Electrical Sensing Or Regulating Patents (Class 123/350)
  • Publication number: 20100186713
    Abstract: An engine control apparatus includes an engine target speed set unit 51 setting a first target speed through a throttle dial, a relief engine maximum speed calculation unit 52 calculating a second target speed limiting a maximum target speed in a relief operation according to a load pressure of a hydraulic pump, a speed control means controlling an engine speed such that the engine speed is equal to lower one of the first target speed and the second target speed, a determination means determining whether an engine torque assist action of a generator motor is performed, based on a deviation between an target speed and a real speed of the engine. When the determination means determines that the engine torque assist action is performed, the speed control means controls the engine speed to be equal to the target speed through the engine torque assist action of the generator motor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 11, 2008
    Publication date: July 29, 2010
    Applicant: KOMATSU LTD.
    Inventors: Tadashi Kawaguchi, Jun Morinaga, Hiroaki Inoue
  • Publication number: 20100186712
    Abstract: A motor vehicle, in particular a passenger car, has an internal combustion engine and an engine control unit. In order to avoid insufficient lubrication, the engine control unit is configured and/or programmed in such a way that it reduces a rotational speed of the internal combustion engine if a predetermined maximum lateral acceleration of the vehicle is present for longer than a predetermined maximum time period.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 20, 2009
    Publication date: July 29, 2010
    Applicant: DR. ING. H.C. F. PORSCHE AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT
    Inventor: Alexander Kronich
  • Publication number: 20100180862
    Abstract: An engine revolution speed control system for a construction machine is disclosed. The engine revolution speed control system includes an input unit that sets an engine revolution speed by a user, outputs a setting process as a set signal, and determines whether or not an engine is driven at a set engine revolution speed; a control unit that receives the set signal and stores the set engine revolution speed, receives the set signal and an ON/OFF signal to output an output signal corresponding to the received set signal and the ON/OFF signal, and controls operation of the engine at the set engine revolution speed in accordance with the ON/OFF signal; and a display that receives the output signal to visually output the setting process or whether or not the engine is driven at the set engine revolution speed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 19, 2010
    Publication date: July 22, 2010
    Applicant: VOLVO CONSTRUCTION EQUIPMENT HOLDING SWEDEN AB
    Inventor: Young Chul KIM
  • Patent number: 7757661
    Abstract: When an engine rotation speed in an engine for working machine without a governor mechanism is increase-and-decrease-controlled by switching ignition timings at a predetermined rotation speed, the response delay of the engine rotation speed with respect to the throttle opening operation is suppressed. The engine rotation speeds for switching the ignition timings are set to 4000 rpm and 5000 rpm. When the throttle opening is increased, a first ignition timing is advanced stepwise to a second ignition timing at the engine rotation speed of 4000 rpm so as to be switched to a rotation control characteristic C30 for high speed rotation. When the throttle opening is decreased, the second ignition timing is retarded stepwise to the first ignition timing at the engine rotation speed of 5000 rpm so as to be switched to a rotation control characteristic C05 for low speed rotation. The switching timing of the rotation control characteristic is different between at increase and decrease of the throttle opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2010
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Ryuhei Tamamoto
  • Patent number: 7739023
    Abstract: The present invention provides a vehicular adaptive cruise control system and method that can adapt in real-time to tire and road conditions, vehicular weight, dynamics of the host vehicle, as well as other factors, to offer improved collision avoidance and warning.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2010
    Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventor: Chankyu Lee
  • Publication number: 20100132665
    Abstract: The motion of a piston in an engine is braked, for example, within the scope of a method for controlling the engine speed, in that ignition takes place prior to a predetermined optimum ignition point. In this way, more than half of the fuel burns before the piston reaches top dead center. Thus, before the actual stroke of performing work, the motion of the piston is opposed and the piston and thus the crankshaft are braked.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 19, 2009
    Publication date: June 3, 2010
    Applicant: Audi AG
    Inventors: Johann Graf, Frank Mueller
  • Patent number: 7726278
    Abstract: In order to accurately detect an abnormal state of a rotation direction detection unit for detecting a rotation direction of a crank shaft, provided is an internal combustion engine control apparatus including: a rotation detection unit including the rotation direction detection unit for detecting the rotation direction of the crank shaft of an engine to output a rotation direction signal, and a rotation speed detection unit for outputting a pulse signal according to a rotation speed of the crank shaft; a stop position calculation unit for calculating, based on an output from the rotation detection unit, a stop position of the crank shaft when the engine stops; and an abnormal state detection unit for detecting the abnormal state of the rotation direction detection unit when an actual rotation direction of the crank shaft differs from the rotation direction of the crank shaft based on the rotation direction signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2010
