Air Conditioner Operating Mode Responsive (i.e., Compressor On-off) Patents (Class 123/339.17)
  • Patent number: 11840976
    Abstract: A control device for an engine is provided, which includes a combustion chamber formed by a cylinder and a piston, an intake air amount adjuster that adjusts an intake air amount supplied to the combustion chamber, a controller switchable of a combustion mode between a fuel-lean first combustion mode and a stoichiometric second combustion mode based on an engine operating state, and an intake air cooler that cools the intake air supplied to the combustion chamber. The controller controls the intake air cooler to start intake air cooling in response to a request for switching the combustion modes, and after the intake air cooling is started, controls the intake air amount adjuster to start the switching of the combustion modes, and then controls the intake air cooler and the intake air amount adjuster so that the switching of the combustion modes ends after the intake air cooling is finished.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2022
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2023
    Assignee: Mazda Motor Corporation
    Inventors: Tohru Hokazono, Kota Maekawa, Masaharu Marumoto, Kazuaki Narahara, Chinami Morishima
  • Patent number: 11134234
    Abstract: An image processing apparatus includes a processor including hardware, the processor being configured to extend an N-bit color video signal to an M (M>N)-bit color video signal, subject the M-bit color video signal obtained by the extension to level correction based on (M?N), and subject the color video signal subjected to the level correction to white balance correction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 28, 2021
    Assignee: Olympus Corporation
    Inventor: Shinya Takasumi
  • Patent number: 10422274
    Abstract: A control device for an actuator learns a reference position of a shaft when the operation of the engine of a vehicle is not obstructed in a period during which the engine is operating, and performs feedback control by using the reference position learned thereby in such a way that the position of the shaft detected by a position sensor gets close to a target position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2019
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
    Inventors: Satoshi Kawamura, Kenta Hatano
  • Patent number: 10169834
    Abstract: A system includes a processor that is connected with a communication network A smart circuit monitor is connected with a power line. The smart circuit monitor is in communication with the processor by way of the network. A first smart socket is connected with a power line. The first smart socket is in communication with the processor by way of the network. The first smart socket is associated with a first user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2019
    Inventor: Bryan Guido Hassin
  • Patent number: 10162372
    Abstract: An idle control system for a vehicle is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2018
    Assignee: Cummins Inc.
    Inventor: Jeffrey L. Oakes
  • Patent number: 10107704
    Abstract: A torque estimating device of a gas compressor includes a reference torque characteristic storage unit that stores a reference torque characteristic of the gas compressor as a torque characteristic of the gas compressor in a specific operation state, a torque setting unit that sets a torque corresponding to an input speed of rotation of the gas compressor and pressure of a refrigerant discharged from the gas compressor, on the basis of the reference torque characteristic stored in the reference torque characteristic storage unit, and a torque correcting unit that sets a torque at startup of the gas compressor among the torques set by the torque setting unit, by correcting the torque set by the torque setting unit, in accordance with the speed of rotation and an elapsed time from startup.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2018
    Assignee: CALSONIC KANSEI CORPORATION
    Inventor: Keita Satou
  • Patent number: 9856815
    Abstract: An engine control method of a hybrid vehicle for controlling the engine depending on an engine load of the hybrid vehicle includes: learning a change amount of an engine load; determining at least one engine torque depending on a magnitude of the engine load; calculating an optimum torque value by using the learned change amount of the engine load and at least one determined engine torque; and controlling the engine by using the calculated optimum torque value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2018
    Assignees: HYUNDAI MOTOR COMPANY, KIA MOTORS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Il Kwon Park, In Eok Cho
  • Patent number: 9850829
    Abstract: An electronic control unit (100), which serves as a control device for an internal combustion engine, executes feedback control for controlling the torque of an internal combustion engine (10) so as to coincide the rate of decrease in engine rotational speed with a target rate of decrease in the engine rotational speed. The electronic control unit (100) calculates a required torque that is a torque required to keep the engine rotational speed at a constant rotational speed, and increases a feedback gain in the feedback control as the calculated required torque increases.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2017
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Masahiro Ito
  • Patent number: 9770985
