System, method and apparatus for controlling fluid flow from piston cooling nozzle

Abstract

Systems, methods, and apparatus are disclosed for controlling fluid flow to a piston cooling nozzle using a fluid flow control device. The fluid flow control device includes a valve electronically controlled to open or close a piston cooling nozzle gun to one or more piston cooling nozzles based on one or more engine operating parameters.

Description

[0001] CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS:

[0002] This application claims the benefit of priority and filing date of U.S. Provisional Application Serial No. 63 / 593,697, filed on October 27, 2023, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. Technical Field

[0003] The present disclosure relates generally to internal combustion engines and, more particularly, but not exclusively, to controlling fluid flow from piston cooling jets. Background Art

[0004] Generally speaking, fluid flow control devices have been used in internal combustion engines to control the flow of oil and other cooling fluids to provide cooling to one or more components of the engine. For example, a piston cooling nozzle may be provided with cooling fluid to be sprayed onto the bottom surface of the piston to provide cooling at higher engine speeds. The piston cooling nozzle may be passively controlled so that when the engine speed drops below a threshold speed, the piston cooling nozzle stops supplying cooling fluid.

[0005] However, during operating conditions where piston cooling is not needed or desired, passive control of fluid flow from the piston cooling jets may divert cooling fluid to the piston, resulting in increased fuel consumption, increased pumping losses, and / or delayed engine warm-up under cold start conditions. In addition, cooling fluid may be diverted for piston cooling under conditions where the cooling fluid could be directed for higher priority uses, such as for cam phaser control. Therefore, there is a need for improved fluid flow control devices for cooling pistons in internal combustion engines. Summary of the invention

[0006] The present disclosure includes unique systems, methods and / or apparatus for cooling pistons in an internal combustion engine. The piston cooling system includes: a reservoir, from which a fluid is supplied; and at least one piston cooling nozzle, the at least one piston cooling nozzle being coupled to the reservoir and configured to direct the fluid supplied from the reservoir to spray the fluid onto a piston in the engine. The piston cooling system includes a fluid flow control device connecting the reservoir and the at least one piston cooling nozzle. The fluid flow control device is actively controlled in response to one or more engine operating conditions to selectively provide fluid from the at least one piston cooling nozzle for piston cooling, and to shut off the fluid from the at least one piston cooling nozzle when piston cooling is not required and / or when the fluid has a higher priority use.

[0007] In one embodiment, a fluid flow control device includes a chamber that connects a main gun in an engine block with a piston cooling nozzle gun in the engine block. The fluid flow control device includes an electronically controllable valve in the chamber that is operable to selectively open and close (turn off) the chamber connecting the main gun and the piston cooling nozzle gun in response to one or more engine operating conditions. The valve of the fluid flow control device is opened to allow fluid to pass from the main gun through the chamber to the piston cooling nozzle gun. The valve of the fluid flow control device is closed to prevent fluid from flowing from the main gun through the chamber to the piston cooling nozzle gun.

[0008] Another embodiment includes a method and / or apparatus for controlling fluid flow through at least one piston cooling jet arrangement for cooling a piston in an internal combustion engine. The method and / or apparatus is configured to selectively open and close at least one piston cooling jet arrangement in response to one or more engine operating conditions. In one embodiment, the piston cooling jet arrangement is an electronically controllable valve that is controlled to open and close in response to commands from an engine control unit.

[0009] This summary is neither intended to identify the key or essential features of the claimed subject matter nor to serve as an aid in limiting the scope of the claimed subject matter. Additional embodiments, forms, objects, features, advantages, aspects and benefits will become apparent from the following description and drawings. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0010] The description herein refers to the accompanying drawings, wherein like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout the several views, and in which:

[0011] Figure 1 is a schematic block diagram of an example engine lubrication system having a fluid flow control device to control fluid flow to one or more piston cooling jets according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0012] Figure 2 yes Figure 1 A cross-sectional view of an implementation scheme of a fluid flow control device in a closed position.

[0013] Figure 3 yes Figure 2 A cross-sectional view of a fluid flow control device in an open position.

[0014] Figure 4 is a flow chart of a process for controlling fluid flow to piston cooling jets according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0015] Figure 5is an engine load-speed diagram illustrating fluid flow control to the piston cooling jets under various engine operating conditions according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0016] Figure 6 is a schematic diagram of a controller configured to control fluid flow to a piston cooling jet according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0017] Figure 7 According to the embodiment of the present disclosure, Figure 6 A flow chart of a process by which a controller controls fluid flow to a piston cooling nozzle.

