Abstract: A method for generating computer software for a microprocessor in an embedded system in which the system includes an input/output system (BIOS), at least one input/output channel, an application layer having at least one code module which processes input/output signals from its associated channel in the BIOS, and an operating system which schedules execution of events in the application layer. A graphical user interface (GUI) is used to select channels of the BIOS by functionality, program code modules in the application layer to process the input/output signals from the BIOS and to schedule event processing in the operating system.

Abstract: A system which detects droplets on a translucent surface having a camera which, upon activation, acquires an image of a portion of the surface. A radiation source, upon activation, illuminates the portion of the translucent surface while a control circuit selectively activates both the camera and the radiation source. A processor receives a captured image from the camera and, through image processing, generates an output signal representative of the number of droplets on the portion of the translucent surface.

Abstract: A cold start fuel control system is disclosed for use with an internal combustion engine having a plurality of combustion chambers, a source of fuel and an intake manifold having an inlet and an outlet port connected to each combustion chamber. The system includes a cold start fuel injector assembly having an inlet and an outlet to provide a vapor fuel charge during a cold start engine condition. The cold start fuel injector assembly inlet is fluidly connected to the source of fuel. An auxiliary intake manifold has an internal chamber and the cold start fuel injector assembly outlet is fluidly connected to the auxiliary intake manifold chamber. The auxiliary intake manifold chamber is then fluidly connected through a control orifice to each of the combustion chambers at a position downstream from the inlet of the primary intake manifold.

Abstract: A method for generating computer software for a microprocessor in an embedded system in which the system includes an input/output system (BIOS), at least one input/output channel, an application layer having at least one code module which processes input/output signals from its associated channel in the BIOS, and an operating system which schedules execution of events in the application layer. The method includes the steps of using a graphical user interface (GUI) to select channels of the BIOS by functionality. The GUI is then used to select one or more program code modules in the application layer to process the input/output signals from the BIOS and then associates the selected code modules with at least one channel in the BIOS. The GUI is then used to schedule event processing in the operating system.

Abstract: A system for compensation of contamination of a heated element in a heated element gas flow system in which the heated element becomes heated from an ambient temperature to an elevated temperature upon the application of electrical power to the heated element during a startup time period. The system includes a processing circuit having an input and an output. A voltage signal from the heated element is connected to the input of the processing circuit. The processing circuit reads a plurality of temporally spaced input signals as data from the processing circuit input during the startup time period. The processing circuit then computes the parameters of a transfer function corresponding to the data on its input. The processing circuit then calculates a contamination correction factor as a function of at least one parameter of the transfer function.

Abstract: A system for compensation of contamination of a heated element in a heated element gas flow system in which the heated element becomes heated from an ambient temperature to an elevated temperature upon the application of electrical power to the heated element during a startup time period. The system includes a processing circuit having an input and an output. A voltage signal from the heated element is connected to the input of the processing circuit. The processing circuit reads a plurality of temporally spaced input signals as data from the processing circuit input during the startup time period. The processing circuit then computes the parameters of a transfer function corresponding to the data on its input. The processing circuit then calculates a contamination correction factor as a function of at least one parameter of the transfer function.

Abstract: A cold start fuel control system is disclosed for use with an internal combustion engine having a plurality of combustion chambers, a source of fuel and an intake manifold having an inlet and an outlet port connected to each combustion chamber. The system includes a cold start fuel injector assembly having an inlet and an outlet to provide a vapor fuel charge during a cold start engine condition. The cold start fuel injector assembly inlet is fluidly connected to the source of fuel. An auxiliary intake manifold has an internal chamber and the cold start fuel injector assembly outlet is fluidly connected to the auxiliary intake manifold chamber. The auxiliary intake manifold chamber is then fluidly connected through a control orifice to each of the combustion chambers at a position downstream from the inlet of the primary intake manifold.

Abstract: A method and a system are disclosed for identifying a gas type. The system includes a first sensor in contact with the gas and which produces a first electrical output signal indicative of a first condition of the gas. Similarly, a second sensor is also in contact with the gas and produces a second electrical output signal indicative of a second condition of the gas. A processor receives the output signals as input signals from the first and second sensors and determines the type of gas by calculation or from lookup tables stored in memory accessible to the processor. The first and second conditions of the gas are selected from the group of temperature, mass flow rate, temperature and pressure.

Abstract: A method and a system are disclosed for identifying a gas type. The system includes a first sensor in contact with the gas and which produces a first electrical output signal indicative of a first condition of the gas. Similarly, a second sensor is also in contact with the gas and produces a second electrical output signal indicative of a second condition of the gas. A processor receives the output signals as input signals from the first and second sensors and determines the type of gas by calculation or from lookup tables stored in memory accessible to the processor. The first and second conditions of the gas are selected from the group of temperature, mass flow rate, temperature and pressure.

Abstract: An improved hot wire gas flow sensor is disclosed having a housing with a passageway in series with a passageway through which the gas flow is measured. The housing includes both a hot wire and cold wire disposed within the passageway. A current circuit maintains the temperature differential between the hot wire and cold wire preferably in the range of 30° C. to 100° C. by varying the current flow through the hot wire. Current limiting circuitry is then utilized to limit the current flow through the hot wire and thus the temperature of the hot wire in order to prevent possible combustion of the gas in the passageway. Additionally, a current augmenting circuit augments the current flow through the hot wire for a limited period of time following the electrical energization of the flow sensor in order to provide rapid heat up of the hot wire in the hot wire sensor.

