Patent ID: 9470154
Filing Date: 2016-10-18
CPC Classification: F02B,F02D,Y02T

Claim Text:
1. A method of controlling, via an electronic controller, an internal combustion engine capable of transitioning from a homogenous charge compression ignition (HCCI) combustion mode to a spark ignited (SI) combustion mode, the method comprising: initiating a transition from the HCCI to the SI combustion mode of the engine under low load, wherein the engine includes a combustion chamber provided with an intake valve actuated by an intake camshaft, an intake camshaft phaser configured to change a position of the intake camshaft, an exhaust valve actuated by an exhaust camshaft, an exhaust valve actuator configured to vary lift of the exhaust valve, a throttle configured to regulate entry of fresh air into the combustion chamber, a fuel injector configured to supply fuel into the combustion chamber, and a spark plug configured to generate a spark to ignite the fuel and air; commanding the exhaust valve actuator to increase the lift of the exhaust valve such that expulsion of contents of the combustion chamber is maximized; injecting, via the fuel injector, into the combustion chamber, a sufficient amount of fuel after said commanding the exhaust valve actuator to increase the lift of the exhaust valve such that a substantially stoichiometric air-fuel ratio of the gas mixture contained in the combustion chamber is generated; igniting the gas mixture via the spark plug after said injecting a sufficient amount of fuel into the combustion chamber such that combustion of the gas mixture is maximized; and commanding the intake camshaft phaser to change the position of the intake camshaft to a position configured for a predetermined throttled SI combustion mode after said igniting the gas mixture.