Patents Examined by T. M. Argenbright
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Patent number: 7302937Abstract: A fuel control system for regulating fuel to cylinders of an internal combustion engine during an engine start and crank-to-run transition includes a first module that determines a plurality of step-ahead cylinder air masses (GPOs) for a cylinder based on a plurality of GPO prediction models. A second module regulates fueling to a cylinder of the engine based on the plurality of step-ahead GPOs until a combustion event of the cylinder. Each of the plurality of GPO prediction models is calibrated based on data from a plurality of test starts that are based on a pre-defined test schedule.Type: GrantFiled: March 31, 2006Date of Patent: December 4, 2007Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations, Inc.Inventors: Qi Ma, Stephen Yurkovich, Kenneth P. Dudek, Stephen K. Fulcher, Jon C. Miller
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Patent number: 7299787Abstract: An internal combustion engine intake device is configured to improve the uniformity with which purge gas or other introduced gas is distributed to the cylinders of an engine. The intake device basically has a throttle chamber, an intake air collector, an air induction pipe, a partitioning part and a gas introducing pipe. The air induction pipe is provided between the throttle valve and the intake air collector. The partitioning part divides the space inside the air induction pipe into first and second air induction spaces. The gas introducing pipe is configured and arranged to introduce purge gas into the space inside the air induction pipe at a position between the throttle valve and the partitioning part. In one embodiment, the partitioning part is configured such that an upstream portion thereof is slanted with respect to a rotary shaft of the throttle valve.Type: GrantFiled: July 18, 2006Date of Patent: November 27, 2007Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.Inventors: Junya Sasaki, Hitoshi Jinno
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Patent number: 7299788Abstract: When fuel supply is stopped while an engine is decelerating, pressure in each cylinder is detected using a pressure sensor, and the peak value of the pressure in each cylinder is determined. Also, an intake air amount is detected when the fuel supply is stopped, and the allowable range of the peak value is calculated based on the intake air amount. When the peak value of the pressure in a cylinder is in the allowable range, it is determined that a charged air amount in the cylinder is in a target amount range. When the peak value of the pressure in a cylinder is out of the allowable range, it is determined that the charged air amount in the cylinder is out of the target amount range, and a warning device is operated.Type: GrantFiled: August 28, 2006Date of Patent: November 27, 2007Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Koichi Hoshi, Kenji Sakurai, Makoto Tomimatsu
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Patent number: 7293545Abstract: In a method for enlarging the control range for equalizing injection quantity differences, in particular in internal combustion engines using multiple injections, if the maximum injection quantity of all the individual injections of an injector of the internal combustion engine is lower than the minimum quantity required for control for equalizing the cylinders, then the injection pattern is changed such that the injection quantity of at least one individual injection is greater than or equal to the required minimum quantity, without changing the torque output of the internal combustion engine.Type: GrantFiled: January 13, 2006Date of Patent: November 13, 2007Assignee: Siemens AktiengesellschaftInventors: Roland Dietl, Oliver Kastner, Hans-Peter Rabl
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Patent number: 7293557Abstract: An abnormality detecting apparatus includes an air/fuel ratio sensor that detects an air/fuel ratio within a range including the stoichiometric air/fuel ratio, an admittance detector for detecting an admittance of the sensor, and a temperature detector for detecting a temperature of the sensor. This apparatus detects an abnormality of the sensor when the detected temperature is at a first temperature which is higher than an activation temperature of the sensor and the detected admittance is less than a first determining value. The apparatus also detects a disconnection abnormality of the sensor when the detected temperature is at a second temperature, which is higher than a minimum temperature at which admittance can be detected for a normally operation and lower than the first temperature, and the detected admittance is less than a second determining value for determining disconnection of the sensor which is less than the first determining value.Type: GrantFiled: July 3, 2006Date of Patent: November 13, 2007Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Takashi Nakamura, Kazunori Kato
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Patent number: 7287513Abstract: The invention relates to a method for controlling the opening and closing of the intake valves of an internal combustion engine with a direct fuel injection system, comprising at least one first intake valve and a second intake valve per cylinder, wherein each valve respectively opening or closing a first and second intake duct per cylinder can be controlled independently of the other valve, wherein at least one of the ducts is supplied with fuel and at least one of the other ducts is not supplied with fuel. According to the invention, said method consists in controlling the valve or valves corresponding to the intake ducts supplied with fuel during the time intervals when the injection system does not function. The invention also relates to a system for the application of said method.Type: GrantFiled: September 28, 2004Date of Patent: October 30, 2007Assignee: Peugeot Citroen Automobiles SAInventor: Cédric Morin
