Patents by Inventor Shinji Nakagawa
Shinji Nakagawa 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).
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Publication number: 20110100327Abstract: An engine control apparatus having a unit for calculating the mean value of the angular acceleration with respect to each cylinder; a unit for calculating the variance of the angular acceleration with respect to each cylinder; a unit for estimating the torque and the air/fuel ratio with respect to each cylinder on the basis of the mean value and the variance; and a unit for controlling at least one of the intake air amount, the fuel injection amount and the ignition timing with respect to each cylinder on the basis of the estimated torque and air/fuel ratio.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 20, 2010Publication date: May 5, 2011Applicant: Hitachi Automotive Systems, Ltd.Inventors: Shinji NAKAGAWA, Kazuhiko KANETOSHI, Takanobu ICHIHARA, Minoru OHSUGA
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Publication number: 20110029218Abstract: The present invention performs correction appropriately according to errors in the fuel system and air system respectively and corrects both variations in the air-fuel ratio and torque. When the difference between a target air-fuel ratio and a real air-fuel ratio is equal to or below a predetermined value when feedback control based on the air-fuel ratio of an exhaust manifold 10A is in progress, the air-fuel ratio of a cylinder cyl_1 having the largest variation of angular acceleration is corrected to the rich side, for example, by increasing the amount of fuel. Angular acceleration per cylinder is then detected again and when the variation in angular acceleration among cylinders is not eliminated, it is judged that there is an error in the amount of air control of the cylinder having the largest variation and the amount of air, amount of fuel, ignition timing or the like are corrected.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 29, 2010Publication date: February 3, 2011Applicant: Hitachi Automotive Systems, Ltd.Inventors: Shinji Nakagawa, Kazuhiko Kanetoshi, Kouzou Katogi, Takanobu Ichihara, Minoru Ohsuga
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Patent number: 7840334Abstract: An engine control system for an internal combustion engine with a fuel injector, comprises a combustion fuel quantity computing means for computing a combustion fuel quantity in a combustion cycle; and a residual fuel quantity computing means for computing a residual fuel quantity in the combustion cycle based on a difference between an injection fuel quantity of the fuel injector and the combustion fuel quantity.Type: GrantFiled: August 29, 2007Date of Patent: November 23, 2010Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.Inventors: Shinji Nakagawa, Kazuhiko Kanetoshi, Kozo Katogi, Takanobu Ichihara, Minoru Osuga
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Patent number: 7809494Abstract: An engine control apparatus for controlling the amount of the air flowing into each cylinder in accordance with the amount of the fuel flowing into the cylinder at the time of starting the engine is disclosed. Further, at the engine starting time, the target amount of the air flowing into the cylinder is calculated and/or the amount of the air flowing into the cylinder is controlled, based on the amount of the fuel flowing into the cylinder. The amount of the fuel remaining in the neighborhood of the engine intake port or in the intake pipe is calculated by being separated into a balanced liquid film amount and unbalanced liquid film amount. Based on the unbalanced liquid film amount, the injection fuel amount is corrected so that the amount of the fuel flowing into the cylinder is controlled with high accuracy.Type: GrantFiled: August 19, 2008Date of Patent: October 5, 2010Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.Inventors: Shinji Nakagawa, Kazuhiko Kanetoshi, Kozo Katogi, Takanobu Ichihara, Minoru Ohsuga
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Patent number: 7664591Abstract: An apparatus and a method of control of the engine for separating and detecting the fuel remaining in the engine and in the intake passages before the start of the engine and also detecting the fuel property, and calculating a parameter such as an optimum fuel injection quantity when the engine is started, and thus enabling an efficient exhaust performance and a good running performance to be compatible at start-up. The engine control apparatus has a unit for detecting or estimating a burned fuel quantity of the engine, and a unit for separating and detecting a burned fuel quantity supplied from the fuel injection valve and a burned quantity of fuel other than the fuel supplied from the injection valve.Type: GrantFiled: June 29, 2006Date of Patent: February 16, 2010Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.Inventors: Shinji Nakagawa, Kozo Katogi, Minoru Oosuga
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Patent number: 7650225Abstract: An engine controller comprises a combustion state detection or estimation means for detecting or estimating a combustion state in the combustion chamber, a combustion air-fuel ratio estimation means for estimating a combustion air-fuel ratio in the combustion chamber according to an exhaust air-fuel ratio and the detected or estimated combustion state, and a means for calculating engine control parameters according to the estimated combustion air-fuel ratio.Type: GrantFiled: May 8, 2007Date of Patent: January 19, 2010Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.Inventors: Shinji Nakagawa, Kazuhiko Kanetoshi, Kozo Katogi, Takanobu Ichihara, Minoru Ohsuga
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Publication number: 20090292448Abstract: An engine controller capable of optimizing both the air-fuel ratio and the ignition timing to provide HC-minimized performance under the relevant driving conditions (environmental conditions) in order to minimize the amount of HC emitted from an engine at the time of start-up (before catalyst activation) is provided. The engine controller includes: air-fuel ratio control means for controlling the air-fuel ratio to be within a predetermined range (for example, 14.5 to 16.5) when the engine is operated at a certain driving condition (for example, in a state in which the catalyst is not activated such as the time of starting a cooler, or idling time); and ignition timing correction means for correcting the ignition timing to the retard side when the engine is operated at the certain driving condition and the air-fuel ratio is within the predetermined range.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 21, 2009Publication date: November 26, 2009Applicant: HITACHI, LTDInventors: Shinji Nakagawa, Kazuhiko Kanetoshi, Kozo Katogi, Takanobu Ichihara, Minoru Ohsuga
