And Air-fuel Ratio Feedback Controlled Patents (Class 123/339.12)
  • Patent number: 11156174
    Abstract: A controller controls a vehicle including an engine with a fuel vapor processing device. The fuel vapor processing device executes purge control that sends fuel vapor of a fuel tank, via a canister, to an intake passage on condition that air-fuel ratio learning is complete. The controller includes processing circuitry. The processing circuitry automatically stops the engine when an automatic stopping condition is satisfied, automatically starts the engine when an automatic starting condition is satisfied, determines that a prohibition condition for prohibiting automatic stopping is satisfied when the air-fuel ratio learning is incomplete, and inhibits automatic stopping of the engine even if the automatic stopping condition is satisfied when determining that the prohibition condition is satisfied.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2021
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Masanao Idogawa, Masahiro Kachi
  • Patent number: 10787980
    Abstract: In a predetermined operating region, a fuel injection valve executes a second injection to inject fuel into a cylinder in a compression stroke, and a first injection to inject fuel into the cylinder 2 in the compression stroke or an intake stroke before the second injection. When a purge is executed, the total quantity of fuel to be injected by the fuel injection valve into the cylinder is reduced more than when the purge is not executed, and a fuel reduction quantity of the second injection is made smaller than a fuel reduction quantity of the first injection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2020
    Assignee: Mazda Motor Corporation
    Inventors: Satoshi Watanabe, Takafumi Nishio, Kazuhiro Nishimura
  • Patent number: 10487764
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for adjusting a voltage of a heated oxygen sensor (HEGO) so that the heated oxygen sensor is controlled to a desired temperature as the HEGO ages. In one example, a method generates a requested heated oxygen sensor electrode impedance for control and then adjusts the voltage responsive to the requested heated oxygen sensor electrode impedance for control.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2019
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Kenneth Behr, Zena Yanqing Yee, Gladys Galicia
  • Patent number: 10066569
    Abstract: An engine control device for an engine provided with a supercharger, including a cylinder injection valve and a port injection valve. The device includes an injection controller that controls injections of fuel through the cylinder injection valve and through the port injection valve, on the basis of at least a load on an engine. The injection controller, in a low load operating state, causes the fuel to be injected through the port injection valve; in an intermediate load operating state, causes the fuel to be injected through the cylinder injection valve during an intake stroke, and causes the fuel to be injected through the port injection valve; and in a high load operating state, causes the fuel to be injected through the cylinder injection valve at least during an intake stroke and during a compression stroke.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2018
    Assignee: MITSUBISHI JIDOSHA KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Takashi Kawabe, Koji Hata, Fumiaki Hiraishi
  • Patent number: 10024246
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for controlling an engine braking device for a combustion engine in motor vehicles, in particular in commercial vehicles, which has an intake system, an exhaust system, gas exchange valves associated with the combustion engine, a fuel injection device, which injects fuel into at least one combustion chamber, an exhaust turbocharger integrated into the exhaust system and the intake system, and an engine braking unit, wherein the engine braking unit has a decompression brake, which influences at least one outlet valve of the gas exchange valves, and a brake flap, which is arranged in the exhaust system and causes the exhaust gas to build up. According to the invention, as engine braking starts or during engine braking, fuel is injected into at least one combustion chamber of the combustion engine for a predefined period of time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2018
    Assignee: MAN TRUCK & BUS OESTERREICH AG
    Inventors: Franz Rammer, André Kreuzriegler
  • Publication number: 20150075491
    Abstract: An idle stop condition determination method of an engine includes: calculating and storing a fuel saving estimation amount in idle stop of an engine on the basis of traveling information; calculating the amount of fuel consumption in restarting for restarting, when an idle stop condition of the engine is satisfied; comparing the magnitudes of the fuel saving estimation amount with the amount of fuel consumption in restarting, and stopping the engine in accordance with the result of the comparing; and restarting the engine, when a restarting condition of the engine is satisfied.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2013
    Publication date: March 19, 2015
    Applicant: Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventor: Jae Woong YOO
  • Patent number: 8881708
    Abstract: An internal combustion engine can be operated in response to a received first throttle control input in a first operating regime that includes delivering a first air-fuel mixture having a first air/fuel ratio to a combustion volume to deliver a first output power in a first output power range between zero and a transition output power level. The engine can be operated in response to a received second throttle control input in a second operating regime that includes delivering a second air/fuel ratio richer than the first air/fuel ratio to the combustion volume to deliver a second output power in a second output power range between the transition output power level and a maximum output power level. Related methods, systems, and article of manufacture are described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2014
    Assignee: Pinnacle Engines, Inc.