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Patent number: 7287510Abstract: An engine control system that regulates first and second throttles of an internal combustion engine includes a primary control module that generates a throttle area based on an operator input and a second control module that determines a second throttle position based on the throttle area. The second control module determines a redundant throttle position based on the throttle area and regulates a position of the second throttle based on the second throttle position if the second throttle position and the redundant throttle position correspond with one another.Type: GrantFiled: March 24, 2006Date of Patent: October 30, 2007Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations, Inc.Inventors: Mark H. Costin, Paul A. Bauerle
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Patent number: 7287492Abstract: A system for an engine, comprising of a cylinder located in the engine, a fuel delivery system for varying relative delivery amounts of a first and second injection type into said cylinder, and a controller configured to adjust a parameter affecting flow through the engine in response to said relative delivery amounts of said first and second injection type.Type: GrantFiled: November 30, 2005Date of Patent: October 30, 2007Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Thomas G. Leone, Robert A. Stein, Jeffrey C. Lyjak
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Patent number: 7284506Abstract: A method of operating an internal combustion engine including at least a combustion chamber having a piston disposed therein, wherein the combustion chamber is configured to receive air, a first fuel and a second fuel to form a substantially homogeneous mixture, and wherein the piston is configured to compress said mixture so that auto-ignition of said mixture is achieved is disclosed. The method comprises varying the amount of at least one of the first fuel and the second fuel that is received by the combustion chamber to adjust the timing of auto-ignition, where the first fuel includes diesel fuel and the second fuel includes such low cetane fuels as: methanol and ethanol.Type: GrantFiled: May 8, 2006Date of Patent: October 23, 2007Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Harold Sun, Zafar Furcan Shaikh
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Patent number: 7284545Abstract: The invention relates to a device for controlling an internal combustion engine, comprising a first regulator, whose regulating difference is the difference of an actual value and an estimated value of individual cylinder deviation of the air/fuel ratio from a preset air/fuel ratio. The first regulator also has an integral regulating parameter, its manipulated variable being a first estimated value. A second regulator is also provided, the regulating difference of which is the first estimated value. Said regulator has a proportional regulating parameter whose manipulated variable is an individual cylinder lambda regulating factor. A PT1 filter is additionally provided, by means of which a second estimated value is determined through PT1 filtering of the individual cylinder lambda regulating factor.Type: GrantFiled: November 10, 2004Date of Patent: October 23, 2007Assignee: Siemens AktiengesellschaftInventors: Gerd Rösel, Hong Zhang
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Patent number: 7286924Abstract: A knocking determining apparatus of an internal combustion engine that includes an in-cylinder injector and an intake port injector and that determines knocking based on an output signal of a knock sensor. The knocking determining apparatus includes a knocking determination prohibition unit prohibiting, when a ratio of fuel injection from the in-cylinder injector and the intake port injector is changed, knocking determination for a prescribed period after that change, or a knocking determination level change unit changing a knocking determination level for a prescribed period after that change.Type: GrantFiled: July 26, 2005Date of Patent: October 23, 2007Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Takayuki Demura, Shigemasa Hirooka, Tetsuji Nagata
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Patent number: 7281517Abstract: A double system of fuel injection type internal combustion engine includes: a direct injection injector and a port fuel injection injector; a control unit for changing a fuel injection distribution ratio of fuels injected from these injectors; a delivery pipe for the direct injection injector; a high pressure fuel pump; a fuel pressure sensor and a fuel temperature sensor for detecting a fuel pressure and a fuel temperature in the delivery pipe; and a fuel regulating unit for regulating the fuel pressure and fuel temperature in the delivery pipe. The control unit can control the fuel regulating unit so as to lower the exceeding value thereof when the fuel injection distribution ratio of the port fuel injection injector is higher than that of the direct injection injector and at least one of the fuel pressure value and fuel temperature value exceeds an aimed value.Type: GrantFiled: March 17, 2006Date of Patent: October 16, 2007Assignees: Yamaha Hatsudoki Kabushiki Kaisha, Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Kazuma Miyazaki, Mitsuto Sakai, Yutaka Iwami, Masato Nishigaki, Yukio Shimojikkoku
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Patent number: 7278395Abstract: A manually guided implement driven by an internal combustion engine having a carburetor that is actuated by a throttle lever arrangement, which includes a throttle lever that is mounted in the implement so as to be pivotable about a pivot axis, and also includes a transmission element that operatively connects the throttle lever with the carburetor. The transmission element is an essentially rigid connecting rod that is mounted on the throttle lever and on an actuating lever of the carburetor.Type: GrantFiled: December 21, 2005Date of Patent: October 9, 2007Assignee: Andreas Stihl AG & Co. KGInventors: Helmar Amend, Klaus-Martin Uhl, Sebastian Friedrich
