With Fail-safe, Backup, Or Malfunction Detecting Means Patents (Class 123/339.15)
  • Patent number: 10861251
    Abstract: A system includes a processor and a memory. The memory stores instructions executable by the processor to identify a vehicle fault condition, select a vehicle component according to a location of the fault condition in the vehicle and a detected location of a user outside of the vehicle, and actuate the vehicle component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2020
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Kenneth J. Miller, Aed M. Dudar, Thomas G. Leone
  • Patent number: 10738908
    Abstract: A rotational magnet indexing valve, which has a housing assembly and a rotational magnet valve assembly. The rotational magnet valve assembly has a driven gear assembly, a manifold assembly, a motor assembly, and a plurality of magnetic cartridge valve assemblies. The rotational magnet valve assembly has an inlet and a plurality of outlets. The manifold assembly is cylindrical in shape. The plurality of magnetic cartridge valve assemblies is radially positioned on the manifold assembly. The motor assembly is joined to the manifold assembly by a bridge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2020
    Inventor: Keith Donald Brookins
  • Patent number: 10441345
    Abstract: A generator is disclosed to generate a drive signal to a surgical device. The generator includes an ultrasonic generator module to generate a first drive signal to drive an ultrasonic device, an electrosurgery/radio frequency (RF) generator module to generate a second drive signal to drive an electrosurgical device, and a foot switch coupled to each of the ultrasonic generator module and the electrosurgery/RF generator module. The foot switch is configured to operate in a first mode when the ultrasonic device is coupled to the ultrasonic generator module and the foot switch is configured to operate in a second mode when the electrosurgical device is coupled to the electrosurgery/RF generator module. The generator further includes a user interface to provide feedback in accordance with the operation of any one of the ultrasonic device and the electrosurgical device in accordance with a predetermined algorithm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2019
    Assignee: Ethicon LLC
    Inventors: Jeffrey L. Aldridge, Robert A. Kemerling, Mark E. Tebbe, Christopher A. Papa, Daniel W. Price, Eitan T. Wiener, Jeffrey D. Messerly, David C. Yates, Mark A. Davison, Scott B. Killinger, Gavin M. Monson, Robert J. Laird, Matthew C. Miller
  • Patent number: 10184417
    Abstract: In a fuel injection system a high-pressure fuel pump is arranged to deliver fuel into the fuel rail, a first valve is disposed at the inlet of the high-pressure fuel pump, and a second valve is disposed in a return line that fluidly connects the fuel rail to a fuel tank. An electronic control unit is configured to monitor a value of a parameter indicative of a fuel quantity injected into the engine, monitor a value of an engine speed, and operate the first valve to allow a first fuel flow to be delivered from the high-pressure fuel pump into the fuel rail and contemporaneously operate the second valve to discharge a second fuel flow from the fuel rail, if the monitored value of the parameter indicates that no fuel is injected into the engine and the monitored value of the engine speed exceeds a predetermined threshold value thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2019
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Daniele Carboni, Ricardo Rossi
  • Patent number: 9855834
    Abstract: A vehicle having an integrated function of assisting an engine and compressing a refrigerant includes a motor unit and a compression unit coupled within a housing, and a first clutch unit coupled to a rotation shaft of the motor unit or a rotation shaft of the compression unit and that connects or releases a driving force of an engine and a driving force of the motor unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2018
    Assignee: LG ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Junggu Lee, Seungdo Han, Ikseo Park, Junghyun Park
  • Patent number: 9826594
    Abstract: An LED lighting device system for a vehicle prevents erroneous lighting of the LED lighting device due to leakage current at fee operation switch. An LED lighting device system for a vehicle is provided with an LED lighting device having an LED light source, an operation switch for lighting and extinguishing the LED light source, and a power source that is connected to the input side of the operation switch and feeds electrical current to the LED light source. The LED light device system for a vehicle has a switching element capable of blocking electrical current flowing to the LED light source and a detection unit that detects voltage on the output side of the operation switch and causes the switching element to block the electrical current.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yosuke Tsuchiya, Kazuhiko Mori, Nobuyuki Takenaka
  • Patent number: 9624889
