Having Plural Throttle Valve Structure Patents (Class 123/336)
  • Patent number: 5915355
    Abstract: Fuel supply system (1) for a combustion engine arranged in an inlet duct (2), which extends to the engine body itself. The system (1) comprises one or several air valves (5, 6), which are all mechanically connected with manually influenced linkages, such as a starting control, choke or throttle control linkages, as well as one or several nozzles (3, 4) located in connection with the air valves (5, 6). At least one air valve (5, 6) is influenced by a temperature sensitive device (10), so that the valve's (5, 6) angular position changes in at least one angular position, for instance an end position, by means of the valve or its linkage shaft (7, 8) being mechanically influenced by the temperature sensitive device, either directly or via an intermediate device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 29, 1999
    Assignee: Aktiebolaget Electrolux
    Inventor: Jan Andreasson
  • Patent number: 5884604
    Abstract: A fuel injection system for an internal combustion engine provides a uniform flow of gaseous and liquid fuel to each of the intake passages of the engine. A balance passage interconnects each of the intake manifolds to each other and balances the pressure within the intake passages. A pressure regulator regulates the fuel pressure at the fuel injector. A reference pressure chamber within the pressure regulator communicates with the balance passage and controls the fuel pressure based on the balanced pressure within intake passages. The balance passage also communicates with a vapor separator of the fuel supply system that separates liquid fuel from gaseous fuel. The balance passage promotes even distribution of the gaseous fuel to the intake passages. The fuel injection system also includes plenum chamber that acts a source of air for the engine. The plenum chamber includes an drain outlet that communicates with the balance passage for returning blown back fuel from the plenum chamber to the intake passages.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 23, 1999
    Assignee: Sanshin Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Masahiko Kato
  • Patent number: 5875758
    Abstract: A resin air intake system provided with an intake control valve which permits simplifying the mold structure and maintaining axis center precision. In an air intake manifold, air intake passages are fabricated to be opened and provided with an intake control valve supported by a shaft having an axis in a direction perpendicular to the axes of the openings. The air intake manifold is molded from a resin as an air intake manifold proper and an air intake manifold cluster which have split faces, the split face of the air intake manifold proper provided with grooves in a direction perpendicular to the axes of the openings. Bearings which slidably support the shaft are mounted in the grooves and a projection which projects from the split face of the air intake manifold cluster is brought into contact with the bearings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 2, 1999
    Assignee: E. I. du Pont de Nemours and Company
    Inventor: Susumu Fujita
  • Patent number: 5845677
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a dual throttle valve of a car which includes an intake pipe divided into a primary intake path for low speed and a secondary intake path for middle or high speed, a primary throttle valve, a secondary throttle valve, a pinion, a fan-shaped gear, and a semi-circular member, wherein at a low speed, only the primary throttle valve rotates to open the primary intake path having a smaller diameter than the secondary intake path and at a middle or high speed, the primary and secondary throttle valves rotate sequentially to open the primary and secondary intake paths gradually even when the sudden accelerating for starting or outrunning occurs, so that waste of fuel at a low speed due to the sudden oversupply of gas and the occurrence of harmful exhaust gas due to the incomplete combustion at a middle or high speed can be prevented by controlling the amount of the intake gas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 1996
    Date of Patent: December 8, 1998
    Assignee: Kia Motors Corporation
    Inventor: Yong-Woo Kim
  • Patent number: 5832894
    Abstract: A variable air intake device for an internal combustion engine includes a first manifold, air intake pipes for connecting the first manifold to individual cylinders of the internal combustion engine to supply intake air, and a second manifold connected to the air intake pipes. The second manifold has a portion between the first manifold and the cylinders. The portion has further mutually closely adjacent air intake pipes. The further air intake pipes have walls with mutually adjacent ports and the further air intake pipes have bearing collars. A closing device has shafts and closing elements in the form of elongate bodies in the vicinity of the bearing collars. Each of the elongate bodies is rotatably mounted as a flap on a respective one of the shafts for closing and opening the ports as a function of a parameter of the internal combustion engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 10, 1998
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Carsten Espe, Mathias Scheytt
  • Patent number: 5827335
    Abstract: A spud end fuel metering tube in an air-fuel mixing passage in a propane carburetor for enhancing performance of the system. The fuel supplying spud end is located in a venturi throat within the mixing chamber of the carburetor. The spud end includes linearly aligned fuel supply apertures that face downstream of the airflow therethrough. This combination provides increased power and fuel economy over a wide range of RPMs and demand levels while substantially reducing undesirable pollutant emission levels. The butterfly valve of the carburetor includes apertures formed therein for permitting the engine to idle when the butterfly valve closes eliminating the necessity for other downstream ports.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 1995
