Idle Speed Control Patents (Class 123/339.1)
  • Patent number: 11835003
    Abstract: Electric devices of a vehicle are divided into groups according to a magnitude of electric power used by each of the electric devices. The number of the groups is smaller than the number of the electric devices. A controller for the vehicle stores in advance different correction amounts respectively associated with the groups. The controller is configured to, when the number of operating ones of the electric devices belonging to the same group is equal to or greater than a predetermined specified number, perform an increase process of increasing an engine rotation speed of an internal combustion engine by the correction amount associated with the group in which the number of the operating ones of the electric devices is equal to or greater than the specified number.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2022
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2023
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISH
    Inventors: Hiroaki Mizoguchi, Shinichi Oda, Yasuaki Murakami, Masahiro Kachi
  • Patent number: 11027733
    Abstract: A vehicle speed control system includes a vehicle accelerator mechanism manually moveable between a plurality of positions, a detection arrangement configured to detect the position of the vehicle accelerator mechanism and to generate an output signal indicative of the position of the vehicle accelerator mechanism, and a vehicle speed controller configured to establish a speed of the vehicle as a function of the detected position of the manually controllable vehicle accelerator mechanism, and to use the output signal as an input speed control signal. A method of controlling speed of a vehicle by a vehicle speed control system is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2021
    Assignee: VOLVO TRUCK CORPORATION
    Inventors: Lena Larsson, Jan Öberg, Filip Alm
  • Patent number: 11002207
    Abstract: A method for operating a drive device with an internal combustion engine and an exhaust gas turbocharger associated with an internal combustion engine. The internal combustion engine is connected to an intake tract provided with a throttle valve. A specified ignition point is determined from a rotational speed of an internal combustion engine. At the same time with a target load jump of the internal combustion engine from an actual torque to a target torque with a full opening of the throttle valve by setting a first target ignition point which is later than the specified ignition point, a target reserve is built up and the actual torque is increased at the same time. The target reserve is used prior to reaching the target torque with the actual torque by setting a second target ignition point which is earlier than the first ignition point, and in addition is used to increase the actual torque.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2021
    Assignee: AUDI AG
    Inventor: Bernd Barra
  • Patent number: 10927772
    Abstract: A control method for an internal combustion engine including a variable compression ratio mechanism which includes: implementing a compression ratio fixing control in which a mechanical compression ratio is fixed to a predetermined low compression ratio, and controlling combustion form in a cylinder to stratified combustion, under engine idling during catalyst warming-up; controlling the combustion form in the cylinder to homogeneous combustion, under an operation state other than the engine idling during the catalyst warming-up; and implementing the compression ratio fixing control and controlling the combustion form in the cylinder to the homogeneous combustion, in response to pressing-down of an accelerator under the engine idling during the catalyst warming-up, and as long as the engine idling during the catalyst warming-up has a possibility to resume in response to release of the accelerator after the pressing-down.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2021
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kenji Suzuki, Tomoki Itou, Yukiyo Yamada
  • Patent number: 10746153
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for operating a variable displacement engine that includes a knock control system. Fuel injection timing and cylinder firing patterns may be adjusted to maintain engine background noise levels so that the presence or absence of engine knock may be more reliably detected. Further, select variable engine displacement modes may be avoided so that engine background noise level changes may be reduced to improve engine knock detection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2020
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Mohannad Hakeem, James Matthew Kindree, Christopher Paul Glugla, Lee B. McQuinn
  • Patent number: 10202947
    Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for engine systems including a multiple tap aspirator with a throat tap and a diffuser tap. Suction passages coupled to the throat and diffuser taps, respectively, may fluidly communicate via a leak passage with a flow restriction. During conditions where the pressure at a suction flow source of the diffuser tap is less than the pressure at the diffuser tap, backflow from the diffuser tap may travel through the leak passage into the throat tap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2019
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Brad Alan VanDerWege
  • Patent number: 10199714
    Abstract: A wireless LED tube lamp device (100) comprises: an at least partially transparent tube (7); at least one LED (1) arranged within said tube; at least one LED driver (4); a LED controller (5); an RF antenna (30; 40) coupled to the controller for receiving and sending wireless commands. The RF antenna is a curved antenna having antenna elements (31, 32, 33; 41, 42, 43) located in a common curved plane wherein said antenna comprises an array of half-loop wire antenna, and said array of half-loop wire antenna comprises a plurality of coils of line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2019
    Assignee: PHILIPS LIGHTING HOLDING B.V.