    Inventors: James M. Cleeves, Michael Hawkes
  • Patent number: 8874331
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for idle speed control based on variable torque converter load. An automobile can include an idle throttle variation unit. The idle throttle variation unit can include, for example, a throttle, an engine, a torque converter, a transmission, multiple sensors, an engine control unit (“ECU”), and/or a memory. The multiple sensors can detect engine output speed data corresponding to engine output speed, and/or transmission output speed data corresponding to transmission input speed. The throttle can control airflow to the engine to match a target total airflow for a target idle engine speed. The ECU can determine the target total airflow for the throttle using a target total airflow table which includes target total airflow values corresponding to the engine output peed, the transmission input speed, and/or a torque converter speed ratio.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2014
    Assignee: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.
    Inventor: Gary Wong
  • Patent number: 8447498
    Abstract: Even when an engine is started in various combustion states, an excessive increase in engine speed at the start of the engine is suppressed without an influence of the combustion states and with an excellent responsiveness. Ignition timing (or a combustion injection amount) at the start of an internal combustion engine is corrected in accordance with a crank angle cycle ratio which is a ratio of a combustion period crank angle cycle and a reference crank angle cycle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2013
    Assignee: Hitachi Automotive Systems, Ltd.
    Inventors: Masahiro Toyohara, Minoru Okubo, Takao Miyake, Tomohiro Ohisa
  • Patent number: 8005606
    Abstract: When a predetermined operation state during idling is set, an ignition timing is set to a basic ignition timing at or following a compression top dead center point, and a temperature rise controlling operation is carried out for injecting fuel prior to the basic ignition timing. Then, a target value of an intake air quantity is set in accordance with an engine request torque that is set when controlling a temperature rise. Thereafter, a limit value of the intake air quantity that is set when controlling the temperature rise is set. When the target value of the intake air quantity is less than the limit value, the intake air quantity is adjusted so as to become the target value, whereas, when the target value is greater than the limit value, the intake air quantity is adjusted so as to become the limit value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2011
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Masashi Ono
  • Patent number: 7861688
    Abstract: A control apparatus of an internal combustion engine includes an idle torque calculating portion, a target torque setting portion, and a target throttle opening amount calculating portion. The idle torque calculating portion and the target throttle opening amount calculating portion calculate the idle torque and the target throttle opening amount when the internal combustion engine is in a non-idling state, respectively, using a common physical quantity relating to an operating state of the internal combustion engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2011
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hideki Kubonoya, Masaharu Tanaka, Toshiya Oishi, Masami Kondo
  • 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
  • Publication number: 20100269784
    Abstract: A control apparatus of an internal combustion engine includes an idle torque calculating portion, a target torque setting portion, and a target throttle opening amount calculating portion. The idle torque calculating portion and the target throttle opening amount calculating portion calculate the idle torque and the target throttle opening amount when the internal combustion engine is in a non-idling state, respectively, using a common physical quantity relating to an operating state of the internal combustion engine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 25, 2007
    Publication date: October 28, 2010
    Applicant: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hideki Kubonoya, Masaharu Tanaka, Toshiya Oishi, Masami Kondo
  • Publication number: 20100170474
    Abstract: A fuel injection control system in which an appropriate command is obtained both before and after learning a correction amount. Command storage means 3 stores a command for pre-learning and a command for post-learning; the command for pre-learning is a command for a pre-learning time, which is a time before correction amount learning means 5 learns a correction amount, and a command for post-learning for a post-learning time, which is a time after the correction amount learning means 5 learns a correction amount; command injection amount determination means 4 refers to the command for pre-learning at the pre-learning time, and refers to the command for post-learning at the post-learning time.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 22, 2006
    Publication date: July 8, 2010
    Applicant: ISUZU MOTORS LIMITED
    Inventor: Kazumi Yamaguchi
  • Patent number: 7627407
    Abstract: An ECU determines the presence/absence of a fault of a negative pressure generation device that has an ejector that generates a negative pressure that is greater than the negative pressure that is to be extracted from an intake manifold of an internal combustion engine, and a VSV that causes the ejector to function or stop functioning. The ECU includes a presence/absence-of-abnormality determination portion that determines the presence/absence of an abnormality of the negative pressure generation device on the basis of variation of the rotation speed Ne of the internal combustion engine in accordance with change in the state of operation of the VSV.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2009
