Electrically Operated Control Means Patents (Class 123/339.14)
  • Publication number: 20090319158
    Abstract: A power output apparatus for outputting power to a drive shaft includes a control unit that controls an internal combustion engine to perform an idle operation at a predetermined rotation speed, executes idle control amount learning, in which an idle control amount serving as a control amount obtained during the control is learned in accordance with establishment of a predetermined learning condition, within a range in which a rotation speed of the drive shaft is lower than a first speed, when the idle control amount learning is incomplete, and executes again the idle control amount learning within a range in which the rotation speed of the drive shaft is lower than a second speed, which is lower than the first speed, when the idle control amount learning is complete.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 17, 2009
    Publication date: December 24, 2009
    Applicant: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Daigo ANDO, Takeshi HARADA
  • Publication number: 20090301433
    Abstract: A fast idle air amount control system in a side stand-equipped two-wheeled motor vehicle is provided in which a bypass control valve (10) is arranged so that an axis (Y) of the bypass control valve (10) is substantially horizontal along the lateral direction of a two-wheeled motor vehicle (M) when the two-wheeled motor vehicle (M) is in an upright state and slopes downward toward a side stand (41) side when the two-wheeled motor vehicle (M) is put in an inclined parked state by standing it on the side stand (41), and an actuator (25), which is electrically operated, is coupled to an end part of the bypass control valve (10) on a side opposite to the side stand (41).
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 22, 2006
    Publication date: December 10, 2009
    Inventors: Masaaki Mitobe, Michio Onuma
  • Patent number: 7610898
    Abstract: An engine has a variable valve actuation mechanism that varies lift characteristics of an intake valve. An idle speed control apparatus has a control section for controlling an intake air amount of the engine in an idle state for adjusting an actual engine speed to a target engine speed. The control section sets a control amount related to control of the intake air amount in correspondence with the lift characteristics, which are varied by the variable valve actuation mechanism. Accordingly, the engine speed in the idle state is effectively controlled in correspondence with changes of the lift characteristics.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2009
    Assignees: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha, Denso Corporation
    Inventors: Keizo Hiraku, Noboru Takagi, Kiyoo Hirose, Hirohiko Yamada
  • Patent number: 7520263
    Abstract: Disclosed are an engine torque control apparatus and an engine torque control method that can stably control engine torque when a variation of a TPS signal converts from an idle state to a part load state or from the part load state to the idle state in an engine, in which an ISA is installed, thereby resolving a problem on drivability, such as a drop of an engine RPM and resolving a problem on drivability, such as flare of an engine RPM, and improving fuel consumption.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2009
    Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventor: Hyung Kee Kim
  • Publication number: 20090084351
    Abstract: Air quantity of ISC is roughly controlled on the basis of the lift amount of an intake valve, whose air flow rate control range is wide. The adjustment of the air quantity beyond the range of the rough control is achieved by the control based on a phase of the intake valve. As a result, a required flow rate can be achieved with high accuracy. If only the intake-valve lift amount whose air flow rate control range is wide is used to achieve the required air quantity of ISC, a fuel control system requires both a high degree of accuracy of an intake-valve lift amount sensor and a high degree of accuracy of an intake-valve lift amount control mechanism itself, which leads to high system costs. The air quantity of ISC is roughly controlled on the basis of the intake-valve lift amount whose air flow rate control range is wide (the air quantity is controlled based on an air flow rate corresponding to each integral multiple of the air flow rate control minimum resolution).
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2008
    Publication date: April 2, 2009
    Applicant: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventor: Seiji ASANO
  • Publication number: 20090025689
    Abstract: A method for determining fuel volatility and consequently performing cold starting of an internal combustion engine; in the event of cold starting, the method provides for the determination of an enrichment percentage as a function of a stored value for fuel volatility; the determination of a predicted value for starting quality before performing starting; the starting of the engine using the previously determined enrichment percentage; the determination of a measured value for starting quality; the determination of a correction value of the stored value for fuel volatility as a function of the comparison between the measured value for starting quality and the predicted value for starting quality; and the updating of the stored value for fuel volatility by applying the correction value to said stored value, so consequently modifying the amount of enrichment in force.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2005
    Publication date: January 29, 2009
    Applicant: MAGNETI MARELLI POWERTRAIN S.P.A.
