Temperature Responsive Patents (Class 123/339.24)
  • Patent number: 11215125
    Abstract: An electronic throttle valve apparatus including a suction pressure sensor provided on the upstream of a throttle valve to measure pressure of an intake air that flows into the throttle valve is provided. The electronic throttle valve apparatus includes a throttle housing having one side installed in an intake manifold of an engine. Within an inside of the throttle housing, a throttle valve is rotatably provided. The electronic throttle valve apparatus further includes an air tube fastened to the other side of the throttle housing and fastened to an intake flow line, and a suction pressure sensor provided in the air tube and configured to measure pressure of an intake air that flows through the intake flow line. Accordingly, the suction pressure sensor is provided in the air tube that is fastened to the throttle housing, and thus the pressure of the intake air that flows into the throttle valve is easily measured.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2022
    Assignee: HYUNDAI KEFICO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Bo Kyeong Kim, Jin Kwan Kim, Joon Ho Yang
  • Patent number: 11149673
    Abstract: An ECU includes a cooling water temperature sensor, an intake air temperature sensor, a storage unit, a determination unit, and a calibration unit. In an after-run control performed after the internal combustion engine stops, the determination unit compares a cooling water temperature Tw detected by the cooling water temperature sensor with a first threshold value T1 and determines that the environment is not the cold environment in which an EGR differential pressure sensor is likely to be frozen, if the cooling water temperature Tw is equal to or higher than the first threshold value T1, or if the cooling water temperature Tw is less than the first threshold value T1 but is equal to or higher than a second threshold value T2 which is lower than the first threshold value T1 and an intake air temperature Ta from the intake air temperature sensor is equal to or higher than a third threshold value T3, and determines that the environment is the cold environment otherwise.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2021
    Assignee: Yanmar Power Technology Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hironori Yamane, Katsunari Jonouchi
  • Patent number: 11031741
    Abstract: A connector assembly is disclosed that includes a base with an embedded printed circuit board (PCB) and a plurality of signal pins. The plurality of signal pins electrically couple the PCB to a vehicle harness. The connector assembly includes a mating connector for mechanically coupling the connect assembly to the vehicle harness and a spring between the mating connector and the base. The spring pre-loads and axially secures the base to the mating connector. The connector assembly transmits vehicle signals through a wireless connection with vehicle and/or remote locations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2021
    Assignee: Cummins Inc.
    Inventor: Jeffrey L. Oakes
  • Patent number: 10087819
    Abstract: An apparatus for supplying a coolant in a throttle body includes a heating adaptor having a coolant passage therein in which coolant supplied thereto is circulated and discharged, a passage switching valve movably installed in a coupling hole provided at an inlet of the heating adaptor, and having a bypass passage in which the coolant circulated along the coolant passage is selectively blocked, and a drive unit connected to the passage switching valve for sliding the passage switching valve so that the coolant supplied to the heating adaptor is discharged along the bypass passage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2018
    Assignee: HYUNDAI MOTOR COMPANY
    Inventor: Tack Su Jung
  • Patent number: 9982572
    Abstract: An apparatus (10) and method for controlling an angular position of a camshaft (12) in an internal combustion engine having a camshaft phaser (14) for controllably varying the phase relationship between a crankshaft of the internal combustion engine and the camshaft (12). The camshaft phaser (14) can be actuated by an electric motor (16) having an actuator shaft (18) operating through a gear reduction drive train (20) having a stationary adjusting member (22) which rotates when a phase change adjustment is desired. A sensor (30) can generate a signal corresponding to an angular position of the stationary adjusting member (22) of the gear reduction drive train (20). An engine control unit (40) can adjust a position of the camshaft (12) through operation of the electric motor (16) for rotating the stationary adjusting member (22) based on the generated signal corresponding to the angular position of the stationary adjusting member (22).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2018
    Assignee: BorgWarner, Inc.
