Fail-safe Feature (e.g., Cuts Off Fuel Pump) Patents (Class 123/359)
  • Patent number: 11035300
    Abstract: An example system includes a gas-turbine configured to generate mechanical energy using fuel; an electrical generator configured to generate electrical energy using the mechanical energy generated by the gas-turbine; an electrical converter configured to process the electrical energy generated by the electrical generator; and a converter controller configured to reduce, responsive to detecting occurrence of a fault in the electrical generator or the electrical converter, an amount of fuel provided to the gas-turbine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2021
    Assignee: Rolls-Royce Corporation
    Inventor: Alan W. Smith
  • Patent number: 9903849
    Abstract: A method for determination of the bulk modulus of fuels in a fuel system of a combustion engine (2) with a common rail injection system (6), with a high pressure volume (16) including the high pressure side of a high pressure pump (9) and a fuel accumulator (8) with injectors (7) for injection of fuel into the cylinders of the combustion engine. The method including: first determining the volume of the high pressure volume by supplying a fuel with a known bulk modulus to the fuel system and by controlling the high pressure pump (9) so that it performs a pump stroke with the volume of the high pressure volume closed. The value of the determined volume is later used with another fuel in order to determine the latter fuel's bulk modulus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2018
    Assignee: SCANIA CV AB
    Inventors: Kim Kylström, Roger Hälleberg
  • Patent number: 9828956
    Abstract: Method for controlling a fuel injector with a piezoelectric actuator acting on a valve element, including the following steps, in the normal operation of the vehicle: (200): Estimating an engine parameter (PjEST), representative of an actual play (JREEL) between the piezoelectric actuator and the valve element, (300): Comparing the engine parameter with the equivalent parameter (PjECU) representative of the original play (JINIT): if the engine parameter differs from the equivalent parameter in such a way that the actual play is greater than the original play: Applying an electrical polarization charge to the piezoelectric actuator, in order to polarize the piezoelectric actuator during the injection of the fuel, Commanding the closure of the injector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2017
    Assignees: CONTINENTAL AUTOMOTIVE FRANCE, CONTINENTAL AUTOMOTIVE GMBH
    Inventors: Michael Leblon, Jeremie Memain
  • Patent number: 9166505
    Abstract: System and methods are provided for protecting a direct current (DC) motor. A protection system includes: a motor drive component configured to drive a DC motor, a feedback component configured to generate a feedback signal related to motion of the DC motor, and a watchdog circuit configured to output a fault signal to the motor drive component to stop the DC motor in response to the feedback signal indicating abnormal motion of the DC motor. The watchdog circuit includes a hardware watchdog timer configured to be activated in response to one or more control signals and monitor the feedback signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2015
    Assignee: MARVELL INTERNATIONAL LTD.
    Inventor: Chen Liu
  • Patent number: 9145115
    Abstract: Disclosed is a vehicle control apparatus which can prevent the deterioration of drivability. The ECU can set a control accelerator opening degree to be converted when a control permission condition is established. The control accelerator opening degree is equal to or larger than an accelerator lower limit which is larger than an idle determination value for determining an automatic stopping of an engine by an eco-run. The control accelerator opening degree thus set can prevent the drivability from being deteriorated without the automatic stopping of the engine being caused even if the accelerator opening degree is converted to reduce the torque of the engine with the establishment of the control permission condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2015
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Toshiya Oishi, Masashi Takagi, Michihito Shimada, Yuki Minase, Kenichi Okaya, Tsutomu Miyazaki
  • Patent number: 8925521
    Abstract: An adjustable restrictor device for controlling flow of induction air into an engine. The restrictor device may comprise a generally flat compact housing which is installed between a carburetor and intake manifold of an engine. The housing may have throughbores to allow air flow, which coincide in location to carburetor bores. The restrictor device may have two individual restrictors enclosed therein, each movable to positions which progressively obstruct and open the throughbores to control flow of inducted air. Each restrictor may be manually controlled in common by a rotatable control shaft. Threading of the knobs may be opposite handed, thereby enabling the restrictors to move similarly in effect as to controlling air flow but in opposite directions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2015
    Inventor: Rollin Kim Lee
  • Patent number: 8770172
    Abstract: In an apparatus for detecting fuel shortage of a general-purpose internal combustion engine connectable to an operating machine to be used as a prime mover of the machine, the engine being supplied with fuel stored in a tank and having an actuator adapted to open and close a throttle valve installed in an air intake pipe so as to achieve a desired engine speed set by an operator, comprising a fuel shortage condition detector adapted to detect whether the engine is in a fuel shortage condition, and an engine stopper adapted to stop the engine when the engine is detected to be in the fuel shortage condition. With this, it becomes possible to detect whether the engine having the electronic governor is in the fuel shortage condition, thereby preventing occurrence of trouble such as afterburning.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2014
