Method of reducing icing-related engine misfires

Abstract

A method of reducing icing-related engine misfires during operation of a vehicle is provided. The vehicle can include an engine and an engine control unit operable for at least partially controlling operation of the engine. The vehicle can further include a plurality of sensors in electrical communication with the engine control unit. The engine can include an air intake system and an exhaust system, wherein the air intake system can include a positive crankcase ventilation valve. The method includes predicting the presence of ice within the air intake system based upon an input to the engine control unit from at least one of the sensors.

1 . A method of reducing icing-related engine misfires during operation of a vehicle, the vehicle comprising an engine and an engine control unit operable for at least partially controlling operation of the engine, the vehicle further comprising a plurality of sensors in electrical communication with the engine control unit, the engine comprising an air intake system and an exhaust system, wherein the air intake system comprises a positive crankcase ventilation valve, the method comprising:
 predicting the presence of ice within the air intake system based upon an input to the engine control unit from at least one of the sensors; and   pumping melted ice out of the air intake system into the exhaust system of the engine.   
   
   
       2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the vehicle further comprises a starter motor coupled to the engine and wherein:
 the pumping comprises engaging the starter motor in response to an input from an operator of the vehicle for a predetermined period of time without injecting fuel into the engine.   
   
   
       3 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the engine further comprises a plurality of spark plugs and wherein:
 the pumping further comprises engaging the starter motor in response to an input from an operator of the vehicle for the predetermined period of time without energizing the spark plugs.   
   
   
       4 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the engine further comprises a plurality of fuel injectors and wherein:
 the pumping further comprises engaging the starter motor in response to an input from an operator of the vehicle for a predetermined period of time without energizing the fuel injectors.   
   
   
       5 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the plurality of sensors comprises at least one of an ambient temperature sensor, an engine intake air temperature sensor, an engine coolant temperature sensor, a vehicle speed sensor, a wind speed sensor, a positive crankcase ventilation valve temperature sensor and a mass airflow sensor, and wherein:
 the predicting the presence of ice comprises processing the input, with the engine control unit, from at least one of the ambient temperature sensor, the engine intake air temperature sensor, the engine coolant temperature sensor, the vehicle speed sensor, the wind speed sensor, the positive crankcase ventilation valve temperature sensor and the mass airflow sensor.   
   
   
       6 . A method of reducing icing-related engine misfires during operation of a vehicle, the vehicle comprising an engine and an engine control unit operable for at least partially controlling operation of the engine, the vehicle further comprising a plurality of sensors in electrical communication with the engine control unit, the engine comprising an air intake system and an exhaust system, wherein the air intake system comprises a positive crankcase ventilation valve, the method comprising:
 predicting the presence of ice within the air intake system based upon an input to the engine control unit from at least one of the sensors;   starting the engine in response to an input from an operator of the vehicle;   advancing ignition timing, relative to a first ignition timing schedule, for a predetermined period of time; and   operating the engine according to the first ignition timing schedule, wherein operating the engine is completed after the advancing ignition timing.   
   
   
       7 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein:
 the first ignition timing schedule is configured to facilitate optimum engine efficiency during, normal operation of the engine.   
   
   
       8 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein the plurality of sensors comprises an ambient temperature sensor, an engine intake air temperature sensor, an engine coolant temperature sensor, a vehicle speed sensor, a wind speed sensor, a positive crankcase valve temperature sensor and a mass airflow sensor, and wherein:
 the predicting the presence of ice comprises processing the input, with the engine control unit, from at least one of the ambient temperature sensor, the engine intake air temperature sensor, the engine coolant temperature sensor, the vehicle speed sensor, the wind speed sensor, the positive crankcase valve temperature sensor and the mass airflow sensor.   
   
   
       9 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein:
 the predetermined period of time is determined by measuring a mass airflow through the engine using the mass airflow sensor.   
   
   
       10 . A method of reducing icing-related engine misfires during operation of a vehicle, the vehicle comprising an engine and an engine control unit operable for at least partially controlling operation of the engine, the vehicle further comprising a plurality of sensors in electrical communication with the engine control unit, the engine comprising an air intake system and an exhaust system, wherein the air intake system comprises a positive crankcase ventilation valve, the method comprising:
 predicting the presence of ice within the air intake system based upon an input to the engine control unit from at least one of the sensors;   starting the engine in response to an input from an operator of the vehicle;   raising a speed of the engine, relative to a predetermined engine idle speed, for a predetermined period of time; and   operating the engine at the predetermined engine idle speed, wherein operating the engine is completed after the raising a speed of the engine.   
   
   
       11 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein:
 the predetermined engine idle speed facilitates optimum engine efficiency during normal operation of the vehicle.   
   
   
       12 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the plurality of sensors comprises an ambient temperature sensor, an engine intake air temperature sensor, an engine coolant temperature sensor, a vehicle speed sensor, a wind speed sensor, a positive crankcase ventilation valve temperature sensor and a mass airflow sensor, and wherein:
 predicting the presence of ice comprises processing the input, with the engine control unit, from at least one of the ambient temperature sensor, the engine intake air temperature sensor, the engine coolant temperature sensor, the vehicle speed sensor, the wind speed sensor, the positive crankcase ventilation valve temperature sensor and the mass airflow sensor.   
   
   
       13 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein:
 the predetermined period of time is determined by measuring a mass airflow through the engine using the mass airflow sensor.   
   
   
       14 . A vehicle comprising:
 an engine; and   means for reducing icing-related misfires of the engine.   
   
   
       15 . The vehicle of  claim 14 , wherein:
 the means for reducing icing-related misfires of the engine comprises an engine control unit.   
   
   
       16 . The vehicle of  claim 15 , wherein:
 the means for reducing icing-related misfires of the engine further comprises a plurality of sensors, each of the sensors being in electrical communication with the engine control unit.   
   
   
       17 . The vehicle of  claim 16 , wherein:
 the plurality of sensors comprises at least one of an ambient temperature sensor, an engine intake air temperature sensor, an engine coolant temperature sensor, a vehicle speed sensor, a wind speed sensor, a positive crankcase valve temperature sensor and a mass airflow sensor.