    Abstract: An apparatus (200) for controlling the rail pressure of the high-pressure common-rail tube cavity of the high-pressure common-rail fuel system of an engine, comprising an operation condition acquiring device (202), which is used for acquiring operation conditions associated with the high-pressure common-rail fuel system of the engine; a fuel quantity metering valve equivalent cross-sectional area determining device (204) coupled with the operation condition acquiring device (202), which is used for determining an equivalent cross-sectional area of the fuel quantity metering valve (210) by a linear physical model (212) of fuel quantity metering valve equivalent cross-sectional area based on an acquired operation condition and a target value of the rail pressure of the high-pressure common-rail tube cavity; a signal generating device (206) coupled with the fuel quantity metering valve equivalent cross-sectional area determining device (204), which used for generating a driving signal (208) for controlling the e
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2017
    Assignee: Weichai Power Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Guangdi Hu, Shaojun Sun, Dehui Tong
  • Patent number: 9316131
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for using a crankcase vent tube pressure or flow sensor for diagnosing a location and nature of crankcase system integrity breach. The same sensor can also be used for diagnosing air filter plugging and PCV valve degradation. Use of an existing sensor to diagnose multiple engine components provides cost reduction and sensor compaction benefits.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2016
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: John Eric Rollinger, Robert Roy Jentz, Ross Dykstra Pursifull
  • Patent number: 9022007
    Abstract: An embodiment of an engine is described. The engine includes a first throttle valve. The first throttle valve is provided in a first intake passage coupled to an intake manifold. The first throttle valve has a default closed position. The engine further includes a second throttle valve. The second throttle valve is provided in a second intake passage coupled to the intake manifold. The second throttle valve has a default open position. The engine further includes a venturi pump that is provided between the second throttle valve and the intake manifold. When the second throttle valve is in the default open position, intake air flows through the venturi pump.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2015
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Ross Dykstra Pursifull, Joseph Norman Ulrey
  • Patent number: 8983755
    Abstract: A control system for controlling a power output of a gas engine of the present invention includes a target value setting section for setting as a target value a restricted power output which is less than a predetermined power output when a source gas pressure of a gas fuel is less than a predetermined value required to inject the gas fuel against an intake-air pressure according to the predetermined power output, a power output setting section for setting a set value of a power output based on the target value set by the target value setting section, and a power output control section for controlling the power output so that the power output reaches the set value set by the power output setting section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2015
    Assignee: Kawasaki Jukogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Tsukasa Imamura, Tomohiko Sugimoto
  • Publication number: 20150040861
    Abstract: In a vehicle including a power supply network for electrical consumers, a battery, an engine, and a generator coupled to the engine to supply electrical energy to the battery and to the power supply network, an operation saving device includes an electronic processor configured to raise an idling speed of the engine when the battery is disconnected from the power supply network.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 20, 2013
    Publication date: February 12, 2015
    Applicants: RENAULT s.a.s., NISSAN MOTOR CO., LTD
    Inventors: Joelle Mollon, Andreea Balasete, Takeshi Watanabe
  • Patent number: 8950380
    Abstract: An internal combustion engine has a fuel pressure sensor, the measured value of which represents a fuel pressure in a fuel reservoir of the internal combustion engine. Fuel is metered from the fuel reservoir into a combustion chamber. In a predefined idle operating state (LBZ) of the internal combustion engine, a speed of the internal combustion engine is regulated so as to reach a specific idling speed. During the regulation process, a value of a manipulated variable for metering the fuel is determined, the value being required to reach the specific idling speed. Furthermore, it is concluded that the measured fuel pressure value contains an error (ERR) when the determined required value of the manipulated variable differs from a reference value (REF) predefined for the predefined idle operating state (LBZ) of the internal combustion engine by at least a given amount or factor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2015
    Assignee: Continental Automotive GmbH
    Inventor: Christoph Adler
  • Patent number: 8857408
    Abstract: A system for managing engine idling operation is provided. The system includes a communication center communicatively coupled to at least one vehicle having an engine. A database is provided that has idling regulation information stored therein based, at least, upon geographic location. The vehicle with the engine further includes an idling detection system. The idling detection system includes an idle detect sensor, a processor and a location information module, such as a GPS receiver. The processor is operably coupled to the idle detect sensor. The location information module is operably coupled to the processor to provide position information relative to the vehicle. The processor is configured to monitor vehicle idling and provide a warning thereof based upon an idling regulation stored in the database selected by current vehicle position information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2014