[0018] Figure 8 According to the embodiment of the present disclosure, Figure 6 A flow chart of a process by which a controller controls fluid flow to a piston cooling nozzle. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0019] In order to clearly, concisely and accurately describe the illustrative embodiments of the present disclosure, the manner and process of making and using the present disclosure, and to enable the practice, manufacture and use of the present disclosure, reference will now be made to certain exemplary embodiments, including those shown in the drawings, and specific language will be used to describe the present disclosure. It should be understood, however, that no limitation is thereby imposed on the scope of the present invention, and that the present invention includes and protects such changes, modifications and other applications of the exemplary embodiments that will occur to those skilled in the art.

[0020] refer to Figure 1 , a schematic block diagram of an example engine lubrication system 100 for an engine 120. The system 100 may include an oil sump 102 containing a fluid, such as engine oil or other fluid used to lubricate and / or cool the engine 120. The system 100 may also include a pump 104 to extract the fluid from the oil sump 102 before the fluid is cooled by a cooler 106, which may generally be used to remove waste heat from the engine 120 to use the fluid as a coolant. After the fluid is cooled, the fluid may be filtered in a filter 108 to remove any contaminants in the fluid. Figure 1 As shown, the system 100 may optionally include a turbocharger 110 .

[0021] The system 100 may also include a main fluid supply gun 112 that supplies fluid from the pump 104. The main fluid supply gun 112 is coupled to a piston cooling nozzle gun 116 having a fluid flow control device 114. The fluid flow control device 114 is controllable to selectively provide fluid that will be sprayed onto one or more pistons of the engine 120 via one or more piston cooling nozzles (PCN) 118.

[0022] In an exemplary embodiment, the piston cooling nozzle fluid flow control device 114 is operable to selectively control the flow of fluid from the main fluid supply gun 112 into one or more piston cooling nozzle guns 116. The one or more piston cooling nozzle guns 116 are connected to one or more PCNs 118, which are configured to direct a fluid spray to one or more pistons. It should be understood that fluid can also be supplied from the main fluid supply gun 112 to the one or more piston cooling nozzle guns 116. Figure 1 Various other components of the internal combustion engine are shown, such as, for example, connecting rods 122 , crankshaft 124 , valve / gear train 126 , cam phaser 128 , and other accessories 130 (not listed).

[0023] The system 100 includes an electronic control unit (ECU) 140 operatively connected to the fluid flow control device 114 to selectively control fluid flow to the PCN gun 116 in response to engine operating conditions, as discussed further below. In one embodiment, the ECU 140 is operable to provide an actuation command to an actuator 144 of the fluid flow control device 114 to selectively open the fluid flow control device 114 to provide fluid flow to the PCN gun 116 or close the fluid flow control device 114 to stop fluid flow to the PCN gun 116. The ECU 140 is also in operative communication with one or more engine sensors 142 and a pressure sensor 146 of the PCN gun 116 and is configured to receive engine operating parameters from the one or more engine sensors and the pressure sensor.

[0024] ECU 140 is an example of a component of an electronic control system (ECS) that is configured and operable to execute operating logic that defines various control, diagnostic, management, and / or regulation functions. For example, a non-transitory memory medium may be configured with instructions that are executable by a processor to perform a plurality of actions, evaluations, or operations, including those described herein. The operating logic of ECU 140 or other ECS components may be in the form of dedicated hardware, such as a hardwired state machine, an analog computing machine, programmed instructions, and / or different forms that will occur to those skilled in the art.

[0025] Although the ECU 140 is depicted as a single unit in the illustrated example, it should be understood that one or more processors, one or more non-transitory memory media, and related components may be provided as multiple units or physical packages, or distributed across or between multiple units or physical packages. For example, one or more processors, such as programmable microprocessors or microcontrollers of the solid-state integrated circuit type, may be provided in one or more control units and may be implemented in any of a variety of ways that combine or distribute control functions across one or more control units in various ways. Other components or subsystems of the ECU 140 and / or its associated ECS may also be so configured or provided.

