Patents by Inventor Takashi Mukaihira

Takashi Mukaihira 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: 7424801
    Abstract: A diagnostic system in which the accuracy of the diagnosis of the deterioration state of a catalyst in a catalytic converter for cleaning the exhaust gas of an internal combustion engine is enhanced without incurring a rise in cost. The temperature of the catalyst is estimated using the operating-state signal (for example, the flow rate of intake air or the width of a fuel injection pulse) of the engine by a diagnostic device. The conversion efficiency of the catalyst calculated from the outputs of oxygen sensors is corrected using the estimated temperature by the diagnostic device. The deterioration state of the catalyst is diagnosed on the basis of the corrected temperature by the diagnostic device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2008
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Takashi Mukaihira, Toshio Ishii, Kiyoshi Miura, Kazuya Kawano
  • Patent number: 7114326
    Abstract: A diagnostic system in which the accuracy of the diagnosis of the deterioration state of a catalyst in a catalytic converter for cleaning the exhaust gas of an internal combustion engine is enhanced without incurring a rise in cost. The temperature of the catalyst is estimated using the operating-state signal (for example, the flow rate of intake air or the width of a fuel injection pulse) of the engine by a diagnostic device. The conversion efficiency of the catalyst calculated from the outputs of oxygen sensors is corrected using the estimated temperature by the diagnostic device. The deterioration state of the catalyst is diagnosed on the basis of the corrected temperature by the diagnostic device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2006
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Takashi Mukaihira, Toshio Ishii, Kiyoshi Miura, Kazuya Kawano
  • Publication number: 20060168946
    Abstract: A diagnostic system in which the accuracy of the diagnosis of the deterioration state of a catalyst in a catalytic converter for cleaning the exhaust gas of an internal combustion engine is enhanced without incurring a rise in cost. The temperature of the catalyst is estimated using the operating-state signal (for example, the flow rate of intake air or the width of a fuel injection pulse) of the engine by a diagnostic device. The conversion efficiency of the catalyst calculated from the outputs of oxygen sensors is corrected using the estimated temperature by the diagnostic device. The deterioration state of the catalyst is diagnosed on the basis of the corrected temperature by the diagnostic device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 29, 2006
    Publication date: August 3, 2006
    Applicant: HITACHI, LTD.
    Inventors: Takashi Mukaihira, Toshio Ishii, Kiyoshi Miura, Kazuya Kawano
  • Publication number: 20040074227
    Abstract: A diagnostic system in which the accuracy of the diagnosis of the deterioration state of a catalyst in a catalytic converter for cleaning the exhaust gas of an internal combustion engine is enhanced without incurring a rise in cost. The temperature of the catalyst is estimated using the operating-state signal (for example, the flow rate of intake air or the width of a fuel injection pulse) of the engine by a diagnostic device. The conversion efficiency of the catalyst calculated from the outputs of oxygen sensors is corrected using the estimated temperature by the diagnostic device. The deterioration state of the catalyst is diagnosed on the basis of the corrected temperature by the diagnostic device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 14, 2003
    Publication date: April 22, 2004
    Applicant: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Takashi Mukaihira, Toshio Ishii, Kiyoshi Miura, Kazuya Kawano
  • Patent number: 6343466
    Abstract: A diagnostic system in which the accuracy of the diagnosis of the deterioration state of a catalyst in a catalytic converter for cleaning the exhaust gas of an internal combustion engine is enhanced without incurring a rise in cost. The temperature of the catalyst is estimated using the operating-state signal (for example, the flow rate of intake air or the width of a fuel injection pulse) of the engine by a diagnostic device. The conversion efficiency of the catalyst calculated from the outputs of oxygen sensors is corrected using the estimated temperature by the diagnostic device. The deterioration state of the catalyst is diagnosed on the basis of the corrected temperature by the diagnostic device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2002
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Takashi Mukaihira, Toshio Ishii, Kiyoshi Miura, Kazuya Kawano
  • Patent number: 6085132
