Title of Invention

A FUEL CONTROL SYSTEM OF AN ENGINE AND METHOD THEREFOR

Abstract A fuel control system of an engine system comprising a pre-catalyst exhaust gas oxygen (EGO) sensor and a control module. The pre-catalyst EGO sensor determines a pre-catalyst EGO signal based on an oxygen concentration of an exhaust gas. The control module determines a dither signal. The control module determines a fuel command based on the pre-catalyst EGO signal and the dither signal.
Full Text PHASE AND FREQUENCY ERROR BASED ASYMMETRICAL AFR PULSE
REFERENCE TRACKING ALGORITHM USING THE PRE-CATALYST 02
SENSOR SWITCHING OUTPUT
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional
Application No. 60/956,590, filed on August 17, 2007. The disclosure of the
above application is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
FIELD
[0002] The present disclosure relates to engine control systems, and
more particularly to fuel control systems for internal combustion engines.
BACKGROUND
[0003] The background description provided herein is for the purpose
of generally presenting the context of the disclosure. Work of the presently
named inventors, to the extent it is described in this background section, as well
as aspects of the description that may not otherwise qualify as prior art at the
time of filing, are neither expressly nor impliedly admitted as prior art against the
present disclosure.
[0004] A fuel control system reduces emissions of a gasoline engine.
The fuel control system may include an inner feedback loop and an outer
feedback loop. The inner feedback loop may use data from an exhaust gas

oxygen (EGO) sensor arranged before a catalytic converter of the engine system
(i.e., a pre-catalyst EGO sensor) to control an amount of fuel sent to the engine.
[0005] For example, when the pre-catalyst EGO sensor senses a rich
air/fuel ratio in an exhaust gas (i.e., non-burnt fuel vapor), the inner feedback
loop may decrease a desired amount of fuel sent to the engine (i.e., decrease a
fuel command). When the pre-catalyst EGO sensor senses a lean air/fuel ratio in
the exhaust gas (i.e., excess oxygen), the inner feedback loop may increase the
fuel command. This maintains the air/fuel ratio at true stoichiometry, or an ideal
air/fuel ratio, improving the performance (e.g., the fuel economy) of the fuel
control system.
[0006] The inner feedback loop may use a proportional-integral control
scheme to correct the fuel command. The fuel command may be further
corrected based on a short term fuel trim or a long term fuel trim. The short term
fuel trim may correct the fuel command by changing gains of the proportional-
integral control scheme based on engine operating conditions. The long term
fuel trim may correct the fuel command when the short term fuel trim is unable to
fully correct the fuel command within a desired time period.
[0007] The outer feedback loop may use information from an EGO
sensor arranged after the converter (i.e., a post-catalyst EGO sensor) to correct
the EGO sensors and/or the converter when there is an unexpected reading. For
example, the outer feedback loop may use the information from the post-catalyst
EGO sensor to maintain the post-catalyst EGO sensor at a required voltage
level. As such, the converter maintains a desired amount of oxygen stored,

improving the performance of the fuel control system. The outer feedback loop
may control the inner feedback loop by changing thresholds used by the inner
feedback loop to determine whether the air/fuel ratio is rich or lean.
[0008] Exhaust gas composition affects the behavior of the EGO
sensors, thereby affecting accuracy of the EGO sensor values. As a result, fuel
control systems have been designed to operate based on values that are
different than those reported. For example, fuel control systems have been
designed to operate "asymmetrically," (i.e., the threshold used to indicate the
lean air/fuel ratio is different than the threshold used to indicate the rich air/fuel
ratio).
[0009] Since the asymmetry is a function of the exhaust gas
composition and the exhaust gas composition is a function of the engine
operating conditions, the asymmetry is typically designed as a function of the
engine operating conditions. The asymmetry is achieved indirectly by adjusting
the gains and the thresholds of the inner feedback loop, requiring numerous tests
at each of the engine operating conditions. Moreover, this extensive calibration
is required for each powertrain and vehicle class and does not easily
accommodate other technologies, including, but not limited to, variable valve
timing and lift.
SUMMARY
[0010] A fuel control system of an engine system comprising a pre-
catalyst exhaust gas oxygen (EGO) sensor and a control module. The pre-
catalyst EGO sensor determines a pre-catalyst EGO signal based on an oxygen


