GB2535266A - Method of operating a digital inlet valve - Google Patents

Method of operating a digital inlet valve Download PDF

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Publication number
GB2535266A
GB2535266A GB1518557.2A GB201518557A GB2535266A GB 2535266 A GB2535266 A GB 2535266A GB 201518557 A GB201518557 A GB 201518557A GB 2535266 A GB2535266 A GB 2535266A
Authority
GB
United Kingdom
Prior art keywords
electric current
predetermined
needle
electronic switch
value
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Withdrawn
Application number
GB1518557.2A
Other versions
GB201518557D0 (en
Inventor
Nieddu Stefano
Mollar Andrea
Sorrentino Tiziano
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
GM Global Technology Operations LLC
Original Assignee
GM Global Technology Operations LLC
Priority date (The priority date 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 date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by GM Global Technology Operations LLC filed Critical GM Global Technology Operations LLC
Publication of GB201518557D0 publication Critical patent/GB201518557D0/en
Publication of GB2535266A publication Critical patent/GB2535266A/en
Priority to CN201610917838.6A priority Critical patent/CN106907256A/en
Priority to US15/299,244 priority patent/US10428970B2/en
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F02—COMBUSTION ENGINES; HOT-GAS OR COMBUSTION-PRODUCT ENGINE PLANTS
    • F02D—CONTROLLING COMBUSTION ENGINES
    • F02D41/00—Electrical control of supply of combustible mixture or its constituents
    • F02D41/20—Output circuits, e.g. for controlling currents in command coils
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F02—COMBUSTION ENGINES; HOT-GAS OR COMBUSTION-PRODUCT ENGINE PLANTS
    • F02D—CONTROLLING COMBUSTION ENGINES
    • F02D41/00—Electrical control of supply of combustible mixture or its constituents
    • F02D41/30—Controlling fuel injection
    • F02D41/38—Controlling fuel injection of the high pressure type
    • F02D41/40—Controlling fuel injection of the high pressure type with means for controlling injection timing or duration
    • F02D41/406—Electrically controlling a diesel injection pump
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F01—MACHINES OR ENGINES IN GENERAL; ENGINE PLANTS IN GENERAL; STEAM ENGINES
    • F01L—CYCLICALLY OPERATING VALVES FOR MACHINES OR ENGINES
    • F01L25/00—Drive, or adjustment during the operation, or distribution or expansion valves by non-mechanical means
    • F01L25/08—Drive, or adjustment during the operation, or distribution or expansion valves by non-mechanical means by electric or magnetic means
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F01—MACHINES OR ENGINES IN GENERAL; ENGINE PLANTS IN GENERAL; STEAM ENGINES
    • F01L—CYCLICALLY OPERATING VALVES FOR MACHINES OR ENGINES
    • F01L9/00—Valve-gear or valve arrangements actuated non-mechanically
    • F01L9/20—Valve-gear or valve arrangements actuated non-mechanically by electric means
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F02—COMBUSTION ENGINES; HOT-GAS OR COMBUSTION-PRODUCT ENGINE PLANTS
    • F02D—CONTROLLING COMBUSTION ENGINES
    • F02D1/00—Controlling fuel-injection pumps, e.g. of high pressure injection type
    • F02D1/02—Controlling fuel-injection pumps, e.g. of high pressure injection type not restricted to adjustment of injection timing, e.g. varying amount of fuel delivered
    • F02D1/08—Transmission of control impulse to pump control, e.g. with power drive or power assistance
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F02—COMBUSTION ENGINES; HOT-GAS OR COMBUSTION-PRODUCT ENGINE PLANTS
    • F02D—CONTROLLING COMBUSTION ENGINES
    • F02D41/00—Electrical control of supply of combustible mixture or its constituents
    • F02D41/30—Controlling fuel injection
    • F02D41/3082—Control of electrical fuel pumps
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F02—COMBUSTION ENGINES; HOT-GAS OR COMBUSTION-PRODUCT ENGINE PLANTS
    • F02D—CONTROLLING COMBUSTION ENGINES
    • F02D41/00—Electrical control of supply of combustible mixture or its constituents
    • F02D41/30—Controlling fuel injection
    • F02D41/38—Controlling fuel injection of the high pressure type
    • F02D41/40—Controlling fuel injection of the high pressure type with means for controlling injection timing or duration
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F02—COMBUSTION ENGINES; HOT-GAS OR COMBUSTION-PRODUCT ENGINE PLANTS
    • F02D—CONTROLLING COMBUSTION ENGINES
    • F02D41/00—Electrical control of supply of combustible mixture or its constituents
    • F02D41/30—Controlling fuel injection
    • F02D41/38—Controlling fuel injection of the high pressure type
    • F02D41/40—Controlling fuel injection of the high pressure type with means for controlling injection timing or duration
    • F02D41/401—Controlling injection timing
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F02—COMBUSTION ENGINES; HOT-GAS OR COMBUSTION-PRODUCT ENGINE PLANTS
    • F02M—SUPPLYING COMBUSTION ENGINES IN GENERAL WITH COMBUSTIBLE MIXTURES OR CONSTITUENTS THEREOF
    • F02M59/00—Pumps specially adapted for fuel-injection and not provided for in groups F02M39/00 -F02M57/00, e.g. rotary cylinder-block type of pumps
    • F02M59/20—Varying fuel delivery in quantity or timing
    • F02M59/36—Varying fuel delivery in quantity or timing by variably-timed valves controlling fuel passages to pumping elements or overflow passages
    • F02M59/366—Valves being actuated electrically
    • F02M59/368—Pump inlet valves being closed when actuated
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F02—COMBUSTION ENGINES; HOT-GAS OR COMBUSTION-PRODUCT ENGINE PLANTS
    • F02M—SUPPLYING COMBUSTION ENGINES IN GENERAL WITH COMBUSTIBLE MIXTURES OR CONSTITUENTS THEREOF
    • F02M59/00—Pumps specially adapted for fuel-injection and not provided for in groups F02M39/00 -F02M57/00, e.g. rotary cylinder-block type of pumps
    • F02M59/44—Details, components parts, or accessories not provided for in, or of interest apart from, the apparatus of groups F02M59/02 - F02M59/42; Pumps having transducers, e.g. to measure displacement of pump rack or piston
    • F02M59/46—Valves
    • F02M59/466—Electrically operated valves, e.g. using electromagnetic or piezoelectric operating means
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F16—ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVE FUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
    • F16K—VALVES; TAPS; COCKS; ACTUATING-FLOATS; DEVICES FOR VENTING OR AERATING
    • F16K31/00—Actuating devices; Operating means; Releasing devices
    • F16K31/02—Actuating devices; Operating means; Releasing devices electric; magnetic
    • F16K31/06—Actuating devices; Operating means; Releasing devices electric; magnetic using a magnet, e.g. diaphragm valves, cutting off by means of a liquid
    • F16K31/0644—One-way valve
    • F16K31/0655—Lift valves
    • F16K31/0658—Armature and valve member being one single element
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F16—ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVE FUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
    • F16K—VALVES; TAPS; COCKS; ACTUATING-FLOATS; DEVICES FOR VENTING OR AERATING
    • F16K31/00—Actuating devices; Operating means; Releasing devices
    • F16K31/02—Actuating devices; Operating means; Releasing devices electric; magnetic
    • F16K31/06—Actuating devices; Operating means; Releasing devices electric; magnetic using a magnet, e.g. diaphragm valves, cutting off by means of a liquid
    • F16K31/0675—Electromagnet aspects, e.g. electric supply therefor
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F02—COMBUSTION ENGINES; HOT-GAS OR COMBUSTION-PRODUCT ENGINE PLANTS
    • F02D—CONTROLLING COMBUSTION ENGINES
    • F02D1/00—Controlling fuel-injection pumps, e.g. of high pressure injection type
    • F02D1/02—Controlling fuel-injection pumps, e.g. of high pressure injection type not restricted to adjustment of injection timing, e.g. varying amount of fuel delivered
    • F02D1/08—Transmission of control impulse to pump control, e.g. with power drive or power assistance
    • F02D2001/082—Transmission of control impulse to pump control, e.g. with power drive or power assistance electric
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F02—COMBUSTION ENGINES; HOT-GAS OR COMBUSTION-PRODUCT ENGINE PLANTS
    • F02D—CONTROLLING COMBUSTION ENGINES
    • F02D41/00—Electrical control of supply of combustible mixture or its constituents
    • F02D41/20—Output circuits, e.g. for controlling currents in command coils
    • F02D2041/202—Output circuits, e.g. for controlling currents in command coils characterised by the control of the circuit
