Abstract: A method for operating a flex fuel conversion system for efficiently providing an aftermarket fuel delivery system which allows a vehicle to be operated on gasoline, ethanol or any combination of gasoline and ethanol.

Abstract: A method for operating a flex fuel conversion system for efficiently providing an aftermarket fuel delivery system which allows a vehicle to be operated on gasoline, ethanol or any combination of gasoline and ethanol.

Abstract: An internal combustion engine (10) includes an engine control unit (14). The engine control unit (14) provides control logic and signals to operate the internal combustion engine (10). The engine control unit (14) receives data from sensors (28) and outputs commands through command lines (30). The engine control unit (14) also communicates to a remote computer to receive changes in parameters or output requirements. A remote communicator (32) facilitates the communication between the engine control unit (14) and the remote computer. The remote communicator (32) also allows functions of the engine control unit (14) to be enabled or disabled. If functions are enabled, the remote computer may also provide initial parameters of operation allowing the engine control unit (14) to properly control the internal combustion engine (10).

Abstract: A method eliminates detonation in an internal combustion engine (10) by identifying conditions that identify the imminence thereof. The method centers about the pressure inside the cylinder (16) of the internal combustion engine (10). The method tracks the pressure and when small rapid changes or fluctuations (38) in the pressure occur, the ignition timing is advanced for that particular cylinder (16). An alternative method utilizes a model of pressure based on an array of inputs and how the pressure should act based thereon. The method may also be used to maximize performance of the output of each cylinder (16) by retarding the ignition timing until the small fluctuations (38) appear. The ignition timing could immediately be advanced to prevent a detonation thus identifying a maximized output performance without reaching a detonation condition.

Abstract: A method for controlling the ignition of an internal combustion engine (10) for a motor vehicle. More specifically, the method controls the timing of ignition for each of cylinder of the internal combustion engine (10). Control of the timing is based on two parameters, i.e., the speed at which the internal combustion engine (10) is operating and the gear in which the transmission (22) is operating. The speed is measured in terms of revolutions per minute. The gear helps to gauge what type of load may be present on the internal combustion engine (10). By identifying each of these parameters, it may easily be determined at what value the timing may be. If the specific speed of the vehicle is not located within the look-up table, where the data is stored, the method will interpolate the timing value based on values close to the value of the speed of the internal combustion engine (10) based on the neighboring values thereof.

Abstract: A method eliminates detonation in an internal combustion engine (10) by identifying conditions that identify the imminence thereof. The method centers about the pressure inside the cylinder (16) of the internal combustion engine (10). The method tracks the pressure and when small rapid changes or fluctuations (38) in the pressure occur, the ignition timing is advanced for that particular cylinder (16). An alternative method utilizes a model of pressure based on an array of inputs and how the pressure should act based thereon. The method may also be used to maximize performance of the output of each cylinder (16) by retarding the ignition timing until the small fluctuations (38) appear. The ignition timing could immediately be advanced to prevent a detonation thus identifying a maximized output performance without reaching a detonation condition.

Abstract: A method for controlling the ignition of an internal combustion engine (10) for a motor vehicle. More specifically, the method controls the timing of ignition for each of cylinder of the internal combustion engine (10). Control of the timing is based on two parameters, i.e., the speed at which the internal combustion engine (10) is operating and the gear in which the transmission (22) is operating. The speed is measured in terms of revolutions per minute. The gear helps to gauge what type of load may be present on the internal combustion engine (10). By identifying each of these parameters, it may easily be determined at what value the timing may be. If the specific speed of the vehicle is not located within the look-up table, where the data is stored, the method will interpolate the timing value based on values close to the value of the speed of the internal combustion engine (10) based on the neighboring values thereof.

Abstract: An internal combustion engine (10) includes an engine control unit (14). The engine control unit (14) provides control logic and signals to operate the internal combustion engine (10). The engine control unit (14) receives data from sensors (28) and outputs commands through command lines (30). The engine control unit (14) also communicates to a remote computer to receive changes in parameters or output requirements. A remote communicator (32) facilitates the communication between the engine control unit (14) and the remote computer. The remote communicator (32) also allows functions of the engine control unit (14) to be enabled or disabled. If functions are enabled, the remote computer may also provide initial parameters of operation allowing the engine control unit (14) to properly control the internal combustion engine (10).