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Takashi Hashizume, Masayuki Fukuhara
  • Patent number: 8483884
    Abstract: A method and system is described for controlling an electrically driven fuel pump used in the filling of a hobbyist model craft's fuel tank, (airplane, car, boat etc). The system includes a microcontroller to control the direction and run time of a brushed electric motor-driven fuel pump. A calibration feature allows operating parameters for different sized pumps and tanks to be measured and recorded in memory, then later recalled and used in the filling of pre-selected models' tank to a predetermined level simply by pressing a button to initiate the operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2013
    Inventor: Junior Lloyd Williams
  • Patent number: 8469001
    Abstract: Problems: For enhanced safety of a work apparatus with an internal combustion engine, a cutting element is prevented from an accidental run due to an accidental increase of the engine revolution while a throttle control trigger is in a released state. Solution: In an engine start period, a throttle valve (10) is in a first idling position. The engine 2 at its initial run phase does not increase in revolution because of instability of its running condition. When the running condition begins to stabilize, the revolution rapidly increases. When the engine revolution (Ne) reaches 4,000 rpm or higher, a non-firing control mode is set up. In the non-firing control mode, when the engine revolution reaches or exceeds 4,500 rpm, a non-firing processing is executed (S4). A centrifugal clutch (6) is designed to engage at 5,000 rpm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2013
    Assignee: Yamabiko Corporation
    Inventors: Takuo Yoshizaki, Kazuhiro Yoneyama, Masao Iwata, Naoto Kawahara
  • Patent number: 8453617
    Abstract: One embodiment of a device and method for controlling or restricting the air-fuel mixture into an internal combustion engine having a body member rigidly mounted between the air-fuel metering device and the engine intake, a slidably insertable restrictor plate, and a retaining and sealing cover. The body member may contain a single spacer or two spacers and may contain either a slot or a groove that communicates with the plate. The plate may contain a plurality of bore holes and multiple distinct plates can be made in order to achieve various and linear amounts of restriction. The plate can be easily and quickly changed depending on the amount of restriction desired. One or more embodiments of the device can be used on engines in various motorized vehicles and in various motorsports, such as drag racing. Other embodiments are described and shown.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2013
    Inventor: Brett T. Olson
  • Patent number: 7857508
    Abstract: In a method for monitoring the functionality of a temperature sensor that can deliver an electrical signal as a function of the measured temperature and is disposed, in particular, in the cooling water circuit of an internal combustion engine, the persistence of the temperature sensor in the high signal range is made possible by a method encompassing the following steps: Characterizing the sensor as possibly faulty if the sensor indicates, upon engine shutdown, at least a maximum value of the cooling fluid temperature; determining a first gradient of the cooling fluid temperature, measured by the possibly faulty sensor, up to a first point in time after engine shutdown, and characterizing the sensor as fault-free if the gradient exceeds a minimum value; determining a second gradient of the cooling fluid temperature, measured by the possibly faulty sensor, between the point in time and a point in time after engine shutdown, and characterizing the sensor as fault-free if the second gradient exceeds a minimum va
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2010
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Dirk Foerstner, Andreas Eckert, Siegfried Goetz, Joerg Neumann
  • Patent number: 7725241
    Abstract: When an ignition key is switched off, an updated learning value is set as an immediately preceding learning value of a present trip, which is compared with an average value of start timing learning values in a predetermined number of trips up to and including the present trip. When a difference between the immediately preceding learning value of the present trip and the average value exceeds a predetermined range, a start timing learning value to be used at a startup of a next trip is not updated. When the difference between the immediately preceding learning value of the present trip and the average value fails within the predetermined range, the immediately preceding learning value of the present trip is written in an EEPROM and used as the start timing learning value at the engine startup of the next trip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2010
    Assignee: DENSO Corporation
    Inventor: Takashi Ikeda
  • Patent number: 7117048
    Abstract: A safety controller having a total worst case propagation delay, exceeding the required propagation delay required by a safety process, may be used to control the safety process by monitoring actual delays in signal processing in the safety controller and moving to a safety state if a signal delay exceeds an amount less than the total worst case propagation delay.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2006
    Assignee: Rockwell Automation Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Anthony Gerard Gibart
  • Patent number: 7051615
