Abstract: A timing arrangement for an internal combustion engine includes a timing connection having first and second connection features, each of which include respective properties wherein the second property is greater than the first property. A first timing wheel is fixed for rotation with a crankshaft of the engine. The first timing wheel includes first and second adjacent teeth, wherein the first and second adjacent teeth respectively include first and second widths, which correspond to the first and second connection features, respectively.

Abstract: An ignition control device for controlling a multi-spark operation comprises: a secondary electric energy generator generating an electric energy to reignite an air fuel-mixture associated with an internal combustion engine during the multi-spark operation; a switching element capable of controlling the supplying of the electric energy to a primary coil of an ignition coil, the controlling causing a secondary current in a secondary coil of the ignition coil; an ignition timing signal generator generating an ignition timing signal based on a driving state of the engine; a multi-spark period setting element setting a multi-spark period of the multi-spark operation based on the ignition timing signal; and an ignition control element setting an amount of electric power supplied to the secondary electric energy generator based on the multi-spark period before the performing of the multi-spark operation is started, and for controlling the switching element.

Abstract: The invention relates to rapid multiple ignition, in which the maximum breakdown voltage for the spark breakdown is available a number of times during an ignition time window. The ignition system operates with a DC converter with which the voltage of the on-board vehicle electrical system is increased, and with rod-type ignition transformers whose minimized ignition coils permit rapid recharging. The ignition electronics operate with a power output stage which charges the rod-type ignition transformer by switching a power switch in the ground path of the primary winding. The output stage power switch is actuated by a time control arrangement which clocks the power switch for charging the rod-type ignition transformer and connects the primary side of the ignition transformer to ground for a prespecified time period in order to achieve the spark breakdown after charging of the ignition transformer.

Abstract: A flow rate/liquid type detecting method for detecting the flow rate of a fluid and, at the same time, detecting any one of or both the type of the fluid and the concentration of the fluid, characterized in that: by using a flow rate/liquid type detecting apparatus comprising a main passage through which a fluid to be detected flows, an auxiliary passage branched from the main passage, and a flow rate/liquid type detecting sensor device provided in the auxiliary passage, is provided, and in conducting any one of or both the detection of the type of the fluid to be detected and the detection of the concentration of the fluid to be detected, an auxiliary passage opening/closing valve is closed, and the fluid to be detected is allowed to temporarily stay within the flow rate/liquid type detecting sensor device to conduct any one of or both the detection of the liquid type and the detection of the concentration, and in detecting the flow rate of the fluid to be detected, the auxiliary passage opening/closing valv

Abstract: Apparatus and method for identifying type and distillation properties of light oil. A pulse voltage is applied for a predetermined period of time to a liquid type identification sensor heater comprising a heater and an identification liquid temperature sensor provided in the vicinity of the heater; the light oil to be identified is heated by the heater; and the liquid type is identified with a voltage output difference V0, corresponding to a temperature difference between the initial temperature and the peak temperature of the identification liquid temperature sensor.

Abstract: A variable valve timing adjusting mechanism includes one-way valves in a hydraulic supply passage in an advance hydraulic chamber and in a retard hydraulic chamber respectively and a drain oil passage bypassing each of the one-way valves disposed in parallel in the hydraulic supply passage of each hydraulic chamber. Drain switching valves are disposed in the respective drain oil passages. A controller opens the drain switching valve in a side of the hydraulic chamber where oil is discharged when a deviation between a target displacement angle and an actual displacement angle is more than a predetermined value to perform the maximum speed control for driving the adjusting mechanism in a direction of the target displacement angle at the maximum speed.

Abstract: A target value processing unit, includes: an input section to which a target value signal showing a target value of a control process is inputted; a target value shaping unit shaping the target value signal inputted to the input section, into a signal form which is proper for a control treatment of a regulator implementing the control process; and an output section outputting to the regulator a shaped target value signal which is shaped by the target value shaping unit. The target value processing unit realizes the high-level control process without improving the regulator.

Abstract: The types of gasolines having different distillation characteristics and various compositions are identified accurately and rapidly. A pulse voltage is applied for a predetermined time to a liquid type identifying sensor heater including a heater and an identifying liquid temperature sensor provided in the vicinity of the heater. Then, a gasoline to be identified is heated by the heater, and a liquid type is identified with a voltage output difference V0 corresponding to a temperature difference between an initial temperature and a peak temperature in the identifying liquid temperature sensor.

