Fail-safe System Patents (Class 701/107)
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Publication number: 20080172169Abstract: An apparatus is provided to control injection of fuel into an engine with a combustion engine The fuel is injected into the combustion chamber as a preliminary sub injection and a main injection following the preliminary sub injection. The preliminary sub injection repeats one or more times and is less in an amount of the fuel than the main injection The apparatus comprises acquisition means and a control unit. The acquisition means acquires a parameter showing at least one of a state of an exhaust gas exhausted from the cylinder after the combustion of the fuel and a constituent of the exhaust gas. The control unit includes variably setting means for variably setting a mode of the preliminary sub injection depending on the parameter acquired by the acquisition means.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 16, 2008Publication date: July 17, 2008Applicant: DENSO CORPORATIONInventors: Tokuji KURONITA, Satoru Sasaki
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Patent number: 7390283Abstract: A process for controlling an automated motor vehicle drive train which has an engine and a transmission, with the step of at least once detecting at least one wear parameter of the transmission during its running performance, the wear parameter representing the wear or the fatigue of at least one component of the transmission. A load limit parameter, which represents the maximum load on the transmission due to the engine, is set as a function of the detected wear parameter.Type: GrantFiled: November 10, 2006Date of Patent: June 24, 2008Assignee: GETRAG Getriebe-und Zahnradfabrik Hermann Hagenmeyer GmbH & Cie KGInventor: Stephan Rinderknecht
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Publication number: 20080115768Abstract: A fault system for flexible fuel systems is provided. The system includes: a fault monitor module that monitors fuel estimation inputs and detects fuel estimation faults; and a fuel estimation module that selectively estimates a concentration level based on whether a fuel estimation fault is detected.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 20, 2006Publication date: May 22, 2008Inventors: Mark D. Carr, Bahram Younessi
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Patent number: 7343887Abstract: An abnormality diagnosis system 100 includes a VVT controller 110, an adjustable valve mechanism 120, a cam angle sensor 130, a model computation module 140, an abnormality detection module 150, and an alarm lamp 160. The adjusable valve mechanism 120 advances or delays a phase angle of an intake cam shaft relative to a crankshaft, thereby varying an open-close timing of a valve. The model computation module 140 computes a physical behavior of the adjustable valve mechanism 120 according to a physical model, in response to a control signal input from the VVT controller 110. The abnormality detection module 150 determines whether the adjustable valve mechanism 120 is abnormal or normal, based on a difference between a theoretical value of phase angle calculated according to the physical model and an observed value of phase angle measured with the cam angle sensor 130. The arrangement of the invention ensures highly accurate abnormality diagnosis of the adjustable valve mechanism 120.Type: GrantFiled: April 5, 2004Date of Patent: March 18, 2008Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki KaishaInventor: Shinichi Soejima
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Patent number: 7319926Abstract: To a self-diagnosis indication system for performing a startup disablement indication when an abnormal condition is self-detected at the time of start up without using on/off signals from a starter switch. There is provided a self-diagnosis indication system for outputting an operation control signal from an ECU by allowing signals from respective types of sensors for detecting an operating condition and a crank pulse signal for detecting a rotation of a crankshaft to enter the ECU and outputting a startup disablement indication signal in a state that an abnormal condition is self-detected at the time of startup, the self-diagnosis indication system being characterized in that a startup disablement indication signal is outputted when a crank pulse signal is inputted in the state that an abnormal condition is self-detected at the time of startup.Type: GrantFiled: January 22, 2003Date of Patent: January 15, 2008Assignee: Yamaha Hatsudoki Kabushiki KaishaInventor: Masashi Suzuki
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Patent number: 7289901Abstract: A vehicle-mounted power generator set including: an AC generator driven by an engine of a vehicle; an electric power conversion portion that converts an output of the AC generator into an AC output having commercial frequency; a controller having electric power conversion portion control means for controlling the conversion portion to generate an AC output having commercial frequency when a control mode is a power generation mode, and engine control means for controlling the engine to rotate at a rotational speed suitable for supplying electric power from the conversion portion to a load when the control mode is the power generation mode and controlling the engine to be suitable for driving the vehicle when the control mode is the vehicle driving mode; and a control switch inserted between each output terminal of the AC generator and each input terminal of the electric power conversion portion, and controlled to be in an ON state when the control mode is the power generation mode and in an OFF state when theType: GrantFiled: November 8, 2005Date of Patent: October 30, 2007Assignee: Kokusan Denki Co., Ltd.Inventors: Kazuyoshi Kishibata, Masahiko Endou, Tomoaki Sekita
