U.S. patent application number 15/384150 was filed with the patent office on 2018-06-21 for method and system for engine water injection.
The applicant listed for this patent is Ford Global Technologies, LLC. Invention is credited to Mohannad Hakeem, Daniel A. Makled, Michael McQuillen, Gopichandra Surnilla.
Application Number | 20180171934 15/384150 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 62251062 |
Filed Date | 2018-06-21 |
United States Patent
Application |
20180171934 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
McQuillen; Michael ; et
al. |
June 21, 2018 |
METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR ENGINE WATER INJECTION
Abstract
Methods and systems are provided for assessing the quality of
water in a water injection system using existing engine sensors. A
change in manifold charge temperature following a water injection
may be compared to a change in intake oxygen level to determine an
error between an amount of water delivered to the engine and an
amount of water actually used in the engine. The error may be
correlated with the water quality and used for correcting
subsequent water injection commands.
Inventors: |
McQuillen; Michael; (Warren,
MI) ; Makled; Daniel A.; (Dearborn, MI) ;
Hakeem; Mohannad; (Dearborn, MI) ; Surnilla;
Gopichandra; (West Bloomfield, MI) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Ford Global Technologies, LLC |
Dearborn |
MI |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
62251062 |
Appl. No.: |
15/384150 |
Filed: |
December 19, 2016 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F02M 25/0222 20130101;
F02D 19/12 20130101; Y02T 10/12 20130101; F02D 2200/0414 20130101;
F02D 35/027 20130101; F02D 41/0025 20130101; F02D 41/144 20130101;
F02M 25/0227 20130101; F02M 25/028 20130101 |
International
Class: |
F02M 25/022 20060101
F02M025/022; F02M 25/028 20060101 F02M025/028 |
Claims
1. A method, comprising: injecting an amount of water from a water
reservoir into an engine; comparing a first estimate of the water
injection amount based on a change in manifold charge temperature
to a second estimate of the water injection amount based on a
change in intake oxygen level; and adjusting a subsequent water
injection to the engine based on the comparing.
2. The method of claim 1, wherein water is injected into the engine
responsive to an indication of knock, and wherein the water is
injected into an intake manifold, upstream or downstream of an
intake throttle via a water injector.
3. The method of claim 1, wherein the first estimate is based on an
output from a temperature sensor coupled to the intake manifold,
and wherein the second estimate is based on the output from an
oxygen sensor coupled to the intake manifold.
4. The method of claim 3, wherein the second estimate is further
based on a mode of operation of the oxygen sensor, the oxygen
sensor operated in one of a nominal mode and a variable voltage
mode.
5. The method of claim 2, wherein the adjusting includes:
estimating a water injection error based on a difference between
the first estimate and the second estimate; and adjusting an
injection pulse width of the water injector during the subsequent
water injection with a correction factor based on the water
injection error.
6. The method of claim 5, further comprising, adjusting one or more
engine operating parameters based on the comparing, the adjusting
including, responsive to an indication of knock, retarding spark
timing by a larger amount when the difference between the first
estimate and the second estimate is larger, and retarding spark
timing by a smaller amount when the difference between the first
estimate and the second estimate is smaller.
7. The method of claim 5, further comprising, indicating a quality
of the water in the water reservoir based on the comparing, the
indicating including: indicating a higher quality of the water when
the difference between the first estimate and the second estimate
is lower than a threshold; and indicating a lower quality of the
water when the difference between the first estimate and the second
estimate is higher than a threshold, the threshold selected based
on a refilling location and/or water source.
8. The method of claim 7, further comprising: in response to the
higher quality of the water, purifying the water before injecting
the water; and in response to the lower quality of the water,
draining the water from the water reservoir or increasing usage of
the water in an engine operating window determined based on an
indicated quality of the water.
9. The method of claim 8, further comprising, responsive to the
indicated quality of water being lower than a threshold water
quality, wherein the water was refilled from a water source
off-board the vehicle, indicating that the water source is
contaminated and disabling future refilling of the water reservoir
at the water source.
10. The method of claim 2, further comprising, further adjusting
the subsequent water injection based on a comparison of a third
estimate of the water injection amount to each of the first and
second estimate, the third estimate based on a pulse width
commanded to the water injector during the injecting.
11. An engine method, comprising: injecting water from a water
reservoir into an engine intake manifold responsive to knock;
feed-forward estimating a water injection error based on a measured
change in manifold charge temperature following the injecting;
feedback adjusting the feed-forward estimated water injection error
based on a measured change in intake oxygen following the
injecting; and injecting water into the engine as a function of a
commanded water injection amount and the feedback adjusted water
injection error.
12. The method of claim 11, further comprising, comparing the
measured change in manifold charge temperature following the
injecting to the measured change in intake oxygen following the
injecting; estimating a quality of the water in the water reservoir
based on the comparing; and adjusting one or more of water
injection usage and an engine operating window for water injection
based on the estimated quality.
13. The method of claim 12, wherein the adjusting includes
increasing water injection usage and narrowing the engine operating
window as the estimated quality decreases towards a threshold, and
when the estimated quality falls below the threshold, draining the
water from the water reservoir.
14. The method of claim 11, wherein the measured change in intake
oxygen is estimated by an intake manifold oxygen sensor, and
wherein the measured change includes a first measured change when
the intake manifold oxygen sensor is operated in nominal mode for
EGR estimation, and a second measured change when the intake
manifold oxygen sensor is operated in a variable voltage mode for
intake humidity estimation.
15. The method of claim 11, wherein the engine is coupled in a
vehicle, and wherein the water in the reservoir is refilled
manually from a water source off-board the vehicle or refilled
on-board the vehicle via a collection system, the collection system
collecting condensate from one or more of an EGR cooler, a charge
air cooler, an AC evaporator, an exhaust heat exchanger, and a
vehicle external surface.
16. The method of claim 11, wherein the injecting water into the
engine as a function of the commanded water injection amount and
the feedback adjusted water injection error includes adjusting an
injection pulse width corresponding to the commanded water
injection amount with a correction factor based on the feedback
adjusted water injection error.
17. A vehicle system, comprising: an engine including an intake
manifold; a water injection system including a water reservoir, a
water injector, and a water collection system; a temperature sensor
coupled to the intake manifold for estimating a manifold charge
temperature; an oxygen sensor coupled to the intake manifold for
estimating an intake oxygen level; and a controller with computer
readable instructions stored on non-transitory memory for:
commanding a water injection amount into the engine responsive to
engine operating conditions; estimating a first amount of water
released into the engine based on a change in the manifold charge
temperature following the commanding; estimating a second amount of
water vaporized into the engine based on a change in the intake
oxygen level following the commanding; and adjusting a subsequent
water injection to the engine based on a difference between the
first amount and the second amount.
18. The system of claim 17, wherein the controller includes further
instructions for: during a first engine operating condition,
operating the oxygen sensor in a first nominal mode with a
reference voltage applied to the sensor maintained; and during a
second, different engine operating condition, operating the oxygen
sensor in a second variable voltage mode with the reference voltage
applied to the sensor modulated, wherein the second amount of water
estimated when the oxygen sensor is in the first mode is different
from the second amount of water estimated when the oxygen sensor is
in the second mode.
19. The system of claim 18, wherein the first engine operating
condition includes an engine fueling condition and the second
engine operating condition includes an engine non-fueling
condition, and wherein the controller includes further instructions
for: estimating an air-fuel ratio of exhaust gas recirculated to
the intake manifold when operating the oxygen sensor in the first
mode; and estimating an ambient humidity in intake aircharge when
operating the oxygen sensor in the second mode.
20. The system of claim 17, wherein the controller includes further
instructions for: estimating a quality of the water based on the
difference between the first amount and the second amount;
increasing a frequency of water usage and narrowing an engine
operating window where water injection is enabled as the estimated
quality decreases to a threshold, and thereafter widening the
engine operating window as the estimated quality decreases below
the threshold; and increasing a degree of purification of the water
as the estimated quality increases.
Description
FIELD
[0001] The present description relates generally to methods and
systems for assessing the quality of water injected into an
engine.