    • F02D2041/2024—Output circuits, e.g. for controlling currents in command coils characterised by the control of the circuit the control switching a load after time-on and time-off pulses
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F02—COMBUSTION ENGINES; HOT-GAS OR COMBUSTION-PRODUCT ENGINE PLANTS
    • F02D—CONTROLLING COMBUSTION ENGINES
    • F02D41/00—Electrical control of supply of combustible mixture or its constituents
    • F02D41/30—Controlling fuel injection
    • F02D41/38—Controlling fuel injection of the high pressure type
    • F02D41/3809—Common rail control systems
    • F02D41/3836—Controlling the fuel pressure
    • F02D41/3845—Controlling the fuel pressure by controlling the flow into the common rail, e.g. the amount of fuel pumped

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Combustion & Propulsion (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Electromagnetism (AREA)
  • Electrical Control Of Air Or Fuel Supplied To Internal-Combustion Engine (AREA)
  • Combined Controls Of Internal Combustion Engines (AREA)
  • Fuel-Injection Apparatus (AREA)

Abstract

A digital inlet valve, eg of a high pressure fuel injection pump, has a shutter 505 closed against a seat 188 by a solenoid 530 comprising a movable needle (armature) 540 inside a coil winding 545 connected to a power source by a first switch. The method of operation comprises supplying an electric current to the coil winding, monitoring a parameter indicative of a movement of the needle, and adjusting the electric current supply when the monitored parameter exceeds a predetermined value. The indicative parameter may be the conduction time interval (interdiction time) of the switch. Adjusting the electric current may comprise interrupting the electric current and connecting the coil winding to a dissipative bi-pole to discharge the current; alternatively the current may be increased. The valve may have two electronic switches (610, 620, fig.4) for connecting one terminal of the coil winding 545 to a power source (605) and to a ground pole, respectively, and a third switch (630) connected to the other coil terminal and having three positions: (i) directly connected to ground; (ii) connected to ground by a dissipative bi-pole (650) and (iii) not connected to ground.

Description

METHOD OF OPERATING A DIGITAL INLET VALVE
TECHNICAL FIELD
The present disclosure relates to a circuit and a method for operating a digital inlet valve associated to a high pressure pump provided in an internal combustion engine, in particular a diesel engine.
BACKGROUND
Modern Diesel engines are provided with a fuel injection system which is configured to dispose in a combustion chamber of the engine a metered quantity of fuel.
Fuel injection system comprises a high pressure fuel pump, that increases the pressure of the fuel received from a low pressure pump in fluid communication with a fuel tank, and that delivers the fuel to a fuel rail in fluid communication with a fuel injector disposed 20 within the combustion chamber of the engine.
The high pressure pump is provided with a digital inlet valve for selectively admitting fuel to an inlet conduit of the high pressure pump.
A known digital inlet valve comprises a shutter associated to a shutter seat provided in the inlet conduit of the high pressure pump. The shutter can translate from a closed to an open position in contrast with the action of a compression spring. The translation of the shutter is operated by means of a linear electromagnetic actuator, also known as linear solenoid, which comprises a needle located inside a coil winding. The needle is biased by the action of a compression (return) spring towards a lower position, where it contacts the shutter keeping it in the open position.
When an electric current flows through the coil winding it generates a magnetic field that operates the translation of the needle in contrast to the return spring. In this way the needle departs from the shutter allowing the same to move in the closed position where it is received in the shutter seat, preventing the flowing of the fuel.
A drawback of the disclosed digital inlet valve is due to the noise generated during its operation. In detail the noise is due to the operation of the shutter and the needle during the closing and the opening phases of the inlet valve.
In view of the above, an object of an embodiment of the present invention is to reduce the operating noise of the digital inlet valve.
Another object is that of accomplish the above-mentioned goals with a simple, rational and rather inexpensive solution.
SUMMARY
These and other objects are achieved by the embodiments of the invention as defined in the independent claims. The dependent claims include preferred and/or advantageous aspects of said embodiments.
More particularly, an embodiment of the invention provides of operating a digital inlet valve provided with a shutter, moveable between a closed and an open position, actuated by a linear electromagnetic actuator comprising a movable needle located inside a coil winding connected to a power source by means of a first electronic switch, the method provides for: a) supplying an electric current to the coil winding, b) monitoring a parameter indicative of a movement of the needle, c) adjusting the electric current supply when the monitored parameter exceeds a predetermined value. Thanks to this solution, it is possible to regulate the translation speed of the needle and of shutter, slowing the translation speed near the end stops. A slow speed will reduce the noise generated by the impact of the needle or of the shutter against the end stops. According to an aspect of the invention, the parameter indicative of a movement of the needle is a conduction time interval of the first electronic switch.
This aspect if the invention provides a reliable and easy way to determine a movement of the needle.
According to an aspect of the invention, the adjustment of the electric current provides for: d) interrupting the electric current supply, e) connecting the coil winding to a dissipative bi-pole for discharging the electric current from the coil winding.
This aspect of the invention allows a faster slowing of the needle speed.
According to an aspect of the invention, the supplying of an electric current to the coil winding, during a closing instant of the shutter, provides for: f) switching the first electronic switch for supplying to the winding an electric current having a value equal to the average value between predetermined low and high electric current values, g) adjusting an electric current flowing through the winding and the predetermined low and high electric current values until a translation of the needle is detected during a predetermined open/close cycle of the first electronic switch.
This aspect if the invention has the advantage to reduce the translation speed of the needle so that the operating noise of the digital inlet valve is further reduced.
According to a further aspect of the invention, if a translation of the needle is detected after the predetermined open/close cycle, the adjusting of the electric current flowing through the winding and the predetermined low and high electric current values, provides for increasing the electric current flowing through the winding and of the predetermined low and high electric current values of a predetermined quantity until the translation of the needle is detected during the predetermined open/close cycle.
According to a further aspect of the invention, if a translation of the needle is detected before the predetermined open/close cycle, the adjusting of the electric current flowing through the winding and of the predetermined low and high electric current values provides for decreasing the electric current flowing through the winding and the predetermined low and high electric current values of a predetermined quantity until the translation of the needle is detected during the predetermined open/close cycle.
Both these last aspects of the invention have the advantage to allow a regulation of the 15 electric current flowing through the winding which keeps into account the production spreading and the aging of the spring.
According to an aspect of the invention, the parameter indicative of a movement of the needle is an interdiction time of the electronic switch.
This aspect if the invention provides a reliable and easy way to determine a movement of 20 the needle.
According to an aspect of the invention, the adjustment of the electric current provides for increasing the supplied electric current value.
This aspect of the invention allows a faster slowing down of the shutter speed.
