Abstract: An engine startup fuel control system for use with a four-cycle internal combustion engine of the type having a plurality of combustion chambers, an air intake passageway, a source of fuel, a crankshaft and a camshaft which operates the engine cylinder valves. A multipoint fuel injector is associated with each combustion chamber and each multipoint fuel injector has an inlet connected to the fuel source and an outlet connected to the air intake passageway adjacent its associated combustion chamber. A crankshaft position sensor generates an output signal representative of the angular position of the crankshaft while, similarly, a camshaft position sensor generates an output signal representative of the angular position of the camshaft. An engine control unit is programmed to determine the synchronization of the engine in response to the output signals from the crankshaft position sensor and camshaft position sensor.

Abstract: An apparatus for performing computed tomography having a radiation source and at least one radiation detector spaced from the radiation source and which generates an output signal representative of the strength of the received radiation from the radiation source. A part support for holding a plurality of parts is positioned in between the radiation source and the detectors. The part support is rotatably mounted about an axis generally perpendicular to a vector between the radiation source and the detectors so that, upon rotation of the part support, the radiation detectors generate an output signal corresponding to the internal structure of parts supported on the part support. A computer system receives the output signals from the detectors and, under program control, generates a report of the internal structure of the parts on the part support.

Abstract: An engine startup fuel control system for use with an internal combustion engine of the type having a plurality of combustion chambers, an air intake passage fluidly connected to each combustion chamber and a source of fuel. The system includes a multipoint fuel injector associated with each combustion chamber in which the multipoint fuel injector has an inlet connected to the fuel source and an outlet fluidly connected to the intake air passageway adjacent its associated combustion chamber. A cold start fuel injector also has an inlet connected to the fuel source and an outlet connected through a cold start passageway with each combustion chamber. A processing circuit selectively activates the multipoint fuel injectors as well as the cold start fuel injector.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a method, an apparatus and a system for automatically recognizing motions and actions of moving objects such as humans, animals and machines. Measuring instruments are attached to an object under observation. The instruments measure a status change entailing the object's motion or action and to issue a signal denoting the measurements. A characteristic quantity extraction unit extracts a characteristic quantity from the measurement signal received which represents the motion or action currently performed by the object under observation. A signal processing unit for motion/action recognition correlates the extracted characteristic quantity with reference data in a database containing previously acquired characteristic quantities of motions and actions. The motion or action represented by the characteristic quantity with the highest degree of correlation is recognized and output.

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 throttle position sensor for a throttle having a movable throttle element. The sensor includes an elongated electrically resistive strip having a first and second end. The first end of the strip is connected to a first voltage potential while the second end is electrically connected to a second voltage potential different from the first. An electrically conductive wiper is in sliding contact with the resistive strip. The wiper and resistive strip are relative to each other and one of the wiper or resistive strip is connected to the movable throttle element. Consequently, the position of the wiper relative to the strip varies proportionally with the position of the throttle element so that a voltage output from the wiper varies proportionally with the position of the movable throttle element. A circuit is associated with the sensor which determines the contact resistance between the wiper and the strip.

Abstract: A fuel delivery system having an electronically controlled throttle valve operatively disposed in an intake manifold. An idle speed control valve is operatively disposed within a bypass gas flow passageway. A control system controls the actuation of both the throttle valve and idle speed control valve to control the delivery of a combustible charge to the internal combustion engine to maximize engine efficiency and minimize noxious emissions.

Abstract: An engine startup fuel control system for use with a four-cycle internal combustion engine of the type having a plurality of combustion chambers, an air intake passageway, a source of fuel, a crankshaft and a camshaft which operates the engine cylinder valves. A multipoint fuel injector is associated with each combustion chamber and each multipoint fuel injector has an inlet connected to the fuel source and an outlet connected to the air intake passageway adjacent its associated combustion chamber. A crankshaft position sensor generates an output signal representative of the angular position of the crankshaft while, similarly, a camshaft position sensor generates an output signal representative of the angular position of the camshaft. An engine control unit is programmed to determine the synchronization of the engine in response to the output signals from the crankshaft position sensor and camshaft position sensor.