    Inventors: Xiaodong Ge, Gang Li
  • Patent number: 10063171
    Abstract: A control apparatus for an internal combustion engine is provided with: a first determining device configured to determine whether or not the number of revolutions of the internal combustion engine is less than a predetermined number of revolutions and control torque is required for a rotary electric machine; a second determining device configured to determine whether or not required control torque is less than a predetermined threshold value; a first controlling device configured to realize the control state in one arm and to realize the power generation state if the required control torque is less than the predetermined threshold value; a second controlling device configured to realize the control state in both the one arm and the other arm if the required control torque is greater than the predetermined threshold value; and a threshold changing device configured to change the predetermined threshold value to increase with increasing number of revolutions of the internal combustion engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2018
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Koji Murakami, Hatsuo Nakao, Mitsuhiro Tabata
  • Patent number: 9995235
    Abstract: A method for plausibilization of an engine control function for an internal combustion engine includes: provision of injection parameters with which an injection of fuel into cylinders of the internal combustion engine is controlled on the basis of a torque that is to be realized; estimation of an actual torque of the internal combustion engine as a function of the injection parameters; and evaluation of the actual torque as a function of the torque that is to be realized, in order to plausibilize the engine control function.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2018
    Assignee: ROBERT BOSCH GMBH
    Inventors: Guenter Kettenacker, Volker Pitzal
  • Patent number: 9556802
    Abstract: A method for detecting coking in the intake tract of an internal combustion engine having direct fuel injection is provided. The internal combustion engine has variable intake valve control. The variable intake valve control makes it possible to change the open time of the intake valves in relation to the crank angle of the crankshaft. In the method, the internal combustion engine is operated in idling mode at an idling rotational speed that is elevated in comparison with the normal idling operation. In order to perform the measurement, the open time of the intake valves is also shifted in an advanced direction. An uneven-running characteristic value of the internal combustion engine that is characteristic of the uneven running of the internal combustion engine is determined, and the presence of coking in the intake tract can be detected on the basis of the uneven-running characteristic value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2017
    Assignee: Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Sebastian Grasreiner
  • Patent number: 9522674
    Abstract: A hybrid vehicle includes a battery, a generation unit having an internal combustion engine and a generator configured to supply electric power generated to a motor or the battery, the motor, and a mount which connects the internal combustion engine to a vehicle body. An internal combustion engine control device for the vehicle includes a generation unit activation determination portion which determines whether or not the generation unit needs to be activated to operate, a mount displacement quantity deriving portion which derives a mount displacement quantity indicating an extended/contracted length of the mount, and an internal combustion engine control portion which prohibits a start of the internal combustion engine a case the mount displacement quantity exceeds a threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2016
    Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Hiroshi Tagami, Shinsuke Shimoda, Takashi Kashimura, Hiroaki Shinoki
  • Patent number: 9200586
    Abstract: An engine system includes an engine, an air intake passage to supply air to the engine, a throttle valve provided in the air intake passage to adjust a throttle opening degree that is an opening degree of the air intake passage, a bypass passage to supply air to the engine while bypassing the throttle valve, an on/off valve provided in the bypass passage to open and close the bypass passage, and a control unit that performs ignition lag control of the engine to control an output of the engine when the on/off valve is in an open state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2015
    Assignee: YAMAHA HATSUDOKI KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Hiroshi Inoue
  • Publication number: 20150136079
    Abstract: A method for detecting coking in the intake tract of an internal combustion engine having direct fuel injection is provided. The internal combustion engine has variable intake valve control. The variable intake valve control makes it possible to change the open time of the intake valves in relation to the crank angle of the crankshaft. In the method, the internal combustion engine is operated in idling mode at an idling rotational speed that is elevated in comparison with the normal idling operation. In order to perform the measurement, the open time of the intake valves is also shifted in an advanced direction. An uneven-running characteristic value of the internal combustion engine that is characteristic of the uneven running of the internal combustion engine is determined, and the presence of coking in the intake tract can be detected on the basis of the uneven-running characteristic value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 26, 2015