    Date of Patent: October 27, 1998
    Assignee: Pioneer/Eclipse Corporation
    Inventor: Darrell Ward
  • Patent number: 5823163
    Abstract: An intake air-flow control device for an internal combustion engine is disclosed. The device comprises an intake air-flow control valve provided for every cylinder of the engine, a negative pressure actuator for opening the intake air-flow control valve from a partly opened condition to a fully opened condition when a negative pressure is supplied to the negative pressure actuator. When a current engine load becomes higher than a predetermined value, the negative pressure is supplied to the negative pressure actuator. During rapid acceleration, the predetermined value is changed to lower.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 20, 1998
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Koichi Hoshi
  • Patent number: 5816209
    Abstract: A fuel injection system for an internal combustion engine provides a uniform flow of gaseous and liquid fuel to each of the intake passages of the engine. A balance passage interconnects each of the intake manifolds to each other and balances the pressure within the intake passages. A pressure regulator regulates the fuel pressure at the fuel injector. A reference pressure chamber within the pressure regulator communicates with the balance passage and controls the fuel pressure based on the balanced pressure within intake passages. The balance passage also communicates with a vapor separator of the fuel supply system that separates liquid fuel from gaseous fuel. The balance passage promotes even distribution of the gaseous fuel to the intake passages. The fuel injection system also includes plenum chamber that acts a source of air for the engine. The plenum chamber includes an drain outlet that communicates with the balance passage for returning blown back fuel from the plenum chamber to the intake passages.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 1996
    Date of Patent: October 6, 1998
    Assignee: Sanshin Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Masahiko Kato
  • Patent number: 5803044
    Abstract: A throttle valve synchronization mechanism for a marine engine includes a throttle linkage which improves synchronization of throttle valve operation, while minimizing the opening degree of the throttle valves when moved to a closed position. The throttle linkage includes a linkage rod which carries a plurality of lugs. The lugs extends between the linkage rod and corresponding throttle levers of the throttle valves. The lugs are rotatably connected to the throttle levers and are rigidly fixed to the linkage rod. In one embodiment, the linkage rod lies in front of the throttle levers, and in another embodiment, the linkage rod lies to the side of the throttle levers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 8, 1998
    Assignee: Sanshin Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Masahiko Kato
  • Patent number: 5803045
    Abstract: A throttle for an internal combustion engine wherein intake runners (18) include slots (24) through which a slide throttle plate (26) is mounted. The throttle plate includes openings (28) selectively aligned with the runners (18) by an actuator (32) to control the air flow into the engine intake ports (14). Actuation back and forth across the runners (18) can provide for flow control as well as port deactivation, while a throttle plate (226) configured for up and down motion relative to the intake runners (218) can provide for tumble port flow control.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 8, 1998
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: David Wayne Adamisin, Philip Damian Cierpial, Raymond Alan Kach
  • Patent number: 5778851
    Abstract: An internal combustion engine includes an engine cylinder; a first intake port leading to the cylinder for introducing combustion gases thereinto; a first intake valve situated at the cylinder in the first intake port; a second intake port leading to the cylinder for introducing combustion gases thereinto; a second intake valve situated at the cylinder in the second intake port; and a throttle arrangement situated in the second intake port for varying a flow passage cross section thereof. The throttle arrangement includes a flat sliding member movable in a direction of motion thereof perpendicularly to the longitudinal axis of the second intake port for varying the flow passage cross section thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 1996
    Date of Patent: July 14, 1998
    Assignee: FEV Motorentechnik GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Torsten Schellhase, Raymund Tensing, Martin Pieper
  • Patent number: 5746176
    Abstract: A method and an arrangement for controlling an internal combustion engine is suggested wherein, in at least a first operating range, a lean air/fuel mixture are pregiven and, for a power command from the driver (for example, in transient operating states or in the vicinity of the full load range) a switchover to a stoichiometric mixture takes place; during the transition, the torque change (caused by the change of the air/fuel ratio) is essentially compensated by correspondingly influencing the air supply to the engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 1996
    Date of Patent: May 5, 1998
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Eckart Damson, Martin Klenk, Stefan Miller
  • Patent number: 5732380
    Abstract: In order to provide an accurate traction control by closing a second throttle valve provided in series to an accelerator-operated ordinary throttle valve, with a simplified actuator, a control system for reducing a vehicle driving torque employs one or more sensors for sensing a second vehicle operating parameter representing a road surface friction coefficient (.mu.) or a driver's command for acceleration, in addition to sensors for sensing a first vehicle operating parameter representing a drive wheel slip. When the road surface friction coefficient is high or when the driver depresses the accelerator pedal hard, the control system restrains the closing operation of the second throttle valve in accordance with the second parameter even though the closure of the second throttle valve is requested by the first parameter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 1995
