Search Results

The recent availability of fast response (< 1.0 seconds) exhaust gas temperature sensors for exhaust gas temperature measurement enables a new method for closed loop feedback engine control in small engines and other non-stoichiometric applications (V-8 marine fuel injected engines for example). Conventional closed loop stoichiometric A/F control with traditional switching type oxygen sensors is often not applicable because these engines rarely if ever operate at stoichiometric A/F ratios. Richer A/F ratio control is necessary for maximum power and combustion temperature cooling. Wide range UEGO A/F sensors are an alternate solution but the cost of these sensors may be too high. Additionally, the very short exhaust systems found on many small engines can allow ambient air to back flow into the exhaust due to pressure pulsations and corrupt the signal from an oxygen concentration type sensor.

New exhaust emission laws require significant reduction of tailpipe hydocarbon emissions. The cold start phase of engine operation is a critical period when HC emissions must be minimized. High driveability index (DI) or low volatility fuel causes the open loop air/fuel (A/F) ratio during an initial cold start of the engine to shift lean which in turn contributes to unstable combustion. To compensate for this lean shift, the open loop A/F ratio must be commanded richer than necessary to allow acceptable driveability with high DI fuels which consequently increases tailpipe HC emissions. With engine cold start conditions being equal, (coolant temperature, engine speed, engine load, ignition timing, and commanded A/F ratio), the difference in cold start engine-out A/F ratio can only be attributed to the volatility characteristics of the fuel. The A/F ratio in a combustion chamber and hence, the temperature of the exhaust gas, is a function of the volatility of the fuel.