Patent ID: 6505599
Filing Date: 2003-01-14
Classification: F02B,F02D,F02M,Y02T

Abstract:
An engine that operates in a combustion mode selected from a stratified charge combustion mode and a homogeneous charge combustion mode, wherein the engine comprises:a fuel vapor treating mechanism, wherein the treating mechanism has a canister, which adsorbs fuel vapor produced in a fuel feed system of the engine, wherein the treating mechanism purges the fuel vapor adsorbed by the canister, along with air, to an intake system of the engine; and a controller for controlling the treating mechanism to adjust a flow rate of purged gas in accordance with a running state of the engine, wherein the controller computes the flow rate of the purged gas and computes a capability value based on the computed flow rate of the purged gas, the capability value representing the capability of the treating mechanism to treat fuel-vapor, wherein the controller sets a decision value in accordance with an amount of fuel vapor produced in the fuel feed system, the decision value representing a required capability of the treating mechanism, and wherein, when the capability value is less than the decision value, the controller prohibits stratified charge combustion, which causes the engine to perform homogeneous charge combustion.