Abstract: A system for regulating the fuel-air mixture in a multi-cylinder internal combustion engine. The system utilizes binary sensors to detect relative deviations from stoichiometric combustion, including individual combustion events, and allows for regulation to achieve optimal and similar combustion to take place in all the cylinders.

Abstract: The invention provides an arrangement for detecting ionization in the combustion chamber of a combustion motor where the fuel self-ignites by means of compression, as well as associated measurement device and calibration devices. A measurement tip extends substantially down into a main combustion chamber, which provides access to the portion of the combustion chamber where combustion first starts. The measurement device has a simple construction with good thermal conductivity. Using the calibration device according to the invention, the performance of the measurement device can be optimized from the point of view of control in different combustion motors in which the characteristic ion stream signal for each type of motor can be correlated against pressure data from combustion and used to calibrate the motor.

Abstract: A method and arrangement for combined data- and power distribution between nodes (MA, SL, SLN) in distributed data processing systems having a common communication bus (1, CANH/CANL) in which the communication bus includes at least one wire or differentiated dual wires transmitting digital information serially in form of dominant data bits at a first signal level (U1/U3 V/D2) and recessive data bits at a second lower signal level (U2, VD1) in a sequential order dependent on the content of the data being transmitted. Nodes (SL) having a low power consumption obtain power supply through dominant bits being transmitted on the bus (1), which dominant bits charge a capacitance (15) in the low effect nodes (SL). Nodes (MA) having a higher power consumption obtain power supply from a voltage source (V1) separated from the bus.

Abstract: An arrangement and a process for communication between an ignition module (ICM) mounted on an engine and a control unit (ECM). The ignition module includes detection circuits and signal processing stages in order to determine at least one combustion related parameter from detected ionization currents in the combustion chamber (22). The control unit (ECM) communicates with the ignition module via at least one bi-directional communication wire (K.sub.CQ or K.sub.KI). Via the communication wire the control unit activates the detection in the ignition module, and the ignition module sends a signal corresponding to the magnitude of the detected parameter to the control unit on the same communication wire. Activation and transfer of parameter data is conducted sequentially over the communication wire.

Abstract: A method for closed-loop control of the positioning of a predetermined fuel amount in the working cycle of a combustion engine of the Otto-type, in which a predetermined amount of fuel is supplied to the combustion chamber via an injector and the ignition of the air-fuel mixture is initiated after the fuel has been supplied by using a spark plug arranged in the combustion chamber. With a biased measuring gap arranged in the combustion chamber, a measuring voltage U.sub.ION is obtained which corresponds to the degree of ionization during the flame ionization phase. A parameter, dU.sub.ION /dt, characteristic for the basic frequency in the measuring voltage during the flame ionization phase is detected, which parameter could be used in order to indicate if an initiated correction of the injection timing is correct, that is, if the basic frequency increases, the timing is correct and is incorrect if the basic frequency decreases.

Abstract: A method for sorting out false indications of a knocking condition in combustion engines, and in a close loop manner influencing the control measures initiated in order to cease the knocking condition, which method includes obtaining an ionization signal characteristic of the ionization during a combustion with the aid of a gap biased by a measuring voltage and arranged in the combustion chamber. A knocking condition is detected from the determined intensity of the knock characteristic frequency content (KI) filtered out from the ionization signal. An integrated value (CQ) of the ionization signal is also used in order to influence knock control measures. Knock control measures are initiated at a first spontaneous knocking condition only if also the integrated value (CQ) from a combustion experiencing a knocking condition is increased in relation to a preceding non-knocking combustion (CQ.sub.REF.sbsb.--.sub.NORM). Further, the speed of return (KT.sub.STEP, Ign.sub.RET.sbsb.--.sub.

Abstract: A measuring circuit for sensing ionization within a combustion chamber of an engine is arranged in the grounded end of the secondary winding (5) of an ignition coil (2), and includes a voltage source for measurements having a substantially constant potential. The voltage source for measurements used is a capacitor 13 which is charged by the spark current SC, and subsequently after the ignition spark goes out will apply a bias voltage over the spark plug gap 3 with a reversed polarity in relation to the spark voltage. The ionisation within the combustion chamber is detected with a measuring resistance 14 arranged in series with the capacitor 13. A rectifying element 11 is connected in parallel with the measuring resistance, which will secure that the spark current is developed in the spark plug gap 4 and that the measurement current passes through the measuring resistance 14. The rectifying element is grounded with a separated ground strap which does not pass the ground plane of the measuring resistance.