    Abstract: The present apparatus includes an accelerator pedal 10, a pedal arm 20, a pedal shaft 30 which supports the pedal arm 20 so as to be free to swing, a return spring 40, a friction generating mechanism 50 which generates friction force corresponding to a position of the pedal arm 20, an accelerator position sensor 60 and a control segment 70 which controls an opening of a throttle valve 110 based on an output signal of the sensor 60. A play range in which a friction force equal to or larger than a specific level is not generated is set to the friction generating mechanism in the range where the pedal arm moves from a resting position by a specific amount. In the play range, an output signal of the accelerator position sensor 60 is kept constant so that the throttle valve is kept at a specific opening. In this manner, a desirable operating feeling without an unsuitable feeling with the accelerator pedal operation is obtained, and the accelerator apparatus is compact.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2006
    Assignee: Mikuni Corporation
    Inventors: Masato Kumamoto, Takumi Oikawa, Tsuyoshi Hosono
  • Patent number: 7007676
    Abstract: A fuel system for an engine has a source of pressurized fuel, a rail, and a plurality of fuel injectors. The fuel system also has a sensor to sense a parameter of the pressurized fuel, and a controller. The controller is configured to generate a flow control offset value indicative of a difference between the value of the parameter and a desired value for the parameter, and to control operation of the source in response to the flow control offset value when the sensor is determined to be functioning properly. The controller is also configured to store the flow control offset value in a memory of the controller when the sensor is determined to be functioning properly and to associate the flow control offset value with at least one operating condition of the engine. The controller is further configured to control operation of the source in response to previously stored flow control offset value when the sensor is determined to be malfunctioning.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2006
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Scott Schuricht, Rammohan Sankar, Daniel R. Puckett
  • Patent number: 6971368
    Abstract: A fuel injection system for an internal combustion engine includes a fuel supply pump, a fuel pressure detector, and a control unit. The fuel supply pump supplies pressurized fuel to a fuel injection valve in the internal combustion engine. The fuel pressure detector detects the pressure of the fuel supplied. The control unit controls the amount of the fuel supplied based on a deviation between an actual fuel pressure and a target fuel pressure. The control unit includes an integral term calculator and an integral term holder. The integral term calculator adds an integral compensation quantity and a last-time integral term to calculate a this-time integral term based on an integral compensation quantity that is updated according to the deviation. The integral term holder stops the updating of the integral compensation quantity and retains the last-time integral term when a defect in the fuel supply pump is detected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2005
    Assignee: Denso Corporation
    Inventor: Ken Uchiyama
  • Patent number: 6915203
    Abstract: An engine control system has a self-diagnosis function of an exhaust system. The self-diagnosis function includes a first mode for detecting a failure or abnormality of the exhaust system as a whole, and a second mode for determining and locating a specific failed component in the exhaust system. The first mode is executed during the engine is operated under a normal condition. Therefore it is possible to detect the failure of the exhaust system without lowering a drive performance or increasing emissions. In case of detecting any failure in the first mode, the second mode is activated in response to a command signal that can be entered via a service tool. In the second mode, the engine is operated in order to determine the failed component. In the second mode, determining the failed component takes priority over keeping the drive performance or reducing emissions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2005
    Assignee: DENSO Corporation
    Inventors: Yoshinori Maegawa, Syujiro Morinaga, Hisashi Iida, Tatsuya Oka, Masakazu Yamada
  • Patent number: 6647957
    Abstract: Described herein is a fuel feeding apparatus for an automobile including a fuel tank, an engine supplied with a fuel from the fuel tank by a fuel pump through a fuel feeding pipe, and a fuel return pipe for returning overflow fuel to the fuel tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2003
    Inventor: Yong Won Cha
  • Publication number: 20030037766
    Abstract: A device and a method for controlling an engine are described. On the basis of a first variable which characterizes the injection quantity and a second variable which characterizes the angular position at which the injection quantity is metered, a third variable which characterizes the torque supplied by the engine is determined. Furthermore, on the basis of a fourth variable which characterizes the driver's intent, a fifth variable which characterizes the torque desired by the driver is determined. The third variable and the fifth variable are analyzed for the purpose of fault monitoring.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 25, 2002
    Publication date: February 27, 2003
    Inventors: Horst Wagner, Peter Schubert
  • Patent number: 6286479
    Abstract: A method and system for determining degradation of fuel pump performance in a locomotive having an internal combustion engine is provided. The method allows for monitoring a signal indicative of a fuel value delivered by the fuel pump and for adjusting the value of the monitored signal for deviations from an estimated nominal fuel value due to external variables to generate an adjusted fuel value. The method further allows for comparing the value of the adjusted fuel value against the nominal fuel value to determine the performance of the pump.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2001
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Robert Douglas Cryer, Sagar Arvindbhai Patel, Shawn Michael Gallagher
  • Patent number: 6044806
