阅读说明：本技术 柴油机发动机系统及其运行方法 (Diesel engine system and method of operating the same ) 是由 小詹姆斯·爱德华·麦卡锡 道格拉斯·J·尼尔森 于 2016-01-19 设计创作，主要内容包括：本发明涉及柴油机发动机系统及其运行方法。本发明提供用于多缸柴油发动机中的气缸停用的系统和方法包括使用涡轮增压器将空气泵入柴油发动机的进气歧管。使用进气辅助装置将空气泵入进气歧管。并且,对柴油发动机中的至少一个气缸燃料喷射被选择性地停用。对于柴油发动机的至少一个气缸选择性地停用进气门和排气门。(The invention relates to a diesel engine system and a method of operating the same. The present invention provides a system and method for cylinder deactivation in a multi-cylinder diesel engine including pumping air into an intake manifold of the diesel engine using a turbocharger. Air is pumped into the intake manifold using an intake assist device. And, fuel injection is selectively deactivated to at least one cylinder in the diesel engine. Intake and exhaust valves are selectively deactivated for at least one cylinder of a diesel engine.)

1. A diesel engine system, comprising:

a plurality of combustion cylinders, each combustion cylinder including a fuel injector, an intake valve, and an exhaust valve;

a catalyst for filtering contaminants in an exhaust stream;

a sensor configured to monitor at least one parameter indicative of a condition of the exhaust gas stream; and

a controller configured to iteratively:

receiving the at least one parameter from the sensor;

selecting a number of combustion cylinders from the plurality of combustion cylinders for deactivation based on engine conditions when the at least one parameter satisfies a predetermined criteria for cylinder deactivation, deactivating fuel injectors, intake valves, and exhaust valves of the selected number of combustion cylinders such that the plurality of combustion cylinders includes one or more deactivated combustion cylinders and one or more active combustion cylinders, and adjusting air-fuel ratios in the active combustion cylinders to increase a temperature of the exhaust gas flow in the catalyst to a target temperature of about 200-500 ℃;

monitoring the engine state and determining whether the engine state satisfies a threshold condition for adjusting a number of deactivated combustion cylinders; and

adjusting the number of deactivated combustion cylinders when the engine state satisfies the threshold condition.

2. The diesel engine system as set forth in claim 1, wherein the target temperature is about 250-300 ℃.

3. The diesel engine system of claim 1, wherein an air-fuel ratio in the active combustion cylinder is 22:1 to 24: 1.

4. The diesel engine system of claim 1, wherein the engine condition upon which the number of deactivated combustion cylinders is adjusted comprises an engine output request based on an engine load.

5. The diesel engine system of claim 1, wherein the sensor comprises a pollution sensor configured to measure a pollution level in an exhaust stream, the at least one parameter comprising the pollution level.

6. The diesel engine system of claim 5, wherein the predetermined criteria comprises a pollution level in the exhaust gas stream exceeding a pollution threshold.

7. The diesel engine system of claim 6, wherein the controller is configured to select at least one combustion cylinder of the plurality of combustion cylinders for deactivation when a pollution level in an exhaust gas stream exceeds the pollution threshold.

8. The diesel engine system of claim 5, wherein the pollution sensor is configured to monitor a level of single nitrogen oxides in the exhaust stream.

9. The diesel engine system of claim 5, wherein the controller is configured to process a pollution level measured in the pollution sensor to iteratively adjust the air-fuel ratio until the pollution level is below the pollution threshold.

10. The diesel engine system of claim 1, wherein the sensor comprises a temperature sensor configured to measure an exhaust gas temperature, and the at least one parameter comprises an exhaust gas temperature of the exhaust gas flow.

11. The diesel engine system of claim 10, wherein the controller is configured to receive a measured exhaust temperature from the temperature sensor and iteratively adjust the amount of fuel injected to the active combustion cylinder and adjust the number of deactivated combustion cylinders based on the exhaust temperature.

12. A diesel engine system, comprising:

a plurality of combustion cylinders, each combustion cylinder including a fuel injector, an intake valve, and an exhaust valve;

a load sensor configured to monitor an engine load; and

a controller configured to iteratively:

receiving the engine load from the load sensor;

determining whether the engine load meets a cylinder deactivation criterion;

selecting a number of combustion cylinders for deactivation when the engine load meets the cylinder deactivation criteria, and deactivating the selected number of combustion cylinders by deactivating fuel injectors, intake valves, and exhaust valves of the selected number of combustion cylinders;

monitoring at least one parameter indicative of an engine state and determining whether the at least one parameter satisfies a threshold condition for adjusting a number of deactivated combustion cylinders; and

continuing to monitor the at least one parameter until the at least one parameter satisfies the threshold condition for adjusting the number of deactivated combustion cylinders.

13. The diesel engine system of claim 12, wherein the at least one parameter comprises one or more of exhaust gas temperature, braking thermal efficiency, pollution level, and exhaust gas flow in the exhaust gas stream.

14. The diesel engine system of claim 12, wherein the at least one parameter comprises an exhaust gas temperature, the controller configured to determine whether the exhaust gas temperature is within a threshold range or at a target temperature.

15. The diesel engine system of claim 12, wherein the at least one parameter comprises a braking thermal efficiency, the controller configured to determine whether the braking thermal efficiency is above a braking thermal efficiency threshold.

16. The diesel engine system of claim 12, wherein the at least one parameter comprises a pollution level, the controller configured to determine whether the pollution level is within a threshold range or at a target level.

17. The diesel engine system of claim 12, wherein the controller is configured to adjust an air-fuel ratio of the active combustion cylinder.

18. The diesel engine system of claim 12, wherein the controller is configured to adjust one or more of a fuel injection timing or fuel injection flow, an intake air flow, exhaust gas recirculation, valve opening or valve closing profile of an active combustion cylinder.

19. A method for operating a diesel engine system, comprising:

monitoring at least one parameter indicative of a condition of an exhaust gas flow of an engine having a plurality of combustion cylinders;

determining whether the at least one parameter meets a predetermined criterion for cylinder deactivation;

selecting a number of combustion cylinders from the plurality of combustion cylinders for deactivation based on engine conditions when the at least one parameter meets the predetermined criteria, and deactivating fuel injectors, intake valves, and exhaust valves of the selected number of combustion cylinders such that the plurality of combustion cylinders includes one or more deactivated combustion cylinders and one or more active combustion cylinders;

adjusting the air-fuel ratio in the active combustion cylinder to raise the temperature of the exhaust gas stream to a target temperature of about 200 ℃.;

monitoring the engine state and determining whether the engine state satisfies a threshold condition for adjusting a number of deactivated combustion cylinders; and

adjusting the number of deactivated combustion cylinders when the engine condition satisfies the threshold.

20. The method as set forth in claim 19 wherein the target temperature is about 250-300 ℃.

21. The method of claim 19, wherein the air-to-fuel ratio in the active combustion cylinder is 22:1 to 24: 1.

22. The method of claim 19, further comprising determining an engine output request based on a load of the engine and adjusting the number of deactivated combustion cylinders to meet the engine output request.

23. The method of claim 19, further comprising monitoring a pollution level in the exhaust stream, wherein the at least one parameter comprises the pollution level.

24. The method of claim 23, wherein the predetermined criteria comprises a pollution level in the exhaust stream exceeding a pollution threshold.

25. The method of claim 24, further comprising selecting at least one combustion cylinder of the plurality of combustion cylinders to deactivate when a pollution level in the exhaust gas stream exceeds the pollution threshold.

26. The method of claim 23, monitoring the pollution level comprising monitoring a level of single nitrogen oxides in the exhaust stream.

27. The method of claim 23, further comprising processing the contamination level to iteratively adjust an air-fuel ratio until the contamination level is below the contamination threshold.

28. The method of claim 19, further comprising monitoring an exhaust gas temperature in the exhaust gas stream, wherein the at least one parameter comprises an exhaust gas temperature of the exhaust gas stream.

29. The method of claim 28, further comprising iteratively adjusting an amount of fuel injected to the active combustion cylinder and adjusting a number of deactivated combustion cylinders based on the exhaust gas temperature.

30. A method of operating a diesel engine system, comprising:

monitoring a load of an engine having a plurality of combustion cylinders;

judging whether the load meets a cylinder deactivation standard;

selecting a number of combustion cylinders for deactivation when the load meets the cylinder deactivation criteria, and deactivating the selected number of combustion cylinders by deactivating fuel injectors, intake valves, and exhaust valves of the selected number of combustion cylinders;

monitoring at least one parameter indicative of an engine state;

determining whether the at least one parameter satisfies a threshold condition for adjusting a number of deactivated combustion cylinders; and

continuing to monitor the at least one parameter until the at least one parameter satisfies the threshold condition for adjusting the number of deactivated combustion cylinders.

31. The method of claim 30, wherein the at least one parameter comprises one or more of exhaust gas temperature, braking thermal efficiency, pollution level, and exhaust gas flow in the exhaust gas stream.

32. The method of claim 30, wherein the at least one parameter comprises an exhaust gas temperature, the method further comprising determining whether the exhaust gas temperature is within a threshold range or at a target temperature.