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
    Inventors: Keiichiro Sakaigaki, Takao Ohno, Akira Furuta
  • Publication number: 20100126464
    Abstract: A method and a device for setting an afterglow temperature in a self-igniting internal combustion engine, the afterglow temperature being reduced in a defined operating state of the internal combustion engine until a modification of an operating parameter as a result of the reduction of the afterglow temperature is required in order to maintain the defined operating state, in particular in order to maintain the injected fuel quantity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 3, 2008
    Publication date: May 27, 2010
    Inventors: Herbert Schumacher, Christos Hondros
  • Publication number: 20100122688
    Abstract: A combustion control system includes a magnetic torque sensor disposed between an engine and a load. The magnetic torque sensor is configured to directly measure engine torque and output a torque signal indicative of the engine torque. A control unit is communicatively coupled to the magnetic torque sensor. The control unit is configured to receive the torque signal and determine one or more combustion parameters based on the torque signal. The control unit is also configured to control one or more manipulating parameters of the engine based on the one or more combustion parameters so as to control combustion in the engine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 14, 2008
    Publication date: May 20, 2010
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Christof Martin Sihler, Georgios Bikas, Herbert Kopecek
  • Publication number: 20100108029
    Abstract: An engine system for a vehicle and its method of operation are provided. In one embodiment, the engine system includes an internal combustion engine; a fuel passage for supplying fuel to the internal combustion engine; a fuel pump arranged along the fuel passage; a fuel filter downstream of the fuel pump; a fuel pressure switch arranged along the fuel passage downstream of the fuel filter, the fuel pressure switch configured to switch to a high pressure state in response to a higher fuel pressure within the fuel passage downstream of the fuel filter and switch to a low pressure state in response to a lower fuel pressure within the fuel passage downstream of the fuel filter; and a control system configured to indicate a clogging of the fuel filter based on a period of time that the fuel pressure switch remains in the low pressure state.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2008
    Publication date: May 6, 2010
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: John Eric Rollinger, Brien Lloyd Fulton
  • Publication number: 20100108028
    Abstract: In a control device for an internal combustion engine including a throttle valve for adjusting the intake air amount that affects on the torque of the internal combustion engine, when a request for acceleration of the internal combustion engine is made, a torque gradient, which is a change in the torque of the internal combustion engine per unit time during the acceleration, is predicted based on an operating condition of the internal combustion engine before the acceleration, and the operation of the throttle valve is controlled based on the predicted torque gradient during the acceleration of the internal combustion engine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 7, 2008
    Publication date: May 6, 2010
    Applicant: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Koji Aso
  • Publication number: 20100101532
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a control apparatus for an internal combustion engine. It is an object of the present invention to prevent an excessive reaction of a throttle valve when the throttle valve is driven on the basis of a throttle opening calculated from a plurality of required torques. Step 100 is performed to consolidate the plurality of required torques. Step 102 is then performed to judge whether the sensitivity of throttle opening variation corresponding to torque variation is high. When the sensitivity is judged to be high, step 106 is performed to convert only a fluctuating required torque to a throttle opening. Step 108 is then performed to consolidate the remaining required torques and convert the resulting consolidated required torque to a throttle opening. Next, the required throttle opening calculated in step 106 and the required throttle opening calculated in step 108 are consolidated to calculate a final throttle opening.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 17, 2008
    Publication date: April 29, 2010
    Applicant: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Hiroyuki Tanaka
  • Patent number: 7698049
    Abstract: An engine control system includes a power module, an air flow module, a torque estimation module, and an air control module. The power module determines a power-based torque based on a desired engine speed. The air flow module determines an air flow value based on the power-based torque. The torque estimation module estimates a desired torque based on the air flow value. The air control module selectively determines a throttle area based on the desired torque. A throttle valve is actuated based on the throttle area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2010
    Inventors: Christopher E. Whitney, Ning Jin, Todd R. Shupe, Weixin Yan, Michael Livshiz, Klaus Pochner
  • Patent number: 7693641
