Abstract: An engine control system for a spark ignition internal combustion engine of a vehicle equipped with a fuel injection system, including a motorized butterfly unit having a body, a butterfly rotatably mounted on a spindle in a passage through the body, a butterfly position sensor mounted on one end of the spindle and a butterfly actuator mounted on the other side of the spindle. An engine control unit, which is connected to sensors for detecting engine operation parameters and to the accelerator pedal, generates injection and ignition commands as well as a reference position of the butterfly, which is transmitted by a connecting line to the butterfly control unit. The butterfly control unit sets the position of the butterfly to the reference position and transmits the butterfly position signal via the connecting line to the engine control unit.

Abstract: The subject of the invention is an improvement in the pilot valve which is adapted to control the passage of fuel through a discharge aperture which communicates with a control chamber with which the device is provided; fuel is supplied under pressure into this control chamber and is discharged through the first mentioned discharge aperture to control the opening of a shutter needle with which the device is provided for the purpose of injecting a suitable quantity of fuel through at least one injection orifice. According to this improvement the armature of the pilot valve substantially comprises a rod which traverses an axial hole in the core of an electromagnet. The first end of the rod is fixed to the armature. A stop member, the position of which is adjustable with respect to the body of the device, is adapted to constitute an abutment for the second end of the rod. A ball is interposed between this second end and the stop member.

Abstract: A perfected fuel injector comprising a plunger for controlling fuel passage between an injection chamber and at least an injection orifice formed in an injection nozzel; and an electromagnetic fuel metering valve for controlling fuel passage through a drain orifice between a control chamber, supplied with fuel under pressure, and a low-pressure chamber, so as to reduce to a given value the pressure of the fuel inside the control chamber and so displace the plunger. Pressurized fuel is supplied to the injection chamber and control chamber by means of a single fitting connected to a supply pipe and coming out inside a supply orifice formed in the injector body and communicating with the control chamber and with a duct supplying fuel to the injection chamber and comprising an annular chamber and a radial hole formed in a sleeve housed in a hole on the body.

Abstract: An electromagnetically-controlled fuel injection valve for diesel engines includes an electromagnetic metering valve which controls communication between a control chamber supplied with fuel under pressure through an inlet hole, and a discharge hole. The solenoid metering valve includes a ball obturator movable in a cavity of the body defined by two annular valve seats of which the first defines the discharge hole and the second communicates with the inlet hole. The cavity is in communication with the control chamber through lateral passages. The ball obturator is kept in a closed position against the second seat by means of an electromagnetically-operated axial push rod.

Abstract: A fuel injection system with controlled injectors for diesel engines includes a system for regulating the temperature of the fuel, including thermostatically-controlled preheating means associated with the fuel supply circuit and electronically-controlled cooling means associated with the fuel recycling circuit.

Abstract: A modular power plant comprises an internal combustion engine coupled to an electrical machine. The electrical machine may be used to start the engine and to generate electrical energy. The power plant is provided with an electronic control and protection system comprising an electronic processing and control unit arranged to operate in a first mode when the power plant is used alone, and in a second mode when the power plant is used together in a coordinated manner in an installation comprising a further n power plants. In this second mode of operation the processing and control unit may act as a master unit for controlling and coordinating the operation of the processing and control units of the other n power plants in a predetermined manner, or as a slave unit controlled by another control and processing unit of one of the other n power plants. Means are provided for assigning the roll of master unit to one of the control and processing units of the n+1 power plants.

Abstract: A power-generating installation comprises a plurality of modular power plants each comprised of an internal combustion engine connected to an electric machine. The electric machine is used to start the engine and thereafter operates as a generator supplying power to an electrical network common to all the modular plants. The installation has a control and protection system comprising a plurality of control modules each associated with a respective plant, and a central unit passing control signals to the modules to control starting and stopping of the individual power plants. Upon the detection of abnormal operation or failure of its associated power plant, each control module transmits an alarm signal back to the central unit which thereupon stops, or prevents the starting, of the corresponding power plant. Parameters monitored by each control module include generated current and inter-winding leakage current of the electric machine.