Abstract: A method and system for controlling an engine is disclosed. The method and system accomplish engine control based on one or more defined relationships. The present invention permits a user to adjust the defined relationships that are used to control the engine. Those adjustments are rewritten to the controller in real-time without interrupting the control operation.

Abstract: An internal combustion engine system that is selectively powered by an enhanced air/fuel mixture. The supply of fuel to the cylinders of an internal combustion engine is increased in response to the addition of a supplemental oxidizing agent into an air/fuel mixture. The additional fuel may be added by increasing the duty cycle of fuel injectors mounted proximate the individual cylinders. In addition, the ignition timing is adjusted in accordance with the change in the density of the air/fuel mixture. The amount of supplemental oxidizing agent provided to the cylinders may be regulated by increasing in a controlled manner the rate at which the supplemental oxidizing agent is supplied over a period of time. Furthermore, the control unit for the engine receives and responds to a number of external operating parameters including the oxygen content of the engine exhaust and the traction of the tires.

Abstract: A fuel delivery system for internal combustion engines that includes a source of fuel under pressure, fuel lines for feeding fuel to the individual cylinders of the engine, and a distributor for metering fuel under pressure from the source to the individual fuel lines. The fuel metering distributor includes a fuel cavity coupled to the fuel source for receiving fuel under pressure, apertures in the sidewall of the cavity coupled to associated individual fuel lines, and a piston slidably disposed in the cavity for opening the individual apertures to the cavity as a function of position of the piston within the cavity. A linear electromagnetic actuator is coupled to the piston for controlling position of the piston within the cavity as a function of engine operating conditions.

Abstract: An internal combustion engine system that is selectively powered by an enhanced air/fuel mixture. The supply of fuel to the cylinders of an internal combustion engine is increased in response to the addition of a supplemental oxidizing agent into an air/fuel mixture. The additional fuel may be added by increasing the duty cycle of fuel injectors mounted proximate the individual cylinders. In addition, the ignition timing is adjusted in accordance with the change in the density of the fuel air mixture. The amount of supplemental oxidizing agent provided to the cylinders may be regulated by increasing in a controlled manner the rate at which the supplemental oxidizing agent is supplied over a period of time. Furthermore, the control unit for the engine receives and responds to a number of external operating parameters including the oxygen content of the engine exhaust and the traction of the tires.

Abstract: A system for managing operation of a V-twin motorcycle engine that includes a throttle body having an air intake manifold adapted to be mounted to the engine over the cylinder intake ports, and a throttle for control by an operator to admit combustion air into the manifold. A pair of fuel injectors are mounted on the throttle body, and are responsive to electronic injector control signals for injecting fuel into the air intake manifold adjacent to the intake ports. A fuel pump delivers fuel under pressure from a fuel supply, and a pressure regulator is coupled to the pump for supplying fuel at regulated pressure to the injectors. An engine speed sensor is operatively coupled to the engine for supplying an electrical signal as a function of engine speed. A second sensor such as a pressure sensor is operatively coupled to the engine air intake manifold for supplying an electrical signal as a function of combustion air available in the manifold.

Abstract: A system for managing operation of a V-twin motorcycle engine that includes a throttle body having an air intake manifold adapted to be mounted to the engine over the cylinder intake ports, and a throttle for control by an operator to admit combustion air into the manifold. A pair of fuel injectors are mounted on the throttle body, and are responsive to electronic injector control signals for injecting fuel into the air intake manifold adjacent to the intake ports. A fuel pump delivers fuel under pressure from a fuel supply, and a pressure regulator is coupled to the pump for supplying fuel at regulated pressure to the injectors. An engine speed sensor is operatively coupled to the engine for supplying an electrical signal as a function of engine speed, and a pressure sensor is operatively coupled to the engine air intake manifold for supplying an electrical signal as a function of manifold air pressure.