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Patent number: 7263825Abstract: An apparatus, system, and method are disclosed for detecting and evaluating a filter regeneration event. The apparatus, in one embodiment, is configured to determine whether an oxidation rate of soot accumulated on a particulate filter has attained a level sufficient to indicate that a filter regeneration event is occurring. The apparatus may include an input module for receiving input relative to engine operating conditions and exhaust gas produced as a byproduct of engine operation, an oxidation module for communicating with the input module and for determining an oxidation rate of soot accumulated on a particulate filter from the input, and a regeneration detection module to determine whether a filter regeneration event is occurring. The apparatus may further categorize a detected filter regeneration event and to facilitate defining the actual condition of soot on a particulate filter.Type: GrantFiled: September 15, 2005Date of Patent: September 4, 2007Assignee: Cummins, Inc.Inventors: Joan Wills, J. Steve Wills
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Patent number: 7263427Abstract: A failed manifold pressure sensor is identified in a control apparatus having two manifold pressure detecting systems as a failsafe. A first comparing unit outputs an abnormal signal when a difference ?P between manifold pressures PMa and PMb detected respectively by two sensors is larger than a threshold value DP. A manifold pressure estimating unit estimates the manifold pressure from the engine revolution Ne, a throttle opening PLP, and an atmospheric pressure PAa. The difference calculating unit calculates a difference ?PMb between the detected manifold pressure PMb and the estimated manifold pressure PMcal. The difference calculating unit calculates a difference ?PMa between the detected manifold pressure PMa and the estimated manifold pressure PMcal. A second comparing unit compares the difference ?PMa and the difference ?PMb in response to the aforementioned abnormal signal. The failed manifold pressure sensor is specified according to which one of the difference ?PMa and the difference ?PMb is larger.Type: GrantFiled: February 13, 2006Date of Patent: August 28, 2007Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.Inventors: Shumpei Hasegawa, Takashi Sasaki, Haruo Nakayama
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Patent number: 7252055Abstract: A valve controller includes a detector detecting a shutdown command signal to shutdown an engine, a driving circuit for driving a motor, and a power source controller. The power source controller turns on the driving circuit until the predetermined period has passed since the shutdown command signal is detected. Thus, the valve controller adjusts the valve opening/closing character in such a manner as to be suitable to an engine condition.Type: GrantFiled: April 22, 2005Date of Patent: August 7, 2007Assignees: DENSO CORPORATION, Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Hideji Tani, Akihiko Takenaka, Yoshihiro Sato
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Patent number: 7248932Abstract: A main CPU transmits data used in determination of whether or not a target throttle opening degree calculation logic and an estimated target throttle opening degree calculation logic are normal (a target degree and an estimated target degree of throttle opening, and a dummy estimated target degree of throttle opening and an expected value) to a sub-CPU. The sub-CPU compares the data pieces in each of the pairs so as to calculate monitor data for monitoring whether or not the determination result in the main CPU is correct. In this manner, it is possible to enhance reliability of the routine for determining whether or not the respective logics are normal.Type: GrantFiled: January 20, 2004Date of Patent: July 24, 2007Assignee: DENSO CorporationInventor: Kenji Sunami
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Patent number: 7246583Abstract: A method for diagnosing malfunctions of switching valve lifters includes sensing variations in pressure of trapped oil in a drive chamber of a hydraulic camshaft drive, such as a cam phaser, comparing peak oil pressure readings in the drive chamber resulting from the increased torque of opening the valves of various cylinders of an engine and identifying cylinders having lower than normal valve opening pressure readings, indicating failure of an associated valve lifter to properly actuate a valve of the cylinder. Apparatus for indicating such malfunctions could include a cam phaser with pressure chamber, a pressure sensor connected to indicate pressure variations in the chamber; and a pressure indicator connected to the sensor and adapted to indicate actual pressure variations for comparison with normal variations to identify low pressure peaks indicating malfunction of a switching lifter. A computer could be used to receive and act upon the malfunction indications.Type: GrantFiled: September 29, 2005Date of Patent: July 24, 2007Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations, Inc.Inventors: Kenneth J. Cinpinski, Vimesh M. Patel
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Patent number: 7239235Abstract: A switch is disclosed having first and second switch elements each configured to provide power to a sensor when in one state and configured to switch to a second state and provide positional information, for example. The sensor configured to effect the first and second switches to switch to the second state and to switch back to the one state, the first and second switch elements configured to switch alternately and in a complementary way.Type: GrantFiled: March 25, 2005Date of Patent: July 3, 2007Assignee: Williams Controls Industries, Inc.Inventor: Fred Eugene Yates