    Abstract: A vehicle speed control system for controlling a vehicle on a chassis dynamometer is comprised of a controller which is arranged to receive a vehicle speed command, to obtain an anticipated vehicle speed command from the vehicle speed command taking account of a delay factor of a control system of the vehicle, to calculate a driving force a driving force command from the anticipated vehicle speed command, to obtain an accelerator opening command from a previously stored driving force characteristic map based on the driving force command and a detected vehicle speed, and to control an accelerator opening of the vehicle according to the accelerator opening command so as to adjust the detected vehicle at the vehicle speed command.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2010
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Meidensha
    Inventor: Toshimitsu Maruki
  • Publication number: 20100076656
    Abstract: A vehicle is reliably prevented from rolling back during automatic start on a slope or the like. An automatic stop-and-start device includes an engine control unit 10 that automatically stops an engine 2 when a predetermined stop condition is fulfilled and automatically starts the engine 2 when a predetermined start condition is fulfilled; a brake device 3 that imparts a brake force to a vehicle that carries the engine 2; and a brake control unit 16 that holds a brake state produced by the brake device 3 when a predetermined brake hold request condition is fulfilled and releases the brake state produced by the brake device 3 when a predetermined brake release condition is fulfilled. The engine control unit 10 determines whether the brake control unit 16 holds the brake state produced by the brake device 3 and automatically starts the engine 2 when the determination is affirmed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 16, 2007
    Publication date: March 25, 2010
    Applicant: ISUZU MOTORS LIMITED
    Inventors: Takeo Hiyoshi, Tomoko Ohta, Tatsuhiko Ebara, Takashi Shima
  • Patent number: 7680579
    Abstract: A wheel speed detection system including a rotator, a sensor head, a detector, a pulse converter, a speed calculator and a threshold shifter. Plural concave and convex portions are formed on a periphery of the rotator rotating together with a wheel. The sensor head includes a coil to generate an alternate current magnetic field. The detector excites the coil to generate an eddy current on the concave and convex portions, and outputs alternate current detection signals corresponding to changes in the eddy current generated with rotation of the rotator. The pulse converter converts the alternate current detection signals into pulse signals according to preset threshold levels. The speed calculator calculates rotational speed of the wheel based on the pulse signals. The threshold shifter shifts the threshold levels corresponding to a difference between a default average and an average of the alternate current detection signals actually outputted from the detector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2010
    Assignee: Central Japan Railway Company
    Inventors: Norifumi Kawasaki, Hideo Kita
  • Publication number: 20100024768
    Abstract: A control device for an internal combustion engine which transmits output to a drive-train via a dual mass flywheel, the control device including: an engine rotational state detecting unit that detects a rotational state of the internal combustion engine; a rotational fluctuation inhibiting unit that executes a process of inhibiting rotational fluctuation for the internal combustion engine when a rotational state that is detected by the engine rotational state detecting unit satisfies a rotational fluctuation inhibiting condition; and a rotational fluctuation inhibiting condition adjusting unit that is adjusts the rotational fluctuation inhibiting condition based on a operating state of the internal combustion engine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 29, 2009
    Publication date: February 4, 2010
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Masayoshi Ota, Yusuke Saigo, Yoshiyasu Ito
  • Publication number: 20100018187
    Abstract: An internal combustion engine control device includes a NOx adsorber catalyst disposed in an exhaust passage, an EGR passage, a reducing agent adding device, a torque fluctuation reducing device, and a fuel injection device. The EGR passage draws a portion of exhaust gas from the exhaust passage downstream of the NOx adsorber catalyst and recirculates the exhaust gas into the intake passage. The reducing agent adding device adds a reducing agent to exhaust gas upstream of the NOx adsorber catalyst to reduce substances adsorbed by the NOx adsorber catalyst. When or after the reducing agent adding device adds the reducing agent, the torque fluctuation reducing device advances the timing of the fuel injection device or carries out a pilot injection to reduce a fluctuation in engine torque. The reducing agent adding device adds less reducing agent while the torque fluctuation reducing device is operating.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 4, 2008
    Publication date: January 28, 2010
    Applicant: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Isao Matsumoto, Takenori Saoda, Naofumi Magarida, Hiroki Murata, Akira Yamashita, Hiroyuki Haga
  • Publication number: 20100012084
    Abstract: A method and system for controlling a light-duty combustion engine and, more particularly, a method and system that use an engine speed governor to limit the engine speed to a level that is less than a clutch-in speed of a centrifugal clutch. If it is determined that an operator is attempting to throttle or accelerate the engine, the engine speed governor is disengaged so that normal operation can commence.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 16, 2008
    Publication date: January 21, 2010
    Applicant: WALBRO ENGINE MANAGEMENT, L.L.C.
