Electrically Operated Control Means Patents (Class 123/339.14)
  • Patent number: 11448119
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for controlling a turbocharger system (10) fluidly connected to an exhaust manifold (102) of a combustion engine (100). The turbocharger system (10) comprises a turbocharger turbine (22) operable by exhaust gases from said exhaust manifold, and a tank (40) with pressurized gas, said tank being fluidly connectable to said turbocharger turbine. The method comprises the steps of: determining an engine operational mode in which the combustion engine runs below a predetermined speed, determining an external load requiring engine torque which at said engine operational mode would cause the combustion engine to stall, and subsequently injecting pressurized gas from said tank to drive said turbocharger turbine such that the turbocharger turbine is at least partly driven by said pressurized gas, thereby preventing stalling of the combustion engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2022
    Assignee: VOLVO TRUCK CORPORATION
    Inventors: Björn Lundstedt, Marcus Olsén
  • Patent number: 11391222
    Abstract: A control system includes a controller. The controller acquires a crank counter value each time a fixed time elapses. The controller calculates the number of the crank counter values corresponding to the top dead center of the plunger between a previously acquired crank counter value and a currently acquired crank counter value with reference to the map each time the crank counter value is acquired and calculate the number of driving times of the high pressure fuel pump by integrating the calculated number.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2022
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Daiki Kato, Ryusuke Kuroda, Masanao Idogawa
  • Patent number: 10634080
    Abstract: A method of operating an arrangement includes using a rotating drive machine, wherein a value characteristic of a change of a power output of the arrangement is provided by measuring at least one parameter and/or calculation. The rotating drive machine is open and/or closed loop controlled depending on the value characteristic of the change of the power output of the arrangement and/or a load of the rotating drive machine is changed depending on the value characteristic of the change of the power output of the arrangement, such that the change of the power output of the arrangement is substantially compensated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2020
    Assignee: INNIO JENBACHER GMBH & CO OG
    Inventors: Mario Graus, Francisco Lopez, Herbert Schaumberger, Nikolaus Spyra, Johann Hirzinger-Unterrainer
  • Patent number: 10352264
    Abstract: Since a factor affecting an individual difference learning result is reduced or eliminated regardless of a valve body behavior, it is possible to highly accurately detect an individual difference of a fuel injector caused by the valve body behavior and to reliably detect the individual difference even when the fuel injector is replaced. When a valve opening/closing timing of the fuel injector is learned by a learning unit, a unit of interrupting the learning if a predetermined condition is established, a unit of prohibiting the learning of the valve closing timing using the learning unit if a predetermined condition is established, or a unit of prohibiting the learning of the valve opening/closing timing of the fuel injector using the learning unit if a fuel pressure of a common rail supplying a fuel to the plurality of fuel injectors changes by a predetermined value or more within a predetermined time is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2019
    Assignee: Hitachi Automotive Systems, Ltd.