    Abstract: A system for guiding economic driving may include a vehicle generating driving information in accordance with driving. A vehicle management server is configured to receive and store vehicle information and driver information of the vehicle from the vehicle. A vehicle terminal configured to store the vehicle information and transmit the driving information. A business management server is configured to generate economic driving evaluation information according to a preset economic driving algorithm using the driving information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2017
    Assignee: HYUNDAI MOTOR COMPANY
    Inventor: Yoo-Jin Seo
  • Patent number: 9416720
    Abstract: Systems and methods for providing an improved strategy for controlling a variable speed water pump in a vehicle. In some embodiments, more than one water pump speed function is calculated based on values obtained from vehicle sensors, and a controller chooses among the water pump speed function results to set a water pump speed. In some embodiments, the water pump speed is increased when driveline torque is greater than a threshold amount for an amount of time that varies based on the driveline torque. In some embodiments, ambient temperature is considered while determining whether the water pump should provide full coolant flow to an auxiliary coolant loop of a trailer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2016
    Assignee: PACCAR Inc
    Inventors: Tristan Pyle, René M. P. A. Nevels
  • Patent number: 9334776
    Abstract: In an exhaust path of an internal combustion engine, a catalyst, a first air-fuel ratio sensor installed upstream thereof, and a second air-fuel ratio sensor installed downstream thereof are disposed. An air-fuel ratio of the engine is controlled to a rich air-fuel ratio or a lean air-fuel ratio. In a state that is determined as a state where the catalyst stores oxygen to an upper limit after the air-fuel ratio is switched to the lean air-fuel ratio from the rich air-fuel ratio, or a state where the catalyst releases oxygen to a lower limit after the air-fuel ratio is switched to the rich air-fuel ratio from the lean air-fuel ratio, a first output from the first air-fuel ratio sensor, and a second output from the second air-fuel ratio sensor are detected and based on a difference therebetween the output of the first air-fuel ratio sensor is corrected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2016
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Go Hayashita, Takanori Sasaki, Keiichiro Aoki
  • Patent number: 8656889
    Abstract: The control apparatus for a vehicle having a prime mover is applied to a vehicle having an air conditioning mechanism which performs the air conditioning in the vehicle interior by using the cooling water of the internal combustion engine. The engine stop permitting unit permits stopping the internal combustion engine based on the requested load of the internal combustion engine, when the cooling water temperature becomes equal to or higher than the engine stop permitting water temperature. The engine activating unit activates the internal combustion engine when the cooling water temperature becomes lower than the engine activation requesting water temperature, which is set to be lower than the engine stop permitting water temperature. The correcting unit corrects the engine stop permitting water temperature to be higher in the case that the vehicle speed is high, than in the case that the vehicle speed is low.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2014
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Koichiro Muta
  • Patent number: 8467950
    Abstract: A motor controller unit facilitates modifying pressure thresholds and motor operation mode for an air compressor in a hybrid commercial vehicle as a function of vehicle air demand and comprises a processor configured to execute computer-executable instructions comprising monitoring vehicle air system pressure, calculating air demand generated by the vehicle air system, and determining that the vehicle air system air demand is greater than a predetermined air demand threshold. A cut-out pressure threshold for the compressor motor is increased and the air compressor motor is switched from an on/off mode to a continuous run mode wherein pressure is maintained in the air system to be between a cut-in pressure threshold and the increased cut-out pressure threshold. The compressor motor operates in the continuous run mode until air demand falls below the predetermined air demand threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2013
    Assignee: Bendix Commercial Vehicle Systems LLC
    Inventors: David J. Pfefferl, Mark A. Matko, Majed M. Hamdan
  • Patent number: 8406954
    Abstract: An engine control system comprises a torque control module, an air conditioning (A/C) load comparison module, and an A/C load compensation module. The torque control module controls an engine to produce a first torque request based on a first torque maintains a current speed of the engine. The A/C load comparison module compares a transient load to a difference between a torque available to the engine and the first torque request. The A/C load compensation module selectively increases the first torque request prior to a clutch engagement based on the comparison.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2013
    Inventors: Christopher E. Whitney, Mark E. Johnston, Todd R. Shupe
  • Patent number: 8347855