    Inventors: Martin N. Andersson, George M. Pattullo, Thomas L. Schmidt
  • Publication number: 20100012085
    Abstract: A device for controlling an internal combustion engine of a motor vehicle, including a control unit for monitoring and limiting the rotational speed of the internal combustion engine that are designed in such a manner that after a predetermined first speed threshold an integral formation of the current present values over time occurs, and that, on reaching a predetermined integral limit value, the rotational speed is automatically limited.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 14, 2009
    Publication date: January 21, 2010
    Applicant: Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Marc ALBRECHT
  • Publication number: 20100006064
    Abstract: The object of the present invention is to provide an internal combustion engine control apparatus which can control an internal combustion engine output with a high accuracy even when an internal combustion engine output lower than an unloaded idling equivalent output is demanded. The internal combustion engine of the present invention has an accessory such as a generator driven through an output axis of the engine, an ECU for totally controlling the engine and accessory, and an accessory driving control section for controlling the driving of the accessory. The ECU calculates a target engine output according to a demand from a driver or the like and, when the target engine output is lower than the unloaded idling equivalent output, sends a control signal to the accessory driving control section 16 so as to increase the load of the accessory and further make the idle-up amount zero.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 10, 2007
    Publication date: January 14, 2010
    Inventor: Hiroshi Mizuno
  • Publication number: 20100006065
    Abstract: A variety of methods and arrangements for improving the fuel efficiency of internal combustion engines are described. Generally, an engine is controlled to operate in a skip fire variable displacement mode. Feedback control is used to dynamically determine the working cycles to be skipped to provide a desired engine output. In some embodiments a substantially optimized amount of air and fuel is delivered to the working chambers during active working cycles so that the fired working chambers can operate at efficiencies close to their optimal efficiency. In some embodiments, the appropriate firing pattern is determined at least in part using predictive adaptive control. By way of example, sigma delta controllers work well for this purpose. In some implementations, the feedback includes feedback indicative of at least one of actual and requested working cycle firings. In some embodiments, the appropriate firings are determined on a firing opportunity by firing opportunity basis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 10, 2009
    Publication date: January 14, 2010
    Applicant: TULA TECHNOLOGY, INC.
    Inventors: Adya S. TRIPATHI, Chester J. SILVESTRI
  • Patent number: 7640093
    Abstract: In order to obtain an electronic throttle control apparatus capable of forcibly turning a throttle valve from a full-close position toward an opening side by a predetermined opening degree to place the throttle valve in a desired opening degree position, the electronic throttle control apparatus includes: a throttle opening degree sensor for detecting an opening degree position of a throttle valve; a throttle actuator that opens and closes the throttle valve; a first target opening degree position setting unit for setting a first target opening degree position; throttle opening degree feedback control unit that performs feedback control on the throttle valve; a throttle valve full-close position judgment unit for judging whether or not the throttle valve is being urged in a direction to be closed at a full-close position; a second target opening degree position setting unit for setting a second target opening degree position; and a target opening degree position switching unit that switches a signal to be inp
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2009
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
    Inventors: Shinji Watanabe, Takayuki Yano, Akihiro Iwamoto
  • Publication number: 20090293840
    Abstract: An engine speed control system for a work vehicle is disclosed. Storage means (56) stores a predetermined engine speed. A manually operated input device (37, 38) issues an instruction to retrieve the engine speed from the storage means (56). Engine speed control means (50) executes a constant speed control, whereby the engine speed stored in the storage means (56) is set as a target speed on the basis of a first input operation made using the input device (37, 38). The engine speed control means (50) further executes a stored speed change control for allowing the setting of the engine speed stored in the storage means (56) to be changed based on a second, different input operation performed using the input device (37, 38).