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Shigemasa Hirooka
  • Patent number: 7603848
    Abstract: The ignition timing is sustained at an initial value during a predetermined time beginning at a start of an engine, and is retarded after the predetermined time is elapsed to heat a catalyst at an early time. The predetermined time ends when the negative pressure of an intake pipe or the negative pressure of a brake booster reaches to a predetermined value. That is, the predetermined time is a period, which begins at a start of the engine and ends when a proper negative pressure can be sustained in the brake booster. As a result, it is possible to assure a negative pressure in the brake booster at an early time and to reduce exhaust emission at a start of the engine simultaneously.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2009
    Assignee: DENSO Corporation
    Inventor: Yoshihiro Majima
  • Patent number: 7571712
    Abstract: A base engine torque generated with an estimated intake air amount is estimated. An engine torque is corrected by correcting an ignition timing based on a difference between a required engine torque and the base engine torque. A torque correction amount is calculated based on a correction amount of the ignition timing. An actual engine torque is estimated based on the calculated torque correction amount and the base engine torque. A permitted component driving torque is a difference between the actual engine torque and the required vehicle driving torque. A component is controlled based on the permitted component driving torque.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2009
    Assignee: Denso Corporation
    Inventors: Daisuke Kuroda, Yukihiro Yamashita, Keisuke Tani, Kazuyoshi Obayashi, Katsunori Tanaka
  • Publication number: 20090151693
    Abstract: When a predetermined operation state during idling is set, an ignition timing is set to a basic ignition timing at or following a compression top dead center point, and a temperature rise controlling operation is carried out for injecting fuel prior to the basic ignition timing. Then, a target value of an intake air quantity is set in accordance with an engine request torque that is set when controlling a temperature rise. Thereafter, a limit value of the intake air quantity that is set when controlling the temperature rise is set. When the target value of the intake air quantity is less than the limit value, the intake air quantity is adjusted so as to become the target value, whereas, when the target value is greater than the limit value, the intake air quantity is adjusted so as to become the limit value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 9, 2008
    Publication date: June 18, 2009
    Applicant: NISSAN MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Masashi ONO
  • Publication number: 20080178839
    Abstract: An idling engine speed control system for a vehicle comprises a valve which is provided within an air-intake passage connected to an engine mounted in the vehicle and is configured to substantially open and close the air-intake passage, a drive device configured to open and close the valve, an opening degree controller configured to drive the drive device and is configured to control an opening degree of the air-intake passage, an input device which is attached to the vehicle and is configured to input a target engine speed in an idling state, and an engine speed memory configured to store the target engine speed input with the input device, wherein the opening degree controller is configured to control the opening degree of the air-intake passage in an idling state according to the target engine speed stored in the engine speed memory.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 28, 2008
    Publication date: July 31, 2008
    Applicant: Kawasaki Jukogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Takeru Oshima, Satoru Sakanaka, Takuya Sakamoto, Tatsuya Hirokami
  • Patent number: 7347184
    Abstract: A base engine torque generated with an estimated intake air amount is estimated. An engine torque is corrected by correcting an ignition timing based on a difference between a required engine torque and the base engine torque. A torque correction amount is calculated based on a correction amount of the ignition timing. An actual engine torque is estimated based on the calculated torque correction amount and the base engine torque. A permitted component driving torque is a difference between the actual engine torque and the required vehicle driving torque. A component is controlled based on the permitted component driving torque.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2008
    Assignee: Denso Corporation
    Inventors: Daisuke Kuroda, Yukihiro Yamashita, Keisuke Tani, Kazuyoshi Obayashi, Katsunori Tanaka
  • Patent number: 7322339
    Abstract: A fuel injection system for a direct fuel injection (DFI) engine is provided. The system includes: injection mode module selects a fuel injection mode to be one of a single injection mode and a dual injection mode during DFI engine idle operation based on a torque request; and a fuel injection command module that commands fuel injection events based on a crankshaft position and the fuel injection mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2008
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations, Inc.