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Patent number: 7225075Abstract: A method for operating an injection valve of an internal combustion engine, whereby the metering of fuel is adjustable in particular by varying the stroke of the nozzle needle of the injection valve, makes it possible to prevent an incomplete closure of the valve due to soiling (the risk of damage caused by a gasoline-filled cylinder) in operating states of the internal combustion engine in which no complete strokes of the nozzle needle occur over a prolonged period of time and the nozzle is therefore not sufficiently scavenged. The nozzle is scavenged with fuel when a jammed-open operating state of the nozzle needle is detected.Type: GrantFiled: November 5, 2003Date of Patent: May 29, 2007Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbHInventors: Klaus Joos, Juergen Pantring
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Patent number: 7216639Abstract: When carrying out abnormality determination for an air-fuel ratio sensor 33 by comparison of an average value tave of all diagnostic values t(n) and an abnormality determination value C, the abnormality determination value C is corrected using an average value ?tave for the disturbance correction values ?t(n). A disturbance correction value ?t(n) is derived by subtracting a correction reference value A, which is a diagnostic value with a normal air-fuel ratio sensor 33 when there is no disturbance, from the diagnostic value t(n). The present invention provides the abnormality diagnosis device for the air-fuel ratio sensor that can acquire highly precise diagnosis results without lowering frequency of diagnosis accurately taking into consideration the influence of disturbance.Type: GrantFiled: May 22, 2006Date of Patent: May 15, 2007Assignees: Fuji Jukogyo Kabushiki Kaisha, Hitachi, Ltd.Inventors: Hisanori Ozaki, Akira Kiyomura
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Patent number: 7174249Abstract: A driver module is provided for controlling operation of a fuel pump of a vehicle. The driver module includes switching circuitry for switching transmission of electrical power to the fuel pump, and a processor for executing a series of programmable instructions for controlling the switching circuitry in accordance with at least one signal received from a restraint control module (RCM) of the vehicle.Type: GrantFiled: December 12, 2005Date of Patent: February 6, 2007Assignee: Tyco Electronics CorporationInventors: Lyle Stanley Bryan, Thomas Michael Banas, John Steven Cowan
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Patent number: 7171301Abstract: A method for detecting a malfunction in a manifold absolute pressure sensor used in an internal combustion engine. The method includes obtaining a plurality of samples from the manifold absolute pressure sensor. A plurality of samples is obtained from a mass airflow sensor for measuring air flow to the engine. A plurality of inferred manifold absolute pressures is estimated from the plurality of samples obtained from the mass airflow sensor. A linear functional relationship is determined between manifold absolute pressure and inferred absolute pressure from the obtained samples of the manifold pressure sensor and the estimated inferred manifold absolute pressures, such functional relationship having an offset term and a slope. A comparison is made between the determined offset term and the determined slope with a predetermined offset threshold and a predetermined slope threshold level, respectively.Type: GrantFiled: February 13, 2004Date of Patent: January 30, 2007Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Songping Yu, Paul A. Pietrzyk, Gary L. Danhoff
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Patent number: 7165389Abstract: A catalyst degradation determining method includes the steps of: controlling an upstream-of-catalyst air-fuel ratio occurring upstream of a first catalyst to an air-fuel ratio that is rich of a stoichiometric air-fuel ratio so that first and second catalysts store oxygen up to a maximum storage amount of oxygen. The method then includes the steps of controlling the upstream-of-catalyst air-fuel ratio to a first lean air-fuel ratio until an output of a downstream-of-first-catalyst sensor indicates a lean air-fuel ratio, and then to a second lean air-fuel ratio and that has a value that is determined in accordance with an oxidizing-reducing capability index value, until a time point when an output of a downstream-of-second-catalyst air-fuel ratio sensor indicates an air-fuel ratio that is lean.Type: GrantFiled: May 20, 2005Date of Patent: January 23, 2007Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Akira Kamoto, Toshinari Nagai, Yosuhiro Oi, Noriyasu Adachi, Koji Ide, Daisuke Kobayashi, Shuntaro Okazaki, Naoto Kato, Takahiro Uchida
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Patent number: 7162358Abstract: An error detection system is provided for identifying a defective temperature sensor in motor vehicles including an internal combustion engine and at least one electronic control unit that is provided with a mechanism for detecting the immobilization time between turning off and restarting the internal combustion engine. An ambient-air temperature value determined by an ambient-air temperature sensor is compared with a coolant temperature value determined by at least one coolant temperature sensor in the electronic control unit after restarting the internal combustion engine if the detected immobilization time prior to restarting the internal combustion engine exceeds a predefined minimum time value. An error of the ambient temperature sensor is recognized when the difference between the coolant temperature value and the ambient-air temperature value is at least quantitatively greater than a given threshold value.Type: GrantFiled: October 4, 2005Date of Patent: January 9, 2007Assignee: Bayerische Motoren Werke AktiengesellschaftInventors: Robert Gerum, Frank Wilke
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Patent number: 7152594Abstract: A method for detecting emissions from an internal combustion engine generally including determining a reference air/fuel mixture signal based on an engine speed and an airflow into the engine. The method includes determining an actual air/fuel mixture signal from an air/fuel mixture sensor and comparing the reference air/fuel mixture signal to the actual air/fuel mixture signal. The method also includes determining whether an air/fuel imbalance condition occurs based on the comparison and setting a service indicator based on the determination of whether the air/fuel imbalance condition occurred.Type: GrantFiled: August 5, 2005Date of Patent: December 26, 2006Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations, Inc.Inventors: Igor Anilovich, Louis A Avallone, David N. Belton, Ian J. Mac Ewen, Vincent A. White