    Abstract: A method of detecting leakage through a gaseous fuel admission valve of a dual fuel engine including at least one such gaseous fuel admission valve and a gaseous fuel shut off valve includes determining a liquid fuel rate when the engine is operating in a liquid fuel mode and the gaseous fuel shut off valve is closed. The gaseous fuel shut off valve is thereafter opened while the engine is operating in the liquid fuel mode. A liquid fuel rate is determined after the gaseous fuel shut off valve is opened and the liquid fuel rate determined before opening of the gaseous fuel shut off valve is compared with the liquid fuel rate determined after opening of the gaseous fuel shut off valve. A detonation level within the engine cylinder may also be checked to determine if such detonation level exceeds a predetermined level indicative of gaseous fuel leakage. The detonation level check may also be utilized in a spark-ignited engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 1997
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2000
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Scott C. Brown, Martin L. Willi
  • Patent number: 6032639
    Abstract: A diagnostic system for a fuel system of an internal combustion engine such as direct-injection gasoline engine monitors a pressure deviation of a actual fuel pressure sensed by a fuel pressure sensor from a desired fuel pressure in a feedback fuel pressure control, and thereby detects abnormality in the fuel system. When the pressure deviation continues to be outside a normal range, a diagnostic controller commands engine operation in a homogeneous stoichiometric combustion mode, and monitors a feedback correction quantity in a feedback stoichiometric air fuel control during the engine operation in the homogeneous stoichiometric combustion mode. The controller attributes the abnormality to the fuel pressure sensor if the feedback correction quantity of the air fuel ratio is fixed to an upper limit or a lower limit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2000
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kenichi Goto, Hideyuki Tamura
  • Patent number: 5893352
    Abstract: A cylinder injection type fuel control apparatus secures the operation of an internal-combustion engine even if a fuel supply system of the internal-combustion engine fails. The cylinder injection type fuel control apparatus is equipped with an injector (3) which is driven by an output signal based on a computation result of an electronic control unit (2) and which supplies fuel to the respective cylinders of the internal-combustion engine. A failure of a high-pressure fuel system is detected according to the integrated number of engine stalls that take place immediately after startup, or other means, and if a failure of the high-pressure fuel system has been detected, then the control is switched to a low-pressure fuel supply system to run the internal-combustion engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 1997
    Date of Patent: April 13, 1999
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Toru Fujiwara
  • Patent number: 5806498
    Abstract: A system is for a diesel engine for detecting malfunctioning of an injection timing control apparatus. The apparatus controls an injection timing of fuel, pressurized by a pump, to be injected from injection nozzles. An electronic control unit (ECU) computes a target injection timing based on the running condition. The ECU controls the injection timing to set the actual injection timing to the target injection timing. The ECU computes a difference between the actual injection timing and the target injection timing. The ECU determines whether the injection timing control apparatus is malfunctioning when the difference between the actual timing and the target timing is greater than a predetermined value. The determination by the ECU is altered in accordance with the running condition of the engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 15, 1998
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Akira Iwai, Shigeki Hidaka
  • Patent number: 5778852
    Abstract: The invention relates to a fuel injection system having an electrically actuatable injection pump which comprises a pre-stroke actuator for setting the start of injection and a flow rate actuator for setting the injection quantity. A control unit for controlling the injection quantity and start of injection emits an actuation signal which starts injection to the flow rate actuator, and an actuation signal for the start of injection to the pre-stroke actuator via an output lead for the actuation signal for the start of injection. According to the invention, the control unit protects the pre-stroke actuator against a short-circuit on the output lead by monitoring the control deviation at the start of injection between the actual value for the start of injection (detected by means of a needle movement sensor) and a desired value for the start of injection, which fixed as a function of the engine operating point.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 14, 1998
    Assignee: Mercedes-Benz AG
    Inventor: Martin Penteker
  • Patent number: 5535721
    Abstract: A fuel pumping apparatus for supplying fuel to an engine incudes an angularly adjustable throttle for determining the amount of fuel supplied to the engine. The setting of the throttle in normal operation is determined by an actuator which is controlled by an electronic control system. A mechanical governor is provided which is coupled to the throttle member by a sliding link and this acts to prevent the speed of the engine exceeding a predetermined value. In the event of failure of the actuator or control system a pivotal arm is moved to an emergency run position in which the actuator is decoupled from the throttle member and the force exerted by the governor spring of the mechanical governor is reduced to allow the engine to operate at a reduced speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 1995
    Date of Patent: July 16, 1996
    Assignee: Lucas Industries p.l.c.