    Inventors: Jesse M. Gwidt, David P. Sczomak, Matthew A. Wiles, Michael J. Lucido
  • Publication number: 20070283924
    Abstract: This in particular involves testing the operation of a fuel vapor purge valve (31). The engine (1) is running at idle. An idle speed controller (ISC, 47) acts on the engine idle speed. At a given moment in this operation of the engine, a command to open the purge valve (31) is issued and the idle speed controller is also operated in such a way that it acts on this speed to keep it substantially constant in spite of the fact that the purge valve is open.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 9, 2007
    Publication date: December 13, 2007
    Applicant: SIEMENS VDO AUTOMOTIVE
    Inventor: Thierry Collet
  • Patent number: 6935306
    Abstract: A method is presented for idle speed control of a lean burn spark ignition internal combustion engine using a fuel-based control strategy. In particular, the idle speed control strategy involves using a combination of fuel quantity or timing and ignition timing to achieve desired engine speed or torque while maintaining the air/fuel ratio more lean than prior art systems. Depending on engine operating conditions, the fuel quantity or timing is adjusted to give a more rich air/fuel ratio in order to respond to an engine speed or torque demand increase. Additionally, due to operation close to the lean misfire limit, the spark ignition timing is adjusted away from MBT in response to an engine speed or torque demand decrease. The advantages of this fuel based control system include better fuel economy as well as fast engine response time due to the use of fuel quantity or timing and ignition timing to control engine output.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2005
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Gopichandra Surnilla, Hans Buus Gangwar, Stephen B. Smith
  • Patent number: 6910460
    Abstract: An object of the present invention is to maintain stable air-fuel ratio on a venturi type fuel supply device, irrespective of the external load such as air-conditioner and electrical load, and to provide stable engine speed on idling state. A venturi type fuel supply device comprises a venturi chamber located in the upstream of a throttle valve and a passage for supplying air-fuel mixture gas into the venturi chamber. The passage is further equipped with a variable air bleeder valve for taking in air. When the operating state of the external load of the engine changes, the opening of the air bleeder valve is adjusted in accordance with the change so as to control the air-fuel mixture ratio of the mixture gas incoming from the passage into the venturi chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2005
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Seiji Asano, Bunji Igarashi
  • Patent number: 6880523
    Abstract: An engine cylinder induction air quantity measuring apparatus includes a controller to calculate an intake manifold inside air quantity of air in an intake manifold of the engine, from a sensed intake air quantity by performing a balance calculation to calculate a balance between an intake manifold inflow air quantity of air flowing into the intake manifold, and an intake manifold outflow air quantity of air flowing out of the intake manifold. In an engine stopping process to stop the engine, the controller controls a throttle opening of a throttle valve to a predetermined stop mode opening greater than an idling mode opening for an idle operation of the engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2005
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tetsuya Iwasaki, Shouichi Hayase
  • Patent number: 6848417
    Abstract: A method is presented for idle speed control of a lean burn spark ignition internal combustion engine using a fuel-based control strategy. In particular, the idle speed control strategy involves using a combination of fuel quantity or timing and ignition timing to achieve desired engine speed or torque while maintaining the air/fuel ratio more lean than prior art systems. Depending on engine operating conditions, the fuel quantity or timing is adjusted to give a more rich air/fuel ratio in order to respond to an engine speed or torque demand increase. Additionally, due to operation close to the lean misfire limit, the spark ignition timing is adjusted away from MBT in response to an engine speed or torque demand decrease. The advantages of this fuel based control system include better fuel economy as well as fast engine response time due to the use of fuel quantity or timing and ignition timing to control engine output.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2005
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Gopichandra Surnilla, Hans Buus Gangwar, Stephen B. Smith
  • Patent number: 6823839
