Abstract: A method of estimating the individual fuel air ratio richness of an individual cylinder in an engine by utilizing a single oxygen sensor at the confluence of a plurality of exhaust runners. The method provides for the use of a wide range or switching oxygen sensor at the confluence of a plurality of exhaust runners.

Abstract: A method of adjusting idle spark for an individual cylinder of an internal combustion engine in an automotive vehicle including the steps of determining a crankshaft acceleration for an individual cylinder of the internal combustion engine and determining an average acceleration error for the individual cylinder based on the determined crankshaft acceleration. The method also includes the steps of determining an adaptive spark advance for the individual cylinder based on the determined average acceleration error and determining a new spark advance for the individual cylinder based on the determined adaptive spark advance and a nominal spark advance. The method further includes the steps of adjusting idle spark for the individual cylinder based on the new spark advance for the individual cylinder.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are provided for detecting cylinder misfires in an internal combustion engine of a motor vehicle which is capable of detecting multiple cylinder misfires and more particularly opposed cylinder misfires. Crankshaft rotation is sensed and crankshaft velocities are measured for each cylinder. Changes in angular velocity are determined and correspond to each of a plurality of cylinder firing events. Angular velocity changes are sorted over a predetermined series of cylinder firings and the two middle most angular velocity changes are averaged to provide an average change in velocity value. A deviation is determined between the change in angular velocity for a selected cylinder and the average change in velocity value. The deviation is compared to a threshold value and a misfire event is determined for the selected cylinder based on the comparison.

Abstract: A misfire detection apparatus and method is provided for detecting misfire in cylinders of an internal combustion engine in a motor vehicle. The method includes sensing rotation of a crankshaft and calculating a crankshaft velocity based on the sensed rotation of the crankshaft. The method also includes repeating the sensing and calculating steps a predetermined number of times to develop a measured crankshaft velocity profile. The method further includes obtaining a stored misfire velocity profile based on speed of the crankshaft, comparing the measured crankshaft velocity profile to the stored misfire crankshaft velocity profile to determine if a match exists, and counting a misfire if a match exits.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are provided for detecting cylinder misfires in an internal combustion engine of a motor vehicle and inhibiting misfire detection during the presence of noise related events. Misfire detection is performed to detect the occurrence of one or more misfire events. Crankshaft rotation is sensed and crankshaft velocities are measured for each cylinder and changes in angular velocity are determined for each cylinder firing event. Angular velocity changes are sorted and averaged to provide an average change in velocity value and a deviation value is determined. The deviation is compared to a threshold value and misfire events are determined based on the comparison. A comparison value is determined as a function of change in positive deviations of change of velocity and a time decay rate. The comparison value is compared with a threshold value. Misfire detection is disabled or inhibited when the comparison value exceeds the threshold value.

Abstract: A misfire detection apparatus and method is provided for detecting misfire in cylinders of an internal combustion engine in a motor vehicle. The method includes sensing ionization current through spark plugs in either a distributorless ignition system or a distributor ignition system. The method also includes disabling ionization current sensing during ignition coil discharge time. The method further includes making and storing the combustion ionization measurements in order to determine if a misfire has occurred and if catalyst damage has occurred due to the misfire.

Abstract: A misfire detection apparatus and method is provided for detecting misfire in cylinders of an internal combustion engine in a motor vehicle. The method includes sensing rotation of a crankshaft and calculating a crankshaft velocity based on the sensed rotation of the crankshaft. The method also includes compensating the calculated crankshaft velocity based on a predetermined cylinder. The method further includes comparing either the calculated or compensated crankshaft velocity to a predetermined crankshaft velocity range to determine if therein, and counting a misfire if either the calculated or compensated crankshaft velocity is within the predetermined crankshaft range.

Abstract: A method of adaptively idling a transmission in an electronic automatic transmission system putting the transmission to "neutral" when the engine is idling and the brakes are applied.

Abstract: Speed error is calculated by finding the difference between set speed and vehicle speed and then filtering the result. The error is tested for polarity and magnitude before selecting a desired acceleration rate. This acceleration rate is used in an acceleration based electronic speed control system for vehicles.

Abstract: A method of determining and using an acceleration correction in a acceleration based electronic speed control system for automobiles, the method being utilized by a microcontroller.An error correction pulse is selected by integrating (or summing) the differences between the desired acceleration and the actual vehicle acceleration. The integral is compared to a trigger window. The throttle position is controlled based on the value of the integral as compared to the window. This is keyed in providing smooth control. The integration action serves to filter transient acceleration errors to dampen throttle response to prevent throttle correction at a faster rate than the vehicle can respond thereby reducing over and under shoot of the throttle.

Abstract: A fuel injection system and control valve are disclosed for use with a multi-cylinder engine such as a diesel or proco type engine. The disclosed control valve, which is of the piezoelectric type, controls the fuel injection into the individual cylinders by being connected in fluid circuit between the high pressure pump and distributor which are contained in the pump and distributor assembly. The control valve contains novel features providing improvements in the system.

Abstract: A fuel injection system and control valve are disclosed for use with a multi-cylinder engine such as a diesel or proco type engine. The disclosed control valve, which is of the piezoelectric type, controls the fuel injection into the individual cylinders by being connected in fluid circuit between the high pressure pump and distributor which are contained in the pump and distributor assembly. The control valve contains novel features providing improvements in the system.

Abstract: A fuel injection system and control valve are disclosed for use with a multi-cylinder engine such as a diesel or proco type engine. The disclosed control valve, which is of the piezoelectric type, controls the fuel injection into the individual cylinders by being connected in fluid circuit between the high pressure pump and distributor which are contained in the pump and distributor assembly. The control valve contains novel features providing improvements in the system.