    Publication date: May 21, 2015
    Inventor: Sebastian GRASREINER
  • Patent number: 9002600
    Abstract: An example method of operation comprises, selectively shutting down engine operation responsive to operating conditions and without receiving an engine shutdown request from the operator, maintaining the automatic transmission in gear during the shutdown, and during an engine restart from the shutdown condition, and with the transmission in gear, transmitting reduced torque to the transmission. For example, slippage of a forward clutch of the transmission may be used to enable the transmission to remain in gear, yet reduce torque transmitted to the vehicle wheels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 2, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Alex O'Connor Gibson, Peter John Grutter, Roger Lyle Huffmaster, Felix Nedorezov
  • Patent number: 8972124
    Abstract: A work vehicle includes an engine, an idling stop execution portion, a determination portion, a counting portion, and an idling stop time period adjustment portion. The engine can rotate in a first idling state and a second idling state in which the engine rotates at the number of rotations higher than a prescribed number of rotations. The idling stop execution portion performs an idling stop operation for stopping the engine. The determination portion determines whether or not stop has been made from the second idling state. The counting portion counts the number of times of stop of the engine from the second idling state. An idling stop time period adjustment portion makes a prescribed time period of the second idling state longer than a current time period, when the number of times of stop of the engine is equal to or greater than the prescribed number of times.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2015
    Assignee: Komatsu Ltd.
    Inventors: Tadashi Mori, Jin Yogita
  • Patent number: 8903634
    Abstract: The engine control apparatus includes a governor control mechanism for keeping the engine frequency constant, decides the “presence” or “absence” of the engine load by the throttle aperture and forcibly changes the engine frequency to a predetermined frequency depending on the presence or absence of the load, the engine control apparatus includes an engine controlling unit (10) for controlling fuel supply to an engine (1), an engine temperature detecting unit (4) for detecting an engine temperature of the engine (1), and a threshold changing unit (10a) for changing each throttle aperture as a threshold for deciding the “presence” or “absence” of an engine load depending on the engine temperature detected by the engine temperature detecting unit (4).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2014
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Keiichiro Bungo
  • Publication number: 20140345564
    Abstract: An idle reduction control device mounted on a vehicle equipped with an engine and a brake comprises: a pumping operation detector that detects a pumping operation of the brake; and an engine controller that controls a start and a stop of the engine. The engine controller stops the engine after elapse of a predetermined time since a stop of the vehicle, when a number of the pumping operations during a deceleration period before the stop of the vehicle is less than a predetermined value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 15, 2011
    Publication date: November 27, 2014
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Masaki Matsunaga, Junichi Morimura, Yasunari Kido
  • Patent number: 8849543
    Abstract: A method and computer readable medium are disclosed to control operation of an internal combustion engine having an electronic control unit (ECU) with memory to burn off HC in an engine exhaust system and limit hydrocarbon and NOx content in the engine exhaust stream while operating the engine in idle mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: Detroit Diesel Corporation
    Inventors: Marleen F. Thompson, Tomislav Ivo Golub
  • Publication number: 20140230783
    Abstract: A control apparatus for an internal combustion engine equipped with an idling stop mechanism and a supercharger. The control apparatus is provided with: a controlling device which is configured to detect atmospheric pressure and to change a threshold value of a parameter which allows idling stop processing to be performed by the idling stop mechanism, to a side on which the idling stop processing is not allowed, as the detected atmospheric pressure has a lower value, in order to suppress an excessive increase in temperature of a catalyst.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 1, 2011
    Publication date: August 21, 2014
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Hiroyuki Sugihara
  • Patent number: 8769933
