Abstract: An air-fuel ratio estimator for estimating air-fuel ratio of an air and fuel mixture supplied to an internal combustion engine from an output of an air-fuel ratio sensor. In the estimator, detection response lag time of said air-fuel ratio sensor is approximated as a first-order lag time system to produce state equation from said first-order lag time system. The state equation is discretized for a period delta T to obtain a discretized state equation. A transfer function is calculated from the discretized state equation and is then an inverse transfer function is calculated from said transfer function. And correction coefficient of said inverse transfer function is determined and multiplying with inverse transfer function to the sensor output estimate an air-fuel ratio of an air and fuel mixture supplied to the engine. The correction coefficient is predetermined with respect to engine speed and is made zero at or below a predetermined engine speed.

Abstract: A system for estimating air/fuel ratios in the individual cylinders of a multicylinder internal combustion engine from the output of a single air/fuel ratio sensor installed at the exhaust system of the engine. A mathematical model is first designed to describe the behavior of the exhaust system which accepts the output of the air/fuel ratio sensor. An observer is designed to observe the internal state of the mathematical model and calculates the output which estimates the air/fuel ratios in the individual cylinders of the engine. In this configuration, when engine speed becomes high, the observer matrix calculation is discontinued, because it is difficult to ensure a time enough for calculation. Similarly, at a low engine load etc., the calculation is discontinued. Apart from the above, when a desired air/fuel ratio changes frequently such as when air/fuel ratio perturbation control is conducted, the desired air/fuel ratio is input to the observer as a second input.

Abstract: A fuel metering control system for an internal combustion engine, having a feedback loop. In the system, the quantity of fuel injection (Tim) to be supplied to the engine (plant) is determined outside of the feedback loop. A first feedback correction coefficient (KSTR) is calculated using an adaptive law, while a second feedback correction coefficient (KLAF(KSTRL)), whose control response is inferior to the first feedback correction coefficient is calculated using a PID control law. The feedback correction coefficients are calculated such that the plant output (air/fuel ratio) is brought to a desired value (desired air/fuel ratio). The engine is equipped with a variable valve timing mechanism which switches the valve timing between characteristics for low engine speed and those for high engine speed. If the characteristic for high engine speed is selected, the second feedback correction coefficient is used for fuel injection quantity correction.

Abstract: A fuel metering control system for an internal combustion engine, having a feedback loop. In the system, the quantity of fuel injection (Tim) to be supplied to the engine (plant) is determined outside of the feedback loop. A first feedback correction coefficient (KSTR) is calculated using an adaptive law, while a second feedback correction coefficient (KLAF(KSTRL)), whose control response is inferior to the first feedback correction coefficient is calculated, using a PID control law. The feedback correction coefficients are calculated such that the plant output (air/fuel ratio) is brought to a desired (desired air/fuel ratio). A Variable(s) of one coefficients is replaced with a value of the other coefficient such that the one coefficient becomes close to the other. Moreover, the second coefficient (KLAF(KSTRL) is used at a time of returning from open-loop to the feedback control.

Abstract: A system for controlling fuel metering in an internal combustion engine using a fluid dynamic model and the quantity of throttle-past air is determined therefrom. Based on the observation that the difference between the steady-state engine operating condition and the transient engine operating condition can be described as the difference in the effective throttle opening areas, the quantity of fuel injection is determined from the product of the ratio between the area and its first-order lag value and the quantity of fuel injection under the steady-state engine operating condition obtained by mapped data retrieval, and by subtracting the quantity of correction corresponding to the quantity of chamber-filling air. The effective throttle opening area's first order lag is calculated using a weight that varies with the engine speed, so that elongation or shortening of the TDC interval due to the decrease/increase of the engine speed will not affect the determination of the quantity of fuel injection.

Abstract: A system for controlling fuel metering in an internal combustion engine using a fluid dynamic model with the quantity of throttle-past air being determined therefrom. Based on the observation that the difference between the steady-state engine operating condition and the transient engine operating condition can be described as the difference in the effective throttle opening areas, the quantity of fuel injection is determined from the product of the ratio between the area and its first-order lag value and the quantity of fuel injection under the steady-state engine operating condition obtained by mapped data retrieval and by subtracting the quantity of correction corresponding to the quantity of chamber-filling air. A pseudo-manifold pressure is estimated and is used for calculating the effective throttle opening area and its first lag value. The pseudo-manifold pressure is corrected by atmospheric pressure, engine coolant water temperature, etc., so as to enhance estimation accuracy.