According to an aspect of the invention, the supplying of an electric current to the coil winding, during an opening instant of the shutter, provides for: h) activating a switching of the first electronic switch, for supplying to the winding an electric current having a value equal to the average value between predetermined low and high electric current values, i) monitoring the interdiction time during a predetermined number of open/close cycles of the first electronic switch, j) storing a maximum value of the interdiction time among those monitored, k) adjusting an electric current flowing through the winding and the predetermined low and high electric current values, until the maximum value of the interdiction time is equal than a predetermined reference value.
This aspect if the invention has the advantage to reduce the translation speed of the needle so that the operating noise of the digital inlet valve is further reduced.
According to a further aspect of the invention, if the maximum value of the interdiction time is greater than the reference predetermined value, the adjusting of an electric current flowing through the winding and the predetermined low and high electric current values provides for increasing the electric current flowing through the winding of a predetermined quantity until the maximum value of the interdiction time is equal than the reference predetermined value.
According to a further aspect of the invention, if the maximum value of the interdiction time is smaller than the reference predetermined value, the adjusting of an electric current flowing through the winding and the predetermined low and high electric current values provides for decreasing the electric current flowing through the winding of a predetermined quantity until the maximum value of the interdiction time is equal than the reference predetermined value.
Both these last aspects of the invention have the advantage to allow a regulation of the electric current flowing through the winding which keeps into account the production spreading and the aging of the spring.
According to an aspect of the invention, the supplying of an electric current to the coil winding provides for: I) setting a first and a second electric current values (Iros, !max), and m) supplying to the coil winding (545) the second electric current value (Iwo° by switching the first electronic switch (610), n) monitoring a translation of the needle (MO), o) reducing the second electric current value (ImAx) of a predetermined quantity (31)if no translation of the needle (540) is detected p) repeating steps m) and o) until a translation of the needle (540) is detected or the reduced second electric current value (IrdAx) is smaller than the first electric current value (ImiN)-This aspect if the invention has the advantage to reduce the translation speed of the needle so that the operating noise of the digital inlet valve is further reduced.
According to another aspect of the invention, the supplying of an electric current to the coil winding provides for switching the electronic switch by means of a peak and valley control signal.
According to a further aspect of the invention, the supplying of an electric current to the coil winding provides for switching the electronic switch superimposing a power width modulation signal to the peak and valley control signal.
This solution allows a more precise control on the translation speed of the needle, consequently the impact noise, caused by the impact of the needle against the upper end stop, is further reduced.
A different embodiment of the invention provides for a digital inlet valve comprising: q) a shutter, moveable between a closed and an open position, r) a linear electromagnetic actuator, for actuating the shutter, comprising a movable needle located inside a coil winding having a first and a second end terminal, s) a control circuit connected to the first and the second end terminals, comprising a first, a second and a third electronic switches, wherein the first end terminal is electrically connected to a power source by means of the first electronic switch, and to a ground pole by means of the second electronic switch, and the second end terminal is electrically connected to the third electronic switch, which can switches in three different position, a first position wherein the second end terminal is directly connected to the ground pole, a second position wherein the second end terminal is connected to the ground pole by means of a dissipative bi-pole, and a third position wherein the second end terminal is not connected to the ground pole, the first and the third electronic switch being connected to an electronic control unit configured to command the first electronic switch to an open position disconnecting the electric power source and to command the third electronic switch in the second position when a conduction time of the first electronic switch exceeds a predetermined value.
This embodiment has the advantage to provide a reliable and cheap control circuit. According to an aspect of the invention, the shutter and the needle are made in a single body.
This aspect of the invention is an economic altemative to the previous embodiment.
A different embodiment of the invention provides for a high pressure pump for supplying fuel to a rail of an internal combustion engine comprising a digital inlet valve according to the previous aspects of the invention.
Another embodiment of the invention provides an apparatus for operating a digital inlet valve provided with a shutter, moveable between a closed and an open position, 25 actuated by a linear electromagnetic actuator comprising a movable needle located inside a coil winding connected to a power source by means of a first electronic switch, the apparatus comprising: a) means for supplying an electric current to the coil winding, b) means for monitoring a parameter indicative of a movement of the needle, c) means for adjusting the electric current supply when the monitored parameter exceeds a predetermined value.
The apparatus may be configured such that the parameter indicative of a movement of the needle is a conduction time of the first electronic switch.
In another embodiment the apparatus is configured such that the adjustment of the electric current provides for: d) interrupting the electric current supply, e) connecting the coil winding to a dissipative bi-pole for discharging the electric current from the coil winding.
The apparatus can be configured in that the supply of an electric current to the coil winding during a closing instant of the shutter provides for: 0 activating a switching of the first electronic switch, for supplying to the winding an electric current having a value lava equal to the average value between predetermined low and high electric current values IL, IH, g) adjusting an electric current flowing through the winding and the predetermined low and high electric current values IL, IH until a translation of the needle is detected during a predetermined open/close cycle of the first electronic switch. 25 The apparatus can be configured in that the supply of an electric current to the coil winding during a closing instant of the shutter provides for: h) activating a switching of the first electronic switch, for supplying to the winding an electric current having a value IAVG equal to the average value between predetermined low and high electric current values IL, IN, i) adjusting an electric current flowing through the winding and the predetermined low and high electric current values IL, IH until a translation of the needle is detected during a predetermined open/close cycle of the first electronic switch.
Furthermore, in an embodiment of the apparatus the supplying of an electric current to the coil winding during a closing instant of the shutter provides for: j) activating a switching of the first electronic switch, for supplying to the winding an electric current having a value lAvG equal to the average value between predetermined low and high electric current values IL, IH, k) adjusting an electric current flowing through the winding and the predetermined low and high electric current values IL, IN until a translation of the needle is detected during a predetermined open/close cycle of the first electronic switch.
In another embodiment the apparatus is configured in that, if a translation of the needle is detected after the predetermined open/close cycle, the adjusting of the electric current flowing through the winding and of the predetermined low and high electric current values IL, IH, provides for increasing the electric current flowing through the winding and the predetermined low and high electric current values IL, IH of a predetermined quantity until the translation of the needle is detected during the predetermined open/close cycle.
The apparatus can further be configured in that, if a translation of the needle is detected before the predetermined open/close cycle, the adjusting of the electric current flowing through the winding and of the predetermined low and high electric current values IL, IH provides for decreasing the electric current flowing through the winding and the predetermined low and high electric current values IL, IH of a predetermined quantity until the translation of the needle is detected during the predetermined open/close cycle.
In an embodiment the parameter indicative of a movement of the needle is an interdiction time of the first electronic switch.
The apparatus can be configured such that the adjustment of the electric current provides for increasing the supplied electric current value.
In an embodiment the supplying of an electric current to the coil winding, during an opening instant of the shutter, provides for: h) switching of the first electronic switch, for supplying to the winding an electric current having a value lAvG equal to the average value between predetermined low and high electric current values IL, IH, i) monitoring the interdiction time (Ton) during a predetermined number of open/close cycles of the first electronic switch, j) storing a maximum value (TmcmAx) of the interdiction time among those monitored, k) adjusting an electric current flowing through the winding and the predetermined low and high electric current values IL, IH, until the maximum value (Ton") of the interdiction time is equal than a predetermined reference value (TE,Fjc,").
Another configuration of the apparatus provides that if the maximum value (Tornio) of the interdiction time is greater than the reference predetermined value (TOFF.Ro), the adjusting of an electric current flowing through the winding and the predetermined low and high electric current values IL, IH provides for increasing the electric current flowing through the winding of a predetermined quantity until the maximum value (Tiln.feio) of the interdiction time is equal than the reference predetermined value (TOFF.Rap).
Another configuration of the apparatus provides that if the maximum value ( ,ToFF,rwAx) of the interdiction time is smaller than the reference predetermined value (TO'FF.RE,), the adjusting of an electric current flowing through the winding and the predetermined low and high electric current values IL, IH provides for decreasing the electric current flowing through the winding of a predetermined quantity until the maximum value (Tarnio) of the interdiction time is equal than the reference predetermined value (nitoi.).