    Inventors: Osamu Mukaihara, Masahiro Toyohara
  • Patent number: 9963654
    Abstract: Methods for producing fuel compositions with predetermined desirable properties are disclosed. Feedback control can be employed to meter precise amounts of fuel composition components while monitoring fuel composition properties to obtain fuel compositions having specifically defined properties.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2018
    Inventor: Gregory Turocy
  • Patent number: 9664595
    Abstract: An ERM method is provided that uses a mode of priority, when engine monitoring is performed during a key on. In addition, engine stall and RPM sudden increase are determined based on a revolution per minute (RPM) of an engine. A storage priority decision of a first D_RPM Data associated with the engine stall and a second D_RPM Data associated with the RPM sudden rise is performed and a prioritized one of the first D_RPM Data and the second D_RPM Data is stored as new data of an engine RPM monitoring data memory 30. Further, utilization of ERM data memory is increased by deleting previously stored data, and in particular, second D_RPM Data B1-B10 and first D_RPM Data A1-A10 subdivided after and before the RPM sudden increase and after and before the engine stall are used to more accurately determine causes of the engine stall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2017
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors Corporation
    Inventor: Seung-Bum Kim
  • Patent number: 9279348
    Abstract: A mechanically controllable valve drive for a reciprocating piston engine configured to adjust a gas exchange valve includes the gas exchange valve, a cam assembly comprising a camshaft and at least one cam for the gas exchange valve, a valve, a valve lift adjustment assembly, a drag lift assembly, and a device. The valve lift adjustment assembly comprises a valve lift adjustment device, and an intermediate lever assembly comprising at least one intermediate lever comprising a working curve comprising curve portions. The valve lift adjustment assembly is configured to shift the valve between a zero lift and a maximum lift. The drag lever assembly is operatively connected to the working curve. The device is configured to provide a valve-lift standstill range so that, in a maximum lift position, the valve is opened for a turning angle ? of the camshaft with a flattened valve lift height.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2016
    Assignee: KOLBENSCHMIDT PIERBURG INNOVATIONS GMBH
    Inventors: Frederic Lauer, Daniel Hosse, Rudolf Flierl
  • Patent number: 9145135
    Abstract: The hybrid vehicle executes a diagnosis of a component related to exhaust qualities during a fuel-cut operation of the internal combustion engine and generates a fuel-cut request to execute the diagnosis. When the internal combustion engine is operated in an idle state, the hybrid vehicle feedback-controls a throttle valve opening (control parameter) such that an engine rotation speed is maintained at a target idle rotation speed, and learns a value corresponding to the control parameter as a learned value for controlling the idle operation in a state where the vehicle speed is not more than a learning permission vehicle speed and the internal combustion engine is operated in the idle state. The hybrid vehicle continues generation of the fuel-cut request until the learning of the idle operation control learned value is completed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2015
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushika Kaisha
    Inventor: Hitoki Sugimoto
  • Publication number: 20150144099
    Abstract: Systems and methods for a vehicle comprising a stop-start system and in particular to a motor vehicle having a belt driven integrated starter-generator (BISG) drivingly connected to an accessory drive belt of an engine of the motor vehicle are provided. The BISG may be used during an engine stop event to preposition the crank at an angle from which it facilitates rapid restart of the engine and during engine running the BISG may be used as a power generator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 14, 2014
    Publication date: May 28, 2015
    Inventors: James Andrew Straker, Ian Robinson
  • Patent number: 8983755
    Abstract: A control system for controlling a power output of a gas engine of the present invention includes a target value setting section for setting as a target value a restricted power output which is less than a predetermined power output when a source gas pressure of a gas fuel is less than a predetermined value required to inject the gas fuel against an intake-air pressure according to the predetermined power output, a power output setting section for setting a set value of a power output based on the target value set by the target value setting section, and a power output control section for controlling the power output so that the power output reaches the set value set by the power output setting section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2015
    Assignee: Kawasaki Jukogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Tsukasa Imamura, Tomohiko Sugimoto
  • Publication number: 20150027405
    Abstract: A current is supplied to a driving relay that drives a bypass relay when restarting an engine after idle reduction, and the current supply to the driving relay is interrupted when the engine is started for the first time based on operation of a driver.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 5, 2013
