RU2676839C2 - Method (versions) and system for external air humidity detection via exhaust gas sensor - Google Patents

Abstract

FIELD: machine building.SUBSTANCE: invention relates to mechanical engineering, in particular to the measurement of the humidity of external air by means of an exhaust gas sensor. Engine control method comprises the following steps: selectively shutting off a first group of cylinders, while leaving a second group of cylinders on. Reference voltage of the first exhaust sensor, installed behind the first group of cylinders, is modulated between a first lower voltage and a second higher voltage. Humidity of the external air is calculated based on the output signal generated by said first sensor in response to said modulation. Operating parameter of the engine for the second group of cylinders is adjusted based on the calculated humidity of the external air, under the first condition, while said first group of cylinders is disconnected, the first voltage is applied to the second exhaust gas sensor, which is installed behind the activated second group of cylinders, and not to said first exhaust gas sensor. Ratio of fuel and exhaust air is calculated based on the output signal of the second sensor. Fuel injection into said second group of cylinders is adjusted based on the calculated ratio of fuel and exhaust air. Also disclosed is a version of the engine control method and engine system.EFFECT: reducing the delay in measuring humidity.20 cl, 6 dwg

Description

This application is an application with a partial continuation of patent application US 13/745639, filed January 18, 2013, the contents of which are fully incorporated herein by reference.

Technical field

The present invention relates generally to measuring the humidity of an outside air by means of an exhaust gas sensor mounted in an exhaust system of an internal combustion engine.

State of the art

Under conditions where no fuel enters the engine, when at least one inlet valve and one exhaust valve are engaged, for example, when the fuel supply is turned off during braking, outside air can pass through the engine cylinders and enter the exhaust system. In some cases, when the engine does not receive fuel, the exhaust gas sensor can be used to determine the humidity of the outside air. However, the need to wait for the fuel to turn off during braking can lead to a delay in the measurement of humidity. In addition, it may take a long time to turn off the fuel during braking to remove hydrocarbons from the exhaust stream. Also, during fuel shutdown during braking, when the intake flap is closed, a large vacuum is created in the manifold, which can lead to the absorption of a large amount of hydrocarbons from the crankcase ventilation system. Hydrocarbons from the forced crankcase ventilation system can affect the sensor output and distort the result of moisture measurements. In general, accurate readings of outdoor humidity can be delayed.

Disclosure of invention

In light of this problem, the authors of the present invention have developed an approach aimed at least at a partial solution. Thus, the following is a description of a method for controlling a propulsion system comprising an exhaust gas sensor. In one example, the method comprises the steps of: selectively turning off the first group of cylinders while leaving the second group of cylinders on, modulating the reference voltage of the first exhaust gas sensor installed behind the first group of cylinders between the first, lower voltage and the second, higher voltage; calculate the humidity of the outdoor air based on the output signal generated by the specified first sensor in response to the specified modulation, and adjust the engine operating parameter for the second group of cylinders based on the calculated humidity of the outdoor air; under the first condition, while the specified first group of cylinders is turned off, the first voltage is applied to the second exhaust gas sensor installed behind the second, included group of cylinders, and not to the specified first exhaust gas sensor, the fuel-exhaust air ratio is calculated based on the output signal of the second sensor, and adjusting fuel injection into said second group of cylinders based on the calculated ratio of fuel to exhaust air. Thus, the calculation of humidity can be carried out in a disconnected engine block with turn-off cylinders, which eliminates the need to wait for a situation with the fuel supply being turned off during braking.

For example, at a low engine load, the cylinders of the first cylinder block can be selectively shut off, while the cylinders of the second block remain turned on. Due to this, pump losses are reduced and engine efficiency is increased. Despite the fact that the fuel supply and ignition in the first cylinder block are switched off, it is possible to modulate the voltage on the first oxygen sensor in the exhaust gases installed behind the first engine block (but not the second cylinder block) to measure the humidity of the outdoor air. In particular, the first sensor can be alternately applied with the first one: a lower voltage (for example, 450 mV) and a second, higher voltage (for example, 1080 mV), and you can get the sensor output signal for each voltage (for example, current pumping at each voltage). Based on the difference between the first and second pump currents, the humidity of the outside air can be calculated. At the same time, while the second cylinder block is turned on, it is possible to carry out a voltage modulation on the second oxygen sensor in the exhaust gases mounted behind the second engine block (but not the first cylinder block) to determine the ethanol content in the fuel and / or determine the fuel ratio and exhaust air. In particular, under the first condition, only the first voltage can be applied to the second sensor, and on the basis of the output signal of the first pump current received from the sensor, the ratio of fuel to air can be measured. Then, under the second condition, the first and second voltages can be alternately applied to the second sensor, and based on the difference between the output signals of the first and second pump currents received from the specified sensor when the first and second voltages are applied, it is possible to calculate the ethanol content in the fuel. The engine operating parameter for the activated cylinder block (for example, the amount of injected fuel, setting the ignition timing, the amount of exhaust gas in the exhaust gas recirculation system, etc.) can then be adjusted based on the outdoor humidity measured in the disconnected cylinder block, and the ratio of fuel and air and ethanol content, measured in the included cylinder block.

Thus, by modulating the reference voltage and determining the change in the pump current in the oxygen sensor in the exhaust gas connected to the selectively disconnected engine cylinder block, there is no need to wait for the situation when the fuel supply is turned off during braking, and the effect of any changes in the fuel ratio and air. Due to the fact that it is not necessary to expect the occurrence of a situation when the fuel supply is turned off during braking, the influence on the result of measuring the humidity of hydrocarbons from the forced crankcase ventilation system is also reduced. In addition, the humidity of the outside air can be determined in a shorter time, since it is not required that the ratio of fuel to spent fuel remains stable until an accurate moisture reading is obtained. Moreover, due to the fact that the modulation of the reference voltage and the determination of the change in the pump current in the oxygen content sensor connected to the included cylinder block occur simultaneously, it is possible to simultaneously calculate the humidity of the outside air and calculate the ethanol content in the fuel and the ratio of fuel to air.

In one embodiment of the method, the modulation of the reference voltage involves switching the reference voltage between the first, lower voltage and the second, higher voltage, the second voltage providing for the dissociation of water molecules, and the first voltage does not cause the dissociation of water molecules.

In one embodiment of the method, selectively shutting off the first group of cylinders involves shutting off the fuel supply through selectively shut off fuel nozzles and ignitions for the first group of cylinders.

In one embodiment, the method further comprises the steps of: under the second condition, while said first group of cylinders is turned off, the reference voltage of said second exhaust gas sensor is modulated between the first voltage and the second voltage, the alcohol content in the fuel burned in the engine is calculated on based on the output signals of the specified second sensor at the first and second voltages, and the fuel injection into the specified second group of cylinders is regulated based on the calculated alcohol content in the fuel.

In one embodiment of the method, a second, higher, voltage provides for the dissociation of water molecules, and a first, lower, voltage does not cause the dissociation of water molecules, moreover, the calculation of the humidity of the outdoor air based on the output signal of the specified first sensor that responds to modulation, provides for the calculation of humidity external air based on the difference between the output signal of the first pump current received from the first sensor at the first voltage and the output signal of the second pump current received from the first a sensor at a second voltage, wherein the first pump current is an indicator of the amount of oxygen, and the second pump current is an indicator of the amount of oxygen and water.

In one embodiment of the method, the calculation of the alcohol content involves the calculation of the water content in the fuel combustion products based on the difference between the output signal of the first pump current received from the second sensor at the first voltage and the output signal of the second pump current received from the second sensor at the second voltage, moreover, the first pump current is an indicator of the amount of oxygen, and the second pump current is an indicator of the amount of oxygen and water, and also provides for the calculation of the alcohol content based and calculate the water content.

In one embodiment, the method further comprises the step of selectively performing a re-engagement of a first group of cylinders depending on the calculated humidity of the outdoor air, the re-engaging being delayed until the calculation of the outdoor humidity is completed.

In one embodiment of the method, the selective execution of the re-inclusion of the first group of cylinders further depends on the calculated humidity of the outdoor air, and selective re-activation is delayed if the calculated value of the humidity of the outdoor air exceeds a threshold value.