    Inventors: Graham R. Lewis, Peter J. Parr
  • Patent number: 5495226
    Abstract: A secondary brake light switch comprising a hollow housing having a first end and a second end; an electrically conductive plunger slidably disposed within the housing; a switch coupled to the second end of the housing with switch having an input terminal facing the plunger and an output terminal adapted to be coupled between brake lights of a vehicle and their associated power source; a generally hollow vacuum valve having a first end coupled to first end of the housing, a second end adapted to be coupled to a vacuum system of a vehicle, and a diaphragm disposed within the vacuum valve with the diaphragm actuated when a high vacuum condition is created at the second end of the housing when a vehicle is accelerating and the diaphragm de-actuated when a low vacuum condition is created at the second end of the housing when a vehicle is idling; and an extension mechanism coupled between the diaphragm and the plunger for allowing the plunger to contact the input terminal of the switch when the diaphragm is de-act
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 1994
    Date of Patent: February 27, 1996
    Inventor: Dennis W. Vowell
  • Patent number: 5388562
    Abstract: In a fuel injection system for a vehicle engine, the fuel injection is controlled in a feedback mode when no abnormality occurs in the control system, and it is controlled in an open loop mode by a limp home circuit when any abnormality in the control system is detected by a watch dog timer. The vehicle may thus be slowly driven to a safe or proper place for servicing. The limp home circuit includes fuel cutoff means for interrupting the fuel supply to the engine in the open loop mode of operation when the rotational speed of the engine exceeds a predetermined value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 1993
    Date of Patent: February 14, 1995
    Assignee: Zexel Corporation
    Inventors: Akira Sekiguchi, Yuichi Kitano, Kazumasa Kurihara, Masahiko Shinagawa
  • Patent number: 5365904
    Abstract: A control system for controlling an internal combustion engine is disclosed. The control system employs closed loop engine speed control and includes a primary and secondary engine speed sensor. An electronic control module detects a failure of the primary or secondary sensor and causes the other sensor to be used as the engine speed feedback signal in the closed loop control.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 1993
    Date of Patent: November 22, 1994
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen C. Nofsinger, Siamak Mirhakimi
  • Patent number: 5351666
    Abstract: In a method and device for controlling an internal combustion engine, particularly a diesel engine, when the internal combustion engine is started up, a power-regulating, controlling mechanism is triggered in a first step so as to allow it to assume a starting position. A starter is triggered in a subsequent step. An interrupting device, which is operatively connected to the power-regulating, controlling mechanism, is released only after a safety condition is fulfilled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 1993
    Date of Patent: October 4, 1994
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Bernhard Bronkal, Martin Grosser
  • Patent number: 5300819
    Abstract: Disclosed is an automatic power regulator for controlling an induction type biogas generator via an electrically controlled governor. The biogas generator is directly coupled with a commercial AC power network. The regulator controls the power output of the generator to follow the power consumption of a load according to the difference between the power output and the power consumption. Positive and negative references are set to avoid oscillation of the system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 1992
    Date of Patent: April 5, 1994
    Assignee: Industrial Technology Research Institute
    Inventor: Ching-Ping Lee
  • Patent number: 5245967
    Abstract: In an electrically controlled actuation of a load adjusting element (3) corresponding to the position of an arbitrarily adjustable transmitter member (28) and corresponding to other parameters with the aid of a control device (19) and an electrically controlled adjusting device (16) the problem arises that it is necessary that actuation of the adjusting lever (3) of the fuel injection pump still be possible during failure of the electrical control unit or power supply. This is effected in that the transmitter member (28) and the adjusting device (16) are coupled in each instance via a coupling (23, 32) which can be locked by hydraulic and/or pneumatic adjusting means, one of which is locked and the other unlocked depending on the operating situation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 1992