Abstract: An engine startup fuel control system for use with an internal combustion engine of the type having a plurality of combustion chambers, an air intake passage fluidly connected to each combustion chamber and a source of fuel. The system includes a multipoint fuel injector associated with each combustion chamber in which the multipoint fuel injector has an inlet connected to the fuel source and an outlet fluidly connected to the intake air passageway adjacent its associated combustion chamber. A cold start fuel injector also has an inlet connected to the fuel source and an outlet connected through a cold start passageway with each combustion chamber. A processing circuit selectively activates the multipoint fuel injectors as well as the cold start fuel injector.

Abstract: A cold start fuel control system is disclosed for use with an internal combustion engine having at least one combustion chamber, a source of fuel and a primary intake manifold having an inlet and an outlet and fluidly connected between the fuel source and the combustion chamber. The system includes a cold start fuel injector assembly having an inlet and an outlet with the inlet being fluidly connected to the fuel source. An auxiliary intake manifold has an interior chamber which is fluidly connected with each combustion chamber. The outlet from the cold start fuel injector is then fluidly connected to the auxiliary intake manifold so that, upon activation of the cold start fuel injector assembly, a fuel/air is inducted from the cold start fuel injector, through the auxiliary intake manifold and into the engine combustion chambers.

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 the management of fuel and fuel vapors in the cold start fuel passageway of an internal combustion engine which has a cold start fuel injector which, when activated, introduces fuel into the cold start fuel passageway. The system includes an engine control unit (ECU) which determines the probability of fuel within the cold start passageway. Different procedures programmed in the ECU are then utilized to dissipate the fuel from the cold start passageway. These procedures include delaying the initiation of the spark ignition for the engine, maintaining the heater associated with the cold start fuel injector activated for a period of time following deactivation of the cold start fuel injector, maintaining revolution of the internal combustion engine for a predetermined time period, as well as other strategies.

Abstract: A system for the management of fuel and fuel vapors in the cold start fuel passageway of an internal combustion engine which has a cold start fuel injector which, when activated, introduces fuel into the cold start fuel passageway. The system includes an engine control unit (ECU) which determines the probability of fuel within the cold start passageway. Different procedures programmed in the ECU are then utilized to dissipate the fuel from the cold start passageway. These procedures include delaying the initiation of the spark ignition for the engine, maintaining the heater associated with the cold start fuel injector activated for a period of time following deactivation of the cold start fuel injector, maintaining revolution of the internal combustion engine for a predetermined time period, as well as other strategies.

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 fuel delivery system for an internal combustion engine of the type having an intake manifold selectively fluidly connected to a combustion chamber and a bypass gas flow passageway having an inlet open to the intake manifold and an outlet open to the intake manifold downstream for the inlet is disclosed. The system includes an electronically controlled throttle valve operatively disposed in the intake manifold and movable between an open and a closed position to control air flow through the intake manifold. An idle speed control valve is operatively disposed within the bypass gas flow passageway, and the idle speed control valve is also movable between an open and a closed position to control air flow through the bypass gas flow passageway. A control system controls the actuation of both the throttle valve and idle speed control valve to control the delivery of a combustible charge to the internal combustion engine to maximize engine efficiency and minimize noxious emissions.

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: An object of the present invention is to provide a method, an apparatus and a system for automatically recognizing motions and actions of moving objects such as humans, animals and machines.

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 cold start fuel control system is disclosed for use with an internal combustion engine having at least one combustion chamber, a source of fuel and a primary intake manifold having an inlet and an outlet and fluidly connected between the fuel source and the combustion chamber. The system includes a cold start fuel injector assembly having an inlet and an outlet with the inlet being fluidly connected to the fuel source. An auxiliary intake manifold has an interior chamber which is fluidly connected with each combustion chamber. The outlet from the cold start fuel injector is then fluidly connected to the auxiliary intake manifold so that, upon activation of the cold start fuel injector assembly, a fuel/air is inducted from the cold start fuel injector, through the auxiliary intake manifold and into the engine combustion chambers.