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 11, 2009
    Publication date: December 3, 2009
    Applicant: KUBOTA CORPORATION
    Inventors: Eiji Nishi, Nobuyuki Okabe, Kenji Yoshikawa
  • Publication number: 20090259391
    Abstract: When a start command of an engine is given in the presence of the driver's power demand, the start control sets the ignition timing of the engine to a power demand ignition timing, in order to enable quick output of a large power from the engine in response to the driver's power demand. When the start command of the engine is given in the absence of the driver's power demand in a vehicle drive state, there is little possibility of the occurrence of gear chattering noise because of application of a torque to a driveshaft. The start control accordingly sets the ignition timing of the engine to a vibration control ignition timing, in order to reduce the vibration of the vehicle body. When the start command of the engine is given in the absence of the driver's power demand in a vehicle stop state, on the other hand, application of a small torque may cause the occurrence of chattering noise.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 2, 2006
    Publication date: October 15, 2009
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Daigo Ando, Fumikazu Satou, Takeshi Kanayama
  • Publication number: 20090251302
    Abstract: A method is provided to indicate improper fuel filling in a vehicle. An indicator is actuated if a proportion of alcohol in the fuel is outside a range of expected proportions. In some examples, the range corresponds to a non-flex fuel vehicle recommended range, or to a normal range for a low alcohol-content fuel, which may be between 0 and 15 percent alcohol by volume. The indicator may include a diagnostic code or a dash light. Further, the indicator may be actuated in combination with a mitigating action, which may involve adjustment of a fuel injector pulse width or an ignition spark timing, as examples.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 4, 2008
    Publication date: October 8, 2009
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Ralph Wayne Cunningham, Mark William Peters
  • Publication number: 20090222191
    Abstract: An engine control system comprises an engine speed control module and an idle limiting module. The engine speed control module selectively controls an engine based on an idle speed request. The idle limiting module selectively reduces the idle speed request by an amount that is based on a wheel slip value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 20, 2009
    Publication date: September 3, 2009
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventor: Steven J. Andrasko
  • Publication number: 20090199814
    Abstract: A method of adjusting the operation of an engine-driven machine to avoid engine under-speeding entails converting a received speed or torque command into a power command. When an engine under-speed condition is sensed, the system performs underspeed correction in the power domain before converting the underspeed processed power command back into the units of the original domain. The converted underspeed processed power command is issued to the transmission or other component to alleviate the engine under-speeding condition.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 8, 2008
    Publication date: August 13, 2009
    Applicant: CATERPILLAR INC.
    Inventors: Brian D. Hoff, Frank A. DeMarco, Thomas M. Sopko, Michael Barngrover, Brian D. Kuras
  • Patent number: 7571711
    Abstract: When a throttle is fully open, a maximum torque set value is corrected based on the ratio between the maximum air volume set value under fully-open throttle conditions and the actual maximum air volume detected by an intake air volume meter such as an air flow sensor. Based on the corrected maximum torque set value, both the relation between the degree of accelerator opening and target torque and the relation between the target torque (target air volume) and the degree target throttle opening are corrected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2009
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Shinya Sato, Shinji Nakagawa, Hiromu Kakuya, Toshimichi Minowa, Mamoru Nemoto
  • Publication number: 20090194067
    Abstract: A power management system, in certain aspects, may utilize direct load sensing feedback from the prime mover (e.g., engine), thereby reducing the possibility of overloading the prime mover. The use of direct load sense feedback from the prime mover can then be used with additional feedback, such as prime mover RPM feedback and individual output load sensing feedback, to directly control the output loads and set the primary power sources rpm set-point to better manage the power available and reduce the possibility of overloading the primary power source.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 28, 2009
    Publication date: August 6, 2009
    Applicant: ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INC.
