Internal combustion engine method and vehicle system for cold start of internal combustion engines

By adjusting cranking speed and ignition spark timing during cold starts, the method optimizes fuel vaporization in alcohol-based fuels, addressing inefficiencies and emissions in internal combustion engines.

DE102018105810B4Active Publication Date: 2026-05-28FORD GLOBAL TECH LLC
View PDF 7 Cites 0 Cited by

Patent Information

Authority / Receiving Office
DE · DE
Patent Type
Patents
Current Assignee / Owner
FORD GLOBAL TECH LLC
Filing Date
2018-03-13
Publication Date
2026-05-28

AI Technical Summary

Technical Problem

Alcohol and alcohol-based fuels have lower volatility than diesel, leading to incomplete evaporation during cold-start conditions in internal combustion engines, which results in reduced fuel efficiency, increased emissions of unburned hydrocarbons and particulate matter, and compromised combustion stability.

Method used

Adjusting the cranking speed and ignition spark timing during cold starts based on fuel boiling point and ambient temperature to optimize fuel vaporization, using a reduced cranking speed with deactivated ignition spark for a number of cycles followed by increased cranking speed and ignition spark activation.

Benefits of technology

Improves fuel vaporization, reduces emissions of unburned hydrocarbons, enhances combustion stability, and maintains fuel efficiency by optimizing fuel vaporization and combustion conditions.

✦ Generated by Eureka AI based on patent content.

Smart Images

  • Figure 00000000_0000_ABST
    Figure 00000000_0000_ABST
Patent Text Reader

Abstract

Internal combustion engine method, comprising: operating an engine in a first mode, the first mode comprising: Confirming the cold start condition of the engine, determining that the boiling point of the fuel in the engine is lower than a threshold boiling point of the fuel, and In response to confirmation of the engine's cold-start condition and determination that the fuel boiling point in the engine is lower than a threshold fuel boiling point, starting the internal combustion engine via a starter motor at an initial cranking speed, while fuel is injected via fuel injectors for a number of combustion engine cycles since the first combustion engine cycle, and subsequently suspending operation of the starter motor and operating the engine via combustion; and Operating the engine in a second mode, the second mode comprising the following: In response to confirmation of the engine's cold-start condition and determination that the fuel boiling point in the engine is higher than a threshold fuel boiling point, the internal combustion engine is started at a second cranking speed while fuel is injected and the ignition spark is deactivated for the number of combustion engine cycles since the first combustion engine cycle, and subsequently the operation of the starter motor is suspended and the engine is operated via combustion, wherein the fuel boiling point is based on a fuel composition in the engine, wherein in the first mode the fuel injection involves initiating fuel supply at top dead center (TDC) of an intake stroke of a combustion engine cycle and terminating fuel supply at bottom dead center (BDC) of the intake stroke of the combustion engine cycle.and wherein, in the second mode, fuel injection includes initiating fuel supply at TDC of the intake stroke of the internal combustion engine cycle and terminating fuel supply at TDC of a compression stroke of the internal combustion engine cycle.
Need to check novelty before this filing date? Find Prior Art

Citation Information

Patent Citations

  • Start control device of internal combustion engine

    JP2008232007A

  • Start control system of internal combustion engine

    JP2009002314A

  • Controller for direct-injection internal combustion engine and method of controlling the direct-injection internal combustion engine

    US20070023012A1

  • Cold-start reliability and reducing hydrocarbon emissions in a gasoline direct injection engine

    US20100175657A1

  • Method and system for engine control

    US9346451B2