    Abstract: An apparatus controls the temperature of an exhaust gas sensor disposed in an exhaust passage of an internal combustion engine. An exhaust gas temperature estimating unit sequentially estimates the temperature of exhaust gas flowing through the exhaust passage, using at least a parameter representative of an operating state of the internal combustion engine. A heater control unit controls a heater for heating an active element of the exhaust gas sensor to a predetermined target temperature, using an estimated value of the exhaust gas from the exhaust gas temperature estimating unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2004
    Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yuji Yasui, Yoshihisa Iwaki
  • Publication number: 20040144360
    Abstract: A method is presented for idle speed control of a lean burn spark ignition internal combustion engine using a fuel-based control strategy. In particular, the idle speed control strategy involves using a combination of fuel quantity or timing and ignition timing to achieve desired engine speed or torque while maintaining the air/fuel ratio more lean than prior art systems. Depending on engine operating conditions, the fuel quantity or timing is adjusted to give a more rich air/fuel ratio in order to respond to an engine speed or torque demand increase. Additionally, due to operation close to the lean misfire limit, the spark ignition timing is adjusted away from MBT in response to an engine speed or torque demand decrease. The advantages of this fuel based control system include better fuel economy as well as fast engine response time due to the use of fuel quantity or timing and ignition timing to control engine output.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 27, 2003
    Publication date: July 29, 2004
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventors: Gopichandra Surnilla, Hans Buus Gangwar, Stephen B. Smith
  • Patent number: 6755176
    Abstract: A fuel injection is carried out as n split injections. Each of injection quantities is defined by dividing an injection quantity into n fuel injections. A FCCB correction and an ISC correction are carried out while n split injection cycles are performed. A value obtained by adding up an FCCB correction for each injection cycle and an ISC correction for each injection cycle is updated and stored as a learned injection quantity. The learned injection quantity is calculated as an injection quantity correction for each cylinder to be added to a command injection quantity for each injection cycle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2004
    Assignee: Denso Corporation
    Inventors: Katsuhiko Takeuchi, Yoshimitsu Takashima, Taiyo Hiroi, Manabu Yoshidome
  • Patent number: 6662551
    Abstract: A catalyst is warmed up by a rapid heating control that retards ignition timing and increases an intake air amount. Then the warm up is completed or a transmission is shifted to a drive range, the ignition timing is gradually advanced and the intake air amount is gradually decreased. Therefore, an engine speed is smoothly changed from the rapid heating control to the normal control without a torque shock. Additionally, a beginning of the advancing of the ignition timing is delayed by a predetermined delay time relative to a beginning of the decreasing of the intake air amount. The decreasing of the intake air amount prevents undesirable increase of the engine speed caused by the advancing of the ignition timing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2003
    Assignee: Denso Corporation
    Inventor: Yoshihiro Majima
  • Patent number: 6619277
    Abstract: A state quantity &sgr;(n) of a switching function is calculated based on a predetermined target air-fuel ratio TGABF, a detected air-fuel ratio AFSAF detected by a sensor (16), and a state equation derived from a transfer function Geng(q) of a secondary discrete system, representing the correlation between an air-fuel ratio of an air fuel mixture in a combustion chamber (1A) and the detected air-fuel ratio (S14). The air-fuel ratio is feedback corrected by applying a sliding mode control process based on the difference between the target air-fuel ratio TGABF and the detected air-fuel ratio AFSAF, and the state quantity &sgr;(n) (S14-S21). The response and robustness of the air-fuel ratio control are enhanced by using a physical model of the secondary discrete system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2003
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Hiroshi Katoh
  • Publication number: 20030168041
    Abstract: An internal combustion engine (1) is provided with a three-way catalytic converter (16) which purifies exhaust gas, a spark plug (6) which ignites a gaseous mixture and a throttle (11) which regulates an intake air flow rate. When the engine (1) is started, the ignition timing of the spark plug (6) is retarded based on the difference of the rotation speed Ne from a target idle rotation speed Net. If the engine rotation speed Ne is higher than the target idle rotation speed even after the ignition timing has reached a retard limit, the ignition timing is fixed to the retard limit and the intake air flow rate is reduced through the throttle (11), thereby forcing the engine rotation speed Ne to converge rapidly to the target idling rotation speed Net while maintaining the ignition timing at the retard limit to ensure rapid temperature increase in the converter (16).