BACKGROUND/SUMMARY
[0002] Internal combustion engines may include water injection
systems that inject water into a plurality of locations, such as
into an intake manifold, upstream of engine cylinders, or directly
into engine cylinders. Engine water injection provides various
benefits such as an increase in fuel economy and engine
performance, as well as a decrease in engine emissions. In
particular, when water is injected into the engine intake or
cylinders, heat is transferred from the intake air and/or engine
components to the water, leading to charge cooling. Injecting water
into the intake air (e.g., in the intake manifold) lowers both the
intake air temperature and a temperature of combustion at the
engine cylinders. By cooling the intake air charge, a knock
tendency may be decreased without enriching the combustion air-fuel
ratio. This may also allow for a higher compression ratio, advanced
ignition timing, improved wide-open throttle performance, and
decreased exhaust temperature. As a result, fuel efficiency is
increased. Additionally, greater volumetric efficiency may lead to
increased torque. Furthermore, lowered combustion temperature with
water injection may reduce NOx emissions, while a more efficient
fuel mixture (reduced enrichment) may reduce carbon monoxide and
hydrocarbon emissions.
[0003] Water injection systems include a water reservoir which may
be refilled manually as well as opportunistically via water
generated on-board the vehicle. For example, water in the form of
condensate may be retrieved from one or more components, such as an
EGR cooler, an AC evaporator, an exhaust heat exchanger, a charge
air cooler, a vehicle external surface, etc. However, based on the
source of the water, the quality of water injected into the engine
may vary. In particular, the nature of contaminants present in the
water, as well as the degree of contamination, may vary widely
based on where the vehicle operator refilled the water tank from.
For example, it may be recommended to refill the water tank with
distilled water, but the operator may refill with tap water or well
water instead. This variation can result in minerals getting
deposited on water filters, water injectors, engine parts, exhaust
catalysts, etc., affecting engine performance as well as
potentially damaging engine hardware.
[0004] Various approaches have been developed to test the quality
of water available on-board a vehicle water injection system. For
example, a variety of dedicated water quality sensors may be
provided, such as conductivity sensors, turbidity sensors, pH
sensors, etc. However, the addition of dedicated sensors for water
quality assessment may add to engine costs. Further, engine
controls may need to be modified to periodically diagnose the
sensors. Furthermore, a variety of sensors may be required to
accurately assess the water quality since the nature of
contaminants present in the water may vary widely. Reliance on a
single type of sensor to determine if the available water is of
poor quality may be error prone.
[0005] In one example, some of the above issues may be at least
partly addressed by a method for an engine in a vehicle,
comprising: injecting an amount of water from a water reservoir
into an engine; comparing a first estimate of the water injection
amount based on a change in manifold charge temperature to a second
estimate of the water injection amount based on a change in intake
oxygen level; and adjusting a subsequent water injection to the
engine based on the comparing. In this way, the quality of the
injected water may be assessed and water injection may be adjusted
in accordance.
[0006] As an example, an engine may be configured with a water
injection system that enables water to be injected into one or more
engine locations, such as into an intake manifold. The water
injection system may include a water injector as well as a water
reservoir supplying water to the injector. The water reservoir may
be manually refilled by a vehicle operator. Additionally, the water
reservoir may be coupled to a water collection system that
opportunistically refills the reservoir with water generated
on-board the vehicle. For example, water in the form of condensate
may be retrieved from one or more engine components, such as an EGR
cooler, an AC evaporator, an exhaust heat exchanger, a charge air
cooler, a vehicle external surface, etc. Based on engine operating
conditions, an amount of water may be delivered into the engine
intake manifold. A controller may infer an actual amount of water
delivered into the engine based on a change in manifold charge
temperature (MCT) following the injecting. In addition, the
controller may infer the actual amount of water dispersed into the
engine (that is, the portion of the injection that provides the
actual charge cooling effect) based on a change in intake dilution
level (or intake oxygen level). As such, a discrepancy between the
amount of water injected and the amount of water dispersed (or
vaporized) may be due to the quality of the water. In particular,
as the quality of water decreases, a smaller portion of the
injected water may vaporize. Consequently, the contaminants may
reduce the effectiveness of the water injection. As one example, as
the salt or ion content of the water increases, the boiling
temperature of the water solution may rise, resulting in a smaller
portion of water evaporating and dispersing into the intake
aircharge at a given aircharge temperature. Thus, the controller
may correlate water quality with a water injection error learned
based on a difference between the change in MCT relative to the
change in intake oxygen level following the water injection. During
a subsequent water injection event, the commanded injection amount
may be adjusted with a correction factor that compensates for the
learned water injection error. In addition, if the water quality is
deemed poor (such as when the water quality is lower than a
threshold), water usage may be adjusted, such as by increasing
water usage in a defined operating window so as to expedite water
refilling.
[0007] In this way, a water quality can be reliably assessed using
existing sensors. The technical effect of learning a water
injection error based on distinct sets of engine operating
parameters at the same engine operating condition, following a
given water injection, is that even small differences between the
water that is injected and the water that has vaporized can be
reliably measured using sensors already present in the system. As a
result, the water injection error may be robustly determined
without reliance on expensive and dedicated water quality sensors,
and water injection can be adjusted accordingly. In addition, by
correlating the errors in water injection amount a water quality,
the water quality may be reliably assessed, reducing system damage
from contaminated water. Further, by adjusting water usage based on
assessed water quality, parasitic losses and financial costs of
purifying the water are minimized. The technical effect of
integrating the water injection system with a control system that
protects against contaminated water usage is that continued
refilling of a water reservoir with contaminated water is reduced,
extending engine component life. By improving water usage, the
benefits of water injection can be extended.
[0008] It should be understood that the summary above is provided
to introduce in simplified form a selection of concepts that are
further described in the detailed description. It is not meant to
identify key or essential features of the claimed subject matter,
the scope of which is defined uniquely by the claims that follow
the detailed description. Furthermore, the claimed subject matter
is not limited to implementations that solve any disadvantages
noted above or in any part of this disclosure.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0009] FIG. 1 shows a schematic diagram of an engine system
including a water injection system.
[0010] FIG. 2 shows a high level flow chart for learning a water
injection error based on one or more engine parameters and
estimating a water quality based on the learned water injection
error.
[0011] FIG. 3 shows an example water quality assessment and water
injection adjustment, according to the present disclosure.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0012] The following description relates to systems and methods for
improving the usage of water from a water injection system coupled
to a vehicle engine, as described with reference to the vehicle
system of FIG. 1. A controller may be configured to perform a
control routine, such as the example routine of FIG. 2, to assess
the quality of water available in a water reservoir based on a
learned water injection error. Further, based on the learned water
quality, subsequent water usage may be adjusted. An example water
quality learning and water injection adjustment is described with
reference to FIG. 3. In this way, water usage may be improved to
enable significant fuel economy improvements to the vehicle's
performance.
[0013] FIG. 1 shows an example embodiment of an engine system 100
configured with a water injection system 60. Engine system 100 is
coupled in motor vehicle 102, illustrated schematically. Engine
system 100 includes an engine 10, depicted herein as a boosted
engine coupled to a turbocharger 13 including a compressor 14
driven by a turbine 116. Specifically, fresh air is introduced
along intake passage 142 into engine 10 via air cleaner 31 and
flows to compressor 14. The compressor may be a suitable intake-air
compressor, such as a motor-driven or driveshaft driven
supercharger compressor. In the engine system 100, the compressor
is shown as a turbocharger compressor mechanically coupled to
turbine 116 via a shaft 19, the turbine 116 driven by expanding
engine exhaust. In one embodiment, the compressor and turbine may
be coupled within a twin scroll turbocharger. In another
embodiment, the turbocharger may be a variable geometry
turbocharger (VGT), where turbine geometry is actively varied as a
function of engine speed and other operating conditions.
[0014] As shown in FIG. 1, compressor 14 is coupled, through charge
air cooler (CAC) 118 to throttle valve (e.g., intake throttle) 20.
The CAC may be an air-to-air or air-to-coolant heat exchanger, for
example. Throttle valve 20 is coupled to engine intake manifold
122. From the compressor 14, the hot compressed air charge enters
the inlet of the CAC 118, cools as it travels through the CAC, and
then exits to pass through the throttle valve 20 to the intake
manifold 122. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the pressure of
the air charge within the intake manifold is sensed by manifold
absolute pressure (MAP) sensor 124 and a boost pressure is sensed
by boost pressure sensor 24. A compressor by-pass valve (not shown)
may be coupled in series between the inlet and the outlet of
compressor 14. The compressor by-pass valve may be a normally
closed valve configured to open under selected operating conditions
to relieve excess boost pressure. For example, the compressor
by-pass valve may be opened responsive to compressor surge.
[0015] Intake manifold 122 is coupled to a series of combustion
chambers or cylinders 180 through a series of intake valves (not
shown) and intake runners (e.g., intake ports) 185. As shown in
FIG. 1, the intake manifold 122 is arranged upstream of all
combustion chambers 180 of engine 10. Additional sensors, such as
manifold charge temperature (MCT) sensor 33 and air charge
temperature sensor (ACT) 25 may be included to determine the
temperature of intake air at the respective locations in the intake
passage. The air temperature may be further used in conjunction
with an engine coolant temperature to compute the amount of fuel
that is delivered to the engine, for example.