33. The method of claim 30, wherein the at least one parameter comprises a braking thermal efficiency, the method further comprising determining whether the braking thermal efficiency is above a braking thermal efficiency threshold.

34. The method of claim 30, wherein the at least one parameter comprises a contamination level, the method further comprising determining whether the contamination level is within a threshold range or at a target level.

35. The method of claim 30, further comprising adjusting an air-fuel ratio of the active combustion cylinder.

36. The method of claim 30, further comprising adjusting one or more of a fuel injection timing or a fuel injection flow rate, an intake air flow rate, exhaust gas recirculation, a valve opening or valve closing profile of an active combustion cylinder.

Technical Field

The present application relates to diesel engine fuel management technology and provides methods and systems for extending cylinder deactivation to mid-range engine loads.

Background

The combustion process of a diesel engine may be controlled to limit the number of cylinders providing torque output. One technique is cylinder shut-off. This technique eliminates fuel to the cylinder while continuing to cycle the intake and exhaust valves. The piston also cycles. This technique results in a loss of fuel economy.

At very low load and idle conditions, the engine operates fuel inefficiently. All cylinders fire, but require less to no torque output. Even under no load conditions, the engine may provide more torque than is required. Fuel is wasted and fuel economy is poor.

Inefficient and inefficient fuel usage is ineffective for heating the aftertreatment system and therefore the pollution level is high.

It would be beneficial to improve the fuel economy and fuel efficiency of diesel engines. It is beneficial to reduce contamination.

Disclosure of Invention

The present disclosure overcomes the above-noted shortcomings and improves upon the art by a system and method for cylinder deactivation in a multi-cylinder diesel engine that includes pumping air into an intake manifold of the diesel engine using a turbocharger. Air is pumped into the intake manifold using an intake assist device. And, for at least one cylinder in the diesel engine, fuel injection is selectively deactivated. Intake and exhaust valves are selectively deactivated for at least one cylinder of a diesel engine.

A multi-cylinder diesel engine system includes a multi-cylinder diesel engine including a respective intake valve and a respective exhaust valve for each of a plurality of cylinders. An intake manifold is connected to supply air to a plurality of cylinders of the diesel engine. An exhaust manifold is coupled to receive exhaust gas from a plurality of cylinders of the diesel engine. An intake assist device is connected to pump air into the intake manifold. The valve control system is connected to selectively deactivate respective intake valves and respective exhaust valves of cylinders of a multi-cylinder diesel engine. A fuel injection control system is connected to selectively deactivate fuel injection to the cylinders. A multi-cylinder diesel engine enters a cylinder deactivation mode whereby the valve control system deactivates respective intake valves and respective exhaust valves for the cylinders. The valve control system deactivates fuel injection to the cylinders while the other cylinders of the multi-cylinder diesel engine continue to ignite.

A pollution management system for a diesel engine includes a diesel engine having a plurality of combustion cylinders. Each of the plurality of combustion cylinders includes a respective piston coupled to a crankshaft, a fuel injector coupled to an injection controller, an intake valve coupled to an intake valve controller, and an exhaust valve coupled to an exhaust valve controller. An exhaust system is connected to the exhaust valve. The exhaust system includes a catalyst for filtering pollution from the exhaust stream and a sensor for measuring a pollution level in the exhaust stream. The control unit includes a processor, a storage device, and a processor-executable control algorithm stored in the memory. The control algorithm is configured to receive pollution level sensor data from the sensor, determine a pollution level in the exhaust gas stream, and determine whether the pollution level exceeds a pollution threshold. The control system selects at least one of the plurality of combustion cylinders to deactivate when a pollution level in the exhaust gas stream exceeds a pollution threshold, commands the injection controller to deactivate a respective fuel injector of the at least one of the selected combustion cylinders, commands the intake valve controller to deactivate a respective intake valve of the at least one of the selected combustion cylinders, and commands the exhaust valve controller to deactivate a respective exhaust valve controller of the at least one of the selected combustion cylinders.

A method for operating a multi-cylinder diesel engine system in a cylinder deactivation mode includes determining that the diesel engine system is operating within at least one threshold range. A cylinder deactivation mode is input to at least one cylinder of a multi-cylinder diesel engine when the diesel engine system is operating within at least one threshold range. An air-fuel ratio of at least one firing cylinder of a multi-cylinder diesel engine is adjusted based on entering a cylinder deactivation mode in the at least one cylinder. Entering the cylinder deactivation mode includes deactivating fuel injection to at least one cylinder and deactivating intake and exhaust valve actuation to at least one cylinder.

Additional objects and advantages will be set forth in part in the description which follows, and in part will be obvious from the description, or may be learned by practice of the disclosure. The objects and advantages of the invention will be realized and attained by means of the elements and combinations particularly pointed out in the appended claims.

It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory only and are not restrictive of the invention as claimed.

Drawings

FIGS. 1A and 1B are schematic diagrams of an engine system.

FIG. 2 is a schematic illustration of another engine system.

Fig. 3A-3C are alternative views of an exemplary engine.

FIGS. 4A and 4B are exemplary methods for implementing cylinder deactivation.

Fig. 5 is an example of a 6-cylinder engine in the normal mode.

FIG. 6 is an example of the 6-cylinder engine of FIG. 5 in a cylinder deactivation mode.

FIG. 7 is an example of an exhaust gas temperature profile for an exemplary engine.

FIG. 8 is an example of load thresholds for implementing cylinder deactivation mode, normal mode, or boosted mode.

FIG. 9 is an example of load thresholds versus number of cylinders in a cylinder deactivation mode.

Fig. 10 shows an example of the braking thermal efficiency of the engine versus load.

FIG. 11 shows a polynomial curve relating turbine outlet temperature to air-fuel ratio.

FIG. 12 is an example of NOx pollution conversion efficiency of a catalyst versus temperature.

FIG. 13 is a graph comparing NOx conversion efficiency to catalyst temperature, engine out NOx, and tailpipe emission requirements.

FIG. 14 is a schematic diagram of a computer control system for an engine system.

FIG. 15 is an example of a possible intake or exhaust valve lift profile.

16A-16D compare a 3 cylinder CDA mode with a 6 cylinder mode for various outputs of an exemplary engine.

Detailed Description

Reference will now be made in detail to examples illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Wherever possible, the same reference numbers will be used throughout the drawings to refer to the same or like parts. Directions such as "left" and "right" are referred to for ease of reference to the drawings.

Cylinder Deactivation (CDA) with closed intake, exhaust and fuel injection for a selected cylinder cycle is not readily apparent for diesel engines for several reasons. Many benefits are suitable and useful for improving fuel economy and pollution control. In contrast to previous studies, CDA can be used to facilitate fuel economy and pollution control for heavy machinery and light automobiles. For example, low load cylinders may be deactivated to increase fuel economy. The efficiency of the engine is increased due to the reduction of friction by eliminating valve motion. In addition, the inefficient cylinders are shut down to increase the efficiency of the other cylinders, improving overall fuel economy.

Cylinder deactivation is different from "cylinder cut", which closes only the fuel injection of the selected cylinder, but moves the auxiliary valve. Cylinder shut-offs result in measurable and detrimental system losses. However, cylinder deactivation may achieve measurable system gains. When a cylinder is deactivated, other firing cylinders must increase their torque output (load) to maintain the user experience. Increasing the load on the ignition cylinder increases the fuel efficiency & braking thermal efficiency. Deactivating intake and exhaust valves on deactivated cylinders reduces energy loss for moving the valves, thereby improving fuel economy.

CDA may be used at certain duty cycles. For example, on a highway, a heavy truck may shut off the CDA for high speed or cruise duty cycles. However, for example, a garbage truck may use CDA throughout the pick-up duty cycle. The same may apply to buses transporting dockee duty cycles.

3. Normal operation of a 4, 5, 6, 8 or 10 cylinder diesel engine includes introducing air into the intake manifold, closing valves on the cylinders, injecting fuel, igniting the fuel for combustion, and emptying the cylinders for the next cycle.

When operating conditions do not require full torque output, it is possible to limit which cylinders receive fuel, and it is also possible to customize the amount of fuel injected into each cylinder. For example, by deactivating fuel injection for half of the cylinders while using the remaining cylinders at full torque capacity, the engine may be operated at 50% load capacity. An even number of cylinders may be deactivated to balance engine torque, but a single cylinder or other odd number of cylinders may also be deactivated to obtain fuel efficiency benefits. The fuel efficiency of the fully used cylinder is very high, while there is no fuel usage in the deactivated cylinders. The overall fuel efficiency of the power plant is improved and fuel consumption is reduced. This strategy allows for adjusting the torque output according to driving conditions. For example, with a six cylinder engine, 2 or 4 cylinders may be deactivated while the torque output capabilities of the remaining cylinders are fully or partially used.

