Patents by Inventor Mitsuhiro Akagi

Mitsuhiro Akagi has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 12055108
    Abstract: A control method and a control device for controlling a spark-ignition internal combustion engine that is equipped with a turbocharger and an exhaust gas recirculation device. The operation of the engine is carried out to perform a stoichiometric air-fuel ratio by performing exhaust gas recirculation even in a high-load range including a maximum-output operation point. When the maximum output operation point is required, intake air information such as atmospheric pressure and outside air temperature is used as a basis to calculate intake air density, which is compared with a predetermined density threshold. When the intake density is equal to or less than the density threshold at a high-altitude location or the like, an exhaust gas recirculation rate is set to 0. As a result, the maximum output can be higher than when exhaust gas recirculation is performed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2024
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Katsuhito Takahashi, Hirofumi Tsuchida, Mitsuhiro Akagi
  • Publication number: 20240183322
    Abstract: A control method and a control device for controlling a spark-ignition internal combustion engine that is equipped with a turbocharger and an exhaust gas recirculation device. The operation of the engine is carried out to perform a stoichiometric air-fuel ratio by performing exhaust gas recirculation even in a high-load range including a maximum-output operation point. When the maximum output operation point is required, intake air information such as atmospheric pressure and outside air temperature is used as a basis to calculate intake air density, which is compared with a predetermined density threshold. When the intake density is equal to or less than the density threshold at a high-altitude location or the like, an exhaust gas recirculation rate is set to 0. As a result, the maximum output can be higher than when exhaust gas recirculation is performed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 15, 2021
    Publication date: June 6, 2024
    Inventors: Katsuhito TAKAHASHI, Hirofumi TSUCHIDA, Mitsuhiro AKAGI
  • Patent number: 9964055
    Abstract: In a case where a driving state is switched from a high load to a low load in a non-turbo charge region and an external EGR is stopped, at a timing T01 at which an EGR control valve (21) is closed, a valve overlap quantity between an intake valve and an exhaust valve is, as a low load transient time provisional value, controlled in a direction such that the valve overlap between the intake and exhaust valves is once contracted. Then, a target value of the valve overlap quantity between the intake and exhaust valves at a timing T21 preceded by a response time ?t of the variably operated valve mechanism (28) from a timing T31 at which the opening angle of the EGR control valve (21) is modified from the low load transient time provisional value to the target value at the time of the low load.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2018
    Assignee: NISSAN MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Mitsuhiro Akagi, Hirofumi Tsuchida, Ayumi Komiya
  • Patent number: 9624824
    Abstract: In a case where EGR is started in a supercharging region, an opening degree of a waste gate valve (17) is changed at a timing T1 at which an EGR ratio in a first predetermined position changes by valve open of an EGR control valve (21). In a case where EGR is started in a non-supercharging region, a throttle valve (5) is changed at a timing T2 at which an EGR ratio in a second predetermined position changes by valve open of the EGR control valve (21). With these controls, it is possible to suppress an occurrence of torque step upon start of the EGR without distinction between the supercharging region and the non-supercharging region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2017
    Assignee: NISSAN MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Ayumi Komiya, Hirofumi Tsuchida, Mitsuhiro Akagi
  • Publication number: 20150192079
    Abstract: In a case where a driving state is switched from a high load to a low load in a non-turbo charge region and an external EGR is stopped, at a timing T01 at which an EGR control valve (21) is closed, a valve overlap quantity between an intake valve and an exhaust valve is, as a low load transient time provisional value, controlled in a direction such that the valve overlap between the intake and exhaust valves is once contracted. Then, a target value of the valve overlap quantity between the intake and exhaust valves at a timing T21 preceded by a response time ?t of the variably operated valve mechanism (28) from a timing T31 at which the opening angle of the EGR control valve (21) is modified from the low load transient time provisional value to the target value at the time of the low load.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 10, 2013