    Publication date: January 29, 2015
    Applicant: NISSAN MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Motoyuki Hattori, Yuuichi Hosaka, Masaya Furushou, Toshihiko Ootsuka, Hiromot Shimizu, Ryo Sano
  • Patent number: 8868320
    Abstract: Control over an internal combustion engine that automatically stops includes: setting a first idle rotation speed, which is used after a lapse of a short stop period of the internal combustion engine, and a second idle rotation speed, which is used after a lapse of a long stop period of the internal combustion engine, at different values; and, when an idle rotation speed of the internal combustion engine is the second idle rotation speed, restricting automatic stop of the internal combustion engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2014
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Takumi Anzawa
  • Patent number: 8818611
    Abstract: A starting system for an internal combustion engine includes a starter motor and a battery. A method for evaluating the starting system includes detecting a fault associated with the starter motor when a minimum starting system voltage during a cranking event is greater than a threshold minimum starting system voltage determined in relation to an engine acceleration parameter, and detecting a fault associated with the battery when the engine acceleration parameter is less than a minimum threshold for the engine acceleration parameter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2014
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Kwang-Keun Shin, Mutasim A. Salman
  • Patent number: 8789510
    Abstract: A throttle valve device including a throttle valve control logic may include an electronic controller that determines whether a driving state of a vehicle is an idle-driving state from electronic signals supplied from sensors, a desired air amount map unit that is electrically connected with the electronic controller and where a desired amount of air according to RPM of an engine and an amount of injected fuel for idle-driving are set; and a governor for controlling an EGR valve and a governor for controlling a throttle valve that are electrically connected with the electronic controller and the desired air amount map unit and control the driving of the EGR valve and the throttle valve, respectively, such that the desired amount of air output in accordance with the RPM of the engine of the vehicle and an amount of the injected fuel is supplied to the engine in the idle-driving.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2014
    Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventors: Heungseok Lee, Jaemin Jin, Sukil Oh, Dongchul Lee, Insoo Jung
  • 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: 20140083392
    Abstract: The present technology provides one or more methods of operating an engine in a motor vehicle. In at least one embodiment, the existence of an engine idle condition is determined. The method may also include determining whether an operator is present in the vehicle. In some embodiments, the engine operates at a performance idle speed when an engine idle condition exists and an operator is present in the vehicle. In further embodiments, the engine operates at a fuel economy idle speed when an idle condition exists and no operator is present in the vehicle. In still further embodiments, the fuel economy idle speed will be lower than the performance idle speed. The present technology anticipates engine workload and controls engine idle speeds. Based on the anticipated workloads, the present technology can reduce engine stalling while also reducing emissions and increasing fuel economy.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 27, 2012
    Publication date: March 27, 2014
    Applicant: International Engine Intellectual Property Company, LLC
    Inventors: Luis Carlos Cattani, Michael Uchanski, Rogelio Rodiguez, James Ciglar, Jer Shen Jason Chen, Dileep Khadilkar, Rahul Dev Rajampeta, Ravi Rayala
  • Patent number: 8584649
    Abstract: An engine control apparatus includes an ISS control unit provided with an ISS determination unit for inputting at least an engine cooling water temperature, vehicle speed, and brake information, and target opening setting unit for setting a target opening in an idle stop/start control period. A throttle control unit is provided with a proportional gain correction coefficient operator for correcting a proportional gain to a value that is larger than a proportional gain outside the idle stop/start control period, a throttle opening feedback controller for performing throttle opening feedback control based on an opening deviation between a target opening and an actual opening, and a PWM driver outputting a voltage proportional to the operation amount, to a motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2013
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
    Inventor: Shinji Watanabe
  • Publication number: 20130298868