[0016] As elaborated herein, following injection of water into the
intake manifold, an output of MCT sensor 33 may be monitored. Since
the release of water into the intake manifold causes charge
cooling, an amount of water actually released or delivered into the
engine intake manifold may be learned as a function of the change
in MCT following the commanding of a water injection. As such, the
amount of water released may be different from the amount of water
that is dispersed or vaporized in the engine. The amount of water
vaporized may be determined based on the output of an intake oxygen
sensor 34 coupled to the engine intake manifold, downstream of the
intake throttle. As elaborated herein, by comparing the change in
MCT to the change in intake oxygen (or intake humidity) following
the water injection, a water injection error may be learned and a
quality of the water injected into the engine may be assessed.
[0017] Each combustion chamber may further include a knock sensor
183 for identifying and differentiating abnormal combustion events,
such as knock and pre-ignition. In alternate embodiments, one or
more knock sensors 183 may be coupled to selected locations of the
engine block.
[0018] The combustion chambers are further coupled to exhaust
manifold 136 via a series of exhaust valves (not shown). The
combustion chambers 180 are capped by cylinder head 182 and coupled
to fuel injectors 179 (while only one fuel injector is shown in
FIG. 1, each combustion chamber includes a fuel injector coupled
thereto). Fuel may be delivered to fuel injector 179 by a fuel
system (not shown) including a fuel tank, a fuel pump, and a fuel
rail. Fuel injector 179 may be configured as a direct injector for
injecting fuel directly into combustion chamber 180, or as a port
injector for injecting fuel into an intake port upstream of an
intake valve of the combustion chamber 180.
[0019] In the depicted embodiment, a single exhaust manifold 136 is
shown. However, in other embodiments, the exhaust manifold may
include a plurality of exhaust manifold sections. Configurations
having a plurality of exhaust manifold sections may enable effluent
from different combustion chambers to be directed to different
locations in the engine system. Universal Exhaust Gas Oxygen (UEGO)
sensor 126 is shown coupled to exhaust manifold 136 upstream of
turbine 116. Alternatively, a two-state exhaust gas oxygen sensor
may be substituted for UEGO sensor 126.
[0020] As shown in FIG. 1, exhaust from the one or more exhaust
manifold sections is directed to turbine 116 to drive the turbine.
When reduced turbine torque is desired, some exhaust may be
directed instead through a waste gate (not shown), by-passing the
turbine. The combined flow from the turbine and the waste gate then
flows through emission control device 170. In general, one or more
emission control devices 170 may include one or more exhaust
after-treatment catalysts configured to catalytically treat the
exhaust flow, and thereby reduce an amount of one or more
substances in the exhaust flow.
[0021] All or part of the treated exhaust from emission control
device 170 may be released into the atmosphere via exhaust conduit
35. Depending on operating conditions, however, some exhaust may be
diverted instead to an exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) passage 151,
through EGR cooler 50 and EGR valve 152, to the inlet of compressor
14. In this manner, the compressor is configured to admit exhaust
tapped from downstream of turbine 116. The EGR valve 152 may be
opened to admit a controlled amount of cooled exhaust gas to the
compressor inlet for desirable combustion and emissions-control
performance. In this way, engine system 100 is adapted to provide
external, low-pressure (LP) EGR. The rotation of the compressor, in
addition to the relatively long LP EGR flow path in engine system
100, provides excellent homogenization of the exhaust gas into the
intake air charge. Further, the disposition of EGR take-off and
mixing points provides effective cooling of the exhaust gas for
increased available EGR mass and increased performance. In other
embodiments, the EGR system may be a high pressure EGR system with
EGR passage 151 connecting from upstream of the turbine 116 to
downstream of the compressor 14. In some embodiments, the MCT
sensor 33 may be positioned to determine the manifold charge
temperature, wherein the charge may include air and exhaust
recirculated through the EGR passage 151.
[0022] Intake manifold 122 may further include an intake gas oxygen
sensor 34. In one example, the oxygen sensor is a UEGO sensor. The
intake gas oxygen sensor may be configured to provide an estimate
regarding the oxygen content of fresh air received in the intake
manifold. In addition, when EGR is flowing, a change in oxygen
concentration at the sensor may be used to infer an EGR amount and
used for accurate EGR flow control. In the depicted example, oxygen
sensor 34 is positioned downstream of throttle 20 and downstream of
charge air cooler 118. However, in alternate embodiments, the
oxygen sensor may be positioned upstream of the throttle. Intake
oxygen sensor 34 may be used for estimating an intake oxygen
concentration and inferring an amount of EGR flow through the
engine based on a change in the intake oxygen concentration upon
opening of the EGR valve 152. Specifically, a change in the output
of the sensor upon opening the EGR valve is compared to a reference
point where the sensor is operating with no EGR (the zero point).
Based on the change (e.g., decrease) in oxygen amount from the time
of operating with no EGR, an EGR flow currently provided to the
engine can be calculated. For example, upon applying a reference
voltage (Vs) to the sensor, a pumping current (Ip) is output by the
sensor. The change in oxygen concentration may be proportional to
the change in pumping current (delta Ip) output by the sensor in
the presence of EGR relative to sensor output in the absence of EGR
(the zero point). Based on a deviation of the estimated EGR flow
from the expected (or target) EGR flow, further EGR control may be
performed.
[0023] It will be appreciated that the intake oxygen sensor 34 may
be operated in various modes based on the engine operating
conditions and further based on the nature of the estimation being
performed by the sensor. For example, as discussed above, during
engine fueling conditions when dilution/EGR estimation is required,
the intake oxygen sensor may be operated in a nominal mode with a
(fixed) reference voltage applied to the sensor, the reference
voltage maintained during the sensing. In one example, the
reference voltage may be 450 mV. During other conditions, such as
during engine non-fueling conditions (e.g., during a DFSO), when
ambient humidity (in the intake aircharge) estimation is required,
the intake oxygen sensor may be operated in a variable voltage mode
with the reference voltage applied to the sensor modulated. In
still another example, the sensor may be operated in the variable
voltage mode when EGR estimation is performed while fuel vapor
purge (from a fuel system canister) or positive crankcase
ventilation (of the engine crankcase) is enabled. Therein, the
reference voltage of oxygen sensor is modulated to reduce the
hydrocarbon effect of the purge on the intake oxygen sensor. In one
example, the reference voltage may be modulated between the nominal
reference voltage of 450 mV and a higher reference voltage of 800
mV (or 950 mV). By changing the intake oxygen sensor's reference
voltage, or Nernst voltage, the sensor goes from reacting
hydrocarbons with ambient oxygen at the sensor to dissociating the
products of the reaction (water and carbon dioxide). In addition,
the reference voltage may be modulated between the higher voltage
and the lower voltage, in the presence and absence of HCs from
purge and PCV air, to estimate a purge and PCV content in the
intake aircharge. As elaborated herein, an amount of water
vaporized in the engine following water injection may be determined
based on the output of intake oxygen sensor 34. Further, the
estimated amount of water vaporized may vary based on the mode of
operation of the oxygen sensor.
[0024] In particular, the amount of water measured by the oxygen
sensor varies with the operating reference voltages. These changes
are quantified by characterizing the sensor at varied operating
conditions with varied amounts of vaporized water. Through this
characterization, the estimation of the amount of water vaporized
can be corrected across the range of operating reference voltages.
The sensor's reference voltage is changed to measure the
concentration of water which is then compared against the expected
concentration of water to determine the water quality. A specific
reference voltage could be selected for the water quality
assessment which is different from the reference voltage selected
for air-fuel ratio or dilution estimation. Based on the
characterization described above, any error caused by the selected
reference voltage may be learned and corrected for.
[0025] Combustion chamber 180 also receives water and/or water
vapor via water injection system 60. Water from water injection
system 60 may be injected into the engine intake or directly into
the combustion chambers 180 by one or more of water injectors
45-48. As one example, water may be injected into intake manifold
122, upstream of throttle 20, via water injector 45, herein also
referred to as central water injection. As another example, water
may be injected into intake manifold 122, downstream of the
throttle in one or more locations, via water injector 46. As yet
another example, water may be injected into one or more intake
runners (e.g., intake ports) 185 via water injector 48 (herein also
referred to as port water injection), and/or directly into
combustion chamber 180 via water injector 47 (herein also referred
to as direct water injection). In one embodiment, injector 48
arranged in the intake runners may be angled toward and facing the
intake valve of the cylinder which the intake runner is attached
to. As a result, injector 48 may inject water directly onto the
intake valve, resulting in faster evaporation of the injected water
and a higher dilution benefit from the water vapor. In another
embodiment, injector 48 may be angled away from the intake valve
and arranged to inject water against the intake air flow direction
through the intake runner. As a result, more of the injected water
may be entrained into the air stream, thereby increasing the charge
cooling benefit of the water injection.