    Assignee: Peoplenet Communications Corporation
    Inventor: Ronald E. Konezny
  • Patent number: 8770171
    Abstract: A combustion engine has a fuel supply unit, an ignition unit and a controller controlling the amount of fuel and the ignition time. An adjustable throttle element controlling the amount of combustion air to the engine and an adjustable idling stop for the throttle element are provided. The controller includes a regulating unit regulating the rotational speed of the motor to a set-point rotational speed (nsoll) when idling. To adjust the idling stop, the regulating unit is switched off when idling. A diagnostic unit switches off the regulating unit. A method for adjusting a combustion engines provides that the regulating unit is switched off, the amount of fuel supplied is adjusted during idling and a rotational speed is evaluated, and that on the basis of the rotational speed value, it is determined how the idling stop is to be adjusted to reach a set-point rotational speed maximum (nsollmax).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2014
    Assignee: Andreas Stihl AG & Co. KG
    Inventor: Andreas Paa
  • Patent number: 8515651
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for stabilizing a controller and to the use of that method for stabilizing a controller system in an internal combustion engine. It is proposed that the stability of the controller first be established or excluded, that the control characteristic of the controller be altered and that the stability be checked again, and that those steps be repeated in a loop. For use in internal combustion engines, it is proposed that the order of precedence for the stabilization be specified and optionally made dependent on external ambient parameters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2013
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Stephane De Tricaud, Thomas Mueller
  • Publication number: 20120180758
    Abstract: A combustion engine has a fuel supply unit, an ignition unit and a controller controlling the amount of fuel and the ignition time. An adjustable throttle element controlling the amount of combustion air to the engine and an adjustable idling stop for the throttle element are provided. The controller includes a regulating unit regulating the rotational speed of the motor to a set-point rotational speed (nsoll) when idling. To adjust the idling stop, the regulating unit is switched off when idling. A diagnostic unit switches off the regulating unit. A method for adjusting a combustion engines provides that the regulating unit is switched off, the amount of fuel supplied is adjusted during idling and a rotational speed is evaluated, and that on the basis of the rotational speed value, it is determined how the idling stop is to be adjusted to reach a set-point rotational speed maximum (nsollmax).
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 17, 2012
    Publication date: July 19, 2012
    Inventor: Andreas Paa
  • Publication number: 20120037119
    Abstract: An internal combustion engine has a fuel pressure sensor, the measured value of which represents a fuel pressure in a fuel reservoir of the internal combustion engine. Fuel is metered from the fuel reservoir into a combustion chamber. In a predefined idle operating state (LBZ) of the internal combustion engine, a speed of the internal combustion engine is regulated so as to reach a specific idling speed. During the regulation process, a value of a manipulated variable for metering the fuel is determined, the value being required to reach the specific idling speed. Furthermore, it is concluded that the measured fuel pressure value contains an error (ERR) when the determined required value of the manipulated variable differs from a reference value (REF) predefined for the predefined idle operating state (LBZ) of the internal combustion engine by at least a given amount or factor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 30, 2010
    Publication date: February 16, 2012
    Inventor: Christoph Adler
  • Patent number: 8050850
    Abstract: An internal combustion engine includes a valve timing change mechanism that changes the phase of an intake cam, and a lift amount change mechanism that changes lift amount by causing displacement of a control shaft. An electronic control unit performs a coordinated control in which the lift amount change mechanism is operated such that the position of the control shaft that is detected by a position detection sensor becomes the target position, and the valve timing change mechanism is operated according to a control state of the lift amount change mechanism. When a discrepancy between the actual position of the control shaft and the detected position thereof is estimated to be large, coordinated control is forbidden and the valve timing change mechanism is operated based on engine load.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2011
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Naohide Fuwa, Tokiji Ito, Seiko Tamada, Hiroyuki Kanemoto
  • Patent number: 7971570