    Abstract: A single point fuel injection throttle body assembly including an idle air control circuit having an port opening into main intake bores downstream of the point of fuel distribution into the air stream. When the idle air control circuit is open, an air/fuel mixture, rather than simply air, is drawn into the into the intake manifold, thereby reducing the tendency for a lean fuel mixture at idle. A unique engine control unit “feed forward” algorithm controls the fuel injection as a function of the position of the idle air control motor so that as the idle air control circuit is opened, the pulse widths of the fuel injector signals are increased. This feature allows the initial open-loop-based fuel mixture supplied by system to be more accurate and eliminates rough unstable idle associated with closed-loop control lag times.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 11, 2012
    Publication date: November 14, 2013
    Inventors: Michael Anthony Wittkopf, Todd Alan Petersen
  • Publication number: 20130291829
    Abstract: A system for regulating the operation of an idling motor vehicle monitors one or more selected engine operational parameters such as coolant temperature, exhaust gas temperature, and catalytic converter temperature, and compares the measured parameters against selected benchmark criteria stored in the memory of a microprocessor. The microprocessor controls the vehicle's ignition system to shut down the engine when the measured parameters come within the corresponding benchmark criteria. The system preferably but not necessarily operates in conjunction with a remote vehicle starter system. The system may also or alternatively be adapted to shut down an idling motor vehicle engine when total idling time reaches a specified maximum value, which may be selected based on idling time restriction bylaws.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 5, 2013
    Publication date: November 7, 2013
    Inventors: James P. SPEERS, Byung Woo MIN
  • Patent number: 8480005
    Abstract: A system described is for providing improved cabin heating. The system may include a vehicle cabin heating system having a first and second heating system receiving coolant flow from the engine; and a control system for operating the engine at a first engine idle speed upon entering idle speed control operation from previous drive operation, maintaining said first idle speed for a duration, and then increasing engine speed to increase coolant flow to the second heating system during cold ambient conditions when the second heater system is in operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2013
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Andrew Clement Dame, Brent Jacobsen, Robert Michael Grant, Ken Carl Leisenring
  • Patent number: 8479706
    Abstract: A system for regulating the operation of an idling motor vehicle monitors one or more selected engine operational parameters such as coolant temperature, exhaust gas temperature, and catalytic converter temperature, and compares the measured parameters against selected benchmark criteria stored in the memory of a microprocessor. The microprocessor controls the vehicle's ignition system to shut down the engine when the measured parameters come within the corresponding benchmark criteria. The system preferably but not necessarily operates in conjunction with a remote vehicle starter system. The system may also or alternatively be adapted to shut down an idling motor vehicle engine when total idling time reaches a specified maximum value, which may be selected based on idling time restriction bylaws.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2013
    Inventors: James P. Speers, Byung Woo Min
  • Patent number: 8413635
    Abstract: A vehicle control device, including a vehicle control unit that controls engagement between an engine and a starter motor for starting the engine, wherein the vehicle control unit, along with cutting off fuel supply to the engine and causing the engine to rotate inertially, also, in a state in which fuel supply to the engine is cut off and the starter motor is not engaged with the engine, rotates the starter motor, and thereafter controls supply of electrical power to the starter motor so as to causes the starter motor to rotate inertially, and engages the starter motor to the engine while both the engine and the starter motor are performing inertial rotation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2013
    Assignee: Hitachi Automotive Systems, Ltd.
    Inventors: Kenichi Machida, Eiichi Otsu, Minoru Ohsuga, Shigenori Nakazato, Yoshiaki Nagasawa
  • Patent number: 8408182
    Abstract: When an automobile is traveling on a road surface with a low friction coefficient upon a shift of an engine to idle operation in the process of stopping the automobile from traveling, a target engine speed of the engine is reduced by a value equivalent to a reduction in a drive request value for any auxiliary at a time point corresponding to start of reduction of the drive request value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2013
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Takashi Tsunooka, Yoshiyuki Shogenji
  • Patent number: 8408181
    Abstract: A throttle control module for controlling a throttle, comprises: a BLDC motor; a gear train connecting the motor to the throttle; and a throttle position sensor. A PWM module is connected to the throttle position sensor and generates a pulse-width modulation sequence according to the signal from the throttle position sensor and a desired throttle position signal. A decoder module generates commutation logic for the motor based on the signal from the throttle position sensor. A motor controller controls commutation of the motor according to the pulse-width modulation sequence and the commutation logic.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2013
    Assignee: Johnson Electric S.A.