[0026] refer to Figures 2 to 3 , an embodiment of the fluid flow control device 114 is shown and is indicated at 200. The fluid flow control device 200 can be coupled to the cylinder block 121 of the engine 120 to provide a flow path from the main fluid supply gun 112 to the PCN gun 116. The fluid flow control device 200 includes a housing 202 defining a chamber 204. The chamber 204 includes an inlet 206 defined by the housing 202, the inlet being in fluid communication with the main fluid supply gun 112. The chamber 204 includes an outlet 208 defined by the housing 202, the outlet being in fluid communication with the PCN gun 116. The housing 202 may also include a relief outlet 210 connected to a pressure relief valve (not shown).

[0027] The fluid flow control device 200 also includes a device operatively connected to the actuator 144 (such as Figure 2 1 and 12. In an embodiment, the electronic actuator 216 is a solenoid that can be actuated in response to respective PCN open and close commands from the ECU 140 to move the valve 112 between an open position and a closed position.

[0028] In an exemplary embodiment, the valve 212 of the fluid flow control device 200 includes a plunger 214 housed in the chamber 204 of the housing 202. The valve 212 is selectively and electronically controlled to axially move the plunger 214 to an open position and a closed position, thereby opening and closing the outlet 208 of the chamber 204. Figure 2 In the closed position, the plunger 214 sealingly engages the base 203 in the housing 202, and fluid flow cannot flow from the chamber 204 through the outlet 208 to the PCN gun 116, and the PCN 118 is in a closed state. In the open position, the plunger 214 is disengaged from the base 203, and fluid can flow from the chamber 204 through the outlet 208 to the PCN gun 116, and the PCN 118 is in an open state and sprays fluid to cool one or more pistons.

[0029] Other embodiments contemplate other locations for the valve 212, such as near the inlet 204 or at other locations within the chamber 204. The fluid flow control device 200 may include a one-way fluid flow control device (such as a check valve) to allow fluid (e.g., oil) to flow only or primarily in one direction through the chamber 204. The housing 202 may include one or more flanges, holes, and other structures to allow the fluid flow control device 200 to be mounted on or near the engine 120.

[0030] According to one aspect of the present disclosure, the fluid flow control device 114 (including the fluid flow control device 200 or other embodiments) can be actively controlled to open and close the PCN gun 116 in response to one or more engine operating parameters. The following schematic flow chart description provides an illustrative embodiment of a process for controlling the fluid flow control device 114 between an open position and a closed position. It should be understood that the operations described are merely exemplary and that the operations may be combined or divided and added or removed and reordered in whole or in part unless expressly stated to the contrary herein. Certain operations shown may be implemented by a computer (such as ECU 140) executing a computer program product on a non-transitory computer-readable medium, wherein the computer program product includes instructions for causing the computer to perform one or more of the operations or to issue commands to other devices to perform one or more of the operations.

[0031] refer to Figure 4 , a flow chart of an embodiment of a process 400 for controlling the fluid flow control device 114 is shown. The process 400 begins at condition 402 to determine whether the engine is operating under a cold start condition or under a normal condition, where the engine operating temperature is equal to or above a cold start condition threshold. Under cold start conditions, the PCN gun 116 is closed, and therefore the PCN 118 is closed, to allow the engine temperature to increase without directing cooling fluid to the piston. Once normal operating temperature conditions are reached at operation 404, the PCN gun is opened, and therefore the PCN 118 is defaulted to open, to ensure that cooling fluid is normally supplied to the piston.

[0032] At operation 412, the operating conditions of the engine 120 are monitored to determine whether to enable active opening / closing control of the PCN 118. Operation 412 includes an algorithm or process for determining whether the engine conditions are suitable for entering PCN opening / closing control. The monitored engine operating conditions include, for example, engine status, oil temperature, oil pressure, coolant temperature, and intake manifold temperature (IMT). All or some of these engine operating conditions can be used to determine whether to enable active opening / closing control of the PCN 118. In one embodiment, the enabling conditions include: the engine status is running, the oil temperature is greater than a low oil temperature threshold, the IMT is greater than a low IMT threshold, the oil pressure is greater than a low oil pressure threshold and less than a high oil pressure threshold, and the coolant temperature is greater than a low coolant temperature threshold and less than a high coolant temperature threshold.

[0033] These engine operating conditions for opening / closing the PCN 118 are also provided as feedback to operation 406 for monitoring one or more engine operating parameters to control the fluid flow control device 114 to the open position or the closed position. The PCN gun pressure is also determined at operation 414 and provided as feedback to operation 406 to allow error detection of the PCN actuator 144.

