Abstract: Since the maximum jolt amplitude during gear shifts in an automatic transmission occurs when a frictional clutch band is first holding fully and since a mathematical relationship can be established between this maximum amplitude and the amplitude of the jolt while the band is slipping, the maximum permissible jolt amplitude during slippage (R.sub.O) is calculated as a function of the input and output speed of the transmission at the start of the gear shift and the predetermined maximum permissible over-all jolt amplitude (R.sub.max). The actual jolt amplitude is determined continuously, compared to R.sub.O, and the friction band is activated to maintain the actual jolt equal to R.sub.O, while the band is slipping.

Abstract: An electronic control apparatus for a fuel injection system in internal combustion engines which has a timing device for the generation of electric injection pulses, whose duration is dependent on operating characteristics and which are delivered to at least one electromagnetic injection valve which includes a time control circuit associated with the timing device in order to form at least one limiting value for the subsequent injection pulse and the subsequent injection pulse as well as the at least one limiting value can be delivered to a selector circuit so as to limit variations with respect to the duration of the injection signal thereby achieving smooth operation of the internal combustion engine.

Abstract: A speed discriminator circuit furnishes an upper speed range signal if the engine speed is above a preselected speed. When the engine speed is above the preselected speed, the electronic switch controlling the current flow through the primary winding of the ignition coil is switched to the conductive state at a time when a control signal which varies as a function of actual engine speed becomes less than a speed varying reference signal. The switch is opened, thereby creating the first spark, either when the control signal, which is an AC signal, passes through zero or when the current in the primary winding of the coil has reached a predetermined value indicating that sufficient energy for ignition has been stored in the ignition coil. When the speed is less than the preselected speed the electronic switch is closed when the AC control signal passes through zero and is reopened when the current through the primary winding of the ignition coil is indicative of sufficient stored energy for ignition.

Abstract: To simulate freewheel operation, that is to allow torque transmission in one direction only, the variation with respect to time of the torque transmitted by a friction coupling clutch or brake band) is computed and the coupling is released when the transmitted torque passes through zero. When the coupling is slipping, the time at which the torque passed through zero is taken to be the time at which the input and output speed of the coupling are the same. When a slipping and a fully engaged coupling are connected in parallel, the torque transmitted by the fully engaged coupling is computed from a set of equations utilizing only parameters sensed in any case in a standard drive system. Speed sensors and a torsiometer furnish signals required for the computations. Preferably, the computations are implemented by a microprocessor.

Abstract: To combine the advantage of a capacitor discharge ignition system, in which the spark intensity is essentially independent of engine speed even at high speeds of the engine, and the extended spark discharge of electromagnetic coil storage ignition by interrupting current through an ignition coil, an ignition event control circuit--for example a breaker contact, optical or electromagnetic transducer or the like--controls a discharge circuit through a capacitor which, after having been charged, suddenly and abruptly discharges through the ignition coil to generate an ignition event. Triggering of the ignition event also initiates repetitive energization of the ignition coil, under control of a frequency generator, which is then connected to the ignition coil to repetitively cause current flow, and abrupt interruption thereof, so that the spark duration, initiated for discharge of the capacitor, is extended.

Abstract: To control shifting shock upon starting of a stopped vehicle with an automatic transmission and when shifting from neutral into a drive gear (first, or reverse), a signal representative of transmission input speed (therefore equally representative of engine output speed) is used, twice differentiated, to control a shift-shock control system when shifting between neutral and a drive gear. When the vehicle is moving above a predetermined speed, e.g. 7 km/h, the automatic shock control system is controlled by a twice differentiated signal derived from the output of the transmission and when shifting is to be commanded between first and second, and second and third (or other gears), respectively.

Abstract: A frequency generator is enabled when an ignition event is to occur, to provide a sequence of current pulses to an ignition coil, so that multiple sparks will be commanded for any one single ignition event. To compensate for changes in operating parameters, particularly low-voltage condition of supply current, the frequency generator is controllable to change the pulse width, or the frequency thereof. To simply compensate for voltage variations, the frequency generator is a voltage controlled oscillator (VCO), controlled by the electrical supply network, typically the battery of a vehicle.

Abstract: To accurately determine the dwell time as well as the ignition instant in a digitally controlled ignition system to provide essentially constant ignition energy to a spark plug, and permit ready adjustment and matching of a basic system to various types of internal combustion engines, a counter is controlled to count up at a rate depending on speed of the engine starting from a predetermined angular position of the crankshaft of the engine with respect to a piston, then count down at a second rate, which may be fixed; a fixed number is introduced into the counter which changes the count state during either the first or the second count cycle, or upon transition of counting from the first to the second count cycle, the determination of the number being readily changed by specific connection of output terminals from the counter to a decoding stage, thus avoiding the necessity of reconnecting the internal wiring of a group of gates to match the system to any given engine.

