Starting Condition Responsive Patents (Class 123/406.53)
  • Patent number: 11511849
    Abstract: A method and system of preparing a drone for takeoff are disclosed. The drone has at least one first control member and at least one second control member that are suitable for being actuated manually by at least one person in charge of preparing the drone for takeoff. The drone also includes a navigation light and at least one anticollision light for generating various mutually different light signals in a predetermined switch-on sequence.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2022
    Assignee: AIRBUS HELICOPTERS
    Inventors: Marc Gazzino, Christophe Mouton
  • Patent number: 11506076
    Abstract: Methods and systems for starting an engine are provided. A cold-start request to start the engine in a first operating condition associated with a predetermined engine temperature range is obtained. In response to obtaining the cold-start request, an amount of boost fuel to provide to the engine is determined, based on at least one second operating condition of the engine. The engine is started by supplementing a baseline fuel flow to the engine with the amount of boost fuel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2022
    Assignee: PRATT & WHITNEY CANADA CORP.
    Inventors: Sylvain Lamarre, Alexandre Charest
  • Patent number: 10920706
    Abstract: Disclosed is a method for estimating a physical stoppage of an engine of a motor vehicle, subject to bounce-back, a target equipped with teeth being borne by the crankshaft and successive passes of the teeth past a sensor being detected, a first time count incrementing since a last detection of the passing of a tooth and being associated with a first time threshold with the first count being reset to zero when the time between passes of two successive teeth is below the first threshold. A second count associated with a second time threshold is performed, with this count being suspended when and for as long as a time between the passes of two successive teeth is below the second threshold, the engine being estimated to have stopped as soon as the counts have respectively reached the first and second thresholds.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2021
    Assignees: CONTINENTAL AUTOMOTIVE FRANCE, CONTINENTAL AUTOMOTIVE GMBH
    Inventors: Fabien Joseph, Benjamin Marconato, Stéphane Eloy
  • Patent number: 10823030
    Abstract: A vehicle exhaust system includes a first exhaust after-treatment module that receives engine exhaust gases and a second exhaust after-treatment module that is downstream of the first exhaust after-treatment module. A valve is moveable between an open position that blocks flow to the first exhaust after-treatment module such that all exhaust gas flow bypasses the first exhaust after-treatment module and is directed into the second exhaust after-treatment module, a closed position that directs flow into the first exhaust after-treatment module before the flow enters the second exhaust after-treatment module, and a partially open position where one portion of flow is directed into the first exhaust after-treatment module and a remaining portion of flow is directed into the second exhaust after-treatment module. A controller controls movement of the valve between the open, closed, and partially open positions based on at least one of engine flow rate and NOx output.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2020
    Assignee: Faurecia Emissions Control Technologies, USA, LLC
    Inventor: Neil Burge
  • Patent number: 10352223
    Abstract: A method for cold start emissions diagnostic of a catalytic treatment device of an internal combustion engine includes determining a torque reserve; determining a catalyst light off (CLO) state; integrating the total torque reserve over a time period established by the CLO state; determining if a value from the integration exceeds an integration threshold; and if the value from the integration exceeds the integration threshold, indicating that the cold start emissions diagnostic is positive.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2019
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Gregory J. York, Vijay A. Ramappan, Zhijian J. Wu
  • Patent number: 10156219
    Abstract: A method and a controller for controlling spark timing in a cold start condition for an engine in a vehicle propulsion system. The method includes determining whether the engine is in a cold start condition, and advancing spark timing before top dead center in a combustion cycle such that combustion heat is primarily received by a surface in a combustion chamber in the engine if the engine is in a cold start condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2018
    Inventors: Michael J Lucido, Robert S Levy
  • Patent number: 9335749
    Abstract: The reliability in detection of toothless part is improved. A first counter counts a clock signal from an initial value for each of pulse intervals of a predetermined event pulse train and the count value of the first counter is held in a register for each of pulse intervals. Further, the second counter counts the clock signal from an initial value so that the count value thereof is equal to plural times of the count value of the first counter for each of the pulse intervals. A timer function which can detect any of a first state in which the count value of the first counter is equal to or larger than a first reference value and a second state in which the count value of the second counter is equal to or smaller than the value held in the register for each of the pulse intervals is adopted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2016
    Assignee: Renesas Electronics Corporation
    Inventors: Kenichi Akashi, Naohiko Shimoyama
  • Publication number: 20150096535
