GB2341892A - Controlling exhaust valves of an I.C. engine to reduce time for catalytic converter light-off - Google Patents
Controlling exhaust valves of an I.C. engine to reduce time for catalytic converter light-off Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- GB2341892A GB2341892A GB9820598A GB9820598A GB2341892A GB 2341892 A GB2341892 A GB 2341892A GB 9820598 A GB9820598 A GB 9820598A GB 9820598 A GB9820598 A GB 9820598A GB 2341892 A GB2341892 A GB 2341892A
- Authority
- GB
- United Kingdom
- Prior art keywords
- exhaust
- predetermined period
- engine
- exhaust valves
- valves
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Withdrawn
Links
- 230000003197 catalytic effect Effects 0.000 title abstract description 5
- 238000002485 combustion reaction Methods 0.000 claims abstract description 16
- 239000003054 catalyst Substances 0.000 claims abstract description 11
- 239000007789 gas Substances 0.000 claims abstract description 11
- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 claims description 9
- 238000010304 firing Methods 0.000 description 2
- 230000000694 effects Effects 0.000 description 1
- 239000000446 fuel Substances 0.000 description 1
Classifications
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- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F02—COMBUSTION ENGINES; HOT-GAS OR COMBUSTION-PRODUCT ENGINE PLANTS
- F02D—CONTROLLING COMBUSTION ENGINES
- F02D13/00—Controlling the engine output power by varying inlet or exhaust valve operating characteristics, e.g. timing
- F02D13/02—Controlling the engine output power by varying inlet or exhaust valve operating characteristics, e.g. timing during engine operation
- F02D13/0203—Variable control of intake and exhaust valves
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- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F02—COMBUSTION ENGINES; HOT-GAS OR COMBUSTION-PRODUCT ENGINE PLANTS
- F02D—CONTROLLING COMBUSTION ENGINES
- F02D13/00—Controlling the engine output power by varying inlet or exhaust valve operating characteristics, e.g. timing
- F02D13/02—Controlling the engine output power by varying inlet or exhaust valve operating characteristics, e.g. timing during engine operation
- F02D13/0242—Variable control of the exhaust valves only
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F02—COMBUSTION ENGINES; HOT-GAS OR COMBUSTION-PRODUCT ENGINE PLANTS
- F02D—CONTROLLING COMBUSTION ENGINES
- F02D13/00—Controlling the engine output power by varying inlet or exhaust valve operating characteristics, e.g. timing
- F02D13/02—Controlling the engine output power by varying inlet or exhaust valve operating characteristics, e.g. timing during engine operation
- F02D13/0253—Fully variable control of valve lift and timing using camless actuation systems such as hydraulic, pneumatic or electromagnetic actuators, e.g. solenoid valves
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- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F02—COMBUSTION ENGINES; HOT-GAS OR COMBUSTION-PRODUCT ENGINE PLANTS
- F02D—CONTROLLING COMBUSTION ENGINES
- F02D13/00—Controlling the engine output power by varying inlet or exhaust valve operating characteristics, e.g. timing
- F02D13/02—Controlling the engine output power by varying inlet or exhaust valve operating characteristics, e.g. timing during engine operation
- F02D13/0257—Independent control of two or more intake or exhaust valves respectively, i.e. one of two intake valves remains closed or is opened partially while the other is fully opened
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F02—COMBUSTION ENGINES; HOT-GAS OR COMBUSTION-PRODUCT ENGINE PLANTS
- F02F—CYLINDERS, PISTONS OR CASINGS, FOR COMBUSTION ENGINES; ARRANGEMENTS OF SEALINGS IN COMBUSTION ENGINES
- F02F1/00—Cylinders; Cylinder heads
- F02F1/24—Cylinder heads
- F02F1/42—Shape or arrangement of intake or exhaust channels in cylinder heads
- F02F1/4214—Shape or arrangement of intake or exhaust channels in cylinder heads specially adapted for four or more valves per cylinder
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F02—COMBUSTION ENGINES; HOT-GAS OR COMBUSTION-PRODUCT ENGINE PLANTS
- F02D—CONTROLLING COMBUSTION ENGINES
- F02D13/00—Controlling the engine output power by varying inlet or exhaust valve operating characteristics, e.g. timing
- F02D13/02—Controlling the engine output power by varying inlet or exhaust valve operating characteristics, e.g. timing during engine operation
- F02D2013/0292—Controlling the engine output power by varying inlet or exhaust valve operating characteristics, e.g. timing during engine operation in the start-up phase, e.g. for warming-up cold engine or catalyst
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- Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
- Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
- Y02T—CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION TECHNOLOGIES RELATED TO TRANSPORTATION
- Y02T10/00—Road transport of goods or passengers
- Y02T10/10—Internal combustion engine [ICE] based vehicles
- Y02T10/12—Improving ICE efficiencies
Landscapes
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