    Abstract: A control system for an engine includes a stop-start initiation module and a load control module. The stop-start initiation module shuts down the engine in response to an engine shutdown request. The load control module, in response to the engine shutdown request, increases a rate at which a rotational speed of the engine decreases during engine shutdown by increasing a rotational load input to the engine by an engine accessory coupled to a crankshaft of the engine. A method for an engine includes shutting down the engine in response to an engine shutdown request. The method further includes increasing, in response to the engine shutdown request, a rate at which a rotational speed of the engine decreases during engine shutdown by increasing a rotational load input to the engine by an engine accessory coupled to a crankshaft of the engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2013
    Inventors: Norman Schoenek, Michael G. Reynolds, Amin Abboud, Gary E. McGee, Douglas R. Verner, Sharon Liu
  • Patent number: 7877198
    Abstract: A system and method of identify fuel savings opportunity in a fleet of vehicles based on a determination of fuel consumption due to modifiable use conditions is described. Modifiable use conditions, such as unauthorized usage, speeding and excessive idling, which represent opportunities for fuel savings are identified and fuel consumption based on the modifiable use conditions is determined. A user-defined statistical metric for the fleet, or a portion of the fleet, can be determined for each of the modifiable use conditions evaluated. Fuel consumption of an individual vehicle, or a group of vehicles, resulting from modifiable use conditions can be compared with a larger group of vehicle, or the fleet, to determine vehicles which correspond to a metric of the fleet. Fleet managers can use this information to modify the use conditions of individual or group of vehicles to provide fuel savings for the fleet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2011
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Stephen Tenzer, Benjamin J. Nielsen, Jon Passman
  • Publication number: 20100262357
    Abstract: A system is provided for automatically shutting off a running internal combustion engine after a predetermined length of idle time has occurred, for installation into a vehicle having electronic diagnostic and control computers incorporated to the vehicle. A first switching apparatus is provided, having open and closed modes for disabling and enabling the ignition system respectively. A second switching apparatus is provided, having open and closed modes for disabling and enabling the ignition system. A data collection device receives data from the connected vehicle diagnostic port including: battery level, engine RPM, vehicle speed, door ajar status, ambient temperature, handbrake status and brake pedal position. A computer is programmed to determine if the data from the diagnostic port set up the prerequisites to safe shutdown engine running operation, and to signal the first and second switching apparatuses to shut down the vehicle engine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 19, 2010
    Publication date: October 14, 2010
    Inventors: A. Richard Dupuis, Sean W. Callahan
  • Publication number: 20090293839
    Abstract: A system and method for optimizing an automobile engine idle speed based on actual air conditioner usage. The automobile engine may supply power to the air conditioner upon engagement of an air conditioner clutch with the automobile engine. The system may include at least one sensor for transmitting electrical signals representative of air conditioner activities, and a control system for receiving the electrical signals and controlling engagement of the air conditioner clutch with the automobile engine. The control system may determine an air conditioning cycling percentage based on an amount of time the air conditioner clutch is engaged with the automobile engine over an amount of time air conditioning is requested by a user. The control system may adjust an idle engine speed based on the air conditioning cycling percentage to optimize operation of the air conditioner.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 29, 2008
    Publication date: December 3, 2009
    Inventors: Songping Yu, Hugh Hamilton
  • Patent number: 7064525
    Abstract: A method for improving vehicle battery state-of-charge (SOC) for initial vehicle customer delivery is disclosed. The method is focused on vehicle assembly plant practices and ensuring that battery discharge is minimized or eliminated during the vehicle assembly process. The method includes determining the available maximum percentage of duty cycle voltage output from the vehicle alternator and determining a minimum idle boost speed necessary to provide minimum discharge or positive charge to the battery when the vehicle's accessories are in the “on” state during vehicle assembly. The method further includes programming the vehicle's controllers to force the maximum percentage of duty cycle voltage output available and the minimum idle speed necessary to provide minimum battery discharge or positive charge during the earliest part of the vehicle life.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2006
    Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Mahlon Richard Pachciarz, Robert D. Harris
  • Patent number: 6910460