    Date of Patent: March 24, 1998
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Toru Iwata
  • Patent number: 5722365
    Abstract: A fuel injection control device for an engine including an intake air control valve arranged in the intake passage comprises a fuel injector arranged in the downstream of the intake air control valve. In the engine starting operation, the intake air control valve is closed. After the completion of the engine starting operation, the intake air control valve is controlled to make the opening thereof equal to the intermediate opening, and the fuel injection time is calculated based on the negative pressure in the intake passage upstream of the intake air control valve. During a delay period in which the opening of the intake air control valve is smaller than the intermediate opening, the fuel injection time is reduced based on the actual opening of the intake air control valve and on the engine speed, to thereby make the fuel amount to be injected equal to the suitable amount.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 1996
    Date of Patent: March 3, 1998
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Shinji Sadakane, Hiroki Ichinose
  • Patent number: 5722364
    Abstract: An adjustable throttle damper retards closure of associated throttle valves. The throttle damper is positioned between runners of an intake manifold to which the throttle valves communicate. A lever selectively couples the throttle damper to a throttle linkage operating the throttle valves. This arrangement reduces the width of the engine. The throttle damper also operates against a lead throttle lever of the throttle linkage in order minimize the effect play in the linkage has on valve synchronization.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 1996
    Date of Patent: March 3, 1998
    Assignee: Sanshin Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Takahide Watanabe, Yoshifumi Iwata
  • Patent number: 5718198
    Abstract: A throttle for an internal combustion engine wherein intake runners (18) include slots (24) through which a slide throttle plate (26) is mounted. The throttle plate includes openings (28) selectively aligned with the runners (18) by an actuator (32) to control the air flow into the engine intake ports (14). Actuation linearly across the runners (18) provides for tumble port flow control and idle control, as well as port deactivation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 1997
    Date of Patent: February 17, 1998
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: David Wayne Adamisin, Philip Damian Cierpial, Raymond Alan Kach
  • Patent number: 5704334
    Abstract: A throttle sensor senses the position of an associated throttle shaft in order to determine the position of a corresponding throttle valve. The position of the throttle sensor is positioned in the engine to reduce the girth of engine. In one embodiment, the throttle sensor lies to the side of a throttle linkage which interconnects a plurality of throttle valves. The throttle sensor and throttle linkage are arranged on a side of an intake manifold opposite a side on which fuel injectors of the engine are located. In another embodiment, the throttle sensor lies at an upper end of the intake manifold and is coupled to a common, vertically oriented throttle shaft that operates a plurality of throttle valves.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 1996
    Date of Patent: January 6, 1998
    Assignee: Sanshin Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Masahiko Kato
  • Patent number: 5678651
    Abstract: A system for reducing a driving torque of an engine employs a diaphragm type actuator for actuating a second throttle valve disposed in an intake passage of the engine in series to an accelerator-operated ordinary throttle valve in order to provide a simplified construction. A three way solenoid valve is arranged to selectively introduce a negative pressure such as an intake manifold vacuum, or atmospheric pressure into a working chamber of the diaphragm type actuator. By being supplied with the negative pressure or the atmospheric pressure, the diaphragm type actuator puts the second throttle valve either in a fully open position or in a closed position of about 1/8 opening degree. An orifice or some other flow resisting means is provided to make an opening movement slower than a closing movement of the second throttle valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 1995
    Date of Patent: October 21, 1997
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Kazuyuki Kogiso
  • Patent number: 5671712
    Abstract: An induction system and control arrangement for a three valve per cylinder engine, wherein the induction passages are tuned to provide different effective lengths for different engine running conditions. In addition, a control valve arrangement is provided for controlling the flow to the combustion chambers through the valve seats to generate unrestricted flow under high-speed, high-load conditions and tumble and/or tumble and swirl for promoting turbulence under low-speed, low-load conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 1995
    Date of Patent: September 30, 1997
    Assignee: Yamaha Hatsudoki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Masahiro Uchida
  • Patent number: 5657731
    Abstract: The invention provides a device for adjusting an intake in accordance with the loading condition in overall speed range including: a plurality of small valves for opening or shutting the intake duct, a plurality of large valves for opening or shutting the intake duct in which the small valves are formed, i.e.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 1995
    Date of Patent: August 19, 1997
    Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventor: Yoonsuk Kim
  • Patent number: 5655500