    Abstract: An engine controller for a vehicle equipped with an emission reduction apparatus determines whether the emission reduction apparatus has malfunction. When it is determined that the emission reduction apparatus has malfunction an execution of an idle shutdown control process is permitted. When a predetermined condition is established during an engine idling, the engine is automatically shut down. On the other hand, when it is determined that the emission reduction apparatus has no malfunction, the execution of the idle shutdown control process is prohibited.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2011
    Assignee: Denso Corporation
    Inventor: Yoshihiro Noda
  • Patent number: 7974749
    Abstract: A diagnostic system for a vehicle includes a first sensor that generates a first status signal, which is indicative of an engine speed of an engine. A second sensor generates a second status signal that is indicative of an actual accessory speed of an accessory. The accessory is coupled to the engine via a belt system. A control module determines an expected accessory speed based on the engine speed and determines a residual accessory speed based on the expected and actual accessory speeds. The control module also detects a fault in the belt system based on the residual accessory speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2011
    Inventors: Andrew M. Zettel, John F. Van Gilder, Rick H. Schroeder, Michael J. Taljonick, Christopher J. Dobies
  • Patent number: 7954473
    Abstract: A vehicle speed sensor detects a rotational speed of a rear wheel. A throttle valve is positioned downstream of an intake pipe. An idle speed control device controls the amount of air flowing through the intake pipe to perform an idle speed control. An electronic control unit (ECU) detects an abnormality of the idle speed control (ISC) device based on an intake pipe pressure. The ECU inhibits a rotational speed of the engine from increasing when an abnormality of the ISC device is determined. Precise detection of vehicle speed and suppression of increase of engine rotational speed resulting from an ISC abnormality is thereby achieved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2011
    Assignee: Yamaha Hatsudoki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Tomohiko Ota
  • Patent number: 7762230
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for operating at least one drive motor, particularly an internal combustion engine, of an automobile, particularly a motor vehicle, wherein the engine speed of the drive motor in the detected idle state of the motor vehicle does not exceed a predetermined maximum value by means of engine speed limitation. It is provided that the idle state detected is verified at least once by means of a test cycle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 27, 2010
    Assignee: Audi AG
    Inventor: Johann Graf
  • Patent number: 7673611
    Abstract: A leisure vehicle equipped with an internal combustion engine as a power unit to drive the leisure vehicle, including a drive wheel, a slip sensor unit configured to detect a slip of the drive wheel, a throttle device mounted to the internal combustion engine, a throttle valve position changing device configured to change a position of a throttle valve of the throttle device, a throttle close operation sensor unit configured to detect that a rider has performed a throttle close operation to close a throttle of the throttle device, and a controller configured to control an operation of the throttle valve position changing device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2010
    Assignee: Kawasaki Jukogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Yoshimoto Matsuda
  • Patent number: 7661406
    Abstract: To prevent an increase in torque when the fixed state of a throttle valve is released. When diagnostics reads fixed diagnostics flag 1 indicating that the throttle valve is in a fixed state, control value ATVO that can maintain throttle aperture RTVO is set (S11, S12) based on detected value RTVO for the throttle aperture in the current fixed state, fuel injection volume TiO that is calculated according to new air volume Q is secured at fuel injection volume TiL or greater in order to achieve the engine torque for when fail-safe control is executed, and when air-fuel ratio?is less than the lower limit value?L, causing an increase in the amount of smoke, control is executed to suppress the occurrence of said smoke.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2010
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jin Yokoyama, Takanobu Aikawa
  • Patent number: 7657360
    Abstract: Dither frequency analysis systems include a controller for directing a control signal and a dither frequency to an actuation driver. One or more sensors are used for receiving and relaying a signal downstream from an actuation element, which downstream signal includes the dither frequency. A frequency analysis device receives and analyzes the downstream dither frequency and directs the same to a controller that is configured to evaluate the analyzed downstream dither frequency, and evaluate whether the same indicates proper or improper actuation system operation. The downstream dither frequency is analyzed and evaluated at a frequency of less than about one second, and the frequency analysis device analyzes downstream dither frequencies in the range of from about 50 to 500 hertz. The system can include algorithms and test sequences to address and/or further evaluate improper actuation system operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2010
    Assignee: Honeywell International, Inc.