    Inventors: Benjamin G. Peotter, Ross Renner
  • Publication number: 20090173314
    Abstract: An engine control system includes a power module, an air flow module, a torque estimation module, and an air control module. The power module determines a power-based torque based on a desired engine speed. The air flow module determines an air flow value based on the power-based torque. The torque estimation module estimates a desired torque based on the air flow value. The air control module selectively determines a throttle area based on the desired torque. A throttle valve is actuated based on the throttle area.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 3, 2008
    Publication date: July 9, 2009
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: CHRISTOPHER E. WHITNEY, NING JIN, TODD R. SHUPE, WEIXIN YAN, MICHAEL LIVSHIZ, KLAUS POCHNER
  • Patent number: 7552015
    Abstract: A mass flow controller includes a pressure sensor that senses pressure within the mass flow controller and displays the pressure. The pressure display may be local, mounted directly to the mass flow controller, or it may be connected through a link to the mass flow controller for remote display.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2009
    Assignee: MKS Instruments, Inc.
    Inventors: Ali Shajii, Nicholas Kottenstette, Jesse Ambrosina
  • Patent number: 7548812
    Abstract: A method and a device for controlling the speed of a vehicle are described. In the transition from a dynamic to a steady-state operating state, the initially accepted setpoint value is corrected using a correcting value which depends on the system deviation prevailing at the time when the longitudinal acceleration of the vehicle has reached, exceeded, or fallen below a predetermined threshold value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 16, 2009
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Jens Guenthner, Hans Schulte, Boris Knobloch, Mario Kustosch, Christian Muehlbauer
  • Publication number: 20090138184
    Abstract: An apparatus is for controlling rotation of an engine mounted on a vehicle. In the apparatus, a count of a crank counter is updated based on a signal changing in accordance with rotation of a crankshaft. The count indicates a rotational position of the crankshaft. The rotation of the engine is controlled based on the count of the crank counter. An idle stop control member issues an engine stop request when it is determined that engine stop conditions are met, and then issues a command to crank the engine for restarting the engine when it is determined that engine start conditions are met. Further, an update prohibiting member prohibits the counter from being updated during a period of time ranging from a time instant when the engine stops in response to the engine stop request to a time instant when it is determined that the engine start conditions are met.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 12, 2008
    Publication date: May 28, 2009
    Applicant: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventor: Hidetoshi TERADA
  • Publication number: 20090126683
    Abstract: An engine speed control device comprises an engine speed control lever (2) generating an engine speed instruction (POS) and means for delivering the indicative information (&thetas;e) on the actual engine speed. Actuating means (8, 10) are designed in such a way that a mechanical force can be applied on the lever (2) according to the difference between the instruction (POS) and the indicative information (&thetas;e) on the actual engine speed. Said device is suitable for an aircraft. The engine speed control method is also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 26, 2006
    Publication date: May 21, 2009
    Applicant: Airbus France
    Inventors: Jean-Claude Perie, Valerie Roche, Mathieu Dulaur
  • Publication number: 20090114187
    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: Application
    Filed: December 28, 2007
    Publication date: May 7, 2009
    Inventor: Hyung Kee Kim
  • Publication number: 20090118980
    Abstract: An engine ECU (280) and an HV_ECU (320) control a throttle motor (296) such that the throttle valve opening degree (TH) does not exceed a prescribed limit (THlim) and a rate of increase (Ta/t) in the throttle valve opening degree is equal to or lower than a predetermined opening degree increase rate (Tb/t) for a predetermined time period after start-up of the engine (120) is initiated. Thus, power output from the engine is controlled so as not to increase significantly for the predetermined time period. Accordingly, while the engine starts up, a shock that can be felt by a driver can be suppressed. In addition, variation in the amount of air taken into the engine when the engine is started is also reduced, which reduces variation in the amount of pollutants in the exhaust gas emitted while the engine starts up.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 23, 2007
    Publication date: May 7, 2009
    Applicants: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha, Denso Corporation
    Inventors: Koichiro Muta, Katsuhiko Yamaguchi, Eiji Masuda
  • Patent number: 7529612
