Abstract: An engine control system is disclosed wherein torque or slip speed of a fluid coupling or torque converter is used for the control of an engine operating parameter, such as ignition spark advance. In the fluid coupling or torque converter, the respective speeds of the impeller and turbine are sensed by sensors which respond to the passing of each blade of the respective impeller and turbine. The speed signals are applied to computing means to produce a control signal corresponding to either slip speed or engine output torque, as desired, according to a predetermined functional relationship of the speed signals. The control signal is applied to control means which is operative to adjust a selected engine operating parameter. In a particular embodiment, the control means includes detecting means for determining changes in the value of the control signal and also includes a controller for the ignition spark advance which advances or retards the ignition in order to optimize the engine output torque.

Abstract: An acceleration enrichment pulse generation circuit which is utilized to generate enrichment pulses, the frequency and duration of which are controlled in accordance with the rate of change of throttle position sensed by a linear potentiometer, the angle function of the throttle position and the engine coolant temperature. The circuit also includes a closed throttle signal generator and a wide open throttle signal generator. The control circuit includes a differentiator which controls the output frequency of a voltage controlled oscillator, the voltage level of the output from the differentiator being indicative of the rate of change of the throttle position. This frequency output signal is fed to a single shot multivibrator to control the duty cycle of the single shot multi-vibrator and thus the duty cycle of the acceleration enrichment pulses being fed to the fuel injectors. The operation of the single shot multivibrator is varied by the throttle angular position function and the engine coolant temperature.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for introducing additional air into the intake manifold to aid in the starting of an internal combustion engine. A flapper valve is provided on the throttle valve which is operative according to the pressure differential across the flapper valve blade.

Abstract: A system for indicating the miles to go for use in a motor vehicle the indication being generated in response to signals representing the fuel consumption and the fuel remaining in the vehicle, the system including a transducer for sensing the speed of the vehicle, for example in miles per hour, and a circuit for conditioning that signal to provide an output analog signal indicative of the speed of the vehicle, the output of which is fed to an analog divider circuit. The system, in the case of a fuel injected engine, also includes a circuit for sensing the fuel injection pulses, to provide an additional input to the analog divider circuit. The miles per hour signal is divided by the fuel consumption gallons per unit time circuit to provide an output signal indicative of the miles per gallon fuel consumption of the engine at the sensed operating condition. This signal is multiplied by a gallons to go signal which may be derived from the fuel remaining indicator system of the vehicle.

Abstract: A closed loop integral control system for the air/fuel management of an internal combustion engine is disclosed. An oxygen sensor positioned in the exhaust gas of the internal combustion engine is biased with a constant current source to provide a signal indicative of the oxygen content of the exhaust gas over a significant range of air/fuel ratios. The signal waveform from the sensor is compared to a threshold value of a comparator to produce level changes in the comparator output depending on whether the output of the sensor is above or below the threshold. An integrator, receiving these level changes as commands to increase or decrease the fuel pulse widths, controls the air/fuel ratio of the engine in a limit cycle around a scheduled value. By changing the current bias on the sensor and thus modifying the unbiased waveform of the sensor to intercept the threshold value at various points different average air/fuel ratios are obtainable from the system.

Abstract: A single point fuel injection system for an internal combustion engine including a throttle body having first and second air intake throats corresponding to first and second intake manifold planes of the engine, the air flow through each throat being controlled by throttle plates positioned within each throat. The throttle body further includes a fuel accumulating bowl which is integrally formed with the throttle body, the bowl being enclosed by a diaphragm and cover member. Within the enclosure of the fuel bowl are positioned a pair of injectors which are adapted to inject pulsed portions of fuel through a sonic nozzle and into the air intake throat of the throttle body. The injection of pulses of fuel into the throat is timed in accordance with the sensing of the crankshaft reaching a position of 15.degree. before top dead center to enhance the distribution of fuel charge from cylinder to cylinder.

Abstract: An automatic control system for regulating the temperature of the passenger compartment in automotive vehicles is disclosed of the type in which a vacuum operated actuator is utilized to control the position of a blend air door, the position of the blend air door in turn controlling the temperature of the air circulated into the passenger compartment by proportioning the flow of cooled air circulated through a heater prior to entering the passenger compartment. This air flow is utilized to correct the temperature level in the passenger compartment. The disclosed control system features a nulling pressure signal feedback loop in which the error signal developed by the difference in the temperature selector and sensor signals acts on a vacuum modulator to generate an actuator pressure level which is sensed and a corresponding electrical signal used to null the temperature error signal, to provide a stabilizing feedback loop in the control system.

Abstract: A fast response fluid temperature sensor is disclosed 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 being 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 (EGR) control system for an internal combustion engine having an intake system, an exhaust system, a throttle disposed within the intake system for controlling air flow therein, a conduit coupling the exhaust system to the intake system for supplying exhaust gas back to the intake system for controlling the generation and emission of oxides of nitrogen and for improving drivability and avoiding engine roughness. The EGR control system of the present invention includes a first memory pre-programmed with a look-up table of optimal EGR values indicative of EGR valve position or the like determined as a function of engine speed and throttle position and a second memory pre-programmed with the look-up table of optimal EGR values determined as a function of engine speed and absolute manifold pressure.

Abstract: A single point fuel injection system for an internal combustion engine including a throttle body having first and second air intake throats corresponding to first and second intake manifold planes of the engine, the air flow through each throat being controlled by throttle plates positioned within each throat. The throttle body further includes a fuel accumulating bowl which is integrally formed with the throttle body, the bowl being enclosed by a diaphragm and cover member. Within the enclosure of the fuel bowl are positioned a pair of injectors which are adapted to inject pulsed portions of fuel through a sonic nozzle and into the air intake throat of the throttle body. The injection of pulses of fuel into the throat is timed in accordance with the sensing of the crankshaft reaching a position of 15.degree. before top dead center to enhance the distribution of fuel charge from cylinder to cylinder.