concentration of an exhaust gas. The control module determines a dither signal.
The control module determines a fuel command based on the pre-catalyst EGO
signal and the dither signal.
[0011] A method of operating a fuel control system of an engine
system comprises determining a pre-catalyst EGO signal based on an oxygen
concentration of an exhaust gas; determining a dither signal; and determining a
fuel command based on the pre-catalyst EGO signal and the dither signal.
[0012] Further areas of applicability of the present disclosure will
become apparent from the detailed description provided hereinafter. It should be
understood that the detailed description and specific examples are intended for
purposes of illustration only and are not intended to limit the scope of the
disclosure.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0013] The present disclosure will become more fully understood from
the detailed description and the accompanying drawings, wherein:
[0014] FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram of an exemplary
implementation of an engine system according to the principles of the present
disclosure;
[0015] FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram of an exemplary
implementation of a control module according to the principles of the present
disclosure;

[0016] FIG. 3 is a functional block diagram of an exemplary
implementation of a correction factor module according to the principles of the
present disclosure;
[0017] FIG. 4 is a functional block diagram of an exemplary
implementation of a fuel determination module according to the principles of the
present disclosure;
[0018] FIG. 5 is a functional block diagram of an exemplary
implementation of a linear compensator module according to the principles of the
present disclosure;
[0019] FIG. 6 is a functional block diagram of an exemplary
implementation of a saturated compensator module according to the principles of
the present disclosure; and
[0020] FIG. 7 is a flowchart depicting exemplary steps performed by
the control module according to the principles of the present disclosure.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0021] The following description is merely exemplary in nature and is in
no way intended to limit the disclosure, its application, or uses. For purposes of
clarity, the same reference numbers will be used in the drawings to identify
similar elements. As used herein, the phrase at least one of A, B, and C should
be construed to mean a logical (A or B or C), using a non-exclusive logical or. It
should be understood that steps within a method may be executed in different
order without altering the principles of the present disclosure.

[0022] As used herein, the term module refers to an Application
Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC), an electronic circuit, a processor (shared,
dedicated, or group) and memory that execute one or more software or firmware
programs, a combinational logic circuit, and/or other suitable components that
provide the described functionality.
[0023] To reduce calibration costs associated with conventional fuel
control systems, the fuel control system of the present disclosure allows for direct
achievement of desired behavior, including asymmetric behavior. In other words,
the fuel control system achieves the desired behavior through open loop control
instead of closed loop control. Open loop control may include using a model that
relates the desired behavior to a fuel command or a dither signal needed to
achieve the desired behavior instead of a calibration of closed loop control gains.
[0024] In particular, the fuel control system achieves the desired
behavior of an oscillating oxygen concentration level of an exhaust gas of an
engine system through open loop control. Such oscillations improve the
performance of the fuel control system (i.e., prevent a low or a high oxygen
storage level in a catalytic converter of the engine system). The fuel control
system achieves the oscillating oxygen concentration level by determining a
dither signal based on a model that relates the oscillating oxygen concentration
level to the dither signal. The fuel control system applies the dither signal to the
fuel command to cause the oscillations. In addition, the fuel control system
tracks and corrects a frequency and a duty cycle (DC) of a signal based on the
oscillating oxygen concentration level as described herein.

[0025] Referring now to FIG. 1, an exemplary engine system 10 is
shown. The engine system 10 includes an engine 12, an intake system 14, a
fuel system 16, an ignition system 18, and an exhaust system 20. The engine 12
may be any type of internal combustion engine with fuel injection. For example
only, the engine 12 may include fuel injected engines, gasoline direct injection
engines, homogeneous charge compression ignition engines, or other types of
engines.
[0026] The intake system 14 includes a throttle 22 and an intake
manifold 24. The throttle 22 controls air flow into the engine 12. The fuel system
16 controls fuel flow into the engine 12. The ignition system 18 ignites an air/fuel
mixture provided to the engine 12 by the intake system 14 and the fuel system
16.
[0027] An exhaust gas created by combustion of the air/fuel mixture
exits the engine 12 through the exhaust system 20. The exhaust system 20
includes an exhaust manifold 26 and a catalytic converter 28. The catalytic
converter 28 receives the exhaust gas from the exhaust manifold 26 and reduces
toxicity of the exhaust gas before it leaves the engine system 10.
[0028] The engine system 10 further includes a control module 30 that
regulates operation of the engine 12 based on various engine operating
parameters. The control module 30 is in communication with the fuel system 16
and the ignition system 18. The control module 30 is further in communication
with a mass air flow (MAF) sensor 32 and an exhaust gas oxygen (EGO) sensor
arranged in the exhaust manifold 26 (i.e., a pre-catalyst EGO sensor 34).