    Inventors: Renzo Ruggiano, Henri Mazet, Anna Zambelli, Raffaele Farina
  • Patent number: 7463936
    Abstract: A method and device for adapting a stop of an electrically triggered actuator are provided, which may be implemented in a precise and simple manner and allow for a continuous adaptation. For this purpose, a check is performed to determine whether a setpoint value for a position of the actuator to be set corresponds to a stop of the actuator. In this case, a characteristic variable of the trigger signal for triggering the actuator formed for implementing the setpoint value is compared with a predefined value. Depending on the result of the comparison, a position of the stop of the actuator is adapted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2008
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Torsten Baumann, Mattias Hallor
  • Patent number: 7445194
    Abstract: An idle air control valve for a vehicle includes a housing (21), a motor (32) disposed in the housing, a shaft (29) associated with the motor, and a bellows assembly (30) including a bellows structure (10) having a first end defining a base (14), a second, opened end (16), and a bellows (18) between the first and second ends. An annular rim member (28) is associated with the second opened end. A pintle (24) has surfaces defining an annular groove (26) therein. The annular rim member (28) is received, in press-fit engagement, in the annular groove (26). The base (14) is in press-fit engagement with a recess (22) in the housing and the pintle (24) is coupled with an end of the shaft, such that the bellows structure together with the pintle surround the shaft and provide a barrier substantially preventing contaminants from entering the motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2008
    Assignee: Continental Automotive Canada, Inc.
    Inventors: Craig Andrew Weldon, Albin Lootvoet
  • Publication number: 20080202468
    Abstract: A control system for a machine is disclosed. The control system may have a power source, an operator input device, a work implement, and a controller in communication with the power source and the operator input device. The operator input device may be configured to generate a signal indicative of a desired mode of power source operation. The work implement may be driven by the power source to accomplish a task. The controller may be configured to classify a currently performed task, and adjust power source operation based on the task signal and the classification.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 28, 2007
    Publication date: August 28, 2008
    Inventors: Thomas Lynn Grill, Rick William Berlage, Lucas Adam Knapp, Eric Wade Cler
  • Patent number: 7389765
    Abstract: An electrically controlled throttle apparatus comprises a throttle valve for controlling an amount of intake air to be supplied to an internal combustion engine; a throttle body which houses the throttle valve; a motor for driving the throttle valve; and a throttle sensor for detecting an opening degree of the throttle valve. The throttle sensor is a magnetic resistance element for detecting a change in direction of a magnetic field. The direction of the measured magnetic field of the throttle sensor when the throttle valve is in an opening learning reference position used as a criterion by the throttle sensor is the same as a direction of a leakage magnetic field of from the motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2008
    Assignee: Aisan Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Tsutomu Ikeda
  • Publication number: 20080115762
    Abstract: An engine has a variable valve actuation mechanism that varies lift characteristics of an intake valve. An idle speed control apparatus has a control section for controlling an intake air amount of the engine in an idle state for adjusting an actual engine speed to a target engine speed. The control section sets a control amount related to control of the intake air amount in correspondence with the lift characteristics, which are varied by the variable valve actuation mechanism. Accordingly, the engine speed in the idle state is effectively controlled in correspondence with changes of the lift characteristics.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 26, 2005
    Publication date: May 22, 2008
    Inventors: Keizo Hiraku, Noboru Takagi, Kiyoo Hirose, Hirohiko Yamada
  • Patent number: 7311080
    Abstract: An idle rotational speed controller of an internal combustion engine includes an intake path for supplying air to a combustion chamber. An auxiliary intake path communicates the intake path on upstream and downstream sides of a throttle valve in the intake path. An opening/closing type control valve in the auxiliary intake path controls an idling intake amount. An intake pressure detecting unit detects an intake pressure of the intake path, and a fuel supplying unit controls the amount of fuel supplied to the combustion chamber based on the detected intake pressure. A controlling unit synchronizes a drive reference position for driving to open or close the control valve with a timing of detecting the intake pressure by the intake pressure detecting unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2007