    Abstract: A diagnostic and control system first checks the current operation status of the vehicle engine, when a malfunction or abnormal condition is detected by diagnostic sensors. A selection of optimum corrective measures is then made and carried out taking into account the safety of the vehicle, based on current operational status of the engine. For this purpose, a set of prioritized corrective measures is determined beforehand for each of the individual monitored items, according to detected changes in the engine operating status. The individual control measures are selected considering the safety of the vehicle, possible measures to correct the malfunction, assuring vehicle operability, and maintaining appropriate engine operating parameters such as exhaust gas mixture, fuel consumption and the like.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2000
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Toshio Ishii, Takashi Mukaihira, Yutaka Takaku, Kazuya Kawano, Kiyoshi Miura
  • Patent number: 5964811
    Abstract: A diagnostic and control system first checks the current operation status of the vehicle engine, when a malfunction or abnormal condition is detected by diagnostic sensors. A selection of optimum corrective measures is then made and carried out taking into account the safety of the vehicle, based on current operational status of the engine. For this purpose, a set of prioritized corrective measures is determined beforehand for each of the individual monitored items, according to detected changes in the engine operating status. The individual control measures are selected considering the safety of the vehicle, possible measures to correct the malfunction, assuring vehicle operability, and maintaining appropriate engine operating parameters such as exhaust gas mixture, fuel consumption and the like.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 12, 1999
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Toshio Ishii, Takashi Mukaihira, Yutaka Takaku, Kazuya Kawano, Kiyoshi Miura
  • Patent number: 5819530
    Abstract: A conversion efficiency of a catalyst is determined by a cross correlation function of a cross-correlation between an output of an oxygen sensor at the upstream of the catalyst and an output of an oxygen sensor at the downstream of the catalyst, to thereby monitor deterioration index of the catalyst. Then, an air and fuel ratio is obtained from at least one of the outputs of the two oxygen sensors, to thereby adjust a fuel supply quantity, so that the fuel supply quantity can be controlled even during a period when the catalyst is being analyzed, without deviating the air and fuel ratio from a target air and fuel ratio.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 1992
    Date of Patent: October 13, 1998
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Seiji Asano, Toshio Ishii, Masayoshi Kaneyasu, Kazuya Kawano, Takashi Mukaihira
  • Patent number: 5649420
    Abstract: A diagnostic system in which the accuracy of the diagnosis of the deterioration state of a catalyst in a catalytic converter for cleaning the exhaust gas of an internal combustion engine is enhanced without incurring a rise in cost. The temperature of the catalyst is estimated using the operating-state signal (for example, the flow rate of intake air or the width of a fuel injection pulse) of the engine by a diagnostic device. The conversion efficiency of the catalyst calculated from the outputs of oxygen sensors is corrected using the estimated temperature by the diagnostic device. The deterioration state of the catalyst is diagnosed on the basis of the corrected temperature by the diagnostic device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 1996
    Date of Patent: July 22, 1997
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Takashi Mukaihira, Toshio Ishii, Kiyoshi Miura, Kazuya Kawano
  • Patent number: 5557933
    Abstract: Provided is an internal combustion engine malfunction diagnosis apparatus capable of diagnosing the deterioration of an internal combustion engine with a high accuracy and capable of diagnosing deterioration of a fluctuation factor detection section of the engine with a high accuracy in irrespective of the engine speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 1994
    Date of Patent: September 24, 1996
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Akihito Numata, Takashi Mukaihira, Toshio Ishii, Yutaka Takaku, Kazuya Kawano
  • Patent number: 5526643
    Abstract: A diagnostic system in which the accuracy of the diagnosis of the deterioration state of a catalyst in a catalytic converter for cleaning the exhaust gas of an internal combustion engine is enhanced without incurring a rise in cost. The temperature of the catalyst is estimated using the operating-state signal (for example, the flow rate of intake air or the width of a fuel injection pulse) of the engine by a diagnostic device. The conversion efficiency of the catalyst calculated from the outputs of oxygen sensors is corrected using the estimated temperature by the diagnostic device. The deterioration state of the catalyst is diagnosed on the basis of the corrected temperature by the diagnostic device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 1994
    Date of Patent: June 18, 1996
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Takashi Mukaihira, Toshio Ishii, Kiyoshi Miura, Kazuya Kawano
  • Patent number: 5400592