In one embodiment of the method, said first and second exhaust gas sensors are oxygen content sensors in the exhaust gas.

In one embodiment of the method, the first group of cylinders is connected to the first engine block and the second group of cylinders is connected to a second engine block different from said first cylinder block, said first exhaust gas sensor being connected to an exhaust gas emission reduction device located behind said first engine block, and not behind said second engine block, and said second exhaust gas sensor is connected to an exhaust toxicity reduction device gases located behind said second engine block, and not behind said first engine block.

In one embodiment of the method, the engine operating parameter is one or more of the following parameters: the amount of exhaust gas in the exhaust gas recirculation system, setting the ignition timing, and the amount of fuel injected.

The invention also provides an engine control method comprising the following steps: while the first engine block is turned off, each of the voltages is applied alternately to the first exhaust gas sensor installed behind the first cylinder block — the first, lower reference voltage and the second , higher reference voltage, calculate the humidity of the outdoor air based on the difference between the output signal of the first pump current received from the specified first sensor when applying the first Oh voltage, and the output signal of the second pump current received from the specified first sensor when applying the second voltage, regulate the operating parameter of the second, turned on cylinder block of the engine on the basis of the calculated humidity of the outside air, and selectively re-enable the specified first block of cylinders on the basis of the calculated humidity of the outside air, and the specified selective implementation of the re-inclusion is delayed if the calculation of the humidity of the outside air is not completed or if and the calculated outdoor humidity exceeds a threshold value, and the threshold value depends on the boundaries of the detonation of the engine.

In one embodiment, the method further comprises stages in which: each of the voltages is applied to the second exhaust gas sensor installed behind said second cylinder block, the first voltage and the second voltage, and the ethanol content in the fuel combustion products is calculated based on the difference between the output the signal of the first pump current received from the specified second sensor when the first voltage is applied, and the output signal of the second pump current received from the specified second sensor when p APPENDIX second voltage, and further adjust the second operating parameter of said engine block based on the calculated ethanol content.

In one embodiment, the method further comprises the steps of: applying a first voltage to said second exhaust gas sensor, calculating the ratio of fuel to exhaust air based on the output signal of the first pump current received from said second sensor when applying the first voltage, and adjusting the injection fuel in the specified second cylinder block depending on the difference between the calculated ratio of fuel and exhaust air and the threshold value of the ratio.

In one embodiment, the method further comprises the step of, after re-enabling said first cylinder block, adjusting the operating parameter of both the first and second cylinder blocks based on one or more of the following parameters: calculated external humidity and calculated ethanol content.

In one embodiment, the method further comprises the steps of: applying a first voltage to said second exhaust gas sensor, calculating the ratio of fuel to exhaust air based on the output signal of the first pump current received from said second sensor when applying the first voltage, and adjusting the injection fuel in the specified second cylinder block depending on the difference between the calculated ratio of fuel and exhaust air and the threshold value of the ratio.

In one embodiment, the method further comprises the step, after re-enabling said first cylinder block, adjusting the operating parameter of both the first and second cylinder blocks based on one or more of the following parameters: calculated external humidity and calculated ethanol content.

In one embodiment of the method, the specified operating parameter is one or more of the following parameters: the amount of exhaust gas in the exhaust gas recirculation system, setting the ignition timing and the ratio of fuel to air in the engine.

In one embodiment, the method further comprises disabling the first cylinder block by turning off the fuel and ignition in response to engine load.

The invention also provides an engine system comprising: an engine having a first group of cylinders in a first cylinder block and a second group of cylinders in a second cylinder block, selectively shut off fuel nozzles connected to said first and second cylinder groups, a first exhaust oxygen sensor gas mounted behind said first cylinder block, a second oxygen sensor in exhaust gas mounted behind said second cylinder block, a control system, interacting with said first and second sensors, said control system containing unchanged instructions for: selectively shutting off the fuel supply and ignition to said first group of cylinders, modulating the reference voltage of said first sensor between the first voltage and second voltage, forming an indication of the humidity of the outdoor air based on the change the output signal of the pump current received from the first sensor in response to modulation of the reference voltage of the first group of cylinders until the modulation of the reference voltage is completed, and regulation of the fuel supply and ignition in the second included group of cylinders based on the readings of the humidity of the outside air.

In one embodiment of the engine system, the engine is an engine with switchable cylinders.

In one embodiment of the engine system, the regulation of fuel and ignition in response to indications of increased humidity involves shifting the ignition timing to the front and adjusting fuel injection to move to a fuel-air ratio corresponding to a leaner mixture than a stoichiometric mixture.

It should be understood that the information contained in this section is provided for acquaintance in a simplified form with some ideas, which are further discussed in the description in more detail. This section is not intended to formulate key or essential features of the claimed subject matter, the scope of which is uniquely defined by the claims, which follows the section with a detailed description of the present invention. Moreover, the claimed subject matter of the invention is not limited to the options for implementation, which eliminate the disadvantages mentioned above or in any section of this description.

Brief Description of the Drawings

In FIG. 1 shows one embodiment of an engine with selectively disengaged cylinders.

In FIG. 2 shows one embodiment of a combustion chamber in an engine system comprising an exhaust system and an exhaust gas recirculation system.

In FIG. 3 schematically shows an exemplary embodiment of an exhaust gas sensor.

In FIG. 4 shows a flowchart of the operation of one or more exhaust gas sensors connected to an engine with switchable cylinders.

In FIG. 5 shows a block diagram of an algorithm for determining the humidity of outdoor air, the ratio of fuel and exhaust air and / or alcohol content in the fuel combustion products based on data received from engine exhaust sensors with switchable cylinders.

In FIG. 6 shows a block diagram of an algorithm for regulating engine operating parameters based on data on the humidity of the outdoor air, the ratio of fuel to fuel and exhaust air and / or alcohol content in the fuel combustion products calculated by means of exhaust gas sensors.

The implementation of the invention

The present invention provides methods and systems for calculating humidity in a shut-off engine block with shut-off cylinders, such as, for example, shown in FIG. 1 and 2. When the engine is in off-cylinder mode, the exhaust oxygen sensor, for example, the sensor shown in FIG. 3, installed behind the turned off engine block, can be used to measure humidity, and an oxygen sensor in the exhaust gases installed behind the turned on engine block can be used to calculate the ratio of fuel to air and ethanol content in the fuel. The controller may be configured to implement an algorithm, for example, the algorithm shown in FIG. 4-5, to modulate the specified sensor of oxygen content in the exhaust gases connected to the disconnected cylinder block of the engine, when the engine is in the mode with the cylinders turned off to calculate the humidity of the outdoor air, and at the same time modulate the specified sensor of oxygen content in the exhaust gas connected to the switched on block engine cylinders for calculating the alcohol content (for example, ethanol) in the products of fuel combustion and measuring the ratio of fuel to exhaust air. The operating parameters of the engine for the disabled cylinder block when the engine is operating in the mode with the cylinders turned off, and for both cylinder blocks in the subsequent operation of the engine in the mode without turning off the cylinders, are adjusted based on the calculated humidity, the ratio of fuel to air and the alcohol content in the fuel (Fig. 6 ) In addition, the re-activation of a disabled cylinder block can be adjusted based on at least the results of a humidity measurement.

In FIG. 1 shows an embodiment 100 of an engine 10, said engine being an engine with switchable cylinders. Engine 10 with switchable cylinders contains several combustion chambers or cylinders 31. These cylinders 31 of the engine 10 are arranged in the form of groups of cylinders in separate cylinder blocks. In the illustrated example, the engine 10 comprises two cylinder blocks 14A, 14B. Thus, the cylinders are arranged in the form of a first group of cylinders (four cylinders in the illustrated example) provided in the first cylinder block 14A and a second group of cylinders (four cylinders in the illustrated example) provided in the second cylinder block 14B. It should be understood that although the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1 is an engine with a V-shaped arrangement of cylinders arranged in various cylinder blocks, the present invention is not limited to this embodiment, and in alternative embodiments, said engine may be a linear arrangement engine, wherein all cylinders may be arranged in one common cylinder block.