[0034] Routine 400 continues at condition 408 to determine if the engine operating parameters indicate that a PCN closing condition exists. In one embodiment, the PCN closing condition is that the engine speed operating parameter is below a low engine speed threshold and the engine torque operating parameter is below a low engine torque threshold. If condition 408 is yes, the PCN 118 is closed by closing the PCN gun 116 using the fluid flow control device 114. Routine 400 returns to operation 406 to monitor engine operating conditions for on / off control of the PCN 118 and enable conditions that allow PCN on / off control.

[0035] If condition 408 is false, the PCN 118 is open and the fluid flow control device 114 moves to open the PCN gun 116. Process 400 continues to monitor engine operating parameters at operation 410 for opportunities to close the PCN 118. For example, as discussed further below, some engine operating parameters provide operating zones that, while not allowing the PCN 118 to remain closed or open continuously, allow for intermittent opening and closing operation of the PCN 118 based on time.

[0036] For example, refer to Figure 5 , engine operating parameters used to determine PCN-on and PCN-off conditions are shown. Figure 5A speed-torque diagram 500 is included, wherein each operating zone is defined by an engine speed operating parameter and an engine torque operating parameter. Operating zone 1 is defined by a low engine speed threshold 502 and a low engine torque threshold 504. In response to the engine operating parameters (engine speed and engine torque) in zone 1, the PCN 118 is controlled to remain closed while in zone 1.

[0037] Figure 5 An operating zone 5 is also defined that is located above the engine speed-torque boundary 506. In response to the engine speed and engine torque in zone 5, the PCN 118 is controlled to be continuously in the open state when in zone 5. One or more intermediate zones 2, 3, 4 are located between zone 1 and zone 5. In response to the engine speed operating parameters and the engine torque operating parameters in these intermediate zones, the PCN 118 is controlled to be open for a calibratable period of time and then controlled to be closed for a calibratable period of time. Under transient conditions, the transition time from the high speed high torque zone to the low speed low torque is controlled by a calibratable soft timer to allow the cylinder to cool before the PCN is closed.

[0038] refer to Figure 6 , shows an embodiment of a control device 600 for performing process 400. Control device 600 may be ECU 140, a portion of ECU 140, and / or some other portion of an ECS in communication with ECU 140. Control device 600 includes an enable condition determination circuit 602, an open-loop PCN control circuit 604, and a device drive circuit 606. Control device 600 also includes an actuator error detection circuit 608.

[0039] The enabling condition determination circuit 602 of the control device 600 receives an engine speed input from the engine speed processing unit 610, a combustion load reference from the combustion control unit 612, an intake manifold temperature input from the charging control unit 614, and an engine state input from the ECU 616, and an oil temperature and oil pressure input from the coolant and lubrication unit 618. The enabling condition determination circuit 602 processes these inputs and outputs a PCN open flag or an immediate PCN close flag to the open loop PCN control circuit 604. An example process that may be performed by the enabling condition determination unit 602 is described in Figure 7 and are discussed further below.

[0040] The actuator error detection circuit 608 of the control device 600 receives a PCN gun pressure input from the PCN gun pressure sensor 146, an engine speed input from the engine speed processing unit 610, and a PCN open flag from the enable condition determination circuit 602. The actuator error detection circuit 608 can compare the actual gun pressure with the estimated gun pressure based on the engine speed estimate. If the error between the sensed gun pressure values ​​is greater than the estimated gun pressure value, an error flag is set if the difference is greater than a tolerance limit within a calibrable time period. The actuator error detection circuit 608 is configured to output the actuator error flag to a diagnostic tool 650, which can form an engine protection logic to prevent the actuator 144 from malfunctioning or failing.

[0041] The open loop PCN control circuit 604 is configured to determine the PCN command output to the device driver circuit 506. When the PCN open flag is true and input to the PCN control circuit 604, the duty cycle of the actuator 144 of the fluid flow control device 114 is set by the PCN command to fully open the fluid flow control device 114 and the PCN gun 116 to the PCN 118. When the PCN open flag is false and input to the PCN control circuit 604, the duty cycle of the actuator 144 of the fluid flow control device 114 is set by the PCN command to fully close the fluid flow control device 114 to close the PCN gun 116 to the PCN 118.