Abstract: Sequentially generated charge pulses are applied to the spark gap through a diode which prevents back-flow of energy applied to the spark gap, the capacity of the ignition cable, or a capacitor, and of the spark gap causing a build-up of charge accumulation as a result of the sequentially applied charges, until the gap breaks down; the breakdown voltage, therefore, will be determined by the conditions of the gap. The pulses are generated at a pulse repetition rate which is high with respect to the rate of generation of spark impulses through a circuit in which the respective capacities and winding ratios and inductances of the ignition coil and the cabling are controlled so that the pauses between sequentially generated spark pulses and the timing of the spark pulses can be matched to the system parameters.

Abstract: To provide sufficient current flow to the ignition coil in an ignition system of an automotive-type internal combustion engine under high-speed conditions, without excessive current flow under other speed conditions, a memory is provided which is loaded in the time interval between successive signals in advance of the ignition instant, separated by a time which decreases as the speed of the engine increases, the memory accumulating a stored value which is representative of the time duration.

Abstract: As a clutch between a motor and a vehicle transmission is progressively engaged through the region of slipping engagement, the jolt effect produced is measured and at the same time the jolt effect that would be produced if the clutch were at once grippingly (fully) engaged is predicted. The higher of the respective measured and predicted jolt effects is subtracted from a signal representing maximum permissible jolt, and the resulting difference is used as the input of a three-term (PID) controller, the output of which produces a displacement of an electrically actuatable clutch control member. The controller and control member are so designed that when the controller is shut off, the clutch goes at once into full engagement. The circuit compares motor speed with transmission input speed in order to shut off the controller when these two speeds are equal, thus fully engaging the clutch, and also to shut off at the same time the jolt-measuring and predicting circuits.

Abstract: To generate a plurality of spark pulses for a multi-spark breakdown for each ignition event for ignition of a combustible mixture in an internal combustion engine, while providing for positive generation of the first spark at a predetermined time instant, a time delay circuit is connected to control a frequency generator for generation of a plurality of spark pulses, the first spark pulse, however, being controlled through a differentiating network, for example an R/C network, for positive generation of the first pulse.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for use with fuel mixture preparation systems which employ an oxygen sensor in the exhaust line to determine the composition of the combustible mixture supplied to the engine and which adjust the mixture on the basis of the bi-valued signals from the sensor. In order to permit the use of these signals at lower than normal operating temperatures, where the internal resistance of the sensor is high and the output signal is skewed, the invention proposes generating a correction current which is passed through the sensor and which causes a voltage drop which symmetrizes the output voltage so that the two branches of the output signal always lie respectively above and below a fixed set-point voltage, thus permitting control loop processing.A circuit is also described which supplies the correcting current by comparison of the DC level of the output signal with the set-point value in a secondary feedback loop.

Abstract: A signal generator, such as a breaker contact, an electronic ignition control system, or the like, provides signals when an ignition event is to occur, to control the operation of a controlled switch, connected in circuit with a spark coil, to open the circuit and induce a pulse for application to a spark plug. To provide a sequence of pulses to the spark plug for any one ignition event, a pulse generator is enabled when an ignition event is commanded.

Abstract: To prevent application of excessive spark energy in an ignition system designed for proper firing voltages even under low-battery voltage conditions, upon rise of the battery voltage to normal or excessive values, a voltage sensing circuit, including a threshold stage, is connected to the secondary of the ignition coil to sense the secondary voltage, the threshold stage providing an output when the voltage is exceeded and blocking continued supply of power to the ignition coil of the system to thereby limit the ignition voltage.

Abstract: To provide a sharp voltage pulse to break down the spark gap of a spark plug, an ignition coil is constructed to have two secondary winding portions, one providing a high-voltage output and the other providing high energy level or current output. The high current output portion is connected through a diode to charge a capacitor which is further connected through an additional blocking diode to the spark gap, to which also the high voltage portion is connected, so that the spark gap will be supplied by a circuit common to both winding portions of the ignition coil, the high voltage pulse breaking down the spark gap and the high energy pulse, of lower voltage, however, providing spark energy for an extended period of time after initial breakdown of the gap. Preferably, the system is transistor-controlled, with the ignition instant being determined by a digital counter counting forward and reversely under control of a rotation-pulse transducer coupled to the crankshaft of the engine.