TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates generally to systems and methods for controlling operation of internal combustion engines.

BACKGROUND

Internal combustion engines include one or more engine cylinders structured to receive a fuel and ignite the fuel so as to produce mechanical power. For example, gasoline engines include a spark plug positioned in each cylinder that ignites an air fuel mixture inserted into each cylinder near the end of a compression stroke of the cylinder. Diesel engines are configured to achieve a compression ratio that heats air present in the cylinder to a sufficient temperature such that diesel fuel inserted into the cylinder via a fuel insertion system combusts after mixing with the compressed air present in the cylinder. During an idle condition and other times when a minimal or reduced load is exerted on the engine (e.g., when a vehicle including the engine is standing still), activating or firing all cylinders is detrimental to fuel efficiency and increases the operational cost of the engine.

SUMMARY

Embodiments described herein relate generally to systems and methods for controlling operation of an engine during idle condition of the engine, and in particular, to a controller configured to determine an idle condition of the engine, and activate different sets of cylinders during each activation cycle of the engine during the idle condition based on one or more firing patterns determined by the controller.

In some embodiments, a system for controlling operations of an engine comprises a plurality of cylinders, and a controller operatively coupled to each of the plurality of cylinders. The controller is configured to determine an operating condition of the engine, and in response to determining that the operating condition is suitable for activating less then all cylinders of the plurality of cylinders during a cycle of the engine, determine a first firing pattern and a second firing pattern different from the first firing pattern for activating the plurality of cylinders of the engine. The controller is configured to activate a first set of cylinders of the plurality of cylinders based on the first firing pattern, and subsequent to activating the first set of cylinders, activate a second set of cylinders of the plurality of cylinders different from the first set of cylinders based on the second firing pattern.

In other embodiments, a method for controlling operation of an engine comprising a plurality of cylinders comprises determining, by a controller, an operating condition of the engine. In response to determining that the operating condition is suitable for activating less then all cylinders of the plurality of cylinders during a cycle of the engine, the controller determines a first firing pattern and a second firing pattern different from the first firing pattern for activating the plurality of cylinders of the engine. The controller activates a first set of cylinders of the plurality of cylinders based on the first firing pattern. Subsequent to activating the first set of cylinders, the controller activates a second set of cylinders of the plurality of cylinders different from the first set of cylinders based on the second firing pattern.

In still other embodiments, a non-transitory computer readable medium for controlling operation of an engine comprising a plurality of cylinders, having processor-readable instructions stored thereon, such that when executed by a processor of a controller, causes the controller to perform certain operations. An operating condition of the engine is determined. In response to determining that the operating condition is suitable for activating less then all cylinders of the plurality of cylinders during a cycle of the engine, a first firing pattern and a second firing pattern different from the first firing pattern is determined for activating the plurality of cylinders of the engine. A first set of cylinders of the plurality of cylinders is activated based on the first firing pattern. Subsequent to activating the first set of cylinders, a second set of cylinders of the plurality of cylinders different from the first set of cylinders is activated based on the second firing pattern.

It should be appreciated that all combinations of the foregoing concepts and additional concepts discussed in greater detail below (provided such concepts are not mutually inconsistent) are contemplated as being part of the subject matter disclosed herein. In particular, all combinations of claimed subject matter appearing at the end of this disclosure are contemplated as being part of the subject matter disclosed herein.