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Patent number: 7146268Abstract: A method and a device for operating an internal combustion engine having exhaust-gas recirculation are provided, which make it possible to dispense with an ambient-pressure sensor. In this context, an intake-manifold pressure and an ambient pressure are modeled. The intake-manifold pressure is modeled as a function of the modeled ambient pressure. The intake-manifold pressure is also measured. The modeled intake-manifold pressure is compared to the measured intake-manifold pressure. The modeled ambient pressure is adapted as a function of the comparison result. The modeled ambient pressure is adapted only when the exhaust-gas recirculation is inactive.Type: GrantFiled: July 13, 2005Date of Patent: December 5, 2006Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbHInventors: Ernst Wild, Michael Drung, Rainer Hild
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Patent number: 7133762Abstract: An engine driven vehicle having a function of supplying power to an external load from a generator driven by an engine that is operated in a power generation mode while the vehicle is stopped, including: throttle position determination means for determining whether a throttle valve is placed closer to an acceleration side than a normal position in the power generation mode while the engine is operated in the power generation mode; and safety engine control means for conducting a control to prevent the engine from being operated at a higher speed than a set speed limit when the determination means determines that the throttle valve is placed closer to the acceleration side than the normal position in the power generation mode.Type: GrantFiled: October 25, 2005Date of Patent: November 7, 2006Assignee: Kokusan Denki Co., Ltd.Inventors: Tomoaki Sekita, Kazuyoshi Kishibata, Yuichi Kitagawa, Hiroyasu Sato
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Patent number: 7133763Abstract: The invention provides a control apparatus comprising a controller for determining a manipulated variable for manipulating a controlled object so that an output of the controlled object converges to a desired value and a modulator for modulating the manipulated variable by using one of a delta-sigma modulation algorithm, a sigma-delta modulation algorithm and a delta modulation algorithm to generate a modulated signal to be applied to the controlled object. The modulator generates the modulated signal so that a center value of an amplitude of the modulated signal follows a change of the manipulated variable. Thus, the modulated signal in which the manipulated variable is reflected without any loss can be generated even when the manipulated variable changes.Type: GrantFiled: February 4, 2005Date of Patent: November 7, 2006Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.Inventor: Yuji Yasui
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Patent number: 7104043Abstract: This feature of the present invention comprises a method and apparatus to retard the spark time. As a result, the catalyst heats up quickly during the cold start. The retard spark control method of the present invention uses a closed loop to adjust the engine retard limit during an engine cold start to retard the engine spark as much as possible without engine misfire and with minimum partial burn. The increased exhaust temperature heats up the catalyst more quickly than conventional open loop approaches, which as a result, reduces hydrocarbon emissions. The closed loop retard spark control using ionization current feedback consists of four major components or functions, an error and gain generator, a proportional and integration control processing block, a default spark timing processor, and an adaptive learning apparatus.Type: GrantFiled: June 11, 2003Date of Patent: September 12, 2006Assignee: Visteon Global Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Guoming G. Zhu, Chao F. Daniels
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Patent number: 7100571Abstract: To provide a value to be replaced for an output of a manifold pressure sensor in case of failure of the manifold pressure sensor for detecting a manifold pressure for calculating the amount of fuel injection. An abnormality determination unit outputs an abnormal signal when an output voltage of a manifold pressure sensor is not within a predetermined range. A manifold pressure estimating unit calculates an estimated manifold pressure value on the basis of the engine revolution, a throttle opening, and an atmospheric pressure. The manifold pressure estimating unit uses the estimated value as a substitute value of the output of the manifold pressure sensor and continues to control the engine when the manifold pressure sensor has failed.Type: GrantFiled: February 23, 2006Date of Patent: September 5, 2006Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.Inventor: Shumpei Hasegawa
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Patent number: 7096861Abstract: A control system for an internal combustion engine is disclosed. The engine has an exhaust gas recirculation device which includes an exhaust gas recirculation passage for recirculating exhaust gases from the engine to an intake system of the engine, and an exhaust gas recirculation control valve provided in the exhaust gas recirculation passage, for controlling a flow rate of the exhaust gases. An air-fuel ratio control amount is calculated based on an output of the air-fuel ratio sensor provided in the exhaust system of the engine. The air-fuel ratio of the air-fuel mixture supplied to the engine is controlled with the air-fuel ratio control amount. A failure of the exhaust gas recirculation device is determined based on a changing component of the air-fuel ratio control amount when changing an opening of the exhaust gas recirculation control valve in a predetermined cycle.Type: GrantFiled: March 14, 2006Date of Patent: August 29, 2006Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.Inventors: Masaki Tsuda, Kentaro Onuma, Takeshi Hara, Hidetaka Maki