    Abstract: A fuel-injected engine produces improved performance while reducing hydrocarbon emissions through the use of several control sensors. One of the sensors, a throttle sensor, determines an opening degree of the throttle valves of the engine and transmits this information to an electronic control unit. A unique coupling ensures unitary movement of a shaft of the sensor with the throttle valve to precisely measure the opening degree and to minimize mechanical hysteresis in the sensed position of the throttle valve as the valve opens and closes. The electronic control unit in turn adjusts the amount of fuel injected depending upon the opening degree of the throttle valves. The amount of injected fuel also depends upon the atmospheric pressure to which the engine is subject. A high-pressure fuel delivery circuit includes a fuel pressure regulator that regulates the fuel pressure at the fuel injectors of the engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 1996
    Date of Patent: August 12, 1997
    Assignee: Sanshin Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Masahiko Kato
  • Patent number: 5651343
    Abstract: A throttle body for use in the air intake system of an internal combustion engine having an idle speed control. The throttle body assembly (10) includes a throttle plate (18) mounted to a throttle shaft (16), which is, in turn, mounted to a throttle control lever (20). A bearing member (30) is coupled to the throttle control lever (20). A motor (32) is mounted relative to the throttle body and includes an idle control cam (36) mounted to the motor shaft (34) so that the bearing (30) rests on the cam (36). A circuit (40) actuates the motor (32). This arrangement provides a variable idle stop for the throttle plate (18) where the cam (36) is directly controlled by the motor (32). The motor size is minimized by providing an overdrive function that overdrives the motor (32) during transitional phases, to obtain fast response time and high resolution of idle control.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 1995
    Date of Patent: July 29, 1997
    Assignee: Ford Motor Company
    Inventors: David Scott Evans, deceased, Edward Albert Bos, Simon Warran-Smith
  • Patent number: 5632249
    Abstract: An air flow control device of an engine comprising an air flow control valve arranged in the intake passage and actuated by the vacuum operated diaphragm type drive apparatus. At the cranking of the engine, the air flow control valve is held in the closed state. When the engine speed exceeds a predetermined engine speed, for example, 400 rpm, a valve open signal for the air flow control valve is given to the vacuum operated diaphragm type drive device. After the valve open signal is given, during the valve opening delay period of the air flow control valve, an opening area of the idling speed control valve is increased.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 1996
    Date of Patent: May 27, 1997
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Shinji Sadakane, Hiroki Ichinose
  • Patent number: 5630393
    Abstract: A anti-turbo device including a housing unit that has a first end with an intake pipe interconnected, and a second end with an exhaust pipe interconnected. The housing unit is capable of having a flow of air flowing from the intake pipe through to the exhaust pipe. An air pedal projects from a top portion of the housing. The air pedal has a short member interconnected an elongated member. The short member is coupled with a linkage of a gas pedal. Lastly, a baffle is included. The baffle has a top side with a distal end of the elongated member, of the air pedal, interconnected. The air pedal is capable of moving the baffle when the linkage is moved by the air pedal. The baffle has a bottom peripheral edge that is spaced from a bottom interior portion of the housing. The bottom peripheral edge is capable of modulating the air flow through the housing, when the linkage moves the air pedal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 1996
    Date of Patent: May 20, 1997
    Inventor: Jaroslaw Grzesiak
  • Patent number: 5596957
    Abstract: An engine, having an intake passage, a throttle valve arranged in the intake passage, and a fuel injector arranged in the intake passage for injecting fuel into the intake passage, comprises an air-flow control valve arranged in the intake passage between the fuel injector and the throttle valve. The air-flow control valve is controlled to close during the engine starting operation, and to open after the engine starting operation completes. The air-flow control valve has a valve element having an axis about which the element is rotatable when the valve is opened or closed. The rotational direction of the valve element is selected so that air flowing through the valve is guided by the valve toward the fuel injector when the air-flow control valve is controlled to an intermediate open position which is between the closed position and the full open position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 1995
    Date of Patent: January 28, 1997
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hiroki Ichinose, Keiso Takeda, Susumu Kojima, Shinji Sadakane
  • Patent number: 5586535
    Abstract: An engine rotational number controller includes an engine rotational number detector 5 for detecting the number of rotation of an engine, a throttle opening detector 7 for detecting a throttle opening of the engine, an ignition device 11, a stepping motor 15, an injector 16, and a control circuit 4 for delaying an ignition timing of the ignition device 11 when the number of rotation of the engine becomes higher than a predetermined upper limit in the case where the throttle number is constant and for opening a sub-throttle valve 14 of a throttle valve 12 by means of the stepping motor 15 to increase an amount of intake air and to increase an amount of injected fuel in the injector 16 when the number of rotation of the engine becomes lower than a predetermined lower limit in the case where the throttle opening is constant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 1994
    Date of Patent: December 24, 1996
