requested engine torque. The valves of cylinder number three are turned off and cylinder numbers two and three are turned off in response to the number of requested cylinders turned on. The cylinder deactivation request also remains confirmed.

In this way, the number of engine cylinders that are requested can be adjusted in response to the valves, which can not be turned off when their shutdown is requested. Further, the number of engine cylinders to be requested may be adjusted in response to the valves that may be turned off when their turn-on is requested.

Now referring to 41 A method of interrogating oxygen sensors of an engine with cylinder deactivation is shown. The procedure according to 41 can in that in the 1A - 6C be described system. The procedure according to 41 may be included as executable instructions stored in nonvolatile memory. The procedure according to 41 can be performed cooperatively with the system hardware and other methods described herein to convert an operating state of an engine or its components.

at 4102 assess the procedure 4100 whether one or more cylinders of the engine are switched off. The procedure 4100 may evaluate a value of a variable stored in memory to determine if one or more engine cylinders are disabled. Judge the procedure 4100 that one or more engine cylinders are off, the answer is Yes and the procedure 4100 go to 4104 above. Otherwise, the answer is no and the procedure 4100 go to 4120 above.

at 4120 asks the procedure 4100 an oxygen sensor of a cylinder bank two times per exhaust stroke of each cylinder on the cylinder bank. As a result, the process asks 4100 For example, if the engine is a four-cylinder engine with a single bank of cylinders, one exhaust gas sensor turns off eight times in two engine revolutions. The polls are then averaged to provide an air-fuel ratio estimate for the engine. In addition, cylinder-specific air-fuel ratios may be estimated by averaging the two samples taken at a cylinder exhaust stroke to determine the air-fuel ratio. The procedure 4100 go to 4108 above.

at 4108 puts the procedure 4100 the fuel that is supplied to the engine cylinders based on the oxygen sensor values. If the oxygen sensor indicates a leaner air-fuel ratio than desired, additional fuel may be injected into the engine. If the oxygen sensor indicates an enriched air-fuel ratio as desired, less fuel may be injected into the engine. The procedure 4100 moves to the end.

at 4104 determines the procedure 4100 which engine cylinders are switched off. In one example, the procedure evaluates 4100 Values that are stored in memory and indicate powered and disabled cylinders. The procedure 4100 determines which cylinders are turned off, and goes to 4106 above.

at 4106 asks the procedure 4100 an oxygen sensor of a cylinder bank two times per exhaust stroke of each cylinder on the cylinder bank, with the exception of ejection cycles of deactivated cylinders, which are not interrogated. Alternatively, oxygen values sensed during exhaust strokes of deactivated cylinders may be discarded. The values are then averaged to determine an average engine air-fuel ratio. The procedure 4100 go to 4108 above.

If oxygen sensors are not interrogated at exhaust strokes of deactivated cylinders, it may be possible to predict the tendency of the air-fuel ratio to be induced on the engine cam position will reduce. In particular, when an air-fuel mixture of a cylinder is leaner or more enriched than that of other cylinders and exhaust gases are ejected near an exhaust stroke of a deactivated cylinder, the tendency of the air-fuel ratio of the engine can be reduced by reducing the output from the cylinder that is leaner or enriched, is not polled twice during an engine cylinder.

Now referring to 42 A method for interrogating cam sensors of an engine with cylinder deactivation is shown. The procedure according to 42 can in that in the 1A - 6C be described system. The procedure according to 42 may be included as executable instructions stored in nonvolatile memory. The procedure according to 42 can be performed cooperatively with the system hardware and other methods described herein to convert an operating state of an engine or its components.

at 4202 assess the procedure 4200 whether one or more cylinders of the engine are switched off. The procedure 4200 may evaluate a value of a variable stored in memory to determine if one or more engine cylinders are disabled. Judge the procedure 4200 that one or more cylinders are turned off, the answer is yes and the procedure 4200 go to 4204 above. Otherwise, the answer is no and the procedure 4200 go to 4220 above.

at 4220 asks the procedure 4200 an intake cam sensor twice per intake stroke of each cylinder on a cylinder bank including an intake cam monitored by the intake cam sensor. Similarly, the process asks 4200 an exhaust cam sensor twice per exhaust stroke of each cylinder on a cylinder bank including an exhaust cam monitored by the exhaust cam sensor. As a result, the process asks 4200 For example, if the engine is a four-cylinder engine with a single intake cam, a cam sensor turns eight times in two engine revolutions. The cam position and speed can be determined for each requested cam sensor value. The procedure 4200 go to 4208 above.

at 4208 puts the procedure 4200 a cam phase actuator command to adjust the cam position based on the cam sensor values. If the cam sensor indicates that the cam position is not at the desired position and / or if the cam is moving slower or faster than desired, the cam phasing command is adjusted to reduce the error between the actual cam position and the desired cam position. The procedure 4200 moves to the end.