    Inventors: Yong Bin Li, Rui Feng Qin, Ning Sun, Chao Wen, Yuk Wai Elton Yeung
  • Patent number: 8381703
    Abstract: A method for calibrating an accelerator pedal during a driving operation, in which the mechanical position of the accelerator pedal is converted by at least one potentiometer to an electrical signal value and read in by an electronic engine control unit. An idle limit for an idle position of the accelerator pedal and a full-load limit for a full-load position of the accelerator pedal are set as initial values. An idle signal value that is less than or equal to the idle limit is stored in a potentiometer-specific idle data memory for each potentiometer, a representative idle signal value is determined from the stored idle signal values, and this value is set as the determining idle position of the accelerator pedal specific to each potentiometer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2013
    Assignee: MTU Friedrichshafen GmbH
    Inventors: Christoph Hund, Rudolf Fensterle
  • Patent number: 8347859
    Abstract: A method of calibrating throttle controls in an electronic shift and throttle system includes opening the throttle and then moving the throttle back towards a hard stop in increments. The voltage level of an electrical signal sent by a throttle position sensor is measured and recorded at each increment. An idle position is established as being where the lowest voltage level was measured when the throttle is at least 0.75° away from the hard stop.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2013
    Assignee: Marine Canada Acquisition Inc.
    Inventors: Pierre Garon, Thomas Samuel Martin
  • 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: 8316821
    Abstract: A method and control system for controlling the idle speed of an engine includes an engine speed module that generates an engine speed signal. The control system also includes an actuator control module that regulates an engine speed based on a desired idle speed when an engine idle mode is enabled and a balancing module that balances torque produced by cylinders of an engine based on the engine speed signal when the engine idle mode is enabled. The control module also includes an idle speed reduction module that determines an idle speed reduction based on the actual torques produced by the cylinders after the balancing module balances the torque and that decreases the desired idle speed based on the idle speed reduction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2012
    Inventors: Byungho Lee, B. Jerry Song, Lee C. Walker
  • Patent number: 8229653
    Abstract: A power output apparatus for outputting power to a drive shaft includes a control unit that controls an internal combustion engine to perform an idle operation at a predetermined rotation speed, executes idle control amount learning, in which an idle control amount serving as a control amount obtained during the control is learned in accordance with establishment of a predetermined learning condition, within a range in which a rotation speed of the drive shaft is lower than a first speed, when the idle control amount learning is incomplete, and executes again the idle control amount learning within a range in which the rotation speed of the drive shaft is lower than a second speed, which is lower than the first speed, when the idle control amount learning is complete.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2012
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Daigo Ando, Takeshi Harada
  • Publication number: 20120180758
    Abstract: A combustion engine has a fuel supply unit, an ignition unit and a controller controlling the amount of fuel and the ignition time. An adjustable throttle element controlling the amount of combustion air to the engine and an adjustable idling stop for the throttle element are provided. The controller includes a regulating unit regulating the rotational speed of the motor to a set-point rotational speed (nsoll) when idling. To adjust the idling stop, the regulating unit is switched off when idling. A diagnostic unit switches off the regulating unit. A method for adjusting a combustion engines provides that the regulating unit is switched off, the amount of fuel supplied is adjusted during idling and a rotational speed is evaluated, and that on the basis of the rotational speed value, it is determined how the idling stop is to be adjusted to reach a set-point rotational speed maximum (nsollmax).