Abstract: A method and system for optimal control of a combustion engine, where the control could be initiated without the risk of provoking or worsening a knocking condition which could cause engine damages, the control system including an integrating circuit 61-62, which integrates a signal from each combustion event, the signal being dependent on the degree of ionization. The integrated value thus obtained is an indicative measure of the combustion quality and when peak power is needed engine control could strive to optimize the integrated value. The integrated value increases dramatically during knocking conditions which is the reason why a cascade connected reducing circuit 63-64-65 must reduce the integrated value obtained from circuits 61-62. The reduction, which reduction is dependent on the intensity of the knocking condition, is obtained in a final circuit 66.

Abstract: An arrangement and a method for configuration of a combustion engine control system, the control system including a distributed computer network having a main computer ECU and a number of node computers, CCU 1/CCU 2/CCU 3. Each node computer is arranged closely to a selected group of cylinders (11, 12/13, 14/15, 16) of the combustion engine and controls at least the fuel supply (22) of each respective group of cylinders. The main computer and the node computers are connected to a common communication loop (1) transmitting control data from the main computer to the node computers and information from the node computers to the main computer. By using dual switch devices (30, 31-32/51a-b, 52a-b, 53a-b ) at each node computer, the main computer as well as each individual node computer can be configured for the present engine type, and the node computers can be configured for the specific cylinders. The switch device preferably constitutes a number of rotary switches of the BCD-type.

Abstract: A method and system for controlling combustion engines by detection of the present air/fuel ratio within the cylinders of the combustion engine, using an analysis of the characteristics of the ionization current, as detected via a measuring gap with a bias voltage applied being arranged in the combustion chamber, preferably using the spark plug gap in an Otto-engine. A measuring voltage corresponding to the degree of ionization is detected during the flame ionization phase and during a time- or crankshaft position dependent period A, B, C or D, which duration is dependent of the present air/fuel ratio, and will be finished by an amplitude maximum PF during the flame ionization phase. A parameter characteristic for the fundamental frequency of the measuring voltage during the period A, B, C or D is detected, which parameter indicates a tendency towards the rich direction of stoichiometric when the fundamental frequency increases, and inversely indicates lean tendency when the fundamental frequency decreases.

Abstract: An improved method applied in combustion engines which use the ionization current in the combustion chamber in order to extract a parameter representative of the pressure in the cylinder, which parameter is used for controlling the ignition timing within an extended range for the load- and speed range. The method is based on an integration of a parameter dependent on the ionization current. In a first embodiment, the mass center position of the integral is calculated, which mass center position is used as a position corresponding to the peak pressure position. The ignition timing is adjusted in such a manner that the mass center position, and hence the peak pressure position, strives to obtain a predetermined target value. In a second embodiment, an integrated value is calculated, which take into account the mechanics of the combustion engine, in such a way that the integrated value corresponds to a value representative of the torque transmitted to the crankshaft.

Abstract: A method and system for adaptive correction of the amount of fuel supplied in two-stroke combustion engines which during a continuous operation period regulates the air-fuel mixture regulated by increments in the lean direction (.DELTA.F.sup.-) or in the rich direction (.DELTA.F.sup.+), whereby fuel amounts (F) are established which cause knocking (KNOCK) and four-stroking or misfiring (4-ST), respectively. These limit values are stored as a lean limit value M.sub.FK and a rich limit value M.sub.F4ST, respectively. For further operation of the combustion engine, a corrected fuel amount F.sub.koor, is used, which is corrected in relation to the fuel amount F.sub.tab given from an empirically determined value stored in a map, and dependent on the established lean limit value M.sub.FK and the rich limit value M.sub.F4ST, respectively. The fuel amount (F) supplied will suitably be given according to the function: F=F.sub.korr =M.sub.FK +K.multidot.(M.sub.F4ST -M.sub.

Abstract: An arrangement and method for regulation of idle speed and charge pressure in a supercharged combustion engine (1) which engine includes an idle speed valve (20) arranged in a shunt channel (21) by-passing the throttle (9) and a gate valve (10) regulated by a pressure controlled diaphragm pot for regulating of the supercharger. The valve (20) is used both for regulation of idle speed and charge pressure by an arrangement of ducting (23, 24, 25, 19) and a shut-off valve (26). A control device (31) includes different functions for regulation of idle speed and charge pressure. The function selected for regulation by the control device depends on an engine parameter, such as throttle position, detected by a throttle position sensor (16).