Patent ID: 6443104
Filing Date: 2002-09-03
Classification: F02B,F02D,F02M,Y02T

Abstract:
A method for controlling homogenous charge compression ignition combustion in a diesel engine having a crankshaft, at least one combustion chamber, a water injector in fluid communication with the combustion chamber, and a piston reciprocatively disposed in the combustion chamber and operatively connected to a crankshaft, said method comprising:sensing pressure in the combustion chamber, said pressure being represented by p; sensing the angular position of the crankshaft with respect to a top dead center position of the piston disposed in the combustion chamber, said angular position of the crankshaft being represented by &agr;; calculating a combustion chamber pressure derivative with respect to the crankshaft angle (dp/d&agr;) after the crankshaft position angle (&agr;) has a value within a preselected range before a top dead center position of the piston; comparing the calculated combustion chamber pressure derivative with respect to crankshaft angle (dp/d&agr;) at a first time (t), represented by the mathematical expression (dp/d&agr;)t with the calculated combustion chamber pressure derivative with respect to crankshaft angle at a subsequent second time (t+1), represented by the mathematical expression (dp/d&agr;)t+1; delivering a signal to a trigger circuit adapted for controlling the injection of water into the combustion chamber in response to the value of (dp/d&agr;)t+ being less than the value of (dp/d&agr;)t, and; injecting water into said combustion chamber in response to delivering a signal from said trigger circuit to the water injector.