    Abstract: A method to operate a vehicle equipped an internal combustion engine and a transmission coupled to drive wheels. The vehicle is equipped with a parking brake and has an electronic control unit with memory and the engine in fluid communication with an exhaust aftertreatment system. The method includes the steps of determining whether the engine is operating in idle mode for a predetermined period of time; determining whether NOx emissions exceed a predetermined level after the predetermined period of time; and limiting the engine speed not to exceed a predetermined engine speed until an operator engages the parking brake and engages an engine ignition switch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2014
    Assignee: Detroit Diesel Corporation
    Inventors: Marleen F. Thompson, Tomislav Ivo Golub
  • Patent number: 8739762
    Abstract: An engine controlling apparatus includes an idle speed setting unit that sets a target idle speed upon idling of an engine mounted on a vehicle, and a target torque setting unit that sets a target torque in response to the target idle speed. The apparatus further includes an ignition timing controlling unit that controls an ignition timing and an intake air amount controlling unit that controls an intake air amount, and a steering angle detection unit that detects a steering angle. The apparatus further includes a torque value setting unit that sets a torque value in response to the steering angle. The intake air amount controlling unit controls the intake air amount in response to both the target torque and the torque value. The ignition timing controlling unit controls the ignition timing so that the engine outputs the target torque.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2014
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Jidosha Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Toshiyuki Miyata, Katsunori Ueda, Hitoshi Toda, Koji Shibata
  • Publication number: 20140144408
    Abstract: Method and systems are provided for controlling a vehicle system including an engine that is selectively deactivated during engine idle-stop conditions. One example method comprises, adjusting a brake torque applied to a deactivated rotating engine after an engine restart request, the brake torque applied to slow the engine to at least a predetermined threshold speed without stopping the engine, and engaging a starter to the still rotating engine to increase the engine speed and restart the engine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 31, 2014
    Publication date: May 29, 2014
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Ross Dykstra Pursifull, Gopichandra Surnilla, Donald Lewis, Joseph Norman Ulrey, John D. Russell
  • Patent number: 8731791
    Abstract: When an internal combustion engine is cranked up from a stopped position of a piston in a restart-time first ignition cylinder which is scheduled to start a combustion at the time of an automatic restart of the engine under an automatic stop of the engine during an idling-stop control, a restart-time ignition time interval between a time point when the cranking of the engine is started and a time point when the restart-time first ignition cylinder is initially ignited is calculated. A drive-start timing of a starter motor is delayed according to this restart-time ignition time interval. Thereby, the cranking of the engine is carried out by the starter motor under a state where the hydraulic pressure supplied from the electric oil pump has increased. Thus, the slip in the clutch of the CVT can be suppressed when the gas mixture in the restart-time first ignition cylinder is initially ignited.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2014
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shouta Hamane, Takayuki Iwasaki, Yoshikazu Hirato
  • Publication number: 20140020655
    Abstract: In the present fault diagnosis method and the fault diagnosis system for an engine, an external diagnosis device: obtains continuous data on the incidences of misfire by misfiring cylinders from the vehicle's side with regard to the actually occurring misfire or past incidences of misfire; detects a misfire pattern, which is to be classified according to the presence of continuous incidences of misfire, on the basis of the continuous data; and narrows down a fault site in accordance with the misfire pattern.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 24, 2012
    Publication date: January 23, 2014
    Applicant: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Hiroshi Ito, Masami Haishima, Koji Watanabe, Kensuke Yagi
  • Publication number: 20140014065
    Abstract: An ECU for controlling an engine counts the continued period of stopping the engine in a low-temperature environment. The ECU sets the idle rotational speed at a first idle rotational speed when the stopped period is below a predetermined threshold value, and at a second idle rotational speed higher than the first idle rotational speed when the stopped period exceeds the reference value. Accordingly, resonance at the driving force transmission system during idle operation can be prevented even in the case where a mount employed for attaching the engine to the vehicle is hardened as a result of undergoing a low-temperature environment for a long period of time, and the resonant rotational speed of the driving force transmission system including the engine varies.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 31, 2011
