Abstract: Use of an vibration damper to dampen vibration transmitted from an engine to a carburettor is found to enhance carburettor and therefore engine performance. The vibration damper is conveniently placed axially between the carburettor and an end of the intake manifold, and may take the form of a laminate of an elastomeric block adhered between and upstream and a downstream metal plate. Fasteners can extend from the metal plates into suitable apertures within the carburettor housing and inlet manifold without traversing the elastomeric block thereby enhancing the efficacy of the damper.

Abstract: A series type hybrid electric vehicle that controls an internal combustion engine, generator, and electric motor for reducing the load applied to the internal combustion engine when the internal combustion engine is restarted, lowers the thermal stresses to the internal combustion engine when the engine is turned off and is able to remove excess fuel when turning off the internal combustion engine.

Abstract: A lubrication device for a dry-sump, four-stroke engine includes a crankcase having a divider wall interposed between a crank chamber and a separate adjoining chamber. A crankshaft is housed in the crank chamber and is driven by reciprocating movement of pistons. A crank web faces the divider wall, which has a through hole for connecting the crank chamber with the separate chamber, and is opened by the crank web when the piston moves from a top dead center position toward a bottom dead center position, and is closed when the piston moves from the bottom dead center toward the top dead center position. A return hole connects the crank chamber and the separate chamber, for returning lubricant oil that flowed through the through hole into the separate chamber from the crank chamber, back to the crank chamber by utilizing pressure fluctuations within the crank chamber.

Abstract: A disclosed accelerator pedal offset system includes a first connector that can be coupled to an accelerator pedal of a motor vehicle and a second connector that can be coupled, in place of the accelerator pedal, to an engine control module of the vehicle. The second connector is coupled to the first connector via a plurality of electrical conductors. The system further includes a resistor selectably connected across a first pair of the electrical conductors. The selectable connection is implemented with an electrically activated switch that connects between each resistor and its respective pair of electrical conductors. In such a configuration, the resistor can be connected across its pair of electrical conductors to apply an accelerator signal offset, and disconnected to remove the offset. Variations and methods are also disclosed.

Abstract: This feature of the present invention comprises a closed loop which uses estimated MBT timing criteria and ignition diagnostics (knock, partial-burn, and misfire) to control engine ignition. When the engine is not knock limited, it operates at its MBT timing. When the engine is knock limited, the engine runs at its inaudible knock limit. When the engine is misfire/partial-burn limited, the engine is maintained at its misfire/partial-burn limit. Three different embodiments of the closed loop MBT timing control architecture are disclosed: a cylinder-by-cylinder control, an average control and a mixed control.

Abstract: A method for controlling starting of an internal combustion engine in a hybrid electric vehicle powertrain having multiple power flow paths to vehicle traction wheels from the engine and from an electric motor. A smoothness factor is calculated to determine how smooth an engine start should be. Engine operating variables regulate engine smoothness during engine start events as determined by the calculated smoothness factor appropriate for selected vehicle operating conditions.

Abstract: In a diagnosing process in which a target air-fuel ratio in an air-fuel ratio feedback control is forcibly changed, and based on a response time of a detection signal from an air-fuel ratio sensor to the change, a response characteristic of the air-fuel ratio sensor is diagnosed. When the diagnosis is finished, an air-fuel ratio feedback control signal is returned stepwise to a value immediately before the starting of diagnosis.

Abstract: A common rail injection system for an internal combustion engine, wherein upon detection of a defective rail sensor system the transition from the normal operation to the emergency operation is determined reliably by means of a transition function. The transition function is determined beforehand from the characteristics of a system deviation as a function of time during normal operation. In so doing, the system deviation is calculated from a variance comparison of the rail pressure. The result of this defect transition process is a more noise-proof and more continuous transition from the normal operation to the emergency operation.

Abstract: A vehicle system includes a throttle position sensor that generates a current throttle position signal (TPS), a MAF sensor that generates a current actual MAF signal, and a manifold absolute pressure (MAP) sensor that generates a current actual MAP signal. A controller determines a current estimated cylinder air flow (CAF) signal, determines a MAF transient signal and determines a MAP transient signal. The controller determines a predicted CAF signal into the engine based on the current estimated CAF signal, the current actual MAF signal, the current MAP signal, a current TPS signal, the MAF transient signal and the MAP transient signal.

Abstract: A method for reducing computational time for calculating a noise-filtered average approximation of a throttle position in an automotive environment. During controller initialization, an initial average value for N samples is established by conventional averaging. The sum obtained is retained for future use as a previously-retained sum. When an updated average value is required, the oldest sample value and the last output calculation are both subtracted from the previously-retained sum, and the newest sample value is added twice to the previously-retained sum, as well as being stored in sequence in the buffer. The new sum is then divided by the number of sample values to obtain a new noise filtered average approximation of throttle position, which again is retained for use in the next update. The new output value obtained by the throttle position sensor is weighed more heavily to decrease the deviation from the average approximation of throttle position.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for determining a parameter associated with a delivery of fuel in an engine. The method and apparatus includes determining an initial parameter value associated with the delivery of fuel, determining at least one compensation factor based on a heating effect of a fuel and a fuel system, and applying the at least one compensation factor to the initial parameter value to derive a compensated parameter value.

