Abstract: An engine control system (10, 12) and method for improving stability of engine running speed when torque subtractions (TTS) from gross torque change while the engine (14) is running at a constant speed, such as at low idle speed. Engine speed error data (Nerror) is processed according to one or more control functions (52, 54, 56) each having gain determined by the torque subtraction data value via function generators (58, 60, 62) to develop fueling adjustment data (P-FGT, I-FGT, D-FGT) for compensating desired engine fueling (MFDES) for the torque subtraction data (TTS).

Abstract: A method and a device for controlling an engine, in which a control module calculates a setpoint torque based on an accelerator position and calculates an air mass and a fuel mass from this setpoint torque. In the process, a setpoint value for lambda (ratio of air mass to fuel mass) is taken into account when the fuel mass is calculated. A monitoring module calculates a monitoring value for the air mass from the fuel mass and compares it to a measured air mass for fault detection.

Abstract: A control system 20 for an automotive vehicle 22, such as an adaptive cruise control (ACC) system, is provided including a controller 24. The controller 24 is electrically coupled to a radar system and a navigation system. The detection system 28 detects an object and generates an object profile. The navigation system 34 generates a navigation signal. The controller 24 in response to the object profile and the navigation signal, generates a predicted future path profile and inhibits resume speed of the vehicle 22 in response to the predicted future path profile. An additional feature of the invention is that the controller 24 may also be electrically coupled to a yaw rate sensor 30. The yaw rate sensor 30 senses the yaw rate of the vehicle 22 and generates a yaw rate signal. The controller 24 in response to the yaw rate signal inhibits resume speed of the vehicle 22.

Abstract: To realize fleet driving, the upper-limit value of the vehicle speed placed under headway distance control with adaptive cruise control is increased than a value moderately greater than the set vehicle speed and the ACC allowing for the differences in vehicle speed between vehicles is conducted.

Abstract: A control system 20 for an automotive vehicle 22, such as an adaptive cruise control system, is provided including a navigation system 34. The navigation system 34 includes a global positioning system 38. The navigation system 34 detects a ramp and generates a navigation signal including navigation data and map data. A controller 24 is electrically coupled to the navigation system 34. The controller 24 in response to the navigation signal adjusts the speed of the vehicle 22.

Abstract: A vehicle cruise control apparatus is provided for controlling a vehicle to run at a set speed desired by a driver. The apparatus stores a state in which the driver inputs a set speed (for example, the number of times the driver inputs the set speeds and a period at which the driver inputs the set speeds), and calculates a target acceleration/deceleration from the input state and a vehicle speed deviation (calculated by subtracting the actual vehicle speed from the set speed).

Abstract: A method and an arrangement for controlling an accelerator pedal (1) provide a signal to the driver of a vehicle having an internal combustion engine the entry into an uneconomical driving pattern via the accelerator pedal. A reset force (FPED) is applied to the accelerator pedal (1). A desired value (FPEDSOLL) for the reset force is increased in dependence upon a drop below a pregiven value for a degree of efficiency of the engine.

Abstract: A method and an arrangement for controlling an operating variable of an internal combustion engine are suggested. A controller is provided which, in dependence upon a control deviation, generates an output signal for controlling the operating variable with this output signal being generated in accordance with at least one changing parameter. In dependence upon the operating mode (stratified operation, homogeneous operation, homogeneous lean operation), the value of this at least one parameter is switched over to values adapted specifically to the path in the particular mode of operation.

Abstract: There is described a control device for controlling the speed of an engine of a vehicle, and having a tracer block which receives a target engine speed indicating the desired engine speed, and a maximum engine torque, and supplies a reference engine speed indicating the behaviour of the engine speed during a transient speed state towards the target engine speed, and an open-loop torque indicating the drive torque which must be produced by the engine during the transient speed state for the engine speed to follow the reference engine speed; an observer block which receives a measured engine speed indicating the engine speed, and a combustion torque indicating the drive torque generated by fuel combustion, and supplies an observed engine speed representing an estimate of engine speed made on the basis of a system model and as a function of the combustion torque and the measured engine speed, and an observed resisting torque representing an estimate of the total resisting torque acting on the drive shaft of the

Abstract: A signal generator for an internal combustion engine for obtaining precise information on a rotational direction of the engine when the engine runs at extremely low speed, comprising: a rotor having a first series of reluctor corresponding to a cylinder of the engine, and a second series of reluctor having a predetermined phase relationship relative to the first series of reluctor; and a first sensor and a second sensor that detect the first series of reluctor and the second series of reluctor, respectively of the rotor to generate pulses, wherein a positional relationship between the first and the second series of reluctors, and a positional relationship between the first and the second sensors are set so that a difference occurs in a phase relationship between an output pulse of the first sensor and that of the second sensor in forward rotation and in reverse rotation of the engine.