    Publication date: January 16, 2014
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Kenji Hayashi, Takumi Anzawa, Eiji Fukushiro, Katsuhiko Yamaguchi
  • Patent number: 8616180
    Abstract: The present subject matter relates to arrangements and uses for engine speed governors. In particular, an automatic idle system for a small engine can include an engine speed governor for connection to a small engine with a governor shaft rotatable in response to a speed of the engine. A governor linkage can include a first portion for connection to the governor shaft and a second portion for connection to a throttle control of the engine, the first portion being movably connected with or to the second portion. An actuator can be connected to the second portion of the governor linkage, the actuator being movable in response to a load on the engine to move the second portion relative to the first portion. In this configuration, when the engine is in a low-load state, the second portion can be moved relative to the first portion toward a throttle-closed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Charles R. Spitler, Tyler Ricketts, Nathaniel Lenfert, Andrew E. Bejcek, Yasushi Fujita
  • Patent number: 8616169
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method of controlling the stopping and starting of a heat engine (2) of a vehicle. The invention is of the type in which (i) it is necessary for the vehicle to be in an engine stop request phase, and not in pre-defined operating conditions that oppose the stopping of the engine (2), in order for the engine (2) to be stopped or (ii) it is necessary for the vehicle to be in an engine start request phase, and not in pre-defined operating conditions that oppose the starting of the engine (2), in order for the engine to be started. The invention is characterized in that the vehicle operating conditions that oppose the stopping of the engine (2) comprise slow congested traffic conditions constituting specific identification criteria.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: Peugeot Citroen Automobile SA
    Inventors: Guillaume Levasseur, Jean-Emmanuel Guy, Arnaud Celisse, Herve Klein
  • Patent number: 8567371
    Abstract: Systems, devices, and methods are disclosed for automatically adjusting a speed of an engine in response to the loading on the engine. In particular, an automatic idle system and method can comprise a governor linkage with a first end for connection to the rotatable shaft of an engine governor and a second end for connection to a throttle control of the engine, and an actuator connected to the second end of the governor linkage. The actuator can be movable in response to a load on the engine to move the governor linkage from a base position to an adjusted position. In this arrangement, when the engine is in a low-load state, the governor linkage can be moved toward a throttle-closed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2013
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Christopher W. Vaughn, Jeffrey A. Wians
  • Patent number: 8473172
    Abstract: Systems and methods for assisted direct start control are provided. An example method varies engine torque, forward clutch engagement pressure, and wheel brake pressure during a vehicle launch responsive to longitudinal vehicle grade to improve launch performance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 2, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2013
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Alex O'Connor Gibson, Roger Lyle Huffmaster
  • Patent number: 8406983
    Abstract: Various methods are described for controlling engine operation for an engine having a turbocharger and direction injection. One example method includes performing at least a first and second injection in response to a driver action. The first and second injection may be performed during a cylinder cycle, the first injection generating a lean combustion and the second injection injected after combustion such that it exits the cylinder unburned into the exhaust upstream of a turbine of the turbocharger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2013
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Tobias John Pallett, Gopichandra Surnilla
  • Patent number: 8396647
    Abstract: When an engine shifts to idle operation in a process of stopping an automobile, a target engine speed of an engine idle speed control is reduced and a threshold engine speed of an engine speed reduction prevention control is also reduced accordingly, provided that the automobile is traveling on a road surface with low friction coefficient.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2013
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Takashi Tsunooka, Yoshiyuki Shogenji
  • Patent number: 8360030
    Abstract: An idle control system for a vehicle comprises an actuator control module, a torque determination module, a deviation analysis module, and an idle speed reduction module. The actuator control module regulates an engine speed based on a desired idle speed when an engine idle mode is enabled. The torque determination module determines actual torques for a cylinder of an engine while the engine idle mode is enabled. The deviation analysis module determines a standard deviation based on more than one of the actual torques while the engine idle mode is enabled. The idle speed reduction module determines an idle speed reduction based on the standard deviation and decreases the desired idle speed based on the idle speed reduction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2013