Abstract: A system for estimating air/fuel ratios in the individual cylinders of a multicylinder internal combustion engine from an output of an air/fuel ratio sensor installed at an exhaust system of the engine. In the system, the exhaust system behavior is derived by a model in which X(k) is observed from a state equation and an output equation in which an input U(k) indicates air/fuel ratios in the individual cylinder and an output Y(k) indicates of the estimated air/fuel ratio asX(k+1)=AX(k)+BU(k)Y(k)=CX(k)+DU(k)where A, B, C and D are coefficients. And an observer is expressed by an equation using the output Y(k) as an input and the air/fuel ratios in the individual cylinders is estimated from the state variable X. In the system, the coefficient C is set to zero for a cylinder other than most recent m (2.ltoreq.m<n) cylinders. Alternatively, a plurality of the observer matrices are prepared in advance and calculated at the same time.

Abstract: A system for detecting air-fuel ratio of an internal combustion engine by sampling outputs of an air-fuel ratio sensor installed at an exhaust system confluence point of said engine. A timing map is prepared to be retrieved by the engine speed and manifold absolute pressure to determine one among sampled data which are successively stored in buffers. It is selected such that as the engine speed decreases or the manifold absolute pressure increases, a datum sampled at earlier crank angular position is selected. At an engine equipped with a variable valve timing mechanism, a datum sampled at earlier crank angular position is selected in the valve timing is controlled for high engine speed provided that the engine speed and manifold absolute pressure is constant. The sampled data stored in the buffers may be transferred to another buffers at a predetermined crank angular position. The sampled data is corrected by an environmental conditions including atmospheric pressure, a mixture or sensor degradation.

Abstract: An air-fuel ratio control system for an internal combustion engine having first and second catalytic converters arranged in the exhaust passage comprises first to third exhaust gas component concentration sensors arranged in the exhaust passage, the first one being arranged upstream of the first catalytic converter, the second one at a location intermediate between the first and second catalytic converters, and the third one downstream of the second catalytic converter. An ECU carries out feedback control of the air-fuel ratio of a mixture supplied to the engine to a desired air-fuel ratio in response to an output from the first exhaust gas component concentration sensor. A first feedback control parameter for use in the feedback control is calculated, based on an output from the second exhaust gas component concentration sensor.

Abstract: A system for controlling an air-fuel ratio of an air-fuel mixture supplied to each cylinder of a multicylinder internal combustion engine. A first feedback loop is provided for converging a first air-fuel ratio at a location at least either at or downstream of a confluence point of an exhaust system to a first desired air-fuel ratio by multiplying a first feedback gain to a first error therebetween. And a second feedback loop is provided in the first loop for converging a second current air-fuel ratio at each cylinder to a second desired air-fuel ratio by multiplying a second feedback gain to a second error. The first feedback loop and said second feedback loop are connected in series such that the second loop located inside the first loop. With the arrangement.

Abstract: A method for detecting and controlling the air-fuel ratio of a multicylinder internal combustion engine through an output of a single air-fuel ratio sensor installed at a confluence point of the exhaust system of the engine. The detection response delay is assumed to be a first-order lag and a state variable model is established. Further, the air-fuel ratio at the confluence point is assumed to be a sum of the products of the past firing histories of the each cylinder of the engine and a second state variable model is established. An observer is then designed to observe the internal state of the second model and the air-fuel ratio at the individual cylinders are estimated from the output of the observer. The deadbeat control is carried out by calculating a ratio between the estimated air-fuel ratio and a target air-fuel ratio. The calculated ratio is multiplied to a correction value at a preceding control cycle earlier by a number corresponding to the number of the engine cylinders.

Abstract: A system for estimating an exhaust gas recirculation rate for an internal combustion engine. In the system, the EGR rate when its operation is steady is first determined to a desired value with respect to the engine operating conditions at least including the engine speed and the engine load, then the EGR rate is estimated as;EGR rate=(steady-state EGR rate).times.{(gas flow rate QACT determined by the actual valve lifting amount and the ratio between the upstream pressure and the downstream pressure of valve)/(gas flow rate QCMD determined by a command value and the ratio between the upstream pressure and the downstream pressure of valve)} A delay time until the recycled gas enters the combustion chamber is determined and one from among the EGR rates or a fuel injection correction coefficients calculated therefrom consecutively is selected.

Abstract: Fuel metering control system in an internal combustion engine utilizing adaptive control having an intake manifold wall's fuel adherence plant. In the system, an actual air/fuel ratio in the individual cylinders is accurately estimated using an exhaust manifold model with an observer. Also, an actual cylinder air flow is estimated using a fluid model. Based on them, a desired cylinder fuel flow is determined by dividing the actual cylinder air flow by a desired air/fuel ratio and an actual cylinder fuel flow is determined by dividing the actual cylinder air flow by the estimated actual air/fuel ratio. The adaptive controller operates such that the actual cylinder fuel flow constantly coincides with the desired cylinder fuel flow.