Turning to FIG. 1A, a schematic diagram for an engine system is shown. The engine 100 includes 6 cylinders 1-6. Other numbers of cylinders may be used, but for purposes of discussion, 6 cylinders are shown. Cylinders 1-6 receive intake fluid from intake manifold 103, which is either combustion gas (e.g., air) or air mixed with exhaust gas (exhaust gas recirculation "EGR"). Intake manifold sensors 173 may monitor pressure, flow, oxygen content, exhaust content, or other qualities of the intake fluid. Intake manifold 103 is connected to intake ports 133 in the engine block to provide intake fluid to cylinders 1-6. In a diesel engine, the intake manifold has a vacuum in addition to the intake manifold being pressurized. CDA is beneficial because the cylinder can be shut down. Instead of pulling the piston down against the vacuum condition, the deactivated cylinder has a volume of fluid that is not under vacuum. Fuel efficiency is improved by not pulling the piston downward against the vacuum.

Fuel is injected to each cylinder by the fuel injection controller 300. The fuel injection controller 300 may adjust the amount and timing of fuel injected into each cylinder, and may close and resume fuel injection to each cylinder. The fuel injection for each cylinder 1-6 may be the same or unique for each cylinder 106, such that one cylinder may have more fuel than another cylinder, and one cylinder may not have fuel injection while the other cylinders have fuel.

Variable Valve Actuators (VVA)200 are also coupled to cylinders 1-6 to actuate intake valves 130 and exhaust valves 150. VVA200 may vary the actuation of intake and exhaust valves 130, 150 to open or close the valves, either normally, early, late, or a combination thereof, or to stop operation of the valves. Early Intake Valve Opening (EIVO), Early Intake Valve Closing (EIVC), Late Intake Valve Opening (LIVO), Late Intake Valve Closing (LIVC), Early Exhaust Valve Opening (EEVO), Early Exhaust Valve Closing (EEVC), Late Exhaust Valve Opening (LEVO), Late Exhaust Valve Closing (LEVC), a combination of EEVC and LIVO, or Negative Valve Overlap (NVO) may be implemented by VVA 200. The VVA200 may cooperate with hydraulic, electric, or solenoid systems to control the intake and exhaust valves 130, 150. The engine 100 may be cam or camless, or a hybrid "cam-camless VVA". Thus, the intake and exhaust valves 130, 150 may be coupled to a cam system for actuation, such as the camshaft 801, 802 example of FIG. 3A, hydraulic rails, rocker arms of latches, other rocker arms, electro-hydraulic actuators, and so forth. Alternatively, a camless direct acting mechanism may selectively operate the various valves. Although fig. 3B &3C show one intake valve 130 and one exhaust valve 150, as shown in fig. 3A, each cylinder may have two intake valves 130 and two exhaust valves 150. For clarity, the engine block 102 is removed and the cylinders are shown in phantom for the example of FIG. 3A.

The diesel engine operates by compressing the intake fluid in the cylinders 1-6 using the piston 160. Fuel is injected through fuel injectors 310. The high heat and compression ignites the fuel, and the combustion pushes the piston from Top Dead Center (TDC) to Bottom Dead Center (BDC), whereby torque is directed to crankshaft 101. Diesel operation may also be referred to as "4-stroke," although other operating modes such as 2-stroke and 8-stroke may be used. In the 4-stroke, the piston moves from TDC to BDC to charge the cylinder with intake fluid (stroke 1). The beginning of the cycle is shown in FIG. 3B, and FIG. 3C shows the end of stroke 1 when the cylinder is full of intake fluid. The piston rises back to TDC (stroke 2). Fuel is injected and ignited to push piston 160 to BDC (Stroke 3). The piston again rises to TDC to expel exhaust gas from the exhaust valve (stroke 4). Intake valve 130 is open during stroke 1 and closed during strokes 2-4, but VVA200 may adjust the timing of opening and closing. The exhaust valve 150 is opened during stroke 4 and closed during strokes 2-4, but the VVA200 may adjust the timing of the opening and closing.

Exhaust gases exit the cylinder through exhaust ports 155 in the engine block 102. The exhaust port 155 communicates with the exhaust manifold 105. Exhaust manifold sensors 175 may monitor pressure, flow, oxygen content, nitrogen or nitrogen oxide (NOx) content, sulfur content, other pollutant content, or other exhaust properties. The exhaust may power a turbine 510 of a Variable Geometry Turbocharger (VGT)501 or other turbocharger. The turbocharger 501 may be controlled via a turbocharger controller 500 to regulate a coupling 514 between the turbine 510 and the compressor 512. The VGT may be adjusted to control intake or exhaust flow or backpressure in the exhaust.

The exhaust gas is filtered in an aftertreatment system. The aftertreatment system may include various pollution management mechanisms, such as hydrocarbon, fuel, or urea dosers. Several filters may be used alone or in combination, such as DOC, DPF, SCR, NH3, Cu-Ze SCR, and the like. The one or more catalysts 800 filter the pollution and may include a Diesel Particulate Filter (DPF), which typically contains various rare earth metals to filter the pollution, including NOx. At least one exhaust gas sensor 807 is placed in the aftertreatment system to measure exhaust gas conditions such as exhaust emissions, NOx content, exhaust gas temperature, flow, etc. Exhaust gas sensor 807 may include more than one type of sensor, such as chemical, thermal, optical, electrical resistance, velocity, pressure, and the like. Exhaust gas sensor 807 may comprise an array of sensors, optionally included before, after, or within catalyst 800. Sensors associated with the turbocharger 501 may also be included to detect turbine and compressor activity.

After being filtered by the at least one catalyst 800, the exhaust gas may exit the system. Alternatively, the exhaust gas may be redirected to the intake manifold 103 via various passages, some of which are shown in FIGS. 1A-2. In fig. 1A, the exhaust gas is cooled in EGR cooler 455. The EGR controller 400 actuates the EGR valve 410 to selectively control the amount of EGR supplied to the intake manifold 103. The exhaust gas recirculated to the manifold 103 affects the air-fuel ratio (AFR) in the cylinder. The exhaust dilutes the oxygen content in the manifold 103. The unburned fuel from the fuel doser or the unburned fuel remaining after combustion increases the amount of fuel in the AFR. Soot and other particulates and pollutants also reduce the air portion of the air-to-fuel ratio. While the fresh air introduced through the intake system 700 may increase the AFR, EGR may decrease the AFR, and fuel injection to the cylinder may further decrease the AFR. Accordingly, the EGR controller, the fuel injection controller 400, and the intake assist controller 600 can adjust the air-fuel ratio to suit the engine operating conditions by operating the EGR valve 410, the fuel injector 310, and the intake assist device 610, respectively. Thus, adjusting the air-fuel ratio of the firing cylinder may include one of: the air-fuel ratio of the ignition cylinder is decreased by controlling the supercharger to supercharge fresh air to at least one ignition cylinder, or by supercharging exhaust gas recirculated to the ignition cylinder. This may be done with or without the addition of the turbocharger 501.

The modified engine system 12 of FIG. 1B eliminates an exhaust gas recirculation path to facilitate the alternate path. EGR controller 400 may instead be coupled to EGR valve 412 to direct exhaust gas along second EGR path 613, along EGR path 612, to intake assist device 601. Alternatively, the exhaust gas may be recirculated after being filtered by the catalyst 800. Accordingly, EGR valve 414 may be controlled by EGR controller 400 to direct a portion of EGR to intake assist device 601 along first EGR path 610, along EGR path 612. The EGR valve 412 or the EGR valve 414 is controlled to adjust the amount of exhaust gas included in the air-fuel ratio in the cylinders 1 to 6.

FIG. 16B compares air-fuel ratio (AFR) versus load (torque in foot-pounds) for an exemplary 6-cylinder engine in normal mode (triangle) versus CDA mode (circle). Deactivating half of the cylinders shuts off the AFR. At some point, the AFR becomes too low and soot problems arise.

The operating range of Cylinder Deactivation (CDA) is extended by pressurizing available oxygen using a very small intake assist device 601. A small air pump, supercharger, or fan is connected to an oxidation source such as air intake system 700. The intake system may supply fresh air to increase the air-fuel ratio in the intake manifold of the diesel engine. Instead of limiting the CDA to low load or idle conditions, the intake assist device 601 may increase airflow to the intake manifold and may increase air to the cylinders. This can provide a leaner burning engine by increasing the air fraction of the AFR. While the AFR may be reduced in a Cylinder Deactivation (CDA) mode, the intake assist device enables the AFR to be increased by increasing flow relative to the low pressure intake manifold. This is in contrast to the prior art, which attempts to eliminate energy drainage in the CDA mode. EGR need not be suspended to limit carbon dioxide emissions, but can be adjusted.

By controlling the air-fuel ratio to cylinders 1-6, turbocharger 501 may be eliminated, thereby simplifying the output of the control algorithm and reducing the cost of the system. In fig. 2, the turbocharger 501 is omitted. Fresh air may be naturally drawn into the intake manifold 103 through the intake system 700 and the intake assist device 601 may be selectively controlled to boost the intake air flow to the intake manifold 103. If the intake air assist device heats the intake air flow, such as when a supercharger is used, a charge air cooler 650 may optionally be included to adjust the intake air flow temperature. As discussed in more detail below, using cylinder deactivation in low load and idle modes and boosting intake air by the intake assist device 601 in mid load modes eliminates the diesel engine system from relying on a turbocharger for air flow to the intake manifold 103.