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Patent number: 7085644Abstract: A method for monitoring an internal combustion engine (1?) having an injection system, in particular for preventing dieseling in the case of a diesel engine, comprising the following steps: Establishing a theoretical calorific balance of the internal combustion engine (1?) and determining a diagnostic signal (?H) reflecting the disequilibrium of the calorific balance, the diagnostic signal (?H) indicating a fault in the injection system and/or the internal combustion engine (1?).Type: GrantFiled: August 9, 2004Date of Patent: August 1, 2006Assignee: Siemens AktiengesellschaftInventor: Andreas Fath
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Patent number: 7073320Abstract: A fault detecting apparatus for a gas concentration sensor is provided. The apparatus includes a storage device and a fault detecting circuit. The storage device stores therein fault detectable conditions in which preselected different types of faults of the gas concentration sensor are allowed to be detected, respectively. The fault detecting circuit works to detect a selected one of the faults stored in said storage device. When one of the fault detectable conditions is encountered during operation of the gas concentration sensor, the fault detecting circuit initiates detection of a corresponding one of the faults based on an output of the gas concentration sensor, thereby enabling the fault detecting circuit to identify the type of one of the faults to be detected correctly.Type: GrantFiled: May 10, 2004Date of Patent: July 11, 2006Assignees: Denso Corporation, Nippon Soken, Inc.Inventors: Michiyasu Moritsugu, Takanao Tomura, Keigo Mizutani, Daisuke Makino, Eiichi Kurokawa
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Patent number: 7076347Abstract: A diagnostic system for a brake booster sensor includes a monitor that monitors a maximum error and a minimum error based on a brake booster sensor signal over a monitoring period. A first comparator determines one of a pass status and a fail status of the brake booster sensor based on the maximum error and the minimum error.Type: GrantFiled: January 23, 2004Date of Patent: July 11, 2006Assignee: General Motors CorporationInventors: Chad W. Lehner, Daniel H. Hooker
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Patent number: 7063081Abstract: A deterioration determining apparatus and a deterioration determining method are applied to an engine in which a feedback control of an air-fuel ratio is performed by calculating an air-fuel ratio correction coefficient based on an output of an oxygen sensor, and response of the air-fuel ratio correction coefficient with respect to the output of the oxygen sensor is set so as to be variable. In the deterioration determining apparatus and the deterioration determining method, a deterioration determining value concerning a determination as to whether the oxygen sensor has deteriorated is set so as to be variable according to the set response of the air-fuel ratio correction coefficient with respect to the output of the oxygen sensor, and the determination as to whether the oxygen sensor has deteriorated is made based on an inversion cycle of the output of the oxygen sensor and the deterioration determining value.Type: GrantFiled: March 5, 2004Date of Patent: June 20, 2006Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki KaishaInventor: Kazuhiro Yamada
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Patent number: 7010415Abstract: A common rail injection system for an internal combustion engine, wherein upon detection of a defective rail sensor system the transition from the normal operation to the emergency operation is determined reliably by means of a transition function. The transition function is determined beforehand from the characteristics of a system deviation as a function of time during normal operation. In so doing, the system deviation is calculated from a variance comparison of the rail pressure. The result of this defect transition process is a more noise-proof and more continuous transition from the normal operation to the emergency operation.Type: GrantFiled: November 20, 2002Date of Patent: March 7, 2006Assignee: MTU Friedrichshafen GmbHInventor: Armin Dölker
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Patent number: 6994060Abstract: A control apparatus controls an electromagnetically driven valve, which includes at least one of an electromagnetically driven exhaust valve for opening or closing an exhaust valve and an electromagnetically driven intake valve for opening or closing an intake valve in an internal combustion engine. The control apparatus is provided with: a first judging device for judging whether or not the electromagnetically driven valve fails in seating for valve-opening; and a fail-safe device for controlling the electromagnetically driven valve to perform an operation of valve-opening again in a same stroke if it is judged by the first judging device that the electromagnetically driven valve fails in the seating for valve-opening.Type: GrantFiled: June 16, 2004Date of Patent: February 7, 2006Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki KaishaInventor: Keiji Yoeda