Abstract: A method and an arrangement as well as a computer program for controlling an internal combustion engine are suggested. A torque model is utilized in the context of the computation of actual quantities and/or actuating quantities. In the context-of the torque model computation, the combustion center is considered which describes the angle at which a specific portion of the combustion energy is converted.

Abstract: A control device for a spark-ignition engine, in which a mixture in a combustion chamber is fired by compression ignition in a part-load range under warm-running conditions, includes an EGR controller incorporating a valve operation controller for controlling internal EGR of hot burned gas and a cold EGR controller for controlling external EGR of cold burned gas. The EGR controller performs EGR control operation to leave the hot EGR gas in the combustion chamber in a lower-load, lower-speed region within a compression ignition combustion range and to introduce the cold EGR gas into the combustion chamber in a higher-load, higher-speed region within the compression ignition combustion range. The control device further includes a firing assist unit for inducing the compression ignition at least when ignitability of the mixture decreases due to introduction of the cold EGR gas in the compression ignition combustion range.

Abstract: A failure diagnostic apparatus for an intake air stream control valve which is provided in an intake system for an internal combustion engine, and which forms an air stream in the combustion chamber by changing a flow of intake air when the intake air is introduced to the combustion chamber of the internal combustion engine. In the failure diagnostic apparatus, an ignition device is provided in the combustion chamber; an ECU changes ignition timing such that an engine rotational speed of the internal combustion engine becomes equal to a target rotational speed immediately after the engine is started while the engine is cold; and the ECU performs a failure diagnostic control for determining whether a failure has occurred in the intake air stream control valve based on whether the changed ignition timing is different from the reference ignition timing that is a reference for the failure diagnosis.

Abstract: In a method for controlling a multicylinder internal combustion engine, where a cylinder-equalization control is performed to adjust cylinder-specific torque contributions to the overall torque of the internal combustion engine, a functioning monitoring is performed for the cylinder-equalization control, and, in response to disturbances in the area of the cylinder-equalization control, at least one error signal may be generated to indicate the existence of a disturbance.

Abstract: A combustion pressure data collection system for a multi-cylinder engine includes a cylinder pressure sensor, an amplifier unit, and a channel switching unit. The cylinder pressure sensor directly detect a combustion pressure of respective cylinders, the amplifier unit converts a charge signal from the cylinder pressure sensor into voltage signal and have an automatic correction function for automatically correcting a voltage output level so that the level is setted to the same level before and after the cylinder pressure sensor generate a charge, and the amplifier unit of the respective cylinders is connected to the channel switching unit.

Abstract: An ignition system for a vehicle includes a distributor having with a Hall Effect stator assembly and ignition module formed preferably as a thick film integrated (TFI) module, which receives a spark output (SPOUT) signal from an electronic control assembly (ECA). The ignition module includes a microprocessor for generating a control signal to an ignition coil and switching ON and OFF the primary current therein. A temperature sensing circuit is operative with the microprocessor for reducing the duty cycle or overall current or power as applied to the control signal from the TFI ignition module to the ignition coil and reducing the heat generated by the TFI ignition module when a temperature threshold for the TFI ignition module has been exceeded.

Abstract: An ignition system for a vehicle includes a distributor having with a Hall Effect stator assembly and ignition module formed preferably as a thick film integrated (TFI) module, which receives a spark output (SPOUT) signal from an electronic control assembly (ECA). The ignition module includes a microprocessor for generating a control signal to an ignition coil and switching ON and OFF the primary current therein. A temperature sensing circuit is operative with the microprocessor for reducing the duty cycle or overall current or power as applied to the control signal from the TFI ignition module to the ignition coil and reducing the heat generated by the TFI ignition module when a temperature threshold for the TFI ignition module has been exceeded.

Abstract: The invention relates to an ignition system for a 14 V or 42 V on-board power system voltage which is connected to the ignition transformer directly via the semiconductor power output stage without an intermediate power unit. After an input signal from a superordinate engine control device, the semiconductor power output stage is switched on by an ignition control device. As a result, a current is built up at the primary side of the ignition transformer. After the predefined maximum current value is reached for the first time, the primary side of the ignition transformer is switched off for a predefined time period. In this time period, a maximum voltage for the spark breakdown is built up at the electrodes of the spark plug according to the principle of self induction. After the spark discharge, the primary side of the ignition transformer is timed and current-limited until the end of the ignition process which is predefined by the superordinate engine control device.