    Inventors: Lee C. Walker, B. Jerry Song, Joseph Allen Griffin, Byungho Lee
  • Patent number: 8355858
    Abstract: Various methods are described for controlling engine operation for an engine having a turbocharger and direct injection. One example method includes performing a first and second injection during a cylinder cycle, the first injection generating a lean combustion and the second injection exiting the cylinder unburned into the exhaust upstream of a turbine of the turbocharger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2013
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Tobias John Pallett, Eric Matthew Storhok, Gopichandra Surnilla
  • Patent number: 8333174
    Abstract: Method for controlling fuel metering in a carburetor or a low pressure injection system of an internal combustion engine when the engine is operating at idle speed, the method includes the steps of: a) monitoring the engine speed; b) determining a first variable (A) based on a first moving average algorithm using the monitored engine speed as input data; c) determining a second variable (B) based on a second moving average algorithm using the monitored engine speed as input data, where the first moving average algorithm is arranged to react faster to an engine speed change than the second moving average algorithm; d) comparing the second variable (B) to the first variable (A), where if 1) the second variable (B) is higher than the first variable (A): the fuel metering is set in a first leaner setting, and where if 2) the second variable (B) is lower than the first variable (A): the fuel metering is set in a second richer setting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2012
    Assignee: Husqvarna AB
    Inventors: Bo Carlsson, Mikael Larsson
  • Patent number: 8315778
    Abstract: A first judgment circuit and a second judgment circuit are adapted to set a judging signal high when a judgment data sent from a microprocessor indicates failure. The high level judging signal triggers a forced idle command connected to a motor driver, to be high level whereby the motor is forcibly suspended. Subsequently, when a reset command is accidentally transmitted by the microprocessor due to an unexpected fault, a first judging signal from the first judgment circuit is reset to low level. However, a second judging signal from the second judgment circuit remains high level. As a result, the forced idle command stays high level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2012
    Assignee: Denso Corporation
    Inventors: Toshio Nishimura, Hirotaka Kunibe, Yoshiyasu Futamura, Shoukichi Hosoe, Hirokazu Tsuji, Akira Ito, Tokutada Takahashi, Takamasa Oguri
  • Patent number: 8307850
    Abstract: An air intake device for an engine is provided that includes a bypass (20) connected to an air intake path (2) while bypassing a throttle valve (5), and a bypass valve (V) for controlling the degree of opening of the bypass (20), the bypass valve (V) being formed from a tubular valve chamber (15) having its interior opening on the upstream side of the bypass (20) and having an inner face with a metering hole (16) opening toward the downstream side of the bypass (20), and a valve body (25) slidably but non-rotatably fitted into the valve chamber (15) and opening and closing the metering hole (16), wherein an inner face (A) of the valve chamber (15) on which the metering hole (16) opens and an outer face (B1) of the valve body (25) opposing the inner face (A) and covering the metering hole (16) are formed in the same shape so as to enable them to be in intimate contact with each other, and other inner (A) and outer faces (B2) of the valve chamber (15) and the valve body (25) are formed so that there is a gap (g
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2012
    Assignee: Keihin Corporation
    Inventors: Hiroshige Akiyama, Toshiyuki Sugimoto
  • Patent number: 8307807
    Abstract: An idle control device for an engine is provided that can prevent delay in return to a target revolution speed which may cause unpleasant vehicle vibration or lead to an engine stall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2012
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
    Inventor: Takahiko Ono
  • Patent number: 8251042
    Abstract: When a fuel-supply cutoff condition is satisfied, an ECU executes a program including: calculating the target torque; detecting the engine speed NE; calculating the target KL based on the target torque, NE and MBT; controlling an engine using the throttle valve opening amount based on the target KL, the base fuel ignition timing, and the fuel injection amount based on the current KL until the target KL becomes equal to or lower than the KL lower limit; controlling the engine using the throttle valve opening amount based on the KL lower limit, NE, the target ignition timing calculated based on the current KL and the target torque, and the fuel injection amount based on the current KL when the target KL reaches the KL lower limit; and actually starting a fuel-supply cutoff when the target ignition timing reaches the retardation limit timing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2012