Engine 10 with switchable cylinders can receive intake air through inlet channel 142 in communication with a branched intake manifold 44A, 44B. In particular, the first cylinder block 14A receives intake air from the inlet channel 142 through the first intake manifold 44A, and the second cylinder block 14B receives intake air from the intake channel 142 through the second intake manifold 44B. Although the cylinder blocks 14A, 14B are depicted with different intake manifolds, it should be understood that in other embodiments, they may share a common intake manifold or part of a common intake manifold. The amount of air supplied to the engine cylinders can be controlled by adjusting the position of the damper 62. In addition, the amount of air supplied to each cylinder group in specific cylinder blocks can be controlled by changing the valve timing for one or more intake valves connected to the cylinders.

The combustion products generated in the cylinders of the first cylinder block 14A are sent to one or more catalytic converters in the first exhaust manifold 48A, where these combustion products are processed before being released to the atmosphere. Connected to the first exhaust manifold 48A is a first exhaust gas emission reduction device 70A. Said first exhaust gas emission reduction device 70A may comprise one or more catalytic converters, for example, a direct coupled catalytic converter. In one example, said direct coupled catalyst included in the exhaust gas emission reduction device 70A may be a three component catalytic converter. The exhaust gas generated in the cylinders of the first block 14A is processed in the exhaust gas emission reduction device 70A before being supplied to the first exhaust gas emission reduction device 80A mounted under the underbody. Said first exhaust gas reduction device 80A mounted under the underbody may comprise a first exhaust catalyst 82A mounted under the underbody and a second exhaust catalytic converter 84A mounted under the underbody. In one example, said first underbody catalytic converter 82A is an SCR catalyst for selective catalytic reduction in which nitrogen oxides (NOx) are reduced to nitrogen in the presence of ammonia. In another example, said second catalytic converter 84A installed under the underbody is a three-way catalytic converter. Said first catalytic converter 82A, mounted under the underbody, can be located in front of the second catalytic converter 84A (in the direction of flow of the exhaust gas) as part of the device 80A for reducing toxicity of exhaust gases mounted under the underbody, but behind the third catalytic converter with a direct connection (included in the device 70A reduce toxicity of exhaust gases). The exhaust gas that is processed as it passes through the first exhaust gas emission reduction device 70A and the first exhaust gas emission reduction device 80A, mounted under the underbody, is then routed through the first exhaust manifold 48A to a branch 55 of the exhaust system. From here, the exhaust gas can be directed to the atmosphere through a common exhaust channel 50.

Combustion products generated in the cylinders of the second cylinder block 14B are discharged into the atmosphere through a second exhaust manifold 48B. A second exhaust manifold 70B is coupled to the second 48V exhaust manifold. Said second exhaust gas emission reduction device 70B may comprise one or more catalytic converters, for example a direct coupled catalytic converter. In one example, said direct coupled catalyst included in the exhaust gas emission reduction device 70B may be a three component catalytic converter. The exhaust gas generated in the cylinders of the second cylinder block 14B is subjected to processing in the exhaust gas emission reduction device 70B before being supplied to the second exhaust gas emission reduction device 80B mounted under the underbody. Said second exhaust gas reduction device 80B mounted under the underbody may also include a first exhaust catalyst 82B mounted under the underbody and a second exhaust catalyst 84B mounted under the underbody.

In FIG. 1 shows that each cylinder block is connected to a corresponding exhaust gas emission reduction device installed under the underbody. In other embodiments, each cylinder block may be connected to a corresponding exhaust gas emission reduction device 70A, 70B, but connected to a common exhaust gas emission reduction device mounted under the underbody and located behind the branching 55 of the exhaust system, and with a common exhaust channel .

Various sensors can be connected to the engine 10. For example, the first exhaust gas sensor 72 may be connected to the first exhaust manifold 48A of the first cylinder block 14A and installed behind the first exhaust gas emission reduction device 70A, and the second exhaust sensor 74 may be connected to the second exhaust manifold 48B of the second cylinder block 14B and installed behind the second exhaust gas reduction device 70B. According to other embodiments of the present invention, additional exhaust gas sensors may be installed in front of said exhaust gas emission reduction devices. In addition, other sensors may be provided, for example, temperature sensors connected to an exhaust gas emission reduction device (s) mounted under the underbody. As explained with reference to FIG. 2-3, exhaust gas sensors 72, 74 may be exhaust gas oxygen sensors, for example, an exhaust oxygen sensor (DSCW), a heated exhaust oxygen sensor (SSCR), or a wide range exhaust oxygen sensor (SHDSKV).

One or more engine cylinders can be selectively shut off under selected engine operating conditions. For example, when the engine load is low, one or more cylinders of the selected engine block may be selectively disabled. Although the engine load is lower, due to the shutdown of the selected cylinders, the average load per cylinder increases for the remaining switched on cylinders, which improves the pumping efficiency. Selective shutdown of the cylinders may include shutting off the fuel and ignition for the selected engine cylinders (or for the selected cylinder block, if the whole block is turned off, for example, in designs with a flat layout of the crankshaft). In addition, the valve timing for the intake and / or exhaust valves can be adjusted so that essentially no air is pumped through the disconnected cylinder block, but at the same time, air continues to pass through the included cylinder block. In some embodiments of the present invention, the shut off cylinders may include valves that are kept closed for one or more engine cycles, the cylinder valves being shut off by means of hydraulic rams or a cam profile switching mechanism that uses a cam protrusion for shutting off valves that does not cause the valve to rise . In one example, the engine controller can selectively shut off all cylinders of a given cylinder block (14A or 14B) during the transition to the mode with the cylinders turned off, and then turn the cylinders back on when switching back to the mode without turning off the cylinders.

As shown in FIG. 4, the controller may use an exhaust gas sensor connected to the disabled cylinder block while the engine is operating in the off cylinder mode to calculate the humidity of the outside air. In particular, the reference voltage of the exhaust gas sensor connected to the disconnected cylinder block can be modulated, while the humidity of the outside air can be calculated based on the output data on the change in the pump current at reference voltages. Due to the calculation (which requires no fuel supply) of the outside air humidity through the exhaust gas sensor connected to the disconnected cylinder block, while the engine is in off-cylinder mode, there is no need to wait for the fuel supply to turn off during braking in order to calculate the humidity. In addition, the effect of any changes in the ratio of fuel and air on the sensor output signal is neutralized. In addition, due to the fact that it is not necessary to wait for the fuel supply to turn off during braking, in which the throttle valve is closed and the vacuum in the manifold increases, the effect of hydrocarbons from the forced crankcase ventilation system also decreases. In general, the determination of the humidity of the outdoor air can be done in a shorter time, since it is not required that the ratio of fuel and exhaust air remain stable until accurate readings of the humidity of the outdoor air are obtained.

Although the calculation of humidity is carried out on the disabled cylinder block, the calculation of the ethanol content in the fuel and / or the calculation of the ratio of fuel and exhaust air (which requires the supply of fuel) can be simultaneously performed on the turned cylinder block. In particular, due to the simultaneous modulation of the reference voltage and the determination of the change in the pump current in the oxygen content sensor in the exhaust gases connected to the turned-on cylinder block of the engine, it is possible to simultaneously calculate the ethanol content in the fuel and the ratio of fuel to air while calculating the humidity of the outside air. Due to the possibility of simultaneous, rather than sequential, implementation of these calculations, all calculations can be performed in a shorter time, without loss of accuracy of the results.

