Patent ID: 8006494

Claim:
A method of controlling an exhaust gas recirculation apparatus for an internal combustion engine, which includes a variable-geometry turbocharger that includes a turbine provided in an exhaust passage, and a compressor provided in an intake passage, wherein a cross sectional area of a path through which exhaust gas passes is adjusted by adjusting an opening degree of a nozzle vane; an electronic controller and a low-pressure EGR passage that connects an area of the exhaust passage downstream of the turbine to an area of the intake passage upstream of the compressor, and through which EGR gas, which is part of exhaust gas discharged from an internal combustion engine, is recirculated to the intake passage, the method comprising: directing the EGR gas to flow through the low-pressure EGR passage when at least one of a vehicle is decelerating and fuel supply to the internal combustion engine is cut off; and adjusting a pressure in the intake passage toward a target pressure by adjusting the opening degree of the nozzle vane when the EGR gas is directed to flow through the low-pressure EGR passage.