[0042] When the PCN direct close flag is true, the PCN can be directly closed and the duty cycle of the actuator 144 of the fluid flow control device 114 is set by the PCN command to fully close the fluid flow control device 114 to close the PCN gun 116 and PCN 118 without delay. When the PCN direct close flag is false, the PCN open flag is true, and the engine operating parameters are in one or more zones that allow time-based intermittent operation of the PCN 118, the duty cycle of the actuator 144 is set to fully open for a calibrable period of time and then set to fully closed for a calibrable period of time. If the engine operating zone changes, the PCN open / close control is based on the current operating zone unless the engine operating zone is a zone that allows immediate PCN closing of the PCN 118, such as zone 1.

[0043] The device drive circuit 606 receives the PCN command from the open loop PCN control circuit 604 and outputs the actuator command to the PCN actuator 144. The PCN actuator 144 then moves the valve 212 of the fluid flow control device 114 to the open position if the PCN command is for the PCN 118 to open, and moves the valve of the fluid flow control device to the closed position if the PCN command is for the PCN 118 to close.

[0044] refer to Figure 7 , shows an embodiment of a process 700 for controlling the fluid flow control device 114 to open or close the PCN gun 116 to open or close the PCN 118. The process 700 starts at 702 and continues at condition 704 to determine whether the enabling conditions for the PCN 118 opening / closing control are met. If the condition 704 is no, the process 700 continues at operation 706, where the fluid flow control device 114 is set to the closed position to close the PCN 118, and the PCN immediate closing flag is set to false. If the condition 704 is yes, the process 700 continues at operation 708 to evaluate the engine operating parameters to determine whether to adopt the zone 1 to 5 ( Figure 5 ) performs on / off control of PCN 118. In one embodiment, process 700 has dithering with an adjustable threshold to prevent frequent transitions between PCN on and PCN off.

[0045] From operation 708, process 700 continues at condition 710 to determine if the engine operating parameters indicate that the PCN 118 can be closed (such as by being in zone 1). If condition 710 is true, process 700 continues at condition 712 to determine if a time delay is required before closing the fluid flow control device 114 to close the PCN 118. For example, if the engine operating parameters move from zone 5 (always open) to zone 1, the PCN immediate close flag is set to false, and a time delay may be applied before closing the PCN 118 to allow for additional cooling of the piston and piston components that have just been operating in zone 5. Thus, if condition 712 is true, process 700 continues at operation 714 to apply a time delay before closing the fluid flow control device 114 to close the PCN 118. If condition 714 is false, and the PCN immediate close flag is set to true, the fluid control device 114 may be closed to immediately close the PCN 118. Additionally, any timers for PCN open and PCN close may be reset.

[0046] If condition 712 is false, process 700 continues at condition 718 to determine if engine operating conditions indicate that PCN always-on conditions are met, such as at Figure 5 If condition 718 is true, process 700 continues at operation 720 to move the fluid flow control device to the open position and open PCN 118. Any time of PCN open and PCN close may be reset, and the immediate PCN close flag is set to false so that a time delay is applied before closing PCN 118 when transitioning out of zone 5.

[0047] If condition 718 is false, process 700 continues at operation 722 to employ time-based PCN on / off control. In one embodiment, engine operating parameters are used to identify Figure 5 One of a plurality of zones 2 to 4 having different time characteristics for time-based on / off control of the PCN 118.

[0048] For example, refer to Figure 8 , a process 800 of one embodiment is shown, wherein engine operating parameters may be classified into zones 2 to 4 for time-based on / off control of a PCN. The process 800 includes an operation 802 to determine an on / off zone based on engine operating parameters, such as an engine speed operating parameter and an engine torque operating parameter. Once the zone is determined based on the engine operating parameters, the process 800 includes an operation 804 to reset a PCN on timer and a PCN off timer. The process 800 continues at operation 806 to select a PCN on time for the determined operating zone. The fluid flow control device 114 may be opened to open the PCN 118.

[0049] At condition 808, process 800 determines whether the PCN open time for the current zone has been reached. If condition 808 is no, process 800 continues to operate with PCN 118 open. If condition 808 is yes, process 800 continues at operation 810 to close fluid control device 114, thereby closing PCN 118. Process 800 then continues at condition 812 to determine whether the PCN close time for the zone has been reached. If condition 812 is no, process 800 continues to operate with PCN 118 closed. If condition 812 is yes, process 800 returns to operation 804 to reset the PCN open and PCN close timers.