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Patent number: 7571711Abstract: When a throttle is fully open, a maximum torque set value is corrected based on the ratio between the maximum air volume set value under fully-open throttle conditions and the actual maximum air volume detected by an intake air volume meter such as an air flow sensor. Based on the corrected maximum torque set value, both the relation between the degree of accelerator opening and target torque and the relation between the target torque (target air volume) and the degree target throttle opening are corrected.Type: GrantFiled: August 13, 2004Date of Patent: August 11, 2009Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.Inventors: Shinya Sato, Shinji Nakagawa, Hiromu Kakuya, Toshimichi Minowa, Mamoru Nemoto
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Patent number: 7565238Abstract: Exhaust emission control is exercised to restrict the exhaust amounts [g] of HC, CO, NOx, and the like. However, since the intake air amount for startup unduly increases due to an engine speed overshoot for startup, the exhaust amounts of HC, CO, and NOx increase excessively. Therefore, there is a need for optimizing the intake air amount for startup. The present invention proposes an engine startup control method that assures excellent startability and low exhaust emissions (small gas amount). Disclosed is an engine control device for starting an engine (from its stop state). The engine control device includes a section for setting a target engine operating state of each combustion; a section for detecting an actual engine operating state of each combustion; and a section for computing a control parameter for each subsequent combustion in accordance with the target engine operating state of each combustion and the actual engine operating state of each combustion.Type: GrantFiled: January 23, 2008Date of Patent: July 21, 2009Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.Inventors: Shinji Nakagawa, Kazuhiko Kanetoshi, Kozo Katogi, Takanobu Ichihara, Minoru Osuga
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Publication number: 20090159042Abstract: A control apparatus for an engine including a unit for retarding an ignition timing from an MBT by a predetermined value or more during cranking at engine starting or during a period from a first combustion up to an idling engine speed.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 19, 2008Publication date: June 25, 2009Applicant: Hitachi, Ltd.Inventors: Shinji Nakagawa, Kazuhiko Kanetoshi, Kozo Katogi, Takanobu Ichihara, Minoru Ohsuga
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Patent number: 7549284Abstract: A diagnostic device and method of an engine exhaust purifying system, which perform active control of an air-fuel ratio and can make diagnosis of air-fuel ratio sensors, catalysts, etc. in the engine exhaust purifying system with high accuracy and reliability while avoiding a worsening of exhaust emissions, an increase of revolution variations, etc.Type: GrantFiled: July 30, 2007Date of Patent: June 23, 2009Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.Inventors: Yoichi Iihoshi, Shinji Nakagawa, Toshio Hori, Yoshikuni Kurashima
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Publication number: 20090088948Abstract: An engine control apparatus for controlling the amount of the air flowing into each cylinder in accordance with the amount of the fuel flowing into the cylinder at the time of starting the engine is disclosed. Further, at the engine starting time, the target amount of the air flowing into the cylinder is calculated and/or the amount of the air flowing into the cylinder is controlled, based on the amount of the fuel flowing into the cylinder. The amount of the fuel remaining in the neighborhood of the engine intake port or in the intake pipe is calculated by being separated into a balanced liquid film amount and unbalanced liquid film amount. Based on the unbalanced liquid film amount, the injection fuel amount is corrected so that the amount of the fuel flowing into the cylinder is controlled with high accuracy.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 19, 2008Publication date: April 2, 2009Applicant: Hitachi, Ltd.Inventors: Shinji NAKAGAWA, Kazuhiko Kanetoshi, Kozo Katogi, Takanobu Ichihara, Minoru Ohsuga
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Patent number: 7487032Abstract: An engine control system, which is adaptable for individual differences among engines, changes with time, environmental changes, etc., and which can control engine torque with high accuracy and high response. The engine control system comprises a unit for detecting engine torque in at least one of direct and indirect manners, a unit for computing an engine control parameter, and a unit for modifying the engine control parameter based on the detected torque detected by the engine torque detecting unit.Type: GrantFiled: December 27, 2005Date of Patent: February 3, 2009Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.Inventors: Shinji Nakagawa, Shinya Satou, Mamoru Nemoto
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Patent number: 7472692Abstract: An engine control apparatus which can ensure and maintain a stability and constant exhaust emission characteristics even in such a condition that a nature of a fuel used as present is unsure, and which is robust among different fuel natures, comprising a plurality of different nature fuel quantity computing means and an operating condition detecting means for detecting an operating condition of an engine, wherein a first nature fuel quantity computing means among the plurality of different nature fuel quantity computing means is used as a fuel quantity computing means during an engine start, and the first nature fuel quantity computing means is forcibly changed over into a second nature fuel quantity computing means if an engine operating condition detected by the operating condition detecting means satisfies a predetermined term.Type: GrantFiled: January 23, 2007Date of Patent: January 6, 2009Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.Inventors: Shinji Nakagawa, Kazuhiko Kanetoshi, Kozo Katogi, Takanobu Ichihara, Minoru Ohsuga