Abstract: An adaptive cruise control system for a host vehicle is arranged to calculate a target vehicle speed, to calculate a target driving force based on the target vehicle speed, to limit a rate of increase of the target driving force when a direction of a wheel driving torque applied to driving wheels is changed from a decelerating direction to an accelerating direction, and to control a throttle opening of an engine based on the limited target driving force.

Abstract: A vehicle traveling control system includes a control mode for controlling a vehicle speed by applying braking force so as to maintain the vehicle speed at a predetermined upper threshold vehicle speed or smaller than that while a predetermined driving force beyond a creeping torque has been applied. The applied driving force is reduced when a target braking force required for maintaining the vehicle speed at the predetermined upper threshold vehicle speed or smaller than that is equal to a first predetermined value or greater than that. The applied driving force is increased when the target braking force or the actual braking force becomes a second predetermined value or smaller than that during the applied driving force being reduced.

Abstract: An engine speed control system for a vehicle such as a go-kart in order to, independently of the driver, control the speed of the vehicle includes a butterfly valve which is moved by a stepper motor (70) upon receipt of over the air signals by a receiver (60) from a control station (50). The movement of the butterfly valve alters the amount of air and fuel drawn into the engine independent of control of a throttle assembly (22, 25) operated by the driver of the vehicle. Thus, the vehicle can be slowed from a control station (50) independently of the vehicle if necessary.

Abstract: Within both a method for operating an internal combustion engine and a system for operating the internal combustion engine there is provided an engine rotation speed pulsation damping within the internal combustion engine through use of a PID controller which varies a single PID control parameter, particularly, KD to provide the engine rotation speed pulsation damping within the internal combustion engine. Within both the method and the system there is also provided a pair of control algorithms for use within the PID controller such as to effect the desired engine rotation speed pulsation damping when operating the internal combustion engine.

Abstract: A plant controller controls a plant modeled in a discrete-time system. The controller uses a frequency-shaping response-designating control algorithm having a filtering function to cause a difference between output of the plant and a target value to converge. Thus, the plant is robustly controlled without causing undesired frequency components. When the plant is an engine, the engine is modeled using a ignition timing corrective quantity as input and a rotational speed as output. The controller performs the frequency-shaping response-designating control algorithm to determine the ignition timing corrective quantity. The frequency-shaping response-designating control may be frequency-shaping sliding-mode control.

Abstract: In an engine control system (10) for an industrial internal combustion engine (12) driving a load (14) and desired to run at constant speed as controlled by an engine control unit (16) including a governor controlling an engine throttle (18), a governing system is provided for holding the engine (12) at relatively constant speed, notwithstanding load changes, by anticipating load change with pre-set loop modification control.

Abstract: A system and method for controlling a multi-cylinder internal combustion engine include determining a first engine operating variable using a model having at least one adjustable model parameter, measuring a second engine operating variable, and modifying the at least one adjustable model parameter based on a relationship between the first and second engine operating variables. In one embodiment, the first engine operating variable represents engine torque while the second engine operating variable is engine speed. An engine torque model and/or load torque model may be used to determine an estimated engine speed or speed trajectory which is compared to the actual engine speed or trajectory determined using an engine speed sensor. One or more model parameters for the engine torque and/or load torque model are adjusted when appropriate operating conditions are met based on a difference between the predicted or estimated engine speeds and the measured engine speeds.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for limiting diesel engine overspeed conditions (and thereby prevent engine damage) caused by the ingestion of lubricating oil from the turbocharger, or other source, into the diesel engine cylinders. In response to the development of an overspeed condition, the dynamic brake grids are coupled to the output of the main alternator to absorb the excess energy caused by the overspeed condition. Alternatively, non-combustible gases can be injected into the combustion system to limit the overspeed condition.