In another configuration of the apparatus supplying of an electric current to the coil winding provides for: I) setting a first and a second electric current values Om, 114w°, and m) supplying to the coil winding (545) the second electric current value (lidAx) by switching the first electronic switch, n) monitoring a translation of the needle, o) if no translation of the needle is detected reducing the second electric current value (1w,x) of a predetermined quantity (Si), p) repeating steps m) and o) until a translation of the needle is detected or the reduced second electric current value (ImAx) is smaller than the first electric current value (Im).
A further configuration of the apparatus can be chosen where the supplying of an electric current to the coil winding provides for switching the electronic switch by means of a peak and valley control signal (rpav).
In another embodiment of the apparatus the supplying of an electric current to the coil winding provides for switching the electronic switch superimposing a power with modulation signal (rpwm) to the peak and valley control signaffrpeN).
The method of the invention can be carried out with the help of a computer program comprising a program-code for carrying out all the steps of the method described above, and in the form of a computer program product comprising the computer program. The method can be also embodied as electromagnetic signals, said signal being modulated to carry a sequence of data bits which represent a computer program to carry out all steps of the method.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The present invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings.
Figure 1 schematically shows an automotive system belonging to a motor vehicle.
Figure 2 is the section A-A of an internal combustion engine belonging to the automotive system of figure 1.
Figure 3, 3a, 3b, 3c are schematic sections, according a vertical plane, of a high pressure pump and a digital inlet valve in different operating positions.
Figure 4a, 4b illustrates a control circuit according to an embodiment of the invention. Figures 5a,5b,6a,6b show the variation over time of some signals used in an 25 embodiment invention.
Fig.7 is a schematic section, according a vertical plane, of a high pressure pump and a digital inlet valve in different operating positions of a different embodiment of the invention.
Figures 8a, 8b,8c, 8d shows the variation over time of some signals used in an 5 embodiment invention.
Fig. 9 is a flowchart representing in details an aspect of an embodiment of a method of operating a digital inlet valve.
Fig. 10 is a flowchart representing in details an aspect of an embodiment of a method of operating a digital inlet valve.
Fig. 11 is a flowchart representing in details an aspect of an embodiment of a method of operating a digital inlet valve.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
Some embodiments may include an automotive system 100, as shown in Figures 1 and 2, that includes an internal combustion engine (ICE) 110 having an engine block 120 defining at least one cylinder 125 having a piston 140 coupled to rotate a crankshaft 145.
A cylinder head 130 cooperates with the piston 140 to define a combustion chamber 150. A fuel and air mixture (not shown) is disposed in the combustion chamber 150 and ignited, resulting in hot expanding exhaust gasses causing reciprocal movement of the piston 140. The fuel is provided by at least one fuel injector 160 and the air through at least one intake port 210. The fuel is provided at high pressure to the fuel injector 160 from a fuel rail 170 in fluid communication with a high pressure fuel pump 180 that increase the pressure of the fuel received from a fuel source 190. Each of the cylinders 125 has at least two valves 215, actuated by a camshaft 135 rotating in time with the crankshaft 145. The valves 215 selectively allow air into the combustion chamber 150 from the port 210 and alternately allow exhaust gases to exit through a port 220. In some examples, a cam phaser 155 may selectively vary the timing between the camshaft 135 and the crankshaft 145.
In the combustion chamber 150 is located a glow plug 360 which is a heating element which is electrically activated for cold starting of the engine and also for improving the 5 combustion performance within the combustion chamber.
The air may be distributed to the air intake port(s) 210 through an intake manifold 200. An air intake duct 205 may provide air from the ambient environment to the intake manifold 200. In other embodiments, a throttle body 330 may be provided to regulate the flow of air into the manifold 200. In still other embodiments, a forced air system such as a turbocharger 230, having a compressor 240 rotationally coupled to a turbine 250, may be provided. Rotation of the compressor 240 increases the pressure and temperature of the air in the duct 205 and manifold 200. An intercooler 260 disposed in the duct 205 may reduce the temperature of the air. The turbine 250 rotates by receiving exhaust gases from an exhaust manifold 225 that directs exhaust gases from the exhaust ports 220 and through a series of vanes prior to expansion through the turbine 250. This example shows a variable geometry turbine (VGT) with a VGT actuator 290 arranged to move the vanes to alter the flow of the exhaust gases through the turbine 250. In other embodiments, the turbocharger 230 may be fixed geometry and/or include a waste gate. The exhaust gases exit the turbine 250 and are directed into an exhaust system 270.
The exhaust system 270 may include an exhaust pipe 275 having one or more exhaust aftertreatment devices 280. The aftertreatment devices may be any device configured to change the composition of the exhaust gases. Some examples of aftertreatment devices 280 include, but are not limited to, catalytic converters (two and three way), oxidation catalysts, lean NOx traps, hydrocarbon adsorbers, selective catalytic reduction (SCR) systems, and particulate filters. Other embodiments may include an exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) system 300 coupled between the exhaust manifold 225 and the intake manifold 200. The EGR system 300 may include an EGR cooler 310 to reduce the temperature of the exhaust gases in the EGR system 300. An EGR valve 320 regulates a flow of exhaust gases in the EGR system 300.
The automotive system 100 may further include an electronic control unit (ECU) 450 in communication with one or more sensors and/or devices associated with the ICE 110. The ECU 450 may receive input signals from various sensors configured to generate the signals in proportion to various physical parameters associated with the ICE 110. The sensors include, but are not limited to, a mass airflow and temperature sensor 340, a manifold pressure and temperature sensor 350, a combustion pressure sensor that may be integral within the glow plugs 360, coolant and oil temperature and level sensors 380, a fuel rail pressure sensor 400, a cam position sensor 410, a crank position sensor 420, exhaust pressure and temperature sensors 430, an EGR temperature sensor 440, and an accelerator pedal position sensor 445. Furthermore, the ECU 450 may generate output signals to various control devices that are arranged to control the operation of the ICE 110, including, but not limited to, the fuel injectors 160, the throttle body 330, the EGR Valve 320, the VGT actuator 290, and cam phaser 155 and the glow plug 360. Note, dashed lines are used to indicate communication between the ECU 450 and the various sensors and devices, but some are omitted for clarity.
Tuming now to the ECU 450, this apparatus may include a digital central processing unit (CPU) in communication with a memory system and an interface bus. The CPU is configured to execute instructions stored as a program in the memory system 460, and send and receive signals to/from the interface bus. The memory system 460 may include various storage types including optical storage, magnetic storage, solid state storage, and other non-volatile memory. The interface bus may be configured to send, receive, and modulate analog and/or digital signals to/from the various sensors and control devices. The program may embody the methods disclosed herein, allowing the CPU to carryout out the steps of such methods and control the ICE 110.
The program stored in the memory system 460 is transmitted from outside via a cable or in a wireless fashion. Outside the automotive system 100 it is normally visible as a computer program product, which is also called computer readable medium or machine readable medium in the art, and which should be understood to be a computer program code residing on a carrier, said carrier being transitory or non-transitory in nature with the consequence that the computer program product can be regarded to be transitory or non-transitory in nature.
An example of a transitory computer program product is a signal, e.g. an electromagnetic signal such as an optical signal, which is a transitory carrier for the computer program code. Carrying such computer program code can be achieved by modulating the signal by a conventional modulation technique such as QPSK for digital data, such that binary data representing said computer program code is impressed on the transitory electromagnetic signal. Such signals are e.g. made use of when transmitting computer program code in a wireless fashion via a WiFi connection to a laptop.