[0050] In one embodiment, for engine operating parameters in zone 2, PCN 118 is turned on for a first calibratable amount of time and then turned off for a different second calibratable amount of time. This time-based PCN on / off strategy will be active when the engine operating parameters are in zone 2. For engine operating parameters in zone 3, PCN 118 is turned on for a third calibratable amount of time and turned off for a fourth calibratable amount of time. This second time-based PCN on / off strategy will be active when the engine operating parameters are in zone 3. When the engine operating parameters are in zone 4, PCN 188 is turned on for a fifth calibratable amount of time and turned off for a sixth calibratable amount of time. This third time-based PCN on / off strategy will be active when the engine operating parameters are in zone 4.

[0051] In one embodiment, when the engine operating parameters move from zone 2 to zone 4, the time-based on / off control of zones 2 to 4 increases the PCN on time and decreases the PCN off time over a predetermined time period. For example, in a particular embodiment, in zone 2, the PCN on time may be 4 minutes, followed by the PCN off time of 11 minutes over a 15 minute time period. In zone 3, the PCN on time may be 8 minutes, followed by the PCN off time of 7 minutes over a 15 minute time period. In zone 4, the PCN on time may be 12 minutes, followed by the PCN off time of 3 minutes over a 15 minute time period. When the engine operating parameters transition between zones, the PCN on / off control follows the currently active zone logic without time delay unless the transition is from zone 5 to zone 1.

[0052] In one embodiment, the present disclosure contemplates that no time-based on / off zones are provided between zone 1 and zone 5, thereby controlling the operation of the fluid flow control device 114 and the PCN 118 in a time-based on / off mode. In one embodiment, only one or two time-based on / off zones are employed between zone 1 and zone 5 to control the operation of the fluid flow control device 114 and the PCN 118 in a time-based on / off mode. In one embodiment, more than three time-based on / off zones are employed between zone 1 and zone 5 to control the operation of the fluid flow control device 114 and the PCN 118 in a time-based on / off mode.

[0053] Additional written descriptions of several aspects of the present disclosure will now be provided. One aspect includes a piston cooling system for an internal combustion engine. The piston cooling system includes a reservoir that supplies a fluid and at least one PCN coupled to the reservoir. The PCN is configured to direct the fluid supplied from the reservoir to spray the fluid onto a piston in the engine. The piston cooling system also includes a fluid flow control device connecting the reservoir and the PCN. The fluid flow control device includes a chamber that fluidically connects the reservoir to the PCN and a valve movably received in the chamber. The valve is electronically controllable to move between a first position that allows fluid to flow through the chamber to the PCN and a second position that prevents fluid from flowing through the chamber to the PCN.

[0054] In one embodiment, the system comprises an electronic control unit operatively connected to the valve. The electronic control unit is configured to control the valve in response to one or more operating parameters of the internal combustion engine.

[0055] In other embodiments, the electronic control unit is configured to move or maintain the valve to the second position in the PCN closed operating mode in response to the engine speed operating parameter being less than a low engine speed threshold and the engine torque operating parameter being less than a low engine torque threshold.

[0056] In yet other embodiments, the electronic control unit is configured to move the valve from the second position to the first position in response to at least one of an engine speed operating parameter being greater than a low engine speed threshold and an engine torque operating parameter being greater than a low engine torque threshold.

[0057] In yet other embodiments, the electronic control unit is configured to maintain the valve in the first position in the PCN open operating mode in response to the engine speed and the engine torque being above an engine speed-torque boundary.

[0058] In yet other embodiments, the electronic control unit is configured to control the valve to move between the first position and the second position in a time-based PCN open / closed operating mode in response to the engine speed and the engine torque being below a speed-torque boundary, the engine speed operating parameter being greater than a low engine speed threshold, and the engine torque operating parameter being greater than a low engine torque threshold.

[0059] In yet other embodiments, in the time-based PCN open / closed operating mode, the electronic control unit is configured to maintain the valve in the first position and the second position for a predetermined amount of time based on an engine speed operating parameter and an engine torque operating parameter.