    Abstract: The engine starting device for stopping, when an engine automatic stop condition is satisfied, fuel injection to the engine to automatically stop the engine, and for thereafter restarting the engine when an engine restart condition is satisfied, includes: a ring gear coupled to a crankshaft of the engine; a starter motor rotated by a current supply; a pinion gear for transmitting the rotation of the starter motor to the ring gear; a pinion gear moving part for moving the pinion gear toward the ring gear by a current supply, thereby meshing the pinion gear with the ring gear; and a fuel injection control part for restarting the fuel injection so that combustion is generated in a predetermined compression cylinder after the engine restart condition is satisfied and after the pinion gear moving part starts the movement of the pinion gear.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 19, 2013
    Publication date: April 9, 2015
    Applicant: MITSUBISHI ELECTRIC CORPORATION
    Inventors: Hiroaki Kitano, Daisuke Mizuno, Osamu Ishikawa, Takeru Okabe, Koichiro Kamei
  • Publication number: 20150059697
    Abstract: A water temperature indicated at a startup timing of an engine is stored as a startup-timing water temperature. During an idling state generated after a cold start, a retard amount (S) is calculated based on the startup-timing water temperature. At this time, the retard amount (S) is set at a larger level as the startup-timing water temperature becomes higher. However, in a case that the startup-timing water temperature is higher than a predetermined temperature, the retard amount (S) is set at a smaller level as the startup-timing water temperature becomes higher. A retard amount (R) is calculated based on a current water temperature in the same manner as the retard amount (S). A smaller one is selected from the retard amount (S) and the retard amount (R), as a basic retard amount.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 12, 2013
    Publication date: March 5, 2015
    Applicant: NISSAN MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Kazuki Iijima
  • Patent number: 8826887
    Abstract: An internal combustion engine provided with a variable compression ratio mechanism able to change a mechanical compression ratio and a variable valve timing mechanism able to control a closing timing of an intake valve. An actual compression ratio and ignition timing in a predetermined standard state after completion of engine warm-up are stored in advance as a reference actual compression ratio and a reference ignition timing. When the engine temperature is low or the intake air temperature is low, at the time of engine high speed operation, the actual compression ratio is made to increase over the reference actual compression ratio, while at the time of engine low speed operation, the ignition timing is made to advance over the reference ignition timing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2014
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Kohei Kodama, Daisuke Akihisa
  • Patent number: 8763582
    Abstract: A method for controlling an engine during a start is presented. In one example, the method includes direct starting an engine with a port fuel injector. The method can improve engine starting during some conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Donald J. Lewis, Nate Trask, Vince Winstead
  • Patent number: 8746198
    Abstract: An operation control system for an engine having at least one piston includes an engine control unit which drives a fuel pump for supplying fuel to an injector. The engine control unit is configured to perform a control function to cut the electric power supply to the fuel pump when the piston arrives at a position in the vicinity of compression top dead center in the cylinder of the engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2014
    Assignee: Yamaha Hatsudoki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Yuichi Sasaki
  • Patent number: 8656882
    Abstract: An engine ignition control device comprising: a start-up ignition controller having a function for preventing the occurrence of kickback by either delaying an ignition position of an engine or stopping ignition; start-up rotation angle detection means for detecting a rotation angle of a crankshaft of the engine after initiation of a start-up operation of the engine; and switching means for switching control specifics of the start-up ignition controller in accordance with the detected start-up rotation angle so that when the detected start-up rotation angle is less than a set angle, there is created a kickback-preventive effect within a range at which engine startability is not compromised, and when the detected start-up rotation angle is equal to or greater than the set angle, there is created a kickback-preventive effect that is greater than the kickback-preventive effect for when the start-up rotation angle is equal to or less than the set angle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2014
    Assignee: Kokusan Denki Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroyasu Sato, Kiyoshi Uemura, Tomoaki Sekita
  • 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
  • Publication number: 20130146024
    Abstract: A method for improving exhaust after treatment initial warm up during engine starting is presented. In one example, the method adjusts an engine air flow amount to a level where a desired substantially constant heat flux is provided by the engine to an exhaust after treatment device. The method may reduce fuel consumption and a need for a vacuum pump to provide vacuum to vacuum consumers of a vehicle during exhaust after treatment heating.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 13, 2011
    Publication date: June 13, 2013
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Ralph Wayne Cunningham, Ross Dykstra Pursifull
  • Patent number: 8447498
    Abstract: Even when an engine is started in various combustion states, an excessive increase in engine speed at the start of the engine is suppressed without an influence of the combustion states and with an excellent responsiveness. Ignition timing (or a combustion injection amount) at the start of an internal combustion engine is corrected in accordance with a crank angle cycle ratio which is a ratio of a combustion period crank angle cycle and a reference crank angle cycle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2013
    Assignee: Hitachi Automotive Systems, Ltd.