In case of a non-transitory computer program product the computer program code is embodied in a tangible storage medium. The storage medium is then the non-transitory carrier mentioned above, such that the computer program code is permanently or non-permanently stored in a retrievable way in or on this storage medium. The storage medium can be of conventional type known in computer technology such as a flash memory, an Asic, a CD or the like.
The high pressure pump 180 (Figure 3) comprises, inside a cylinder 181, a plunger 182 25 which can translate in an axial direction being actuated by a cam 183. According to this embodiment of the invention the cam 183 is associated to the camshaft 135 rotating in time with the crankshaft 145.
A cylinder head 184 cooperates with the cylinder 181 and the plunger 182 to define a fuel pumping chamber 185 provided with a fuel inlet 186, located in the cylinder head 184, and a fuel outlet 187, located on the cylinder 181. The fuel inlet 186 is in fluid communication with the fuel source 190 and the fuel outlet 187 is fluid communication with the fuel rail 170.
A digital inlet valve 500 cooperates with the high pressure pump 180 for supplying fuel inside the pumping chamber 185.
The digital inlet valve 500 comprises a shutter 505 associated to a shutter seat 188, provided in cylinder head 184, and in fluid communication with the inlet conduit 186 of the high pressure pump 180. The shutter 505 is provided with a shaft 510 received in a central bore 515 located in a bottom wall 520 of a valve housing 525.
The shutter 505 can axially translate between a closed position, wherein it is received in the shutter seat 188 preventing fuel flowing, and an open position, wherein it is spaced apart from the shutter seat 188, allowing the fuel flowing.
The axial translation of the shutter 505, from the closed to the open position, is operated by means of a linear electromagnetic actuator 530, also known as linear solenoid, in contrast with the action of a first compression spring 535 associated to the shaft 510.
In detail the first compression spring 535 ads between the bottom wall 520 and a spring guide 536 connected to the shaft 510.
The linear electromagnetic actuator 530 is placed inside the valve housing 525 and it comprises a needle 540, located inside a coil winding 545, that can translate in contrast to the action of a second compression spring 550.
According to the present embodiment of the invention the second compression spring 550 is inserted externally and coaxially on the needle 540 and it ads between a support body 555 of the coil winding 545 and a spring guide 560 connected to the needle 540. Furthermore the valve housing 525 is provided with a valve fuel inlet 565 in fluid communication with the fuel inlet 186 on the cylinder head 184.
A second embodiment of the invention provides that the shutter 505 and the needle 540 are made in a single body 700 as shown in Fig. 7, wherein the same referral numbers have been used to indicate identical components already disclosed in the previous embodiment of the invention. This second embodiment provides only a compression spring 705 inserted externally and coaxially on the needle 540 and acting between a support body 555 of the coil windings 545 and a spring guide 560 connected to the needle MO.
The digital inlet valve 500 comprises also a control circuit 600 of the linear actuator 530 which is connected to a first and a second end terminal 575, 580 of the coil winding 545. The control circuit 600 comprises a first and a second electronic switch 610 and 620 electrically connected to a first end terminal 575 of the coil winding 545, and a third electronic switch 630 electrically connected a the second end terminal 580 of the coil winding 545.
In detail, the first end terminal 575 is electrically connected to a power source 605 by means of the first electronic switch 610, and to a ground pole 640 by means of the 20 second electronic switch 620, while the second end terminal 530 is connected to the third electronic switch 630.
The first electronic switch 610 can switch between a closed position, wherein the first end terminal 575 is electrically connected to the power source 605, and an open position, wherein the first end terminal 575 is not electrically connected to the power source 605.
The third electronic switch 630 can switch in three different position, a first position 630a wherein the second end terminal 580 is directly connected to the ground pole 640, a second position 630b, wherein the second end terminal is connected to the ground pole 640 by means of a dissipative bi-pole 650, and a third position 630c, wherein the second end terminal 580 is not connected to the ground pole 640.
According to the present embodiment of the invention the first and the third electronic switches 610,630 are metal-oxide-semiconductor field-effect (MOS-FET) transistors, while the second electronic switches 620 is a diode. The dissipative bi-pole 650 is realized by operating the third electronic switch 630 in the saturation region.
The first and the third electronic switch 610, 630 are connected to and controlled by the electronic control unit 450, which is configured to operate the digital inlet valve 500 by means of the control circuit 600, as it will be disclosed in the following.
More in detail, the ECU 450 uses a peak and valley electric current control for driving the switching of the first electronic switch 610.
According to the peak and valley electric current control, the ECU 450 drives, by means of a peak and valley control signal rp&v, the switching of the first electronic switch 610 from the closed position to the open position when the electric current value flowing through the control circuit 600 is equal to a predetermined high electric current value IH and it drives the switching of the first electronic switch 610 from the open position to the closed position when the electric current value flowing through the circuit is equal to a predetermined low electric current value IL.
According to an aspect of the invention, the ECU sets an electric current value to be supplied to the coil winding 545 as an average electric current value lA between the predetermined low and high electric current value IL, IH, determined by the following formula: -( JP) The predetermined high electric current value IN and the predetermined low electric current value IL are regulated by the ECU according to an angular position of the camshaft 135.
According to an embodiment of the invention, the ECU 450 is configured to determine the fuel quantity to be delivered, by the high pressure pump 180 to the rail 170, as a function of an actual operating condition of the engine, and to determine, on the basis of the calculated required fuel quantity, an opening and a closing instant of the digital inlet valve 500 as a function of an angular position of the camshaft 135.
Fig. 3 shows the digital inlet valve 500 during a fuel suction phase of the high pressure pump 180, wherein the shutter is motionless. During the fuel suction phase the axial translation of plunger 182 generates a depression in the pumping chamber 185 which helps the flowing of the fuel within the pumping chamber 185. In this situation the ECU commands the third electronic switch 630 to stay in the third position 630c, wherein the second end terminal 580 is not connected to the ground pole 640, and it commands the first electronic switch 610 to stay in the open position so that the actuator is not activated and the elastic force of second compression spring 550 concurs to hold the shutter 505 in the open position.
When the angular position of the camshaft 135 corresponds to the determined closing instant of the digital inlet valve 500, the ECU 450, in order to allow the shutter translation from the open to the closed position, commands the periodical switching of the third electronic switch 630 from the third position 630c to the first position 630a, wherein the second end terminal 580 is directly connected to the ground pole 640, and it commands the switching of the first electronic switch 610 between the open and the closed position connecting the coil winding 545 to the power source 605.
As told above, the ECU 450 drives the switching of the first electronic switch 610 from the closed position to the open position when the electric current value flowing through the control circuit 600 is equal to a predetermined high electric current value IH and it drives the switching of the first electronic switch 610 from the open position to the closed position when the electric current value flowing through the circuit is equal to a predetermined low electric current value IL.
The driving of the first and third switch 610,630 allows the flowing, through the circuit 600, of an electric current which value is monitored by the ECU 450 by means of a shunt resistor 750.
In this situation, wherein the shutter 505 is still motionless, the coil winding 545 can be electrically represented by means of an inductor 546, having an inductance value L, in series with a resistor 547, having a resistance value R, as illustrated in Fig. 4a.
The electric current flowing through the circuit has a waveform as indicate in the tract A of fig. 5a.
The flowing of an electric current through the coil winding 545 generates a magnetic field inducing a mechanical force on the needle of the actuator 530 in contrast to the elastic force exercised by the second compression spring 550.
The value of the mechanical force acting on the needle 540 is a function of the electric current value flowing through the coil winding 545, therefore the ECU, during the closing phase of the shutter 505, regulates the predetermined high electric current and the predetermined low electric electric current at values IH,IL that guarantee that the electric current flowing through the winding 545 generates a magnetic field inducing a mechanical force on the needle 540 sufficient to win the elastic force exercised by the second compression spring 550, so to allow an upwards translation of the needle, as shown in Fig. 3a.