    Abstract: An object of the present invention is to maintain stable air-fuel ratio on a venturi type fuel supply device, irrespective of the external load such as air-conditioner and electrical load, and to provide stable engine speed on idling state. A venturi type fuel supply device comprises a venturi chamber located in the upstream of a throttle valve and a passage for supplying air-fuel mixture gas into the venturi chamber. The passage is further equipped with a variable air bleeder valve for taking in air. When the operating state of the external load of the engine changes, the opening of the air bleeder valve is adjusted in accordance with the change so as to control the air-fuel mixture ratio of the mixture gas incoming from the passage into the venturi chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2005
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Seiji Asano, Bunji Igarashi
  • Patent number: 6895928
    Abstract: The present invention relate to idle control in an internal combustion engine and particularly to the control of the air supply to the engine during engine idling. An engine control unit (ECU) monitors the operation of ancillary consumer units to calculate an engine demand depending at least partly on the operation of these units. The ECU also monitors the engine idling speed to determine if the expected engine demand can be met at this engine idling speed. When the engine demand exceeds that available at the idling speed, the ECU determines a desired degree of opening of an air inlet valve to meet the expected engine demand. The ECU is arranged first to open the air inlet valve to a position at which the steady state airflow would exceed that necessary to meet the expected engine demand, and then closes the air inlet valve towards the calculated desired opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2005
    Assignee: Visteon Global Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Adam Peter Shepperson
  • Patent number: 6877481
    Abstract: Multi-cylinder stationary internal combustion engine (1)—in particular a gas otto engine—with at least one throttle valve (13) and with at least one compressor (15)—in particular turbo-supercharger—for driving at least one generator (3) for the production of electric current or for driving at least one other consumer of mechanical energy, the internal combustion engine (1) containing a regulator (10) which, for the shedding of load, sets the throttle valve (13) to a permissible minimum-closure position which differs from the completely closed position and disconnects at least one cylinder (9) in order to prevent overspeed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2005
    Assignee: Jenbacher Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Albert Fahringer, Peter Skorjanz
  • 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: 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: 6708669
    Abstract: An engine control apparatus reduces a driver's feeling of wrongness in a vehicle equipped with an air-conditioning apparatus. A larger one of a first load torque estimated value obtained by estimating a compressor load torque of the air conditioner based on a refrigerant pressure, and a second load torque estimated value obtained by estimating a load torque of the compressor based on an outside air temperature is selected as an air conditioner load to an engine control unit, and an engine output is corrected by using the air conditioner load.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2004
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Jidosha Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Masaru Kadoi
  • Patent number: 6688284
    Abstract: A throttle controller is provided which can control an engine revolution into the target engine revolution without being influenced by a load of an air conditioner compressor during speed change to provide smooth speed change at all times. The throttle controller for controlling the engine revolution during speed change in a vehicle equipped with an automatic transmission includes a speed change controller for making instruction to control the target engine revolution during speed change, a detection unit for detecting the ON/OFF state of the air conditioner compressor, an electronic controller for calculating and outputting a target throttle opening degree corresponding to the target engine revolution based on the outputs from both the speed change controller and the detecting unit, and a motor controller for controlling a throttle drive motor based on an output from the electronic controller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2004
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Jun-ichi Inoue
  • Publication number: 20040011341
    Abstract: An object of the present invention is to maintain stable air-fuel ratio on a venturi type fuel supply device, irrespective of the external load such as air-conditioner and electrical load, and to provide stable engine speed on idling state.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 18, 2003
    Publication date: January 22, 2004
    Inventors: Seiji Asano, Bunji Igarashi
  • Patent number: 6662580
    Abstract: An air-conditioning system for a vehicle, including a refrigerant circuit and an engine, has a battery, a compressor, an electric motor and a load torque control mechanism. The battery supplies electric power. The compressor is operative to compress refrigerant gas for the air-conditioning system. The electric motor is electrically connected to the battery. The motor is driven due to the electric power, and is operatively coupled to drive the compressor when the motor is energized. The load torque control mechanism responsive to the operating condition of the engine to control the load torque of the compressor below a predetermined value during times when the motor is driving the compressor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2003