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Masahiro Ito
  • Patent number: 8161937
    Abstract: An air intake device of an engine includes a throttle body provided in an intake passage of an engine, a bypass passage arranged to connect an upstream side and a downstream side of a throttle valve disposed in the throttle body, an idle number-of-revolutions control device that is disposed in the bypass passage and that controls the quantity of air passing through the bypass passage and flowing into the downstream side of the throttle valve according to the state of the engine, and a water collection portion that is disposed on the upstream side of the idle number-of-revolutions control device in the bypass passage and that is constructed so as to include a space portion connecting with the bypass passage. This structure enables smooth operation of the idle number-of-revolutions control device and prevents damage thereto caused by water in a bypass passage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2012
    Assignee: Yamaha Hatsudoki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Tokinari Nagao, Takashi Ashida, Atsushi Sawabuchi
  • Patent number: 8151765
    Abstract: In an engine intake system, an air cleaner and downstream sides of throttle valves in throttle bodies provided in intake passages are connected by bypass passages. An idle speed control apparatus provided at a midpoint of the passage controls amounts of air supplied during an idling operation. End portions of the bypass passages connected to the throttle bodies are located in higher positions than end portions of the bypass passages connected to the air cleaner so that the bypass passages are inclined downward toward the air cleaner. As a result, water is prevented from blocking the bypass passages via a simple structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2012
    Assignee: Yamaha Hatsudoki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Tokinari Nagao, Atsushi Sawabuchi
  • Patent number: 8113170
    Abstract: A method is disclosed for controlling engine output in a vehicle having a hydraulic power steering system. The method may include, during an idle condition where an engine speed is set to an idle speed, adjusting engine output based on a learned absolute steering wheel angle to compensate for changes in engine load caused by operation of the hydraulic power steering system. The learned absolute steering wheel angle may be based on a steering wheel angle relative to a steering wheel position at vehicle startup and operating conditions from previous vehicle operation before the vehicle startup.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2012
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Brent Jacobsen, Mike Ryan Scannell, Ron Reichenbach, Hugh Hamilton, Marian Sue Chupa
  • Publication number: 20110226216
    Abstract: An idle control system for a vehicle comprises an actuator control module, a torque determination module, a deviation analysis module, and an idle speed reduction module. The actuator control module regulates an engine speed based on a desired idle speed when an engine idle mode is enabled. The torque determination module determines actual torques for a cylinder of an engine while the engine idle mode is enabled. The deviation analysis module determines a standard deviation based on more than one of the actual torques while the engine idle mode is enabled. The idle speed reduction module determines an idle speed reduction based on the standard deviation and decreases the desired idle speed based on the idle speed reduction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 17, 2010
    Publication date: September 22, 2011
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Lee C. Walker, B. Jerry Song, Joseph Allen Griffin, Byungho Lee
  • Patent number: 8001950
    Abstract: A method is disclosed for controlling engine output in a vehicle having a hydraulic power steering system. The method may include, during an idle condition where an engine speed is set to an idle speed, adjusting engine output based on a learned absolute steering wheel angle to compensate for changes in engine load caused by operation of the hydraulic power steering system. The learned absolute steering wheel angle may be based on a steering wheel angle relative to a steering wheel position at vehicle startup and operating conditions from previous vehicle operation before the vehicle startup.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2011
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Brent Jacobsen, Mike Ryan Scannell, Ron Reichenbach, Hugh Hamilton, Marian Sue Chupa
  • Patent number: 7975670
    Abstract: An ECU executes a program including: detecting the engine speed NE and the current KL (S1010, S1020) when the ISC learning control is started (“YES” in S1000); changing the ignition efficiency so that the NE and the output torque are kept unchanged even when the throttle valve opening amount changes (S1030); calculating the target torque by multiplying the ISC target torque by the ignition efficiency (S1040); calculating the target KL based on the target torque, the NE and the MBT (S1050); calculating the throttle valve opening amount based on the target KL (S1060); calculating the target ignition timing based on the NE, the current KL and the target torque (S1070); and controlling an engine using the calculated throttle valve opening amount, ignition timing and fuel injection amount (S1080).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2011