[0060] In other embodiments, the electronic control unit is configured to maintain the valve in the first position for a predetermined period of time in response to the engine speed operating parameter and the engine torque operating parameter decreasing to above a speed-torque boundary where the engine speed operating parameter is less than a low engine speed threshold and the engine torque operating parameter is less than a low engine torque threshold.

[0061] In one embodiment, the chamber of the fluid flow control device fluidly connects a main oil gun of an internal combustion engine to a PCN gun of the internal combustion engine.

[0062] According to another aspect of the present disclosure, a method for controlling fluid flow to a PCN of an internal combustion engine is provided. The method includes: determining one or more operating parameters of the internal combustion engine; determining an open position or a closed position of a valve in a fluid flow control device in response to the one or more operating parameters, the fluid flow control device connecting a PCN gun of the internal combustion engine to a fluid source; and controlling the valve to remain in an open position or a closed position or to move to an open position or a closed position in response to a current position of the valve and the determined open position or closed position of the valve.

[0063] In one embodiment, the one or more operating parameters include engine speed and engine torque.

[0064] In one embodiment, the method includes enabling or inhibiting PCN operation based on one or more of engine status, oil temperature, oil pressure, coolant temperature, and intake manifold temperature.

[0065] In one embodiment, the method includes determining a closed position of the valve in response to an engine speed operating parameter being less than a low engine speed threshold and an engine torque operating parameter being less than a low engine torque threshold.

[0066] In other implementations, the method includes determining the opening position of the valve in response to at least one of an engine speed operating parameter being greater than a low engine speed threshold and an engine torque operating parameter being greater than a low engine torque threshold.

[0067] In yet other implementations, the method includes maintaining the valve in an open position in response to an engine speed operating parameter and an engine torque operating parameter being above a speed-torque boundary.

[0068] In yet other implementations, the method includes intermittently opening and closing the valve in response to an engine speed operating parameter and an engine torque operating parameter being below a speed-torque boundary and greater than at least one of a low engine speed threshold and a low engine torque threshold.

[0069] In yet other embodiments, intermittently opening and closing the valve includes increasing the amount of time the valve is open and the amount of time the valve is closed as engine speed increases.

[0070] According to another aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided an apparatus for controlling fluid flow to a PCN of an internal combustion engine. The apparatus includes an electronic controller configured to receive one or more operating parameters from the internal combustion engine and provide one or more commands to a fluid flow control device that controls the fluid flow to the PCN. The electronic controller is also configured to determine an open position or a closed position of a valve in the fluid flow control device in response to the one or more operating parameters, and to control the valve to remain in the open position or the closed position or to move to the open position or the closed position in response to the current position of the valve and the determined open position or the closed position of the valve.

[0071] In one embodiment, the one or more operating parameters include an engine speed operating parameter and an engine torque operating parameter. In other embodiments, the open position or the closed position is determined in response to an area corresponding to the engine speed operating parameter and the engine torque operating parameter on the engine speed-torque speed map.

[0072] Although the illustrative embodiments of the present disclosure have been described in detail and in the drawings and the foregoing description, this is to be considered illustrative rather than restrictive in nature, and it should be understood that only certain exemplary embodiments have been shown and described, and all changes and modifications that fall within the spirit of the invention protected by the claims are expected to be protected. It should be understood that although the use of words such as preferred, preferably, preferred or more preferred utilized in the above description indicates that the features described so may be more desirable, they may not be necessary, and embodiments lacking the features are expected to be within the scope of the present invention, which is defined by the appended claims. When reading the claims, it is intended that when words such as "a / an", "at least one" or "at least a portion" are used, it is not intended to limit the claim to only one item, unless there is an explicit statement to the contrary in the claim. When the language "at least a portion" and / or "a portion" is used, the article may include a portion and / or the entire article unless there is an explicit statement to the contrary.

Claims

1. A piston cooling system for an internal combustion engine, the piston cooling system comprising: a reservoir for supplying fluid; at least one piston cooling jet (PCN) coupled to the reservoir, the PCN configured to direct the fluid supplied from the reservoir to spray the fluid onto a piston in the engine; as well as A fluid flow control device connected to the reservoir and the PCN, the fluid flow control device comprising: a chamber fluidly connecting the reservoir to the PCN; as well as A valve is movably received in the chamber, wherein the valve is electronically controllable to move between a first position that permits fluid flow through the chamber to the PCN and a second position that blocks fluid flow through the chamber to the PCN.