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Publication number: 20080319636Abstract: An engine control system for an internal combustion engine with a fuel injector, comprises a combustion fuel quantity computing means for computing a combustion fuel quantity in a combustion cycle; and a residual fuel quantity computing means for computing a residual fuel quantity in the combustion cycle based on a difference between an injection fuel quantity of the fuel injector and the combustion fuel quantity.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 29, 2007Publication date: December 25, 2008Applicant: Hitachi, Ltd.Inventors: Shinji NAKAGAWA, Kazuhiko Kanetoshi, Kozo Katogi, Takanobu Ichihara, Minoru Osuga
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Patent number: 7441554Abstract: The invention provides an engine controller, which can determine a deterioration mode (gain deterioration or response deterioration) of an air/fuel (A/F) ratio sensor, can detect a degree of the deterioration with high accuracy, and can optimize A/F ratio feedback control in accordance with the diagnosis result. The controller includes a unit for computing frequency response characteristics in a range from an A/F ratio adjusting unit to the A/F ratio sensor, and it diagnoses the A/F ratio sensor based on a gain characteristic and a response characteristic given by the computed frequency response characteristics. In accordance with the diagnosis result, parameters (P- and I-component gains) used in A/F ratio feedback control (PI control) are optimized.Type: GrantFiled: April 23, 2007Date of Patent: October 28, 2008Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.Inventors: Shinji Nakagawa, Youichi Iihoshi, Yoshikuni Kurashima, Toshio Hori
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Publication number: 20080253673Abstract: Each sub-processor executes processing, assigned by a main processor, without reducing the performance of an entire system. During transfer of data from the main memory to a cache, a sub-processor for performing decoding processing on a compressed image calculates a cache area based on a parameter indicating a feature of an image and adaptively changes a memory region to be cached, thereby increasing a cache hit probability during a subsequent processing. The performance of image signal processing performed by the sub-processor is improved, traffic in a system bus for memory transfer is reduced, and a decrease in the performance of the entire system is prevented.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 5, 2005Publication date: October 16, 2008Inventor: Shinji Nakagawa
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Publication number: 20080228383Abstract: Exhaust emission control is exercised to restrict the exhaust amounts [g] of HC, CO, NOx, and the like. However, since the intake air amount for startup unduly increases due to an engine speed overshoot for startup, the exhaust amounts of HC, CO, and NOx increase excessively. Therefore, there is a need for optimizing the intake air amount for startup. The present invention proposes an engine startup control method that assures excellent startability and low exhaust emissions (small gas amount). Disclosed is an engine control device for starting an engine (from its stop state). The engine control device includes a section for setting a target engine operating state of each combustion; a section for detecting an actual engine operating state of each combustion; and a section for computing a control parameter for each subsequent combustion in accordance with the target engine operating state of each combustion and the actual engine operating state of each combustion.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 23, 2008Publication date: September 18, 2008Applicant: HITACHI, LTD.Inventors: Shinji Nakagawa, Kazuhiko Kanetoshi, Kozo Katogi, Takanobu Ichihara, Minoru Osuga
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Patent number: 7370471Abstract: An internal combustion engine controller for automobiles which realizes torque increasing performance and exhaust gas purifying performance in a well-balanced manner even when a high-response torque increase is demanded in uniform charge stoichiometric combustion which is operated at a value close to the theoretical air-fuel ratio in torque base type engine control. The internal combustion engine controller comprises target torque computation means for computing the target torque based on the demand torque of the internal combustion engine such as the operation quantity of an accelerator, means of computing the target throttle angle based on the target torque, and torque assist control means for assisting torque based on the state of the target torque and the operation state of the internal combustion engine. The above torque assist control means carries out torque assist control by increasing the quantity of fuel when a torque increase is demanded.Type: GrantFiled: August 13, 2003Date of Patent: May 13, 2008Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.Inventors: Shinya Satou, Shinji Nakagawa, Mamoru Nemoto
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Publication number: 20080066718Abstract: When a throttle is fully open, a maximum torque set value is corrected based on the ratio between the maximum air volume set value under fully-open throttle conditions and the actual maximum air volume detected by an intake air volume meter such as an air flow sensor. Based on the corrected maximum torque set value, both the relation between the degree of accelerator opening and target torque and the relation between the target torque (target air volume) and the degree target throttle opening are corrected.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 13, 2004Publication date: March 20, 2008Applicant: Hitachi, Ltd.Inventors: Shinya Sato, Shinji Nakagawa, Hiromu Kakuya, Toshimichi Minowa, Mamoru Nemoto