The upwards translation of the needle 540 generates a counter electromagnetic force opposing the needle translation.
In this condition the coil winding 545 can be electrically represented by means of the inductor 546 in series with the resistor 547 and a counter electromagnetic force generator 548 as illustrated in Fig. 4b.
The counter electromagnetic force varies the conduction time (Fig.5a tract B) of the first electronic switch 610, i.e. the time interval that the electric current takes to pass from the low electric current value IL to the high electric current value IH, which is equal, for this embodiment of the invention, to the time interval wherein the first electronic switch 610 is in the closed position, which can be calculated with the following formula: L (V -E -RIL) 777 'V ----Rxinkv-. -Rid wherein L and R are respectively the inductance and the resistance values of the coil 15 winding, V is the voltage value of the power source, IL and IH are the values respectively of the two predetermined low and high electric current, and E is the value of the counter-electromotive force generated by the movement of the needle 540.
According to the present embodiment of the invention, the ECU 450, which monitors the variation over time of the electric current flowing through the control circuit 600, determines also the conduction time value TON of the first electronic switch 610, and uses the conduction time value TON as a parameter indicative of a movement of the needle 540.
As soon as the conduction time value exceeds a predetermined value ToN, the ECU 450 commands the switching of the first electronic switch 610 from the closed to the open position, interrupting the electric connection of the coil winding 540 with the power source 605, and it also commands the switching of the third switch 630 from the first position 630a to the second position 630b, wherein the second end terminal 580 is connected to the ground pole 640 by means of the dissipative bi-pole 650.
According to an aspect of the invention the predetermined value TON is equal to a conduction time of the first electronic switch 610 while the needle is motionless, and it is determined by ECU 450 monitoring the variation over time of the electric current flowing through the control circuit 600.
With reference to the control circuit 600 of Fig. 5a, the conduction time of the first electronic switch 610 while the needle is motionless can be calculated with the following 10 formula: -Rib) T = L x " R -Rid wherein L and R are respectively the inductance and the resistance values of the coil 15 winding, V is the voltage value of the power source, IL and IH are the values respectively of the two predetermined low and high electric current.
Thanks to the dissipative bi-pole 650 the electric current flowing through the coil windings 545 run rapidly out, so as the electromagnetic force acting on the needle. In this way the translation speed of the needle is slowed down and the noise, caused by the impact of 20 the needle against an upper end stop 590, is reduced.
At the same time the shutter 505 translates in the closed position thanks to the action of the first compression spring 530 and to the action of the compression force due to the increasing pressure in the fuel pumping chamber 185 (Fig.3b).
Afterwards the ECU 450 commands the switching of the third electronic switch 630 from 25 the second position 630b to the first position 630a, wherein the second end terminal 580 is directly connected to the ground pole 640, and it commands the switching of the first electronic switch 610 between the open and the closed position connecting the coil winding 545 to the power source 605. The ECU 540 also regulates the predetermined high electric current and the predetermined low electric current at values IH, IL that guarantee that the electric current flowing through the coil winding 545 generates a magnetic field inducing a mechanical force on the needle 540 having a value lower than the elastic force value exercised by the second compression spring 550, allowing a downwards translation of the needle 540 towards the shutter 505 at a low speed, so to reduce the noise generated by the impact of the needle 540 against the shutter 505.
(Fig.3c) Once the needle 540 abuts against the shutter 505 the ECU 450 commands the third electronic switch 630 to switch in the third position 630c, wherein the second end terminal 580 is not connected to the ground pole 640, and it commands the first electronic switch 610 to switch in the open position so that the linear actuator 530 is not activated.
When the angular position of the camshaft 135 corresponds to the determined opening instant of the digital inlet valve 500, the ECU 450 commands the switching of the third electronic switch 630 from the third position 630c to the first position 630a, wherein the second end terminal 580 is directly connected to the ground pole 640, and it commands the switching of the first electronic switch 610 between the open and the closed position connecting the coil winding to the power source 605.
The ECU 450 also regulates the predetermined high electric current IH and the predetermined low electric current IL at values that guarantee that the electric current flowing through the coil winding 545 generates a magnetic field inducing a mechanical 25 force on the needle 540 having a value lower than the elastic force value exercised by the second compression spring 550, in order to exercise on the needle 540 a force supporting the shutter translation from the closed to the open position.
As soon as the shutter 505 and the needle 540 translate, a counter electromagnetic force, opposing the needle translation, is generated.
The counter electromagnetic force varies the interdiction time value of the first electronic switch 610, and the ECU 450, as soon as the interdiction time value exceeds a predetermined value, regulates, by increasing, the predetermined high electric current and the predetermined low electric current at values IH,IL that guarantee that the electric current flowing through the coil winding generates a magnetic field inducing a mechanical force on the needle 540 sufficient to counterbalance the elastic force exercised by the second compression spring 550.
In this way the translation speed of the shutter 505 is slowed and the noise, caused by the impact of the spring guide 536 against the bottom wall 520 of the valve body 525, is reduced.
With reference to the circuit of fig. 4b the interdiction time of the first electronic switch 610, i.e. the time interval wherein the first electronic switch is in the open position, can be determined with the following formula: TOFF = ("E RIR1 OFF R kE + Rh) wherein L and R are respectively the inductance and the resistance values of the coil winding 545, IL and IH are the values the predetermined high and low electric current, and E is a value of the counter-electromotive force generated by the movement of the needle. As soon as the interdiction time value exceeds a predetermined value TOFF, the ECU operates the control circuit 600 according to the above disclosure.
According to an aspect of the invention, the predetermined value ToFF is equal to an interdiction time of the first electronic switch 610 while the needle is motionless, is determined by ECU 450 monitoring the variation over time of the electric current flowing through the control circuit 600.
With reference to the control circuit 600 of Fig. 5a, the interdiction time of the first electronic switch 610 while the needle is motionless can be calculated with the following formula: TOFF = -Rx InE wherein L and R are respectively the inductance and the resistance values of the coil winding 545, IL and IH are the values the predetermined high and low electric current. A different embodiment of the invention provides that the ECU 450 controls, while the electric current is varying from the low electric value IL to the high electric value IH, the switching of the first electronic switch 610, from the closed position to the open position, by means of a power with modulation signal (PWM) control signal rpwM, which is superimposed over the peak and valley control signal rpm/ (Fig. 8).
Accordingly, the conduction time of the first electronic switch 610, i.e. the time interval that the electric current takes to pass from the low electric current value IL to the high electric current value IH, can be calculated with the following formula: T.A. = x In V -E -RIO ° R th,irmV -E -wherein L and R are respectively the inductance and the resistance values of the coil winding, V is the voltage value of the power source, IL and IH are the values respectively of the two predetermined low and high electric current, E is the value of the counter-electromotive force generated by the movement of the needle 540, and Dpwm is a duty-cycle of the PWM control signal rpwM.
The duty cycle of the PWM control signal rpwt can be calculated by the formula: 1 rpwv Upwm, - T x rinsw dt
PIVM
wherein Tpwm is a period of the PWM control signal rpWM.
While the needle is motionless, the conduction time of the first electronic switch 610 can be calculated with the following formula: L X In (LpipintV -MN= -R pwMV -RIR/ wherein L and R are respectively the inductance and the resistance values of the coil winding, V is the voltage value of the power source, IL and IH are the values respectively 15 of the two predetermined low and high electric current, Dpwm is a duty-cycle of the PWM signal rpwm.
This solution allows a more precise control on the translation speed of the needle 540, consequently the impact noise, caused by the impact of the needle against the upper end stop 590, is further reduced.
