Abstract: A method is provided for monitoring the operation of intake valves of an internal combustion engine, where at least one or more cylinders of the engine have more than one intake valve, and adapted to operate in different modes where at least one of the intake valves for a particular cylinder can be selectively activated, or deactivated so as not to open during a firing sequence for the cylinder. The method includes a) monitoring the intake manifold air pressure; b) during a time window with respect to the intake phase for said respective cylinder, determining the condition of whether the manifold pressure drops by a threshold or to a particular threshold level; and c) determining the functionality of the intake valves dependent on the outcome of step b).

Abstract: A method is provided for monitoring the operation of intake valves of an internal combustion engine, where at least one or more cylinders of the engine have more than one intake valve, and adapted to operate in different modes where at least one of the intake valves for a particular cylinder can be selectively activated, or deactivated so as not to open during a firing sequence for the cylinder. The method includes a) monitoring the intake manifold air pressure; b) during a time window with respect to the intake phase for said respective cylinder, determining the condition of whether the manifold pressure drops by a threshold or to a particular threshold level; and c) determining the functionality of the intake valves dependent on the outcome of step b).

Abstract: A system and method for controlling fuel pressure in a fuel delivery system. The system includes a fuel pump and an inlet control valve. The inlet control valve is operated to a closed state by an electrical signal applied to the inlet control valve. The electrical signal includes a pull-in portion of the electrical signal that is applied to the inlet control valve having a pull-in time interval that is varied based on the fuel pressure. By varying the pull-in time interval to control fuel pressure, electrical energy consumed and acoustic noise generated by the fuel delivery system are reduced.

Abstract: A system and method for controlling fuel pressure in a fuel delivery system. The system includes a fuel pump and an inlet control valve. The inlet control valve is operated to a closed state by an electrical signal applied to the inlet control valve. The electrical signal includes a pull-in portion of the electrical signal that is applied to the inlet control valve having a pull-in time interval that is varied based on the fuel pressure. By varying the pull-in time interval to control fuel pressure, electrical energy consumed and acoustic noise generated by the fuel delivery system are reduced.

Abstract: A hydrocarbon adsorber system in accordance with the invention comprising a carbon adsorber element installed in a throttle body of an internal combustion engine. The element may be installed on a wall or in a groove in the wall of the throttle throat at a location immediately upstream (outside) the throttle blade in the air flow direction, and/or an element may be installed on the downstream surface of the throttle blade itself. When an engine is shut down, the engine throttle normally remains slightly open. Any hydrocarbon emissions must pass through this slight opening, and applying carbon adsorbers to these locations takes advantage of proximity to such an opening, as any hydrocarbon emissions must pass close by the carbon adsorbers and thus have a much-increased probability of being adsorbed, in comparison with prior art more general carbon adsorption sites.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for cleaning incipient build-up of commutation byproducts from the commutators and brushes of a DC motor actuator for an air intake valve on an internal combustion engine. A controller for controlling the position of the intake air control valve is programmed via an algorithm to force the air control valve, abruptly and rapidly, to its open and/or closed position at least once at predetermined times in the engine's operating cycle, preferably immediately after engine shutdown. Such abrupt and rapid motion of the motor breaks loose such incipient build-up and thereby maintains the motor actuator at a high power output.

Abstract: A hydrocarbon adsorber system in accordance with the invention comprising a carbon adsorber element installed in a throttle body of an internal combustion engine. The element may be installed on a wall or in a groove in the wall of the throttle throat at a location immediately upstream (outside) the throttle blade in the air flow direction, and/or an element may be installed on the downstream surface of the throttle blade itself. When an engine is shut down, the engine throttle normally remains slightly open. Any hydrocarbon emissions must pass through this slight opening, and applying carbon adsorbers to these locations takes advantage of proximity to such an opening, as any hydrocarbon emissions must pass close by the carbon adsorbers and thus have a much-increased probability of being adsorbed, in comparison with prior art more general carbon adsorption sites.

Abstract: A very small fixed current is passed through the coil of a solenoid during use thereof when the solenoid is in its “off” state of cyclic PWM command, the fixed current being less than the current required to actuate the solenoid to the “on” position. While the current is flowing through the coil, the voltage across the coil is measured. The resistance of the coil is calculated according to Ohm's Law. When the actual resistance is known, the duty cycle imposed on the solenoid may be altered to compensate for the resistance deviation from nominal. This allows, for example, fuel injectors for internal combustion engines to deliver the correct amount of fuel under all operating conditions.

Abstract: A speed control apparatus for an internal combustion engine including a poppet valve seat and a poppet valve pintle assembly disposed coaxially for variably regulating the flow of air into the engine across the valve seat. The pintle is axially positioned by a stepper motor actuator responsive to an engine speed sensor and electronic controller. The controller varies the axial position of the pintle in accordance with a programmed algorithm to provide any desired engine speed, and especially a fixed engine speed, under a range of engine loads. The invention eliminates the need for a governor, rotary mechanical throttle, and cable or mechanical linkages, and is especially useful for small engine applications such as in powering a portable electric generator, yard equipment, or outboard motor.

Abstract: A speed control apparatus for an internal combustion engine including a poppet valve seat and a poppet valve pintle assembly disposed coaxially for variably regulating the flow of air into the engine across the valve seat. The pintle is axially positioned by a stepper motor actuator responsive to an engine speed sensor and electronic controller. The controller varies the axial position of the pintle in accordance with a programmed algorithm to provide any desired engine speed, and especially a fixed engine speed, under a range of engine loads. The invention eliminates the need for a governor, rotary mechanical throttle, and cable or mechanical linkages, and is especially useful for small engine applications such as in powering a portable electric generator, yard equipment, or outboard motor.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for cleaning incipient build-up of commutation byproducts from the commutators and brushes of a DC motor actuator for an air intake valve on an internal combustion engine. A controller for controlling the position of the intake air control valve is programmed via an algorithm to force the air control valve, abruptly and rapidly, to its open and/or closed position at least once at predetermined times in the engine's operating cycle, preferably immediately after engine shutdown. Such abrupt and rapid motion of the motor breaks loose such incipient build-up and thereby maintains the motor actuator at a high power output.

Abstract: A very small fixed current is passed through the coil of a solenoid during use thereof when the solenoid is in its “off” state of cyclic PWM command, the fixed current being less than the current required to actuate the solenoid to the “on” position. While the current is flowing through the coil, the voltage across the coil is measured. The resistance of the coil is calculated according to Ohm's Law. When the actual resistance is known, the duty cycle imposed on the solenoid may be altered to compensate for the resistance deviation from nominal. This allows, for example, fuel injectors for internal combustion engines to deliver the correct amount of fuel under all operating conditions.

Abstract: When an incipient overtemperature condition of a catalytic converter of a vehicle is sensed, a cylinder of the vehicle engine having combustion conditions giving rise to the overtemperature condition is identified by selectively disabling fuel delivery to each of the cylinders of the engine in turn and monitoring the response of the converter temperature. If the disabling of the fuel to a particular cylinder results in recovery from the incipient overtemperature condition, fuel to that cylinder is maintained disabled to provide overtemperature protection of the converter.