[0029] The MAF sensor 32 generates a MAF signal based on a mass
of air flowing into the intake manifold 24. The pre-catalyst EGO sensor 34
generates a pre-catalyst EGO signal based on an oxygen concentration level of
the exhaust gas in the exhaust manifold 26.' The pre-catalyst EGO sensor 34
includes a switching EGO sensor that generates the pre-catalyst EGO signal in
units of voltage. The switching EGO sensor switches the pre-catalyst EGO
signal to a low or a high voltage when the oxygen concentration level is lean or
rich, respectively.
[0030] Referring now to FIG. 2, the control module 30 is shown. The
control module 30 includes a dither module 102, a correction factor module 104,
and a fuel determination module 106. The dither module 102 receives data on
engine operating conditions.
[0031] For example only, the engine operating conditions may include,
but are not limited to, a rotational velocity of a crankshaft (not shown) of the
engine 12, an air pressure in the intake manifold 24, and/or a temperature of
engine coolant. The dither module 102 is an open loop command generator that
determines a dither signal based on the engine operating conditions. The control
module 30 uses the dither signal to command oscillation of the oxygen
concentration level of the exhaust gas in the exhaust manifold 26.
[0032] The correction factor module 104 receives the dither signal and
the pre-catalyst EGO signal. The correction factor module 104 determines a
frequency and a DC of the dither signal. The DC of the dither signal is a

proportion of the period of the dither signal that the voltage of the dither signal is
high (i.e., not zero in value).
[0033] The correction factor module 104 delays the frequency and the
DC of the dither signal for a delay time period (i.e., until a fuel command of the
control module 30 affects the pre-catalyst EGO signal). The correction factor
module 104 determines the delay time period based on a number of cylinders of
the engine 12 and a location of the pre-catalyst EGO sensor 34. The correction
factor module 104 determines the delay time period further based on a
measurement time period from when the control module 30 outputs the fuel
command to the fuel system 16 to when the pre-catalyst EGO sensor 34
generates the pre-catalyst EGO signal. A delay time period perioddeiay is
determined according to the following relationship:
(1) perioddelay = f(#, location, periodmeasure),
where # is the number of cylinders, location is the location of the pre-catalyst
EGO sensor 34, and periodmeasure is the measurement time period.
[0034] The correction factor module 104 quantizes (i.e., converts into a
discrete and/or digital signal) the pre-catalyst EGO signal and determines a
frequency and a DC of the quantized pre-catalyst EGO signal. The correction
factor module 104 compares the delayed frequency of the dither signal to the
frequency of the quantized pre-catalyst EGO signal to determine a frequency
correction factor. The correction factor module 104 compares the delayed DC of
the dither signal to the DC of the quantized pre-catalyst EGO signal to determine
a DC correction factor.

[0035] The correction factor module 104 uses a proportional (P) control
scheme to meet the delayed frequency and the delayed DC of the dither signal.
The frequency correction factor includes a proportional offset based on the
difference between the delayed frequency of the dither signal and the frequency
of the quantized pre-catalyst EGO signal. A frequency correction factor Pf is
determined according to the following equation:
(2) Pf =Kpf (fdither.(k-n)-fmeasure(k-n)),
where Kpf is a predetermined proportional constant, fdither(k-n) is the delayed
frequency of the dither signal, fmeasure(k-n) is the frequency of the quantized pre-
catalyst EGO signal. The DC correction factor includes a proportional offset
based on the difference between the delayed DC of the dither signal and the DC
of the quantized pre-catalyst EGO signal. A DC correction factor PDC is
determined according to the following equation:
(3) PDC = KpDC(DCdither(k - n)-DCmauured(k - n)),
where KpDC is a predetermined proportional constant, DCdither(K-n) is the delayed
DC of the dither signal, DCmeasured(k-n) is the DC of the quantized pre-catalyst
EGO signal.
[0036] The fuel determination module 106 receives the frequency
correction factor, the DC correction factor, the DC of the dither signal, the
frequency of the dither signal, the dither signal, and the pre-catalyst EGO signal.
The fuel determination module 106 further receives the MAF signal. The fuel
determination module 106 determines whether either of the correction factors is
saturated. The frequency correction factor is saturated when it is so small in