Fig. 5 illustrates a normal operating mode for the engine system 10, 12 or 14 or similar engine systems. Intake fluid 720 is provided to each of cylinders 1-6. Each cylinder receives fuel 320 and performs a combustion cycle. Exhaust 420 exits each cylinder 1-6. The normal mode may be used herein under certain load and speed conditions of the engine, such as when full torque output is required. Or as when the cruise mode provides a better temperature or NOx output for the engine system than the CDA mode.

FIG. 6 illustrates a cylinder deactivation mode (CDA). Half of the cylinders are deactivated. Cylinders 1-3 receive fuel commensurate with the torque output request. When the engine needs to maintain a certain torque level and the CDA mode is implemented, cylinders 4-6 may be deactivated while doubling the fuel to cylinders 1-3. Because of the fuel economy benefits resulting from reduced friction across all cylinders, less than twice as much fuel may be provided to firing cylinders 1-3 to achieve the same torque level as firing all six cylinders in normal mode. For example, when half of the cylinders are turned off, the firing cylinders may receive 1.95 times the fuel to maintain a steady torque output during deactivation. Thus, the CDA mode produces fuel economy benefits by reducing the fuel used for the desired torque output.

The intake and exhaust valves 130, 150 move as controlled by the VVA200 for the firing cylinders 1-3. However, for cylinders 4-6, intake and exhaust valves 150 are not actuated.

The fuel added to cylinders 1-3 makes the mixture in cylinders 1-3 more "rich". The air-fuel ratio is smaller for the cylinder because there is less air and more fuel. The resulting exhaust gas is hotter as shown in fig. 11. As the air-fuel ratio approaches the lower limit, the Turbine Outlet Temperature (TOT) increases. The diesel engine system 14 does not use the turbocharger 501, and therefore uses "turbine outlet temperature" as a convenient phrase to indicate the temperature of the exhaust gas at the location where the turbine 501 is located. As the AFR increases, the TOT follows a polynomial curve.

And must be stoichiometric 17: 1 AFR (seventeen parts air to one part gasoline) unlike gasoline engines, diesel systems can change the AFR and still work. The AFR in the firing cylinder may vary from 17: 1-100: 1 (seventeen parts air to one part diesel fuel, to 100 parts air to one part diesel fuel). Soot is a problem at low AFR, so keeping the AFR at 22: 1-24: 1 is advantageous. To avoid soot, adjusting the air-fuel ratio of the firing cylinder includes adjusting one or both of intake air and fuel injection to maintain an air-fuel ratio of seventeen parts air to one part fuel or higher. The CDA mode may be set at 17: 1-70: 1 or 20: 1-50: AFR between 1. Another AFR range is 24: 1-45: 1. one AFR range that provides an aftertreatment catalyst bed temperature of approximately 300 degrees celsius is 30: 1-45: 1 AFR.

Due to the polynomial relationship between AFR and TOT, a control algorithm may be proposed for sensing low temperature conditions and adjusting the air-fuel ratio to bring the exhaust gas temperature to a desired range. The use of the above-described Exhaust Gas Recirculation (EGR) controller 400, fuel injection controller 300, and intake assist controller 600 is one aspect of adjusting the exhaust gas temperature. Entering a Cylinder Deactivation (CDA) mode on a selected cylinder is another aspect of adjusting AFR and TOT.

Fig. 16A compares the normal operating mode (triangle) for a 6-cylinder engine with the 3-cylinder CDA mode (circle). The load (torque in foot-pounds) is compared to the TOT in degrees celsius. The 6 cylinder mode has a lower TOT than the 3 cylinder CDA mode. Thus, implementing the method of fig. 4A increases the TOT. There are additional TOT advantages to implementing the method of fig. 4B.

Entering the CDA mode reduces airflow through the engine 100. This is shown in fig. 16C, where fresh air flow (in kilograms per minute) is shown for a given load (torque in foot-pounds) for the 6 cylinder mode (triangle) and the three cylinder CDA mode (circle) for the engine. All 6 cylinders are used to draw more air through the engine. Since the intake and exhaust valves 130, 150 are deactivated for the CDA mode cylinders, less air is drawn into the engine and pushed into the exhaust manifold 105 in the CDA mode. This reduces the flow of the exhaust gas 420. The exhaust gas 420 is more stagnant in the aftertreatment system and therefore is retained in the catalyst 800 for a longer period of time, thereby transferring more pollution and heat to the catalyst 800. Hot catalyst 800 is an effective catalyst as shown in the example of fig. 12. The catalyst 800 has a desirable operating temperature range for a given mixture of catalyst materials (platinum, palladium, rhodium, etc.). In this ideal temperature range, the catalyst is most effective at capturing contamination. Thus, controlling the exhaust gas temperature controls the temperature of catalyst 800, which controls the effectiveness of catalyst 800 in capturing pollution. The in and out of CDA mode controls exhaust gas temperature by adjusting AFR in each cylinder. In addition, controlling the AFR through one or more EGR valves, intake air assist devices, and fuel injection further affects exhaust gas temperature and pollution capture.

Fig. 12 shows an example of a catalyst 800. Adjusting the filter material of catalyst 800 will move the line as shown. For this example, the catalyst 800 has a "bed" of material through which the exhaust gas 420 passes. The heating of the "bed" affects the efficiency of the capture of the contamination. Nitrogen-containing species and nitrogen oxides (NOx) are the target pollutants of FIG. 12. Other contaminants, such as sulfur or hydrocarbons, among others, may be the target contaminants. At 100 degrees celsius, the catalyst is 0% efficient at trapping NOx (point a). At 150 degrees, the catalyst only converted 24% NOx (point B). Increasing the exhaust gas temperature to 200 degrees celsius (point C) yields a NOx conversion efficiency of up to 78%, 90% at 250 degrees celsius (point D) and 96% at 300 degrees celsius (point E). For the exemplary catalyst, the desired exhaust gas temperature is therefore close to 300 degrees Celsius.

The choice of materials limits at which temperatures the catalyst is effective, at which temperatures the catalyst is destroyed by the sintering effect, and at which temperatures the catalyst can undergo Diesel Particulate Regeneration (DPR). The regeneration process burns off the contaminants at high temperatures, which limits atmospheric ingress of contaminants and environmental pollution. The contamination renewal catalyst 800 is burned off to recapture the contaminants. Figure 12 shows that at a regeneration temperature of 500 degrees celsius the catalyst is only 50% efficient at trapping NOx.

Exiting the normal mode and entering the CDA mode may increase the exhaust gas temperature by 100 degrees celsius under certain load modes of the engine system. The effect can be seen by turning to fig. 7. The engine may be idling at a speed that depends on the engine configuration, and the example of FIG. 7 shows the engine having a speed from 800 Revolutions Per Minute (RPM) to over 2400 RPM. This example also uses an engine load from zero to 20 bar. Other engine settings are contemplated and may be varied depending on the application and duty cycle of the engine. For example, a passenger bus may operate in a different RPM range than the dump truck. For example, the load at idle when the bus is adjusted during pick-up may be different from the load at idle of the dump truck dumping the dump truck. Since the CDA mode strategy can be applied to a variety of light, medium, long distance and heavy duty applications, the example of fig. 7 is not shown to limit the claims to a single range of RPM versus load. Fig. 7 shows that in a significant operating range, the engine is operating at a temperature below the ideal catalyst bed temperature of 300 degrees celsius, as shown in fig. 12. Without sufficient load, the exemplary engine does not generate enough heat to effectively trap NOx.

Off-highway vehicles, such as forklifts, graders, pavers, harvesters, mowers, construction equipment, farming equipment, and the like, operate for a significant amount of time under a load insufficient to heat the catalyst to the desired temperature. However, the catalyst cannot be simply adjusted to a different material because the vehicle has a higher temperature excursion and therefore the catalyst 800 needs to withstand higher temperatures without damage.

The unloaded idle mode (point UI) may have high tailpipe polluting emissions since the engine exhaust is far below the ideal catalyst temperature. The CDA mode is entered to deactivate at least one cylinder, adding immediate heat to the exhaust gas by increasing the fuel efficiency of the engine. By adjusting the AFR to the ignition cylinder, an additional 100 degrees celsius heat can be added to the exhaust immediately. Reviewing the graph of FIG. 12, the additional heat significantly increases pollutant filtration at unloaded idle. An example of a loaded idle mode (point LI) has an exhaust gas temperature of 200 degrees celsius. An increase of 100 degrees will bring the catalyst efficiency close to its peak. Thus, adjusting the number of cylinders in the CDA mode and adjusting the fuel to the remaining firing cylinders allows for thermal management of the regulated pollutant filtration through the catalyst 800.

The instant heating by the CDA mode may be applied to a Diesel Particulate Filter (DPF) regeneration technique. Rather than idling the vehicle to run a DPF regeneration cycle, the computer control may initiate the CDA mode during a selected mode of operation or a selected number of operations. Further adjustment of the AFR increases the heat imparted to the exhaust gas. Moreover, point R (ideal DPF regeneration point) is more easily achieved without the use of a fuel doser or idle cycle.

A method for monitoring exhaust gas temperature may be implemented in which the air-fuel ratio of the firing cylinder is adjusted to increase the exhaust gas temperature or to maintain the exhaust gas temperature above a threshold temperature. The pollution level emitted from the diesel engine may be monitored and the number of cylinders entering the cylinder deactivation mode may be adjusted to achieve the target pollution level. Based on the target pollution level being reached, the air-fuel ratio of at least one firing cylinder may also be adjusted.

