Abstract: An arrangement is disclosed wherein a luminosity detector and a pressure transducer are used in an internal combustion engine to determine the burned gas temperature and trapped mass within each combustion chamber of the engine on a cycle-to-cycle basis or over a period of cycles, and to predict NO.sub.x emissions from the engine. Also disclosed is an arrangement wherein the burned gas temperature in each combustion chamber can be determined using only the luminosity detector.

Abstract: An internal combustion engine is provided having a luminosity detector and an arrangement for adjusting the parameters of the engine in response to sensed combustion conditions within the combustion chamber based on particular gain independent parameters of the luminosity signal. The gain independent luminosity parameters can also be used to obtain uniform combustion conditions from cycle to cycle in a given combustion chamber and uniform combustion in the combustion chambers of multi chamber engine.

Abstract: An internal combustion engine is provided having a luminosity detector and an arrangement for measuring and controlling combustion phasing based on the location of particular gain independent parameters of the luminosity signal. The gain independent luminosity parameters are used to provide a basis for adjusting various parameters of the engine like fuel injection timing so that at least one gain independent parameter is located at a desired timing point in the combustion cycle to control combustion phasing. Alternatively, these gain independent luminosity parameters are used to determine the time in the combustion cycle at which certain combustion conditions occur. In this embodiment, the determined time of a combustion condition provides a basis for adjusting engine parameters so that the combustion condition occurs at a desired time in the combustion cycle to control combustion phasing.

Abstract: An internal combustion engine having a luminosity detector and an arrangement for measuring certain operating and running parameters such as peak heat release rate in the combustion chamber, NO.sub.x emissions and air/fuel ratio is provided. An arrangement is also disclosed wherein the engine's adjustable parameters can be varied in response to the luminosity signal or in response to the measured operating parameters so as to provide better running of the engine and/or reduce cycle to cycle variation.

Abstract: A means and method for measuring and controlling smoke emissions from an internal combustion engine using a luminosity probe which measures the luminosity of soot in a combustion chamber of the engine. The luminosity signals generated by the probe are then used to measure smoke emissions based on an equation developed by the inventors which correlates the actual smoke being emitted from the exhaust with a predicted smoke emission value resulting from the luminosity signals. This smoke emission measurement can, in turn, be used in an engine control loop to control smoke emissions.

Abstract: An internal combustion engine is provided having a luminosity detector and an arrangement for measuring certain parameters and running conditions of the engine such as air/fuel ratio in response to sensed combustion conditions within the combustion chamber based on particular gain independent parameters of the luminosity signal and selected engine parameters such as speed. The gain independent luminosity parameters can also be used in an engine control loop to ajust the various parameters of the engine like air/fuel ratio so as to obtain the desired luminosity characteristics and to obtain better running of the engine.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for controlling spark reignition in an internal combustion engine based on the detected luminosity or pressure in the combustion chamber is provided. Only the luminosity or pressure measurement may be used as a basis for this control. This method and apparatus is also capable of providing same cycle control of spark reignition.

Abstract: An internal combustion engine having a luminosity probe and an arrangement for measuring certain parameters such as IMEP, combustion chamber pressure, heat release and the like by measuring luminosity in the chamber and adjusting the running parameters of the engine to obtain the desired luminosity. Also disclosed is an arrangement for maintaining uniformity from cycle to cycle in a given combustion chamber and uniformity combustion in the combustion chambers of a multi-chamber engine.

Abstract: An internal combustion engine having a luminosity probe and an arrangement for adjusting the running parameters of the engine to obtain the desired luminosity. Also disclosed is an arrangement for maintaining uniformity from cycle to cycle in a given combustion chamber and uniformity combustion in the combustion chambers of a multi-chamber engine.

Abstract: A luminosity and temperature detector for an internal combustion engine and method for measuring luminosity including a light probe and photodiode that receives the light transmitted from the light probe. The photodiode is designed, constructed and biased to operate within the zero temperature coefficient portion of its range for the wavelengths being measured. In addition, the dark current is measured when there is no luminosity due to combustion and this is subtracted from the other readings to obtain temperature compensation. Furthermore, the dark current measurement will indicate the temperature of the photodiode.