Abstract: Within both a method for operating an internal combustion engine and a system for operating the internal combustion engine there is provided an engine rotation speed pulsation damping within the internal combustion engine through use of a PID controller which varies a single PID control parameter, particularly, KD to provide the engine rotation speed pulsation damping within the internal combustion engine. Within both the method and the system there is also provided a pair of control algorithms for use within the PID controller such as to effect the desired engine rotation speed pulsation damping when operating the internal combustion engine.

Abstract: A vehicle driving force control apparatus for a vehicle includes an actuating section to control a driving force of the vehicle so as to cause an actual vehicle speed of the vehicle to follow a target vehicle speed. A target acceleration calculating section calculates a target acceleration in accordance with an accelerator input. A target vehicle speed calculating section calculates a target vehicle speed from the target acceleration.

Abstract: A control system for general-purpose spark-ignition internal combustion engine to be used for a portable generator, etc., having one or two cylinders and an actuator connected to the throttle valve to open or close the throttle value. In the system, an adaptive controller with a parameter identification mechanism is provided which receives a detected engine speed and a desired engine speed as inputs, and computes a command value to be supplied to the actuator, using an adaptive parameter identified by the parameter identification mechanism, such that the detected engine speed is brought to the desired speed. In the system, the desired engine speed is determined such that the desired engine speed per unit time is not greater than a prescribed value. and the command value is determined to be within the upper and lower limits of the throttle value. In addition, the detected engine speed is smoothed and a gain for determining the convergence speed of the adaptive controller is determined appropriately.

Abstract: The strategy controls operation of an internal combustion engine in the time period before an oxygen sensor is warmed up sufficiently to provide reliable feedback measurements. It involves using a target speed-time (or event) goal, and then applying feedback, feedforward, and/or adaptive controls on the difference between the target and a measured engine speed. The target speed time (or event) can be programmed into an engine controller as a lookup table. The actual engine speed at each desired time or event can then be compared to the desired speed to obtain a difference value. Fueling, or any other speed control parameters, can be modified based on the difference value using feedback or feedforward routines to correct the measured value toward the target. The fueling or other control parameters can also be adapted for the next start based on any corrections.

Abstract: There is described a control device for controlling the speed of an engine of a vehicle, and having a tracer block which receives a target engine speed indicating the desired engine speed, and a maximum engine torque, and supplies a reference engine speed indicating the behaviour of the engine speed during a transient speed state towards the target engine speed, and an open-loop torque indicating the drive torque which must be produced by the engine during the transient speed state for the engine speed to follow the reference engine speed; an observer block which receives a measured engine speed indicating the engine speed, and a combustion torque indicating the drive torque generated by fuel combustion, and supplies an observed engine speed representing an estimate of engine speed made on the basis of a system model and as a function of the combustion torque and the measured engine speed, and an observed resisting torque representing an estimate of the total resisting torque acting on the drive shaft of the

Abstract: Tire over- or under-inflation can create problems in vehicle operation. To limit the effects of out-of-range tire pressure, vehicle speed is automatically controlled if the vehicle speed is not appropriate for either or both of measured tire air pressure and measured tire temperature.

Abstract: A method for controlling a powertrain of a vehicle adjusts a minimum allowed airflow based on operating conditions. Specifically, when conditions of engine speed and/or vehicle speed area away from idle conditions, no increasing of the minimum allowed airflow is carried out. However, when conditions of engine speed and/or vehicle speed area approaching idle conditions, the minimum allowed airflow is increased to the required airflow for those idle conditions.

Abstract: An adaptive cruise control (ACC) system for a host-vehicle controls one of a driving force and a brake hydraulic pressure according to a command vehicle speed calculated on the basis of an inter-vehicle distance and a host-vehicle speed. The ACC system gradually decreases a deceleration of the host-vehicle according to an approach of the host-vehicle speed toward a control-cancel vehicle speed when the host-vehicle speed becomes lower than or equal to a gradual-deceleration starting vehicle speed during a period of decreasing the host-vehicle speed toward the control-cancel vehicle speed, so that the deceleration takes a value near zero when the host-vehicle speed reaches the control-cancel vehicle speed.