[0026] Though only one representative injector 47 and injector 48
are shown in FIG. 1, each of combustion chamber 180 and intake
runner 185 may include its own injector. In alternate embodiments,
water injection system 60 may include water injectors positioned at
one or more of these positions. For example, the engine may include
only water injector 46, in one embodiment. In another embodiment,
the engine may include each of water injector 46, water injectors
48 (one at each intake runner), and water injectors 47 (one at each
combustion chamber).
[0027] Water injection system 60 may include a water storage tank
63, a water lift pump 62, a collection system 72, and a water
filling passage 69. Water stored in water tank 63 is delivered to
water injectors 45-48 via water passage 61 and conduits or lines
161. In embodiments that include multiple injectors, water passage
61 may contain a valve 162 (e.g., diverter valve, multi-way valve,
proportioning valve, etc.) to direct water to the different water
injectors via the corresponding conduits. Alternatively, each
conduit (or water line) 161 may include respective valves within
the water injectors 45-48, for adjusting water flow there-through.
In addition to water lift pump 62, one or more additional pumps may
be provided in conduits 161 for pressurizing the water directed to
the injectors, such as in the conduit coupled to direct water
injector 47.
[0028] Water storage tank 63 may include a water level sensor 65
and a water temperature sensor 67, which may relay information
regarding water conditions to controller 12. For example, in
freezing conditions, water temperature sensor 67 detects whether
the water in tank 63 is frozen or available for injection. In some
embodiments, an engine coolant passage (not shown) may be thermally
coupled with storage tank 63 to thaw frozen water. The level of
water stored in water tank 63, as identified by water level sensor
65, may be communicated to the vehicle operator and/or used to
adjust engine operation. For example, a water gauge or indication
on a vehicle instrument panel (not shown) may be used to
communicate the level of water. If the level of water in the water
tank 63 is higher than a threshold level, it may be inferred that
there is sufficient water available for injection, and accordingly
water injection may be enabled by the controller. Else, if the
level of water in the water tank 63 is lower than the threshold
level, it may be inferred that there is insufficient water
available for injection, and therefore water injection may be
disabled by the controller.
[0029] In the depicted embodiment, water storage tank 63 may be
manually refilled via water filling passage 69 and/or refilled
automatically by the collection system 72 via water tank filling
passage 76. Collection system 72 may be coupled to one or more
vehicle components 74 so that the water storage tank can be
refilled on-board the vehicle with condensate collected from
various engine or vehicle systems. In one example, collection
system 72 may be coupled with an EGR system and/or exhaust system
to collect water condensed from exhaust passing through the system.
In another example, collection system 72 may be coupled with an air
conditioning system (not shown) for collected water condensed from
air passing through an evaporator. In yet another example,
collection system 72 may be coupled with an external vehicle
surface to collect rain or atmospheric condensation. Manual filling
passage 69 may be fluidically coupled to a filter 68, which may
remove some impurities contained in the water. A drain 92 including
a drain valve 91 may be used to drain water from the water storage
tank 63 to a location outside the vehicle (e.g., onto the road),
such as when a quality of the water is deemed to be lower than a
threshold and not suitable for injection into the engine (e.g., due
to high conductivity, high particulate matter content). In one
example, the quality of the water may be assessed based on the
output of a sensor coupled to water injection system 60, in water
line 61. For example, the water quality may be assessed based on
the output of a conductivity sensor, a capacitance sensor, optical
sensor, turbidity sensor, density sensor, or some other type of
water quality sensor. However, such sensors may add to system cost
and complexity. As elaborated with reference to FIG. 2, a
controller may learn a water injection error following a water
injection command based on an amount of water delivered to the
engine as compared to the amount of water that is vaporized in the
engine. The controller may then assess the water quality as a
function of the learned water injection error. In particular, based
on the degree of contamination of the water, as well as the nature
of contaminants present in the water, the boiling temperature of
the injected water may vary, causing a change in the fraction of
water that vaporizes. In one example, as the salt or ion content of
the water increases, the boiling temperature of the water may rise,
resulting in a smaller portion of water evaporating and dispersing
into the intake aircharge at a given aircharge temperature. Based
on the water quality, water usage may be varied. As an example,
water usage may be increased when the water quality is low to
expedite water reservoir refilling.
[0030] The intake air oxygen level sensor (IAO2) is used herein to
check that the amount of injected water meets the expectation. The
expectation is defined in the control strategy which requests a
certain amount of water to be injected. The MCT sensor measures a
change in temperature due to the injection, and the IAO2 sensor
checks that the amount of water injected meets the expectation. If
after an injection the MCT sensor does not sense the expected drop
in temperature, the IAO2 sensor provides additional information as
to the quality of the water injection. If the IAO2 sensor measures
that the expected amount is not achieved, it could be a sign that
there is contamination of the injected water. Specifically, the
injector may have sprayed the desired amount of liquid, but this
liquid may not be water. Alternatively, the water may be
contaminated by some other intrusion in systems that use
recollection, such as due to the customer filling the water tank
with some other liquid. The IAO2 sensor output may not be able to
provide an identity of the liquid, but it does tell the system the
% "contamination" of the injection. The comparison between the MCT
and the IAO2 sensor outputs also provides feedback to the system.
If the IAO2 sensor measures that the expected amount of water
injection was achieved, but the MCT sensor's drop in temperature
does not meet the expectation, the control system can adapt for
future injections, as elaborated at FIG. 2.
[0031] FIG. 1 further shows a control system 28. Control system 28
may be communicatively coupled to various components of engine
system 100 to carry out the control routines and actions described
herein. Control system 28 may include an electronic digital
controller 12. Controller 12 may be a microcomputer, including a
microprocessor unit, input/output ports, an electronic storage
medium for executable programs and calibration values, random
access memory, keep alive memory, and a data bus. Controller 12 may
receive input from a plurality of sensors 30, such as the various
sensors of FIG. 1, to receive input including transmission gear
position, accelerator pedal position, brake demand, vehicle speed,
engine speed, mass airflow through the engine, boost pressure,
ambient conditions (temperature, pressure, humidity), etc. Other
sensors include CAC 118 sensors, such as CAC inlet air temperature,
ACT sensor 125, exhaust pressure and temperature sensors 80, 82,
and pressure sensor 124, CAC outlet air temperature sensor, and MCT
sensor 33, intake oxygen sensor 34, knock sensor 183 for
determining ignition of end gases and/or water distribution among
cylinders, and others. The controller 12 receives signals from the
various sensors of FIG. 1 and employs the various actuators of FIG.
1 to adjust engine operation based on the received signals and
instructions stored on a memory of the controller. For example,
injecting water to the engine may include adjusting a pulse-width
of injectors 45-48 to vary an amount of water injected while also
adjusting a timing of the water injection and a number of injection
pulses. In some examples, the storage medium may be programmed with
computer readable data representing instructions executable by the
processor for performing the methods described below (e.g., at FIG.
2) as well as other variants that are anticipated but not
specifically listed.
[0032] In this way, the system of FIG. 1 enables a vehicle system
comprising an engine including an intake manifold; a water
injection system including a water reservoir, a water injector, and
a water collection system; a temperature sensor coupled to the
intake manifold for estimating a manifold charge temperature; an
oxygen sensor coupled to the intake manifold for estimating an
intake oxygen level; and a controller. The controller may be
configured with computer readable instructions stored on
non-transitory memory for: commanding a water injection amount into
the engine responsive to engine operating conditions; estimating a
first amount of water released into the engine based on a change in
the manifold charge temperature following the commanding;
estimating a second amount of water vaporized into the engine based
on a change in the intake oxygen level following the commanding;
and adjusting a subsequent water injection to the engine based on a
difference between the first amount and the second amount. The
controller may include further instructions for: during a first
engine operating condition, operating the oxygen sensor in a first
nominal mode with a reference voltage applied to the sensor
maintained; and during a second, different engine operating
condition, operating the oxygen sensor in a second variable voltage
mode with the reference voltage applied to the sensor modulated,
wherein the second amount of water estimated when the oxygen sensor
is in the first mode is different from the second amount of water
estimated when the oxygen sensor is in the second mode. In one
example, the first engine operating condition includes an engine
fueling condition and the second engine operating condition
includes an engine non-fueling condition. The controller may
include further instructions for: estimating an air-fuel ratio of
exhaust gas recirculated to the intake manifold when operating the
oxygen sensor in the first mode; and estimating an ambient humidity
in intake aircharge when operating the oxygen sensor in the second
mode. In addition, the controller may include further instructions
for: estimating a quality of the water based on the difference
between the first amount and the second amount; increasing a
frequency of water usage and adjusting an engine operating window
where water injection is enabled as the estimated quality
decreases, and increasing a degree of purification of the water as
the estimated quality increases. For example, the controller may
choose to narrow the frequency of water usage if the quality is
beneath a certain threshold, but increase the frequency above other
thresholds to more rapidly purge the tank of "impure" water.