For example, when the engine is operating in a disabled cylinder mode, all cylinders of the cylinder block 14A may be turned off, while all cylinders of the cylinder block 14B may remain turned on. When the engine is operating in the off-cylinder mode, the reference voltage of the exhaust oxygen sensor 72 can be modulated between the first, lower voltage (which does not dissociate water molecules) and the second, higher reference voltage (which already causes dissociation of water molecules ) The output of the sensor 72 at these two reference voltages is then used to calculate the humidity of the outdoor air. At the same time, the reference voltage of the exhaust gas oxygen sensor 74 can be modulated between the first and second reference voltages, and the output of the sensor 74 at these two reference voltages can be used to calculate the ethanol content in the fuel burned in the engine. Additionally, before or after calculating the ethanol content, the first reference voltage may be applied to the oxygen content sensor 74, and the output signal of the sensor 74 at the specified reference voltage can be used to calculate the ratio of fuel to exhaust air. Then, based on one or more calculated parameters: the humidity of the outside air, the ratio of fuel and exhaust air and the ethanol content of the fuel, it is possible to adjust the fuel injection into the cylinder block 14B. In addition, the re-activation of the cylinder block 14A may be delayed at least until the calculation of the humidity of the outside air is completed. Further, after repeated switching on, based on the calculated humidity of the outside air, the ratio of fuel to exhaust air and the ethanol content of the fuel, it is possible to adjust the fuel injection, ignition timing and exhaust gas flow directed to the recirculation circuit in both engine cylinder blocks.

In FIG. 2 schematically shows one cylinder of a multi-cylinder engine 10 of an engine system 200, which may be part of a vehicle power plant. The engine 10 can be controlled at least partially by means of a control system comprising a controller 12, and by acting on the side of the vehicle operator 132 by means of an input device 130. In this example, said input device 130 comprises a fuel control pedal and a pedal position sensor 134 for generating a proportional pedal position (SPT) signal. The combustion chamber (i.e., cylinder) 30 of the engine 10 may comprise walls 32 of the combustion chamber with an internal piston 36. Said piston 36 may be connected to the crankshaft 40 to convert the reciprocating motion of the piston into rotational motion of the crankshaft. The crankshaft 40 through the intermediate power transmission system can be connected to at least one drive wheel of the vehicle. In addition, through the flywheel with the crankshaft 40, a starter motor can be connected to start the engine 10.

The combustion chamber 30 is capable of receiving intake air from the intake manifold 44 through the intake channel 42 and is capable of discharging gaseous combustion products through the exhaust channel 48. The intake manifold 44 and the exhaust channel 48 can selectively communicate with the combustion chamber 30 through a corresponding intake valve 52 and exhaust valve 54. In some embodiments of the present invention, the combustion chamber 30 may comprise two or more inlet valves and / or two and more exhaust valves.

In this example, the inlet valve 52 and the exhaust valve 54 can be controlled by actuating the cams by means of the respective cam drive systems 51 and 53. Each of these cam drive systems 51 and 53 can contain one or more cams and can use one or more of the following systems: cam profile changeover system (CCF), camshaft timing change system (SRI), variable valve timing system (IFG) and / or a system for changing the height of the valve lift (IVPC), which can be controlled by the controller 12 to change the operation of the valves. The positions of the intake valve 52 and exhaust valve 54 can be determined by position sensors 55 and 57, respectively. In other embodiments, the inlet valve 52 and / or the exhaust valve 54 are controlled by an electric valve actuator. For example, in this case, the cylinder 30 may include an inlet valve controlled by an electric actuator and an exhaust valve controlled by a drive system comprising a cam profile switching system and / or a camshaft timing change system.

The drawings show that the fuel injector 66 is connected directly to the combustion chamber for introducing fuel directly into said combustion chamber 30 in proportion to the pulse width of the FPV signal coming from the controller 12 through the electronic driver 68. Thus, the fuel injector 66 provides the so-called direct fuel injection into combustion chamber 30. The fuel nozzle may be mounted, for example, on the side of the combustion chamber or in the upper part of the combustion chamber (as shown in the drawing). Fuel can be delivered to the fuel injector 66 by means of a fuel system (not shown) comprising a fuel tank, a fuel pump and a fuel rail. In some embodiments of the present invention, the combustion chamber 30 may alternatively or additionally comprise a fuel injector located in said intake manifold 44, according to a design providing a so-called “injection into the intake channel”, in which fuel is introduced into the intake channel located in front of the chamber 30 combustion.

The inlet channel 42 may include a throttle 62 having a throttle washer 64. In this particular example, the position of the throttle washer 64 can be changed by the controller 12 by a signal supplied to the electric motor or throttle actuator 62, which is commonly referred to as “electronic throttle control”. With this method, throttle 62 can be controlled to change the amount of air supplied to the combustion chamber 30 along with other engine cylinders. Information about the position of the throttle washer 64 can be transmitted to the controller 12 in the form of a valve position signal. The inlet channel 42 may include a mass air flow sensor 120 and an absolute pressure sensor 122 in the intake manifold for supplying to the controller 12 corresponding signals of the mass air flow rate and the absolute pressure in the intake manifold.

The drawings show that an exhaust sensor 126 is connected to the exhaust channel 48 at a point in front of the exhaust gas reduction device 70.

The specified sensor 126 may be any suitable sensor that gives an indication of the ratio of the exhaust air fuel, for example, a linear oxygen sensor or a universal or wide-range sensor for oxygen content in the exhaust gas (BDSKV), a two-stage oxygen sensor or SCR sensor, SSSKV (heated DSCW ), NOx sensor, HC or CO. An exhaust gas emission reduction device 70 is installed along the exhaust passage 48 behind said exhaust gas sensor 126. Said device 70 may be a three-way catalyst, NOx trap, any other exhaust gas emission reduction device, or a combination of such devices. In some embodiments of the present invention, during engine 10 operation, said exhaust gas emission reduction device 70 may be periodically reinstalled by operating at least one engine cylinder with a specific fuel to air ratio.

In addition, in the disclosed embodiments of the present invention, the exhaust gas recirculation system 140 may direct a desired portion of the exhaust gas from the exhaust passage 48 to the intake manifold 44 through the exhaust gas recirculation channel 152. The controller 12 through the valve 144 of the exhaust gas recirculation system can vary the amount of exhaust gas transmitted to the intake manifold 44 by the exhaust gas recirculation system. In addition, in the specified channel 152 of the exhaust gas recirculation system, a sensor 146 of the exhaust gas recirculation system may be installed, configured to provide indications of one or more parameters of the exhaust gas: pressure, temperature and concentration. Under certain conditions, said exhaust gas recirculation system 140 can be used to control the temperature of the air-fuel mixture in the combustion chamber, thereby providing a method for controlling the setting of the ignition timing in predetermined combustion modes. In addition, under certain conditions, part of the gaseous products of combustion can be held or locked in the combustion chamber by controlling the valve timing for the exhaust valve, for example, by controlling the valve timing mechanism for valves.

In FIG. 2 shows a controller 12 in the form of a microcomputer containing a microprocessor device 102, input / output ports 104, an electronic storage medium for executable programs and calibration values, shown in this particular example as a read-only memory 106, random access memory 108, non-volatile memory 110 and data bus. The controller 12 can receive various signals from sensors connected to the engine 10, in addition to the signals mentioned above, including: a mass air flow (MPM) signal inflated into the engine from a mass air flow sensor 120; an engine coolant temperature (TCD) signal from a temperature sensor 112 connected to a sleeve 114 for cooling; the signal of the ignition profile (PZ) from the Hall effect sensor 118 (or another type of sensor) connected to the crankshaft 40, the throttle position (PDZ) signal from the throttle position sensor, and the absolute pressure signal in the intake manifold (ADVK) from sensor 122. The signal of the engine shaft speed can be generated by the controller 12 from the specified ignition profile signal. The absolute pressure signal in the intake manifold from the absolute pressure sensor in the intake manifold can be used to give evidence of a vacuum or pressure in the intake manifold. It should be noted that various combinations of the above sensors can be used, for example, a mass air flow sensor without an absolute pressure sensor in the intake manifold, and vice versa. When working with a stoichiometric ratio, the absolute pressure sensor in the intake manifold can give engine torque readings. In addition, the specified sensor, together with the measured engine speed, can provide an estimate of the charge of the combustible mixture (including air) introduced into the cylinder. In one example, the sensor 118, which is also used as an engine speed sensor, can generate a predetermined number of equally spaced pulses for each revolution of the crankshaft.

The storage medium in the form of read-only memory 106 may be filled with computer-readable data that represents constant instructions executed by the processor 102 to implement the methods discussed below, as well as other variations of the methods that are intended but not specifically listed.