    Publication date: July 9, 2015
    Inventors: Mitsuhiro Akagi, Hirofumi Tsuchida, Ayumi Komiya
  • Publication number: 20150184587
    Abstract: In a case where EGR is started in a supercharging region, an opening degree of a waste gate valve (17) is changed at a timing T1 at which an EGR ratio in a first predetermined position changes by valve open of an EGR control valve (21). In a case where EGR is started in a non-supercharging region, a throttle valve (5) is changed at a timing T2 at which an EGR ratio in a second predetermined position changes by valve open of the EGR control valve (21). With these controls, it is possible to suppress an occurrence of torque step upon start of the EGR without distinction between the supercharging region and the non-supercharging region.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 10, 2013
    Publication date: July 2, 2015
    Inventors: Ayumi Komiya, Hirofumi Tsuchida, Mitsuhiro Akagi
  • Patent number: 7958720
    Abstract: A combustion control apparatus is configured for a direct-injection spark-ignition internal combustion engine. The combustion control apparatus selects an extremely retarded combustion mode while the internal combustion engine is in a predetermined operating state. In the extremely retarded combustion mode, the combustion control apparatus sets ignition timing to be after compression top dead center, and sets fuel injection timing to be before the ignition timing and after compression top dead center. The combustion control apparatus inhibits the extremely retarded combustion mode while an exhaust purifier of the internal combustion engine is in a predetermined cold state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2011
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shinichi Okamoto, Masayuki Tomita, Taizo Horikomi, Taro Sakai, Akira Nakajima, Hitoshi Ishii, Mitsuhiro Akagi, Takao Maitani, Tomoyuki Takeda, Masatoshi Hidaka, Tomoyuki Shigefuji
  • Patent number: 7350504
    Abstract: In control apparatus and method for an inner cylinder spark ignited internal combustion engine having a fuel injection valve configured to directly inject fuel into an inside of an engine cylinder and a spark plug, a super retard combustion is executed to set an ignition timing after a compression stroke top dead center and to inject fuel before the ignition timing and after the compression stroke top dead center during a predetermined engine driving condition and at least part of fuel is injected before the compression stroke top dead center to decrease a fuel injection quantity after the compression stroke top dead center during an interval which is immediately after an engine start and in which a pressure of fuel is relatively low.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2008
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Makoto Yasunaga, Tomoyuki Takeda, Akira Nakajima, Taizo Horikomi, Daisuke Takaki, Katsuaki Uchiyama, Masatoshi Hidaka, Hitoshi Ishii, Tomoyuki Shigefuji, Masayuki Tomita, Mitsuhiro Akagi
  • Patent number: 7194999
    Abstract: A combustion control apparatus configured to operate a direct-injection spark-ignition internal combustion engine in a top dead center injection operating mode. In the top dead center injection operating mode, a fuel injection start timing is set to be before compression top dead center, a fuel injection end timing is set to be after compression top dead center, and an ignition timing is set to be after compression top dead center. The combustion control apparatus is configured to promote incylinder fuel spray penetration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2007
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Toshiya Kono, Hitoshi Ishii, Mitsuhiro Akagi, Katsuaki Uchiyama, Masayuki Tomita, Akira Nakajima, Taro Sakai, Masatoshi Hidaka
  • Publication number: 20060266020
    Abstract: A combustion control apparatus is configured for a direct-injection spark-ignition internal combustion engine. The combustion control apparatus selects an extremely retarded combustion mode while the internal combustion engine is in a predetermined operating state. In the extremely retarded combustion mode, the combustion control apparatus sets ignition timing to be after compression top dead center, and sets fuel injection timing to be before the ignition timing and after compression top dead center. The combustion control apparatus inhibits the extremely retarded combustion mode while an exhaust purifier of the internal combustion engine is in a predetermined cold state.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 31, 2006
    Publication date: November 30, 2006
    Inventors: Shinichi Okamoto, Masayuki Tomita, Taizo Horikomi, Taro Sakai, Akira Nakajima, Hitoshi Ishii, Mitsuhiro Akagi, Takao Maitani, Tomoyuki Takeda, Masatoshi Hidaka, Tomoyuki Shigefuji
  • Publication number: 20060266326