    Inventor: John Skowron
  • Patent number: 7497200
    Abstract: A continuous throttle regulation device employs a motor throttle body located proximate to a motor or engine, and an accelerator pedal located remote from the motor or engine. A return switch (RS) is responsive to the motor throttle body, and a pressure sensitive switch (PSS) is responsive to the accelerator pedal position. Power is passed through both switches then to a critical electronic element required to run the motor, such as a distributor. Therefore, when both switches are open, power to the critical element is interrupted, slowing or stopping the motor. When both switches are closed, the power is restored to the ignition causing the motor to operate. Therefore, the system may engage and disengage automatically and intermittently numerous times in a short period of time, thereby safely limiting motor speed, while restoring power in a split second to keep the motor running and operational. This technology may also be applied to gasoline, diesel, and electric motors to regulate their operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2009
    Inventors: Terrance Golden, Mark Ayers, John A. Hynak
  • 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: 7143742
    Abstract: An engine control unit (ECU) monitors an idling rotation speed of a diesel engine and predicts a tendency of an increase in an injection quantity occurring until an increasing rate of the injection quantity converges based on an initial tendency of an increase in the idling rotation speed. If the idling rotation speed exceeds a predetermined reference rotation speed, the ECU performs correction (counter control) for reducing the injection quantity. Thus, an increase in the injection quantity due to changes in hardware with time can be eluded, and an increase in an engine output due to the increase in the injection quantity can be inhibited. Therefore, damages to the diesel engine due to an excessive increase in the engine output can be prevented.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2006
    Assignee: Denso Corporation
    Inventor: Noriaki Nakane
  • Patent number: 7017558
    Abstract: An evaporative emission control system detects an opening failure of a purge control valve that controls the amount of purge gas flowing from a canister into an intake passage of the engine, and determines whether a significant shift occurs in an air/fuel ratio feedback factor when the opening failure is detected. If the air/fuel ratio feedback factor is shifted to the rich side, a rich-side initial value is set to a vapor concentration learned value, and, if the feedback factor is shifted to the lean side, a lean-side initial value is set to the vapor concentration learned value. These initial values give larger changes to the vapor concentration learned value than update amounts by which the learned value is updated during normal learning control.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2006
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Akinori Osanai
  • Patent number: 6987376
    Abstract: A watercraft battery control system monitors a battery charge. The system informs the watercraft operator when the battery charge is below a predetermined value. Alternatively, the system automatically controls engine operation by starting the engine or by increasing the speed of the engine to allow a generator to replenish the battery charge when the battery charge has fallen below a predetermined value. By informing the user of an inadequate battery charge, the user can start the engine an recharge the battery. Alternatively, the system automatically maintains the battery at a predetermined charge level to ensure safe and enjoyable watercraft operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2006
    Assignee: Yamaha Marine Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Isao Kanno
  • Patent number: 6983735
    Abstract: A control for controlling an intake air into an engine is provided. A control valve for adjusting an amount of the intake air into the engine is provided. A desired opening degree of a control valve provided in an intake air passage into the engine is determined based on a clogging coefficient. The clogging coefficient indicates a degree of clogging of the intake air passage. An opening degree of the control valve is controlled to converge to the desired opening degree. The clogging coefficient is updated based on a feedback correction amount for feedback controlling a rotational speed of the engine during idling operation. If a leakage in a blow-by gas passage that is connected between the engine and the intake air passage is detected, the update of the clogging coefficient is prohibited.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2006
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hirokazu Toyoshima, Naoki Oie, Masaaki Nagashima, Yasuo Takagi
  • Patent number: 6945222
    Abstract: A method to determine degradation of an idle air throttling device in an internal combustion engine. Degradation is determined in a manner that may permit evaluation of both the idle air throttling device and expected engine operating conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2005
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Michael Kluzner, Margherita Zanini-Fisher
  • Patent number: 6945223