Abstract: A system is disclosed for controlling the current used by an actuator to control actuator position. A control circuit is configured to control the actuator current to a value at or near the minimum current required to sustain the actuator in a desired position in order to maintain the actuator operating temperature below a specified maximum actuator temperature.

Abstract: An ignition apparatus for an internal combustion engine can be reduced in size and cost. A plurality of closed magnetic circuit cores (2) are built in a casing (8) and each have an excitation portion (2a) and non-excitation portions (2b). A plurality of coil parts (100) each includes a primary coil (4) and a secondary coil (6) which are arranged to surround the excitation parts (2a) of a corresponding one of the closed magnetic cores (2). The closed magnetic circuit cores (2) are arranged along an axial direction (A) of the coil parts (100) such that adjacent ones of the non-excitation portions (2b), which are those sides of adjacent cores (2) each of which extends from one end of a corresponding excitation portion (2a), overlap each other at least partially in the axial direction (A).

Abstract: A method and arrangement of supplying a supplementary fuel (8) to a compression ignition internal combustion engine wherein an air supply (3) to the engine is first caused to pass through a natural vortex creator (1), and a supply of supplementary fuel (8) to the engine is supplied into a low pressure area the natural vortex (1) which provides a substantially constant ratio of supplementary fuel to main fuel through varying load conditions.

Abstract: A control system for a low cost, light duty combustion engine, where the control system generally utilizes engine speed and/or temperature input signals and independent operating sequences to determine a desired ignition timing and air-to-fuel ratio for a combustible mixture. There are several independent operating sequences, each one of which is designed to optimally control the engine under certain conditions. These operating sequences include a Cranking sequence that commences after the engine is initially turned on, a Warm Up sequence which follows the Cranking sequence, a Normal Mode sequence for typical operating conditions, an Acceleration sequence for certain increases in engine speed, a Come Down sequence for when a sufficient engine speed is followed by a certain decrease in speed, and a Recovery Bump sequence for when the engine speed dips below a predetermined level.

Abstract: In an internal combustion engine (10), exhaust gas leaves a combustion chamber (14) via at least one outlet valve (36) which is opened by an actuator after termination of a working stroke. A pressure value is determined, which characterizes the pressure of the gas in the combustion chamber during the working stroke. An actual value of the valve lift of the outlet valve (36) is determined, together with actual operating parameters of the internal combustion engine (10) which affect this opening stroke, and based on the determined actual valve lift of the outlet valve (36) and actual operating parameters of the internal combustion engine (10), an actual gas pressure in the combustion chamber (14) at the time of the opening of the outlet valve is calculated at least approximately.

Abstract: Various systems and methods are disclosed for carrying out combustion in a fuel-cut operation in some or all of the engine cylinders of a vehicle. Further, various subsystems are considered, such as fuel vapor purging, air-fuel ratio control, engine torque control, catalyst design, and exhaust system design.

Abstract: Having the ability to quickly and easily test whether a variable valve mechanism is operating properly can avoid unnecessary down time and the expense associated with potentially replacing a good component on an internal combustion engine. A test can include inducing a misfire in a cylinder of the engine at least in part by commanding a change to a state of a variable valve mechanism at a predetermined timing. For instance, in the case of a diesel engine, a variable valve mechanism can be tested by closing an intake valve late so as to reduce a cylinder compression ratio to a point that autoignition of fuel does not occur, resulting in a misfire. If a misfire is detected, either audibly by a person or possibly electronically via a sensor, then proper activation of the variable valve mechanism is confirmed.

Abstract: In an internal combustion engine provided with a variable valve mechanism that variably controls at least an operating characteristic (valve lift amount and the like) of an intake valve, a valve opening area AWm at a valve overlap time is calculated based on a valve lift amount (VCS-ANGL) and opening timing IVO of the intake valve, and a spit-back gas amount Wm at the valve overlap time is calculated based on the valve opening area AWm. On the other hand, a volume flow ratio (basic actual engine volume flow ratio) RQH0VEL1 in the intake valve, equivalent to an actual intake air amount of the engine, is calculated based on the valve lift amount and closing timing of the intake valve, and a basic residual gas amount Wcyl is calculated based on the basic actual engine volume flow ratio RQH0VEL1. Then, a resultant obtained by adding the spit-back gas amount Wm and the basic residual gas amount Wcyl, is set as a total residual gas amount of the engine.

Abstract: An engine control unit which can solve current leakage from an ignition system or the like due to attachment of water drops or the like when washing a vehicle. A power circuit receiving power supply from a battery, supplying the power to an engine control unit, and maintaining supply of a power to the engine control unit even when the power supply from the battery is stopped, a unit disconnection detecting circuit for detecting that the engine control unit is disconnected from the battery, and an EEPROM are provided, and when disconnection of the engine control unit is detected, an engine stop flag is stored in the EEPROM, and when the engine control unit is connected and a power is supplied from the battery, the engine is not permitted to start for a certain period of time if the engine stop flag is stored in the EEPROM.