- Combustion & Propulsion (AREA)
- Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
- General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- Electromagnetism (AREA)
- Valve Device For Special Equipments (AREA)
- Output Control And Ontrol Of Special Type Engine (AREA)
Abstract
An internal combustion engine has two or more valves 15 per cylinder 12. Each exhaust valve 15 may be individually controlled, e.g. by electromagnetic actuators 19, so that one or more of the exhaust valves 15 remain closed for a predetermined period following cold starting of the engine. This ensures that exhaust gases come into contact with the minimum amount of surface area of the exhaust system 21 before reaching a catalytic converter 22 so that they retain as much of their energy as possible. This results in a higher exhaust gas temperature which in turn reduces the time for the catalytic converter 22 to reach operating temperature. Once the predetermined period has expired the disabled exhaust valve 15 is activated so that both or all valves operate together. The predetermined period may be a fixed time period, a fixed number of engine revolutions or a period set by a sensor indicative of when the catalyst has reached operating temperature.
Description
2341892 - 1 Internal Combustion Engine The invention relates to
piston-type internal combustion engines of the kind in which there are two or more exhaust valves per cylinder. In general, the use of two or more exhaust valves improves the gas flow and enables the use of smaller valves to allow higher operating speeds because 5 of reduced inertias.
The use of one exhaust valve per cylinder is an advantage in the period immediately following a cold start because less heat is absorbed by the single exhaust valve and there is less surface area in the exhaust port. A catalyst situated in the exhaust system downstream of the exhaust port then receives gas at a higher temperature and catalyst light-off can be achieved in a shorter period.
It is an object of this invention to provide an internal combustion engine having two or more exhaust valves per cylinder and which has the advantages of an engine having a single exhaust valve per cylinder.
According to one aspect of the invention there is provided a piston-type internal combustion engine including two or more exhaust valves operative to control the egress of gases from a combustion chamber and exhaust valve operating means for operating the exhaust valves, said valve operating means being arranged so that at least one or some of the exhaust valves remain closed for a predetermined period following a cold start. Also, according to another aspect of the invention there is provided a method of controlling a piston-type combustion engine including two or more exhaust valves operative to control the egress of gases from a combustion chamber and exhaust valve operating means for operating the exhaust valves, the method comprising keeping at least one or some of the exhaust valves closed for a predetermined period following a cold start.
Conveniently, the predetermined period is a fixed time. However, where a variety of operating conditions are encountered, the predetermined period may be set by a fixed number of engine revolutions or by a sensor indicative of catalyst light-off in a catalyst downstream of the exhaust valve.
The invention will now be described by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawings, of which:- Fig. 1 is a diagrammatic section of part of an internal combustion engine according to the invention together with an exhaust system and Fig.2 is a part section on the line II-II in Fig. 1.
An internal combustion engine includes a piston 11 operating in a cylinder 12. A pair of inlet valves 13 control the flow of air and fuel (gasoline) from an inlet port 14. Similarly, a pair of exhaust valves 15 control the flow of exhaust gases to an exhaust port 16. The exhaust port 16 is common to both exhaust valves 15 and comprises two branch portions 16A and 16B, one for each exhaust valve. The branch portions 16A and 16B are separated by a dividing wall 17 which is part of the cylinder head 18. 5 The valves are operated electromagnetically by individual actuator units 19.
The exhaust port 16 is connected by an exhaust pipe 21 to a catalytic converter 22. The electromagnetic actuators 19 are controlled individually by an electronic control unit (ECT3) 23. Conveniently this is part of an engine management system which under cold start conditions disables the actuator 19 of one of the exhaust valves 15 so that for a predetermined period following the cold start the one exhaust valve remains closed. During this period the amount of heat absorbed by the closed exhaust valve is very much less than if this valve is operated normally. Also, since the exhaust gas flows from one exhaust valve 15 through the individual exhaust port branch portion 16A there is less wall area to heat up compared with the areas of both exhaust port branch portions 16A and 16B. As a result the temperature of the exhaust gas entering the catalytic converter 22 is higher and the catalyst and light-off quicker.
