Abstract: An apparatus and method for supplying a predetermined volume of liquid fuel (20) to a cylinder of a diesel engine (10) is provided. A storage tank (22) stores a column of the liquid fuel (20) in a storage area (24). A position sensor (36) transmits an analog signal proportional to the height of the fuel (20) in the tank (22). A pressure transducer (32) disposed at the bottom of the storage area (24) transmits an analog signal corresponding to the static fluid pressure at the bottom of the storage area (24). A temperature transducer (56) disposed along a fuel rail (16) transmits an analog temperature signal to an electronic fuel injection computer (14). The computer (14) converts the analog height signal, the analog temperature signal and the analog pressure signal into digital values and mathematically divides the resulting digital values of height and pressure to obtain a digital value for the fuel density.

Abstract: A restrained turbine high dynamic response mass rate of fluid flow sensor for applications to air flow sensing in internal combustion engine fuel controls. The turbine rotor vanes impart an angular momentum change to the fluid in passing through the turbine vanes and signals are generated corresponding to the resulting reaction forces, these signals combined with signals corresponding to the fluid temperature and downstream pressure to yield mass rate of flow output signals. Variations of the turbine rotor support configurations include a friction free flexural restraint comprised of radial webs which may also act as stator vanes, secured to the turbine hub. In several embodiments, reaction forces are sensed by measuring the reactive torque imposed on the turbine rotorand the flexural restraint supporting the rotor provides a rigid support for absorbing the radial and axial forces while being compliant to torque.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for controlling the various functions of an internal combustion engine using a program-controlled microprocessor system having a memory preprogrammed with various control laws and associated control schedules receives information concerning one or more engine-operating parameters such as manifold pressure, throttle position, engine coolant temperature, air temperature, engine speed or period, and the like. These parameters are sensed and then supplied to input circuits for signal conditioning and conversion into digital words usable by the microprocessor system. The microprocessor system computes a digital command word indicative of a computer-commanded engine control operation and output circuitry responds to predetermined computer-generated commands and to the computed digital command word for converting them to corresponding pulse-width control signals for controlling such engine operations as fuel-injection, ignition timing, proportional and/or on-off EGR control, and the like.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for controlling the various functions of an internal combustion engine using a program-controlled microprocessor having a memory preprogrammed with various control laws and associated control schedules receives information concerning one or more engine-operating parameters such as manifold pressure, throttle position, engine coolant temperature, air temperature, engine speed or period and the like. These parameters are measured and their values are supplied to input circuits for signal conditioning and conversion into digital words usable by the microprocessor. The microprocessor system computes a digital word indicative of a computer-commanded engine control operation and output circuitry responds to predetermined computer-generated commands and to the computed digital command words for converting them to corresponding pulse-width control signals for controlling such engine operations as fuel-injection, ignition timing, proportional and/or on-off EGR control, and the like.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for controlling the various functions of an internal combustion engine using a program controlled microprocessor having a memory preprogrammed with various control laws and associated control schedules receives information concerning one or more engine-operating parameters such as manifold absolute pressure, throttle position, engine coolant temperature, air temperature, engine speed or period and the like. These parameters are measured and their value or status is supplied to input circuits for signal conditioning and conversion into digital words usable by the microprocessor.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for controlling the various functions of an internal combustion engine using a program-controlled microprocessor having a memory preprogrammed with various control laws and associated control schedules receives information concerning one or more engine-operating parameters such as manifold pressure, throttle position, engine coolant temperature, air temperature, engine speed or period and the like. These parameters are sensed and then supplied to input circuits for signal conditioning and conversion into digital words usable by the microprocessor. The microprocessor system computes a digital word indicative of a computer-commanded engine control operation and output circuitry responds to predetermined computer-generated commands and to the computed digital command words for converting them to corresponding pulse-width control signals for controlling such engine operations as fuel-injection, ignition timing, proportional and/or on-off EGR control, and the like.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for controlling the various functions of an internal combustion engine using a program-controlled microprocessor having a memory preprogrammed with various control laws and associated control schedules receives information concerning one or more engine-operating parameters such as manifold pressure, throttle position, engine coolant temperature, air temperature, engine speed or period and the like. These parameters are sensed and then supplied to input circuits for signal conditioning and conversion to digital words usable by the microprocessor system. The microprocessor system computes a digital word indicative of a computer-commanded engine control operation and output circuitry responds to predetermined computer-generated commands and to the computed digital command words for converting them to corresponding pulse-width control signals for controlling such engine operations as fuel-injection, ignition timing, proportional and/or on-off EGR control, and the like.