Abstract: A fast response fluid temperature sensor is disclosed 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 being formed in the shape of a dome to fully enclosed the semiconductor chip and protect the connections thereto from contaminants, mechanical damage and corrosive materials. The fin and chip combination are mounted in a frame assembly, the thermal conductivity of the frame assembly being low and the specific heat thereof being low. Foamed material may be inserted in the dome to further protect the chip and lead thereto from damage.

Abstract: A fuel injection control system and technique for an internal combustion engine is disclosed having at least one controlled offset fuel injector valve and only one controlled trim injector valve. The offset injector valves produce a constant quantity of fuel by being energized for a fixed pulse duration each injection cycle while the difference between that constant quantity and a desired fuel injection quantity calculated from a fuel schedule is supplied by the variable trim injector. The fuel supply schedule is determined by the engine variables of the operating system by an electronic fuel scheduler circuit which further supplies fuel injection timing pulses for triggering the beginning of the injection cycle.

Abstract: An electrically controlled closed loop system for maintaining a desired air-fuel ratio within an internal combustion engine. An operator-positioned accelerator commands a given fuel flow into the engine and the flow of air is controlled by means of a servo-actuated throttle plate. The commanded fuel flow and present position of the throttle plate are used to generate a basic command signal for controlling the servo motor to adjusting the position of the throttle plate. A gas detector or roughness sensor positioned in the engine is responsive to the actual air-fuel mixture in the engine which may be greater than or less than the desired air-fuel mixture and an error signal is generated which can be used to modify or correct the basic control signal in a closed loop manner for selectively adjusting throttle plate position to more precisely maintain a desired air-fuel ratio.

Abstract: A fast response fluid temperature sensor is disclosed 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 single point fuel injection system for an internal combustion engine including a throttle body having first and second air intake throats corresponding to first and second intake manifold planes of the engine, the air flow through each throat being controlled by throttle plates positioned within each throat. The throttle body further includes a fuel accumulating bowl which is integrally formed with the throttle body, the bowl being enclosed by a diaphragm and cover member. Within the enclosure of the fuel bowl are positioned a pair of injectors which are adapted to inject pulsed portions of fuel through a sonic nozzle and into the air intake throat of the throttle body. The injection of pulses of fuel into the throat is timed in accordance with the sensing of the crankshaft reaching a position of 15.degree. before top dead center to enhance the distribution of fuel charge from cylinder to cylinder.

Abstract: For use with internal combustion engines equipped with electronic fuel injection systems and engine exhaust treatment devices, means for detecting spark plug misfiring resulting in excessive exhaust treatment device operating temperatures and for thereupon inhibiting fuel injection to protect the exhaust treatment devices from damage or destruction caused by the excessive temperatures.

Abstract: A zirconia type oxygen partial pressure sensor for use with an exhaust system wherein an electrical voltage signal is generated in response to an oxygen partial pressure differential across a solid electrolyte. A reference oxygen partial pressure is introduced into the interior of a solid electrolyte sensor through an aperture formed in a housing for the sensor, a protective clip, wire mesh or spring being provided to at least partially cover the aperture to preclude contaminants from being introduced to the interior of the sensor through the aperture. A ground terminal assembly is also provided to supply a ground for the device in addition to that provided by the threaded engagement between the shell of the O.sub.2 sensor and the exhaust system to which it is attached.

Abstract: In a closed loop fuel management system for an internal combustion engine, a gas sensor is positioned in the intake manifold and is responsive to a characteristic of the fuel mixture for generating an electrical control signal for controlling the metering of the fuel to the mixture. In the preferred embodiment, the air and fuel are mixed together and the resultant mixture passes by an oxygen gas sensor prior to being distributed to the cylinders through the intake manifold system. The output signal of the sensor is used for controlling the metering of the fuel. Fuel delivery correction delays due to transport lag in conventional closed loop fuel management systems using oxygen gas sensors are eliminated.

Abstract: A frequency modulated control circuit for an electronic fuel injection system to control the pulse-type injection of fuel at a single point of the fuel intake of an internal combustion engine in accordance with the derived mass air flow rate into the engine comprising a pressure sensor for sensing the manifold pressure of the internal combustion engine, and an engine speed sensor, both of which generate an analog signal which is multiplied by a multiplier circuit to provide a signal representative of the mass air flow to the engine. The multiplier circuit includes a separate control input for varying the output signal level of the multiplier circuit by a preselected factor determined by the final output of the control circuit. The output of the multiplier circuit is fed to a voltage controlled oscillator to produce an output signal taking the form of a pulse train, the frequency of which varies with the amplitude of the mass air flow signal.

Abstract: A frequency modulated control circuit for an electronic fuel injection system to control the pulse-type injection of fuel at a single point of the fuel intake of an internal combustion engine in accordance with the derived mass air flow rate into the engine comprising a pressure sensor for sensing the manifold pressure of the internal combustion engine, and an engine speed sensor, both of which generate an analog signal which are multiplied by a multiplier circuit to provide a signal representative of the mass air flow to the engine. The multiplier circuit includes a separate control input for varying the output signal level of the multiplier circuit by a preselected factor determined by the final output of the control circuit. The output of the multiplier circuit is fed to a voltage controlled oscillator to produce an output signal taking the form of a pulse train, the frequency of which varies with the amplitude of the mass air flow signal.