    Abstract: A failure diagnostic apparatus for an intake air stream control valve which is provided in an intake system for an internal combustion engine, and which forms an air stream in the combustion chamber by changing a flow of intake air when the intake air is introduced to the combustion chamber of the internal combustion engine. In the failure diagnostic apparatus, an ignition device is provided in the combustion chamber; an ECU changes ignition timing such that an engine rotational speed of the internal combustion engine becomes equal to a target rotational speed immediately after the engine is started while the engine is cold; and the ECU performs a failure diagnostic control for determining whether a failure has occurred in the intake air stream control valve based on whether the changed ignition timing is different from the reference ignition timing that is a reference for the failure diagnosis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2005
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Koichi Hoshi
  • Patent number: 6932050
    Abstract: An engine controller for a vehicle having an automatic centrifugal clutch device, includes an engine halt controlling means (ECM) for performing engine halt control. The engine halt controlling means halts the engine with the condition that the engine speed becomes equal to or higher than a first set rotational frequency, which is set to be equal to or lower than the clutch engagement rotational frequency of the automatic centrifugal clutch device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2005
    Assignee: Suzuki Motor Corporation
    Inventors: Ken Shibano, Eiichi Iyoda
  • Patent number: 6840213
    Abstract: A control apparatus, a control method, and an engine control unit for a variable cylinder internal combustion engine are provided for appropriately performing any of an idling rotational speed control, a deceleration fuel-cut control, and an auxiliary machinery driving control irrespective of whether or not a cylinder pausing mechanism fails. The control apparatus for the variable cylinder internal combustion engine switchably operated in a full cylinder operation mode and a partial cylinder operation mode comprises an ECU. The ECU determines whether or not the cylinder pause mechanism fails, and sets a target idling rotational speed for use in the idling rotational speed control to a normal operation value when the cylinder pausing mechanism is normal and to a faulty operation value higher than the normal operation value when the cylinder pausing mechanism is faulty.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2005
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shunji Takahashi, Hiroki Yoshimatsu, Toshiaki Ichouda
  • Publication number: 20040261765
    Abstract: An evaporative emission control system detects an opening failure of a purge control valve that controls the amount of purge gas flowing from a canister into an intake passage of the engine, and determines whether a significant shift occurs in an air/fuel ratio feedback factor when the opening failure is detected. If the air/fuel ratio feedback factor is shifted to the rich side, a rich-side initial value is set to a vapor concentration learned value, and, if the feedback factor is shifted to the lean side, a lean-side initial value is set to the vapor concentration learned value. These initial values give larger changes to the vapor concentration learned value than update amounts by which the learned value is updated during normal learning control.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 10, 2004
    Publication date: December 30, 2004
    Inventor: Akinori Osanai
  • Publication number: 20040221832
    Abstract: A control apparatus, a control method, and an engine control unit for a variable cylinder internal combustion engine are provided for appropriately performing any of an idling rotational speed control, a deceleration fuel-cut control, and an auxiliary machinery driving control irrespective of whether or not a cylinder pausing mechanism fails. The control apparatus for the variable cylinder internal combustion engine switchably operated in a full cylinder operation mode and a partial cylinder operation mode comprises an ECU. The ECU determines whether or not the cylinder pause mechanism fails, and sets a target idling rotational speed for use in the idling rotational speed control to a normal operation value when the cylinder pausing mechanism is normal and to a faulty operation value higher than the normal operation value when the cylinder pausing mechanism is faulty.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 3, 2004
    Publication date: November 11, 2004
    Applicant: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Shunji Takahashi, Hiroki Yoshimatsu, Toshiaki Ichouda
  • Patent number: 6755178
    Abstract: In an apparatus and a method for monitoring a drive unit of a vehicle and/or components allocated thereto, a torque variable is determined that characterizes the torque requirement of the drive unit and/or the allocated components. Faults are recognized on the basis of the torque variable and/or a variable on the basis of which the torque variable is determined.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2004
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Juergen Bauer, Andreas Huber, Volker Pitzal, Udo Schulz
  • Patent number: 6715468