    Abstract: In control apparatus and method for an inner cylinder spark ignited internal combustion engine having a fuel injection valve configured to directly inject fuel into an inside of an engine cylinder and a spark plug, a super retard combustion is executed to set an ignition timing after a compression stroke top dead center and to inject fuel before the ignition timing and after the compression stroke top dead center during a predetermined engine driving condition and at least part of fuel is injected before the compression stroke top dead center to decrease a fuel injection quantity after the compression stroke top dead center during an interval which is immediately after an engine start and in which a pressure of fuel is relatively low.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 31, 2006
    Publication date: November 30, 2006
    Inventors: Makoto Yasunaga, Tomoyuki Takeda, Akira Nakajima, Taizo Horikomi, Daisuke Takaki, Katsuaki Uchiyama, Masatoshi Hidaka, Hitoshi Ishii, Tomoyuki Shigefuji, Masayuki Tomita, Mitsuhiro Akagi
  • Patent number: 7134421
    Abstract: When, with a piston assuming the top dead center (TDC) on the compression stroke, a fuel is injected from a nozzle of a fuel injection valve, the injected fuel from the nozzle is guided to reach electrodes of a spark plug by a concave surface defined by a crown portion of a piston. A control unit is provided that controls the fuel injection valve and the spark plug. The control unit is configured to carry out under a given condition controlling the fuel injection valve to start the fuel injection at a time before the top dead center (TDC) on the compression stroke and finish the fuel injection at a time after the top dead center (TDC) on the compression stroke; and controlling the spark plug to carry out the ignition at a time after the top dead center (TDC).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2006
    Assignee: Nissna Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Toshiya Kono, Hitoshi Ishii, Mitsuhiro Akagi, Katsuaki Uchiyama
  • Patent number: 7117666
    Abstract: An engine control device is configured to cause an engine to operate at the optimum combustion mode according to the load when warming up of an emissions purification catalyst is required, and to obtain reduced HC discharged from the engine and accelerated warm-up of the catalyst. The engine control device performs stratified combustion with a compression stroke injection in a low-load region according to the engine load, and performs double-injection combustion with an intake stroke injection and a compression stroke injection in an intermediate load region, when warming up of the catalyst is required. In a high-load region, the engine control device performs homogenous combustion with an intake stroke injection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2006
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Masayuki Tomita, Tsutomu Kikuchi, Yuichi Iriya, Hitoshi Ishii, Mitsuhiro Akagi, Katsuaki Uchiyama, Masahiko Yuya, Takao Maitani, Masahiro Fukuzumi
  • Patent number: 7047945
    Abstract: A four-stroke cycle in-cylinder fuel injection internal combustion engine (1) comprises a fuel injector (8) which injects fuel directly into a combustion chamber (7), performs stratified charge combustion by means of compression stroke fuel injection, and performs homogeneous combustion by means of intake stroke fuel injection. Upon start-up of the engine (1), intake stroke fuel injection is performed at the first combustion opportunity, and compression stroke fuel injection is switched to from the second combustion opportunity onward. In so doing, switching of the combustion system is performed early and independently of the engine rotation speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2006
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hitoshi Ishii, Masahiko Yuya, Tsutomu Kikuchi, Yuichi Iriya, Mitsuhiro Akagi, Masahiro Fukuzumi, Katsuaki Uchiyama, Takao Maitani, Masayuki Tomita, Yoshinao Ugomori
  • Patent number: 7024851
    Abstract: An engine control device is configured to perform optimum combustion control according to environmental conditions when warming up of a catalyst for emission purification is required. The engine control device performs stratified combustion by the compression stroke injection at the time of startup, when warming up of the catalyst is required. However, under conditions of low air density, stratified combustion by compression stroke injection is prevented, and either homogenous combustion by intake stroke injection is performed, or double injection combustion by intake stroke injection and compression stroke injection is performed. Thus, the engine control device maintains starting properties and prevents adverse effects on engine operability.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2006
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Mitsuhiro Akagi, Tsutomu Kikuchi, Yuichi Iriya, Hitoshi Ishii, Masahiro Fukuzumi, Katsuaki Uchiyama, Masahiko Yuya, Takao Maitani, Masayuki Tomita
  • Patent number: 6990948