value that it corrects effectively no voltage switching in the dither signal. The DC
correction factor is saturated when it is almost 1 or 0 in value that it corrects
effectively no voltage switching in the dither signal.
[0037] If both of the correction factors are not saturated (i.e., in their
linear range), the fuel determination module 106 compensates the frequency and
the DC of the dither signal with the frequency correction factor and the DC
correction factor, respectively. By compensating the frequency and the DC of the
dither signal, the fuel determination module 106 corrects small errors between
the delayed frequency and the delayed DC of the dither signal and the frequency
and the DC of the quantized pre-catalyst EGO signal, respectively. The fuel
determination module 106 determines a desired fuel command based on the
compensated frequency of the dither signal, the compensated DC of the dither
signal, the dither signal, and the MAF signal.
[0038] If either of the correction factors is saturated, the fuel
determination module 106 discretely integrates the frequency correction factor.
The fuel determination module 106 scales the integrated frequency correction
factor with the sign of the quantized pre-catalyst EGO signal to determine the
desired fuel correction factor. The fuel determination module 106 uses a
proportional-integral control scheme to determine the desired fuel correction
factor.
[0039] The desired fuel correction factor includes an offset based on a
discrete integral of the difference between the delayed frequency of the dither

signal and the frequency of the quantized pre-catalyst EGO signal. A desired
fuel correction factor FuelPI is determined according to the following equation:

where Kit is a predetermined integral constant and sign(EGOquant) is the
quantized pre-catalyst EGO sign. The fuel determination module 106
compensates the desired fuel command with the desired fuel correction factor to
determine a compensated desired fuel command for the fuel system 16. By
compensating the desired fuel command, the fuel determination module 106
corrects large errors between the dither signal and the quantized pre-catalyst
EGO signal.
[0040] Referring now to FIG. 3, the correction factor module 104 is
shown. The correction factor module 104 includes a dither frequency/DC module
202, a delay module 204, a quantizer module 206, a pre-catalyst EGO frequency
module 208, and a pre-catalyst EGO DC module 210. The correction factor
module 104 further includes a subtraction module 212, a subtraction module 214,
a P module 216, and a P module 218. The dither frequency/DC module 202
receives the dither signal and determines a frequency of the dither signal (i.e., a
dither frequency). The dither frequency/DC module 202 further determines a DC
of the dither signal (i.e., a dither DC).
[0041] The delay module 204 receives the dither frequency and the
dither DC and determines the delay time period. The delay module 204 delays
the dither frequency and the dither DC for the delay time period to determine a
delayed dither frequency and a delayed dither DC. The quantizer module 206


receives the pre-catalyst EGO signal and quantizes the pre-catalyst EGO signal
to determine a quantized pre-catalyst EGO signal. The pre-catalyst EGO
frequency module 208 receives the quantized pre-catalyst EGO signal and
determines the frequency of the quantized pre-catalyst EGO signal (i.e., a pre-
catalyst EGO frequency). The pre-catalyst EGO DC module 210 receives the
quantized pre-catalyst EGO signal and determines the DC of the quantized pre-
catalyst EGO signal (i.e., a pre-catalyst EGO DC).
[0042] The subtraction module 212 receives the pre-catalyst EGO
frequency and the delayed dither frequency and subtracts the pre-catalyst EGO
frequency from the delayed dither frequency to determine a frequency error. The
subtraction module 214 receives the pre-catalyst EGO DC and the delayed dither
DC. The subtraction module 214 subtracts the pre-catalyst EGO DC from the
delayed dither DC to determine a DC error. The P module 216 receives the
frequency error and determines the frequency correction factor based on the
frequency error. The P module 218 receives the DC error and determines the
DC correction factor based on the DC error.
[0043] Referring now to FIG. 4, the fuel determination module 106 is
shown. The fuel determination module 106 includes a saturation check module
302, a linear compensator module 304, a desired pre-catalyst EGO module 306,
a summation module 308, a scaling module 310, and a saturated compensator
module 312. The saturation check module 302 receives the frequency and the
DC correction factors and determines whether either of the correction factors is
saturated. When both of the correction factors are not saturated, the saturation