The predetermined period of exhaust valve disablement is conveniently measured as a fixed time from initial engine firing, e.g. 40 seconds. However, engine operating conditions can differ considerably. For example, the engine may be fitted to a motor vehicle which is started from cold and the vehicle driven slowly or the engine merely idled. On the other hand, the same engine may be started from cold and the vehicle immediately driven at high speeds. Hence it is also convenient to count the number of engine revolutions or firing cycles to set the predetermined period. Similarly, if means are available for sensing or inferring catalyst light-off, this can be used to control the end of the predetermined period. Both these methods allow normal operation of both exhaust valve as soon as possible after a cold start sa that the effect on normal engine operation is minimal.
The invention can be applied in any situation where individual control of the exhaust valves is available, e.g. where electrohydraulic control is used (as illustrated by DE 197 16 042 C) or mechanical disabling is used (as shown in US 4,336,775 or US 4,615,307). Also, variable timing/lift devices such as described in DE 195 16 638 A or DE 195 32 334 A may be adapted and modified to completely eliminate the lift of one exhaust valve for each cylinder.
Claims (10)
1. A piston-type internal combustion engine including two or more exhaust valves operative to control the egress of gases from a combustion chamber and exhaust valve operating means for operating the exhaust valves, said valve operating means being arranged so that at least one or some of the exhaust valves remain closed for a predetermined period following a cold start.
2. An engine according to Claim 1 wherein the predetermined period is a fixed time.
3. An engine according to Claim 1 wherein the predetermined period is set by a fixed number of engine revolutions.
4. An engine according to Claim 1 wherein the predetermined period is set by a sensor indicative of catalyst light-off in a catalyst downstream of the exhaust valve.
5. A method of controlling a piston-type combustion engine including two or more exhaust valves operative to control the egress of gases from a combustion chamber and exhaust valve operating means for operating the exhaust valves, the method comprising keeping at least one or some of the exhaust valves closed for a predetermined period following a cold start.
6. A method according to Claim 5 wherein the predetermined period is a fixed time.
7. A method according to Claim 5 wherein the predetermined period is set by a fixed number of engine revolutions.
8. A method according to Claim 5 wherein the predetermined period is set by a sensor indicative of catalyst light-off in a catalyst downstream of the exhaust valve.
9. A piston-type internal combustion engine substantially as described herein with reference to the accompanying drawing.
10. A method of controlling a piston-type combustion engine substantially as described herein with reference- to the accompanying drawing.
Priority Applications (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| GB9820598A GB2341892A (en) | 1998-09-23 | 1998-09-23 | Controlling exhaust valves of an I.C. engine to reduce time for catalytic converter light-off |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| GB9820598A GB2341892A (en) | 1998-09-23 | 1998-09-23 | Controlling exhaust valves of an I.C. engine to reduce time for catalytic converter light-off |
Publications (2)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| GB9820598D0 GB9820598D0 (en) | 1998-11-11 |
| GB2341892A true GB2341892A (en) | 2000-03-29 |
Family
ID=10839247
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| GB9820598A Withdrawn GB2341892A (en) | 1998-09-23 | 1998-09-23 | Controlling exhaust valves of an I.C. engine to reduce time for catalytic converter light-off |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| GB (1) | GB2341892A (en) |
Citations (3)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GB2112456A (en) * | 1981-12-03 | 1983-07-20 | Honda Motor Co Ltd | Intake or exhaust valve disabling system for an i c engine |
| US5655362A (en) * | 1993-09-24 | 1997-08-12 | Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha | Exhaust emission control system in engine |
| EP0826870A2 (en) * | 1996-08-28 | 1998-03-04 | Unisia Jecs Corporation | Apparatus for controlling timings of exhaust valves and method thereof |
-
1998
- 1998-09-23 GB GB9820598A patent/GB2341892A/en not_active Withdrawn
Patent Citations (3)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GB2112456A (en) * | 1981-12-03 | 1983-07-20 | Honda Motor Co Ltd | Intake or exhaust valve disabling system for an i c engine |
| US5655362A (en) * | 1993-09-24 | 1997-08-12 | Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha | Exhaust emission control system in engine |
| EP0826870A2 (en) * | 1996-08-28 | 1998-03-04 | Unisia Jecs Corporation | Apparatus for controlling timings of exhaust valves and method thereof |
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| GB9820598D0 (en) | 1998-11-11 |
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| WAP | Application withdrawn, taken to be withdrawn or refused ** after publication under section 16(1) |