Exhaust gas flow through the aftertreatment system may be monitored and the number of cylinders entering the cylinder deactivation mode adjusted to achieve the target exhaust gas flow.

FIG. 4A summarizes the steps of entering cylinder deactivation. In step S103, fuel is cut off to the selected cylinder. In step S105, the intake and exhaust valves are de-actuated, whether by electric or hydraulic means, such as electric solenoids, electric latches, hydraulic latches, cam selection, disabling of controllable lift mechanisms, cam-camless actuators, hybrid electric-hydraulic systems, or the like. A certain amount of intake air flow is trapped in the deactivated cylinders, and the example of step S107 of fig. 4A traps the air intake.

The method of FIG. 4A may be used alone to improve fuel efficiency and pollution control of an engine. However, FIG. 4B illustrates cylinder deactivation and additional control advantages. In step S401, a control system 1400, which may be a dedicated on-board computer, a subsystem of an Electronic Control Unit (ECU), or other programmable circuit, determines whether the engine load meets the criteria for entering the CDA mode. Computer control system 1400 may be summarized as in FIG. 14, such that sensor data is collected from various sensors, including intake manifold sensor 173, exhaust manifold sensor 175, and exhaust gas sensor 807, and communicated to sensor data storage along BUS or similar wiring.

The storage 1401 is a tangible readable memory structure such as a RAM, EPROM, mass storage device, removable media drive, DRAM, hard drive, or the like. The signal itself is excluded. Algorithms necessary for carrying out the methods disclosed herein are stored in the storage device 1401 for execution by the processor 1403. When implementing the optional variable geometry turbocharger control, VGT control 1415 is transferred from memory 1401 to the processor for execution and the computer control system functions as a turbocharger controller. Similarly, computer control system 1400 implements a stored algorithm for EGR control 1414 to implement an EGR controller; implementing a stored algorithm of the intake assist device control 1416 to implement the intake assist controller; a stored algorithm of the fuel injection control 1413 is implemented to implement the fuel injection controller. When implementing the stored algorithm for VVA control 1412, various intake and exhaust valve controller strategies may involve valve timing and valve lift strategies, as described in detail elsewhere in this application.

Although the computer control system 1400 is shown as a centralized component with a single processor, the computer control system 1400 can be distributed with multiple processors or distributed programming to differentiate the processors 1403. Alternatively, a distributed computer network may place a computer structure in proximity to one or more controlled structures. The distributed computer network may be in communication with a centralized computer control system or may be networked between distributed computer structures. For example, a computer structure may be near the turbocharger 501 for the VGT control 500, another computer structure may be near the EGR valve 410 for the EGR controller 400, another computer structure may be near the intake and exhaust valves for the variable valve actuator 200, another computer controller may be provided for the fuel injection controller 300, and another computer controller may be implemented for the intake assist controller 600. The subroutines may be stored in a distributed computer architecture, with centralized or core processing at computer control system 1400.

If the engine system meets the CDA criteria, such as by having the appropriate load or crankshaft RPM or both, then the computer control system selects the number of cylinders that can be deactivated with the current load and RPM requirements met in step S403. Other factors to consider are one or more of the following: whether the exhaust gas temperature is within a threshold range or at a target temperature; whether the Brake Thermal Efficiency (BTE) is above a BTE threshold; or whether tailpipe emissions are within range or at a target level. One strategy is to deactivate as many cylinders as possible without affecting engine torque output. Another strategy is to deactivate as many cylinders as possible to keep the exhaust gas temperature as high as possible. Another strategy is to deactivate as many cylinders as possible to maximize fuel efficient operation.

Once the number of cylinders for deactivation is selected in step S403, the fuel injection controller 300 closes fuel to the selected cylinders in step S405. The adjustment of the air-fuel ratio (AFR) of the firing cylinder may be performed simultaneously or subsequently in step S413. The amount of fuel injected into the cylinder ranges from 0-100% and can be controlled by the computer through appropriate mechanisms including sensors, transmitters, receivers and actuators. Step S413 may additionally or alternatively include adjusting one or more of: timing or quantity of fuel injection, intake air flow, Exhaust Gas Recirculation (EGR), valve opening or closing profile (lift or timing) for the firing cylinders. This may include the AFR adjustment strategy detailed above, and may include the compressor 512 or the intake air assist device 601, or eliminate the turbocharger 501 as appropriate.

By performing fuel adjustments, in step S407, intake and exhaust valve actuation is shut off for the selected deactivated cylinder. In step S409, the system monitors one or more of exhaust gas temperature, brake thermal efficiency, pollution level, exhaust gas flow through the catalyst, and the like. If the number of deactivated cylinders cannot be adjusted, monitoring in step S409 continues, but if additional cylinders can be deactivated, step S411 determines to do so. For example, thresholds for temperature, pollution, or flow may indicate that an increase or decrease in the number of cylinders in the CDA will improve exhaust gas conditions. Thus, if the threshold indicates that adjusting the cylinder in CDA mode would be beneficial for the target exhaust gas conditions, the method checks whether other parameters such as load and RPM allow CDA mode by returning to step S401.

In one aspect, and returning to FIG. 5, for convenience, the engine is generalized and labeled 6 cylinders in a linear fashion. In actual practice, the cylinders are not always linearly aligned. Even so, they do not always fire in the order they are numbered in the figure. That is, the cylinders may not fire in the sequence 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. For example, the firing order of the engine in the normal operating mode may be 1, 5, 3, 6, 2, 4. In the CDA mode, cylinders 4, 5, 6 are deactivated. The remaining cylinders fire in sequence 1, 2, 3. The selection of deactivated cylinders may vary between iterations of the algorithm, depending on the firing order of the engine. So, the first iteration may fire as explained. The second iteration may move the normal firing sequence to 3, 6, 2, 4, 1, 5. In this sequence, cylinders fire 3, 2, 1, and cylinders 4-6 are deactivated. However, the activation sequence for implementing the new CDA mode deactivation sequence may activate the deactivated cylinders and deactivate the firing cylinders. 5. 3, 6, 2, 4, 1 will be cylinder fired in the order 5, 6, 4, with cylinders 1-3 deactivated. Thus, not only can the number of cylinders fired and deactivated be varied, but the cylinders selected for firing and deactivated can be varied between algorithm iterations.

Returning to the flowchart, the result of step S409 may be analyzed, and it may be determined whether to adjust the exhaust profile in step S415. As mentioned above, in order to adjust the exhaust gas and its ability to heat the catalyst 800 or filter pollutants from the catalyst, it may be desirable to adjust the activity of the engine at the cylinder level. Therefore, if the exhaust profile is to be adjusted, the algorithm returns to step S413. Otherwise, the system continues monitoring as in step S409.

It may be necessary to exit the CDA mode altogether in step S417, as when the load on the engine increases above a threshold. Or as when brake thermal efficiency or pollution control is better outside of the CDA mode. The system checks whether the engine still meets the criteria for implementing the CDA mode by returning to step S401. If the base criteria are not met, step S417 triggers an exit from CDA mode. The deactivated cylinders receive valve actuation control and fuel injection to return to the firing mode. However, by continuing to flow through steps S413, S409, & S415, the algorithm may continue to check whether AFR adjustment or valve curve adjustment is beneficial to the exhaust profile.

The triggering conditions for entering or exiting the CDA mode or combining variable valve actuation techniques with normal or CDA mode cylinders are summarized in fig. 7-13. Pollution management is associated with AFR and exhaust gas temperature, so one trigger condition may affect the other. Adjusting an aspect of engine operation may affect more than one threshold range of trigger conditions.

The bold line in fig. 7 represents the target temperature for a given catalyst bed composition. Below the bold line, the threshold range of the exhaust gas temperature range triggers an indication that the CDA mode is suitable for increasing the exhaust gas temperature. When the system determines that the exhaust temperature is below the target temperature, the control system 1400 issues a command to enter the CDA, commensurate with other considerations (e.g., load and RPM requirements). Above the bold line, the CDA mode may be exited to facilitate the other techniques outlined in fig. 8.

The threshold range may include a range of exhaust gas temperatures below the desired catalyst bed temperature. The desired catalyst bed temperature may be between 200-300 degrees celsius, above 200 degrees celsius, above 300 degrees celsius, or may be an exhaust temperature below the regeneration temperature of the diesel particulate filter. In the last case, the regeneration temperature of the diesel particulate filter may be about 500 degrees celsius or higher than 500 degrees celsius. Outside of the temperature threshold range, the CDA mode may be exited.

An exhaust temperature sensor 807, in combination with the control system 1400, may receive and process exhaust temperature data from the exhaust temperature sensor. Based on the exhaust gas temperature data, a command may be adjusted for the fuel injector to adjust an amount of fuel injected to an active combustion cylinder of the plurality of combustion cylinders. Further, the command may adjust the number of combustion cylinders selected for deactivation.