As mentioned above, in FIG. 2 depicts only one of the cylinders of a multi-cylinder engine, each cylinder may likewise contain its own set of intake / exhaust valves, fuel nozzle, spark plug, etc.

In FIG. 3 schematically illustrates an embodiment of an exhaust gas sensor, such as an SDDSW 300, configured to measure oxygen concentration (O ₂ ) in an exhaust gas stream. Said sensor 300 may function as an exhaust gas sensor 126, which, for example, has been previously described with reference to FIG. 2, or as any of the exhaust gas sensors 72, 74 discussed previously, for example, with reference to FIG. 1. The sensor 300 comprises several layers of one or more ceramic materials stacked in a stack. In the embodiment of FIG. 3, five ceramic layers are shown: layers 301, 302, 303, 304 and 305. Among these layers, there is one or more layers of a solid electrolyte capable of conducting oxygen ions. Solid electrolytes suitable for this purpose include, but are not limited to, zirconium oxide based materials. In addition, in some embodiments of the present invention, for example, in the embodiment of FIG. 3, a heater 307 may be arranged in thermal contact with the layers to increase the ionic conductivity of the layers. Although the illustrated SDDS 300 consists of five ceramic layers, it should be understood that said SDDS may contain another suitable number of ceramic layers.

Layer 302 contains material or materials creating a diffusion path 310. Said diffusion path 310 is configured to introduce exhaust gases into the first inner chamber 322 by diffusion. The diffusion path 310 may enable one or more components of the exhaust gas, including but not limited to, a given analyte (e.g., O ₂ ), to diffuse into the inner chamber 322 at a more limited speed than the rate of injection or pumping of said analyte through a pair of electrodes 312, 314 pumping. Thus, in the first inner chamber 322, a stoichiometric level of O ₂ can be obtained.

Said sensor 300 also comprises a second inner chamber 324 inside the layer 304, which is separated from the first inner chamber 322 by a layer 303. Said second inner chamber 324 is configured to maintain a constant partial oxygen pressure equivalent to the stoichiometric condition, i.e. the oxygen level present in the second inner chamber 324 is equal to the level that the exhaust gas would have if the ratio of fuel to air was stoichiometric. The oxygen concentration in the second inner chamber 324 is kept constant due to the current I _{bp of} pumping. In this case, the second inner chamber 324 may be called a comparative cell.

A pair of measurement electrodes 316 and 318 interacts with the first inner chamber 322 and comparative cell 324. These measurement electrodes 316 and 318 measure a concentration gradient that may develop between the first inner chamber 322 and comparative cell 324 due to the concentration of oxygen in the exhaust gas above or below the stoichiometric level. For example, a high concentration of oxygen can be caused by a lean air-fuel mixture, while a low concentration of oxygen can be caused by a rich air-fuel mixture.

Said pair of pump electrodes 312 and 314 interacts with the inner chamber 322 and is capable of electrochemically pumping the selected gas component (for example, O ₂ ) from the inner chamber 322, through the layer 301 and out of the sensor 300. Alternatively, the pair of electrodes 312 and 314 the pump can be made with the possibility of electrochemical pumping of the selected gas through the layer 301 and into the inner chamber 322. In this case, a pair of pump electrodes 312 and 314 can be called an O ₂ pump cell.

Electrodes 312, 314, 316, and 318 may be made of various suitable materials. In some embodiments of the present invention, electrodes 312, 314, 316, and 318 may be at least partially made of a material that is a catalyst for the dissociation of molecular oxygen. Such materials include, but are not limited to, electrodes containing platinum and / or gold.

The process of electrochemical injection of oxygen into the inner chamber 322 or pumping of oxygen from the inner chamber 322 involves the application of an electric current I _n pump to a pair of electrodes 312 and 314 of the pump. The pump current I _n passed through the O ₂ pump cell causes oxygen to be pumped into the inner chamber 322 or oxygen pumped out from the inner chamber 322 to maintain a stoichiometric level of oxygen in the cavity of the pump cell. The pump current I _n is proportional to the concentration of oxygen in the exhaust gas. Thus, the lean mixture will cause oxygen to be pumped out of the inner chamber 322, and the rich mixture will cause oxygen to be pumped into the inner chamber 322.

The control system (not shown in Fig. 3) generates a signal voltage V _n pump depending on the intensity of the current I _n pump, which is required to maintain a stoichiometric level in the first inner chamber 322.

It should be understood that the above-described SHDSKV represents only one of the possible versions of the sensor of this type, and other versions of the SHDSKV may have additional and / or alternative functions and / or other design.

In FIG. 4 is a flowchart of an algorithm 400 for operating one or more exhaust gas sensors connected to a specified engine with switchable cylinders. In particular, the specified algorithm determines whether the conditions of the mode with the cylinders turned off are met and accordingly controls the propulsion system. For example, if the conditions of the mode with the cylinders turned off are satisfied, then the selected engine block (for example, the first block or the second block) is turned off and the exhaust gas sensors corresponding to each cylinder block are activated to measure the humidity of the outdoor air, the alcohol content and / or the ratio fuel and air. For example, an exhaust gas sensor connected to a disabled cylinder block measures the humidity of the outside air, and an exhaust sensor connected to an activated cylinder block measures the alcohol content in the fuel and / or the fuel-air ratio.

At 402, algorithm 400 determines engine operating conditions. The specified engine operating conditions include, but are not limited to, engine load, outdoor temperature, setting the ignition timing, valve timing, fuel injection phase, etc.

After determining the engine operating conditions, at step 404 of the algorithm 400, it is determined whether the conditions of the mode with the cylinders turned off are met. In one example, the conditions of the mode with the cylinders turned off may include engine operation at low load. For example, when one cylinder block is switched off, the average load per cylinder for the remaining cylinders of the switched-on block increases. Thus, if the engine load is small, the load of the engaged cylinders cannot increase too much, even though there is an increase in the load on the engaged cylinders.

If it is determined that the conditions of the engine operating mode with the cylinders turned off are not fulfilled, the algorithm proceeds to step 418, where the engine is supported to work with all the cylinders turned on. For example, all the cylinders of both engine blocks remain on, so that a fuel combustion process takes place in each of the cylinders.

On the other hand, if it is determined that the conditions of the mode with the cylinders turned off are fulfilled, the algorithm proceeds to step 406, where the cylinders of the selected block are turned off. For example, turning off the cylinders of the selected block may include shutting off the fuel supply (for example, through selectively shut off fuel injectors) and ignition into the selected cylinder block. In addition, the valve timing for the intake and / or exhaust valves can be adjusted so that essentially no air is pumped through the disconnected cylinder block, but air continues to flow through the included cylinder block.

After turning off the selected cylinders, the algorithm proceeds to step 408, where the oxygen content sensor in the exhaust gases of the disconnected engine block for measuring the humidity of the outdoor air is activated, which will be discussed in more detail with reference to FIG. 5. As described above, by measuring the humidity of the outside air by means of an exhaust gas sensor connected to a disabled cylinder block, there is no need to wait for the fuel supply to be turned off during braking to measure humidity. In addition, due to the fact that there is no need to wait for the fuel supply to turn off during braking, the effect of hydrocarbons from the forced crankcase ventilation system on the moisture measurement result is also reduced. Also, the effect of changing the ratio of fuel and air on the output signal of the sensor is reduced to zero, since there is no burning of fuel in the cylinders of the disconnected unit. In this case, the humidity of the outside air can be determined in a shorter time, since it is not required that the ratio of fuel and exhaust air remain stable before accurate readings of the humidity of the outside air can be obtained.

At step 410, an exhaust gas oxygen sensor is activated to measure the ratio of fuel to air and / or alcohol in the fuel, which will be discussed in more detail with reference to FIG. 5. As described above, since the measurement of the humidity of the outside air is carried out by means of a sensor connected to the switched-off cylinder block, and the measurement of the alcohol content in the fuel and the ratio of fuel and air is carried out by means of a sensor connected to the turned-on cylinder block, these measurements of the humidity of the outdoor air and alcohol content in fuel and / or the ratio of fuel to air can be carried out simultaneously. Thus, the measurement can be completed in less time while maintaining accuracy.