    Abstract: A speedometer includes a function storage device, which has stored therein four conversion functions, a selector, which provides four options corresponding to the four conversion functions in the function storage device, and a microprocessor, which counts pulse signals sent by the sensor device of the motor vehicle to obtain a counted total value, selects the corresponding conversion function from the function storage device corresponding to the option selected through the selector according to the quantity of poles (two, four, eight or sixteen) on the drive shaft of the motor vehicle, and puts the counted total value into the selected conversion function for calculation to obtain a car speed value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2009
    Assignee: Sin Etke Technology Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kuo-Rong Chen, Chun-Chung Lee, Cheng-Hung Huang
  • Patent number: 7527034
    Abstract: A method for operating a compression-ignition internal combustion engine includes metering in a quantity of fuel as a function of an operating point of the engine during a working cycle, and injecting the quantity of fuel which is metered in into the combustion chamber in such a manner that a combustion center of gravity is positioned at a defined crank angle position independently of the operating point of the internal combustion engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2009
    Assignee: Daimler AG
    Inventor: Uwe Gaertner
  • Publication number: 20090101108
    Abstract: A method for monitoring a control loop or a regulating loop in a system, in particular in an engine system in a motor vehicle, is described. A characteristic value is ascertained from a preset value and a system variable of the regulating loop or the control loop during one or more state changes, and an error is detected as a function of the ascertained characteristic value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 15, 2008
    Publication date: April 23, 2009
    Inventors: Horst Wagner, Daniel Kuhn, Stefan Michael, Wilhelm Blumendeller
  • 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: 20090095255
    Abstract: A method for assisting starting of a motor vehicle by application of engine torque on starting the vehicle. In the method parameters for detection of the starting of the motor vehicle are recorded. A set point for engine management is calculated from a parameter for the driver's command. A torque for assisting the start is determined from the engine management set point. The torque assistance is used on starting the vehicle from zero speed to a non-zero speed and the set point for the engine management is calculated as a function of different values for the moment of inertia of the engine. The change from one first value to a second value is carried out on there being a given difference between the engine management value and the measured value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 12, 2005
    Publication date: April 16, 2009
    Applicant: Renault s.a.s.
    Inventors: Francis Boutonnet, Alexandre Pineau, Pascal Rey
  • Publication number: 20090020100
    Abstract: In order to accurately detect an abnormal state of a rotation direction detection unit for detecting a rotation direction of a crank shaft, provided is an internal combustion engine control apparatus including: a rotation detection unit including the rotation direction detection unit for detecting the rotation direction of the crank shaft of an engine to output a rotation direction signal, and a rotation speed detection unit for outputting a pulse signal according to a rotation speed of the crank shaft; a stop position calculation unit for calculating, based on an output from the rotation detection unit, a stop position of the crank shaft when the engine stops; and an abnormal state detection unit for detecting the abnormal state of the rotation direction detection unit when an actual rotation direction of the crank shaft differs from the rotation direction of the crank shaft based on the rotation direction signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 24, 2008
    Publication date: January 22, 2009
    Applicant: MITSUBISHI ELECTRIC CORPORATION
    Inventors: Keiichiro SAKAIGAKI, Takao Ohno, Akira Furuta
  • Publication number: 20080314042
    Abstract: A method of operating a stationary internal combustion machine (1), in particular a gas engine, comprising a compressor device (2) which compresses gas (5, 6) fed to the internal combustion machine (1), and a throttle device (7) which is connected downstream of the compressor device (2) and with which the amount of compressed gas (5, 6) fed to the internal combustion machine is variable, wherein the compressor device (2) is operated by way of an exhaust gas turbine (3) of variable turbine geometry, wherein the internal combustion machine (1) is regulated to a substantially constant engine regulating value by way of the actuation of at least two adjusting members, wherein upon a deviation in the engine regulating value from a reference value the amount of gas fed to the internal combustion machine (1) is altered by the actuation of the throttle device (7) as the first adjusting member and by the variation in the geometry of the exhaust gas turbine (3) as the second adjusting member so that the engine regulatin
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 20, 2008
    Publication date: December 25, 2008