    Date of Patent: September 21, 1993
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventor: Uwe Reuter
  • Patent number: 5235949
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method and arrangement for preparing a fuel-metering signal M for a diesel engine starting with measured variables such as accelerator pedal position, rotational speed, lambda, exhaust gas temperature or torque. A fuel quantity request MW is pregiven in dependence upon the position of the accelerator pedal. This quantity request MW is supplied to a minimum selector together with a second signal. The output signal M of the minimum selector, in turn, determines the metered fuel. The second signal derives from a precontrol characteristic field 50 in dependence upon the speed. The output signal of the precontrol characteristic field MV is influenced by the controller output signal MR in specific operating conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 1990
    Date of Patent: August 17, 1993
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Josef Wahl, Alf Loffler, Hermann Grieshaber, Wilhelm Polach, Ewald Eblen, Joachim Tauscher, Helmut Laufer, Ulrich Flaig, Johannes Locher, Manfred Birk, Gerhard Engel, Alfred Schmitt, Pierre Lauvin, Fridolin Piwonka, Anton Karle, Hermann Kull
  • Patent number: 5233958
    Abstract: The invention is directed to an arrangement for the open-loop and/or closed-loop control of an operating variable of an internal combustion engine. The arrangement includes an electronic open-loop and closed-loop control unit which is influenced with an actuable positioning component operating on the operating value in dependence upon at least one operating variable. This arrangement includes at least one safety means which changes its signal condition in predetermined positions of the actuator. Devices are included for precisely determining and detecting the position of the signal condition change. These devices control the actuator in predetermined operating conditions independently of the operating variable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 1991
    Date of Patent: August 10, 1993
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Martin Knoss, Bernd Lieberoth-Leden, Diethard Loehr
  • Patent number: 5224451
    Abstract: A system for controlling an internal combustion engine of a motor vehicle, and, in particular, a self-ignitible internal combustion engine, that produces a speed signal, as well as a signal associated with the driver of the motor vehicle, such as a gas pedal position signal. A control unit supplies an actuating signal to a power-regulating controlling unit that controls the fuel injection quantity for the engine under both normal and emergency conditions. The actuating signal is based on the signal associated with the driver and inversely proportional to the speed signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 1992
    Date of Patent: July 6, 1993
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventor: Max Straubel
  • Patent number: 5188081
    Abstract: A control system for a fuel pump, particularly for a solenoid-valve-controlled fuel pump in the case of a self-ignitable internal-combustion engine, in which at least one pulse transmitter is mounted on the crankshaft and/or on the camshaft. The generated pulse sequences include at least several reference pulses for establishing the beginning of fuel injection, as well as speed pulses for detecting the average and the instantaneous rotational speeds. A trial activation takes place to detect into which cylinder the fuel must be injected. Based on the reaction of the fuel injection system and/or of the internal-combustion engine, it is detected whether fuel was injected into the proper cylinder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 1991
    Date of Patent: February 23, 1993
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Manfred Birk, Gerhard Engel, Wilhelm Eyberg, Thomas Henze, Alfred Schmitt
  • Patent number: 5188077
    Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus for a diesel engine with a distributor injection pump with which is associated an electronically regulated fuel feed control mechanism with a rotary magnet which operates a control valve of the injection pump. In order to avoid the unintentional injection of an excessive amount of fuel caused by a error in the electronic, the fuel feed control mechanism has a rate of flow end position beyond the allowable operating range, in which a system for interrupting the fuel feed to the injection pump, e.g., an electrical fuel shutoff valve, is activated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 1991
    Date of Patent: February 23, 1993
    Assignee: Audi A.G.