[0033] Turning now to FIG. 2, an example method 200 is shown for
learning a water injection error and correlating the error with the
quality of water injected into the engine. The method enables water
usage to be varied based on the water quality, reducing damage to
engine components from contaminated water. Instructions for
carrying out method 200 may be executed by a controller based on
instructions stored on a memory of the controller and in
conjunction with signals received from sensors of the engine
system, such as the sensors described above with reference to FIG.
1. The controller may employ engine actuators of the engine system
to adjust engine operation, according to the methods described
below.
[0034] At 202, the method includes determining if the water level
in a water tank or reservoir of an engine water injection system is
higher than a threshold level, such as above 10% of capacity. The
threshold level may reflect a water level above which water
injection can be enabled. If not, then at 204, the method includes
requesting a manual refilling of the water tank and/or increasing
water collection on-board the vehicle. The water injection system
may be coupled to an engine of a vehicle, and the water in the
reservoir may be refilled manually from a water source off-board
the vehicle, such as from a tap or a well. Additionally or
alternatively, the reservoir may be refilled on-board the vehicle
via a collection system collecting condensate from one or more
components, such as an EGR cooler, a charge air cooler, an AC
evaporator, an exhaust heat exchanger, and a vehicle external
surface. As elaborated with reference to the system of FIG. 1, the
water reservoir may be refilled with condensate collected from, as
non-limiting examples, water condensed from exhaust passing through
an EGR system, and water condensed from air passing through an
evaporator of a vehicle air conditioning system.
[0035] If the water level is sufficiently high, then at 206, the
method includes estimating and/or measuring engine operating
conditions. These may include, for example, engine speed, engine
load, driver torque demand, engine temperature, ambient conditions
(e.g., ambient pressure, temperature, and humidity), boost
pressure, MAP, MAF, etc. At 208, based on the estimated engine
operating conditions, a water injection amount and location may be
determined. The controller may select one or more water injectors
from the central, port, and direct water injector for enabling
water injection. As one example, water injection into the intake
manifold, upstream or downstream of an intake throttle, via a
central water injector may be requested to meet an engine dilution
demand. As another example, water injection into the intake
manifold via the central water injector or the port water injector
may be requested for catalyst or exhaust temperature control. As
yet another example, water injection into an engine cylinder via a
direct water injector may be requested for knock control, wherein
the water is injected responsive to an indication of knock
(received from a knock sensor). Determining the water injection
amount may include determining a number of water injection pulses
over which the injection amount is to be delivered, as well as a
pulse-width for each water injection. In addition, a timing of the
water injection (for example, in relation to cylinder piston
position or cylinder valve position) may be determined. At 210, the
method includes injecting an amount of water from the water
reservoir into the engine. In particular, water injection may be
commanded based on the water demand. This includes the controller
sending a signal to the selected water injector(s), the signal
corresponding to the determined pulse-width of injection at the
determined injection timing.
[0036] At 212, the method includes monitoring a change in manifold
charge temperature (MCT) following the water injection. The
controller may then determine a first estimate of the water
injection amount (herein also referred to as the first amount or
first estimate) based on the monitored change in MCT. The first
estimate may be based on an output from a temperature sensor
coupled to the engine intake manifold. As such, the first amount
may reflect an amount of water released or delivered from the water
injector into the engine, and may differ from the amount of water
that was commanded to be released from the water injector into the
engine.
[0037] At 214, the method includes monitoring a change in intake
oxygen level (IAO2) following the water injection. The controller
may then determine a second estimate of the water injection amount
(herein also referred to as the second amount or second estimate)
based on the monitored change in IAO2. The second estimate may be
based on an output from an oxygen sensor coupled to the engine
intake manifold. The second estimate may be further based on a mode
of operation of the IAO2 sensor. The sensor may be operated in one
of a nominal mode (wherein a reference voltage is applied and
maintained) and a variable voltage mode (wherein the reference
voltage that is applied is modulated between a higher reference
voltage and a lower reference voltage). In one example, the IAO2
sensor may be operated in the nominal mode for EGR estimation (such
as during engine fueling conditions), and may be operated in the
variable voltage mode for intake humidity estimation (such as
during engine non-fueling conditions, for example, during a
deceleration fuel shut-off event). The second estimate may be based
on a first measured change in the output of the IAO2 sensor when
the sensor is operated in the nominal mode at the time of water
injection, or based on a second, different measured change in the
output of the IAO2 sensor when the sensor is operated in the
variable voltage mode at the time of water injection. The IAO2
sensor detects the amount of water by viewing the change in
dilution of oxygen in the intake air due to the injected water.
Alternatively, a variable reference voltage mode can be used to
dissociate the oxygen in the water and take a delta measurement
from baseline oxygen in the intake air to the dissociated
measurement to detect the amount of water. As such, the second
amount may reflect an amount of water vaporized into the engine,
and may differ from the amount of water that was delivered from the
water injector into the engine. For example, if the water in the
reservoir has a high salt or mineral content, the effective boiling
temperature of the water solution may be higher than the boiling
temperature of pure water. As a result, at a given aircharge
temperature, the portion of water that evaporates upon release from
the water injector may be lower than the portion that was expected
to evaporate and disperse into the engine. For example, the IAO2
sensor may detect less dilution of oxygen if the liquid that was
dispersed does not represent "pure water." In the variable voltage
(or dissociation) mode, the IAO2 sensor will dissociate less oxygen
from the liquid even if the injector released the appropriate
amount of liquid by volume.
[0038] At 216, the method includes comparing the first estimate of
the water injection amount (based on the change in MCT) to the
second estimate of the water injection amount (based on the change
in IAO2), and learning a water injection error based on the
comparing. For example, the controller may estimate a water
injection error based on (e.g., as a direct function of) a
difference between the first estimate and the second estimate.
[0039] In still other examples, the actual change in MCT may be
compared to an expected change in MCT, wherein the expected change
in MCT is based on the pulse-width of the commanded water
injection. The controller may determine if the amount of
temperature reduction achieved (as sensed by the MCT sensor)
correlates to the expected temperature reduction. Likewise, the
actual change in IAO2 level may be compared to an expected change
in IAO2 level, wherein the expected change in IAO2 is based on the
pulse-width of the commanded water injection and/or the actual
change in MCT. For example, if the expected temperature reduction
has been met (based on the MCT change) but the IAO2 sensor senses
more or less water than expected, future injections may be adapted
to compensate for the discrepancy. If the expected temperature
reduction has not been met but the IAO2 sensor senses more or less
water than expected, then again future injections can be adapted
based on the discrepancy. Based on the difference between the
actual change in MCT and the expected change in MCT being larger
than a threshold, an injection error may be determined. Likewise,
based on the difference between the actual change in IAO2 and the
expected change in IAO2 being larger than a threshold, an injection
error may be determined. For example, if the expected temperature
reduction is not met beyond a threshold and the IAO2 sensor does
not sense the appropriate amount of water beyond a threshold, then
the discrepancy may be associated with contamination of the
water.
[0040] Learning the water injection error may include learning a
percent water deficiency. For example, the water injection error
may include an expected percent water deficiency and the water
injection amount may be subsequently adjusted to compensate for the
deficiency.
[0041] At 218, the method includes adjusting a subsequent water
injection to the engine based on the comparing. For example, the
controller may learn or update a correction factor to be applied to
a commanded water injection pulse-width during a subsequent water
injection based on the estimated water injection error. The
controller may refer a look-up table having the learned water
injection error (or the difference between the first and the second
estimate) as the input, and having the correction factor to apply
to a commanded water injection pulse-width as the output.
