Abstract: A digital electronic control system for optimizing the performance of an energy consuming system wherein a given parameter, such as the air supply in a furnace, the spark setting in an internal combustion engine, or the pitch of a propeller in an aircraft is perturbated and the resulting effect on the machine or system performance is computed for producing a control signal which is then used to adjust the setting in a way which improves the performance. The process continues until an incremental change in setting no longer is accompanied by an improvement in the system's output, thus indicating operation at the optimum. The control apparatus of the present invention permits the selective introduction of desired bias values so that operation can be established off the optimum by a predetermined amount.

Abstract: An adaptive digital electronic control system for an internal combustion engine wherein a given speed modifying parameter is perturbated about a given setting and the resulting effect on the engine's output shaft speed is computed for producing an electrical control signal for adjusting the setting in a way which tends to maximize the shaft output power. Described are arrangements whereby the electronic control system can be applied to a spark ignition system, the air/fuel control of a standard carburetor or the air/fuel control of a fuel injection system.