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toyota Jidoshokki
    Inventors: Ken Suitou, Kazuya Kimura, Ryo Matsubara, Masahiro Kawaguchi, Yasuharu Odachi, Taku Adaniya, Shoichi Ieoka, Shigeo Fukushima, Akinobu Kanai
  • Publication number: 20030098011
    Abstract: An automotive engine has a charge air conditioning system, including a charge booster, and a first intercooler for transferring heat from charge air flowing from the booster. The first intercooler transfers heat from the charge air to ambient air, and a second intercooler downstream from the first intercooler further reduces the heat content of the charge air by transferring heat from the charge air to a refrigerated fluid. An engine control module controls the engine's spark timing and fuel charge as a function of at least the amount of air charge cooling provided by the second intercooler. The present engine is particularly well adapted to operate on gaseous hydrogen fuel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 30, 2003
    Publication date: May 29, 2003
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventors: ROBERT JAY NATKIN , AUGUST THOMAS VAUGHT
  • Publication number: 20030079718
    Abstract: An engine control apparatus reduces a driver's feeling of wrongness in a vehicle equipped with an air-conditioning apparatus. A larger one of a first load torque estimated value obtained by estimating a compressor load torque of the air conditioner based on a refrigerant pressure, and a second load torque estimated value obtained by estimating a load torque of the compressor based on an outside air temperature is selected as an air conditioner load to an engine control unit, and an engine output is corrected by using the air conditioner load.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 10, 2002
    Publication date: May 1, 2003
    Inventor: Masaru Kadoi
  • Patent number: 6553775
    Abstract: A vehicle air conditioning system controls an engine and an air conditioner according to an air-conditioner load to thereby improve fuel economy and drivability of the vehicle. A higher compressor torque between a first estimated compressor torque, which is estimated according to the outside air temperature and the vehicle speed, and a second estimated compressor torque, which is estimated according to the refrigerant pressure, is adopted as an estimated compressor torque. When an air conditioner control switch is ON, an operational status of an engine and a compressor are controlled according to the adopted estimated compressor torque.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2003
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Jidosha Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Kazuhiro Togaru, Hiroyuki Asada
  • Patent number: 6530426
    Abstract: A motor drive-control device drive-controls a plurality of auxiliary devices with a single motor while securing a necessary capacity of the auxiliary devices side in correspondence with usage conditions. As such, in an air-conditioning system, necessary speeds of auxiliary devices such as a compressor and a warm water pump are calculated based on a necessary cooling capacity and a necessary heating capacity. The higher of these two necessary speeds is set as the motor speed for driving the auxiliary devices. The motor is thus controlled to this speed. Therefore, even if the air-conditioning heat load varies greatly due to changes in the usage environment, cooling and heating capacities necessary for air-conditioning temperature control can be obtained at all times.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2003
    Assignee: DENSO Corporation
    Inventors: Hiroshi Kishita, Yasuhiko Niimi, Yasushi Yamanaka
  • Patent number: 6456926
    Abstract: A invention at least relates to a method for determining the load on an internal combustion engine of a vehicle, operating parameters of the internal combustion engine being recorded and at least one value representing the load is read from a characteristic diagram as a function of the operating parameters recorded, and for at least one further parameter, which is recorded by a sensor already present in the vehicle and which is not an operating parameter of the internal combustion engine, being taken into account in the determination of the load.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2002
    Assignee: Mannesmann VDO AG
    Inventor: Jörg Neugärtner
  • Patent number: 6351957
    Abstract: An air conditioning system for use in a motor vehicle powered by an internal combustion engine is described. The system comprises an electric motor powered by a battery; a compressor arranged to be powered by at least one of the internal combustion engine and the electric motor; and a control unit that controls the driving of the compressor. The control unit is configured to execute driving the compressor by only the electric motor when the combustion engine is under an idling stop; restarting the combustion engine upon expiration of a first given time from the time when the idling stop has occurred, so that thereafter the compressor is driven by both the combustion engine and the electric motor; and stopping the driving of the compressor by the electric motor upon expiration of a second given time from the restarting of the combustion engine, so that thereafter the compressor is driven by only the combustion engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2002