    Abstract: An engine system is capable of switching between a first fuel injection mode, in which fuel is injected from a fuel injection valve 23 directly into a combustion chamber 6 in the compression stroke, and a second fuel injection mode, in which fuel is injected from the fuel injection valve 23 directly into the combustion chamber 6 in the intake stroke. A controller 30 determines the characteristic of the fuel that is supplied to the fuel injection valve 23, selects either the first fuel injection mode or the second fuel injection mode according to the fuel characteristic, and starts an engine 1 in the selected fuel injection mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2006
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Masahiro Fukuzumi, Tsutomu Kikuchi, Yuichi Iriya, Hitoshi Ishii, Mitsuhiro Akagi, Katsuaki Uchiyama, Masahiko Yuya, Takao Maitani, Masayuki Tomita
  • Publication number: 20060016425
    Abstract: A combustion control apparatus configured to operate a direct-injection spark-ignition internal combustion engine in a top dead center injection operating mode. In the top dead center injection operating mode, a fuel injection start timing is set to be before compression top dead center, a fuel injection end timing is set to be after compression top dead center, and an ignition timing is set to be after compression top dead center. The combustion control apparatus is configured to promote incylinder fuel spray penetration.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 26, 2005
    Publication date: January 26, 2006
    Inventors: Toshiya Kono, Hitoshi Ishii, Mitsuhiro Akagi, Katsuaki Uchiyama, Masayuki Tomita, Akira Nakajima, Taro Sakai, Masatoshi Hidaka
  • Publication number: 20060016419
    Abstract: When, with a piston assuming the top dead center (TDC) on the compression stroke, a fuel is injected from a nozzle of a fuel injection valve, the injected fuel from the nozzle is guided to reach electrodes of a spark plug by a concave surface defined by a crown portion of a piston. A control unit is provided that controls the fuel injection valve and the spark plug. The control unit is configured to carry out under a given condition controlling the fuel injection valve to start the fuel injection at a time before the top dead center (TDC) on the compression stroke and finish the fuel injection at a time after the top dead center (TDC) on the compression stroke; and controlling the spark plug to carry out the ignition at a time after the top dead center (TDC).
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 26, 2005
    Publication date: January 26, 2006
    Inventors: Toshiya Kono, Hitoshi Ishii, Mitsuhiro Akagi, Katsuaki Uchiyama
  • Patent number: 6892694
    Abstract: A start-up control device of a direct injection engine has a fuel injector (76) for injecting fuel into the engine; and a controller. The controller is programmed to determine the presence of a learned value for calculating on the basis thereof a fuel injection amount during start-up of the engine (10) by means of a stratified charge combustion operation; calculate the fuel injection amount on the basis of the learned value when the learned value is present, and control the fuel injector (76) to inject fuel in the compression stroke to start up the engine (10) by means of a stratified charge combustion operation; and control the fuel injector (76) to inject fuel in the intake stroke of the engine to start up the engine by means of a homogeneous combustion operation when the learned value is absent, and obtain and store the learned value during the homogeneous combustion operation of the engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2005
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Katsuaki Uchiyama, Tsutomu Kikuchi, Yuichi Iriya, Hitoshi Ishii, Mitsuhiro Akagi, Masahiro Fukuzumi, Masahiko Yuya, Takao Maitani, Masayuki Tomita
  • Publication number: 20050086930
    Abstract: An engine control device is configured to perform optimum combustion control according to environmental conditions when warming up of a catalyst for emission purification is required. The engine control device performs stratified combustion by the compression stroke injection at the time of startup, when warming up of the catalyst is required. However, under conditions of low air density, stratified combustion by compression stroke injection is prevented, and either homogenous combustion by intake stroke injection is performed, or double injection combustion by intake stroke injection and compression stroke injection is performed. Thus, the engine control device maintains starting properties and prevents adverse effects on engine operability.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 8, 2004
    Publication date: April 28, 2005
    Applicant: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Mitsuhiro Akagi, Tsutomu Kikuchi, Yuichi Iriya, Hitoshi Ishii, Masahiro Fukuzumi, Katsuaki Uchiyama, Masahiko Yuya, Takao Maitani, Masayuki Tomita