    Inventor: Roger T. Simpson
  • Patent number: 9855961
    Abstract: A railroad locomotive monitoring system configuration system for a plurality of trains comprising: a monitoring system, and an on-board computer programmed or configured to: determine or receive railroad locomotive data; determine or receive railroad operation data; determine or receive configuration data; and based at least partially on at least a portion of the railroad locomotive data, at least a portion of the railroad operation data, and at least a portion of the configuration data, automatically configure at least one setting of the at least one component of the monitoring system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2018
    Assignee: Westinghouse Air Brake Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Micheal John West, Theodore E. Allwardt
  • Patent number: 9316129
    Abstract: An intake control valve has a body, a valve, and a shaft. The valve has a connecting portion, a first boss located at an end of the connecting portion in the rotation axial direction; and a second boss located at an other end of the connecting portion in the rotation axial direction. The body has first and second bearing portions supporting the first and second protruding portions, respectively, first and second projection portions projecting inward from inner surfaces of the first and second bearings, respectively, to slidably support the first and second bosses, respectively, and first and second insertion openings defined between one circumferential end and an other circumferential end of the first and second projection portions, respectively. The first and second projection portions partially cover the first and second bosses, respectively, in a circumferential direction of the first boss and the second boss.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2016
    Assignee: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventor: Hiroaki Hattori
  • Patent number: 9121359
    Abstract: A method and system for controlling the engine during a return to idle maneuver when the engine's oil is highly aerated. The system and method will implement a stepped return to idle maneuver when the engine oil has a predetermined amount of aeration. The predetermined amount of aeration is an amount that could cause an engine to stall due to valve lift loss if the engine speed were reduced to the idle speed in the conventional manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2015
    Assignee: FCA US LLC
    Inventor: Christopher L. Allmond
  • Publication number: 20150053173
    Abstract: A temperature regulation system for a vehicle includes a drive system configured to be coupled to an engine of the vehicle. The drive system is configured to convert power produced by the engine into electrical power for use by at least one traction motor of the vehicle. The system further includes a control unit for controlling the engine and drive system. The control unit is configured to automatically regulate a temperature of a vehicle component in dependence upon a detected reference temperature.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 20, 2014
    Publication date: February 26, 2015
    Inventors: Henry Todd Young, Timothy Brown, Ord Allen Randolph
  • 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
  • Patent number: 8744722
    Abstract: A snowmobile having an electronic oil pump fluidly connected to an oil tank thereof is disclosed. The electronic oil pump is fluidly connected to an engine of the snowmobile for delivering lubricant to the engine. An electronic control unit is electrically connected to the electronic oil pump for controlling actuation of the electronic oil pump. A method of operating an electronic oil pump is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2014
    Assignee: Bombardier Recreational Products Inc.
    Inventors: Michel Bernier, Bruno Schuehmacher
  • 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: 8578912
    Abstract: A method and a device for setting an afterglow temperature in a self-igniting internal combustion engine, the afterglow temperature being reduced in a defined operating state of the internal combustion engine until a modification of an operating parameter as a result of the reduction of the afterglow temperature is required in order to maintain the defined operating state, in particular in order to maintain the injected fuel quantity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2013
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Herbert Schumacher, Christos Hondros
  • 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: 8434452
    Abstract: A control device for an internal combustion engine according to the present embodiment, includes: cooling units 40L and 40R arranged on a path where a coolant is circulated, and cooling an exhaust gas of the internal combustion engine with the coolant flowing through the cooling units 40L and 40R; and ECUs 7L and 7R estimating a heat quantity of the exhaust gas, and deciding whether or not to prohibit an idle reduction control in response to the estimated heat quantity of the exhaust gas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2013
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Shinichi Mitani, Shigemasa Hirooka, Takashi Tsunooka, Akira Satou, Shigeyuki Urano
  • Patent number: 8196605
    Abstract: An air intake device for an engine is provided in which a bypass valve (V) is formed from a tubular valve chamber (15) having its interior opening on the upstream side of a 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) that is slidably but non-rotatably fitted into the valve chamber (15) and that opens and closes the metering hole (16), wherein the valve chamber (15) and the metering hole (16) are formed in a bypass valve holder (10) provided so as to be connected to a throttle body (1), and a dividing wall (17) that divides the metering hole (16) into a plurality of small metering holes (16a, 16b) arranged in the peripheral direction of the valve chamber (15) is formed in the bypass valve holder (10) so as to be continuous with an inner peripheral face of the valve chamber (15). This can prevent any hindrance to the closing movement of the valve body of the bypass valve even when a large metering hole is employed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2012
    Assignee: Keihin Corporation
    Inventor: Hiroshige Akiyama
  • Patent number: 8065069
    Abstract: In a hybrid vehicle 20, when an ECO switch 88 is turned off while an intermittent operation of an engine 22 is prohibited in response to a warm-up demand of the engine 22 according to a cooling water temperature Tw or a heating demand, the engine 22 is autonomously operated at a target rotational speed Ne* derived and set from a normal autonomous rotational speed setting map (Steps 170, S190). When the ECO switch 88 is turned on while the warm-up is demanded, the engine 22 is autonomously operated at the target rotational speed Ne* set based on an ECO mode autonomous rotational speed setting map so as to be not more than the value derived from the normal autonomous rotational speed setting map (Steps 180, S190).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2011
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Kunihiko Jinno, Tadashi Nakagawa, Masahiko Maeda, Hideaki Yaguchi
  • Patent number: 8036816
    Abstract: An idle control system for a vehicle is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2011
    Assignee: Cummins, Inc.
