Patent ID: 6360726
Filing Date: 2002-03-26
Classification: F02D,Y02T

Abstract:
A method for cold start of a gasoline fueled, multi-cylinder, internal combustion engine in an automotive vehicle; said vehicle comprising an engine control module containing a programmed microprocessor for controlling fuel delivery to said engine and timing the ignition of said fuel in the cylinders of said engine, an engine speed sensor for providing engine speed data to said microprocessor, a fuel tank with gasoline of unknown volatility properties and a vehicle operator activated starter motor for cranking said engine for starting; said engine comprising at least one fuel injector for receiving fuel from said fuel tank and delivering fuel to said cylinders, said method being executed under the control of said microprocessor and comprisingupon cranking of said engine, initiating delivery of said fuel to said cylinders by one or more said injectors at a first pre-calibrated fuel-rich rate and initiating ignition to achieve engine running operation, sensing the speed of said engine to detect commencement of engine running operation, upon sensing engine running operation, reducing the rate of delivery of said fuel to a second pre-calibrated fuel rate, sensing speed values of said engine over subsequent cylinder ignition events to detect a peak engine speed value and a minimum engine speed value lower than said peak value, calculating the difference in engine speed between said peak value and minimum value, and using said difference as a measure to determine the volatility properties of said fuel.