Abstract: An idling speed control system for automotive vehicle engines is disclosed. A throttle valve bypass passage for intake air is provided with an air control valve of the on-off type. The air control valve is electrically energized by a pulse train of substantially constant pulse repetition rate and pulse duration modulation so that the duty cycle of the valve is varied according to deviation of the engine idling speed from a set point value. The pulse repetition rate of the energizing pulses is higher than the frequency at which the engine can respond to air supply pulsations in the intake manifold.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for controlling the various functions of an internal combustion engine using a program-controlled microprocessor having a memory preprogrammed with various control laws and associated control schedules receives information concerning one or more engine-operating parameters such as manifold pressure, throttle position, engine coolant temperature, air temperature, engine speed or period and the like. These parameters are sensed and then supplied to input circuits for signal conditioning and conversion into digital words usable by the microprocessor. The microprocessor system computes a digital word indicative of a computer-commanded engine control operation, and output circuitry responds to predetermined computer-generated commands and to the computed digital command words for outputting corresponding pulse-width control signals for controlling such engine operations as fuel-injection, ignition timing, proportional and/or on-off EGR control, and the like.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for controlling the various functions of an internal combustion engine using a program controlled microprocessor having a memory preprogrammed with various control laws and associated control schedules receives information relating to one or more actual engine operating parameters such as manifold absolute pressure, throttle position, engine coolant temperature, air temperature, engine speed or period or the like. These parameters are sensed and then supplied to input circuits for signal conditioning and conversion to digital words usable by the microprocessor. The microprocessor system computes one or more digital words indicative of particular computer-commanded engine control operations and output circuitry responds to predetermined computer-generated commands and to the computed digital command words for generating corresponding pulse-width control signals for controlling such engine operations as fuel-injection, ignition timing, proportional and/or on-off EGR control, and the like.

Abstract: A fuel injector (10) is provided for each cylinder of an internal combustion engine, the injector including an electronically operated control valve (146) disposed between supply passage (42) and a timing chamber (98) to control the admission of fuel into and out of the timing chamber. A primary pumping plunger (62) and a secondary plunger (90) are axially spaced within the central bore of the injection body, and a normally closed injection nozzle (14) is situated at one end of the injector body. A mechanical linkage (27, 28, 30) associated with the camshaft of the engine drives the primary pumping plunger (62) against the bias of a main spring (18). The timing chamber (98) is defined between the plungers (62, 90) and a metering chamber (128) is defined between the secondary plunger (90) and the nozzle (14).

Abstract: A fuel injection system (10) for injecting fuel into the combustion chamber of an internal combustion engine includes a multi-way valve (30), a solenoid (42) for controlling the operation of the valve, a shuttle valve (38) that is moved within a shuttle chamber (37) in response to the change of state of the solenoid, and an intensifier piston (62) having an upper cylinder (62) movable within actuating chamber (49) and a lower cylinder (66) movable within metering chamber 50. The position of the shuttle valve, in turn, regulates the admission of pressurized fuel from a high pressure pump (152) into the actuating chamber (49) to drive the intensifier piston in a first direction. The lower cylinder 66 of the piston 62 is movable within the metering chamber (50) to amplify the pressure of the fuel to a level several times greater than supply pressure prior to introducing same into a fuel injector (78) for discharge into the combustion chamber.

Abstract: A driver circuit for an electrical load device such as an indicator lamp includes the capability to both drive the lamp and to respond to a fault condition in the lamp to disable its energization. The circuit is adapted for control by a single I/O terminal of a programmable logic device. The I/O terminal being of the type having an internal architecture that causes the terminal to be pulled up to a logic high state when unloaded, and pulled down to a logic low state by either external loading or the closure of an internal; program-controlled switch forming part of a low-impedence path to ground. A processor-implemented test routine can be used to monitor the I/O terminal voltage and close the internal switch when the driver circuit responds to a shorted condition.