Abstract: To avoid a sudden change in torque when switching over the valve lift of discretely adjustable inlet valves, the valve lift is firstly only adjusted for a section of cylinders, while the valve lift for the remaining section of cylinders is switched over after a delay. Therefore with each valve lift adjustment, only a slight change in torque has to be compensated by means of a corresponding change in the efficiency of the cylinders.

Abstract: An apparatus and method to detect and control the combustion quality of a lean burn reciprocating engine using ionization signals is presented. The system receives a succession of ionization signals for successive cycles of a running engine and processes a plurality of related ionization signals for signal stability. A start point and peak of the ionization signal is identified, using an initial current level for all of the signals. A geometric parameter is associated with the ionization signal that relates the start point to the peak. The geometric parameter is compared against a reference geometric parameter related to a desired combustion quality relating to a lambda greater than 1.4. A control parameter of the engine is adjusted such that an error difference between the geometric parameter and the reference geometric parameter is minimized. The ionization signals are checked to determine if an abnormal combustion condition such as knock or misfire has occurred.

Abstract: An integrated control system comprising an integrated circuit that controls at least one component or subsystem of an engine and a first light source that generates a first light signal when triggered through the integrated circuit. The first light signal propagates from the first light source through an LCC that may also serve as a substrate, wherein the signal that actuates the component of the engine can be the first light signal or a signal generated after the first light signal is produced. The component or subsystem of the engine may be an ignition system or a fuel injection system. The present invention is also directed to a method of controlling a component or subsystem of an engine.

Abstract: With an increase in torque demand, the internal combustion engine of the invention successively changes over a combination of a compression ratio, an air-fuel ratio, and a boost status of an air-fuel mixture from (1) settings of a high compression ratio, a lean air-fuel ratio, and a non-boosting state, (2) settings of the high compression ratio, the lean air-fuel ratio, and a boosting state, (3) settings of a low compression ratio, the lean air-fuel ratio, and the boosting state, to (4) settings of the low compression ratio, a stoichiometric air-fuel ratio, and the boosting state. The changeover strategy desirably widens a driving area of the internal combustion engine at the high compression ratio of a high thermal efficiency or at the lean air-fuel ratio. Under the condition of a large torque demand, the internal combustion engine is driven with boosting the stoichiometric air-fuel mixture at the low compression ratio to output a sufficiently large torque.

Abstract: A method and system for transmitting engine control data to or from the engine control unit of an engine. The system includes a local communication unit capable of establishing a wireless communication link with a remote communication unit and a link for transferring data between the local communication unit and the engine control unit. In operation, a wireless communication link is established between the local communication unit and the remote communication unit. Engine control data is transferred between the local communication unit and the engine control unit and transmitted between the local communication unit and the remote communication unit via the wireless communication link.

Abstract: Controlling an internal combustion engine which has an additional component provided in its exhaust gas conduit including a turbine and turbo of a turbo charger, includes enriching a mixture at a high throughput, determining a main filling signal by a main filling signal sensor and a substitute filling signal by a substitute filling sensor, converting the substitute filling signal into a control signal for at least one value selected from the group consisting of an air supply, a fuel supply and an ignition time point, such that the substitute filling signal is greater than the main filling signal by at least one protective factor, and selecting the protective factor so that at high throughput a change of the mixture toward a fattening is performed.

Abstract: In an internal combustion engine provided with a variable valve operating apparatus which variably changes a valve operating characteristic of at least one of intake and exhaust valves, a reference intake pipe pressure and a reference fresh air ratio corresponding to a reference operating condition of the variable valve operating apparatus are computed based on the detection value of the engine operating condition, a fresh air ratio correction amount corresponding to an operating condition of the variable valve operating apparatus is computed based on the detection value of the intake pipe pressure and the reference intake pipe pressure, the reference fresh air ratio is corrected based on the computed fresh air ratio correction amount to compute a final fresh air ratio, and an operating amount of the control object in the internal combustion engine is computed based on the final fresh air ratio to operate the control object.

Abstract: An integrated control system comprising an integrated circuit that controls at least one component or subsystem of an engine and a first light source that generates a first light signal when triggered through the integrated circuit. The first light signal propagates from the first light source through an LCC that may also serve as a substrate, wherein the signal that actuates the component of the engine can be the first light signal or a signal generated after the first light signal is produced. The component or subsystem of the engine may be an ignition system or a fuel injection system. The present invention is also directed to a method of controlling a component or subsystem of an engine.

