Abstract: An image forming apparatus including a developing device and a fixing device is provided. The fixing device includes a fixing rotator having a fixing surface, an opposing rotator opposing the fixing rotator to form a nip portion therebetween, and a fixing surface reformer having an abutting layer to abut the fixing surface. The abutting layer contains abrasive grains having an average grain size of 2.0-6.5 ?m on a surface which abuts the fixing surface. The toner comprises a crystalline polyester resin and exhibits G? (storage elastic modulus) of 1.0×107 Pa or lower at 70° C. in a temperature rising in a viscoelasticity measurement, G? of 1.0×107 Pa or higher at 70° C. in a temperature falling in the viscoelasticity measurement, and an endothermic peak indicating an amount of heat absorption of from 2.0 to 8.0 J/g, derived from the crystalline polyester resin, in a first temperature rising in DSC.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus including a developing device and a fixing device is provided. The fixing device includes a fixing rotator having a fixing surface, an opposing rotator opposing the fixing rotator to form a nip portion therebetween, and a fixing surface reformer having an abutting layer to abut the fixing surface. The abutting layer contains abrasive grains having an average grain size of 2.0-6.5 ?m on a surface which abuts the fixing surface. The toner comprises a crystalline polyester resin and exhibits G? (storage elastic modulus) of 1.0×107 Pa or lower at 70° C. in a temperature rising in a viscoelasticity measurement, G? of 1.0×107 Pa or higher at 70° C. in a temperature falling in the viscoelasticity measurement, and an endothermic peak indicating an amount of heat absorption of from 2.0 to 8.0 J/g, derived from the crystalline polyester resin, in a first temperature rising in DSC.

Abstract: There is provided a grinding roller for use in a fixing device including a pair of rotary fixing members that rotate while being pressed against each other to form an area of contact, and heat and press a recording medium carrying an unfixed toner image and fed to the area of contact, to thereby fix the unfixed toner image on the recording medium. The grinding roller is configured to grind a surface of a toner image-side rotary member of the pair of rotary fixing members that comes into contact with the unfixed toner image. The grinding roller includes an abrasive grain layer including abrasive grains, forming a surface layer of the grinding roller, and having a surface with irregularities including projections each formed by an aggregate of some of the abrasive grains and larger in size than each of the abrasive grains and recesses formed between the projections.

Abstract: There is provided a grinding roller for use in a fixing device including a pair of rotary fixing members that rotate while being pressed against each other to form an area of contact, and heat and press a recording medium carrying an unfixed toner image and fed to the area of contact, to thereby fix the unfixed toner image on the recording medium. The grinding roller is configured to grind a surface of a toner image-side rotary member of the pair of rotary fixing members that comes into contact with the unfixed toner image. The grinding roller includes an abrasive grain layer including abrasive grains, forming a surface layer of the grinding roller, and having a surface with irregularities including projections each formed by an aggregate of some of the abrasive grains and larger in size than each of the abrasive grains and recesses formed between the projections.

Abstract: A control system for an internal combustion engine has a catalyst arranged in the exhaust system, for purifying exhaust gases emitted from the engine. An ECU controls operation of the engine, based on at least one predetermined control parameter, and detects a temperature state of the catalyst at the start of the engine. The at least one predetermined control parameter is changed, based on the detected temperature state of the catalyst, after the start of the engine.

Abstract: An ignition timing control system for an internal combustion engine that estimates the octane number of the fuel being used based on the state of engine combustion knocking and controls the ignition timing to a value not exceeding the knocking limit. The basic ignition timing is set along the knocking limit of fuel having least octane number and the maximum advance amount is set between the knocking limit and the second knocking limit of fuel having maximum octane number. Octane number is estimated from the occurrence of knocking. On the other hand, upper limit of the estimated octane number is set based on the MBT of the engine such that the estimated octane number is limited with the upper limit. Advance rate is determined based on the estimated octane number and is multiplied to the maximum advance amount to determine an ignition timing correction amount. The ignition timing is finally determined from the basic ignition timing and the ignition timing correction amount.