    Inventors: Rainer Greuter, Johann Hirzinger, Johann Klausner
  • Patent number: 7463970
    Abstract: A method of achieving a desired engine speed of an internal combustion engine includes determining the desired engine speed, calculating a slow response torque value based on the desired engine speed and calculating a fast response torque value based on the desired engine speed. A slow response actuator command and a fast response actuator command are generated based on the slow response torque value and the fast response torque value, respectively. Operation of the engine is regulated based on the slow response actuator command and the fast response actuator command to achieve the desired engine speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2008
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Livshiz, Scott J. Chynoweth, Todd R. Shupe, Christopher E. Whitney
  • Publication number: 20080257306
    Abstract: A method for selecting a preferred combustion mode for an internal combustion engine operative in a plurality of combustion modes is described. The method includes selecting a combustion mode in terms of first and second engine parameters, and separating the engine operating region into zones defined by the first parameter. Each of the zones is further separated into sub-zones defined by the second parameter. A combustion mode is associated with each of the sub-zones. Operating states are determined for the first and second parameters. One of the zones is identified based upon the state for the first parameter. One of the sub-zones of the identified zone is identified based upon the state for the second parameter, along with a combustion mode associated with the identified sub-zone. The engine is controlled to the preferred combustion mode, depending upon hysteresis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 17, 2007
    Publication date: October 23, 2008
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Jyh-Shin Chen, Jun-Mo Kang, Chen-Fang Chang
  • Patent number: 7437218
    Abstract: A method and a device for controlling a functional unit of a motor vehicle are provided. In the method, a function sequence is implemented in a functional program. The functional program is verified here by a safety program, which is in turn monitored by a monitoring module. Like the safety program, the functional program has a modular structure. The monitoring of the safety program is accordingly implemented in multiple stages corresponding to the number of modules.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2008
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Guido Funcke, Stefan Keller
  • Patent number: 7433774
    Abstract: In a control system for an internal combustion engine having a plurality of cylinders and mounted on a vehicle, in which the engine operation is switched based on the throttle opening between a full-cylinder operation in which all of the cylinders are operative and a cut-off cylinder operation in which some of the cylinders are inoperative, and a running control including a cruise control in which the vehicle runs at a desired vehicle velocity and a preceding vehicle follow-up control in which the vehicle runs at a desired vehicle velocity to maintain a desired inter-vehicle distance from a preceding vehicle are conducted. In the system, an acceleration suppression control is conducted if the engine operation is switched from the cut-off cylinder operation to the full-cylinder operation when the running control is in progress. With this, sharp or drastic acceleration accompanying torque fluctuation is effectively avoided, when the engine operation is switched to the full-cylinder operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2008
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Naoto Sen, Tadayoshi Okada, Akira Sugiyama, Kenichi Nishida, Yasuhiko Tomokuni
  • Publication number: 20080223341
    Abstract: An engine load estimating apparatus, including an actuator that changes a position of a top dead center of a piston of the engine, and a controller in communication with the actuator. The controller detects a drive output of the actuator when the actuator changes the position of the top dead center of the piston, and estimates the load of the engine based on the detected drive output of the actuator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 11, 2008
    Publication date: September 18, 2008
    Applicant: NISSAN MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Shinobu KAMADA
  • Publication number: 20080207398
    Abstract: A method and system for retarding an engine of a machine is provided. The machine has a hydraulic pump driven by the engine, a motor driven by the hydraulic pump, and a fan driven by the motor. The method includes sensing the operating speed of the engine with an engine speed sensor. The method also includes operating the motor at a first pressure. The method also includes comparing the operating speed to a trigger speed. The method also includes operating the motor at a second pressure greater than the first pressure if the operating speed of engine exceeds the trigger speed by a predetermined value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2007
    Publication date: August 28, 2008
    Applicant: CATERPILLAR INC
    Inventors: Paul A. Dvorak, Christopher M. Elliott