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 17, 2012
    Publication date: July 19, 2012
    Inventor: Andreas Paa
  • Publication number: 20120160211
    Abstract: Providing an engine speed control device and an engine speed control method, wherein the no-load condition of the farm working machine can be estimated independently of the farm working machine and a no-loading operation condition of the engine can be automatically shifted to an idling condition.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 13, 2010
    Publication date: June 28, 2012
    Inventors: Kazuhiro Maki, Yukiko Suzuki
  • Publication number: 20120132176
    Abstract: In an idling control apparatus for a vehicle, normally, when a predetermined idling reduction execution condition is satisfied, a signal is output to the engine control device so as to execute idling reduction for stopping the idling operation of an engine to automatically stop it. Further, it is determined whether or not a subject vehicle is stopped against an obstacle for avoidance of danger based on at least one of environmental information in front of the subject vehicle, obstacle information and a driving condition of the subject vehicle before it is stopped. When it is determined that the subject vehicle is stopped against the obstacle for avoidance of danger, automatic engine stop is prohibited.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 30, 2011
    Publication date: May 31, 2012
    Applicant: FUJI JUKOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Shinji Sawada, Hiroki Obayashi
  • Publication number: 20120132175
    Abstract: A throttle valve device including a throttle valve control logic may include an electronic controller that determines whether a driving state of a vehicle is an idle-driving state from electronic signals supplied from sensors, a desired air amount map unit that is electrically connected with the electronic controller and where a desired amount of air according to RPM of an engine and an amount of injected fuel for idle-driving are set; and a governor for controlling an EGR valve and a governor for controlling a throttle valve that are electrically connected with the electronic controller and the desired air amount map unit and control the driving of the EGR valve and the throttle valve, respectively, such that the desired amount of air output in accordance with the RPM of the engine of the vehicle and an amount of the injected fuel is supplied to the engine in the idle-driving.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 28, 2011
    Publication date: May 31, 2012
    Applicant: HYUNDAI MOTOR COMPANY
    Inventors: Heungseok Lee, Jaemin Jin, Sukil Oh, Dongchul Lee, Insoo Jung
  • Patent number: 8180551
    Abstract: A vehicular control apparatus that controls an engine mounted on a vehicle includes: a generating section that generates respective required values of the engine based on quantities of state in different units of measure; an adjusting section that converts the required values into values in a common unit of measure and obtains a desired value of the engine based on the values in the common unit of measure; a control section that controls the engine based on the obtained desired value; and a determining section that determines whether the vehicle is in an idling state using respective reference values set for the quantities of state, the required values, and the desired value. One of the reference values is converted into the remaining reference values in different units of measure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2012
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Seiji Kuwahara, Masato Kaigawa
  • Publication number: 20120017870
    Abstract: A method for detection of emissions levels during extended engine speed controlled operation is provided. The method includes monitoring mass airflow passing through the engine while operating the engine. The method further includes adjusting mass airflow responsive to engine speed to maintain a desired engine speed. The method further includes shutting down the engine when engine mass airflow becomes higher than a predetermined mass airflow threshold.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 4, 2011
    Publication date: January 26, 2012
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC.
    Inventors: Gopichandra Surnilla, Bala Chander, Nate Trask, Shane Elwart, Stephen B. Smith
  • Publication number: 20110239984
    Abstract: A method and control system for controlling the idle speed of an engine includes an engine speed module that generates an engine speed signal. The control system also includes an actuator control module that regulates an engine speed based on a desired idle speed when an engine idle mode is enabled and a balancing module that balances torque produced by cylinders of an engine based on the engine speed signal when the engine idle mode is enabled. The control module also includes an idle speed reduction module that determines an idle speed reduction based on the actual torques produced by the cylinders after the balancing module balances the torque and that decreases the desired idle speed based on the idle speed reduction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 1, 2010
    Publication date: October 6, 2011