    Abstract: An excessive volume of fuel discharged by a high-pressure supply pump to a common rail due to an opened state abnormality of an inlet metering valve of the pump may result in an abnormal increase in common rail pressure. In the event of such an abnormal increase, a target idle revolution speed is newly set at an abnormal value greater than a normal value as a measure taken to increase an idle revolution speed. Thus, a pressure limiter, which has been once put in an opened valve state by an actual common rail pressure higher than a limit setting pressure, can be prevented from again entering a closed valve state. As a result, it is possible to eliminate idle performance instability caused by repetition of opened valve and closed valve states of the pressure limiter and, hence, assure reliability of the pressure limiter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2004
    Assignee: Denso Corporation
    Inventors: Ken Uchiyama, Toshimi Matsumura
  • Patent number: 6655357
    Abstract: An abnormality detecting apparatus for an intake system of an internal combustion engine, which detects an abnormality of the intake system, is disclosed. The intake system has a throttle valve, a bypass passage bypassing the throttle valve, and an idling control valve for controlling the amount of air supplied through the bypass passage to the engine. A total intake air amount supplied to the engine is calculated. An amount of intake air supplied through the bypass passage is calculated based on a valve opening control quantity for the idling control valve. A parameter indicative of a leak air amount of the intake system is calculated according to the result of a comparison between the calculated total intake air amount and the amount of intake air supplied through the bypass passage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2003
    Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Akira Murakami, Manabu Niki
  • Patent number: 6575427
    Abstract: An electronic throttle control system having a housing and cover member with a throttle valve, gear mechanism, motor, and failsafe mechanism. A spring member positioned between the housing and sector gear member which is attached to the throttle valve shaft, biases the throttle valve plate member toward the closed position. A spring-biased plunger member biases the throttle plate member from its closed position to a default or “limp-home” position. A stop shoulder on the sector gear is transverse to the longitudinal axis of the plunger mechanism midway through the default range of travel of the sector gear and plunger member. This reduces stresses on the components and minimizes friction and wear on the gear train mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2003
    Assignee: Visteon Global Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: James Richard Rauch, Mark Warner Semeyn, Jr., Ross Dykstra Pursifull
  • Publication number: 20030084871
    Abstract: An excessive volume of fuel discharged by a high-pressure supply pump to a common rail due to an opened state abnormality of an inlet metering valve of the pump may result in an abnormal increase in common rail pressure. In the event of such an abnormal increase, a target idle revolution speed is newly set at an abnormal value greater than a normal value as a measure taken to increase an idle revolution speed. Thus, a pressure limiter, which has been once put in an opened valve state by an actual common rail pressure higher than a limit setting pressure, can be prevented from again entering a closed valve state. As a result, it is possible to eliminate idle performance instability caused by repetition of opened valve and closed valve states of the pressure limiter and, hence, assure reliability of the pressure limiter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 4, 2002
    Publication date: May 8, 2003
    Inventors: Ken Uchiyama, Toshimi Matsumura
  • Patent number: 6556915
    Abstract: A system (10) includes a vehicle-based controller (30) for automatically controlling a throttle (32) of a vehicle (14) to maintain a desired cruise speed of the vehicle. The system also includes a tire-based unit (20) for monitoring an operating condition of a vehicle tire (12) of the vehicle (14). The tire-based unit (20) provides a signal (22) indicative of a sensed operating condition of the vehicle tire (12) to the controller (30). The controller (30) determines an abnormal condition of the vehicle tire (12) when the sensed operating condition reaches a predetermined level. The controller (30) limits the vehicle cruise speed to a predetermined maximum cruise speed when the vehicle tire (12) is in the abnormal condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2003
    Assignee: TRW Inc.
    Inventor: Roger A. McCurdy
  • Patent number: 6542853
    Abstract: A life estimation device which numerically measures the damage to a machine such as an engine accurately to estimate, the life of the machine accurately without requiring skill. A load map (B) of the two-dimensional distribution of the operation parameters of an engine is made. In accordance with the weighted integration time &agr;i·ki at each level (Bi) of the load map (B), the actual damage &dgr;=&Sgr;&agr;i·ki to the engine for a certain lapse of time &tgr; is calculated. By operating the engine beforehand, a correspondence relation L2 between the magnitude of the damage &dgr; and the life H is predetermined. The life H1 corresponding to the calculated actual damage &dgr;1 is determined in accordance with the predetermined correspondence relation L2 and the H1 is outputted as the estimated life of the engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2003
    Assignee: Komatsu, Ltd.