Abstract: A time domain measurement and control system for a hot wire air flow sensor is disclosed in which the air flow sensor is of the type having a resistive heating element with an input end and an output end. The control system includes a fixed frequency variable width pulse generator which generates a pulse train through the heating element. This pulse train, furthermore, has a first predetermined voltage amplitude. The output voltage amplitude of the pulse train is determined at the outlet end of the heating element while a control circuit varies the duty cycle of the pulse train to maintain the output voltage amplitude at a second predetermined voltage level. The duty cycle of the pulse train is proportional to the air flow rate through the air flow sensor.

Abstract: An EMI energy absorber for use with an electrical circuit, such as a hot wire air flow sensor, which has at least one electrical element which exhibits antenna characteristics at a predetermined frequency range for the EMI. The energy absorber includes a component, such as a ferrite bead, which is electrically connected in series with the element of the electrical circuit. This component exhibits a resistance which varies as a function of frequency and has a maximum resistance within the predetermined frequency range. Thus, the component functions to absorb the EMI and dissipate the EMI as heat.

Abstract: A fuel control system is provided for use with an internal combustion engine having at least one cylinder, a source of gaseous fuel and an intake passageway for fluidly connecting the air intake to the combustion cylinder. The control system includes a gas flow rate sensor which generates an output signal representative of the fuel flow rate to the engine as well as a mass air flow sensor which generates a signal representative of the mass air flow rate to the engine. A fuel valve is fluidly connected in series between the source of gaseous fuel and the air intake passageway. The fuel valve is actuated by an electrical pulse stream between an open and a closed position so that the duty cycle of the pulse stream is proportional to the amount of fuel supplied to the engine. In response to the fuel flow rate signal, the air flow rate signal and a target air/fuel ratio, the control system generates PID gain scheduling parameters relative to the duty cycle of the pulse stream.

Abstract: An integrated premixture chamber is disclosed, for mixing gaseous fuel and air for delivery to a combustion chamber of an internal combustion engine. The integrated premixture chamber includes a mass air flow sensor, a throttle valve and position sensor, a fuel shut-off valve, a gas flow sensor and a fuel metering valve having discharge outlets downstream of the mass air flow sensor to provide more accurate metering. The integrated premixture chamber is controlled by an electronic unit separate from the engine's control unit.

Abstract: A smart mass gas flow sensor is having a housing with a bore through which a gas flows in which a sensor in the housing generates an analog signal proportional to the mass gas flow through the housing bore. A digital processor digitally processes the analog signal from the sensor and generates a substantially linear output signal representative of the mass gas flow through the housing bore.

Abstract: An engine monitoring system and/or emission reduction system is provided for use in conjunction with an internal combustion engine. The system includes a plurality of sensors which detect various engine operating conditions and in which each sensor generates an output signal representative of its particular engine operating condition. At least one of these sensors is a gas sensor associated with the exhaust system which produces an output signal indicative of the concentration of nitric oxides in the exhaust emissions and which has an output which varies as a function of the concentration of such nitric oxides. A central processing unit receives inputs from the various engine sensors and, in accordance with preprogrammed algorithms, monitors the engine for failure and/or deterioration of various components in the emission reduction system as well as the various engine sensors.

Abstract: An air-assist fuel injection system controls the supply of compressed air to the fuel injectors according to the operating status of internal combustion engine. For cold start operation, compressed air is supplied continuously to the injectors; while, for partial load (cruising) and partial acceleration, air is supplied as a pulsating (air volume control) flow consisting of air pulses coincident with the injected fuel pulses. On the other hand, for acceleration and deceleration, the supply of compressed air to the injectors may be inhibited. Further, idle speed control can be achieved using the air-assist to the fuel injectors, thereby eliminating need for a separate idle speed control valve. To enhance system operation, a fuel injector may be employed in which both the fuel and the applied compressed air are swirled, but in opposite directions, so as to achieve a fuel spray of small particle size.

Abstract: An integrated air/fuel sensor is disclosed for use with a gaseous fuel internal combustion engine. The sensor includes a housing having a mass air flow sensor which provides an output signal representative of the mass of air flow through the mass air flow sensor. Similarly, a mass gas sensor is also contained in the housing which provides an output signal representative of the mass of gas flow through the mass gas flow sensor. The integrated air/fuel sensor is mounted to the air and fuel supply system for the engine upstream from the internal combustion engine. The output signal from both flow sensors are provided as input signals to a circuit which calculates the air/fuel ratio to the engine and provides an output signal representative thereof to the fuel management system for the engine.

Abstract: A fuel management system is provided for use with an internal combustion engine which utilizes gaseous fuel as the fuel source. A mass gas flow sensor is fluidly connected between the gaseous fuel source and the engine. A mass air flow meter is similarly provided in series with an air intake for the internal combustion engine and the outputs from both flow meters are provided as input signals to a microprocessor based control circuit. The control circuit calculates the air/fuel ratio of the combustible charge provided to the engine and generates appropriate output signals to a valve arrangement in series between the source of gaseous fuel and the internal combustion engine to vary the air/fuel ratio to obtain a desired engine performance as a function of the engine operating condition. An air/fuel ratio sensor is also in fluid communication with the exhaust gas stream from the engine and provides an output signal representative of the actual air/fuel ratio to the control circuit.

Abstract: An air-assist fuel injection system controls the supply of compressed air to the fuel injectors according to the operating status of internal combustion engine. For cold start operation, compressed air is supplied continuously to the injectors; while, for partial load (cruising) and partial acceleration, air is supplied as a pulsating (air volume control) flow consisting of air pulses coincident with the injected fuel pulses. On the other hand, for acceleration and deceleration, the supply of compresseed air to the injectors may be inhibited. Further, idle speed control can be achieved using the air-assist to the fuel injectors, thereby eliminating need for a separate idle speed control valve. To enhance system operation, a fuel injector may be employed in which both the fuel and the applied compressed air are swirled, but in opposite directions, so as to achieve a fuel spray of small particle size.