check module 302 outputs the correction factors to the linear compensator
module 304. When either of the correction factors is saturated, the saturation
check module 302 outputs the frequency correction factor to the saturated
compensator module 312.
[0044] The linear compensator module 304 receives the frequency
correction factor, the DC correction factor, the dither signal, the dither frequency,
and the dither DC. The linear compensator module 304 compensates the dither
frequency and the dither DC with the frequency correction factor and the DC
correction factor, respectively. The linear compensator module 304 determines a
unity compensated dither signal (i.e., with an amplitude of 1 in value) based on
the compensated dither frequency and the compensated dither DC. A unity
compensated dither signal Ditherunity is determined according to the following
relationship:
(5) Ditherunity = f(fdither + Pf, DCdither + PDC).
[0045] The linear compensator module 304 further determines an
amplitude of the dither signal. The linear compensator module 304 determines a
compensated dither signal based on the unity compensated dither signal and the
amplitude of the dither signal. By compensating the dither frequency and the
dither DC, the linear compensator module 304 corrects small errors between the
amplitudes of the dither signal and the quantized pre-catalyst EGO signal. This
is because of the direct relationship between the dither frequency and the dither
DC and a mean of the amplitude of the dither signal.

[0046] The desired pre-catalyst EGO module 306 receives the data on
the engine operating conditions. The desired pre-catalyst EGO module 306 is an
open loop command generator. The desired pre-catalyst EGO module 306
determines a desired pre-catalyst EGO signal based on a desired oxygen
concentration level of the exhaust gas in the exhaust manifold 26. The desired
pre-catalyst EGO module 306 determines the desired oxygen concentration level
based on the engine operating conditions. The desired pre-catalyst EGO module
306 determines the desired pre-catalyst EGO signal in units of equivalence ratio.
[0047] The summation module 308 receives the desired pre-catalyst
EGO signal and the compensated dither signal. The summation module 308
adds the compensated dither signal to the desired pre-catalyst EGO signal to
determine a dithered desired pre-catalyst EGO signal. The dithered desired pre-
catalyst EGO signal oscillates about the desired oxygen concentration level. The
compensated dither signal causes the oscillations, while the desired pre-catalyst
EGO signal causes the oscillating about the desired oxygen concentration level.
[0048] The scaling module 310 receives the dithered desired pre-
catalyst EGO signal and the MAF signal. The scaling module 310 determines
the desired fuel command based on the dithered desired pre-catalyst EGO signal
and the MAF signal. A desired fuel command Fuel is determined according to
the following equation:
(6) Fuel = AFRstolch x MAF(EGOdes + Adither x Ditherunity ),
where AFRstolch is a predetermined air-fuel ratio at stoichiometry (e.g., 1:14.7 for
typical fuels), MAF is the MAF signal, EGOdes is the desired pre-catalyst EGO


signal, and Adither is the amplitude of the dither signal. The desired fuel command
oscillates due to the oscillations of the dithered desired pre-catalyst EGO signal.
[0049] The saturated compensator module 312 receives the desired
fuel command, the frequency correction factor, and the quantized pre-catalyst
EGO signal. The saturated compensator module 312 integrates the frequency
correction factor. The saturated compensator module 312 scales the integrated
frequency correction factor with the sign of the quantized pre-catalyst EGO signal
to determine the desired fuel correction factor. The saturated compensator
module 312 compensates the desired fuel command with the desired fuel
correction factor to determine the compensated desired fuel command for the
fuel system 16. A compensated desired fuel command FuelCOmp is determined
according to the following equation:
(7) Fuelcomp= Fuel + Fuelpf.
[0050] Referring now to FIG. 5, the linear compensator module 304 is
shown. The linear compensator module 304 includes a summation module 402,
a summation module 404, a dither generator module 406, a dither amplitude
module 408, and a multiplication module 410. The summation module 402
receives the frequency correction factor and the dither frequency. The
summation module 402 adds the frequency correction factor to the dither
frequency to determine a compensated dither frequency.
[0051] The summation module 404 receives the DC correction factor
and the dither DC and adds the DC correction factor to the dither DC to
determine a compensated dither DC. The dither generator module 406 receives