Abstract: A target orbit of an inter-vehicle distance is calculated based on an inter-vehicle distance command value, a target orbit coincident-host vehicle running speed command value for according the inter-vehicle distance with the target orbit is calculated, and a reference host vehicle running speed command value is calculated by use of the target orbit and the target orbit coincident-host vehicle running speed command value. Moreover, a preceding vehicle acceleration is detected, and a value obtained by multiplying the preceding vehicle acceleration by a response time constant of a host vehicle running speed control system is added to the reference host vehicle running speed command value, thus a host vehicle running speed command value is calculated and set, whereby an influence of the preceding vehicle acceleration is removed, and a follow-up characteristic to an inter-vehicle distance target value is improved.

Abstract: A regulator or engine regulator having two regulator channels (20, 20′) which each have at least two processor units (22, 24 or 22′, 24′, respectively) is developed in that in each case one processor unit (for example 22, 22′) operates as a calculation unit for each safety-critical function in both regulator channels (20, 20′), in order to determine calculation results from at least some of the input data (E, E′), and in each case one other processor unit (for example 24, 24′) operates as a monitoring unit in order to compare the calculation results from the calculation unit firstly with its own estimate of the correct results and secondly with corresponding results from the respective other regulator channel (20′, 20). An engine and method for regulating an actuating or propulsion system, or an engine, have corresponding features.

Abstract: An engine control system, dredging system, and a method for controlling torque output of an engine. An engine control system controls torque output of an engine. At least one sensor is coupled with the engine. The sensor monitors and transmits operating data of the engine. An electronic device coupled to the sensor is operable to control the engine as a function of the transmitted operating data. The engine is controlled by the electronic device to operate substantially at a predetermined torque limit over a predetermined range of engine speeds, by determining and regulating an amount of fuel to the engine. Alternatively, the engine is controlled by the electronic device to operate substantially at, and between predetermined upper and lower torque limits over a predetermined range of engine speeds, by determining and regulating an amount of fuel to the engine.

Abstract: An internal combustion engine, in particular for a motor vehicle, that is provided with a control unit for controlling and/or regulating the power output by the internal combustion engine as a function of performance quantities of the internal combustion engine and, in particular, as a function of a driver request is described. A permissible variation in output power over a predetermined period of time and an actual variation in output power over a corresponding predetermined period of time can be determined and compared to one another by the control unit.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for controlling the speed of an engine having a plurality of cylinders and a compression brake operable on one or more of the cylinders is disclosed. The method includes determining a speed of the engine, comparing the engine speed to a first threshold, and activating the compression brake for at least one of the cylinders in response to the engine speed exceeding the first threshold.

Abstract: A method of controlling the engine speed of an internal combustion engine, the method including the steps of determining the engine speed demanded by an operator of the engine and comparing this demanded engine speed with a predetermined engine speed limit, wherein if the demanded engine speed exceeds the predetermined engine speed limit, the fuelling rate demanded of the operator is only reduced in order to control the engine speed to the predetermined engine speed limit.

Abstract: In an engine control system (10) for an industrial internal combustion engine (12) driving a load (14) and desired to run at constant speed as controlled by an engine control unit (16) including a governor controlling an engine throttle (18), a governing system is provided for holding the engine (12) at relatively constant speed, notwithstanding load changes, by anticipating load change with pre-set loop modification control.

Abstract: An adaptive cruise control system for an automotive vehicle includes at least a host vehicle speed detector an engine torque control system and a brake control system for controlling at least one of a host vehicle's speed, an inter-vehicle distance, and a relative velocity of the host vehicle to the preceding vehicle. When switching from an engine-torque-control-only operating mode suitable for a relatively small required host vehicle's acceleration/deceleration to an engine-torque-control plus brake-control operating mode suitable for a relatively large required host vehicle's acceleration/deceleration occurs, an initial value of a host vehicle's speed command value is reset to a value being offset from the host vehicle's speed by a predetermined value.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for limiting diesel engine overspeed conditions (and thereby prevent engine damage) caused by the ingestion of lubricating oil from the turbocharger, or other source, into the diesel engine cylinders. In response to the development of an overspeed condition, the dynamic brake grids are coupled to the output of the main alternator to absorb the excess energy caused by the overspeed condition. Alternatively, non-combustible gases can be injected into the combustion system to limit the overspeed condition.