    Assignee: Yamaha Hatsudoki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Yasutaka Mine
  • Publication number: 20070272206
    Abstract: An electrically controlled throttle apparatus comprises a throttle valve for controlling an amount of intake air to be supplied to an internal combustion engine; a throttle body which houses the throttle valve; a motor for driving the throttle valve; and a throttle sensor for detecting an opening degree of the throttle valve. The throttle sensor is a magnetic resistance element for detecting a change in direction of a magnetic field. The direction of the measured magnetic field of the throttle sensor when the throttle valve is in an opening learning reference position used as a criterion by the throttle sensor is the same as a direction of a leakage magnetic field of from the motor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 11, 2007
    Publication date: November 29, 2007
    Applicant: AISAN KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Tsutomu Ikeda
  • Patent number: 7290526
    Abstract: A throttle body includes a housing that accommodates a connector for a rotation shaft of a throttle valve disposed in the throttle body and a throttle position sensor, a fuel return passage that communicates the housing with an air intake passage in the throttle body, a T-shaped pipe that communicates with the air intake passage upstream from the throttle body to function as a pressure control chamber, and an air inflow passage that communicates the housing with the T-shaped pipe. The throttle body smoothly returns the fuel accumulated in a housing that accommodates a connector that connects a throttle position sensor to the end of the rotation shaft of a throttle valve to an air intake passage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2007
    Assignee: Yamaha Hatsudoki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Keisuke Maruo, Mitsuharu Yamamoto
  • Patent number: 7222604
    Abstract: A method and a device for controlling a drive unit which allow an improved transition between idle regulation and drive unit propulsion are provided. A setpoint value for an output variable of the drive unit is predefined, it being possible to modify the setpoint value as a function of at least one reducing request and as a function of at least one load to be compensated for. The ratio of a first priority request for the modification of the predefined setpoint value as a function of the at least one load to be compensated for to a second priority request for the modification of the predefined setpoint value as a function of the at least one reducing request may be varied for different drive unit operating states.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2007
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventor: Ruprecht Anz
  • Patent number: 7204229
    Abstract: In a method for determining an output torque in order to prevent pedal play in a gas pedal assigned to a combustion engine, a correction torque Muffset is calculated in this respect, which is dependent on the activation speed Nact of the idling regulator, the current speed, and the idling torque MIS calculated by the idling regulator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2007
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Igor GĂłmez Ortiz
  • Patent number: 7191755
    Abstract: A system for controlling idle air flow for an engine. The system includes an idle air control valve, a stepper motor, and a controller. The idle air control valve has a first hard stop and a second hard stop. The stepper motor is coupled to the idle air control valve and configured to manipulate the position of the idle air control valve. The controller is in communication with the stepper motor to provide a driving signal. Further, the controller is configured to drive the idle air control valve to the first hard stop and then drive the idle air control valve to the second hard stop after receiving an engine shutdown command.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2007
    Assignee: Visteon Global Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Matti K. Vint
  • Patent number: 7174880
    Abstract: An internal combustion engine has an air intake tract which comprises at least one inlet pipe leading to one intake duct per cylinder of the internal combustion engine. It also has at least one exhaust gas duct per cylinder of the internal combustion engine, at least a first actuator which is disposed in an inlet pipe or in an intake duct or in an exhaust gas duct and influences the gas exchange in the respective cylinder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2007
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Michael Henn, Martin Jehle, Hong Zhang
  • Patent number: 7168410
    Abstract: An idle speed controller for an internal combustion engine provided with an intake variable valve timing mechanism for varying valve timing and a variable working angle for varying a valve working angle of an intake valve. The controller performs idle speed control. When an advancement failure occurs in the intake variable valve timing mechanism, the controller performs idle-up control to increase the target idle speed. When the valve working angle of the intake variable working angle mechanism is less than a predetermined value, the electronic control unit changes an increase amount of the target idle speed to a lower value if an advancement failure occurs when performing the idle-up as compared to when the valve working angle is greater than the predetermined value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2007