    Assignee: Suzuki Motor Corporation
    Inventor: Nobuyuki Syomura
  • Patent number: 5575255
    Abstract: A throttle control system for controlling a throttle valve of an automotive internal combustion engine in order to securely accomplish a traction control. The throttle control system comprises a first throttle valve operated by an accelerator, and a second throttle valve controlled under the action of a control unit as follows: The fully closed position of the first throttle valve is learned as a first fully closed position corresponding value, when the first throttle valve is fully closed. The fully closed position of the second throttle valve is learned as a second fully closed position corresponding value under control of an actuator to compulsorily fully close the second throttle valve immediately after turning ON of a switch for allowing electric current to flow to the engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 1994
    Date of Patent: November 19, 1996
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kazuhiko Abe, Masahiro Iriyama
  • Patent number: 5553579
    Abstract: A two-cycle crankcase compression direct injected internal combustion engine having a combustion chamber formed by a recess in the cylinder head in which a gap of the spark plug extends. The direct fuel injector sprays into this recess and has a first nozzle port that is directed toward the spark plug gap and at least two other nozzle ports that are directed into the recess but above the head of the piston. This achieves good stratification. The timing of the injection is such at least under low load and low speed conditions that the fuel patch will reach the spark plug at about the time it fires. A staged automatically operated throttle valve system is provided for insuring excess air to aid in the stratification and permit lean burn running.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 1994
    Date of Patent: September 10, 1996
    Assignee: Yamaha Hatsudoki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Takao Yoshida, Suzuki Takhiro, Hirai Ryoichi
  • Patent number: 5542388
    Abstract: An air-flow control device, for an engine having an intake passage and a fuel injector arranged in the intake passage for injecting fuel into the intake passage, includes an air-flow control valve, and a driving apparatus for driving the air-flow control valve. The air-flow control valve is arranged in the intake passage upstream of the fuel injector. The apparatus includes a first vacuum chamber into which the atmospheric pressure or a negative pressure produced in the intake passage downstream of the air-flow control valve is selectively introduced via a first vacuum control valve, and a second vacuum chamber into which the atmospheric pressure or a negative pressure produced in the intake passage downstream of the air-flow control valve is selectively introduced via a second vacuum control valve. The apparatus drives the air-flow control valve so that the degree of opening of the air-flow control valve becomes larger as the negative pressure in the first and the second vacuum chamber becomes larger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 1995
    Date of Patent: August 6, 1996
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hiroki Ichinose, Shinji Sadakane, Keiso Takeda, Susumu Kojima
  • Patent number: 5535718
    Abstract: A throttle linkage system for synchronizing the movement between a plurality of throttle valves journaled in throttle bodies affixed to a common member that includes a link that has the same coefficient of thermal expansion as the member to which the throttle bodies are connected so as to avoid synchronization problems due to different thermal expansions. In addition, the linkage system is such that it accommodates manufacturing variations from the more remotely positioned throttle valves by providing a structure for permitting relative movement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 1994
    Date of Patent: July 16, 1996
    Assignee: Sanshin Kogyo Kabushuki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hiroshi Nakai, Akihiko Hoshiba, Sadato Yoshida, Yasuhiko Shibata
  • Patent number: 5522361
    Abstract: A throttle body (10) for use in the air intake system of an internal combustion engine. The throttle body (10) includes a throttle body housing (12) having throttle shaft bearings (22) mounted within it for receiving a throttle shaft (34). The throttle shaft (34) is mounted within the bearings (22) and coupled to a throttle position sensor (26), which is mounted to the throttle body (10). The throttle shaft (34) includes mounting surfaces (40) aligned with the bearings (22) and a sealant (42) applied between the mounting surfaces (40) and the bearings (22) to both seal the intersection between the two and to substantially eliminate axial movement of the throttle shaft (34) relative to the throttle shaft bearings (22).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 1995
    Date of Patent: June 4, 1996
    Assignee: Ford Motor Company
    Inventors: David C. Pickman, Donald M. Lawrence
  • Patent number: 5520146
    Abstract: An electronic controller for automatically adjusting the position of a throttle valve in either a single valve or a series valve throttle mechanism. A primary controller (20) produces an output signal (18) suitable for directly operating the single throttle valve in a "drive by wire" throttle system. When used to position a valve (32) in a two-valve series throttle system, the other valve (34) being directly controlled by the accelerator pedal, a signal translation unit (30) is employed to modify the output signal (18) from the primary controller in response to the current setting of the accelerator-controlled valve (34) and values indicating the current air flow rate (Q.sub.1) and the intake manifold pressure (P.sub.m). The primary controller (20) and the signal translation unit are implemented using a conventional electronic engine control processor, with the signal translation being performed by table lookup operations (51-54).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 1995