    Inventor: Jeffrey L. Oakes
  • Patent number: 7869932
    Abstract: Systems and methods are described for controlling engine operation of an engine that may be shut-down during engine idle stop conditions. The engine may include a high pressure direct injection fuel system. In one embodiment, a method stops the engine when a temperature of a fuel rail is below a threshold during a selected engine idle stop condition. On the other hand, when the temperature of the fuel rail is above the threshold, engine operation is maintained during the selected engine idle stop condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2011
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Mathew Alan Boesch
  • Patent number: 7836862
    Abstract: An engine control system comprises a coolant temperature weighting module that generates a weighting signal based on coolant temperature. A composite temperature generating module generates a composite temperature based on the coolant temperature, an oil temperature and the weighting signal. A delta friction torque module calculates delta friction torque of an engine based on the composite temperature. An engine operating parameter module that adjusts an engine operating parameter based on the delta friction torque.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2010
    Inventors: Fanghui Shi, Chandrashekar Joshi, Annette Cusenza, Rohit S. Paranjpe
  • 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: 7753026
    Abstract: An object to be achieved by the present invention is to achieve ignition timing that is suitable for an environment in which a spark ignition internal combustion engine is used during the period of starting of the internal combustion engine and warm-up thereof just after starting. To achieve this object, according to the present invention, in an ignition control system for an internal combustion engine in which, ignition timing is controlled by feedback in such a way that the engine rotation speed becomes equal to a target rotation speed when the temperature of the internal combustion engine is lower than a prescribed temperature, and retard control for retarding the ignition timing by a predetermined amount from target ignition timing is performed when the temperature of the internal combustion engine is equal to or higher than the prescribed temperature, the aforementioned prescribed temperature is changed according to the altitude of the place where the internal combustion engine is used.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2010
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Nao Murase, Nobuhiko Koga
  • Publication number: 20090314255
    Abstract: Systems and methods are described for controlling engine operation of an engine that may be shut-down during engine idle stop conditions. The engine may include a high pressure direct injection fuel system. In one embodiment, a method comprises during at least a first fuel rail temperature below a threshold, automatically stopping engine operation during a selected engine idle stop condition; and during at least a second fuel rail temperature above the threshold, maintaining engine operation during the selected engine idle stop condition.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 26, 2009
    Publication date: December 24, 2009
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventor: Mathew Alan Boesch
  • Patent number: 7418942
    Abstract: A control apparatus retards ignition timing of the engine, and increases an amount of a fuel supplied to the engine based on a retard amount of the ignition timing, by calculating a maximum engine intake air amount at which an exhaust system temperature can be maintained at or below a predetermined upper limit temperature by increasing the amount of the fuel supplied to the engine without causing a misfire of the engine, and limiting an engine intake air amount to a value no greater than the maximum engine intake air amount.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2008
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Kuniaki Niimi
  • Patent number: 7343886
    Abstract: An internal combustion engine control apparatus is provided with a hydraulically operated variable valve operating mechanism for varying the valve timing of air intake valves, and a water temperature sensor for sensing engine coolant temperature to estimate the degree of engine warm-up. The valve operating mechanism is controlled to switch the valve timing from the warm-up idle valve timing with a high idling speed to the post-warm-up idle valve timing with a slower idling speed as the engine temperature approaches the warm-up temperature threshold. The switch in valve timings starts before an engine rotational speed falls below a rotational speed threshold lying between the high idling speed during the warm-up idling and the post-warm-up idling speed during the post-warm-up idling such that a sufficient hydraulic pressure switch the valve timing with a specific degree of responsiveness is attained when the engine rotational speed is at or above the rotational speed threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2008
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Hajime Miura
  • Patent number: 7331326