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Patent number: 6993427Abstract: A combustion state estimating apparatus for estimating the state of combustion in an internal combustion engine includes an angular acceleration calculator that calculates a crank angle acceleration, and a combustion state estimator that estimates the state of combustion in the internal combustion engine based on the crank angle acceleration in a crank angle interval in which an average value of inertia torque caused by a reciprocating inertia mass of the internal combustion engine is substantially zero. Thus, the combustion state estimating apparatus excludes the effect that the inertia torque caused by the reciprocating inertia mass has on the angular acceleration, and therefore is able to precisely estimate the state of combustion based on the angular acceleration.Type: GrantFiled: August 6, 2003Date of Patent: January 31, 2006Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki KaishaInventor: Koichi Ueda
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Patent number: 6980900Abstract: A method for determining an estimate of the mass of a motor vehicle for use in controlling the brake system of a motor vehicle, in which a driving force and a force of inertia acting instantaneously on the wheel being determined for all the wheels of the vehicle, and the instantaneous driving forces and inertia forces of all wheels as well as an instantaneous wind resistance of the motor vehicle are added up and divided by the instantaneous longitudinal acceleration of the vehicle to determine the estimate of the mass. In addition, the rolling resistance of the vehicle and/or a braking force acting instantaneously on the wheel is determined for all the wheels and taken into account in the addition.Type: GrantFiled: September 23, 2004Date of Patent: December 27, 2005Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbHInventor: Joerg Grieser
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Patent number: 6947817Abstract: A diagnostic testing system for a vehicle includes an oxygen sensor, an analyzer having a user interface, and a communications link between the analyzer and the vehicle to obtain data from the oxygen sensor. A diagnostic heuristic is used to analyze the data and confirm proper operation of the sensor; and an output is generated by said diagnostic heuristic to the user interface.Type: GrantFiled: November 3, 2003Date of Patent: September 20, 2005Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc.Inventor: Earl D. Diem
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Patent number: 6944531Abstract: An air flow sensor failure determination apparatus for determining a failure of an air flow sensor for an internal combustion engine in which an air flow sensor, a throttle and a pressure sensor disposed downstream of the throttle are provided in an air induction passage, the air flow sensor failure determination apparatus comprising a first calculating unit for calculating a first induction air volume based on an output signal from the air flow sensor, a second calculating unit for calculating a second induction air volume based on an output from the pressure sensor, and a determination unit for determining a failure of the air flow sensor based on a comparison between the first induction air volume and the second induction air volume.Type: GrantFiled: September 3, 2003Date of Patent: September 13, 2005Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Osamu Takizawa, Yuji Fujiki
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Patent number: 6922985Abstract: In a motor vehicle having an engine with an exhaust catalyst and an oxygen sensor upstream of the catalyst and an oxygen sensor downstream of the catalyst, a method for detecting whether the catalyst has aged. Over a test block period of time, the method periodically obtains upstream data points from an oxygen sensor located upstream of the catalyst and from and oxygen sensor located downstream of the catalyst. Absolute differences are calculated between consecutive pairs of the upstream data points and the downstream data points. A ratio between the sums of absolute differences is then calculated, and the ratio is used to determine whether the catalyst has aged.Type: GrantFiled: January 21, 2003Date of Patent: August 2, 2005Assignee: DaimlerChrysler CorporationInventors: Wei Wang, Jason E Wielenga, Bill Leisenring, Douglas M Stander, Dave Carlson, Mark J Poublon, Chris J Booms, Tom Stephens, Craig Summers, Danny K Schuelke, Richard K Moote
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Patent number: 6915241Abstract: A method, implemented on a computer having a fixed amount of memory and CPU resources, for analyzing a sequence of data units derived from a dynamic system to which new data units may be added by classifying the data units, is disclosed. The method comprises determining the similarity of the data units being part of the sequence of data units by calculating the distance between all pairs of data units in a data space. The method further comprises classifying the data units by assigning labels to the data units such that, if the distance of a data unit which is to be classified to any other data unit exceeds a threshold, a new label is assigned to the data unit to be classified. Also, if the threshold is not exceeded, the label of the data unit being closest to the data unit to be classified is assigned to the data unit to be classified.Type: GrantFiled: April 19, 2002Date of Patent: July 5, 2005Assignee: Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft zur Foerderung der Angewandten Forschung E.V.Inventors: Jens Kohlmorgen, Steven Lemm
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Patent number: 6915203Abstract: An engine control system has a self-diagnosis function of an exhaust system. The self-diagnosis function includes a first mode for detecting a failure or abnormality of the exhaust system as a whole, and a second mode for determining and locating a specific failed component in the exhaust system. The first mode is executed during the engine is operated under a normal condition. Therefore it is possible to detect the failure of the exhaust system without lowering a drive performance or increasing emissions. In case of detecting any failure in the first mode, the second mode is activated in response to a command signal that can be entered via a service tool. In the second mode, the engine is operated in order to determine the failed component. In the second mode, determining the failed component takes priority over keeping the drive performance or reducing emissions.Type: GrantFiled: February 11, 2003Date of Patent: July 5, 2005Assignee: DENSO CorporationInventors: Yoshinori Maegawa, Syujiro Morinaga, Hisashi Iida, Tatsuya Oka, Masakazu Yamada