    Abstract: A catalytic diagnostic apparatus for determining whether a catalyst of an internal combustion engine has deteriorated as disclosed. Air-fuel ratio sensors are placed at the upstream and downstream sides of the catalytic converter, and the output signal from the upstream air-fuel sensor is used to control the air-fuel mixture provided to the engine via the fuel injectors, in a conventional closed loop operation. Diagnosis of the condition of the catalytic converter is performed only when selected engine operating parameters fall within a predetermined diagnostic range. When the engine is operated in the diagnostic range, the condition of the catalytic converter is analyzed by calculating a deterioration index based on a comparison of the variation of the output signals from the upstream and downstream air-fuel ratio sensors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 1994
    Date of Patent: March 28, 1995
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Takashi Mukaihira, Toshio Ishii, Yutaka Takaku, Akihito Numata
  • Patent number: 5396176
    Abstract: An apparatus for combustion condition diagnosis has an ionic current detecting circuit for measuring a voltage at the secondary side of the ignition coil of an engine during a plurality of time periods during one operation cycle including a period in which an internal pressure of a cylinder of the engine becomes maximum, under a normal combustion condition. A window generation circuit is provided for establishing the time periods, an integration circuit is provided for integration processing of the measured voltage during each time period, a ROM stores a list indicating combustion condition corresponding to the integrated value for the each time period, and a CPU diagnoses the combustion condition based on the integrated value for the each time period and the list of combustion conditions, in order to decrease erroneous judgement and perform more adequate combustion condition diagnosis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 1992
    Date of Patent: March 7, 1995
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Toshio Ishii, Takashi Mukaihira
  • Patent number: 5341642
    Abstract: A system which is capable of diagnosing the deterioration condition of an engine exhaust gas purifying device has front and rear air/fuel ratio sensors for detecting the air/fuel ratio of the exhaust gas upstream and downstream of the catalyst, an autocorrelation function calculation for calculating the autocorrelation function .phi.xx of an output signal from the front air/fuel ratio sensor to output the maximum values (.phi.xx)max of the autocorrelation function .phi.xx at predetermined intervals, each maximum value (.phi.xx)max being in each of the predetermined intervals. A cross-correlation function calculator calculates the cross-correlation function .phi.xy between the output signals from the front and rear air/fuel ratio sensors to output the maximum values (.phi.xy)max of the mutual correlation function .phi.xy at predetermined intervals, each maximum value (.phi.xy)max being in each of the predetermined intervals therefore. The ratios between the maximum values (.phi.xy)max and (.phi.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 1992
    Date of Patent: August 30, 1994
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Nobuo Kurihara, Toshio Ishii, Takashi Mukaihira, Kazuya Kawano, Yutaka Takaku
  • Patent number: 5199405
    Abstract: An ignition current conduction time control apparatus, comprising power transistors for producing a spark for ignition at the ignition plugs, and a controller for applying ignition signals to the power transistors, wherein the saturated state of the power transistors is eliminated by controlling the start time of current conduction time of said ignition signals applied to the power transistors according to the internal resistance values of the ignition coils, thereby eliminating the heat generation of the ignition coils.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 1991
    Date of Patent: April 6, 1993
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Takashi Mukaihira, Noboru Sugiura, Ryoichi Kobayashi, Toshio Ishii
  • Patent number: 5143553
    Abstract: During an abnormal stop condition of an internal combustion engine, the semiconductor devices which control the supply of current to the ignition coils during a dwell time are subject to damage by a high transient current. To prevent this, at least one predetermined time interval is selected on the basis of detected engine temperatures and/or battery supply voltage level and this selected time interval is compared to a time period between reference pulses from a crank angle sensor. When the time period between reference pulses exceeds the selected time interval, a stop condition of the engine is indicated and the semiconductor devices which supply ignition current are controlled to shorten the dwell time or entirely stop the supply of current to the ignition coils.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 1991
    Date of Patent: September 1, 1992
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Takashi Mukaihira, Noboru Sugiura, Ryoichi Kobayashi