at 4204 determines the procedure 4200 which engine cylinders are switched off. In one example, the procedure evaluates 4200 Values that are stored in memory and indicate powered and disabled cylinders. The procedure 4200 determines which cylinders are turned off, and goes to 4206 above.

at 4206 asks the procedure 4200 a cylinder bank cam sensor two times per intake stroke for one intake cam or two times for each exhaust stroke for an exhaust cam, except for exhaust strokes of deactivated cylinders that are not interrogated. Alternatively, cam sensor values sampled during intake or exhaust strokes of deactivated cylinders may be discarded. The values are then processed to determine the cam position and velocity. In addition, cam values can be averaged to reduce cog signal noise. The procedure 4200 go to 4208 above.

If cam sensors are not interrogated on intake and exhaust strokes of deactivated cylinders, it may be possible to reduce the cam position tendency induced on the engine cam position. The rate at which a cam phaser moves can be influenced by whether a cylinder is off or not. For this reason, it may be desirable to eliminate cam values taken when valve springs of deactivated cylinders do not assist in cam movement relative to crankshaft position.

It should be appreciated that the example control and estimation routines included herein may be used with various engine and / or vehicle system configurations. The control methods and routines disclosed herein may be stored as executable instructions in non-transitory memories and executed by the control system including the controller in combination with the various sensors, actuators, and other engine hardware. The specific routines described herein may be for one or more of any number of processing strategies such as event-driven, interrupt-driven, multi-tasking, multi-threading, and the like. Thus, various illustrated acts, acts, and / or functions may be performed in the illustrated order or in parallel, or omitted in some instances. Likewise, the processing order is not necessarily required to achieve the features and advantages of the embodiments described herein, but is provided for ease of processing and description. One or more of the illustrated acts, acts, and / or functions may be repeatedly performed, depending on the particular strategy employed. Further, at least a portion of the described acts, acts and / or functions may graphically represent code to be programmed in a nonvolatile memory of the computer readable storage medium in the control system. The control actions may also convert the operating state of one or more sensors or actuators in the physical domain when the described actions are performed by executing the instructions in a system including the various engine hardware components in combination with one or more controllers.

This completes the description. By reading it by one skilled in the art many changes and modifications are envisioned without departing from the spirit and scope of the description. For example, the present description may be exploited in I3, I4, I5, V6, V8, V10, and V12 engines operating on natural gas, gasoline, diesel, or alternative fuel configurations.

QUOTES INCLUDE IN THE DESCRIPTION

This list of the documents listed by the applicant has been generated automatically and is included solely for the better information of the reader. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions.

Cited patent literature

• US 2003/0145722 [0103]
• US 2014/0303873 [0103]
• US 6708102 [0382]
• US 6170475 [0382]

Claims (15)

 A method of operating an engine, comprising: Turning on one or more shut-off cylinder valves via a controller in response to a request to move an engine camshaft; and Adjusting a position of the engine camshaft relative to a position of an engine crankshaft via a torque provided via turning on one or more deactivated cylinder valves.  The method of claim 1, wherein the one or more deactivated cylinder valves comprise an exhaust valve.  The method of claim 1, wherein the engine cam shaft operates engine intake and exhaust valves.  The method of claim 1, wherein the engine cam shaft operates engine exhaust valves and not engine intake valves.  The method of claim 1, wherein the engine cam shaft operates engine intake valves and not engine exhaust valves.  The method of claim 1, wherein the one or more cylinder valves are turned on before the position of the engine camshaft is adjusted.  The method of claim 1, further comprising: not turning on one or more shut-off cylinder valves via a controller in response to a request to move an engine camshaft at a second state.  The method of claim 7, wherein the first state is a rate of cam movement below a threshold.  The method of claim 8, wherein the second state is the rate of cam movement above the threshold.  A vehicle system comprising: an engine including a torque-actuated camshaft and a crankshaft; and a controller, including non-transitory executable instructions, which, when executed by the controller, cause the controller to control a position of the torque actuated camshaft relative to a position of the crankshaft in response to the one or more valves being turned off Motors is adjusted.  The vehicle system of claim 10, further comprising additional instructions to re-initiate combustion in one or more cylinders where the one or more shut-off valves are located.  The vehicle system of claim 10, further comprising additional instructions to determine a desired rate of cam movement.  The vehicle system of claim 12, further comprising additional instructions to re-energize the one or more shut-off valves when the torque-actuated camshaft fails to move at the desired rate of cam movement without turning on the one or more shut-off valves.  The vehicle system of claim 10, further comprising additional instructions to enrich an air-fuel ratio of a cylinder in response to a restart of the one or more shut-off valves.  The vehicle system of claim 10, further comprising additional instructions to exhaust combustion gases from a cylinder and to receive fresh air into the cylinder before the one or more shut-off valves are turned off.

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