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Patent number: 7275515Abstract: An in-cylinder injector injects fuel to be sprayed in the form of an inverted letter V sandwiching a spark plug, as seen in a top view, and in a sector as seen in a side view. The sprayed fuel interferes with an intake valve assuming an open position. An engine ECU executes a program including the steps of: determining with reference to a map a timing of injection of the fuel through the in-cylinder injector (S100); determining a period for injection from an amount of fuel injected (S110); determining in accordance with map whether the sprayed fuel interferes with the intake valve (S120); modifying the period for injection to be advanced by a period for injection having the sprayed fuel interfering with the intake valve (S130); and determining a timing of injection and a period for injection (S140).Type: GrantFiled: March 7, 2006Date of Patent: October 2, 2007Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki KaishaInventor: Takuya Ikoma
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Patent number: 7275519Abstract: At the time of startup of an engine having an in-cylinder injector and an intake manifold injector, a risk of pre-ignition during the first-time compression stroke is determined based on a rotational angle of a crankshaft at the time of previous engine stop. When there is a high risk of pre-ignition, fuel injection from the in-cylinder injector having been set to make an air-fuel ratio within the combustion chamber become out of a range enabling combustion (to attain an over-rich condition) is carried out in addition to fuel injection from the intake manifold injector for normal engine startup. Pre-ignition is thus prevented, and smooth engine startup is ensured.Type: GrantFiled: February 24, 2006Date of Patent: October 2, 2007Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Kazuma Miyazaki, Kenichi Kinose
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Patent number: 7275514Abstract: The present invention relates to methods for robust controlled auto-ignition and spark ignited combustion controls in gasoline direct-injection engines, including transients, using either exhaust re-breathing or a combination of exhaust re-compression and re-breathing valve strategy. These methods are capable of enabling engine operation with either lean of stoichiometric or stoichiometric air/fuel ratio for oxides of nitrogen (NOx) control, with varying exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) rates and throttle valve positions for knock control, and with a combination of homogeneous charge compression ignition (HCCI) and spark ignition (SI) combustion modes to optimize fuel economy over a wide range of engine operating conditions.Type: GrantFiled: March 22, 2006Date of Patent: October 2, 2007Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations, Inc.Inventors: Tang-Wei Kuo, Zongxuan Sun, James A. Eng, Barry L. Brown, Paul M. Najt, Jun-Mo Kang, Chen-Fang Chang, Man-Feng Chang
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Patent number: 7273032Abstract: An induction system for a multi valve engine that facilitates operation in a lean burn mode over a large range of speeds and loads by employing a smaller cross sectional branch passages in several induction passages serving a common combustion chamber and a valve arrangement that progressively opens flow first through the branch passages and finally through both the main and branch passages so that maximum power can also be obtained.Type: GrantFiled: June 7, 2005Date of Patent: September 25, 2007Assignee: Yamaha Hatsudoki Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Yuichi Suzuki, Kenichi Sakurai
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Patent number: 7273046Abstract: A computer calculates an estimated cylinder-intake-air amount based on outputs from an airflow meter and a throttle position sensor, and then calculates a reference cylinder-intake-air amount based on an air-fuel ratio in an exhaust gas and fuel injection amount. An error of the estimated cylinder-intake-air amount is calculated by comparing the reference cylinder-intake-air amount with an estimated cylinder-intake-air amount base value. The error is low-pass filtered. The estimated cylinder-intake-air amount base value is corrected to obtain the final estimated cylinder-intake-air amount.Type: GrantFiled: June 29, 2005Date of Patent: September 25, 2007Assignee: DENSO CorporationInventor: Naoki Osumi
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Patent number: 7273033Abstract: An engine control device can be capable of suppressing a rise in engine speed at starting. The engine speed can be detected by a speed sensor and a determination can be made whether the engine speed has changed from a starting mode to a normal mode. If the engine speed has changed from a starting mode to a normal mode, the difference between the engine speed and a predetermined target engine speed is calculated, and the ignition timing is controlled based on the calculated difference. The control of ignition timing can be performed when the detected value of the rotational sensor is larger than the target engine speed.Type: GrantFiled: March 17, 2005Date of Patent: September 25, 2007Assignee: Yamaha Marine Kabushiki KaishaInventor: Yoshimasa Kinoshita
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Patent number: 7267101Abstract: An electronic throttle control unit includes an air bypass channel having a removable obstruction that opens in response to receiving an electronic throttle control fault signal and thereby allowing the vehicle a limp home condition. The throttle plate defaults to a fully closed position upon engine-off to substantially prevent evaporation and escape of hydrocarbons from the intake manifold to the atmosphere.Type: GrantFiled: October 17, 2005Date of Patent: September 11, 2007Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Robert D. Garrick, Keith C. Guthrie