[0042] It will be appreciated that in addition to adjusting the
subsequent water injection to the engine based on the learned water
injection error, the controller may also adjust one or more engine
operating parameters based on the comparison of the first estimate
relative to the second estimate. The adjusting may include, for
example, responsive to a further or subsequent indication of knock,
retarding spark timing by a larger amount when the difference
between the first estimate and the second estimate is larger (that
is, when the water injection error is larger), and retarding spark
timing by a smaller amount when the difference between the first
estimate and the second estimate is smaller (that is, when the
water injection error is smaller). This allows the use of water
injection and spark retard for knock control to be better
coordinated for improved knock relief. As another example,
responsive to a subsequent demand for engine dilution, more EGR may
be delivered (by opening the EGR valve to a larger degree) when the
water injector error is larger, while less EGR may be delivered (by
opening the EGR valve to a smaller degree) when the water injector
error is smaller. This allows the use of water injection and EGR
for dilution control to be better coordinated without degrading
combustion stability.
[0043] In some examples, during a subsequent water injection, the
water injection amount and the commanded pulse-width of water
injection) may be further adjusted based on a comparison of a third
estimate of the water injection amount to each of the first and
second estimate. Herein the third estimate may be based on a
pulse-width of water injection commanded to the water injector
during the injecting. A first water injection error reflecting a
difference between the amount of water that was commanded to be
delivered via a water injector and the amount that was actually
delivered via the water injector (and received at the intake
manifold, at the outlet of the water injector) may be learned based
on the difference between the first estimate and the third
estimate. Further, a second water injection error reflecting a
difference between the amount of water that was commanded to be
delivered via the water injector and the amount that was actually
vaporized in the engine (the "useful" amount of water) may be
learned based on the difference between the first estimate and the
second estimate. This may be used during adaptive control of water
injection where the duration of a pulse-width is modified based
upon the actual sensed amount of vaporized water in order to more
accurately meet the expected amount of water injection.
[0044] In one example, the controller may determine an initial
control signal to send to the water injector actuator, such as a
pulse-width of the signal, based on engine operating conditions
including a determination of knock relief or exhaust temperature
relief required. The knock relief required may be based on a
measured knock sensor output. Likewise, the exhaust temperature
relief required may be based on a measured exhaust temperature
sensor output or determined based on operating conditions such as
engine speed/load and duration of engine operation at the given
engine speed/load. The controller may then update the initial
pulse-width signal with a correction based on the learned water
injection error. The correction factor may be determined through a
determination that directly takes into account the learned water
injection error, such as increasing the correction factor to
increase the pulse-width with increasing water injection error. The
controller may alternatively determine the updated pulse width
based on a calculation using a look-up table with the input being
initial pulse-width and injection error and the output being the
updated pulse-width. As another example, the controller may make a
logical determination (e.g., regarding a position of an actuator of
the water injector) based on logic rules that are a function of the
learned injection error. The controller may then generate a control
signal that is sent to the water injector actuator.
[0045] In one example, the controller may inject water from the
water reservoir into an engine intake manifold responsive to an
indication of knock or dilution demand. The controller may then
feed-forward estimate a water injection error based on a measured
change in manifold charge temperature following the injecting. The
controller may further feedback adjust the feed-forward estimated
water injection error based on a measured change in intake oxygen
following the injecting. On a subsequent water injection event, the
controller may inject water into the engine as a function of a
commanded water injection amount and the feedback adjusted water
injection error. For example, the controller may inject water into
the engine as a function of the commanded water injection amount
and the feedback adjusted water injection error by adjusting an
injection pulse width corresponding to the commanded water
injection amount with a correction factor based on the feedback
adjusted water injection error.
[0046] For example, an injection pulse width of a water injector
may be adjusted during the injecting of water from the water
reservoir into the engine responsive to knock. In one example, if
the % water injection error (or % water deficiency) based on the
change in MCT relative to the change in IAO2 is determined to be
30%, then during a subsequent water injection event, where 50%
water flow is required (e.g., to address knock), the commanded
water injection may include 50%+30%=80% water flow. The controller
may then generate a control signal that is sent to the water
injector actuator.
[0047] At 220, the method includes estimating a quality of the
water injected into the engine from the water reservoir based on
the comparing of the first estimate to the second estimate.
Alternatively, the quality of the water (learned as a % water
quality with 100% referring to 100%/water) may be determined based
on the actual change in MCT relative to the expected change in MCT
(also referred to herein as the MCT error) according to equation
(1):
Water quality=f(Abs(actual MCT-expected MCT)/actual MCT) (1)
As another example, the quality of the water may be determined
based on the actual change in IAO2 relative to the expected change
in IAO2 (also referred to herein as the IAO2 error) according to
equation (2):
Water quality=f(Abs(actual IAO2-expected IAO2)/actual IAO2) (2)
[0048] The % contamination may then be determined based on the %
water quality according to equation (3):
Contamination=(1-water_quality)*100 (3)
[0049] The controller may refer a look-up table stored in the
controller's memory which uses the injection error (or MCT error
and/or IAO2 error) as an input and provides an output indicating
the estimated water quality. For example, the output may include a
degree of change or downgrading of the water quality from an
initial level. As an example, a 5% water injection error may
correlate with a 5% (or alternate function of 5%) decrease in the
water quality. Thus, if the initial water rating was 100% (e.g.,
water is pure and uncontaminated), then based on the error, the
water rating may be downgraded to 95%. In still other examples, the
controller may rely on a model that correlates the change in MCT or
IAO2 with a change in the water's enthalpy of vaporization, and
further correlates the change in the water's enthalpy of
vaporization with a change (e.g., decrease) in the water's quality
(or contamination level).
[0050] The nature of contaminants present in the water in the water
reservoir, as well as the degree of contamination may vary widely
based on where the vehicle operator refilled the water tank from.
As an example, it may be recommended to refill the water tank with
distilled water, but the operator may refill with tap water or well
water instead. The different sources of water may contain different
types and amounts of minerals and other contaminants that may cause
the boiling temperature of the resulting water solution to digress
from the expected boiling temperature of water. In addition, the
contaminants may cause deposits on water filters, water injectors,
engine components, exhaust catalysts, etc. The catalysts may also
become chemically contaminated. The inventors have recognized that
the difference between the amount of water received in the engine
and the amount of water vaporized in the engine may be at least in
part due to the water quality. As mentioned, based on the degree of
contamination of the water, as well as the nature of contaminants
present in the water, the boiling temperature of the injected water
may vary, causing a change in the fraction of water that vaporizes.
In one example, as the salt or ion content of the water increases,
the boiling temperature of the water may rise, resulting in a
smaller portion of water evaporating and dispersing into the intake
aircharge at a given aircharge temperature. Indicating the water
quality based on the comparing may include indicating a higher
quality of the water when the difference between the first estimate
and the second estimate is lower than a threshold. Further, the
indicating may include indicating a lower quality of the water when
the difference between the first estimate and the second estimate
is higher than a threshold. Thus, water of a higher purity level
may be inferred when the learned water injection error is smaller,
and water of a lower purity level may be inferred when the learned
water injection error is larger.
[0051] In some examples, the threshold for assessing the water
quality may be selected based on a refilling location and/or water
source, as well as a history of water quality from that water
source. For example, the threshold may be adjusted based on the
water refilling location using knowledge of the vehicle's location
(such as based on GPS data, location of nearby WiFi hotspots, etc.)
combined with knowledge of the local water quality at that location
(such as determined on-board or retrieved from a database, such as
an internet database of water quality for city water systems and
ground water). The controller may additionally refine the threshold
with previous history of contamination detected after refilling at
the same location (as elaborated below). The history may be based
on data collected on-board the given vehicle, or collected on-board
an alternate vehicle and retrieved through vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V)
or vehicle-to-infrastructure communication. In one example, the
quality of the water may be given an index value, or a rating
number.
[0052] At 222, the estimated water quality (e.g., the index value
or rating number assigned to the water) is compared to a first
threshold water quality. The first threshold water quality may
correspond to an upper threshold water quality level above which
water injection into the engine may always be enabled without
compromising engine performance or combustion characteristics. If
the water quality is above the first threshold quality, then at
224, the method includes, optionally, purifying the water before
injecting the water in response to the higher quality of the water.
Purifying the water may include one or more of filtration
(including filtering the water to remove particulate content),
distillation, reverse osmosis, and ion-exchange. Distillation
on-board the vehicle can generate a purified water stream using
waste heat from the engine and/or the exhaust. Reverse osmosis may
include one of a variety of membrane-based methods. Ion exchange
may be used with a fixed bed that can either swap between different
dissolved materials such as calcium and magnesium exchanged for
sodium, or that can exchange the mentioned ions for ions that
comprise water (H.sup.+ and OH.sup.-).