Abstract: A system for controlling an air/fuel ratio of a four-cylinder internal combustion engine. In the system, an actual air/fuel ratio, at least at upstream or downstream of a catalytic converter installed at an exhaust system of the engine, is intentionally oscillated at least either in its amplitude or cycle. A characteristic of a desired air/fuel ratio as a periodic function is established with respect to time such that the desired air/fuel ratio varies at least either at a predetermined amplitude or cycle within a predetermined period. The characteristic is sampled by a time interval determined on the basis of a time interval between TDC crank angle positions of the engine. Each cylinder's desired air/fuel ratio is then determined from the sampled data, and a fuel injection amount for each cylinder is determined from the respective cylinder's desired air/fuel ratios. Fuel is then supplied to each cylinder in response to the determined fuel injection amount.

Abstract: A system for controlling fuel metering in an internal combustion engine using a fluid dynamic model and the cylinder air flow past the throttle is determined therefrom. Based on the observation that the difference between a steady-state engine operating condition and a transient engine operating condition can be described as the difference in the effective throttle opening areas, the amount of fuel injection is determined from the product of the ratio between the areas and a basic fuel injection amount under the steady-state engine operating condition obtained by mapped data retrieval and by subtracting a correction amount corresponding to an air flow filling a chamber between the throttle and the cylinder from the product. Under steady-state engine operation, the correction amount becomes zero.

Abstract: An air-fuel ratio control system for an internal combustion engine controls the air-fuel ratio of a mixture supplied to the engine to a desired air-fuel ratio in response to an output from an exhaust gas ingredient concentration sensor. A first value of the desired air-fuel ratio is calculated based on the rotational speed of the engine and the load on the engine. A second value of the desired air-fuel ratio is calculated based results of determination on whether a vehicle on which the engine is installed has just started from a standing position thereof. A third value of the desired air-fuel ratio is calculated based on results of determination on whether the temperature of the engine is lower than a predetermined value. The largest value of at least the first to third values of the desired air-fuel ratio is set to a final value of the desired air-fuel ratio.

Abstract: An ignition timing control system controls ignition timing of spark plugs of an internal combustion engine associated with a plurality of changeover devices, changeover of an operative state of each of which has influence upon output torque of the engine. Operating conditions of the engine are detected. A basic ignition timing advance value is calculated based on results of detection of the operating conditions of the engine. A changeover of the operative state of each of the changeover devices is detected. A correction value for correcting the basic ignition timing advance value for suppressing the engine torque is calculated, in response to results of detection of the changeover of the operative state of each of the changeover devices.

Abstract: An internal combustion engine of the type having a fuel injection valve provided with assist air supply device for finely atomizing fuel and disposed in an intermediate portion of the intake passage, and swirl control device for producing a swirl in the combustion chamber in accordance with an operational condition of the engine, which engine is capable of conducting a lean burn. The engine further includes a control unit for controlling the operation of the assist air supply device in accordance with the operational conditions of the engine including at least the temperature of the engine cooling water, the operational condition of the swirl control device, and the condition whether the engine is in the range of the lean burn to thereby improve the operaation of engine under various conditions.

Abstract: An air-fuel ratio control system for an internal combustion engine having at least one intake valve with its valve timing changeable at least between low-speed valve timing suitable for engine operation in a low engine rotational speed region, and high-speed valve timing suitable for engine operation in a high engine rotational speed region. When changeover is to be effected from the low-speed valve timing to the high-speed valve timing, an ECU changes the desired air-fuel ratio to be applied when the low-speed valve timing is selected, to one to be applied when the high-speed valve timing is selected, and changes the valve timing to the high-speed valve timing after the desired air-fuel ratio has been changed to the one to be applied when the high-speed valve timing is selected.

Abstract: Throttle control system for a vehicular internal combustion engine equipped with a stepper motor connected to a throttle valve provided at an engine air intake passage, wherein the position (the opening degree) of the throttle valve is controlled by the stepper motor in response to the vehicular engine operation. In one embodiment, various throttle positions are once determined including positions for engine idling and vehicle cruising and the largest of the positions is selected for optimally satisfying the whole operating condition. In another embodiment, when the engine is idling, the throttle valve is controlled such that engine speed converges toward a target speed. In the other embodiment, the stepper motor is varied its pulse rate and chopping duty for optimally control the throttle position according to the vehicular engine operation.