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Byungho Lee, B. Jerry Song, Lee C. Walker
  • Patent number: 7891335
    Abstract: A control system for an internal combustion engine having a plurality of cylinders and a cylinder halting mechanism for halting operation of at least one of the plurality of cylinders by stopping operation of at lease one intake valve of the at least one cylinder. The control system includes an intake air control valve for controlling an amount of air supplied to the engine. An opening of the intake air control valve is changed when performing an increase in a number of operating cylinders in an idling condition of the engine. A basic opening of the intake air control valve is switched from a first basic opening corresponding to the number of operating cylinders before the increase in the number of operating cylinders to a second basic opening corresponding to the number of operating cylinders after the increase in the number of the operating cylinders. The basic opening is corrected in the closing direction during a predetermined time period when increasing the number of operating cylinders.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2011
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Takaaki Fukusako
  • Patent number: 7822535
    Abstract: When engine stop control is executed, an ECU estimates input power to a power storage device in accordance with an estimation of power generated by a generator and estimation of total power consumption of circuitry from the generator to the power storage device in the current state of operation. Further, the ECU compares the estimated input power with a tolerable input power to the storage device. When the generated power is excessive, the state of operation of the circuitry is changed such that the total power consumption by the circuitry increases, and then, torque output of the generator is permitted, to attain desired deceleration at the engine stop. Accordingly, in the engine stop control in which stopping force is generated by the power generating operation by the rotating electric machine, excessive charging caused by excessive power input to the power storage device can be prevented.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2010
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Hideaki Yaguchi
  • 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
  • Publication number: 20100242905
    Abstract: A vehicle control device, including a vehicle control unit that controls engagement between an engine and a starter motor for starting the engine, wherein the vehicle control unit, along with cutting off fuel supply to the engine and causing the engine to rotate inertially, also, in a state in which fuel supply to the engine is cut off and the starter motor is not engaged with the engine, rotates the starter motor, and thereafter controls supply of electrical power to the starter motor so as to causes the starter motor to rotate inertially, and engages the starter motor to the engine while both the engine and the starter motor are performing inertial rotation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 19, 2010
    Publication date: September 30, 2010
    Applicant: Hitachi Automotive Systems, Ltd.
    Inventors: Kenichi Machida, Eiichi Otsu, Minoru Ohsuga, Shigenori Nakazato, Yoshiaki Nagasawa
  • Publication number: 20100242906
    Abstract: A system for managing engine idling operation is provided. The system includes a communication center communicatively coupled to at least one vehicle having an engine. A database is provided that has idling regulation information stored therein based, at least, upon geographic location. The vehicle with the engine further includes an idling detection system. The idling detection system includes an idle detect sensor, a processor and a location information module, such as a GPS receiver. The processor is operably coupled to the idle detect sensor. The location information module is operably coupled to the processor to provide position information relative to the vehicle. The processor is configured to monitor vehicle idling and provide a warning thereof based upon an idling regulation stored in the database selected by current vehicle position information.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 31, 2010
    Publication date: September 30, 2010
    Applicant: PeopleNet, Inc.
    Inventor: Ronald E. Konezny
  • Publication number: 20100212628
    Abstract: A throttle control module for controlling a throttle, comprises: a BLDC motor; a gear train connecting the motor to the throttle; and a throttle position sensor. A PWM module is connected to the throttle position sensor and generates a pulse-width modulation sequence according to the signal from the throttle position sensor and a desired throttle position signal. A decoder module generates commutation logic for the motor based on the signal from the throttle position sensor. A motor controller controls commutation of the motor according to the pulse-width modulation sequence and the commutation logic.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 19, 2010
    Publication date: August 26, 2010
    Inventors: Yong Bin Li, Rui Feng Qin, Ning Sun, Chao Wen, Yuk Wai Elton Yeung
  • 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.