[0053] In some examples, a degree of purification, as well as a
type of purification may be selected based on the estimated water
quality. In particular, sufficient purification may be provided to
reduce the deposit issues, while avoiding excessive purification
which would increase the parasitic losses (e.g., energy required to
evaporate water for distillation or pump water through a filter)
and financial costs (e.g., cost of replacement filters or ion
exchange bed), and what would decrease customer satisfaction (due
to the added hassle and cost of system service). A degree of
purification may be selected as a function of the amount/proportion
of water that is bypassed around the purification system to the
engine, or as a function of how much time the water spends in the
purification system. For example, as the amount of water that is
bypassed increases, or as the amount of time spent in the
purification system increases, the degree of purification may be
correspondingly increased.
[0054] If the water quality is below the first threshold water
quality, then at 226, the method includes comparing the water
quality to a second threshold water quality, lower than the first
threshold water quality. The second threshold water quality may
correspond to a lower threshold water quality level (or minimum
water quality level) below which water injection into the engine
may always be disabled so as not to compromise engine performance
or combustion characteristics. If the water quality is below the
second threshold water quality, then at 230, the method includes
draining the water from the water reservoir in response to the
lower quality of the water. Further, if the water was refilled from
a water source off-board the vehicle, responsive to the indicated
quality of water being lower than the second threshold water
quality, the controller may indicate that the water source is
contaminated and disable future refilling of the water reservoir
from the water source.
[0055] If the water quality is in between the first and the second
threshold water quality, at 228, the method includes increasing
usage of the water in an engine operating window determined based
on the indicated water quality. By increasing water usage, water
reservoir refilling may be expedited. In addition, an engine
operating window where water injection is permissible may be
limited or varied based on the nature and/or degree of
contamination. In particular, a water injection window may be
selected that better tolerates the level and nature of impurities
in the water.
[0056] In one example, the controller may widen the engine
operating window where water injection is permissible as the
estimated water quality decreases from the first threshold water
quality towards the second threshold water quality. The controller
may selectively widen the window during conditions where it is
advantageous to purge the stored amount of water if it is detected
that the quality is decreasing. However, if the quality has
degraded beyond a defined threshold (e.g., a minimum threshold),
the window may be narrowed to prevent injection of a potentially
harmful or unknown liquid. In addition, a rate of widening or
narrowing the window may be adjusted based on the drop in water
quality. For example, the rate of window adjustment may correlate
with the rate of change in the water quality. A faster rate of
decrease in the estimated water quality may be correlated to a
faster narrowing of the window, for example. As an example, when
the water quality is 80% degraded (or only 20% pure), the engine
operating window for water injection may be widened to try to purge
the contaminated liquid. In comparison, when the water quality is
60% degraded (or 40% pure), the window may be narrowed to reduce
the adverse effects of the injection of contaminated water. As
another example, the engine operating window for water injection
may be narrowed as the estimated quality decreases towards a first
threshold, and then after the estimated quality reaches the first
threshold, the engine operating window for water injection may be
widened as the estimated quality decreases towards a second
threshold, lower than the first threshold. Then, after the
estimated quality reaches the second threshold, water injection may
be disabled, the remaining water in the reservoir may be drained,
and further water injection may not be enabled until the water
reservoir has been refilled.
[0057] In another example, the window may be widened or narrowed at
a faster rate as the change in water quality increases (that is, as
the water quality drops further from an initially expected water
quality). In some examples, water injection may be initiated in
operating windows where water injection would otherwise not have
been used (assuming combustion stability is not affected) to
expedite water tank refilling. Then, when the estimated quality
falls below the second threshold water quality, the remaining water
in the water reservoir may be drained and water injection may be
disabled until the reservoir is refilled.
[0058] Thus, the controller may compare the measured change in
manifold charge temperature following the injecting to the measured
change in intake oxygen following the injecting, and estimate a
quality of the water in the water reservoir based on the comparing.
The controller may then adjust one or more of water injection usage
and an engine operating window for water injection based on the
estimated quality.
[0059] In this way, water injection errors may be learned and
compensated for. In addition, a water quality may be inferred from
the water injection error using existing engine hardware.
[0060] Turning now to FIG. 3, an example learning of a water
quality based on a measured water injection error, and a subsequent
water injection adjustment is shown. Map 300 depicts engine torque
output at plot 302, measured MCT at plot 304 (solid line), expected
MCT at plot 303 (dashed line), measured intake air oxygen level
(IAO2) at plot 306 (solid line), expected IAO2 at plot 307 (dashed
line), engine water injection at plot 310, engine water deficiency
at plot 312, and estimated water quality at plot 314. All plots are
depicted over time of engine operation along the x-axis.
[0061] Prior to t1, the engine may be operating with a lower engine
torque output (including low engine speed and load region) due to a
lower driver demand. As a result, prior to t1, the engine may be
operating with no water injection. At t1, responsive to an increase
in torque demand, the engine may be operated with a higher engine
torque output (including mid-engine speed and load region). In this
operating region, water injection may be required to meet the
engine dilution demand. Accordingly, at t1, water injection is
enabled and an amount of water required to meet the dilution demand
is commanded to be delivered.
[0062] Between t1 and t2, while water is injected, a change in MCT
and a change in IAO2 are observed. MCT drops with water injection
due to the charge cooling effect of the injection. IAO2 increases
with water injection due to the dilution effect of the injection.
In the depicted example, the actual drop in MCT (solid line, plot
304) is less than the expected drop in MCT (dashed line, plot 303),
the expected drop based on the commanded water injection.
Accordingly, an MCT error 305 is learned based on the difference
between the actual drop in MCT relative to the expected drop in
MCT. Also, the actual rise in IAO2 (solid line, plot 306) is less
than the expected rise in IAO2 (dashed line, plot 307), the
expected rise also based on the commanded water injection.
Accordingly, an IAO2 error 308 is learned based on the difference
between the actual drop in IAO2 relative to the expected drop in
IAO2. Herein the MCT error is attributed to a portion of the
commanded water amount not being delivered into the engine, while
the IAO2 error is attributed to a portion of the commanded water
amount not being vaporized in the engine. Further, both the MCT
error and the IAO2 error are attributed to issues with a quality of
the water being injected.
[0063] At t2, based on the MCT error 305 relative to the IAO2 error
308, a % water deficiency (or injection error) is determined. In
the depicted example, a % water deficiency level 311 is learned and
saved in the controller's memory. In one example, based on the MCT
error relative to the IAO2 following the commanding of a water
injection, a 30% water deficiency may be determined. In addition,
based on the MCT error 305 relative to the IAO2 error 308, the
estimated quality of the injected water is downgraded to indicate
that the water quality is lower.
[0064] Between t2 and t3, the engine operates in speed-load regions
where water injection is not required and water injection is
maintained disabled. At t3, responsive to an increase in driver
torque demand and a corresponding increase in engine output torque,
water injection is commanded. As an example, an amount of water is
injected into the engine taking into account the amount of water
required for knock relief and exhaust catalyst temperature control
at the given operating conditions. Further, the amount of water
injected is adjusted based on the learned percent water deficiency.
In particular, water injection is provided at a higher than level
309 that would have been applied if the water deficiency was at 0%.
With reference to the earlier mentioned example, where a 30% water
deficiency was determined, the water injection is provided at a
level that is 30% higher than the water level that would have been
applied if the water deficiency was 0%.
[0065] In addition, responsive to the indication of a lower water
quality, water usage may be increased. For example, water injection
may be used in mid-speed/load regions (such as the regions operated
in between t2 and t3) where water injection would otherwise not
have been used. By adjusting the operating window for water
injection, water refilling (with higher quality water) may be
expedited.
[0066] In this way, changes in a manifold charge temperature and an
intake oxygen level following a water injection can be correlated
with the quality of the injected water. By relying on deviations in
the charge cooling effect of the injected water, as well as
deviations in the humidity effect of the injected water, the
portion of the water injection that was splashed into the engine
may be more reliably differentiated from the portion of the water
injection that actually vaporized into the engine. In addition, the
deviations may be advantageously used to assess the quality of the
injected water. As a result, the need for dedicated water quality
sensors is reduced without compromising on the reliability of the
water quality assessment. By adjusting water usage and engine
operation based on the assessed water quality, engine hardware
damage from contaminated water may be reduced while continuing to
achieve the fuel economy benefits of a water injection.