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Toshikazu Kato, Naohide Fuwa
  • Patent number: 7165530
    Abstract: A method for controlling a variable-speed engine of a machine is provided. The machine may include a park-brake. The method may include receiving a signal indicating an engagement status of the park-brake. The method may also include operating the variable-speed engine at a first idle speed. Additionally, the method may include operating the variable-speed engine at a second idle speed, lower than the first idle speed, only if the signal indicates that the park-brake is engaged.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2007
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc
    Inventors: Jeffrey Edward Jensen, Marvin Kent Palmer, Lisa Marie Christopherson, Joel Robert Frerichs
  • Patent number: 7124736
    Abstract: To make a motor to control throttle valve opening degree compact and reduce electricity consumption, a throttle valve lever (4) attached to a throttle valve shaft (3) has a roller (4b) and an operating arm portion (4a), a loosely fitted lever (8) is arranged to the throttle valve shaft (3), the operating arm portion (4a) is arranged in a gap (S) between first and second locking portions (8a1, 8a2) of the loosely fitted lever (8), a cam surface (7a) of a cam lever (7) connected to an output shaft (Ma) of a lead screw type step motor (M) faces to the roller (4b), a throttle valve operating drum (11) is coupled to the loosely fitted lever (8) via a link cover (13) and, when the motor (M) is driven, the cam lever (7) rotates the throttle valve lever (4) and the arm portion (4a) rotates within the gap (S) to hold an idling opening degree.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2006
    Assignee: Kehin Corporation
    Inventors: Yasushi Kondo, Tomio Hirabayashi
  • Patent number: 7080627
    Abstract: A throttle control device having a quick response and a control stability in the ISC running mode of an internal combustion engine comprises: feedback control means for outputting an amount of activation for activating a drive motor by using a predetermined control gain such that the real opening of a throttle valve detected by a throttle opening sensor for detecting the real opening of the throttle valve may be equalized to either a desired opening based on at least the depression of the accelerator pedal or a desired opening at the ISC time based on at least the speed of the internal combustion engine; and correction coefficient adjusting means for correcting the activation amount outputted from the feedback control means, with a predetermined correction coefficient on the basis of the decision result of a throttle operation mode deciding means for deciding the operation mode of the throttle valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2006
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Shinji Watanabe
  • Patent number: 7047937
    Abstract: An internal combustion engine is provided, and has a throttle element mounted in the intake channel of the engine so as to be pivotable, via a throttle shaft, between an idling position and a full-load position. An abutment is fixedly connected with the throttle shaft. In the idling position, the abutment rests against a stop element that is fixed in position on the intake channel. The stop element is adjustable and establishes the idling position of the throttle element. The abutment forms, with the stop element, a switch that is actuated in the idling position of the throttle element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2006
    Assignee: Andreas Stihl AG & Co KG
    Inventors: Thomas Frank, Andreas Hägele, Mohamed Abou-Aly, Eberhard Schieber
  • Patent number: 7013868
    Abstract: A disclosed accelerator pedal offset system includes a first connector that can be coupled to an accelerator pedal of a motor vehicle and a second connector that can be coupled, in place of the accelerator pedal, to an engine control module of the vehicle. The second connector is coupled to the first connector via a plurality of electrical conductors. The system further includes a resistor selectably connected across a first pair of the electrical conductors. The selectable connection is implemented with an electrically activated switch that connects between each resistor and its respective pair of electrical conductors. In such a configuration, the resistor can be connected across its pair of electrical conductors to apply an accelerator signal offset, and disconnected to remove the offset. Variations and methods are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2006
    Inventor: Robert E. Muertter
  • Patent number: 6941927