    Date of Patent: May 28, 1996
    Assignee: Ford Motor Company
    Inventors: Davorin Hrovat, Michael Fodor, Minh N. Tran
  • Patent number: 5517963
    Abstract: A linkage system interconnects a plurality of throttle shafts, while minimizing the effects of thermal expansion in the linkage on the throttle shafts. The linkage includes a plurality of linkage rods which interconnect a plurality of throttle levers attached to the throttle shafts. At least a first and a second linkage rod are connected to a first lever in a manner in which thermal expansion of the first linkage rod applies a force to the first lever which is equal but opposite to a force applied to the first lever due to thermal expansion of the second linkage rod.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 1994
    Date of Patent: May 21, 1996
    Assignee: Sanshin Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Sadato Yoshida, Hiroshi Nakai, Akihiko Hoshiba, Yasuhiko Shibata
  • Patent number: 5501192
    Abstract: An air valve particularly intended for use with air intake manifolds of the type employed with fuel injected, internal combustion enginers, comprising a valve base adapted to be mounted to the plenum of the air intake manifold and a separate valve body sealingly engageable with a seat formed in the valve base. The valve body is formed with a number of inlet bores, each of which carry a rotatable throttle blade, and these inlet bores align with discharge bores in the valve base each having a radiused outlet edge or lip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 1994
    Date of Patent: March 26, 1996
    Assignee: Cutler Induction Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: David K. Cutler
  • Patent number: 5487366
    Abstract: An intake manifold for use with a combustion engine is disclosed. The intake manifold comprises a dimensionally stable induction pipe body having at least one first flow-through opening and at least one first adjusting element arranged in the first flow-through opening to vary the available cross-sectional area of the passage. This adjusting element takes the form of a throttle valve, which is rotatably supported in the induction pipe body and which is capable of being forced to engage sealingly with the boundary wall of the first flow-through opening. In the area of the throttle valve, the induction pipe body has at least one second flow-through opening, which is allocated as a by-pass so as to be adjacent to the first flow-through opening, said second flow-through opening being capable of being sealed by at least one second adjusting element, which is comprised of a one-way valve that is only able to be forced into an open position in the direction of the attached combustion engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 1994
    Date of Patent: January 30, 1996
    Assignee: Firma Carl Freudenberg
    Inventor: Klaus Dohring
  • Patent number: 5474046
    Abstract: A fuel injection system for an internal combustion engine of a vehicle including a body having a first air channel and a second air channel formed therein, a fuel injection channel formed in the body, a first mixing chamber formed in the body between the fuel injection channel and one of the first and second air channels, a first valve means positioned in the first air channel for limiting a passage of air therethrough relative to movement of an accelerator of the vehicle, a second valve positioned in the fuel injection channel for limiting a passage of fuel relative to a movement of the accelerator, and a third valve positioned in the second air channel for limiting the flow of air/fuel therethrough relative to a movement of accelerator. The first air channel and the second air channel communicate with each other in the body. The first mixing chamber serves to mix fuel from the fuel injection channel with air from the second air channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 1995
    Date of Patent: December 12, 1995
    Inventor: Jose M. B. Corona
  • Patent number: 5429087
    Abstract: A throttle body for traction control includes a secondary throttle shaft, a secondary throttle valve rotatable with the secondary throttle shaft to open and close a throttle bore, and a motor adapted to rotate the secondary throttle shaft for opening and closing the secondary throttle valve. The motor for opening and closing the secondary throttle valve has an output shaft coaxially disposed with the secondary throttle shaft. The output shaft and the secondary throttle shaft are connected by means of a coupling. The secondary throttle shaft is offset from the axis of symmetry of the throttle bore. The secondary throttle valve is divided by the secondary throttle shaft and defines a section which is longer in dimension from the secondary throttle shaft to the end of the secondary throttle valve and another section which is shorter. The longer section is disposed downstream in air flow, so that air flowing through the throttle bore exerts on the secondary throttle valve a force acting to open the same.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 1994
    Date of Patent: July 4, 1995
    Assignee: Aisan Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Mutsumi Tsujino, Noboru Ishihara, Sunao Kitamura
  • Patent number: 5419293
    Abstract: An automatic driving system for a motor vehicle has a main actuator for operating a main throttle valve, an auxiliary actuator for operating an auxiliary throttle valve, and sensors for detecting driving conditions of a present motor vehicle and for producing driving condition signals. A failure of the automatic driving system is determined based on the driving condition signals. In response to the determined failure, the main and auxiliary actuators are operated so as to close the main and auxiliary throttle valves.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 1994
    Date of Patent: May 30, 1995
    Assignee: Fuji Jukogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Masaaki Nagai
  • Patent number: 5415142