Abstract: A method comprising a first traveling mode in which the traveling environment ahead is recognized and at least one of the engine, the speed change gear, and the brake is controlled on the basis of a signal representing the recognition and a second traveling mode in which at least one of the engine, the speed change gear, and the brake is controlled on the basis of a signal generated by operation of the driver, in which the second traveling mode is selected in an area where vehicle following-up control is difficult.

Abstract: Computerized system and method for controlling an internal combustion engine are provided. The system includes a speed-setting device operable to supply a signal indicative of a desired engine speed. A speed sensor is coupled to the engine to supply a signal indicative of the actual speed of the engine. An electronic control unit is coupled to receive the respective signals indicative of desired engine speed and actual engine speed. The control unit in turn includes a comparator configured to compare the respective signals indicative of desired and actual engine speed relative to one another and supply a comparator output signal based on the magnitude of any differences therebetween. A processor is responsive to the comparator output signal to adjust one or more engine operational parameters of the engine.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a method and an arrangement for controlling the drive unit of a motor vehicle. At least two mutually redundant measurement quantities are detected which are compared to threshold values. A function of the control of the drive unit is activated or deactivated in dependence upon the ratio of at least one of the measurement quantities to at least one of the threshold values. Each measurement quantity is compared to at least one threshold value; signals, which characterize exceeding or dropping below the threshold value, are generated; and the function is activated or deactivated when a pregiven combination of these signals is present.

Abstract: A method providing solution of both of the problem of black smoke during the engine startup period and the problem of undershooting and hunting at the settling time. By adding at least an integral term QI to a basic injection quantity, feedback control of a fuel injection quantity of an engine is carried out. An initial integral term QI0 , which is used during the engine startup, is predetermined. During the engine startup period, the integral term QI is set as “0” until an engine revolution number Ne reaches a predetermined startup revolution number Nes. When the Ne reaches the Nes, the initial integral term QI0 is used as the QI. The QI0 is preferably determined on the basis of one of, or both of, a water temperature and an I atmospheric temperature. The Nes is preferably a value close to, or equal to, an idling revolution number Nei.

Abstract: The gearshift of an automatic transmission (25) connected to an engine is controlled by a transmission controller (15) in response to the vehicle speed and the accelerator pedal depression amount. The controller (11) calculates a transmission target automatic transmission output torque so that the vehicle speed coincides with a predetermined vehicle speed (17), and calculates the output torque of the engine based on the gear ratio and the transmission target output torque (27). The controller (11) determines whether or not the transmission target output torque is in a state in which a predetermined increase is not possible (21). When the transmission target output torque is in the state in which a predetermined increase is not possible, the controller (11) limits the transmission target automatic transmission output torque (17, 17B) and controls the output torque of the engine based on the limited transmission target output torque (19A, 20, 21).

Abstract: An engine controller capable of operating in both a torque governing mode and a speed governing mode simultaneously, and a method of operation whereby speed governing may be enabled and disabled while simultaneously providing a valid speed request signal to the controller is disclosed. A speed governor signal having an enabled state and a disabled state is generated external to the controller and monitored by the speed governor. A speed request signal is simultaneously monitored by the speed governor. The speed governor is operative to control the speed of the engine proportional to the speed request signal while the speed governor signal is in the enabled state. The speed governor is disabled by setting the speed governor signal into the disabled state. A torque governor may also be operational within the controller. The torque governor monitors a torque request signal which it uses to control a torque generated by the engine.

Abstract: A method of regulating the rotational speed of multicylinder internal combustion engines is described using the rotational speed can be detected precisely and rapidly in a simple and cost-effective manner, permitting stable regulation to a constant rotational speed in the event of periodic and temporary rotational speed fluctuations. The time required for a fixed sequence of successively sensed pulses is continuously measured and used to form equidistant, uncorrected actual rotational speed values. The number of successively sensed pulses is defined as a function of the number of cylinders in the engine and the number of pulses that can be generated by the pole wheel per revolution. The time required for the number of sensed pulses corresponding to one complete revolution of the pole wheel is measured and used to form an average rotational speed. The difference between the average rotational speed and each uncorrected actual rotational speed value is smoothed to form corrected actual rotational speed values.