Abstract: A knock control apparatus has a knock sensor and a signal processor. The signal processor integrates a knock sensor signal and differentiates the integrated signal. The signal processor detects a period in which the differentiated signal exceeds a threshold, and detects a peak of the differentiated signal. The signal processor then calculates a ratio between the detected signal generation period and the detected peak to determine a knock when the calculated ratio is within a predetermined range. Alternatively, the signal processor detects a peak generation time and calculates a ratio between the detected signal generation period and the detected peak generation time. In this instance, the signal processor determines the knock when the calculated ratio is within a predetermined range and the detected peak generation time is less than a predetermined time reference.

Abstract: A system and method of optimally controlling ignition timings in an engine conditioned in first and second modes of intake control. A control unit includes an unthrottled operation control conducting the first mode by varying a closing timing of an intake valve and fixing a throttle position of a throttle valve, a throttled operation control conducting the second mode by varying the throttle position of the throttle valve and fixing the closing timing of the intake valve, and an ignition timing control determining different ignition timings to be used in the first and second modes.

Abstract: A control system for an internal combustion engine is provided which comprises detecting means for detecting a discharge current flowing between electrodes of a spark plug when a high voltage for ignition is applied to the spark plug, judging means for judging whether or not the spark plug is fouled on the basis of the discharge current, and inhibiting means for inhibiting the progress of spark plug fouling when the spark plug is judged fouled. A method carried out by the control system is also provided.

Abstract: A combustion control device for an internal combustion engine, establishes an optimum combustion condition by detecting the combustion pressure in the cylinder and controlling the exhaust gas reflux rate, the ignition timing and the fuel injection timing or the injection rate at the intake stroke in order to improve the fuel economy and the quality of the exhaust gas in the engine. The device is provided with an in-cylinder pressure detector for detecting the in-cylinder pressure in connection with the combustion in the engine, and apparatus for estimating the heat generation rate with respect to the angle of the crank shaft of the cylinder according to the output from the in-cylinder pressure detection means, the ignition timing and the fuel injection timing control the control variables such as EGR control parameters related to the combustion so that the in-cylinder combustion state pattern obtained by the heat generation rate estimation apparatus may be reshaped into a predefined waveform pattern.

Abstract: A valve timing control system for accelerating activation of a catalytic converter in an internal combustion engine in a cold starting operation mode. The system includes actuators (15, 16) coupled to cam shafts (15C, 16C), hydraulic pressure supply units (19, 20) for driving the actuators (15; 16), and a controller (21A) for controlling a hydraulic pressure for the actuators (15, 16) in dependence on engine operation states to change phase of the cam shafts (15C; 16C) relative to a crank shaft. The actuator (15; 16) includes a locking mechanism (155, 157) for setting the relative phase to a lock-up position, and an unlocking mechanism (156) for releasing the locking mechanism in response to a predetermined hydraulic pressure. The controller (21A) sets the relative phase to the lock-up position in a starting operation, while controlling the relative phase to be advanced in an engine state succeeding to the starting operation.

Abstract: To exactly obtain a volumetric efficiency or ignition timing corresponding to a shift amount in rotational angle or phase of a camshaft relative to a crank shaft operably connected therewith even if the opening/closing timing of an exhaust valve and an intake valve is changed so as to optimally control an fuel injection amount or ignition timing, the fuel injection amount or the ignition timing is controlled by calculating a fuel control parameter or an ignition timing control parameter on the basis of an intake pressure and a rpm of the engine. When the valve timing is changed, the amount of change in the valve timing is detected so that the fuel control parameter or the ignition timing control parameter is compensated for on the basis of the change amount thus detected.

Abstract: A control system for an internal combustion engine is provided which comprises detecting means for detecting a discharge current flowing between electrodes of a spark plug when a high voltage for ignition is applied to the spark plug, judging means for judging whether or not the spark plug is fouled on the basis of the discharge current, and inhibiting means for inhibiting the progress of spark plug fouling when the spark plug is judged fouled. A method carried out by the control system is also provided.

Abstract: In a method of recognizing the ignition stroke in a single-cylinder four-stroke engine, the position and the angular speed of the crankshaft are determined. The period duration is measured from the top of dead center to a defined angle of rotation of the crankshaft, and the measured period durations of two successive revolutions of the crankshaft are compared. The ignition stroke takes place during the rotation of the crankshaft having the shorter period duration.