    Abstract: An apparatus for controlling air supply to an internal combustion engine comprises a main intake pipe for supplying air to the engine, a throttle valve disposed in the main intake pipe for controlling flow rate of the air supplied to the engine in dependence on depression of an accelerator pedal, a plurality of bypass passages disposed in parallel with the main intake pipe for allowing the air to be supplied to the engine by bypassing the throttle valve, a plurality of bypass valves installed in the plurality of bypass passages, respectively, a diagnosis means for diagnosing the throttle valve and devices associated therewith as to occurrence of abnormality, and a controller responsive to detection of the abnormality to close the throttle valve while allowing the bypass valves to control the intake air flow in dependence on depression of the accelerator pedal. The controller responds to detection of the abnormality for shifting a range of engine operation from a normal operation range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 1994
    Date of Patent: May 16, 1995
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Tadashi Tsubakiji, Yukinobu Nishimura, Nobutake Taniguchi
  • Patent number: 5408969
    Abstract: A novel device of the present invention detects an abnormal driving condition where a sub-throttle valve pressed in a full-opening direction by means of a spring is abruptly driven in the full-opening direction due to an abnormal condition of an actuator, and controls an internal combustion engine according to the requirements. A difference DLTA in an opening TA of a sub-throttle valve 34 within a preset time period is determined (steps S100 through S130) and then compared with a predetermined range allowing to be driven by a stepping motor 32 (step S140). The sub-throttle valve 34 is pressed in a full-opening direction by means of a spring 54. In case of a step-out of the stepping motor 32, the sub-throttle valve 34 is abruptly driven in a full-closing direction by the spring 54. When an abrupt change of the sub-throttle valve 34 is detected, a process under abnormal conditions (abnormality process) including reduction of fuel injection is implemented (step S160).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 1994
    Date of Patent: April 25, 1995
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Toshikazu Obaraki, Naoto Kushi
  • Patent number: 5394846
    Abstract: A dual bore throttle body assembly for a marine engine. The assembly includes a body having a pair of side-by-side bores, each of which is adapted to be enclosed by a flat throttle valve. A separate shaft is connected to each throttle valve and a throttle cable is connected to the shafts through a progressive linkage. The linkage is constructed such that only one of the valves is initially opened, and when that valve is approximately 50 percent open, the second valve is then opened. The speed of opening of the second valve is greater than that of the first valve so that both valves will reach the full opened position at the same instant. Each shaft is provided with a longitudinal slot which receives the respective throttle valve, and the valves are secured within the slots by mechanical fasteners such as screws.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 1993
    Date of Patent: March 7, 1995
    Assignee: Brunswick Corporation
    Inventors: Matthew W. Jaeger, John E. Lingenfeleter, Steven M. Lippincott, Jerry M. Stoll, Jr., Brian R. White
  • Patent number: 5377635
    Abstract: A rotary throttle valve for transferring a fluid between a fluid source and a combustion chamber of an internal-combustion engine, comprising at least one substantially cylindrical surface and a side wall. The rotary throttle valve includes at least one fluid flow channel having an inlet and an outlet, with the inlet belonging to the side wall of the valve and being positioned at a distance, which is not zero, from the rotation axis of the rotary valve, and the outlet belonging to the cylindrical surface of the valve and being radially offset with respect to the inlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 1993
    Date of Patent: January 3, 1995
    Assignee: Institut Francais du Petrole
    Inventor: Stephen Glover
  • Patent number: 5366424
    Abstract: A power train control system for an internal combustion engine of a motor vehicle. Opening of a throttle valve is electrically controlled in response to an accelerator pedal depression signal generated by an accelerator pedal position sensor and indicating depression depth of an accelerator pedal. A backup operation control of the engine is performed by controlling an auxiliary air flow which bypasses the throttle valve in dependence on the accelerator pedal depression signal upon occurrence of abnormality in a throttle valve control system. During the backup operation, a speed range shift pattern of an automatic transmission is changed over to a backup operation oriented pattern from a normal operation oriented pattern. The power train control system allows the motor vehicle to run even when a failure occurs in the throttle valve or a throttle control system in the fully closed state of the throttle valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 1993
    Date of Patent: November 22, 1994
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Seiji Wataya
  • Patent number: 5325829
    Abstract: An actuator for controlling the flow of air through an air inlet port, particularly a secondary air inlet port, in an intake manifold in an internal combustion engine. The actuator actuates means disposed in the throat of the inlet port for opening and closing said port. The actuator comprises a housing, a reversible motor disposed in the housing, power transmission means with said motor comprising a non-planetary gear train disposed in the housing, and a shaft rotatably mounted in the housing operably engaged at one end thereof with the power transmission means and at its other end with the means for opening and closing the air inlet port.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 1992
    Date of Patent: July 5, 1994
    Assignee: Schmelzer Corporation
    Inventor: Orest Iwasiuk
