Abstract: In a turbocharged internal combustion engine, in order to optimize engine torque output spark timing control and boost pressure control are coordinated in such a manner that spark advance angle is adjusted only when the measured boost pressure equals a predetermined value and is allowed to vary only within a specified range advanced from a reference value derived from an empirical memory table on the basis of engine speed and boost pressure. When engine operating conditions are such that spark advance angle would fall outside of the specified range, spark advance angle is then held at the empirical value and boost pressure is adjusted in order to optimize engine torque. The coordinated control system can also be designed to respond to exhaust gas temperature on a first-priority basis, i.e., when exhaust temperature is sensed to be dangerously high, boost pressure is reduced regardless of other engine conditions.

Abstract: An engine control method generally applicable to those control systems of the engine such as an ignition system, fuel injection system, etc., which are controlled to optimum operation in accordance with the engine operating conditions. In this method, an operation starting timing and an operation ending timing of the control system, e.g., in the case of the ignition system, an ignition coil energization starting timing and an ignition timing (an energization ending timing) are computed at each of predetermined computing cycles, and the latest computed ignition timing, for example, which is computed after the coil energization has been started further taking into consideration of the actual coil energization timing and a minimum required energization period is compared with an ignition timing computed in the preceding computing cycle, and a corrective computation of the latest computed ignition timing is carried out depending on the result of the comparison to obtain an optimum ignition timing.

Abstract: Spark ignition timing of an internal combustion engine is oscillated on each side of a variable reference setting by varying it at stepwisely variable amounts during positive and negative swings and the resultant engine speed is detected in at least three successive phases. The detected engine speed values are compared one against each other to determine whether they satisfy one of two specified conditions. The variable reference is adjusted in a direction toward an optimum position depending on which one of the conditions is satisfied.

Abstract: Spark ignition timing of an internal combustion engine is oscillated on opposite sides of the setting of a variable reference timing and the resultant engine speed is detected in at least three successive phases of the oscillation and stored in respective memories. The contents of the memories are compared with each other to detect whether they establish one of two predetermined relationships which occur exclusively in the absence of a manual command input to the engine. The variable reference setting is adjusted by a predetermined amount in a specified direction in response to the established relationship. The process is repeated so that the reference setting approaches an optimum advance angle at which the engine output torque is at a maximum. When the reference setting is at or near the optimum point or when a manual command engine input is present, the registered engine speed values establish a relationship other than the predetermined ones and the reference setting is not adjusted.

Abstract: In a multicylinder steam engine, separate steam feed conduits between a steam distributor and steam inlet valves of the cylinders and a large volume steam chamber adjacent to an inlet of the inlet valves respectively to suppress a pressure pulsation in the feed conduits.

Abstract: An engine control method and apparatus generally applicable to those control systems of the engine such as an ignition system, fuel injection system, etc., which are controlled to optimum operation in accordance with the engine operating conditions. In this method, an operation starting timing and an operation ending timing of the control system, e.g., in the case of the ignition system, an ignition coil energization starting timing and an ignition timing (an energization ending timing) are computed at each of predetermined computing cycles, and the latest computed ignition timing, for example, which is computed after the coil energization has been started, further taking into consideration the actual coil energization timing and a minimum required energization period is compared with an ignition timing computed in the preceding computing cycle, and a corrective computation of the latest computed ignition timing is carried out depending on the result of the comparison to obtain an optimum ignition timing.