the compensated dither frequency and the compensated dither DC. The dither
generator module 406 generates the unity compensated dither signal based on
the compensated dither frequency and the compensated dither DC.
[0052] The dither amplitude module 408 receives the dither signal and
determines the amplitude of the dither signal (i.e., a dither amplitude). The
multiplication module 410 receives the dither amplitude and the unity
compensated dither signal. The multiplication module 410 scales the unity
compensated dither signal with the dither amplitude to determine the
compensated dither signal.
[0053] Referring now to FIG. 6, the saturated compensator module 312
is shown. The saturated compensator module 312 includes a discrete integrator
module 412, a pre-catalyst EGO sign module 414, a multiplication module 416,
and a summation module 418. The discrete integrator module 412 receives the
frequency correction factor. The discrete integrator module 412 discretely
integrates the frequency correction factor to determine an integrated frequency
correction factor. The pre-catalyst EGO sign module 414 receives the pre-
catalyst EGO signal, quantizes the discrete pre-catalyst EGO signal, and
determines a sign of the quantized pre-catalyst EGO signal.
[0054] The multiplication module 416 receives the integrated frequency
correction factor and the sign of the quantized pre-catalyst EGO signal. The
multiplication module 416 scales the integrated frequency correction factor with
the sign of the quantized pre-catalyst EGO signal to determine the desired fuel
correction factor. The summation module 418 receives the desired fuel

correction factor and the desired fuel command. The summation module 418
adds the desired fuel correction factor to the desired fuel command to determine
the compensated desired fuel command.
[0055] Referring now to FIG. 7, a flowchart depicts exemplary steps
performed by the control module 30. Control starts in step 502. In step 504, the
dither signal (i.e., Dither) is determined. In step 506, the dither frequency and the
dither DC are determined based on the dither signal.
[0056] In step 508, the delay time period is determined. In step 510,
the delayed dither frequency is determined based on the dither frequency and
the delay time period, and the delayed dither DC is determined based on the
dither DC and the delay time period. In step 512, the pre-catalyst EGO signal
(i.e., Pre-Catalyst EGO) is determined.
[0057] In step 514, the quantized pre-catalyst EGO signal (i.e.,
Quantized Pre-Catalyst EGO) is determined based on the pre-catalyst EGO
signal. In step 516, the pre-cataiyst EGO frequency and the pre-catalyst EGO
DC are determined based on the quantized pre-catalyst EGO signal. In step
518, the frequency error is determined based on the delayed dither frequency
and the pre-catalyst EGO frequency, and the DC error is determined based on
the delayed dither DC and the pre-catalyst EGO DC.
[0058] In step 520, the frequency and the DC correction factors are
determined based on the frequency and DC errors, respectively. In step 522,
control determines whether the frequency correction factor is saturated. If false,
control continues in step 524. If true, control continues in step 526.

[0059] In step 524, control determines whether the DC correction factor
is saturated. If true, control continues in step 526. If false, control continues in
step 528. In step 526, the integrated frequency correction factor is determined
based on the frequency correction factor.
[0060] In step 530, the sign of the quantized pre-catalyst EGO signal is
determined based on the pre-catalyst EGO signal. In step 532, the desired fuel
correction factor is determined based on the integrated frequency correction
factor and the sign of the quantized pre-catalyst EGO signal. Control continues
in step 534.
[0061] In step 528, the compensated dither frequency is determined
based on the dither frequency and the frequency correction factor, and the
compensated dither DC is determined based on the dither DC and the DC
correction factor. In step 536, the unity compensated dither signal (i.e., Unity
Compensated Dither) is determined based on the compensated dither frequency
and the compensated dither DC. In step 538, the dither amplitude is determined
based on the dither signal.
[0062] In step 540, the compensated dither (i.e., Compensated Dither)
signal is determined based on the unity compensated dither signal and the dither
amplitude. In step 542, the desired pre-catalyst EGO signal (i.e., Desired Pre-
Catalyst EGO) is determined. In step 544, the dithered desired pre-catalyst EGO
signal (i.e., Dithered Desired Pre-Catalyst EGO) is determined based on the
compensated dither signal and the desired pre-catalyst EGO signal.