[0067] One example method comprises: injecting an amount of water
from a water reservoir into an engine, comparing a first estimate
of the water injection amount based on a change in manifold charge
temperature to a second estimate of the water injection amount
based on a change in intake oxygen level; and adjusting a
subsequent water injection to the engine based on the comparing. In
the preceding example, additionally or optionally, the water is
injected into the engine responsive to an indication of knock, and
wherein the water is injected into an intake manifold, upstream or
downstream of an intake throttle via a water injector. In any or
all of the preceding examples, additionally or optionally, the
first estimate is based on an output from a temperature sensor
coupled to the intake manifold, and wherein the second estimate is
based on the output from an oxygen sensor coupled to the intake
manifold. In any or all of the preceding examples, additionally or
optionally, the second estimate is further based on a mode of
operation of the oxygen sensor, the oxygen sensor operated in one
of a nominal mode and a variable voltage mode. In any or all of the
preceding examples, additionally or optionally, the adjusting
includes: estimating a water injection error based on a difference
between the first estimate and the second estimate; and adjusting
an injection pulse width of the water injector during the
subsequent water injection with a correction factor based on the
estimated water injection error. In any or all of the preceding
examples, additionally or optionally, the method further comprises
adjusting one or more engine operating parameters based on the
comparing, the adjusting including, responsive to an indication of
knock, retarding spark timing by a larger amount when the
difference between the first estimate and the second estimate is
larger, and retarding spark timing by a smaller amount when the
difference between the first estimate and the second estimate is
smaller. In any or all of the preceding examples, additionally or
optionally, the method further comprises indicating a quality of
the water in the water reservoir based on the comparing, the
indicating including: indicating a higher quality of the water when
the difference between the first estimate and the second estimate
is lower than a threshold; and indicating a lower quality of the
water when the difference between the first estimate and the second
estimate is higher than a threshold, the threshold selected based
on a refilling location and/or water source. In any or all of the
preceding examples, additionally or optionally, the method further
comprises, in response to the higher quality of the water,
purifying the water before injecting the water; and in response to
the lower quality of the water, draining the water from the water
reservoir or increasing usage of the water in an engine operating
window determined based on the indicated quality. In any or all of
the preceding examples, additionally or optionally, the method
further comprises, responsive to the indicated quality of water
being lower than a threshold water quality, wherein the water was
refilled from a water source off-board the vehicle, indicating that
the water source is contaminated and disabling future refilling of
the water reservoir at the water source. In any or all of the
preceding examples, additionally or optionally, the method further
comprises further adjusting the subsequent water injection based on
a comparison of a third estimate of the water injection amount to
each of the first and second estimate, the third estimate based on
a pulse width commanded to the water injector during the
injecting.
[0068] Another example method comprises: injecting water from a
water reservoir into an engine intake manifold responsive to knock;
feed-forward estimating a water injection error based on a measured
change in manifold charge temperature following the injecting;
feedback adjusting the feed-forward estimated water injection error
based on a measured change in intake oxygen following the
injecting; and injecting water into the engine as a function of a
commanded water injection amount and the feedback adjusted water
injection error. In the preceding example, additionally or
optionally, the method further comprises comparing the measured
change in manifold charge temperature following the injecting to
the measured change in intake oxygen following the injecting;
estimating a quality of the water in the water reservoir based on
the comparing; and adjusting one or more of water injection usage
and an engine operating window for water injection based on the
estimated quality. In any or all of the preceding examples,
additionally or optionally, the adjusting includes increasing water
injection usage and widening or narrowing the engine operating
window as the estimated quality decreases towards a threshold, and
when the estimated quality falls below the threshold, draining the
water from the water reservoir. In any or all of the preceding
examples, additionally or optionally, the measured change in intake
oxygen is estimated by an intake manifold oxygen sensor, and
wherein the measured change includes a first measured change when
the intake manifold oxygen sensor is operated in nominal mode for
EGR estimation, and a second measured change when the intake
manifold oxygen sensor is operated in a variable voltage mode for
intake humidity estimation. In any or all of the preceding
examples, additionally or optionally, the engine is coupled in a
vehicle, and wherein the water in the reservoir is refilled
manually from a water source off-board the vehicle or refilled
on-board the vehicle via a collection system, the collection system
collecting condensate from one or more of an EGR cooler, a charge
air cooler, an AC evaporator, an exhaust heat exchanger, and a
vehicle external surface. In any or all of the preceding examples,
additionally or optionally, the injecting water into the engine as
a function of the commanded water injection amount and the feedback
adjusted water injection error includes adjusting an injection
pulse width corresponding to the commanded water injection amount
with a correction factor based on the feedback adjusted water
injection error.
[0069] Another example vehicle system comprises an engine including
an intake manifold; a water injection system including a water
reservoir, a water injector, and a water collection system; a
temperature sensor coupled to the intake manifold for estimating a
manifold charge temperature; an oxygen sensor coupled to the intake
manifold for estimating an intake oxygen level; and a controller
with computer readable instructions stored on non-transitory memory
for: commanding a water injection amount into the engine responsive
to engine operating conditions; estimating a first amount of water
released into the engine based on a change in the manifold charge
temperature following the commanding; estimating a second amount of
water vaporized into the engine based on a change in the intake
oxygen level following the commanding; and adjusting a subsequent
water injection to the engine based on a difference between the
first amount and the second amount. In the preceding example,
additionally or optionally, the controller includes further
instructions for, during a first engine operating condition,
operating the oxygen sensor in a first nominal mode with a
reference voltage applied to the sensor maintained; and during a
second, different engine operating condition, operating the oxygen
sensor in a second variable voltage mode with the reference voltage
applied to the sensor modulated, wherein the second amount of water
estimated when the oxygen sensor is in the first mode is different
from the second amount of water estimated when the oxygen sensor is
in the second mode. In any or all of the preceding examples,
additionally or optionally, the first engine operating condition
includes an engine fueling condition and the second engine
operating condition includes an engine non-fueling condition, and
wherein the controller includes further instructions for estimating
an air-fuel ratio of exhaust gas recirculated to the intake
manifold when operating the oxygen sensor in the first mode; and
estimating an ambient humidity in intake aircharge when operating
the oxygen sensor in the second mode. In any or all of the
preceding examples, additionally or optionally, the controller
includes further instructions for estimating a quality of the water
based on the difference between the first amount and the second
amount; increasing a frequency of water usage and narrowing an
engine operating window where water injection is enabled as the
estimated quality decreases to a threshold, and thereafter widening
the engine operating window as the estimated quality decreases
below the threshold; and increasing a degree of purification of the
water as the estimated quality increases.
[0070] Note that the example control and estimation routines
included herein can be used with various engine and/or vehicle
system configurations. The control methods and routines disclosed
herein may be stored as executable instructions in non-transitory
memory and may be carried out by the control system including the
controller in combination with the various sensors, actuators, and
other engine hardware. The specific routines described herein may
represent one or more of any number of processing strategies such
as event-driven, interrupt-driven, multi-tasking, multi-threading,
and the like. As such, various actions, operations, and/or
functions illustrated may be performed in the sequence illustrated,
in parallel, or in some cases omitted. Likewise, the order of
processing is not necessarily required to achieve the features and
advantages of the example embodiments described herein, but is
provided for ease of illustration and description. One or more of
the illustrated actions, operations and/or functions may be
repeatedly performed depending on the particular strategy being
used. Further, the described actions, operations and/or functions
may graphically represent code to be programmed into non-transitory
memory of the computer readable storage medium in the engine
control system, where the described actions are carried out by
executing the instructions in a system including the various engine
hardware components in combination with the electronic
controller.
[0071] It will be appreciated that the configurations and routines
disclosed herein are exemplary in nature, and that these specific
embodiments are not to be considered in a limiting sense, because
numerous variations are possible. For example, the above technology
can be applied to V-6, I-4, I-6, V-12, opposed 4, and other engine
types. The subject matter of the present disclosure includes all
novel and non-obvious combinations and sub-combinations of the
various systems and configurations, and other features, functions,
and/or properties disclosed herein.
[0072] The following claims particularly point out certain
combinations and sub-combinations regarded as novel and
non-obvious. These claims may refer to "an" element or "a first"
element or the equivalent thereof. Such claims should be understood
to include incorporation of one or more such elements, neither
requiring nor excluding two or more such elements. Other
combinations and sub-combinations of the disclosed features,
functions, elements, and/or properties may be claimed through
amendment of the present claims or through presentation of new
claims in this or a related application. Such claims, whether
broader, narrower, equal, or different in scope to the original
claims, also are regarded as included within the subject matter of
the present disclosure.
* * * * *