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for controlling an internal combustion engine during a cold start operation. The engine is supplied with a substantially constant, lean air/fuel ratio immediately after the engine is started, while the engine has an idle speed that is allowed to vary as a function of the difference between a target air/fuel ratio and an actual air/fuel ratio. The invention further relates to an arrangement for carrying out the method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2005
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Goran Almkvist, Klaas Burgdorf, Lars Mikael Fredriksson
  • Patent number: 6880523
    Abstract: An engine cylinder induction air quantity measuring apparatus includes a controller to calculate an intake manifold inside air quantity of air in an intake manifold of the engine, from a sensed intake air quantity by performing a balance calculation to calculate a balance between an intake manifold inflow air quantity of air flowing into the intake manifold, and an intake manifold outflow air quantity of air flowing out of the intake manifold. In an engine stopping process to stop the engine, the controller controls a throttle opening of a throttle valve to a predetermined stop mode opening greater than an idling mode opening for an idle operation of the engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2005
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tetsuya Iwasaki, Shouichi Hayase
  • Patent number: 6877480
    Abstract: A method of controlling torque output of an engine including receiving an acceleration pedal position signal and receiving an engine speed signal. The method also includes calculating a modified engine speed signal as a function of the engine speed signal and the acceleration pedal position signal. The method further includes requesting engine output torque as a function of the acceleration pedal position signal and the modified engine speed signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2005
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Per Persson, Bengt Norén
  • Patent number: 6879902
    Abstract: When the vehicle speed is within a range equal to or greater than a threshold value in which the vehicle is often cruised, a cruising accelerator opening is set as an accelerator opening needed to cruise the vehicle at the vehicle speed, and a cruise-purposed convergence opening corresponding to the amount of depression of an accelerator pedal requested of a driver is set at the time of cruise. An offset opening is calculated as a deviation between the set cruising accelerator opening and the set cruise-purposed convergence opening. Then, the accelerator opening for calculating a power needed to run the vehicle is set at the sum of the offset opening and an pedal opening corresponding to the amount of depression of the accelerator pedal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2005
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Mitsuhiro Nada
  • Patent number: 6823839
    Abstract: An apparatus controls the temperature of an exhaust gas sensor disposed in an exhaust passage of an internal combustion engine. An exhaust gas temperature estimating unit sequentially estimates the temperature of exhaust gas flowing through the exhaust passage, using at least a parameter representative of an operating state of the internal combustion engine. A heater control unit controls a heater for heating an active element of the exhaust gas sensor to a predetermined target temperature, using an estimated value of the exhaust gas from the exhaust gas temperature estimating unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2004
    Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yuji Yasui, Yoshihisa Iwaki
  • Patent number: 6820589
    Abstract: A method and system for generating an idle control signal for an internal combustion engine is disclosed. Rotational speed, n, of the engine is measured. Combustion generated torque &tgr;ind is estimated as a function of the measured engine rotational speed, n. The idle control signal for the engine is produced as a function of the difference between: (A) a time rate of change in such measured engine rotational speed, dn/dt, and; (B) the sum of the estimated combustion generated torque &tgr;ind and a function of an engine idle speed error. The idle speed error is representative of the difference between an idle speed set point and the measured rotational speed, n. Thus, idle speed control is achieved using only a feedback system which responds to measured operating conditions of the engine rather than with a combination of feedback and a feedforward model which relies on a model of each individual engine loss or load to calculate the resulting impact on the engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2004
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Carol Louise Okubo, John Ottavio Michelini
  • Patent number: 6810853
    Abstract: An electronic throttle control (ETC) system to control an idle speed of an engine includes an accessory that increases a load on the engine and a controller that generates an idle request signal based on the increased load. The controller compares the idle request signal to an idle maximum signal and sets an idle command signal equal to the idle request signal if the idle request signal is less than the idle maximum signal. The controller determines the idle command signal based on the idle request signal, a previous idle command signal and the idle maximum increase signal if the idle request signal is greater than the idle maximum signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2004