Abstract: A control system for an internal combustion engine has a canister for adsorbing evaporative fuel generated in the fuel tank, a purging passage extending between the canister and the intake system of the engine, for purging evaporative fuel into the intake system, and a purge control valve arranged across the purging passage, for controlling the flow rate of evaporative fuel supplied to the intake system through the purging passage. An ECU controls the engine, based on at least one predetermined engine control parameter, and a canister temperature sensor detects the temperature of the canister. The at least one predetermined engine control parameter is changed according to the detected temperature of the canister.

Abstract: An air-fuel ratio control system for an internal combustion engine controls the air-fuel ratio of a mixture supplied to the engine in response to an output from a first air-fuel ratio sensor arranged in an exhaust passage at a location upstream of a catalyst for purifying exhaust gases emitted from the engine. A control parameter for use in controlling an operation of the engine is changed when deterioration of the catalyst caused by sulfur poisoning is detected to desulfurize the catalyst.

Abstract: An air-fuel ratio control system for an internal combustion engine having at least one catalytic converter arranged in the exhaust passage, comprises an ECU which changes air intake characteristics of the engine, based on operating conditions of the engine, and a plurality of exhaust gas component concentration sensors including at least upstream and downstream exhaust gas component concentration sensors arranged in the exhaust passage at respective locations upstream and downstream of the at least one catalytic converter. The air-fuel ratio of an air-fuel mixture to be supplied to the engine is controlled to a desired air-fuel ratio in a feedback manner responsive to an output from the upstream exhaust gas component concentration sensor. A feedback control parameter for use in the air-fuel ratio feedback control is calculated based on an output from the downstream exhaust gas component concentration sensor.

Abstract: A control system for an internal combustion engine controls a fuel injection amount based on operating conditions of the engine and an evaporative fuel concentration-dependent correction coefficient. The control system includes a purge control valve arranged in a purging passage connecting a canister for temporarily storing evaporative fuel generated from a fuel tank and an intake passage. This coefficient is held to a predetermined value for a predetermined time period after purging is permitted, and to another for a predetermined time period after purging is inhibited. In another aspect, the purge control valve is controlled based on operating conditions of the engine and a purging flow rate correction coefficient. This coefficient is held when purging is inhibited, and is progressively set to a larger value depending on the evaporative fuel-dependent correction coefficient, after purging is permitted.

Abstract: A control system for an internal combustion engine controls a fuel injection amount based on operating conditions of the engine and an evaporative fuel concentration-dependent correction coefficient. The control system includes a purge control valve arranged in a purging passage connecting a canister for temporarily storing evaporative fuel generated from a fuel tank and an intake passage. This coefficient is held to a predetermined value for a predetermined time period after purging is permitted, and to another for a predetermined time period after purging is inhibited. In another aspect, the purge control valve is controlled based on operating conditions of the engine and a purging flow rate correction coefficient. This coefficient is held when purging is inhibited, and is progressively set to a larger value depending on the evaporative fuel-dependent correction coefficient, after purging is permitted.

Abstract: A control system for an internal combustion engine controls a fuel injection amount based on operating conditions of the engine and an evaporative fuel concentration-dependent correction coefficient. The control system includes a purge control valve arranged in a purging passage connecting a canister for temporarily storing evaporative fuel generated from a fuel tank and an intake passage. This coefficient is held to a predetermined value for a predetermined time period after purging is permitted, and to another for a predetermined time period after purging is inhibited. In another aspect, the purge control valve is controlled based on operating conditions of the engine and a purging flow rate correction coefficient. This coefficient is held when purging is inhibited, and is progressively set to a larger value depending on the evaporative fuel-dependent correction coefficient, after purging is permitted.

Abstract: A control system for an internal combustion engine controls a fuel injection amount based on operating conditions of the engine and an evaporative fuel concentration-dependent correction coefficient. The control system includes a purge control valve arranged in a purging passage connecting a canister for temporarily storing evaporative fuel generated from a fuel tank and an intake passage. This coefficient is held to a predetermined value for a predetermined time period after purging is permitted, and to another for a predetermined time period after purging is inhibited. In another aspect, the purge control valve is controlled based on operating conditions of the engine and a purging flow rate correction coefficient. This coefficient is held when purging is inhibited, and is progressively set to a larger value depending on the evaporative fuel-dependent correction coefficient, after purging is permitted.