Abstract: A self-standardizing pressure sensor (60) for use with an electronic fuel control system of an internal combustion engine. The sensor (60) includes a body (100) having first and second external ports (120, 122) for sensing manifold absolute pressure (MAP) and ambient atmospheric pressure (AAP), respectively. An internal valve (110) within the body (100) is biased to normally register with the MAP port (120), but is actuatable to register with the AAP port (122). The valve (110) includes an internal passage (126) which communicates whichever of the ports (120, 122) is selected to an internal pressure chamber. One wall of the chamber is defined by a flexural diaphragm (144). Flexing of the diaphragm is transmitted to an electromechanical transducer (172) which produces an output signal representative of the pressure in the internal chamber.

Abstract: In an electronic fuel injection system for internal combustion engines a voltage multiplier is used to amplify a manifold absolute pressure signal by an amplification factor which is related to throttle position. A dc voltage related to throttle position is converted to a digital signal which controls a bilateral switch which in turn regulates the feed back resistance in an operational amplifier thus regulating the operational amplifier amplification factor. The manifold absolute pressure signal is amplified by the operational amplifier. The resultant signal determines the fuel injector open time.

Abstract: A warm-up control for a closed loop engine roughness control responsive to engine load and engine temperature is disclosed herein. The warm-up control provides a first correction signal to the closed loop engine roughness control operative to increase the effective value of the roughness signal in response to a signal indicative of a load being applied to the engine and the engine temperature being below a predetermined temperature and a second correction signal to the closed loop engine roughness control operative to decrease the effective value of the roughness signal in response to a signal indicative of a light engine load and the engine temperature being below a predetermined temperature. The control also generates a transient signal in response to a sudden increase of the engine's load operative to cause the closed loop engine roughness control to generate a fixed output signal for a predetermined length of time.

Abstract: A restrained turbine high dynamic response mass rate of fluid flow sensor for applications to air flow sensing in internal combustion engine fuel controls. The turbine rotor vanes impart an angular momentum change to the fluid in passing through the turbine vanes and signals are generated corresponding to the resulting reaction forces, these signals combined with signals corresponding to the fluid temperature and downstream pressure to yield mass rate of flow output signals. Variations of the turbine rotor support configurations include a friction free flexural restraint comprised of radial webs which may also act as stator vanes, secured to the turbine hub. In several embodiments, reaction forces are sensed by measuring the reactive torque imposed on the turbine rotor and the flexural restraint supporting the rotor provides a rigid support for absorbing the radial and axial forces while being compliant to torque.

Abstract: A fuel injector, especially adapted for diesel engines, is disclosed in which injection timing and fuel metering may be controlled from cycle to cycle of engine operation. Means are provided to control the timing of the injection independently of the metering of the fuel quantity for the injection cycle. The injector comprises an injector pump and timing valve means, including a solenoid valve and a shuttle valve, which controls the energization of the pump to execute an injection stroke. It also comprises metering valve means, including a solenoid valve and a shuttle valve, which controls the return stroke of the injector pump to meter the fuel quantity to be injected on the injection cycle.

Abstract: A fast response fluid temperature sensor is disclosd which consists of a silicon temperature sensing semiconductor chip mounted on an extremely thin fin having a high surface area to mass ratio. The fin and chip combination are mounted in a frame assembly, with the thermal conductivity of the frame assembly being high and the specific heat being low for maximum heat transfer from the fluid being sensed to the silicon chip. The chip and fin assembly are illustrated as being open to the free flow of fluid around the assembly, no insulating material is provided between the fluid media being sensed and the fin and chip assembly, and a protective cage is formed around the fin and chip assembly. Suitable connection is made between one electrical terminal of the chip and the fin and between the other electrical terminal of the chip and the external circuitry, with various modified forms of such connections being illustrated.

Abstract: A closed loop exhaust gas recirculation system for an internal combustion engine having an intake system, an exhaust manifold, a throttle disposed within the intake system for controlling air flow therein, a conduit coupling the exhaust manifold to the intake system for supplying exhaust gases back to the intake system for controlling the generation and emission of oxides of nitrogen and for improving driveability. The system includes a first memory pre-programmed with a look-up table of optimal values of absolute manifold pressure (MAP.sub.0) as a function of engine speed (RPM) and throttle position (.theta.). The actual operating parameters of absolute manifold pressure (MAP), engine speed (RPM) and throttle position (.theta.), or alternatively air flow (AF), are accurately sensed. The actual values of throttle position or air flow and RPM are used to address the first memory which outputs the pre-programmed optimal value of MAP.