  • Publication number: 20100206266
    Abstract: When an automobile is traveling on a road surface with a low friction coefficient upon a shift of an engine to idle operation in the process of stopping the automobile from traveling, a target engine speed of the engine is reduced by a value equivalent to a reduction in a drive request value for any auxiliary at a time point corresponding to start of reduction of the drive request value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 21, 2008
    Publication date: August 19, 2010
    Applicant: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Takashi Tsunooka, Yoshiyuki Shogenji
  • Publication number: 20100211288
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for controlling a vehicle system including an engine that is selectively deactivated during engine idle-stop conditions and selectively reactivated during engine restart conditions. One example method comprises, during an engine restart from an idle stop, performing a first combustion event in a cylinder with a piston at an engine crankshaft position that is after a crankshaft position at which said cylinder's exhaust valve opens, and before a crankshaft position at which the cylinder's intake valve closes, during a cycle of said cylinder.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 13, 2009
    Publication date: August 19, 2010
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Alex O'Connor Gibson, Ross Dykstra Pursifull, John D. Russell, Joseph Norman Ulrey, Gopichandra Surnilla, Donald J. Lewis
  • Publication number: 20100186711
    Abstract: A system for regulating the operation of an idling motor vehicle monitors one or more selected engine operational parameters such as coolant temperature, exhaust gas temperature. and catalytic converter temperature, and compares the measured parameters against selected benchmark criteria stored in the memory of a microprocessor. The microprocessor controls the vehicle's ignition system to shut down the engine when the measured parameters come within the corresponding benchmark criteria. The system preferably but not necessarily operates in conjunction with a remote vehicle starter system. The system may also or alternatively be adapted to shut down an idling motor vehicle engine when total idling time reaches a specified maximum value, which may be selected based on idling time restriction bylaws.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 29, 2010
    Publication date: July 29, 2010
    Inventors: James P. SPEERS, Byung Woo MIN
  • Publication number: 20100114462
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for controlling an engine of a vehicle, the engine including an intake manifold, a cylinder, and an adjustable throttle upstream of the intake manifold. One example method includes operating the engine with combustion, and in response to operating conditions, during a stopped vehicle idle condition, and without a shut-down request by the operator, automatically initiating an engine shut down. Further, the example method may include during the automatically initiated engine shut down, adjusting the throttle to maintain manifold pressure at a first value, where during progression of the shut down, the first value is adjusted based on an operating parameter and restarting the engine before it reaches zero speed in response to a restart request.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 6, 2008
    Publication date: May 6, 2010
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Alex O'Connor Gibson, Joseph Norman Ulrey
  • Patent number: 7694662
    Abstract: The invention aims to prevent the dust passing through a gap provided for sliding movement of bypass valve from being attached to a screw mechanism, and thus to guarantee smooth motion of the screw mechanism. Provided is a bypass-intake-flow control apparatus including a throttle body in which a bypass and a valve hole that is open into the course of the bypass are formed. A bypass valve to open and close the bypass is slidably but not rotatably fitted into the valve hole. An actuator is attached to the throttle body with an output shaft arranged coaxially with the bypass valve. The screw mechanism links the output shaft and the bypass valve. A bottomed hollow portion is formed in the bypass valve with an opening facing the actuator. A dust cover that surrounds the screw mechanism in the hollow portion is attached to the throttle body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2010
    Assignee: Keihin Corporation
    Inventors: Michio Onuma, Masaaki Mitobe, Rumi Nobe, Minoru Suzuki, Yuki Fujino, Masako Hagiya
  • Patent number: 7672762
    Abstract: In an OFF condition of an ECO switch, a stop decision reference value Wstop is set to a value W1 (step S420). In an ON condition of the ECO switch, the stop decision reference value Wstop is set to a value W2 (step S430). When an output limit Wout of a battery set according to a battery temperature and a state of charge of the battery is not less than the set stop decision reference value Wstop, the engine is permitted to stop (step S450). When the output limit Wout is less than the set stop decision reference value Wstop, the engine is prohibited from stopping (step S460). The value W1 is specified as a value of electric power required for a smooth restart of the engine after its stop during a drive of the vehicle. The value W2 is specified to be close to a value of minimum electric power required for a restart of the engine after its stop during a drive of the vehicle and is set to be smaller than the value W1.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2010
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabuhsiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Tatsuyuki Matsubara
  • Patent number: 7650221
    Abstract: An ejector system controls the idle speed of an internal combustion engine by controlling an electric throttle valve system that adjusts the flow-rate of the intake air to be supplied to the internal combustion engine, and includes an ejector which generates a negative pressure of which the absolute value is larger than the absolute value of a negative pressure to be introduced from an intake manifold, a vacuum control valve which causes the ejector to operate or causes the ejector to stop operating, and an ECU that controls the vacuum switching valve. With the ejector system, even if the ejector is caused to operate or caused to stop operating, it is possible to appropriately suppress fluctuations in the idle speed, and appropriately obtain a negative pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 19, 2010
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yasuhiro Oi, Shigemasa Hirooka