Patent ID: 7899601

Claim:
Method for controlling an internal combustion engine capable of operating in a homogeneous charge compression ignition mode, including extended operation in the homogeneous charge compression ignition mode at high loads by reducing occurrence of ringing within the engine, said method comprising: operating the engine in the homogeneous charge compression ignition mode including spark-assisted ignition; monitoring an engine load; monitoring an engine speed; determining when the engine is in a high ringing range based upon the engine load and the engine speed; and when the engine load is in the high ringing range, operating the engine in a reduced ringing mode, comprising modulating a fuel injection timing during an intake stroke according to a calibrated maximum combustion chamber cooling fuel injection timing, said modulated fuel injection timing selected to maximize heat transfer to the injected fuel reducing energy within the combustion chamber available for homogeneous charge compression ignition, determining a preferred combustion phasing value, and modulating a spark timing to maintain the preferred combustion phasing value, the modulated spark timing based upon the modulated fuel injection timing and the preferred combustion phasing value.