2. The system of claim 1, further comprising an electronic control unit operably connected to the valve, the electronic control unit being configured to control the valve in response to one or more operating parameters of the internal combustion engine.

3. The system of claim 2, wherein the electronic control unit is configured to move or maintain the valve to the second position in the PCN closed operating mode in response to an engine speed operating parameter being less than a low engine speed threshold and an engine torque operating parameter being less than a low engine torque threshold.

4. The system of claim 3, wherein the electronic control unit is configured to move the valve from the second position to the first position in response to at least one of the engine speed operating parameter being greater than the low engine speed threshold and the engine torque operating parameter being greater than the low engine torque threshold.

5. The system of claim 4, wherein the electronic control unit is configured to maintain the valve in the first position in the PCN open operating mode in response to the engine speed and the engine torque being above an engine speed-torque boundary.

6. The system of claim 5, wherein the electronic control unit is configured to control the valve to move between the first position and the second position in a time-based PCN open / closed operating mode in response to the engine speed and the engine torque being below the speed-torque boundary, the engine speed operating parameter being greater than the low engine speed threshold, and the engine torque operating parameter being greater than the low engine torque threshold.

7. The system of claim 6, wherein in the time-based PCN open / close operating mode, the electronic control unit is configured to maintain the valve in the first position and the second position for a predetermined amount of time based on the engine speed operating parameter and the engine torque operating parameter.

8. The system of claim 5, wherein the electronic control unit is configured to maintain the valve in the first position for a predetermined period of time in response to the engine speed operating parameter and the engine torque operating parameter decreasing to above the speed-torque boundary where the engine speed operating parameter is less than the low engine speed threshold and the engine torque operating parameter is less than the low engine torque threshold.

9. The system of claim 1, wherein the chamber of the fluid flow control device fluidly connects a main oil gun of the internal combustion engine to a PCN gun of the internal combustion engine.

10. A method for controlling fluid flow to a piston cooling jet (PCN) of an internal combustion engine, the method comprising: determining one or more operating parameters of the internal combustion engine; determining an open position or a closed position of a valve in the fluid flow control device connecting a PCN gun of the internal combustion engine to a fluid source in response to the one or more operating parameters; as well as In response to the current position of the valve and the determined open position or closed position of the valve, the valve is controlled to remain in the open position or the closed position or to move to the open position or the closed position.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein the one or more operating parameters include engine speed and engine torque.

12. The method of claim 10 further comprising enabling or inhibiting PCN operation based on one or more of engine status, oil temperature, oil pressure, coolant temperature, and intake manifold temperature.

13. The method of claim 10 further comprising determining said closed position of said valve in response to an engine speed operating parameter being less than a low engine speed threshold and an engine torque operating parameter being less than a low engine torque threshold.

14. The method of claim 13 further comprising determining the open position of the valve in response to at least one of the engine speed operating parameter being greater than the low engine speed threshold and the engine torque operating parameter being greater than the low engine torque threshold.

15. The method of claim 14 further comprising maintaining said valve in said open position in response to said engine speed operating parameter and said engine torque operating parameter being above a speed-torque boundary.

16. The method of claim 15 further comprising intermittently opening and closing the valve in response to the engine speed operating parameter and the engine torque operating parameter being below the speed-torque boundary and greater than at least one of the low engine speed threshold and the low engine torque threshold.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein intermittently opening and closing the valve comprises increasing the amount of time the valve is open and the amount of time the valve is closed as the engine speed increases.

18. An apparatus for controlling the flow of fluid to a piston cooling nozzle (PCN) of an internal combustion engine, the apparatus comprising: an electronic controller configured to receive one or more operating parameters from the internal combustion engine and to provide one or more commands to a fluid flow control device that controls the flow of fluid to the PCN, the electronic controller further configured to: determining an open position or a closed position of a valve in the fluid flow control device in response to the one or more operating parameters; and In response to the current position of the valve and the determined open position or closed position of the valve, the valve is controlled to remain in the open position or the closed position or to move to the open position or the closed position.

19. The apparatus of claim 18, wherein the one or more operating parameters include an engine speed operating parameter and an engine torque operating parameter.

20. The apparatus of claim 19, wherein the open position or the closed position is determined in response to a region on an engine speed-torque speed map corresponding to the engine speed operating parameter and the engine torque operating parameter.

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