  • Patent number: 5279270
    Abstract: The piston actuator for a governor valve in a carburetor is coupled through an electromagnetically operable selector valve to either atmospheric pressure in the air filter or to vacuum in an intake manifold. The selector valve is controlled by engine speed detected by speed detecting means, and by a switch controlled by the accelerator linkage to close a circuit whenever the accelerator pedal is depressed to within a range bordering maximum depression. When the accelerator pedal is depressed to within the above range, and engine speed is below a predetermined value, the selector valve connects to the manifold to interrupt operation of the governor valve. Operation of the governor valve resumes when the speed reaches the preset value or the accelerator pedal leaves said range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 1992
    Date of Patent: January 18, 1994
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toyoda Jidoshokki Seisakusho
    Inventors: Tokihiko Ichikawa, Tsugio Ogawa
  • Patent number: 5273014
    Abstract: An intake system for a multiple-cylinder engine a plurality of primary discrete intake passages and a plurality of secondary discrete intake passages. Each pair of primary discrete intake passage and the secondary discrete intake passage communicate with one of the cylinders. Both the primary and secondary discrete intake passages are straight and the primary discrete intake passage is provided with a primary valve member which is provided with an opening and is selectively positioned in a closed position where the primary valve member limits the effective cross-sectional area of the primary discrete intake passage to the cross-sectional area of the opening and in an open position where the primary valve member wide opens the primary intake passage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 1992
    Date of Patent: December 28, 1993
    Assignee: Mazda Motor Corporation
    Inventors: Noriaki Mitobe, Masaki Harada, Kouichirou Waki, Takuro Shigemura, Isao Shimizu, Isamu Iguchi, Masatoshi Shoji, Masaru Shimada, Hiroyuki Chado
  • Patent number: 5261369
    Abstract: The invention relates to a process and a device for determining operating characteristics of a cylinder (1) in a combustion engine in which each cylinder is provided with an intake duct (4) for the air/fuel mixture which is equipped with a member (5) for controlling the flow rate of the said mixture and which opens into the cylinder via an inlet port (6), a pressure sensor (11) being connected to the said intake duct between the control member and the port (6); the pressure sensor (11), which is independent of the components to be monitored, is used to detect in continuous fashion the pressure in the intake duct (4) between the control member (5) and the port (6); this pressure is converted in continuous fashion into an analog electrical signal representative of the pressure and of its variations; and this electrical signal is processed (in 12) in such a way as to obtain at least one desired operating characteristic of the cylinder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 1991
    Date of Patent: November 16, 1993
    Assignee: Souriau Diagnostic Electronique S.A.
    Inventor: Yannick Vernier
  • Patent number: 5190007
    Abstract: An air induction system for an internal combustion engine has a dual choke inlet, a spindle passes diametrically across both chokes, a pair of throttle blades are secured to the spindle for rotation therewith, each throttle blade being located in a different one of the chokes, the throttle blades being angularly offset from each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 1992
    Date of Patent: March 2, 1993
    Assignee: Jaguar Cars Limited
    Inventor: Martin J. Joyce
  • Patent number: 5181491
    Abstract: An intake system in a multi-cylinder type internal combustion engine comprises throttle valves disposed in a plurality of intake passages commonly connected to an air cleaner, and fuel injection valves disposed in the intake passages downstream of the throttle valves in an intake direction. In such intake system, a plurality of funnel-shaped portions are provided in a throttle body having opposite ends directly coupled to an intake manifold and an air cleaner, respectively, and each of the throttle valves is disposed in the throttle body, so that its upstream end in the intake direction is located at least on the corresponding funnel-shaped portion, when the throttle valve is fully opened. The throttle body includes ports provided therein, which are opened into the intake passages between a coupled surface of the throttle body to the intake manifold and the throttle valves, respectively, and which communicate with one another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 1992
    Date of Patent: January 26, 1993
    Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Masahiro Izumi, Toshiharu Aoshima, Yutaka Ide, Ritsuko Terawaki, Hideaki Hosoya
  • Patent number: 5179917
    Abstract: An intake air control device including an intake passage provided with reed valves to prevent a back flow of intake air and exhaust gas. The intake passage has a predetermined length and a substantially uniform section, except for an enlarged portion close to an intake valve. A reed valve assembly is arranged in the enlarged portion and has side walls which divide an inside space of the enlarged portion into a first space surrounding the side walls, and a second space surrounded by the side walls, to have a section similar to the uniform section, and are mounted with reed valves to allow an intake air to flow only from upstream to the first space. When the current engine speed condition is a high engine speed condition, a closing unit for closing the second space downstream of the reed valve is opened, and a communicating unit for communicating the first space with the second space is interrupted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 1992
    Date of Patent: January 19, 1993
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yuichi Hokazono, Toshiaki Konomi