Abstract: Engine speed and/or vehicle velocity limitation apparatus of engine-driven motor vehicles, wherein a controller defines, as a function of the difference between an actual speed value or actual velocity value as controlled variable, on the one hand, and a speed limit value or velocity limit value or a speed limit function or velocity limit function, on the other hand, a torque setpoint for the engine of the motor vehicle as the manipulated variable. As a result, the combustion processes occur at the stoichiometric ratio even during the limiting operation, and the elimination of torque surges results in a considerable increase in drivability for the driver.

Abstract: The invention provides a software method to correct for non-fuel injection induced errors in measured engine speed. This invention provides a means to calculate a least squares regression of the measured engine speed data when the engine is motoring without combustion or load. The motoring test is to avoid the effect of unbalanced cylinder power, thus detecting only the static errors in engine speed measurements. Recognizing that the average cylinder speed should form a straight line within an engine cycle, the lease squares regression of the measured speed data therefore represents the theoretical performance of the engine. A residual between this theoretical performance and the actual measured engine speed can therefore be determined. A table of mean residuals which are averages of individual residuals measured in consecutive engine cycles is constructed for each engine at a reference engine speed.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for controlling the speed of a vehicle, the apparatus manipulates a cable having one end secured to a throttle and the other secured to a motor for applying a force to the cable. A motor controller provides commands to the motor and the motor controller receives an input in the form of a vehicle velocity setting and in response to the value of the setting setting the motor controller instructs the motor to pull the cable a predetermined distance corresponding to a predetermined throttle position, the predetermined distance is stored in a lookup table and the predetermined throttle position corresponds to a vehicle velocity that is similar to the vehicle velocity setting.

Abstract: A system and method for engine/speed control of a direct injection spark ignition engine include operating the engine in a stratified charge mode and controlling speed based on engine set points for best performance using fuel as a primary torque actuator and airflow as a secondary torque actuator whenever possible to maintain spark at or near MBT. When current operating conditions and/or system constraints prevent use of engine set points corresponding to best performance, speed control becomes the primary objective. Systems and methods according to the present invention improve the compromise between speed control and best performance set-point objectives.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and apparatus for controlling the speed of an engine. The engine has an associated turbo charger and a throttle. The method includes the steps of determining a load characteristic of the engine, determining a change in said load characteristic, and controlling the engine in response to said load change.

Abstract: An ordinary target driving force is generated against a detected value of the vehicle operator depression of an accelerator pedal and a detected value of the vehicle speed. The ordinary target driving force is a driving force required to keep the vehicle rolling on a flat horizontal road at the detected value of vehicle speed with the detected value of the vehicle operator depression of the accelerator pedal. A running resistance increment, i.e., an increase of running resistance from a standard running resistance, is calculated. A preliminary driving force correction is determined in response to the running resistance increment. The preliminary driving force correction is subjected to variation. The preceding old value of a driving force correction is subtracted from a current value of the preliminary driving force to give a variation in driving force correction. This variation is limited to fall in a range between an upper and a lower limit to give a limited driving force correction variation.

Abstract: In a method for setting a specifiable target speed in a motor vehicle with an internal combustion engine, actuating signals for the manipulation of the throttle valve of the internal combustion engine are produced in a speed-regulating system taking into account vehicle-state and operating variables. To improve controller behaviour in partial shut-down operation, the controller output of the regulating system is passed via a metering characteristic to produce the actuating signal which manipulates the position of the throttle valve, both full operation and partial shut-down operation being assigned a respective metering characteristic. At the time of the switchover between full operation and partial shut-down operation, the controller output is first of all passed via the metering characteristic assigned to operation hitherto and then via an inverse metering characteristic assigned to subsequent operation.

Abstract: In a throttle control apparatus of an internal combustion engine, when the driver operates an accelerator so as to cause a motor vehicle to proceed to a steady-state running mode, a target throttle opening amount is no longer controlled to a throttle opening amount that depends upon an operated amount of the accelerator. Instead, the throttle opening amount is controlled to a value that provides a steady-state required torque. In this manner, the vehicle is immediately brought into a desired steady-state running mode, without requiring the driver to repeatedly operate the accelerator since the accelerator operation is not directly reflected by the throttle opening amount. Thus, the driver need not frequently repeat accelerator operations when the vehicle enters a steady-state running mode, thus assuring improved driveability.