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Patent number: 6892129Abstract: A vehicle electronic control system has a control CPU and a monitor CPU. The control CPU performs a fail-safe processing thereby to reduce an engine output torque, when the monitor CPU monitoring the control CPU detects that the control CPU fails to perform throttle control for an engine. When the monitor CPU detects that the control CPU fails to perform the fail-safe processing, it performs a fail-safe processing in place of the control CPU. In this fail-safe processing, the monitor CPU continues to reset the control CPU so that the engine may be forcibly stopped.Type: GrantFiled: November 7, 2002Date of Patent: May 10, 2005Assignees: Denso Corporation, Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki KaishaInventor: Hidemasa Miyano
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Patent number: 6871135Abstract: The invention is directed to a method for operating an internal combustion engine (1) wherein a fault of a pressure system with a pressure sensor (14) is determined by a first diagnostic system (14?) of the engine (1). The pressure sensor (14) is especially a pressure sensor of a high pressure fuel system of the engine. For a plausibility consideration of a pressure system fault, which is determined by the first diagnostic system (14?), at least one further diagnostic system (18?) of the engine (1) is checked as to a second fault.Type: GrantFiled: October 20, 2003Date of Patent: March 22, 2005Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbHInventors: Jens Wolber, Thomas Frenz, Karsten Hinn, Timm Hollmann
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Patent number: 6868328Abstract: A method and system for controlling fuel for an internal combustion engine. Two fuel demand signals are provided, one from an idle speed fuel controller (i.e., a base fuel demand signal) and one from pedal position (i.e., an unmodified pedal fuel demand signal). The pedal position signal is a function of engine speed and actual pedal position. A modified pedal position fuel demand signal is produced. The modified pedal fuel demand signal is equal to the unmodified pedal fuel demand increased by a bias value. The bias value is a predetermined offset, or hysteresis value, from the base fuel demand signal. The actual fuel supplied to the engine is equal to the greater of the base fuel demand signal and the modified pedal fuel demand signal. With such method, the amount of dead pedal time delay is reduced.Type: GrantFiled: June 26, 2003Date of Patent: March 15, 2005Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventor: Brien Lloyd Fulton
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Patent number: 6862516Abstract: When detection of malfunction is interrupted for any reason, the integrated purge amount is cleared, and the next malfunction judgment conditions are determined satisfied when said integrated purge amount is not less than a second predetermined value shorter than said first predetermined value. The detection of malfunction is carried out again by purging the canister taking a time shorter than conventionally required. As a result, a fuel gas purge system having failure diagnostic function and being capable of improving frequency in detection of malfunction and preventing deterioration in drivability and emission is obtained.Type: GrantFiled: November 12, 2003Date of Patent: March 1, 2005Assignee: Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki KaishaInventor: Shinya Fujimoto
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Patent number: 6842690Abstract: A failure detection apparatus for an internal combustion engine includes failure detecting means (S22-S30) for detecting abnormality of fresh air quantity detecting means (air flow sensor) based on the result of comparison between a fresh air quantity detected by the fresh air quantity detecting means (air flow sensor) and a reference value for the fresh air quantity set by fresh air quantity reference value setting means (S20), and an EGR device (EGR passage, EGR valve, target opening setting means, EGR valve control means). The fresh air quantity reference value setting means sets the reference value (S16) in accordance with not only the operating state (engine speed Ne, fuel injection quantity Qf, etc.) of the engine but also a target EGR valve opening set by target opening setting means (S12, S14).Type: GrantFiled: July 3, 2003Date of Patent: January 11, 2005Assignee: Mitsubishi Fuso Truck and Bus CorporationInventors: Yoshiyuki Akao, Susumu Kohketsu
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Publication number: 20040267435Abstract: When detection of malfunction is interrupted for any reason, the integrated purge amount is cleared, and the next malfunction judgment conditions are determined satisfied when said integrated purge amount is not less than a second predetermined value shorter than said first predetermined value. The detection of malfunction is carried out again by purging the canister taking a time shorter than conventionally required. As a result, a fuel gas purge system having failure diagnostic function and being capable of improving frequency in detection of malfunction and preventing deterioration in drivability and emission is obtained.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 12, 2003Publication date: December 30, 2004Applicant: MITSUBISHI DENKI KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventor: Shinya Fujimoto