Turning to FIG. 8, one implementation strategy for triggering various operating modes of the engine is shown. Similar to fig. 7, the control system 1400 may enter the CDA mode whenever the load on the engine is below the first load threshold LT 1. The CDA mode may be entered throughout the operating range of engine speeds (in Revolutions Per Minute (RPM)) from idle mode up to a maximum engine crankshaft speed per minute. Region 1 includes idle, low load and load idle modes. The CDA mode may be used alone or for EGR boost to reduce AFR and increase exhaust gas temperature. By optimizing fuel usage in the firing cylinder by adjusting fuel injection, optimal fuel efficiency and high heat exhaust gas may be allowed. The reduced cylinders used reduced the flow rate so the catalyst could reach points C, D, & E in FIG. 12 despite being in historically problematic zone 1. Traditionally, exhaust gas temperatures were too low to trap particulates in zone 1, but the CDA mode techniques described herein increased catalyst activity. While efficient fuel use increases NOx output in the exhaust, pollution is more effectively captured in catalyst 800.

The trigger condition of fig. 13 indicates that the allowable amount of NOx in the exhaust gas can be increased when the NOx conversion efficiency of the catalyst increases with the catalyst bed temperature reference. Pollution regulations require that the tailpipe of the engine measure NOx emissions that meet an upper limit of 0.2g/hp-hr (0.2 grams per horsepower-hour), or 0.3 g/hp-hr. The engine may emit NOx in one hour (engine out) and the total amount of NOx emissions at the tailpipe of the engine exhaust system cannot be above the upper limit (NOx pollution threshold). Engines may emit emissions beyond an upper limit, but when the exhaust gas reaches the tailpipe, the NOx level must fall below the pollution threshold.

At 96% efficiency, catalyst 800 may receive exhaust gas having 5.0 grams per horsepower-hour of NOx and remove enough NOx to remain below the upper limit of 0.2 g/hp-hr. Likewise, when the catalyst efficiency is 96%, the catalyst may receive 7.5g/hp-hr of NOx from the exhaust manifold, but the filter contamination remains below the upper limit of 0.3 g/hp-hr. As the efficiency of the catalyst decreases, the amount of NOx pollution from the engine that can be filtered decreases. Therefore, by using the catalyst temperature as the determination threshold and maintaining the catalyst temperature within the target threshold range or at the target temperature, the ignition cylinder can be operated in the high fuel efficiency mode (high temperature, high NOx output) without increasing pollution at the tail pipe. In steps S415 and S411, the algorithm of fig. 4B may include a process of managing tailpipe contamination. The result of the monitoring step S409 may be a process of ensuring that NOx at horsepower hours does not exceed the contamination threshold by adjusting fuel efficiency, exhaust gas temperature, fuel injection, intake air flow, number of cylinders in CDA mode, and the like. The low NOx mode may be selected over a higher NOx mode, such as a lower fuel efficiency mode, to ensure that the tailpipe emissions pollution threshold is met within the necessary timeframe. For example, when the catalyst bed temperature is within the desired range, the CDA mode may be suspended, or fuel efficiency may be reduced to reduce the amount of NOx emitted from the engine. Thus, the less NOx the catalyst filters, the more pollutants are trapped in the catalyst. Accordingly, the control algorithm is configured to process the pollution level data to iteratively adjust the command of one or more of the fuel injector 310, the intake air assisting device 601, the VGT turbocharger 501, the EGR valve 412, 414 or 410 or the valve actuator until the pollution level is below the pollution threshold.

Returning to fig. 8, region 2 indicates the second load threshold LT 2. The medium load (e.g., 50% load mode) may be the second load threshold LT 2. In region 2, the CDA may be used throughout the engine speed operating range. The intake assist device 601 may increase the AFR to meet the torque output request of the engine.

A load monitoring sensor, such as crankshaft sensor 107, may determine the load of the engine. The control algorithm may receive load data from the crankshaft sensor 107 and determine the load of the engine. The control system 1400 may determine an engine output request based on a load of the engine. When the load of the engine is below the first load threshold LT1, the control system 1400 may adjust the number of combustion cylinders selected for deactivation to meet the engine output request. When the load of the engine is above the first load threshold LT1, the control algorithm is configured to increase the intake air flow of the intake manifold. When the engine load is above the second load threshold LT2, the control algorithm exits the CDA mode.

The engine load may influence the decision to enter the CDA mode in a number of ways. This is shown by comparing fig. 8& 9. FIG. 8 uses a load threshold LT1& LT2 to divide the load versus RPM into regions 1-4. FIG. 9 relates load to one example of a plurality of cylinders deactivated in the CDA mode. Above the second load threshold LT2, CDA mode is not used. The engine requires more torque output than can be provided in the CDA mode. All cylinders fire to accommodate the load.

The control system 1400 may monitor the engine operating mode. The threshold range for entering the CDA mode may include one or more of an idle engine operating mode threshold LTA, a load idle engine operating mode threshold LTB, and a load engine operating mode threshold LTC. The number of cylinders of a multi-cylinder diesel engine that enters a cylinder deactivation mode is adjusted based on whether the engine operating mode is an idle engine operating mode, a load idle engine operating mode, or a load engine operating mode. FIG. 9 shows an example of a load threshold versus number of deactivated cylinders. Although an even number of cylinders is shown, other numbers of cylinders may be selected for deactivation, such as an odd or singular number of cylinders.

The engine operating modes may include a light load mode, a medium load mode, and a heavy load mode, and the threshold range for entering the CDA may include a light load mode and a medium load mode. The engine operating mode may also be a start mode, and the threshold range for entering the CDA may include the start mode.

Determining whether to enter the CDA may include monitoring engine crankshaft speed via crankshaft sensor 107. When the threshold range includes a high speed threshold range above ST and a low speed threshold range below ST, the number of cylinders entering cylinder deactivation mode is adjusted based on whether the engine crankshaft speed is within the low speed threshold range or the high speed threshold range.

The normal operating mode may be used in region 4, particularly when the engine is optimized for operation in region 4, such as cruise mode. The enhancement mode may be used for zones 1-3, only for zones 2&3, or only for zone 3. The boost mode applies the principles of steps S409, S415, & S413 to adjust the valve opening or valve closing curve to affect fuel efficiency. Beyond the threshold speed ST, zone 3 is used. Below the threshold speed ST, the technique of zone 4 is used.

The technique of the boost mode may adjust the valve curve as shown in fig. 15. Each valve can adjust its lift height and adjust its opening time. The example of fig. 15 shows the combination of an early closing curve with a low lift in the curve LL. The normal lift and the normal opening and closing curve LN are also shown. The retarded valve closing with the high lift curve LH is shown. Other valve profiles are possible, and thus FIG. 15 is exemplary and not limiting of the possible profile ranges for the intake and exhaust valves. The lift and timing of the opening or closing of the intake or exhaust valves may be adjusted according to engine operating conditions. As described above, for the Variable Valve Actuator (VVA)200, the enhanced mode techniques may include advancing intake valve opening (EIVO), advancing intake valve closing (EIVC), retarding intake valve opening (LIVO), retarding intake valve closing (LIVC), advancing exhaust valve opening (EEVO), advancing exhaust valve closing (EEVC), retarding exhaust valve opening (LEVO), retarding exhaust valve closing (LEVC), combinations of intake valve actuation timing and exhaust valve actuation timing, such as EEVC and LIVO adjustments (negative valve overlap (NVO)). One technique for operating the engine system includes exiting the cylinder deactivation mode when the diesel engine system is operating outside a threshold range, such as the second load threshold LT2, and enters the early intake valve closing mode. Another technique exits the cylinder deactivation mode when the diesel engine system is operating outside a threshold range, such as the second load threshold LT2, and enters the delayed intake valve closing mode.

Cylinder deactivation requires implementation of a strategy with an optimal trade-off between BSFC (brake specific fuel consumption) and & NOx & TOT (turbine outlet temperature). Advancing intake valve closing (EIVC) and retarding intake valve closing (LIVC) yields good BSFC. These techniques can be used at high speed and under high load conditions. Although NOx is higher for both EIVC and LIVC, at start-up and low load, the catalyst is heated by CDA to the desired filtration range. The catalyst may filter the net tailpipe emissions of increased NOx within desired regulatory limits.

As shown in fig. 10, the engine Braking Thermal Efficiency (BTE) increases with increasing load. The ratio of the loads is different from that of fig. 7. Fig. 7 shows an exemplary load (pressure) in bar. Figure 10 shows the load percentage versus engine load capacity. Thus, the engine load ranges from 0-100% of its capacity. The BTE increases, the closer the engine is to its maximum load capacity. The BTE may be a trigger condition to enter or exit the CDA mode. Loads below the threshold BTE trigger entry into the CDA mode within a threshold range of BTE values. Above the BTE threshold, the engine system exits the CDA mode to take advantage of high load, high BTE efficient operating conditions. FIG. 16D compares the Brake Thermal Efficiency (BTE) between the normal all-cylinder firing mode (triangle) and the CDA mode (circle) for an exemplary 6-cylinder engine, for example. In fig. 16D, the CDA mode outperforms the normal operating mode at the threshold. Reducing the number of firing cylinders increases the BTE of the exemplary engine system when the load is less than 200 foot-pounds of torque. Beyond 200ft-lbs of torque, normal operation with all cylinder firings is beneficial.