    Inventor: Richard Bauder
  • Patent number: 5016587
    Abstract: The invention is directed to a brake light switch circuit arrangement having an additional switch S.sub.2 which opens upon actuation of the brake pedal 13 but only after a first switch S.sub.1 closes. The signals from the two switches are processed by a gating circuit (16, 17, 18) to produce brake signals (B.sub.S1 and B.sub.S2) which are to provide a standby idle-running idle-setting signal (LL*) and switch off a driving-speed controller (FGR) via the main computer (30) of the electronic diesel control. In the event that the brake switch S.sub.1 becomes defective and remains closed while overtaking another vehicle, the condition is prevented that the EDC does not reduce the injected fuel quantity to the idling quantity, even though the accelerator pedal is depressed. It is also prevented that, in the event of a fault in the brake switch (S.sub.1) while the accelerator pedal is released, constant vehicle velocity control by the EDC is not switched off.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 1989
    Date of Patent: May 21, 1991
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Joachim Berger, Ulrich Gerstung
  • Patent number: 4989569
    Abstract: A fuel-metering system having a redundant control arrangement includes a main controller 12, an auxiliary controller 17, a first microprocessor 10, a second microprocessor 11, a switch-over unit 14, an actuator 15 and a fuel-metering unit 16. The second microprocessor emits a switch-over signal to the switch-over unit in the start phase of the internal combustion engine. The switch-over unit then supplies the actuator 15 with the actuator signal from the auxiliary control loop. A determination is made as to whether the actuator has reached the pregiven desired value. If this is indeed the case, then an indication is provided that the auxiliary controller and the switch-over unit are operating properly. If this is not the case, then the assumption can be made that the auxiliary controller or the switch-over unit is defective. In this case, a fault indication is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 1990
    Date of Patent: February 5, 1991
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventor: Franz Eidler
  • Patent number: 4989562
    Abstract: A plurality of reference pressures for pressure in an intake passage of the engine is stored in a memory so as to be derived in accordance with speed of the engine and opening degree of a throttle valve of the engine. A reference pressure is derived from the memory in accordance with the engine speed and the corrected opening degree. The pressure in an intake pipe is compared with the reference pressure. A fail-safe signal is generated when the intake pipe pressure is higher than the reference pressure. In response to the fail-safe signal, the fuel supply for the engine is cut off when the engine speed is higher than a predetermined speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 1989
    Date of Patent: February 5, 1991
    Assignee: Fuji Jukogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hiroya Ohkumo, Shuji Miyama
  • Patent number: 4966113
    Abstract: A reverse rotation preventing device for a Diesel engine which can stop, when the engine exhibits a stopping tendency, operation of the engine to prevent reverse rotation of the engine with certainty and can automatically release a stopping interlock after stopping of the engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 1989
    Date of Patent: October 30, 1990
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Kobe Seiko Sho
    Inventor: Yoshiaki Fujimoto
  • Patent number: 4903670
    Abstract: A diesel internal combustion engine 1 has an air intake 2, an injection pump 3 and an exhaust pipe 4. In the fuel injection line 7 is arranged an electromagnetic shut-off valve 8, which closes the fuel supply when the "ignition" switch 10 is turned off, in order to bring the engine 1 to an immediate halt. In the exhaust pipe 4 is arranged a lambda lean probe 12, which feeds to a comparator electronics system 14 a signal corresponding to the oxygen content of the exhaust gas; this signal is compared in the comparator circuit with a lambda nominal value. If an excess quantity of fuel has been injected, for example, due to a fault in the injection system the value detected by the lambda probe 12 will fail to reach the nominal value, whereupon the comparator electronic system 14 activates a switch 15 in the control line 9 of the shut-off valve 8. The current supply to the shut-off valve 8 is interrupted and the fuel supply to the engine 1 is shut off.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 1988
    Date of Patent: February 27, 1990
    Assignee: Audi AG
    Inventor: Richard Bauder
  • Patent number: 4893599
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a manually operated fuel bypass mechanism for an elecnic fuel injection system, the mechanism adapted for convenient installation on the exterior of an existing fuel injection system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 1988
    Date of Patent: January 16, 1990
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Army
    Inventors: George Melnik, Bruce Amrein, Curtis L. McCoy, James A. Martin
  • Patent number: 4850320
    Abstract: The safety monitoring of an electrical gas-pedal system having a desired-value transmitter (2), a controller unit (3), a controlling element (4) and safety contacts (8 and 9 respectively) associated with the desired-value transmitter and the controlling element includes the possibility of checking the safety contact (9) of the controlling element even if, as a result of an increased idling-speed-of-rotation control position or a mechanical limitation, the control position of the controlling element lies above the switch point of the safety contact. For this purpose, when the engine speed of rotation exceeds a given threshold value (ns) which results from the increased idling speed of rotation plus a safety margin, in the absence of a corresponding signal from the desired-value transmitter push operation is recognized by the controller unit (3), and the controlling element (3) is moved back to such an extent that the safety contact (9) must have switched.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 1988
