Patent ID: 7367308

Claim:
Method for control of a direct-injection engine operated with controlled auto-ignition during load transient operations between modes of lean combustion low load (HCCI/Lean) and stiochiometric combustion medium load (HCCI/Stoich.), the method comprising: operating the engine at steady state, within a homogeneous charge compression-ignition (HCCI) load range, with fuel-air-exhaust gas mixtures at predetermined conditions, for each speed and load, of fueling mass flow rate (fueling rate), injection timing (FI), spark timing (SI), throttle position, exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) valve setting, and exhaust recompression obtained by negative valve overlap (NVO) between closing of the exhaust valves and opening of the intake valves in each cylinder; and controlling the engine during changes of operating mode between one to an other of HCCI/Stoich. medium load mode and HCCI/Lean lower load mode by synchronizing change rates of predetermined controlled inputs to the current engine fueling change rate, the predetermined controlled inputs including at least three of FI, SI, throttle position, EGR valve setting and NVO.