According to a preferred aspect of the invention, the electric current supplied to the coil winding 545 is set by the ECU 450 according to an auto-calibration strategy (Fig.9).
The auto-calibration strategy provides for setting (block 800) a first electric current value INN, that guarantees the closure of the digital inlet valve 500, and a second electric current value ImAx, greater than the first electric current value INN, that guarantees the closure of the digital inlet valve 500 during the first rising phase of the electric current flowing through the coil winding 545.
Then the ECU, at first, activates the switching of the first electronic switch 610, for supplying the second electric current value IneAx to the coil windings 545 and it monitors a translation of the needle 540 (block 801) by monitoring a parameter indicative of a movement of the needle 540, such as for instance the conduction or the interdiction time value ToN or roFF* If no translation of the needle 540 is detected, the ECU 450 compares (block 802) the second electric current value ImAx to the first electric current value INN.
If the second electric current value InnAx is lower than the first electric current value then the ECU 450 stores (block 804) the second electric current value Iwo( and drives the switching the electronic switch 610 for supplying the second electric current value ImAx to the coil windings 545.
If the second electric current value k is equal or greater than the first electric current value IMIN, then the ECU 450 sets (block 803) a new reduced electric current value, reducing the applied electric current value of a predetermined quantity Si.
Then the ECU 450 drives the switching the electronic switch 610 for supplying the new reduced electric current value to the coil windings 545.
The ECU 450 repeats this strategy until a translation of the needle 540 is detected.
When a translation of the needle 540 is detected the ECU 450 stores (block 804) the reduced second electric current value ImAx and drives the switching the electronic switch 610 for supplying the new reduced electric current value to the coil windings 545.
This auto-calibration strategy allows regulating the electric current supplied to the winding coil 545 as a function of the spring tolerance and aging.
According to a different preferred aspect of the invention, during a closing instant of the shutter 505, the ECU 450 regulates the electric current supplied to the coil winding 545 according to the following procedure.
The ECU 450 sets an electric current value IAvG equal to the average value between the predetermined low and high electric current values IL, IH, said average value being determined by the following formula: CH+ //,) lac -2 Then the ECU 450 activates (block 805) the switching of the first electronic switch 610 by means of the peak and valley electric current control, which, as disclosed above, provides for switching the first electronic switch 610 from the closed position to the open position when the electric current value flowing through coil winding 545 is equal to a predetermined high electric current value IH and switching the first electronic switch 610 from the open position to the closed position when the electric current value flowing through the circuit is equal to a predetermined low electric current value IL.
Then, the ECU 450 monitors how many open/close cycles (block 806) of the first electronic switch 610 occur before detecting a translation of the needle 540. As told above a translation of the needle 540 is detected by the ECU 450 by monitoring a parameter indicative of a movement of the needle 540, such as for instance the conduction time value TON or TOFF.
If the movement of the needle occurs after a predetermined open/close cycle of the first electronic switch 610, the ECU 450 (block 807) increases the average electric current value!Ave of a predetermined quantity bi, so to allow a flowing through the coil winding 545 of the increased electric current IAVG + bi.
The ECU 450 regulates also the values IL, IH, respectively of the predetermined low and high electric currents, which are determined by: Ix = (IAVG + Si ± Ai) IL = (IAvc Si At) wherein Al is a predetermined electric current quantity which value is provided by the manufacturer of the electric switch 610.
If the movement of the needle occurs before the predetermined open/close cycle of the first electronic switch 610, the ECU 450 (block 808) decreases the average electric current value IAVG of the predetermined quantity bi, so to allow a flowing through the coil winding 545 of the decreased electric current IAvG -bi.
Also in this case, the ECU 450 regulates also the values IL, IH, respectively of the predetermined low and high electric currents, which are determined by: Ix = (IAVG 8t IL = (IAvG 8t -wherein Al is a predetermined electric current quantity which value is provided by the manufacturer of the electric switch 610.
If the movement of the needle occurs during the predetermined open/close cycle of the first electronic switch 610, the ECU 450 leaves unchanged the average electric current value IAVG and the values EL, IH, of the predetermined low and high electric currents. According to the present aspect of the invention the predetermined open/close cycle of the first electronic switch 610 is set as the third open/close cycle.
According to a second preferred aspect of the invention, during an opening instant of the shutter 505, the ECU 450 regulates the electric current to the coil winding 545 according to the following procedure.
The ECU 450 sets (block 809) an electric current having a value IAVG equal to the average value between the predetermined low and high electric current values IL, IH, said 25 average value being determined by the following formula: /Arc -(-1E+2 IL) The ECU 450 (block 810) activates the switching of the first electronic switch 610 by means of the peak and valley electric current control, which, as disclosed above, provides for switching the first electronic switch 610 from the closed position to the open position when the electric current value flowing through the coil winding 545 is equal to a predetermined high electric current value IH and switching the first electronic switch 610 from the open position to the closed position when the electric current value flowing through the circuit is equal to a predetermined low electric current value IL.
Then, the ECU monitors the interdiction time TOFF during a predetermined number of open/close cycles of the first electronic switch 610, and it stores a maximum value To".,",", of the interdiction time among those monitored (block 811).
The ECU 450 compares the maximum value Tonny of the interdiction time to a reference predetermined value 73FFAFF (block 812).
If the maximum value ToFFRAx of the interdiction time is greater than a reference predetermined value roFFAEF then the ECU 450 (block 813) increases the average electric current value lAvG of the predetermined quantity Si, so to allow a flowing through the coil winding 545 of the increased electric current IAVG + Si (block 810).
Also in this case, the ECU 450 regulates the values IL, IH, respectively of the predetermined low and high electric currents, which are determined by: IH = OAST + & Al) IL = (°An: + Si -A1) wherein Al is a predetermined electric current quantity which value is provided by the manufacturer of the electric switch 610.
If the maximum value T.OFFNAF of the interdiction time is smaller than the reference predetermined value rlippnr then the ECU 450 (block 814) decreases the average electric current value lAvG of a predetermined quantity bi, so to allow a flowing through the coil winding 545 of the decreased electric current IAVG -bi to the coil winding 545 (block 810).
The ECU 450 regulates also the values IL, IH, respectively of the predetermined low and high electric currents, which are determined by: = (imps & + An (4" -Si -AL) wherein Al is a predetermined electric current quantity which value is provided by the manufacturer of the electric switch 610.
If the maximum value Tejn.mAx of the interdiction time is equal than the reference predetermined value TamulF then the ECU 450 leaves unchanged the average electric current value lAvG and the values IL, IH, of the predetermined low and high electric currents.
While at least one exemplary embodiment has been presented in the foregoing summary and detailed description, it should be appreciated that a vast number of variations exist. It should also be appreciated that the exemplary embodiment or exemplary embodiments are only examples, and are not intended to limit the scope, applicability, or configuration in any way. Rather, the foregoing summary and detailed description will provide those skilled in the art with a convenient road map for implementing at least one exemplary embodiment, it being understood that various changes may be made in the function and arrangement of elements described in an exemplary embodiment without departing from the scope as set forth in the appended claims and their legal equivalents.