Fig. 7 correlates high load conditions with exhaust gas temperature to show that the catalyst bed works effectively for most high load outputs of the engine. Catalyst bed temperatures are high enough to capture contamination, so monitoring the BTE and adjusting the CDA mode based on the BTE can affect the temperature of the catalyst and the ability of the engine system to adjust for contamination. Monitoring the brake thermal efficiency allows the step of adjusting the air-fuel ratio of the firing cylinder based on maintaining the brake thermal efficiency above a brake thermal efficiency threshold. The CDA mode may bring the BTE to a lower load threshold and exit the CDA mode to facilitate firing all cylinders when the load threshold is crossed.

Other triggering events for entering or exiting the CDA mode may include monitoring accelerator position, and wherein the threshold range includes a subset of accelerator positions. A certain acceleration may cause a load on the engine, so the CDA mode may be linked to the accelerator, as it may be linked to the load. Other user inputs, such as buttons, levers, and other user inputs, may trigger entry into the threshold range of the CDA mode. For example, the user may select a DPF regeneration mode, which causes the engine system to enter CDA to reach a target DPF regeneration temperature, such as point R in FIG. 12, or another target temperature appropriate for catalyst loading.

Exiting the CDA mode may include: deselecting combustion cylinders for deactivation; commanding the injection controller to activate a respective fuel injector for at least one deselected combustion cylinder; commanding an intake valve controller to activate a respective intake valve for at least one deselected combustion cylinder; and commanding the exhaust valve controller to activate the corresponding exhaust valve controller for the at least one deselected combustion cylinder. The control algorithm is further configured to adjust a command to the fuel injector to adjust an amount of fuel injected to an active combustion cylinder of the plurality of combustion cylinders based on the engine output request. When the cylinder exits the CDA mode, the fuel injectors 310 are controlled to redistribute fuel based on the engine load demand.

The control algorithm may include instructions to receive air flow data from an air flow sensor (e.g., intake manifold sensor 173). The control system 1400 may determine airflow to the respective intake valves, determine an air-fuel ratio for each of the plurality of combustion cylinders based on the determined airflow and based on the fuel injector command, and command the intake assist device to increase airflow to the plurality of combustion cylinders when a load of the engine is within a predetermined range based on the determined air-fuel ratio. Based on the determined air-fuel ratio, the control system may adjust commands to fuel injector 310 to adjust the amount of fuel injected to the active combustion cylinder of the plurality of combustion cylinders.

Returning to FIG. 8, region 2, under normal low load conditions, the air-to-fuel ratio (AFR) may be 80 parts air to one part fuel (80: 1). In the CDA mode, the AFR is reduced by half, which increases the heat of combustion. The AFR at medium load may be 40: 1. reducing the AFR increases the exhaust gas temperature (TOT or turbine outlet temperature), which may contribute to the catalyst's ability to collect undesirable emissions. However, to or below 20:1, AFR increases exhaust emissions, which is not desirable. So that at moderate loads half of the cylinders simply entering the CDA may produce too much soot. Operating the intake air assist device in the CDA mode is beneficial for more effectively adjusting the AFR. The benefits of operating the intake air assist device 601 outweigh the disruption of any increased load on the engine 100 that is powered by the pulley-operated device to the intake air assist device 601. When the AFR rises above low 20 without intake assist: at an AFR of 1, deactivating half of the cylinders can take the benefit of a high temperature TOT for exhaust gas at medium load conditions. Without inlet flow assistance, the use of a medium load of CDA can generate soot in the exhaust. The use of the intake air assist device extends the advantages of the CDA mode beyond low load and idle conditions and provides fuel economy benefits despite powering the intake air assist device 601. This is because the exhaust gas output is reduced when the cylinder is closed and when the fuel usage is reduced. The exhaust gas output during the CDA mode is insufficient to power the turbocharger sufficiently to increase the intake air flow to the desired AFR.

The air assist device is used to supply fresh air instead of, or in addition to, supplying air via turbocharging to increase the oxygen to fuel ratio. Rather than using CDA only at very low load or idle conditions, the use of CDA is extended to higher load conditions. The air assist device is used to increase the air-to-fuel ratio (AFR) from 20:1 to 23:1 or 24: 1. For example, the use of an air pump allows for a CDA of 25-35% loading. The larger range is 25-50% load. This allows the diesel engine to benefit from reduced emissions over a greater operating range and at loads where turbocharging would otherwise be insufficient to increase the AFR. Over a greater range of engine operation, low fuel usage and low emissions are possible because the oxygen supply is independent of the turbocharger. The intake air assist device 601 may be an air pump, a supercharger, or even a fan.

Because the duty cycle of the intake air assist device is very small, e.g., 2%, and because the size of the intake air assist device remains very small, e.g., 15% or less of the engine size, there is a net fuel savings. For example, a 15L, 7L, or 2L engine may be paired with a 0.3L supercharger, fan, or air pump. Again using the 2L engine as an example, the intake assist device provides an airflow of approximately 0.5kg/min or less to increase the AFR for 25-50% load operation. In this load range, the low 140-150kPA intake manifold pressure allows for low capacity intake assist devices and results in low power usage.

The CDA mode may be used for a six cylinder engine or an eight cylinder engine. Half of the cylinders, two cylinders, etc. may be admitted into the CDA. The engine may be operated with only two firing cylinders. The use of the CDA mode creates an "engine-in-engine" because a large capacity can be installed on the device or vehicle for high load operation, but the computer control strategy can reduce engine fuel usage and pollution to that of a smaller engine at low load and idle conditions. That is, the CDA mode may be used to selectively reduce engine displacement. However, CDA can also be used to double the load per cylinder, thereby increasing the torque output per cylinder in the normal mode. These benefits may reduce emissions, improve fuel economy, and increase TOT.

Another benefit of the CDA mode is the ability to recover compression energy. Because charge air or other intake flow is trapped in the CDA cylinders, and because the pistons 160 are not deactivated, the pistons continue to cycle up and down in the deactivated cylinders. The piston follows its stroke cycle and works to compress the intake air. The piston rebounds, however, which may increase the torque output from the diesel engine by coupling compression rebound from the piston 160 to the crankshaft 101. This "air spring" effect can return more energy to the crankshaft than the friction losses would otherwise be lost from the normal mode active cylinders. Using the CDA mode wears less on the engine than engine braking, regular combustion, positive power, or braking load. Closing the cylinders holds them and effectively operating the remaining firing cylinders operates all the cylinders less efficiently and less worn across the engine. To increase bounce, the intake air flow to the cylinder may be increased before the valve is deactivated.

NOx modulation strategy using CDA

The fuel efficient combustion cycle increases NOx emissions. Good fuel economy is required by consumers, but federal regulations require low NOx output. The goal is inconsistent.

One compromise is to reduce the fuel efficiency of the engine to reduce NOx emissions, such as by adjusting engine timing to retard the engine, or by Exhaust Gas Recirculation (EGR). Redesigning other system components attempts to improve fuel economy to make up for the loss in fuel efficiency. Other components compensate for the fuel economy penalty of the engine by being more aerodynamic, less resistive, etc. Eventually, however, the engine is fuel inefficient.

One problem is that fuel efficient diesel (diesel with low BSFC-to-brake specific fuel consumption) has increased NOx output. For example, fuel efficient diesel fuels can output 6-9 grams of NOx per engine hour. However, regulations require an output of 0.2 and will reach 0.02 grams NOx/engine hour. The goal can only be achieved by an effective aftertreatment system while meeting the consumer demand for fuel efficiency. Therefore, it is necessary to heat the catalyst rapidly for efficient filtration.

For example, an 8% increase in fuel efficiency as measured by BSFC may increase NOx2 g/hp-hr. The other 8% increase in fuel efficiency is the same, so fuel efficiency/fuel economy can be improved by 16%, but at the expense of NOx rising from 1g/HPhr to 5 g/Hphr. If the catalyst can be kept within its most efficient filtration range, NOx is trapped and tailpipe emissions meet the necessary standards.

In gasoline engines, CDA will strive to reduce pumping losses and reduce the need for an intake throttle. These benefits will be limited to flow and drag losses. Gasoline engines must run on stoichiometric fuel: air (AFR), and therefore the advantages of the CDA mode are more limited.

On a diesel engine lacking a throttle, the CDA pumping losses are less and the efficient combustion is more. Diesel engines may have a range of air-fuel ratios. The AFR can be adjusted to conditions so the CDA can run each cylinder at higher load to improve the braking thermal efficiency of the cylinder to improve fuel economy. The CDA provides fuel economy advantages by deactivating one or more cylinders, thereby saving fuel to the cylinder and saving energy consumption for actuating the cylinder. Fuel economy is increased in the remaining active cylinders because fuel is adjusted to those cylinders in response to deactivated cylinders and in response to load or idle conditions. The amount of fuel can be metered as appropriate.