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Kevin C. Wong, Paul A. Bauerle, Todd R. Shupe, Edward J. Tully, Kerfegar K. Katrak
  • Patent number: 6810852
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method and an arrangement for controlling an output quantity of a drive unit of a vehicle for at least one operating state of the vehicle which makes possible to optimally consider the power requests of motor-specific or vehicle-specific components without affecting the driving comfort. A desired value for the output quantity is adjusted to a target value in dependence upon at least a request of a motor-specific component or a vehicle-specific component (1, 5). This target value is furthermore adjusted in dependence upon that a driver command, which is pregiven at an operator-controlled element (10), has reached this target value in the first operating state or in a second operating state different from the first operating state. The desired value for the output quantity is likewise increased up to reaching the target value with an increase of the driver command pregiven at the operator-controlled element (10).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2004
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Thomas Schuster, Stephan Israel
  • Patent number: 6799554
    Abstract: To provide an electronic throttle valve control apparatus which has a high throttle valve opening resolution, and which can be manufactured at a low cost. The apparatus for controlling an electronic throttle valve in which a throttle valve provided in a suction path of an engine is driven to be opened and closed by a motor, includes: a target throttle opening computation unit for computing a target throttle opening of the throttle valve; an actual throttle opening detector for detecting an actual opening of the throttle valve; a control-use actual throttle opening computation unit for computing a control-use actual throttle opening by adding a predetermined number of times the actual throttle opening detected value obtained by the actual throttle opening detector; and a throttle valve controller for controlling the throttle valve on the basis of an opening deviation between the target throttle opening and the control-use actual throttle opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2004
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Akira Furuta
  • Publication number: 20040187841
    Abstract: A method and an arrangement for operating a drive motor of a vehicle are suggested. A resulting desired torque for controlling the drive motor is pregiven in dependence upon the driver command torque and additional desired torque quantities. To limit the resulting desired torque, a motor minimum torque is provided which is derived from the lost torques and is dependent upon rpm.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 20, 2004
    Publication date: September 30, 2004
    Inventors: Lilian Matischok, Juergen Biester, Holger Jessen, Thomas Schuster, Rainer Mayer
  • Patent number: 6782912
    Abstract: In a throttle assembly for a flowing medium having an inlet and outlet and having two throttle devices disposed between them coaxially to one another, which each have at least one flow window for the passage of a flow of the medium flowing from the inlet to the outlet and are rotatable relative to one another for controlling the flow of the medium, in order to avoid friction and wear between the throttle devices and to assure a closing position without leakage flows, the throttle devices are embodied as hollow cones, with a cone jacket including at least one flow window, and the cones are disposed concentrically to one another in such a way that in the closing region of the throttle assembly, they are displaced axially toward one another by displacement means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2004
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventor: Sam Soubjaki
  • Publication number: 20040084012
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method and an arrangement for controlling an output quantity of a drive unit of a vehicle for at least one operating state of the vehicle which makes possible to optimally consider the power requests of motor-specific or vehicle-specific components without affecting the driving comfort. A desired value for the output quantity is adjusted to a target value in dependence upon at least a request of a motor-specific component or a vehicle-specific component (1, 5). This target value is furthermore adjusted in dependence upon that a driver command, which is pregiven at an operator-controlled element (10), has reached this target value in the first operating state or in a second operating state different from the first operating state. The desired value for the output quantity is likewise increased up to reaching the target value with an increase of the driver command pregiven at the operator-controlled element (10).