REFERENCES
100 motor vehicle automotive system internal combustion engine engine block 125 cylinder 130 cylinder head camshaft piston crankshaft 147 gearbox 148 clutch combustion chamber cam phaser fuel injector fuel rail 180 fuel pump 181 cylinder 182 plunger 183 cam 184 cylinder head 185 fuel pumping chamber 186 fuel inlet 187 fuel outlet 188 shutter seat 190 fuel source 200 intake manifold 205 air intake pipe 210 intake port 215 valves 220 exhaust port 225 exhaust manifold 230 turbocharger 240 compressor 250 turbine 260 intercooler 270 aftertreatment system 275 exhaust pipe 290 VGT actuator 300 exhaust gas recirculation system 305 EGR conduit 310 EGR cooler 320 EGR valve 330 throttle body 340 mass airflow and temperature sensor 350 manifold pressure and temperature sensor 360 glow plug 365 glow plug free end 370 ground pole 380 coolant and oil temperature and level sensors 400 fuel rail pressure sensor 410 cam position sensor 420 crank position sensor 430 speedometer 440 EGR temperature sensor 445 accelerator pedal position sensor 450 ECU 460 memory system 500 digital inlet valve 505 shutter 510 shaft 515 central bore 520 bottom wall 525 valve housing 530 linear electromagnetic actuator 535 compression spring 536 spring guide 540 needle 545 coil winding 550 compression spring 555 support body 560 spring guide 565 fuel inlet 575 terminal 580 terminal 600 control circuit 605 power source 610 electronic switch 620 electronic switch 630 electronic switch 630a first position 630b second position 630c third position 640 ground pole 650 dissipative bi-pole 700 single body 705 compression spring 750 shunt resistor 800 block 801 block 802 block 803 block 804 block 805 block 806 block 807 block 808 block 809 block 810 block 811 block 812 block 5 813 block 814 block

Claims (15)

  1. CLAIMS1. A method of operating a digital inlet valve (500) provided with a shutter (505), moveable between a closed and an open position, actuated by a linear electromagnetic actuator (530) comprising a movable needle (540) located inside a coil winding (545) connected to a power source (605) by means of a first electronic switch (610), the method provides for: a) supplying an electric current to the coil winding (545), b) monitoring a parameter indicative of a movement of the needle (540), c) adjusting the electric current supply when the monitored parameter exceeds a predetermined value.
  2. 2. A method according to claim 1, wherein the parameter indicative of a movement of the needle (540) is a conduction time of the first electronic switch (610).
  3. 3. A method according to claim 2, wherein the adjustment of the electric current provides for: f) interrupting the electric current supply, g) connecting the coil winding (545) to a dissipative bi-pole (650) for discharging the electric current from the coil winding (545).
  4. 4. A method according to claim 1, wherein the supplying of an electric current to the coil winding (545), during a closing instant of the shutter (505), provides for: I) activating a switching of the first electronic switch (610), for supplying to the winding (545) an electric current having a value!Ave equal to the average value between predetermined low and high electric current values IL, IH, m) adjusting an electric current flowing through the winding (545) and the predetermined low and high electric current values IL, IH until a translation of the needle (540) is detected during a predetermined open/close cycle of the first electronic switch (610).
  5. 5. A method according to claim 4, wherein, if a translation of the needle is detected after the predetermined open/close cycle, the adjusting of the electric current flowing through the winding (545) and of the predetermined low and high electric current values IL, IH, provides for increasing the electric current flowing through the winding (545) and the predetermined low and high electric current values IL, Ir. of a predetermined quantity until the translation of the needle (540) is detected during the predetermined open/close cycle.
  6. 6. A method according to claim 4, wherein, if a translation of the needle (540) is detected before the predetermined open/close cycle, the adjusting of the electric current flowing through the winding (545) and of the predetermined low and high electric current values IL, IH provides for decreasing the electric current flowing through the winding (545) and the predetermined low and high electric current values IL, IH of a predetermined quantity until the translation of the needle (540) is detected during the predetermined open/close cycle.
  7. 7. A method according to claim 1, wherein the parameter indicative of a movement of the needle is an interdiction time of the first electronic switch (610).
  8. 8. A method according to claim 7, wherein the adjustment of the electric current provides for increasing the supplied electric current value.
  9. 9. A method according to claim 7, wherein the supplying of an electric current to the coil winding (545), during an opening instant of the shutter (505), provides for: I) switching of the first electronic switch (610), for supplying to the winding (545) an electric current having a value IAVG equal to the average value between predetermined low and high electric current values IL, IH, m) monitoring the interdiction time (Ton) during a predetermined number of open/close cycles of the first electronic switch (610), n) storing a maximum value (ToFFNAz) of the interdiction time among those monitored, o) adjusting an electric current flowing through the winding (545) and the predetermined low and high electric current values IL, IH, until the maximum value (Ton.,m,x) of the interdiction time is equal than a predetermined reference value (MF/P,REA*
  10. 10. A method according to claim 9, wherein, if the maximum value (Tondtmx) of the interdiction time is greater than the reference predetermined value (T6)7FREF), the adjusting of an electric current flowing through the winding (545) and the predetermined low and high electric current values IL, IH provides for increasing the electric current flowing through the winding (545) of a predetermined quantity until the maximum value (TE,FENAR) of the interdiction time is equal than the reference predetermined value (roncREF).
  11. 11. A method according to claim 9, wherein, if the maximum value (71",,,a) of the interdiction time is smaller than the reference predetermined value (73FEREF), the adjusting of an electric current flowing through the winding (545) and the predetermined low and high electric current values IL, IH provides for decreasing the electric current flowing through the winding (545) of a predetermined quantity until the maximum value (72,"nr) of the interdiction time is equal than the reference predetermined value (73",,REF).
  12. 12. A method according to claim 1, wherein the supplying of an electric current to the coil winding (545) provides for: q) setting a first and a second electric current values (Imw, ImAx), and r) supplying to the coil winding (545) the second electric current value (Iwo() by switching the first electronic switch (610), s) monitoring a translation of the needle (540), t) if no translation of the needle (540) is detected reducing the second electric current value (ImAx) of a predetermined quantity (6t), u) repeating steps m) and o) until a translation of the needle (540) is detected or the reduced second electric current value (ImAx) is smaller than the first electric current value (Imw).
  13. 13. A method according to claim 1, wherein the supplying of an electric current to the coil winding (545) provides for switching the electronic switch (610) by means of a peak and valley control signal (rprav).
  14. 14. A method according to claim 13, wherein the supplying of an electric current to the coil winding (545) provides for switching the electronic switch (610) superimposing a power with modulation signal (rpwm) to the peak and valley control signal(rpa,v).
  15. 15. A digital inlet valve comprising: q) a shutter (505), moveable between a closed and an open position, r) a linear electromagnetic actuator (530), for actuating the shutter (505), comprising a movable needle (540) located inside a coil winding (545) having a first and a second end terminal (575,580), s) a control circuit (600) connected to the first and the second end terminals(575,580), comprising a first, a second and a third electronic switches (610,620,630), wherein the first end terminal (575) is electrically connected to a power source (605) by means of the first electronic switch (610), and to a ground pole (640) by means of the second electronic switch (620), and the second end terminal (580) is electrically connected to the third electronic switch (630), which can switches in three different position, a first position (630a) wherein the second end terminal is directly connected to the ground pole (640), a second position (630b) wherein the second end terminal is connected to the ground pole by means of a dissipative bi-pole (650), and a third position (630c) wherein the second end terminal is not connected to the ground pole (640), the first and the third electronic switches (610,630) being connected to an electronic control unit (450) configured to command the first electronic switch (610) to an open position disconnecting the electric power source (605) and to command the third electronic switch (630) in the second position (630b) when a conduction time of the first electronic switch (610) exceeds a predetermined value.
GB1518557.2A 2015-02-09 2015-10-20 Method of operating a digital inlet valve Withdrawn GB2535266A (en)

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CN201610917838.6A CN106907256A (en) 2015-02-09 2016-10-20 The method of the digital inlet valve of operation
US15/299,244 US10428970B2 (en) 2015-10-20 2016-10-20 Method of operating a digital inlet valve

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GB201518557D0 (en) 2015-12-02
CN106907256A (en) 2017-06-30
GB2535158A (en) 2016-08-17

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