In one aspect, by deactivating the cylinder in the CDA mode, pollution is reduced. Shutting down one or more cylinders results in reduced inefficient fuel usage, which reduces pollution and fuel consumption. Therefore, CDA will immediately bring benefits. Since the AFR is adjusted to the active cylinder, the amount of air required for optimal combustion is also adjusted to the active cylinder. At low load conditions, the required amount of torque output is rather small. Pushing air into all cylinders and fuel into all cylinders can produce excessive torque and use too much energy and fuel. Deactivating one or more cylinders allows one or more remaining firing cylinders to use more fuel or less air, resulting in hotter combustion. Higher thermal combustion has lower tailpipe contamination because the catalyst bed can be heated and contamination can be better filtered. In one aspect, NOx emissions are reduced because a lower amount of exhaust output produces less NOx. However, higher fuel economy may increase NOx, since efficient combustion may increase NOx. Thus, there is a tradeoff between increased fuel efficiency, reduced amount of exhaust gas, and the ability of the catalyst to heat to an optimal NOx filtering temperature.

Using only CDA, without adjusting the AFR or fuel to the other cylinders, the fuel efficiency would increase by 5% because less fuel is used for the deactivated cylinders. The friction loss of the CDA piston is far outweighed by the gains of the inoperative valves and injectors.

However, adjusting the AFR to the active cylinder may increase pollution by improving combustion efficiency. Efficient fuel usage in the cylinder may increase NOx. Thus, for CDA, the amount of air required for optimal combustion is also adjusted to the active cylinders. At low load conditions, the required amount of torque output is rather small. Pushing air into all cylinders and fuel into all cylinders can produce excessive torque and use too much energy and fuel. Deactivating one or more cylinders allows one or more remaining cylinders to use more fuel or less air, resulting in hotter combustion. Higher thermal combustion has lower contamination because the catalyst bed can be heated and the contamination can be better filtered by the aftertreatment system, which operates most efficiently when heated to between 200 and 300 degrees celsius.

Modulating the AFR with the CDA immediately heats the exhaust. The higher hot exhaust gas heats the catalyst to its optimal filtration temperature. With CDA, the fuel doser required to increase the exhaust gas temperature at low load or low temperature operation can be eliminated. This reduces the use and cost of the post-treatment fuel. The demand for urea pollution management systems has dropped dramatically.

On the one hand, NOx emissions during CDA under low load conditions are reduced, because the exhaust gas output is reduced. Fewer cylinders are used to exhaust less exhaust gas. Less exhaust gas output produces less NOx. However, reducing the exhaust gas by CDA reduces the flow rate by half, which reduces the amount of exhaust gas used to heat the catalyst. However, the reduced flow better retains heat in the catalyst and the exhaust gas is hotter, thereby heating the catalyst faster. However, higher fuel economy may increase NOx, since efficient combustion may increase NOx. With better catalyst heating, the catalyst is better able to absorb NOx. Thus, there is a tradeoff between increased fuel efficiency, reduced amount of exhaust gas, and the ability of the catalyst to heat to an optimal NOx filtering temperature.

The exhaust gas heats up immediately because the CDA can be turned on and off during one cam revolution, but the surrounding metals, such as cylinder to cylinder heat transfer and the catalyst itself, take longer to warm up from the heat transfer. Meeting future emission standards becomes a problem for heating the operating environment surrounding the ideal heated exhaust.

Operating the engine efficiently using CDA uses fuel more efficiently in the active firing cylinders while not using fuel in the inactive cylinders. Reduced fuel usage increases fuel economy, which is highly desirable. Increased catalyst function is also highly desirable for low fuel use. Using less fuel more efficiently ultimately reduces NOx emissions from the engine.

Cylinder deactivation strategy (exhaust gas temperature on demand)

Cylinder deactivation is highly beneficial for fuel economy and aftertreatment pollution management, and can be implemented when full engine torque output is not required. CDA can be used to heat the exhaust gas temperature, which heats the catalyst, resulting in better NOx management. The heated catalyst is better able to filter NOx.

The CDA deactivates the intake, exhaust, and fuel injection of a cylinder while increasing the torque output of the remaining cylinders by operating the other cylinders in a more fuel state or at a higher stoichiometric air-fuel ratio. Unlike gasoline engines, the air-fuel ratio (AFR) of diesel engines may be varied such that the amount of air may be varied relative to the amount of fuel to adjust torque output. Adjusting the AFR to adjust the torque output also adjusts the heat output of the cylinder.

One control technique implements the CDA mode only when the exhaust gas temperature is below 250 degrees celsius. Below this temperature, NOx filtration is poor. Above this temperature, the catalyst is effective. Fuel economy typically closely tracks this phenomenon. However, by adjusting the air-fuel ratio (AFR), CDA improves fuel economy by more efficiently using the fuel in each cylinder.

In diesel engines, fuel efficient cylinders increase NOx output and exhaust gas temperature. So CDA is considered bad: it increases NOx. However, the increase in temperature increases the ability of the catalyst to filter contaminants. This eventually filters more NOx than the increase in fuel economy results, resulting in a net reduction in pollution.

Note that the 250 degree line implementing the CDA may be adjusted to 200 or 300 degrees celsius depending on the catalyst material and target NOx output.

As shown in fig. 7, most diesel engines operate with maps that output torque at exhaust temperatures below 250 degrees celsius. Thus, under low load or idle conditions, the engine speed may reach 2400RPM without outputting sufficient heat to effectively use the aftertreatment system. Thus, CDA can be implemented over a wide range of engine RPM to increase exhaust gas temperatures for effective NOx filtration. Contrary to previous thinking, CDA is not necessarily limited to low engine speed operation. CDA may be implemented based on exhaust gas temperature. Since full engine load capacity is not required within the critical temperature band, the cylinders may be deactivated to meet aftertreatment temperature targets without affecting the operating speed of the engine. Thus, implementing a control strategy for CDA only when the exhaust gas temperature is below a certain temperature limit eliminates reliance on engine load for determining the CDA mode. The temperature limit controls the amount of time the CDA is active without affecting the other load operation modes.

Studying the engine map shows that as engine RPM increases, the need for CDA mode will decrease. As the load and speed increase, the engine is more able to output exhaust gas at the target aftertreatment temperature. Limiting the CDA by temperature allows the CDA to use fewer detectable factors for drivers with ordinary operating experience over low load temperature bands.

Cylinder deactivation for catalyst regeneration

It is difficult to design a catalyst for optimal operation over the full temperature range of 0-600 degrees celsius. At some point, the low temperature NOx filter material cannot withstand the heat of DPF catalyst regeneration, while the higher temperature filter material performs poorly at low temperatures. Therefore, it is difficult to trap NOx.

With CDA, the fuel doser required to increase the exhaust gas temperature at low load or low temperature operation can be eliminated. This reduces the use and cost of the post-treatment fuel. The demand for urea pollution management systems has dropped dramatically.

One problem is that fuel efficient diesel fuel has increased NOx output. For example, a fuel efficient burning diesel fuel can output 6-9 grams of NOx per engine hour. However, regulations require an output of 0.2 and will reach 0.02 grams NOx/engine hour. The goal can only be achieved by an effective aftertreatment system while meeting the consumer demand for fuel efficiency. Therefore, it is necessary to heat the catalyst quickly for efficient filtration and efficient combustion.

The exhaust gas is immediately heated, for example, by switching from normal operation to CDA operation, an additional 100-. This is in stark contrast to EEVO and other prior art strategies which must be cycled for a period of time to raise the exhaust temperature. Current heavy machinery may take the full 20 minutes of the FTP (federal test procedure) emissions test to reach the correct temperature for emissions standards, if any. Some machines do not generate enough heat to pass the emissions test. Other strategies require 7 minutes to warm up to reach emissions testing. The CDA mode may heat the aftertreatment system within 3 minutes. The increased exhaust gas temperature that can be achieved with the CDA mode is greater than the competing strategy and requires less fuel to achieve this temperature than the competing strategy.

The ability to switch cylinders between normal and CDA modes allows for rapid adjustment of exhaust gas temperature because the CDA can be turned on and off during one cam revolution. Meeting future emission standards becomes a problem for ideal heating and filtering of exhaust gases.

Catalyst regeneration heats the catalyst to a specific temperature, such as 500-600 degrees celsius. The NOx is burned with other pollutants to clean the catalyst so that it can again filter the pollutants. Because the CDA can heat the exhaust gas immediately, it is an advantage of particulate filter regeneration technology. The use of CDA can reduce the downtime of the vehicle for regeneration and provide more on-demand regeneration. Thus, rather than pulling to the side of the road to run the engine at high RPM with the parking brake open, the CDA mode may be enabled during vehicle operation to regenerate the catalyst.

With CDA, the fuel doser required to clean the catalyst at low load or low temperature operation can be eliminated. This facilitates redesign of the post-processing of one temperature band to achieve the goal of efficient operation. Ideally, the catalyst operates at 200-600 degrees celsius, but from a materials science perspective, it is difficult to design the catalyst over the entire temperature operating range of 0-600 degrees celsius. Thus, the use of CDA to heat the exhaust gas to 200 degrees celsius or higher relieves some of the material burden in the catalyst including the low temperature filter material. It is possible to move the optimum temperature band for the post-treatment and adjust the material accordingly.

Other embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art from consideration of the specification and practice of the examples disclosed herein. It is intended that the specification and examples be considered as exemplary only, with a true scope of the disclosure being indicated by the following claims.