    Abstract: A carburetor automatic control system in an engine includes, a temperature-sensitive operating device for operating a choke valve so that the choke valve is opened with a temperature increase of the engine and a governor for opening and closing a throttle valve to maintain a preset rotational speed of the engine. The governor device includes, a stepping motor opening and closing the throttle valve over a range from an idling opening degree to a fully opening degree, and an electronic control unit driving the stepping motor so that the rotational speed of the engine is maintained the preset speed. A relief mechanism is interposed between the choke valve and the temperature-sensitive operating device, the relief mechanism opening the choke valve in response to an intake vacuum pressure within the intake passage when the engine is in a cold state and the choke valve is in a fully closed state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2008
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tetsuya Arai, Hiroshi Moriyama, Takashi Suzuki
  • Patent number: 7210450
    Abstract: An intake control apparatus for an internal combustion engine includes a variable valve operating mechanism capable of varying a lift and operation angle of an intake valve continuously and a control unit that controls an intake air amount by varying the lift and operation angle of the intake valve in accordance with an operating condition of the engine. The control unit has a learning section that learns a controlled position of the variable valve operating mechanism at a learning position that is a predetermined lift and operation angle located between a minimum value and a maximum value of the lift and operation angle that can be actually realized by the variable valve operating mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2007
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tsuyoshi Arinaga, Ryosuke Hiyoshi, Shin Ishizaki, Shinichi Takemura, Takanobu Sugiyama
  • Patent number: 7194319
    Abstract: The invention is directed to a method and an arrangement for controlling the position of an actuating element (1) which prevent damage to the actuating element by a collision with at least one stop (25, 30) and simultaneously ensure good dynamic characteristics. The position of the actuating element (1) tracks a desired value within a displacement range. The displacement range is limited for the actuating element (1) by at least one stop (25, 30). A check is made as to whether the distance between the desired value for the position of the actuating element (1) and the at least one stop (25, 30) drops below a pregiven value (S1). Only in this case is a change of the desired value limited.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2007
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Alex Grossmann, Torsten Baumann
  • Patent number: 7156073
    Abstract: A single idle air control passage (5) open toward a suction air passage (2a) downstream from a throttle valve (4), a starter passage (6) and an air screw passage (7) independently branched from an upstream side passage (5a) of the passage (5), an upstream side of passage (6) communicates with atmospheric air, a downstream side thereof communicates with the upstream passage (5a) of the idle air control passage (5), a start opening and closing valve (10) controlling an opening area of the passage is arranged in the starter passage (6), an upstream side of the passage (7) communicates with an atomospheric air, a downstream side communicates with the upstream side passage (5a) of the idle air control passage (5), and an air screw (11) controlling an opening area of the passage is screwed to the air screw passage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2007
    Assignee: Keihin Corporation
    Inventor: Takeo Kure
  • Patent number: 6966299
    Abstract: An electronic control unit adjusts an electronic throttle valve to a starting opening in a cold start mode of an engine, then maintains the opening of the electronic throttle valve so that an engine rotational speed detected by a crank angle sensor increases to a target rotational speed, and increases the opening of the electronic throttle valve and retards an ignition timing if the engine rotational speed is increased above the target rotational speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2005
    Assignees: Mitsubishi Jidosha Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha, Mitsubishi Jidosha Engineering Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Katsuhiko Miyamoto, Hideo Nakai, Seiji Shiota, Katsuyuki Maeda
  • Patent number: 6945222
    Abstract: A method to determine degradation of an idle air throttling device in an internal combustion engine. Degradation is determined in a manner that may permit evaluation of both the idle air throttling device and expected engine operating conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2005
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Michael Kluzner, Margherita Zanini-Fisher
  • 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: 6925376
    Abstract: A system for diagnosing operation of a cooling system for an internal combustion engine includes a coolant temperature sensor producing a temperature signal corresponding to coolant fluid temperature, means for determining either an engine load or a throttle percentage, and a control computer configured to diagnose operation of the cooling system as a function of the temperature signal, either the engine load or throttle percentage, and a fuel delivery command for controllably supplying fuel to the engine. After expiration of a diagnostic period, the control computer diagnoses the cooling system as normally operating if the diagnostic period ended by the temperature signal meeting or exceeding a predefined temperature and if a total energy used by the engine during the diagnostic period is less than an estimated energy, and diagnoses the cooling system as failing if the total energy used during the diagnostic period otherwise meets or exceeds the estimated energy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2005
    Assignee: Cummins, Inc.
