Abstract: A current sensor assures the detection of a current flowing through a welder conductor without requiring a particular power source, and indicates the current state with the aid of a lamp. In one embodiment, a welder conductor penetrates a toroidal core across which connects a slider resistor whose sliding arm connects through a rectifier circuit, and a parallel circuit of a capacitor and a resistor, to a lamp. A second embodiment imterposed between the parallel circuit and lamp wherein a series circuit of a second resistor and a Zener diode, and a transistor base is connected to a connection point between the second resistor and a Zener diode, and the emitter-collector circuit of which transistor drives the lamp. A third embodiment adds a further series circuit of another lamp and resistor across the parallel circuit and across the series circuit of the second resistor and the Zener diode.

Abstract: An ignition timing control system and method for a vehiclular internal combustion engine which effectively avoids an occurrence of engine knocking and improves engine performance. In the ignition timing control system and method, the engine knocking is predicted which will occur when an engine operating state becomes a high load due to an abrupt change in an engine revolutional speed. While the engine knocking is predicted, a correction amount (K.Y, K.X) for a retardation angle correction amount (SA.sub.ri) is increased with the correction coefficient set to a large multiple so that a correction for the ignition timing is carried out at a more earlier stage to avoid the occurrence of knocking.

Abstract: Pressure within an engine combustion chamber is sensed. The timing at which the sensed pressure peaks is detected, and the interval between the moment of spark generation and the detected timing of the pressure peak is measured. The presently detected timing of the pressure peak is selectively adopted or ignored in accordance with the measured interval. When the presently detected timing of the pressure peak is ignored, the previously accepted timing value of the pressure peak is adopted in its place.

Abstract: A system and method for controlling the ignition timing of an internal combustion engine, in which a predetermined transient state which increase the probability of engine knocking is detected, a basic ignition advance angle value determined by an engine operating condition is corrected by a retardation angle value which is stored when knocking is suppressed during the predetermined transient state and is returned quickly toward the basic advance angle while ensuring that engine knocking will not recur after the predetermined transient state is over.

Abstract: A method for the production of substrates with a uniform dispersion of extremely fine granules comprising: forming extremely fine granules in a granule-formation chamber under a reduced pressure by a gas-evaporation technique, introducing said extremely fine granules into a granule-recovering chamber under high vacuum, which is adjacent to said granule-formation chamber, through a slit formed in the partition between said granule-formation chamber and said granule-recovering chamber, and allowing said extremely fine granules to be dispersed on and attached to a supporter disposed in said granule-recovering chamber.

Abstract: A system and method for controlling an engine, in which a value correlative to an engine output is detected, a target value of the engine output correlative value is calculated on the basis of an angular displacement of an accelerator pedal and engine speed, the detected value correlative to the engine output is compared with the target value, an opening angle of a throttle valve located within a throttle chamber of the engine for adjusting an intake air quantity supplied to the engine according to its opening angle is calculated on the basis of the comparison result, and the throttle valve is actuated to adjust the intake air quantity according to the calculated opening angle so that the detected value correlative to the engine output coincides with the target value.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for the control of the air-fuel ratio of a mixture to an internal combustion engine. A value of fuel-delivery requirement for the engine is determined based upon engine load. An engine crankshaft position at which the pressure in each cylinder is at maximum is detected during each data sampling cycle. The determined fuel-delivery requirement value is modified based upon the detected engine crankshaft position.

Abstract: A back-up system for an engine coolant temperature sensor detects deviation of the output of the temperature sensor from its designed output range to produce a fault signal. In response to the fault signal, an engine control system derives the engine coolant temperature indirectly from other engine conditions. This derivation is based on two facts: (1) the amount of fuel required to start the engine is related to engine temperature, and (2) since the calorific value of a given engine is essentially constant, the rate of increase of engine temperature is related to the integrated number of engine revolutions. Thus, when the engine is to be started, engine temperature can be derived by gradually increasing the fuel supply quantity from a minimal initial value until the engine is able to start to determine the required fuel supply quantity. Thereafter, the derived temperature value can be updated as a function of total engine revolutions.

Abstract: An air/fuel ratio control system is applicable to lean mixture combustion internal combustion engines. The control system determines the value of the mixture ratio at which engine stability can switch between stable and unstable conditions. As long as the engine continues to run in a stable condition in which the engine roughness is within an acceptable range, the mixture is intermittently leaned out by a given proportion. On the other hand, when engine roughness in an unacceptable range is detected, the mixture ratio is enriched by a given proportion to overcome the unacceptable engine roughness. Enrichment of the mixture is continued until engine roughness within the acceptable range is detected.

Abstract: Normally, an air-fuel ratio is controlled in accordance with the engine speed and the intake air quantity of an internal combustion engine with a turbocharger. When the output pressure of the turbocharger increases excessively, an intake relief valve opens to decrease the intake air quantity. In this case, the fuel injection quantity is controlled solely in accordance with the engine speed.

Abstract: In a method of supplying fuel to an internal combustion engine during start-up, the occurence of combustion is detected to arrest the change of the fuel supply quantity until steady-state engine operation is achieved. Combustion is detected by comparing sensed engine speed to a minimum engine speed resulting from combustion in the cylinders. Additionally, control values used to derive the start-up fuel quantity are modified so that the fuel quantity increases monotonically from a relatively low initial value until fuel ignition is detected.

Abstract: Fuel consumption of a declerating automotive vehicle internal combustion engine is reduced while preventing stalling. In response to a valve for selectively supplying air and fuel to the engine being in a fully closed condition, a first signal is derived. In response to the engine speed dropping below a first predetermined value a second signal is derived. In response to derivation of the first and second signals a controller for the valve is activated. The controller responds to engine and brake responsive parameters of the vehicle for opening the valve in respone to any of: (a) the engine being decelerated under no load, and (b) the brake being abruptly applied and (c) the engine speed dropping below a second value. The second value is less than the first value and is determined in response to the rate of change of engine speed.