At step 412, a check is made to see if engine operating conditions are satisfied without shutting off the cylinders. Conditions without shutting down the cylinders may include, for example, high load engine operation. If it is determined that the conditions of the mode without turning off the cylinders are not satisfied, the algorithm proceeds to step 420 to maintain the engine operating mode with the cylinders turned off until the conditions of the mode without turning off the cylinders are met.

On the other hand, if it is established that the engine operating conditions in the non-shut off mode are satisfied, the algorithm proceeds to step 414, where it is checked whether the humidity measurement is completed. For example, it can be determined that the humidity measurement is completed when the modulation of the reference voltage of the exhaust gas sensor is completed. If it is determined that the moisture measurement is not completed, the algorithm proceeds to step 422, where the re-activation of the cylinders is delayed until the moisture measurement is completed. For example, a disabled cylinder block remains disabled until the modulation of the reference voltage of the sensor is completed, or until the control system receives an indication of the humidity of the outside air.

Conversely, if it is determined that the humidity measurement is completed, the algorithm proceeds to step 416, in which the engine cylinders of the selected cylinder block are selectively re-enabled. For example, the cylinders can be re-enabled in a specific order depending on the operating conditions of the engine or, for example, to prevent knocking. In some examples, the re-activation of the cylinders may be delayed if the humidity of the outside air is greater than the threshold humidity value. The threshold moisture value may, for example, depend on the knock limit of the engine.

Thus, during engine operation in the mode with the cylinders turned off, in which one cylinder block is turned off, so that there is no burning of fuel in the cylinders of the disconnected block, the humidity of the outside air, as well as the alcohol content in the fuel and the ratio of fuel to air can be measured simultaneously . With this method, measurements can be performed in a shorter time without compromising measurement accuracy. In addition, the operation of the engine in the off-cylinder mode can be continued until the measurement of the humidity of the outside air is completed.

In FIG. 5 is a flowchart of an algorithm 500 for determining outdoor humidity, the ratio of fuel to exhaust air and / or alcohol content of the burned fuel based on readings of an exhaust gas sensor of a switchable cylinder engine, such as engine 10, discussed above with reference to FIG. 1 and 2. In particular, in accordance with the specified algorithm, it is determined whether each of these measurements is required, and depending on this, a reference voltage is applied to the corresponding exhaust gas sensor. For example, a reference voltage is applied to a sensor of a disabled cylinder block and modulated between a first voltage and a second voltage to determine the humidity of the outdoor air. To determine the alcohol content in the fuel and the ratio of fuel to air, the reference voltage is applied to the sensor of the included cylinder block. The specified reference voltage is subjected to modulation between the first voltage and the second voltage to determine the alcohol content, while the first voltage is applied to determine the ratio of fuel to air.

At step 502, the algorithm 500 checks whether a moisture measurement is required. For example, a humidity measurement may be required if, for a time exceeding a threshold period of time, a result of measuring the humidity of the outdoor air has not been obtained, or a measurement may be necessary in response to a change in the outdoor conditions, for example, a change in the outdoor temperature.

If it is determined that humidity measurement is required, the algorithm proceeds to step 504, where the reference voltage of the exhaust gas sensor connected to the disconnected cylinder block is modulated between the first voltage and the second voltage, the first voltage being less than the second voltage. In one non-limiting example, the first voltage is 450 mV and the second voltage is 950 mV. At a voltage of 450 mV, for example, the pump current can be an indicator of the amount of oxygen in the exhaust gas. At a voltage of 950 mV, the dissociation of water molecules can occur, so that the pump current will be an indicator of the amount of oxygen in the exhaust gas plus the amount of oxygen from the dissociated water molecules. The first voltage can be the voltage at which the oxygen concentration in the exhaust gas can be determined, while the second voltage can be the voltage at which the dissociation of water molecules can occur. Thus, the humidity of the exhaust gas can be determined based on the readings of the concentration of water.

At 506, a change in the pump current during modulation is determined. For example, a change in the pump current is the difference between the pump current signal that occurs in response to the application of the first reference voltage and the pump current signal that occurs in response to the application of the second reference voltage.

At 508, the humidity of the outside air is determined based on the pump current. By modulating the reference voltage and determining the corresponding change in the pump current, the humidity of the outside air can be calculated (for example, the concentration of water molecules can be determined).

If it is determined at step 502 that a moisture measurement is not required, then the algorithm 500 proceeds to step 510, where it is checked whether a measurement of the alcohol content in the fuel is required. For example, an assessment of the alcohol content may be required after refueling the fuel tank.

If it is determined that a measurement of the alcohol content of the fuel is required, then the algorithm 500 proceeds to step 512, in which the reference voltage of the exhaust gas sensor connected to the included cylinder block is modulated between the first voltage and the second voltage, the first voltage being less than the second voltage. In one non-limiting example, the first voltage may be 450 mV and the second voltage 1080 mV. For example, at a voltage of 1080 mV, carbon dioxide (CO ₂ ) molecules can be dissociated in addition to water molecules.

At 514, a change in the pump current during modulation is determined. For example, a change in the pump current is the difference between the pump current signal that occurs in response to the application of the first reference voltage and the pump current signal that occurs in response to the application of the second reference voltage.

After determining the change in the pump current, on the basis of indications of a change in the pump current, the alcohol content in the fuel is determined at step 516. By modulating the reference voltage and determining the corresponding change in the pump current, the amount of alcohol in the fuel (for example, ethanol) can be calculated.

If it is determined in step 510 that a measurement of the alcohol content in the fuel is not required, the algorithm proceeds to step 518, in which it is checked whether the measurement of the fuel to air ratio is required. For example, a measurement of the ratio of fuel to exhaust air may be required to provide the ability to control engine operating parameters (e.g., fuel injection, etc.) to achieve desired engine performance. If it is determined that the measurement of the ratio of fuel and air is not required, then the algorithm ends.

On the other hand, if it is determined that the measurement of the ratio of fuel to air is required, the algorithm proceeds to step 520, where the first reference voltage is supplied to the exhaust gas sensor connected to the included cylinder block. For example, the first reference voltage may have a value sufficient to cause only the dissociation of oxygen molecules (and not water molecules or carbon dioxide). In another non-limiting example, the first reference voltage may be 450 mV

At step 522, based on the pump current signal from the exhaust gas sensor in response to the application of the reference voltage, the fuel to air ratio is determined. For example, as disclosed above, the pump current is a measure of the amount of oxygen in the exhaust gas.

Thus, in each of the exhaust gas sensors connected to the turned-on cylinder block and to the turned-off cylinder block, it is possible to perform modulation between the first and second reference voltages, which makes it possible to calculate the alcohol content in the fuel and, accordingly, the humidity of the outside air. In addition, the exhaust gas sensor connected to the included cylinder block may, in response to the application of the first reference voltage, provide a signal indicative of the ratio of fuel to air. The calculation results can be obtained simultaneously, since the calculation of the humidity of the outside air and the alcohol content in the fuel is based on the signal of the sensor connected to another engine block.

In FIG. 6 is a flowchart of an algorithm 600 for adjusting engine operating parameters based on data on outdoor humidity, the ratio of fuel to exhaust air, and / or alcohol content of the burned fuel obtained by one or more exhaust gas sensors, such as, for example, exhaust gas sensors 300 gases discussed above with reference to FIG. 3. In particular, according to the specified algorithm, humidity, alcohol content in the fuel and / or fuel and air ratio are determined, and based on the obtained data on humidity, alcohol content in the fuel and / or fuel and air ratio, one or more engine operating parameters are regulated. For example, an increase in the water content in the air surrounding the vehicle may result in dilution of the air-fuel mixture supplied to the combustion chamber of the engine. If one or more of the operating parameters is not controlled in response to an increase in humidity, engine performance may decrease, and fuel consumption and toxic emissions may increase, resulting in a decrease in overall engine efficiency.