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Masahiro Ito
  • Patent number: 7954473
    Abstract: A vehicle speed sensor detects a rotational speed of a rear wheel. A throttle valve is positioned downstream of an intake pipe. An idle speed control device controls the amount of air flowing through the intake pipe to perform an idle speed control. An electronic control unit (ECU) detects an abnormality of the idle speed control (ISC) device based on an intake pipe pressure. The ECU inhibits a rotational speed of the engine from increasing when an abnormality of the ISC device is determined. Precise detection of vehicle speed and suppression of increase of engine rotational speed resulting from an ISC abnormality is thereby achieved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2011
    Assignee: Yamaha Hatsudoki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Tomohiko Ota
  • Patent number: 7854114
    Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention includes an internal combustion engine system designed to increase exhaust temperature when operating with a low mechanical load—such as idle operation. This increased exhaust temperature is provided to operate aftertreatment equipment. Exhaust temperature is raised by operating a portion of the engine pistons in a brake mode to increase loading on a remainder of the pistons operating in a combustion mode to drive the engine. Fuel provided to pistons operating in the combustion mode is regulated to maintain speed of the engine within a desired idle speed range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 21, 2010
    Assignee: Cummins Inc.
    Inventor: Roger D. England
  • Patent number: 7814884
    Abstract: To accurately supply idle air without influence of pulsative pressure generated within an intake passage, a lower end surface (21a2) of a bottom portion (21a) of an air control valve (21) is arranged in a contact manner via a closing member (1) toward a locking piece portion (2) fixed to an end portion of a shaft portion (20b) of a slider (20), an annular gap (S2) formed by an inner periphery (21a1) of the bottom portion (21a) and an outer periphery (20d) of the shaft portion (20b) is closed by the closing member (1) arranged in a contact manner on the lower end surface (21a2), and cuts off communication between a space portion (25), which is formed between a tube portion (21b) of the air control valve (21) and the shaft portion (20b), and a lower chamber (12g) of a valve body guide hole facing to the bottom portion (21a).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2010
    Assignee: Keihin Corporation
    Inventor: Jun Suzuki
  • Patent number: 7806105
    Abstract: When it is determined that an engine speed NE rapidly decreases (positive outcome at S210), a throttle increase amount TAu and a valve lift increase amount VLu are computed based on a decrease rate NEd of the engine speed NE (S220). Then, a target throttle opening degree TAt of a throttle valve and a target maximum valve lift VLt of an intake valve are increased by using the throttle increase amount TAu and the valve lift increase amount VLu (S230). As a result, a drop in the engine speed during idling is reliably suppressed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2010
    Assignees: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha, Denso Corporation
    Inventors: Naohide Fuwa, Hisayo Yoshikawa
  • Patent number: 7806104
    Abstract: An engine ECU executes a program including the steps of: detecting an engine speed NE, engine load, and engine coolant temperature (S100, S110, S115); when determination is made of being in an idle region (YES at S120), determining whether in a cold idle region, a transitional region, or a warm idle region (S130); injecting fuel from an intake manifold injector alone when in the cold idle region (S140); injecting fuel from the intake manifold injector and injecting fuel from an in-cylinder injector at the feed pressure when in the transitional region (S150); and injecting fuel from the in-cylinder injector at the feed pressure when in the warm idle region (S160).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2010
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Shinji Sadakane, Motoki Ohtani, Kazutaka Fujioka
  • Patent number: 7779810
    Abstract: A fuel injection method for internal combustion engines with gasoline direct fuel injection systems comprises receiving a crankshaft position signal from a crankshaft position sensor. A position of a crankshaft is determined from the crankshaft position signal. Fuel is commanded at a first rate when the position of the crankshaft is within a first selectable range during a combustion cycle of an engine cylinder and fuel is commanded at a second rate when the position of the crankshaft is within a second selectable range during the combustion cycle of the engine cylinder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2010
    Inventors: Jesse M. Gwidt, David P. Sczomak, Michael J. Lucido, James R. Reeder, Jr.