Abstract: An exhaust gas recirculation control system for an internal combustion engine includes an exhaust gas recirculation passage extending between the intake system of the engine and the exhaust system thereof, and an exhaust gas recirculation control valve for controlling the flow rate of exhaust gases to be recirculated through the exhaust gas recirculation passage. The system further includes an ECU which calculates a desired air-fuel ratio of a mixture supplied to the engine, based on engine operating conditions detected by engine operating parameter sensors, and also a desired valve opening of the exhaust gas recirculation control valve, based on engine operating conditions detected by the operating parameter sensors and the calculated desired air-fuel ratio.

Abstract: A control system for an internal combustion engine controls a fuel injection amount based on operating conditions of the engine and an evaporative fuel concentration-dependent correction coefficient. The control system includes a purge control valve arranged in a purging passage connecting a canister for temporarily storing evaporative fuel generated from a fuel tank and an intake passage. This coefficient is held to a predetermined value for a predetermined time period after purging is permitted, and to another for a predetermined time period after purging is inhibited. In another aspect, the purge control valve is controlled based on operating conditions of the engine and a purging flow rate correction coefficient. This coefficient is held when purging is inhibited, and is progressively set to a larger value depending on the evaporative fuel-dependent correction coefficient, after purging is permitted.

Abstract: A control system for an internal combustion engine includes an exhaust gas recirculation passage extending between the intake system and the exhaust system, for recirculating part of exhaust gases emitted from the engine, an EGR valve for controlling a flow rate of exhaust gases to be recirculated through the exhaust gas recirculation passage, and an ECU which detects an operating condition of the EGR valve, and calculates an amount of fuel to be injected, based on operating conditions of the engine.

Abstract: A control system for an internal combustion engine controls a fuel injection amount based on operating conditions of the engine and an evaporative fuel concentration-dependent correction coefficient. The control system includes a purge control valve arranged in a purging passage connecting a canister for temporarily storing evaporative fuel generated from a fuel tank and an intake passage. This coefficient is held to a predetermined value for a predetermined time period after purging is permitted, and to another for a predetermined time period after purging is inhibited. In another aspect, the purge control valve is controlled based on operating conditions of the engine and a purging flow rate correction coefficient. This coefficient is held when purging is inhibited, and is progressively set to a larger value depending on the evaporative fuel-dependent correction coefficient, after purging is permitted.

Abstract: A control system for an internal combustion engine estimates an amount of adherent fuel adhering to the inner surface of the intake passage, as well as an amount of carried-off fuel evaporated form fuel adhering to the inner surface of the intake passage and carried into combustion chambers, determines an amount of supply fuel to be supplied to the engine, based upon operating conditions of the engine, the estimated adherent fuel amount, and the estimated carried-off fuel amount, and supplies the determined supply fuel amount into the intake passage. The control system calculates an amount of exhaust gases to be recirculated from the exhaust passage to the intake passage, and corrects the estimated adherent fuel amount and the estimated carried-off fuel amount, based upon the calculated exhaust gas recirculating amount, based upon the calculated exhaust gas recirculating amount.

Abstract: A control system for an internal combustion engine estimates an amount of adherent fuel adhering to the inner surface of the intake passage, as well as an amount of carried-off fuel evaporated from fuel adhering to the inner surface of the intake passage and carried into combustion chambers, determines an amount of supply fuel to be supplied to the engine, based upon operating conditions of the engine, the estimated adherent fuel amount, and the estimated carried-off fuel amount, and supplies the determined supply fuel amount into the intake passage. The control systems corrects the estimated adherent fuel amount and the estimated carried-off fuel amount, in response to an intake parameter which is changeable within the intake passage. The intake parameter includes an amount of evaporative fuel purged, valve operating characteristics of intake valves and/or exhaust valves, an amount of assist air supplied to fuel injection valves.