At 602, the algorithm 600 checks to see if the engine is operating in the off-cylinder mode. For example, it can be determined that the engine is operating in the off-cylinder mode if one or more of the cylinders or the entire engine block is turned off and there is no fuel burning in said cylinders.

If it is determined that the engine is operating in the off-cylinder mode, the algorithm proceeds to step 604, in which the results of measuring the humidity of the outdoor air are extracted from the exhaust gas sensor connected to the disconnected cylinder block. For example, the humidity of the outside air is determined at step 508 of the previously discussed algorithm 500.

At step 606, the results of measuring the alcohol content in the fuel and / or the ratio of fuel to air are extracted from the exhaust gas sensor connected to the included cylinder block. For example, the alcohol content in the fuel and / or the ratio of fuel to air is determined at steps 516 and 522 of the previously considered algorithm 500.

At 608, one or more engine operating parameters are adjusted based on the extracted measurement results. The specified engine operating parameters include, for example, the amount of exhaust gas in the exhaust gas recirculation system, setting the ignition timing, the amount of fuel injected, the ratio of fuel to air in the engine, etc. As described above, in internal combustion engines, it is preferable to set engine operating parameters, for example, setting the ignition timing, to optimize engine performance. In some embodiments of the present invention, it is possible to control only one operating parameter in response to a change in the humidity of the outside air, the alcohol content of the fuel, and the ratio of fuel to air. In other embodiments of the present invention, any combination of these operating parameters may be adjusted in response to measured fluctuations in the humidity of the outside air. In some examples, based on the extracted results of the measurement of humidity, alcohol content in the fuel and / or the ratio of fuel to air, one or more operating parameters of only the engine block that is turned on can be adjusted. In other examples, based on the extracted results of the measurement of humidity, alcohol content in the fuel and / or the ratio of fuel to air, one or more operating parameters of both the on and off engine block can be adjusted.

In one embodiment of the present invention, based on the moisture measurement result, the amount of exhaust gas in the exhaust gas recirculation system can be adjusted. For example, under certain conditions, the concentration of water in the air surrounding the vehicle can be increased due to weather, such as fog, as a result of which the exhaust gas sensor, when no fuel is supplied to the engine, detects increased humidity. In response to the measurement result of increased humidity, during further operation of the engine with fuel supply, the flow from the exhaust gas recirculation system to at least one engine cylinder can be reduced. As a result, engine efficiency can be maintained.

In response to fluctuations in the absolute humidity of the outside air, the flow into the exhaust gas recirculation system can be increased or decreased in at least one combustion chamber. In this case, the flow into the exhaust gas recirculation system can be increased or decreased in only one combustion chamber, in some combustion chambers, or in all combustion chambers. In addition, the magnitude of the change in flow in the exhaust gas recirculation system may be the same for all cylinders, or the magnitude of the flow change in the exhaust gas recirculation system can vary from cylinder to cylinder, depending on the specific operating conditions of each cylinder.

According to another embodiment of the present invention, depending on the moisture content, alcohol content of the fuel and / or the ratio of fuel to air, the setting of the ignition timing can be adjusted. At least under certain conditions, in response to indications of high humidity, the ignition timing can be advanced in one or more cylinders during subsequent operation of the engine with fuel supply. The ignition timing can be set so that, for example, to reduce the knock at low humidity (for example, by shifting the ignition timing setting towards the delay relative to the peak torque phase). When the exhaust gas sensor detects an increase in humidity, the ignition timing can be moved ahead of the curve to maintain engine performance and provide closer operation to the peak torque ignition phase.

In addition, the setting of the ignition timing can be shifted towards the delay in response to a decrease in the humidity of the outside air. For example, a decrease in the humidity of the outside air from a higher level can cause a knock. If the exhaust gas sensor detects a decrease in humidity during the shutdown of the fuel supply during braking, then during subsequent operation of the engine with the fuel supply, the ignition timing can be shifted to the delay side, which will lead to a decrease in the knock.

It should be noted that during subsequent operation of the engine with fuel supply, the ignition timing can be shifted in the direction of advance or delay in one or more cylinders. In addition, the magnitude of the change in the setting of the ignition moment may be the same for all cylinders and / or engine blocks of the engine, or for one or more cylinders a different amount of lead or delay can be set.

According to another embodiment of the present invention, depending on the results of measuring the humidity of the outdoor air, the alcohol content of the fuel and the ratio of fuel to air, the ratio of fuel to exhaust air can be adjusted for subsequent operation of the engine with fuel supply. For example, an engine can run with a lean air-fuel mixture optimized for low humidity. In case of increased humidity, the mixture can be diluted, which will cause misfire. However, if in the absence of fuel supply the exhaust gas sensor detects an increase in humidity, then the ratio of fuel to air can be adjusted (for example, by adjusting the fuel injection), so that the engine will work with a richer mixture during subsequent work with the fuel supply. Similarly, during subsequent operation of the engine with fuel supply, the ratio of fuel and air can be adjusted towards a poorer mixture in response to the detection of a decrease in humidity of the outside air or an increase in the ratio of fuel to exhaust air. Thus, the probability of occurrence of conditions such as misfire caused by humidity fluctuations can be reduced.

In some embodiments of the present invention, the engine may be operated at a stoichiometric ratio of fuel to air or with a rich air-fuel mixture. At the same time, the air-fuel ratio of fuel and air may not depend on the humidity of the outside air, and detected fluctuations in humidity may not lead to regulation of the ratio of fuel and air.

If it is determined in step 602 that the engine is not operating in the engine off mode, the algorithm proceeds to step 610, where the results of measuring the humidity of the outdoor air from the exhaust gas sensor connected to the disconnected cylinder block, obtained during the previous engine operation mode with disabled cylinders.

At step 612, the results of measuring the alcohol content in the fuel and / or the ratio of fuel to air are extracted from the exhaust gas sensor connected to the on cylinder block obtained during the previous engine operation mode with the cylinders turned off.

After extracting the results of measuring the alcohol content in the fuel and / or the ratio of fuel to air, the algorithm proceeds to step 614, where, based on the extracted measurement results, one or more operating parameters of the engine are regulated. The indicated engine operating parameters include, for example, as described above, the amount of exhaust gas in the exhaust gas recirculation system, setting the ignition timing, amount of fuel injected, air fuel ratio for the engine, etc.

For example, the stoichiometric ratio of fuel and air can decrease with increasing alcohol content in the fuel, which allows you to accordingly adjust the required ratio of fuel to air and shift. With an increase in the alcohol content in the fuel, the engine may allow greater ignition timing. If the octane rating of gasoline remains the same and only the alcohol content increases, then a greater ignition timing may be acceptable. To obtain an equivalent amount of engine torque, the amount of fuel injected should also be increased.

Thus, it is possible to regulate one or more operating parameters of the engine in response to the results of measuring the humidity of the outdoor air, the alcohol content in the fuel, or the ratio of fuel to air obtained from exhaust gas sensors connected to turned on and off cylinder blocks when the engine is in off mode cylinders.

Thus, the lack of fuel supply in the selectively shut off engine block can be advantageously used to perform a moisture measurement by an exhaust gas sensor mounted behind said cylinder block. This reduces the delay in measuring moisture caused by the need to wait for the fuel to turn off during braking. Due to the modulation of the reference voltage of the sensor of oxygen content in the exhaust gas connected to the selectively disabled engine cylinder block and calculation of humidity based on the resulting change in the pump current in the sensor, the effect of the change in the ratio of fuel and air on the sensor output signal is also reduced to zero. By simultaneously measuring the ethanol content of the fuel and the ratio of fuel to exhaust air by an exhaust gas sensor connected to the on cylinder block, all measurements can be completed in a shorter time.

It should be noted that the control and measurement algorithms given in the present description as examples can be used with various schemes of engines and / or vehicle systems. The specific algorithms discussed here may represent one or more processing methods that are triggered by an event, interrupt, are multitask, multithreaded, etc. Moreover, the various illustrated actions, operations or functions can be performed in the illustrated sequence, performed in parallel, or in some cases omitted. Similarly, the specified processing order is not required to implement the features and advantages of the considered embodiments of the present invention, but is given for clarity and simplification of the description. One or more of the illustrated actions or functions may be performed repeatedly depending on the particular strategy used. In addition, the described actions can graphically represent code written to a computer-readable storage medium in the engine control system.

