Torque modulation for internal combustion engine

Abstract

A method and apparatus for continually and rapidly adjusting the output torque of an engine according to a torque demand uses an active tappet to vary the instant air charge in a combustion chamber. The invention allows substantially efficient combustion throughout the engine operating map. Various methods of changing the charge of air are disclosed.

Description

technical field [0001] The present invention relates to the regulation of engine output torque in response to a torque demand and, in particular, to the regulation of engine torque in a vehicle. Background technique [0002] Historically, engine output torque in vehicles has been regulated only by controlling accelerator pedal position, which in turn typically determines the position of a throttle valve located at the inlet of the intake manifold. The engine's response to a change in throttle position is typically delayed due to the amount of air in the intake manifold (upstream of the intake valve), so that several combustion cycles may elapse before output torque is modified in the desired direction. Drivers of the vehicle typically do not notice this delay, or adapt to it by altering their driving style. [0003] More recently, for efficient engine operation at all speed and load conditions, air management aspects, fuel management aspects, and combustion timing aspects a...

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Problems solved by technology

However, it should be understood that this technique also relies on incomplete combustion with the disadvantages described above

[0006] It is also known to vary the operation of the intake and / or exhaust valves to obtain a change in the amount of air available for combustion, but such systems relying on the motion of the cam element are generally considered to be slow and approximately faster than by varying the The timing of the ignition spark provides an order of magnitude slower

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