[0063] In step 546, the MAF signal (i.e., MAF) is determined. In step
548, the desired fuel command (i.e., Desired Fuel) is determined based on the
dithered desired pre-catalyst EGO signal and the MAF signal. In step 534, the
compensated desired fuel command (i.e., Compensated Desired Fuel) is
determined based on the desired fuel correction factor and the desired fuel
command. Control returns to step 504.
[0064] Those skilled in the art can now appreciate from the foregoing
description that the broad teachings of the disclosure can be implemented in a
variety of forms. Therefore, while this disclosure includes particular examples,
the true scope of the disclosure should not be so limited since other modifications
will become apparent to the skilled practitioner upon a study of the drawings, the
specification and the following claims.

CLAIMS
What is claimed is:
1. A fuel control system of an engine system, comprising:
a pre-catalyst exhaust gas oxygen (EGO) sensor that determines a
pre-catalyst EGO signal based on an oxygen concentration of an exhaust gas;
and
a control module that determines a dither signal,
wherein the control module determines a fuel command based on
the pre-catalyst EGO signal and the dither signal.
2. The fuel control system of claim 1 wherein the control module
determines the dither signal based on one of a rotational velocity of a crankshaft,
an air pressure in an intake manifold, and a temperature of engine coolant.
3. The fuel control system of claim 1 wherein the control module
determines a frequency of the pre-catalyst EGO signal, a DC of the pre-catalyst
EGO signal, a frequency of the dither signal, and a DC of the dither signal.
4. The fuel control system of claim 3 wherein the control module
determines a frequency error based on the frequency of the pre-catalyst EGO
signal and the frequency of the dither signal and determines a DC error based on
the DC of the pre-catalyst EGO signal and the DC of the dither signal.

5. The fuel control system of claim 4 wherein the control module
determines a frequency correction factor based on the frequency error and
determines a DC correction factor based on the DC error.
6. The fuel control system of claim 5 wherein the control module
determines a frequency of a compensated dither signal based on the frequency
of the dither signal and the frequency correction factor and determines a DC of
the compensated dither signal based on the DC of the dither signal and the DC
correction factor when the frequency correction factor is greater than a
predetermined value and the DC correction factor is within a predetermined
range of values.
7. The fuel control system of claim 6 wherein the control module
determines an amplitude of the dither signal.
8. The fuel control system of claim 7 wherein the control module
determines the compensated dither signal based on the amplitude of the dither
signal, the frequency of the compensated dither signal, and the DC of the
compensated dither signal.
9. The fuel control system of claim 8 wherein the control module
determines the fuel command based on the compensated dither signal.

10. The fuel control system of claim of claim 5 wherein the control
module determines an integrated frequency correction factor based on the
frequency correction factor when one of the frequency correction factor is less
than a predetermined value and the DC correction factor is not within a
predetermined range of values.
11. The fuel control system of claim 10 wherein the control module
determines a sign of the pre-catalyst EGO signal.
12. The fuel control system of claim 11 wherein the control module
determines a fuel correction factor based on the integrated frequency correction
factor and the sign of the pre-catalyst EGO signal.
13. The fuel control system of claim 12 wherein the control module
determines the fuel command based on the fuel correction factor.

14. A method of operating a fuel control system of an engine system,
comprising:
determining a pre-catalyst EGO signal based on an oxygen
concentration of an exhaust gas;
determining a dither signal; and
determining a fuel command based on the pre-catalyst EGO signal
and the dither signal.
15. The method of claim 14 further comprising determining the dither
signal based on one of a rotational velocity of a crankshaft, an air pressure in an
intake manifold, and a temperature of engine coolant
16. The method of claim 14 further comprising determining a frequency
of the pre-catalyst EGO signal, a DC of the pre-catalyst EGO signal, a frequency
of the dither signal, and a DC of the dither signal.
17. The method of claim 16 further comprising:
determining a frequency error based on the frequency of the pre-
catalyst EGO signal and the frequency of the dither signal; and
determining a DC error based on the DC of the pre-catalyst EGO
signal and the DC of the dither signal.
18. The method of claim 17 further comprising:


determining a frequency correction factor based on the frequency
error; and
determining a DC correction factor based on the DC error.
19. The method of claim 18 further comprising:
determining a frequency of a compensated dither signal based on
the frequency of the dither signal and the frequency correction factor; and
determining a DC of the compensated dither signal based on the
DC of the dither signal and the DC correction factor,
when the frequency correction factor is greater than a
predetermined value and the DC correction factor is within a predetermined
range of values.
20. The method of claim 19 further comprising determining an
amplitude of the dither signal.
21. The method of claim 20 further comprising determining the
compensated dither signal based on the amplitude of the dither signal, the
frequency of the compensated dither signal, and the DC of the compensated
dither signal.
22. The method of claim 21 further comprising determining the fuel
command based on the compensated dither signal.

