Abstract: An Electronic Engine Controller (EEC) determines the actual dynamic response of an engine which uses a switching type Heated Exhaust Gas Oxygen Sensor (HEGO) by imposing a bias on the air/fuel (A/F) mixture when the engine is operating at steady state conditions and is combusting a stoichiometric A/F mixture. The A/F mixture is then abruptly altered and maintained for a predetermined period of time, and the time elapsed from the abrupt alteration to detection of the abrupt alteration by the HEGO sensor is measured and stored. Upon expiration of the predetermined period of time, the A/F mixture is abruptly altered to the biased A/F mixture and the time elapsed from the abrupt alteration to the biased value to the detection of the abrupt alteration is measured and stored. The bias value is then removed to return the A/F mixture to stoichiometry and the process is repeated for a plurality of bias values. The actual dynamic response of the engine is then determined as a function of the stored time durations.

Abstract: An automated method for generating compensation values for use in an electronic engine controller during transient engine operation comprises an initial step of exposing an engine to an ambient temperature value to set the engine to an initial start temperature. The engine is started and operated in a predetermined manner until the engine reaches a stable operating temperature. The mass flow rate of air into an induction system of the engine is detected to generate a plurality of air flow values, the temperature of engine coolant is detected to generate a plurality of engine coolant temperature values and the composition of exhaust gas produced by the engine is detected to generate a plurality of exhaust gas values. The detected air flow values, engine coolant temperature values and exhaust gas values are stored in a data storage means. The engine is exposed to a plurality of ambient temperatures to generate data indicative of engine operation from a plurality of initial start temperatures.

Abstract: An electronic engine controller monitors the operability of a catalytic converter upon ignition of the engine by sensing the temperature of the exhaust gas entering the converter and of the exhaust gas exiting the converter for a period of time after the engine has been started. The electronic engine controller calculates the rate of heat transfer from the exhaust gas to the catalyst material within the converter. This value is then used to calculate the temperature of the catalyst material. Subsequent rates of heat transfer and subsequent temperatures of the catalyst material are calculated and the rate of change of temperature of the catalyst material is determined for each time step. A ratio is formed from the rate of heat transfer and the rate of change of temperature of the catalyst material. The electronic engine controller determines the ratio of the rate of heat transfer and the rate of change of temperature of the catalyst material for the period of time from engine ignition to catalyst light-off.

Abstract: An electronic engine controller (EEC) controls the delivery of fuel to an internal combustion engine via one or more fuel injectors by generating a base fuel value and modifying it with a transient fuel compensation value. The EEC determines the transient fuel compensation value by measuring a temperature value indicative of the temperature of the induction system of the engine and determining a valve effect value indicative of the effect of intake valve temperature on the vaporization of fuel in the induction system. A transient fuel compensation value is then generated in response to the temperature value and the valve effect value. The base fuel value, generated under any of a variety of known engine control methods, including open-loop control and closed-loop control, is altered in response to the transient fuel compensation value to generate a fuel injector control signal for controlling the amount of fuel delivered by the fuel injectors.