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 2, 2003
    Publication date: May 6, 2004
    Inventors: Thomas Schuster, Stephan Israel
  • Patent number: 6694946
    Abstract: An idle stability control for a fuel injected internal combustion engine deactivates selected fuel injectors after specified idle conditions have been met for a predetermined period of time, and thereafter until the conditions are no longer met. The engine spark timing is temporarily modified on each transition to and from the control to reduce operator perception of the injector deactivation and reactivation. Additionally, the injector deactivation pattern is periodically adjusted following an overlap period during which all of the injectors are enabled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2004
    Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Ronald E. Gaskins
  • Publication number: 20040025836
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for controlling an internal combustion engine during a cold start operation. The engine is supplied with a substantially constant, lean air/fuel ratio immediately after the engine is started, while the engine has an idle speed that is allowed to vary as a function of the difference between a target air/fuel ratio and an actual air/fuel ratio. The invention further relates to an arrangement for carrying out the method.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 28, 2003
    Publication date: February 12, 2004
    Inventors: Goran Almkvist, Klaas Burgdorf, Lars Mikael Fredriksson
  • Patent number: 6688282
    Abstract: A system and method are disclosed for regulating engine idle speed by coordinating control of two actuators: a slow actuator and a fast actuator. The slow actuator is preferably a throttle valve and the fast actuator is preferably an ignition system affecting spark timing. The slow actuator is controlled based on an idle power requirement and the target idle speed; whereas the fast actuator is controlled based on the idle power requirement and the actual idle speed. Additionally, control of the two actuators is further based on a desired power reserve and an actual power reserve. Power reserve is related to the ratio of the power produced by the engine and the power that would be produced by the engine if the faster actuator were at its optimal setting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2004
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Carol Louise Okubo, David Karl Bidner, Jeffrey Allen Doering, John Ottavio Michelini
  • Patent number: 6659078
    Abstract: A method and system for controlling an automotive internal combustion engine having NVH feedback uses NVH signals which are processed and compared with human threshold values to determine whether an engine control parameter such as idle speed needs to be adjusted so as to mitigate unwanted noise, vibration, and harshness.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2003
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Milton Scott Bergeon, William Woebkenberg
  • Patent number: 6647958
    Abstract: A throttle control apparatus for an internal combustion engine capable of controlling an opening degree of an electronic control type throttle with high accuracy by employing an inexpensive A/D converter. The apparatus includes a throttle opening degree detector, and a controller for controlling the opening degree to a target value in dependence on operation state of the engine. The throttle opening degree detector includes a throttle opening degree sensor, an offset unit for transforming the sensor voltage into a plurality of offset-weighted voltages (V1, . . . , V4), an A/D converter and an adder for adding the converted offset-weighted voltages (V1 to V4) wherein a sum value resulting from addition of the offset-weighted voltages (V1, . . . , V4) is detected as the opening degree of the throttle to be controlled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2003
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Nobuaki Yokoyama, Koji Nishimoto, Shinji Watanabe
  • Publication number: 20030196637
    Abstract: A method and system for controlling an automotive internal combustion engine having NVH feedback uses NVH signals which are processed and compared with human threshold values to determine whether an engine control parameter such as idle speed needs to be adjusted so as to mitigate unwanted noise, vibration, and harshness.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 18, 2002
    Publication date: October 23, 2003
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Milton Scott Bergeon, William Woebkenberg
  • Patent number: 6622697
    Abstract: An engine idling control device includes a secondary air supply device, an intake gauge pressure detecting unit and a secondary air supply control unit. The secondary air supply device is disposed on a bypass intake passage communicating with an intake pipe and bypassing a throttle valve. The intake gauge pressure detecting unit detects an intake gauge pressure on the intake pipe side. The secondary air supply control unit controls the secondary air supply device so as to open and close the bypass intake passage when an engine is in an idling state. The secondary air supply device is controlled to obtain the optional opening value. The secondary air supply control unit controls such that the secondary air supply device increases the opening value when the intake gauge pressure becomes higher than a predetermined low load condition in an idling state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2003
    Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hideyuki Oki, Atsushi Izumiura, Asao Ukai, Shinichi Kitajima, Atsushi Matsubara, Yasuo Nakamoto
  • Publication number: 20030172903
    Abstract: A method of controlling the speed of an engine whilst the engine is operating in a crank or idle state, including the steps of (a) determining when the engine is operating in said crank or idle state; (b) determining whether the engine speed is above an upper threshold speed, and (c) controlling the engine when the engine speed is above the upper threshold speed so as to effect a reduction in the engine speed to avoid an engine speed runaway event.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 20, 2003
    Publication date: September 18, 2003
    Inventor: Alfonso Perez Carballo
  • Patent number: 6580178
    Abstract: A system and method of charging an energy storage device in a vehicle including an engine coupled to a combined starter/alternator and an energy storage device connected to said starter/alternator. The energy storage device provides electrical power to the vehicle. The method comprises the steps of determining a peak efficiency torque value of the starter/alternator when operating as an electrical generator, and intermittently operating the starter/alternator for a predetermined period of time as an electrical generator at approximately the peak efficiency torque value. In this way, the output of the starter/generator is substantially greater than an average power load value of the vehicle for a predetermined period of time, but the average power output of the starter/generator is approximately equal to the average power load requirements of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2003
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Allan Roy Gale, Michael W Degner, Michael Alan Tamor
  • Patent number: 6571766
    Abstract: The present invention provides an idle speed controller comprising a guide plate having a spigot portion fixedly attached to a cylindrical projected portion of a solenoid coil assembly for guiding a shaft to and away from a plunger wherein a symmetrical central axis is maintained between the shaft and the plunger during the guiding of the shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2003
    Assignees: Hitachi, Ltd., Hitachi Car Engineering Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroaki Saeki, Kenji Watanabe
  • Patent number: 6550239
    Abstract: A method for reducing harmful and toxic exhaust gases from an internal combustion engine. The engine includes at least one cylinder to which an air/fuel mixture is supplied when a crankshaft of the internal combustion engine is rotated. The method includes supplying an air/fuel mixture with a lambda value greater than one to the cylinder, and controlling the pressure in the intake channel by an electric motor/generator coupled to the crankshaft. When the pressure in the intake channel exceeds a predetermined pressure, the electric motor/generator is controlled in such a way that the pressure in the intake channel can decrease, and when the pressure in the intake channel falls below a predetermined pressure, the electric motor/generator is controlled in such a way that the pressure in the intake channel can increase.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2003
    Assignee: Volvo Car Corporation
    Inventors: Göran Almkvist, Krister Fredriksson
  • Publication number: 20030070654
    Abstract: Air induction noise of a throttle apparatus caused by interference between flowing air and an opening for a bypass passage is reduced because a protrusion formed on an interior surface of the throttle apparatus changes aerodynamic features of the throttle apparatus.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 26, 2002
    Publication date: April 17, 2003
    Inventor: Chang-Yoon Ha
  • Publication number: 20030062024
    Abstract: A control system for a throttle valve actuating device is disclosed. The throttle valve actuating device includes a throttle valve of an internal combustion engine and an actuator for actuating the throttle valve. A control object model is defined by modeling the throttle valve actuating device. The throttle valve actuating device is controlled based on a controlled object model so that an opening of said throttle valve coincides with a target opening.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 5, 2002
    Publication date: April 3, 2003
    Applicant: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yuji Yasui, Yoshihisa Iwaki, Jun Takahashi
  • Patent number: 6541934
    Abstract: In a method for controlling an electric drive, a controlled variable is adjusted to a desired value. To protect the electric drive, the controlled variable is first adjusted to the desired value in a precise manner. Thereafter, the control operation is interrupted, AND the difference between the controlled variable and the desired value is check continuously to see whether it exceed a preset threshold. Interruption of the control operation is terminated when the threshold has been reached or exceeded.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2003
    Assignee: Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Klaus Hirschfelder, Christian Schmidt