23. The method of claim of claim 18 further comprising determining an
integrated frequency correction factor based on the frequency correction factor
when one of the frequency correction factor is less than a predetermined value
and the DC correction factor is not within a predetermined range of values.
24. The method of claim 23 further comprising determining a sign of the
pre-catalyst EGO signal.
25. The method of claim 24 further comprising determining a fuel
correction factor based on the integrated frequency correction factor and the sign
of the pre-catalyst EGO signal.
26. The method of claim 25 further comprising determining the fuel
command based on the fuel correction factor.

A fuel control system of an engine system comprising a pre-catalyst exhaust gas oxygen (EGO) sensor and a control module. The pre-catalyst EGO sensor determines a pre-catalyst EGO signal based on an oxygen concentration
of an exhaust gas. The control module determines a dither signal. The control module determines a fuel command based on the pre-catalyst EGO signal and the dither signal.

Documents:

1380-KOL-2008-(12-06-2014)-ABSTRACT.pdf

1380-KOL-2008-(12-06-2014)-CLAIMS.pdf

1380-KOL-2008-(12-06-2014)-CORRESPONDENCE.pdf

1380-KOL-2008-(12-06-2014)-DESCRIPTION (COMPLETE).pdf

1380-KOL-2008-(12-06-2014)-DRAWINGS.pdf

1380-KOL-2008-(12-06-2014)-FORM-1.pdf

1380-KOL-2008-(12-06-2014)-FORM-2.pdf

1380-KOL-2008-(12-06-2014)-OTHERS.pdf

1380-KOL-2008-(20-11-2013)-ABSTRACT.pdf

1380-KOL-2008-(20-11-2013)-ANNEXURE TO FORM 3.pdf

1380-KOL-2008-(20-11-2013)-CLAIMS.pdf

1380-KOL-2008-(20-11-2013)-CORRESPONDENCE.pdf

1380-KOL-2008-(20-11-2013)-DESCRIPTION (COMPLETE).pdf

1380-KOL-2008-(20-11-2013)-FORM-3.pdf

1380-KOL-2008-(20-11-2013)-FORM-5.pdf

1380-KOL-2008-(20-11-2013)-OTHERS.pdf

1380-KOL-2008-(20-11-2013)-PETITION UNDER RULE 137.pdf

1380-kol-2008-abstract.pdf

1380-kol-2008-ASSIGNMENT.pdf

1380-kol-2008-claims.pdf

1380-kol-2008-CORRESPONDENCE 1.1.pdf

1380-kol-2008-correspondence.pdf

1380-kol-2008-description (complete).pdf

1380-kol-2008-form 1.pdf

1380-kol-2008-form 18.pdf

1380-kol-2008-form 2.pdf

1380-kol-2008-form 3.pdf

1380-kol-2008-form 5.pdf

1380-kol-2008-gpa.pdf

1380-kol-2008-specification.pdf

abstract-1380-kol-2008.jpg


Patent Number 263955
Indian Patent Application Number 1380/KOL/2008
PG Journal Number 49/2014
Publication Date 05-Dec-2014
Grant Date 27-Nov-2014
Date of Filing 18-Aug-2008
Name of Patentee GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
Applicant Address 300 GM RENAISSANCE CENTER DETROIT, MICHIGAN 48265-3000
Inventors:
# Inventor's Name Inventor's Address
1 SHARON LIU 1506 PONTIAC TRAIL ANN ARBOR, MICHIGAN 48105
2 ROBERT DOUGLAS SHAFTO 55171 PARK PLACE NEW HUDSON, MI 48165
3 KENNETH P. DUDEK 3531 ROCKY CHEST COURT ROCHESTER HILLS, MICHIGAN 48306
PCT International Classification Number F02D41/00
PCT International Application Number N/A
PCT International Filing date
PCT Conventions:
# PCT Application Number Date of Convention Priority Country
1 60/956,590 2007-08-17 U.S.A.
2 12/131,557 2008-06-02 U.S.A.