    Inventors: Xiaoqiu Li, Todd C. Slater, Mark R. Stepper, Anthony J. Abbenante, Stephanie L. Goerges, Yue Yun Wang
  • 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: 6836718
    Abstract: A vehicle according to the present invention has an internal combustion engine that is controlled by an engine-control computer that is operable, when the vehicle is parked, to operate in an idle-management mode to automatically start and stop idling operation of the internal combustion engine in order to maintain desirable electrical system energy levels, maintain desirable fluid temperatures of the internal combustion engine, and/or enable maintenance of comfortable occupant cabin temperatures. Each vehicle according to the present invention has a unique configuration of safety-interlock provisions that affect when and if an idle-management mode of operation of the engine-control computer is initiated and/or maintained.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2004
    Assignee: International Truck Intellectual Property Company, LLC
    Inventors: Lawrence D. Hasfjord, Michael P. Harding, Kenneth Bultemeier, Jr., Richard S. Justice
  • 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
  • Publication number: 20040118378
    Abstract: [Object]
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 26, 2003
    Publication date: June 24, 2004
    Inventors: Kentaro Jumonji, Hayato Sugawara
  • Patent number: 6742497
    Abstract: An engine speed control unit of an internal combustion engine for controlling an engine speed so that it can reach a target value, changes the engine speed so that it can reach a target value in a period of time from the completion of the initial combustion of the engine starting to the idling steady state. The after-start engine speed peak actual value “gnepk”, which is an engine speed in the idling state in a predetermined period of time from the start of the engine, is calculated, and the after-start engine speed peak target value “tnepk” is read in from the map, and the ratio “rnepk” is found. When the ratio “rnepk” is out of the target range, it can be considered that the burning state is bad.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2004
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Masanobu Kanamaru, Satoru Watanabe, Hidemi Onaka
  • Patent number: 6691676
    Abstract: In order to reduce white smoke emissions immediately after start-up, the present invention is a method for executing engine warm-up control using electronic control units, wherein start-up idle control which does not perform the prescribed fast idle control, is executed until a prescribed period of time t1 has elapsed after engine start-up, whereupon the amount of fuel injection is increased to execute fast idle control. Immediately after engine start-up, the fuel injection amount and number of engine revolutions are restricted compared to those during fast idle control, preventing a large amount of fuel injection and high number of revolutions while the piston wall surface temperature is low, and thereby significantly reducing white smoke emissions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2004
    Assignee: Isuzu Motors Limited
    Inventor: Atsushi Konno
  • Patent number: 6647948
    Abstract: An engine has an injector, which directly injects fuel into a combustion chamber. When the coolant temperature during the cranking of the engine is low, an ECU controls the injector such that the engine is operated in a compression stroke injection mode. When the engine is operated in the compression stroke injection mode, the ECU controls the injector to advance the fuel injection timing in accordance with an increase of the coolant temperature. As a result, the engine reduces the amount of unburned discharge gas, provides improved ignition and combustion, and provides stable idling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2003
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Takahide Kyuuma, Noboru Takagi, Osamu Hosokawa
  • Publication number: 20030205215
    Abstract: An engine idle speed control device enhances engine cold-start performance even in engines of large displacement. The device reduces noise created by intersecting air flows after bypassing the throttle valve. The device includes first and second passages, each mounted on a throttle body for enabling air flow bypassing the throttle valve, an ISA so mounted as to control the opening of the first passage, and temperature valve unit so mounted as to control the opening of the second passage in response to engine temperature.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 2, 2002
    Publication date: November 6, 2003
    Inventors: Seon-Yang Hwang, Sung-Nam Baek
  • Patent number: 6634334