It should be understood that the considered configurations and / or algorithms are essentially examples, and the specific embodiments of the present invention should not be considered as limiting examples in view of the possibility of numerous modifications. For example, the technology described above can be applied in engines with V-6, I-4, I-6, V-12 schemes, engines with 4 opposed cylinders and other types of engines. The object of the present invention includes the entire scope of new and non-obvious combinations and subcombinations of various systems and configurations, as well as other features, functions and / or properties disclosed in the present description.

The claims below separately disclose specific combinations and sub-combinations of features that are considered new and non-obvious. These items may relate to the "one" element or the "first" element, or an equivalent element. It should be understood that such paragraphs provide for the addition of one or more of these elements, while not requiring the presence and not excluding two or more of these elements. Other combinations and subcombinations of the disclosed features, functions, elements and / or properties may be included in the claims by amending the claims or by introducing new claims within the framework of this or a related application.

Such claims are also considered to be included in the scope of the present invention, regardless of whether they are wider, narrower, equal or different with respect to the scope of the present invention established by the original claims.

Claims (48)

1. An engine control method, comprising the following steps: selectively shut off the first group of cylinders, while leaving the second group of cylinders turned on, modulating the reference voltage of the first exhaust gas sensor installed behind the first group of cylinders between the first lower voltage and the second higher voltage, calculate the humidity of the outdoor air based on the output signal generated by the specified first sensor in response to the specified modulation, adjusting the engine operating parameter for the second group of cylinders based on the calculated humidity of the outside air, under the first condition, while said first group of cylinders is turned off, the first voltage is applied to the second exhaust gas sensor installed behind the second included cylinder group, and not to the first exhaust gas sensor , calculate the ratio of fuel and exhaust air based on the output signal of the second sensor and adjusting fuel injection into said second group of cylinders based on the calculated ratio of fuel to exhaust air. 2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the modulation of the reference voltage involves switching the reference voltage between the first lower voltage and the second higher voltage, the second voltage providing for the dissociation of water molecules, and the first voltage does not cause the dissociation of water molecules. 3. The method according to claim 1, wherein the selective shutdown of the first group of cylinders involves shutting off the fuel supply through selectively shut off fuel nozzles and ignition for the first group of cylinders. 4. The method according to p. 2, further comprising stages in which: under the second condition, while the first group of cylinders is turned off, the reference voltage of the specified second exhaust gas sensor is modulated between the first voltage and the second voltage, the alcohol content in the fuel burned in the engine is calculated based on the output signals of the second sensor at the first and second voltages, and adjusting fuel injection into said second group of cylinders based on the calculated alcohol content of the fuel. 5. The method according to p. 4, in which the second higher voltage provides the dissociation of water molecules, and the first lower voltage does not cause the dissociation of water molecules, and the calculation of the humidity of the outdoor air based on the output signal of the specified first sensor that responds to modulation, provides for the calculation of humidity external air based on the difference between the output signal of the first pump current received from the first sensor at the first voltage and the output signal of the second pump current received from the first sensor and the second pump current is an indicator of the amount of oxygen, and the second pump current is an indicator of the amount of oxygen and water. 6. The method according to p. 5, in which the calculation of the alcohol content provides for calculating the water content in the fuel combustion products based on the difference between the output signal of the first pump current received from the second sensor at the first voltage and the output signal of the second pump current received from the second sensor at a second voltage, wherein the first pump current is an indicator of the amount of oxygen, and the second pump current is an indicator of the amount of oxygen and water, and also provides for the calculation of the alcohol content based calculated water content. 7. The method according to claim 2, further comprising the step of selectively performing the re-inclusion of the first group of cylinders depending on the calculated humidity of the outdoor air, the re-inclusion being delayed until the calculation of the humidity of the outdoor air is completed. 8. The method according to p. 7, in which the selective implementation of the re-inclusion of the first group of cylinders additionally depends on the calculated humidity of the outdoor air, and selective re-inclusion is delayed if the calculated value of the humidity of the outdoor air exceeds a threshold value. 9. The method according to claim 2, wherein said first and second exhaust gas sensors are oxygen content sensors in the exhaust gas. 10. The method according to claim 2, wherein the first group of cylinders is connected to the first engine block and the second group of cylinders is connected to a second engine block different from said first cylinder block, said first exhaust gas sensor being connected to an exhaust toxicity reduction device gases located behind said first engine block, and not said second engine block, and said second exhaust gas sensor is connected to an exhaust toxicity reduction device x gases downstream of said second engine block, but not for said first engine block. 11. The method according to claim 1, wherein the engine operating parameter is one or more of the following parameters: the amount of exhaust gas in the exhaust gas recirculation system, setting the ignition timing and the amount of fuel injected. 12. An engine control method, comprising the following steps: while the first engine block is turned off, to the first exhaust gas sensor installed behind the first cylinder block, each of the voltages is applied alternately - the first lower reference voltage and the second higher reference voltage, calculate the humidity of the outdoor air based on the difference between the output signal of the first pump current received from the specified first sensor when the first voltage is applied, and the output signal of the second pump current received from the specified first sensor when the second voltage is applied, adjusting the operating parameter of the second engine block on the basis of the calculated outdoor humidity and selectively re-starting said first cylinder block based on the calculated outdoor humidity, said selective re-starting being delayed if the calculation of outdoor humidity is not completed or if the calculated outdoor humidity exceeds a threshold value, and the threshold value depends on the limits of engine detonation. 13. The method of claim 12, further comprising the steps of: to the second exhaust gas sensor installed behind the specified second cylinder block, each of the voltages is applied alternately - the first voltage and the second voltage, calculate the ethanol content in the fuel combustion products based on the difference between the output signal of the first pump current received from the specified second sensor when the first voltage is applied, and the output signal of the second pump current received from the specified second sensor when the second voltage is applied, and further adjusting the operating parameter of said second engine block based on the calculated ethanol content. 14. The method according to p. 13, further comprising stages in which: applying a first voltage to said second exhaust gas sensor, calculate the ratio of fuel and exhaust air based on the output signal of the first pump current received from the specified second sensor when the first voltage is applied, and regulate the fuel injection into the specified second cylinder block depending on the difference between the calculated ratio of fuel and exhaust air and the threshold value of the ratio. 15. The method according to p. 14, further containing a stage on which, after the repeated switching on of said first cylinder block, the operating parameter of both the first and second cylinder blocks is controlled based on one or more of the following parameters: calculated external humidity and calculated ethanol content. 16. The method according to p. 15, wherein the specified operating parameter is one or more of the following parameters: the amount of exhaust gas in the exhaust gas recirculation system, setting the ignition timing and the ratio of fuel to air in the engine. 17. The method of claim 12, further comprising disabling the first cylinder block by turning off the fuel and ignition in response to engine load. 18. An engine system comprising: an engine having a first group of cylinders in a first cylinder block and a second group of cylinders in a second cylinder block, selectively shut off fuel nozzles connected to said first and second groups of cylinders, a first exhaust gas oxygen sensor mounted behind said first cylinder block, a second oxygen sensor in the exhaust gas mounted behind said second cylinder block, a control system that interacts with the specified first and second sensors, and the specified control system contains constant instructions for: selective shutdown of fuel supply and ignition in said first group of cylinders, modulating a reference voltage of said first sensor between a first voltage and a second voltage, forming readings of humidity of the outdoor air based on a change in the output signal of the pump current received from the first sensor in response to modulation of the reference voltage delays in re-enabling said first group of cylinders until the modulation of the reference voltage is completed, and regulation of fuel supply and ignition in the second included group of cylinders based on the readings of humidity of the outdoor air. 19. The system of claim 18, wherein the engine is an engine with switchable cylinders. 20. The system according to p. 18, in which the regulation of fuel supply and ignition in response to indications of increased humidity involves shifting the ignition timing to the front and adjusting fuel injection to switch to a fuel-air ratio corresponding to a leaner mixture than a stoichiometric mixture .

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