    Date of Patent: July 25, 1989
    Assignee: VDO Adolf Schindling AG
    Inventors: Andreas Wokan, Gerald Helmstadter, Kurt Probst
  • Patent number: 4827718
    Abstract: A control system for controlling an actuator which controls operation of an internal combustion engine in compliance with a target value varying continuously depending on the operation condition of the engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 29, 1988
    Date of Patent: May 9, 1989
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Toshiyasu Terui
  • Patent number: 4823751
    Abstract: In an apparatus operable with an injection pump of a diesel motor whereby the injection pump has an output setting element and a shut-off element, the output setting element is controllable by a digital control device. Also, the shut-off element is pulsatingly controllable by the digital control device such that a predetermined rotational speed of the diesel motor is achieved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 1987
    Date of Patent: April 25, 1989
    Assignee: VDO Adolf Schindling AG
    Inventors: Manfred Pfalzgraf, Bernward Stoll, Kurt Probst, Heinz-Friedrich Ohm, Andreas Wokan
  • Patent number: 4811710
    Abstract: A fuel injection pump for internal combustion engines having a hydraulic control mechanism includes a control cylinder with a control piston actuating a control member, a hydraulic work chamber and one switching valve each for an input and an output controlled by a valve control unit. The inflow to and return from the work chamber is provided with the control valves in order to shut down the engine upon a shutoff or a malfunction in the hydraulic control mechanism. The fuel feed pump is electrically driven, and the hydraulic work chamber communicates with the fuel tank via a relief device. The supply of current to the valve control unit and the feed pump is switched on and off, along with the rest of the current supply to the engine, via a driving switch. Additionally, the valve control unit is embodied such that upon the appearance of a persistent control deviation of the control member, the valve control unit shuts off the feed pump.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 1988
    Date of Patent: March 14, 1989
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Alfred Schmitt, Gerhard Stumpp, Dietrich Trachte, Wolf Wessel
  • Patent number: 4811711
    Abstract: A fuel injection pump for internal combustion engines, in particular an in-line injection pump for Diesel engines, is proposed having an injection quantity governor and an electrically driven feed pump, in which in order to assure an emergency shutoff in the event of a malfunction of the injection quantity governor, a check valve, the forward flow direction of which is toward a suction chamber filled with fuel by the feed pump, is disposed between the pressure-side outlet of the feed pump and the suction chamber. An emergency shutoff device responding to a malfunction switches off the feed pump drive, so that because of the lack of feed pressure the check valve closes and blocks off the suction chamber. The engine comes to a stop, as soon as a partial vacuum is established in the suction chamber, which occurs as soon as several revolutions later.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 1988
    Date of Patent: March 14, 1989
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Gerhard Stumpp, Wolf Wessel
  • Patent number: 4793308
    Abstract: An emergency control device for a diesel internal combustion engine with electronically controlled fuel proportioning, which enables an optimal emergency driving operation in case of a defect of the transmitter or transmitters for the actual value of fuel volume. In the event of an error, the mechanism determining the desired value of fuel volume during normal operation, and the fuel volume regulating device, are separated from the fuel proportioning device and the latter is controlled by a special emergency driving signal. An error in the transmitters for the actual value of fuel volume is recognized in that this signal does not fall in the allowable area for the actual value of fuel volume. A first signal, which, together with a second signal, gives the emergency driving signal, is formed from the speed and the accelerator position. The second signal consists substantially of the differentiated speed signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 1987
    Date of Patent: December 27, 1988
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Jurgen Brauninger, Wolfgang Duhlmeyer, Gunter Kettenacker, Volker Schafer, Albrecht Sieber, Jurgen Wietelmann
  • Patent number: 4791901
    Abstract: An rpm governor for fuel injection pumps of internal combustion engines, having a pivotable spring tensioning lever which is engaged by an rpm signal transducer counter to the force, acting as the guide variable, of a governor spring and on which a pivot shaft following up the adjusting movement of the tensioning lever, of a two-armed transmission lever is disposed. The transmission lever is articulated on a quantity control member and is pivoted via an electrical adjusting motor. The adjusting motor is triggered by an electrical control unit, which processes engine and environmental parameters and effects a correction of the injection quantity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 1985
    Date of Patent: December 20, 1988
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventor: Franz Eheim, deceased