    Abstract: An engine idle speed control device enhances engine cold-start performance even in engines of large displacement. The device reduces noise created by intersecting air flows after bypassing the throttle valve. The device includes first and second passages, each mounted on a throttle body for enabling air flow bypassing the throttle valve, an ISA so mounted as to control the opening of the first passage, and temperature valve unit so mounted as to control the opening of the second passage in response to engine temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2003
    Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventors: Seon-Yang Hwang, Sung-Nam Baek
  • 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
  • Patent number: 6530351
    Abstract: An apparatus controls valve timing of an internal combustion engine that is provided with helical splines of an actuator for varying a phase difference in rotation and an actuator for varying a cam profile and lift of an intake cam. When the apparatus for controlling valve timing and respective actuators are not driven, a valve timing can be automatically established, which can achieve a cold valve overlap &thgr;ov. Carburetion of fuel can be promoted in the combustion chamber and intake ports by the blow-back of exhaust resulting from the cold valve overlap &thgr;ov. A mixture is made into a sufficient air-fuel ratio without depending on an increase in fuel when cold idling, wherein combustion is stabilized still more than in a case where valve overlap is not increased, cold hesitation can be prevented from occurring, and drivability can be maintained in a comparatively favorable state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2003
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Kazuhisa Mikame
  • Patent number: 6523521
    Abstract: A hot water type first idle control device includes a heating chamber through which cooling water for an engine is allowed to flow, a wax case heated by the heating chamber, and a device housing in which the wax case is accommodated and retained. In the hot water type first idle control device, the heating chamber is integrally defined in the device housing to adjoin the wax case with a partition wall interposed therebetween for separating the heating chamber from the inside of the device housing. Thus, it is possible to effectively heat the wax case by hot water, while preventing the entering of the hot water into the device housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2003
    Assignee: Keihin Corporation
    Inventors: Takashi Yokoyama, Hideaki Andou
  • Publication number: 20030019472
    Abstract: In order to reduce white smoke emissions immediately after start-up, the present invention is a method for executing engine warm-up control using electronic control units, wherein start-up idle control which does not perform the prescribed fast idle control, is executed until a prescribed period of time t1 has elapsed after engine start-up, whereupon the amount of fuel injection is increased to execute fast idle control. Immediately after engine start-up, the fuel injection amount and number of engine revolutions are restricted compared to those during fast idle control, preventing a large amount of fuel injection and high number of revolutions while the piston wall surface temperature is low, and thereby significantly reducing white smoke emissions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 14, 2002
    Publication date: January 30, 2003
    Inventor: Atsushi Konno
  • Publication number: 20020139346
    Abstract: A control system for an internal combustion engine is provided. The engine includes a compression ratio control mechanism and an ignition timing control system. The control system comprises an engine control for controlling the compression ratio control mechanism and the ignition timing control system so that when the engine is cold, the ignition timing is retarded largely from an MBT point and the compression ratio is set higher than that obtained when the engine is cold and operated at corresponding engine rpm and engine load. A method for controlling such an internal combustion engine is also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 22, 2002
    Publication date: October 3, 2002
    Applicant: NISSAN MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Shunichi Aoyama, Katsuya Moteki, Kenshi Ushijima, Ryosuke Hiyoshi
  • Publication number: 20020046732
    Abstract: In an automatic transmission which comprises: a starter motor for starting an engine and a hydraulic pressure source having a main pump driven by the engine and an assist pump driven by an electric motor, when an idling stop control unit outputs an idling stop signal to an engine control unit, an engine and an assist pump are stopped. When the idling stop control unit receives an OFF signal from a brake switch, the idling stop control unit outputs a cancellation command for canceling an idling stop operation to the engine control unit to drive a starter motor and the assist pump.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 22, 2001
    Publication date: April 25, 2002
    Inventor: Yoshiaki Katou