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Publication number: 20040249555Abstract: A common rail injection system for an internal combustion engine, wherein upon detection of a defective rail sensor system the transition from the normal operation to the emergency operation is determined reliably by means of a transition function. The transition function is determined beforehand from the characteristics of a system deviation as a function of time during normal operation. In so doing, the system deviation is calculated from the a variance comparison of the rail pressure. The result of this defect transition process is a more noise-proof and more continuous transition from the normal operation to the emergency operation.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 24, 2004Publication date: December 9, 2004Inventor: Armin Doelker
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Patent number: 6804564Abstract: A system for controlling and/or monitoring a control-unit group having at least two control units, a first control unit and at least one second control unit, the first control unit being designed for performing its control function and for monitoring this control function, as well as for monitoring the control function of the at least one second control unit.Type: GrantFiled: August 26, 2002Date of Patent: October 12, 2004Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbHInventors: Norbert Crispin, Wolfgang Haas, Andreas Frank, Thomas Meier
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Patent number: 6804601Abstract: A sensor failure accommodation system includes a control computer receiving a sensor signal corresponding to an engine operating condition, and estimating a value of the engine operating condition as a function of one or more engine operating parameters different than the engine operating condition. The computer is operable to control one or more air handling mechanisms as a function of a final engine operating condition value, and if the sensor producing the engine operating condition signal is error free the final engine operating condition value is the engine operating condition signal. If the sensor producing the engine operating condition signal has failed, the final engine operating condition value is the engine operating condition estimate, and if at least one sensor producing the one or more engine operating parameters has also failed, the final engine operating condition value is a commanded or other definable engine operating condition value.Type: GrantFiled: March 19, 2002Date of Patent: October 12, 2004Assignee: Cummins, Inc.Inventors: Yue Yun Wang, Dennis Robinson, George Brunemann, Danny R. Baker
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Publication number: 20040158386Abstract: In an automotive engine control apparatus used for a multi-cylinder engine where both an injection coil and an ignition coil are employed with each of multiple cylinders, abnormal states are systematically detected, while an injection system is mutually interconnected with an ignition system as to these abnormal states. The injection coils are driven via a first switch element by a microprocessor, and injection operations of these injection coils are monitored by a first detection circuit. The ignition primary coils are driven via a second switch element by the microprocessor, and ignition operations of these ignition coils are monitored by a second detection circuit. The microprocessor controls drive stopping means to perform a turn-out drive operation such that this drive stopping means stops both a fuel injection operation and an ignition operation of an abnormal-operated cylinder with respect to an abnormal state occurred in either the injection system or the ignition system.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 6, 2004Publication date: August 12, 2004Applicant: MITSUBISHI DENKI KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Osamu Nishizawa, Tetsushi Watanabe
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Patent number: 6769401Abstract: There is provided a power output control system for an internal combustion engine, which enables the vehicle to smoothly perform refuge travel to find a place to park when an electric throttle control device becomes incapable of controlling a throttle valve, while ensuring adequate traveling performance. An ECU determines whether or not the electric throttle control device is incapable of controlling the throttle valve, and interrupts energization of the electric throttle control device when it is determined that the electric throttle control device is incapable of controlling the throttle valve. At this time, the opening of the throttle valve is held at the default opening degree by a spring. Further, basic ignition timing is calculated according to the engine rotational speed and load on the engine, and ignition timing of the engine is determined by correcting the calculated basic ignition timing according to the amount of operation of the accelerator pedal.Type: GrantFiled: November 20, 2002Date of Patent: August 3, 2004Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Yosuke Tachibana, Norio Suzuki, Manabu Niki
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Patent number: 6751544Abstract: Escape running performance at the time of the occurrence of an abnormality in an electronic throttle control system is improved. At the time of the occurrence of a severe abnormality, an abnormality storage element is operated, and an electric supply load relay of a throttle valve driving motor is de-energized to return a throttle valve to the default, and further, an alarm display is actuated, and an upper limit engine rotational speed is suppressed by control of a fuel injection valve, and escape running is carried out. As a suppression rotational speed, a lower limit threshold at a stop, a rotational speed substantially in proportion to the output of an accelerator position sensor, a rotational speed substantially in inverse proportion to the output of a throttle position sensor, or a default threshold rotational speed is selected, and multiple escape running can be carried out.Type: GrantFiled: November 20, 2002Date of Patent: June 15, 2004Assignee: Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Kohji Hashimoto, Katsuya Nakamoto