    Inventors: Taku Murakami, Ichio Ichikawa, Haruo Hashimoto, Koji Iijima, Fumihide Sato, Hiroshi Ohkawa
  • Patent number: 6484693
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing corrected throttle valve opening data to the ECU for calculation of various engine parameters includes computing a throttle opening adjustment value H by subtracting a sensed throttle valve opening S from a actual throttle valve opening D at engine idle. An adjusted throttle valve opening K is computed throughout the range of throttle openings by adding the adjustment value H to the sensed throttle valve opening S. In this manner, an erroneous sensed throttle valve opening S is corrected by the adjustment value H. The process of determining the throttle valve adjustment value preferably is performed at the engine idle state and can be triggered by a physical trigger; by connecting and disconnecting certain electronic devices from the ECU according to a prescribed pattern; by shifting an outboard motor from a neutral to a forward or reverse state; or by other triggering means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2002
    Assignee: Sanshin Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Isao Kanno
  • Publication number: 20020162982
    Abstract: In a device for restoring a throttle valve, which is for controlling combustion air of an internal combustion engine, into a definite limp-home air position, having a throttle valve shaft (11), which supports a drivable driver (12) and is rotatably supported in a housing (10), and having a prestressed clamping spring (13), whose spring ends (131, 132), by simultaneously embracing a housing catch (14) and a driver catch (15) on opposing catch surfaces (16, 17), fix a limp-home air position of the throttle valve (30), from which the throttle valve (30) can be moved through rotation of the driver (15), a compensation spring (18), which has a definite initial stress force directed counter to the spring force of the clamping spring (13), is disposed between one spring end (131) of the clamping spring (13) and a catch surface (16) on one of the catches (14) in order to produce a rotary play-free state of the driver (12) in the limp-home air position (FIG. 4).
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 17, 2002
    Publication date: November 7, 2002
    Inventors: Klaus Kaiser, Uwe Hammer
  • Patent number: 6443126
    Abstract: A motor control apparatus combined with an engine controls both driving and power-generation functions of an electric motor. The motor control apparatus has a determining control for determining an idling state of the engine including an engine rotational speed-detector for detecting engine rotational speed. The control can return the engine rotational speed to a predetermined rotational speed value. The control varies the engine rotational speed by changing an operating state of the motor when an engine rotational speed measured by a detection signal from the engine rotational speed-detector varies from a predetermined rotational speed value for an idling mode of the engine. The engine rotational speed in the idle state becomes essentially constant, and the quietness of the engine is increased.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2002
    Assignee: Suzuki Motor Corporation
    Inventors: Kazuhiko Morimoto, Yoshiaki Omata
  • Patent number: 6338329
    Abstract: A blow-by gas passage abnormality detecting system for an internal combustion engine detects, only under the condition that the running state of the engine is idle, a leakage of a blow-by gas coming from a blow-by gas passage for returning the blow-by gas produced in the engine to an intake passage, on the basis of a parameter varying with a change in the air flow to be sucked into the engine. The abnormality such as leakage or clogging in the blow-by gas passage is detected if the ISC opening of an idle speed control valve measured as a load amount at an idle time of the engine is smaller than a predetermined value. Alternatively, the abnormality may be detected by detecting the blow-by gas pressure in the blow-by gas passage downstream of a PCV valve by a gas pressure sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2002
    Assignee: Denso Corporation
    Inventors: Yoshinori Maegawa, Masaaki Nakayama
  • Publication number: 20010051848
    Abstract: A malfunction determining apparatus of an engine system that has an improved malfunction determining accuracy. The apparatus includes a processing unit. The processing unit performs a test for the engine system every time a predetermined condition is satisfied and determines whether there is a malfunction in the engine system based on the test result. The number of times when a malfunction is detected is represented by malfunction counter value. The processing unit evaluates the reliability of malfunction counter value based on a normality counter value. When the malfunction counter value is reliable and reaches a predetermined value, the processing unit determines that there is a malfunction in the engine system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 30, 2001
    Publication date: December 13, 2001
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Tokiji Ito
  • Patent number: 6283092
    Abstract: Disclosed is a method for controlling an engine during the malfunctioning of a coolant temperature sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2001
    Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventor: Chul-Hwa Jung