    Assignee: Calsonic Kansei Corporation
    Inventor: Junichiro Hara
  • Patent number: 6336335
    Abstract: An engine control apparatus of a vehicle having an air conditioner that has a variable displacement compressor is disclosed. The pressure difference between two points in a refrigeration circuit is monitored. The pressure difference represents the compressor displacement. The compressor is controlled by a control valve. The control valve operates based on the pressure difference. A controller compares the temperature of the passenger compartment with a temperature setting. If they differ, the controller determines a target pressure difference for the control valve. The controller computes the compressor torque based on the target pressure difference signal. The controller determines a target engine torque based on the compressor torque and controls the engine based on the target engine torque.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2002
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toyoda Jidoshokki Seisakusho
    Inventors: Masaki Ota, Kazuya Kimura, Masahiro Kawaguchi, Ken Suitou, Ryo Matsubara, Hirotaka Kurakake
  • Publication number: 20010008131
    Abstract: An engine control apparatus of a vehicle having an air conditioner that has a variable displacement compressor is disclosed. The pressure difference between two points in a refrigeration circuit is monitored. The pressure difference represents the compressor displacement. The compressor is controlled by a control valve. The control valve operates based on the pressure difference. A controller compares the temperature of the passenger compartment with a temperature setting. If they differ, the controller determines a target pressure difference for the control valve. The controller computes the compressor torque based on the target pressure difference signal. The controller determines a target engine torque based on the compressor torque and controls the engine based on the target engine torque.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2000
    Publication date: July 19, 2001
    Inventors: Masaki Ota, Kazuya Kimura, Masahiro Kawaguchi, Ken Suitou, Ryo Matsubara, Hirotaka Kurakake
  • Patent number: 6196009
    Abstract: A freezer/refrigerator vehicle equipped with a refrigerating apparatus driven by a drive source which is an engine, mounted on a vehicle, for running the vehicle, comprising an idle-up means for operating a fuel feeding device of the engine under a first idle-up condition or under a second idle-up condition between the first idle-up condition and the no-load condition, and a control means. After the defrosting cycle is conducted for a predetermined period of time while the idle-up means is in operation under the second idle-up condition, the control means operates the idle-up means under the first idle-up condition and thereafter, brings the refrigerating apparatus back to the refrigerating cycle after the passage of a predetermined period of time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2001
    Assignee: Isuzu Motors Limited
    Inventors: Kazuhiro Nishi, Minori Higuchi, Masato Doi
  • Patent number: 6192857
    Abstract: There is provided an engine control apparatus with electromagnetically driven intake and exhaust valves which can widen the dynamic range of engine brake torque. The valve open timing of the electromagnetic exhaust valve during fuel cut is made to be variable between the initial stage of expansion stroke and the late stage thereof so as to control the magnitude of engine brake torque.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2001
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventor: Kousaku Shimada
  • Patent number: 6173696
    Abstract: A computer-implemented apparatus and method for inferring power steering load and for controlling airflow to an engine of a vehicle having an engine speed. A sensor which is connected to the engine senses the engine speed of the engine. An engine speed reference data table stores at least one engine reference speed, and a reference comparator module which is connected to the sensor and to the reference data table performs a comparison between the sensed engine speed and the engine reference speed. The airflow to the engine is controlled based upon the comparison.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2001
    Assignee: DaimlerChrysler Corporation
    Inventors: Dennis W. Fett, Joseph B. Adams, Benjamin D. Ellies
  • Patent number: RE45939
    Abstract: A blower system and method of operation for a vehicle air conditioning system, including a blower case for receiving air to be circulated into a vehicle cabin, with first and second dampers, for varying between a recirculation position for recirculating vehicle cabin air and a fresh position for introduction of fresh air from outside the vehicle. If a calculated outlet temperature is below a first temperature, a control system opens both dampers to a recirculation position. If the calculated outlet temperature is between the first temperature and a higher second temperature, the control system opens either the first or second damper to a fresh position, and opens the other damper to a recirculation position or the fresh position based upon relative humidity and vehicle speed. If the calculated outlet temperature is higher than the second temperature, the first and second dampers are both opened to the fresh position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2016
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Daniel Yelles