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 29, 2003
    Publication date: September 11, 2003
    Applicant: NISSAN MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Kengo Kubo
  • Publication number: 20030168036
    Abstract: A method and an arrangement for controlling an operating variable of an internal combustion engine are suggested. A controller is provided which, in dependence upon a control deviation, generates an output signal for controlling the operating variable with this output signal being generated in accordance with at least one changing parameter. In dependence upon the operating mode (stratified operation, homogeneous operation, homogeneous lean operation), the value of this at least one parameter is switched over to values adapted specifically to the path in the particular mode of operation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 10, 2003
    Publication date: September 11, 2003
    Inventors: Mario Kustosch, Christian Koehler
  • Patent number: 6609496
    Abstract: An engine controller regulates fuel flow to an internal combustion engine based on sensed air flow and sensed engine operational parameters. The engine controller includes a speed sensor, a power sensor, an airflow meter and a controller unit. The speed sensor generates an engine speed signal representative of sensed engine speed, the power sensor generates an output power signal representative of sensed engine output power and the airflow meter generates an actual airflow signal representative of sensed airflow. The controller unit is responsive to the engine speed signal, the output power signal and the actual airflow signal and develops a command signal for an air-fuel mixer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2003
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc
    Inventors: Kevin L. Bruch, Robert J. Maxson, Geoffrey D. Ginzel
  • Publication number: 20020174852
    Abstract: An engine control method for reducing emissions during cold start and idling is provided, which includes: opening an ISA with a predetermined opening rate such that an air/fuel ratio becomes higher than a stoichiometric air/fuel ratio, and minimizing an engine load caused by an automatic transmission; performing air/fuel ratio control and ignition timing control based on engine speed and engine load, and controlling an amount of fuel injected in consideration of a quantity of wetting fuel; and determining an air flow rate according to an engine speed and coolant temperature, and performing air/fuel ratio control and ignition timing control to control an engine speed fluctuation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 17, 2002
    Publication date: November 28, 2002
    Inventor: Myung-Sik Choi
  • Patent number: 6401703
    Abstract: A fuel injection control system for a direct injection-spark ignition type of engine forcibly turns off appliances as an external engine load while the engine operates in a stratified charge combustion mode after warming-up so as thereby to fix a quantity of intake air approximately constant and concurrently feedback controls a quantity of fuel injection according to an engine speed so as to bring the engine speed into a specified idling speed. An actual quantitative variation of fuel injection is learned on the basis of a feedback correction value of the quantity of fuel injection for each of predetermined fuel injection timings which are changed from a timing for minimum advance for best torque (MBT) so as to correspond to injection pulse widths within a region adopted for a micro-flow characteristic of the fuel injector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2002
    Assignee: Mazda Motor Corporation
    Inventors: Kiyotaka Mamiya, Hiroyuki Yamamoto, Keiji Araki
  • Patent number: 6386181
    Abstract: An electronic throttle control system for a vehicle utilizes wireless communication to provide command signals to a motor assembly that responsively drives the throttle control assembly. All communications between an accelerator pedal, a controller and the motor assembly preferably are wireless. Feedback information indicating motor operation or position information is provided to the controller through wireless communication. A power source for the motor assembly preferably is supported as part of the motor assembly so that no external wire connections are required. The power source preferably is provided with energy as a result of vibrations caused by vehicle operation or from a dedicated source of vibration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2002
    Assignee: Siemens Canada Limited
    Inventor: Paul D. Daly
  • Patent number: 6367446
    Abstract: In control apparatus and method of an internal combustion engine, an engine speed change-to-throttle opening change ratio rdlnetha, that is, a ratio of the amount of change in the engine rotation speed dine to the amount of change in the extent of opening of a throttle valve being under the feedback control, is determined. It is determined whether the engine speed change-to-throttle opening change ratio rdlnetha is within a predetermined range. If the determination is negative, a flag xnedown indicating an imperfect combustion state is turned on. Then, the intake air flow feedback control is stopped, and the control is switched to an ignition timing feedback control or an fuel injection amount feedback control. Therefore, the occurrence of the imperfect combustion state during the feedback control of the engine idle speed can be precisely detected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2002
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Masanobu Kanamaru, Satoru Watanabe
  • Patent number: 6295966
    Abstract: An idling control system for a two-plug type internal combustion engine is comprised of an idling detector, an engine rotation speed detector and a controller coupled to the detectors. The controller decides whether the engine rotation speed in idling is smaller than an idling speed by a predetermined value. When this decision is affirmative, the controller differentiates ignition timings of the two spark plugs of each cylinder. This arrangement enables the engine with this system to perform preferable idling performances of generating a torque in response to the input of the external torque and of continuing the combustion against the drop of the engine rotation speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2001
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Hitoshi Ishii
  • Patent number: 6244248
    Abstract: The present invention relates to verifying the cycle of a fuel injection internal combustion engine during running of the engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2001
    Assignee: Visteon Global Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Ian Halleron, Michael Robert Garrard
  • Patent number: 6178371
    Abstract: A speed control method for vehicles having an internal combustion engine smoothly controls engine torque to control vehicle speed. Torque is controlled via airflow in a first torque control range. Torque is controlled via a coordination of air/fuel ratio, ignition timing, and cylinder deactivation is a second torque control range. The torque range is selected based on the required airflow to deliver the required torque. If the required airflow is less than a lower allowable value, then the airflow is fixed at this lower allowable value and the second range is selected. Otherwise, the first range is selected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2001
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Dennis Allen Light, Michael John Cullen, Richard John Hippley