    Inventors: Masahiro Toyohara, Minoru Okubo, Takao Miyake, Tomohiro Ohisa
  • Patent number: 8442717
    Abstract: In an ECU provided for idle-stop control, when a user start command is outputted from an ECU to start an engine in response to a manual start operation of a driver, transistors are turned on and a solenoid is operated to engage a pinion gear of a starter with a ring gear. After a delay period of a delay circuit, a transistor is turned on by an output of the delay circuit and an electromagnetic switch is turned on to energize a motor of the starter. A microcomputer measures an actual delay time from when the user start command is outputted to turn-on of the transistor and checks whether the measured time corresponds to a normal time of the delay time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2013
    Assignee: Denso Corporation
    Inventors: Kyohei Kanemoto, Kenji Yamamoto, Ryouta Nakamura
  • Publication number: 20130006503
    Abstract: A method for improving starting of an engine that may be automatically started is provided. In one example, spark timing of an automatically started engine is in advance of spark timing for an operator requested engine start. The approach may reduce vehicle driveline disturbances.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 12, 2012
    Publication date: January 3, 2013
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: David Bruce Reiche, Steven Wooldridge, Curtis McGuire, Brad Alan VanDerWege
  • Patent number: 8315781
    Abstract: In a method for starting an internal combustion engine having at least one combustion chamber, an injection timing point is specified for each chamber at which a first fuel injection pulse is carried out and an ignition timing point is specified at which a first ignition pulse is to be carried out in the chamber. A crankshaft is caused to rotate by a starter device. For all chambers in which the injection timing point takes place in time after the ignition pulse, the respectively specified ignition timing point is adjusted in terms of reduced torque output. Thereafter, in each combustion chamber the injection pulse is carried out at the respectively specified injection timing point and the ignition pulse is carried out at the respectively specified ignition timing point. In this way, any potentially present fuel residue is combusted and at the same time the torque produced thereby is reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2012
    Assignee: Continental Automotive GmbH
    Inventors: Günter Friedl, Oswald Schumann
  • Patent number: 8240297
    Abstract: A method for engine starting is provided. The method may include performing idle-stop operation, and during a subsequent re-start, applying multi-strike ignition operation for a first combustion cycle. In this way, improved engine starting may be achieved with reduced emissions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2012
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Alex O'Connor Gibson, Jianwen James Yi, Brad Alan VanDerWege, Joseph Norman Ulrey, Cindy Zhou, Steven Todd Wooldridge, David Reiche
  • Patent number: 8131453
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for expediting engine spin-down in an engine that is shutdown during engine idle-stop conditions and restarted during restart conditions. In one example, the method comprises, during an automatic engine idle-stop, turning off spark, operating a first cylinder with a rich ratio of air to injected fuel richer than a rich flammability limit, operating a second cylinder with a lean ratio of air to injected fuel leaner than a lean flammability limit, and mixing un-combusted exhaust from the first and second cylinders with exhaust, the exhaust mixture being substantially stoichiometric.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2012
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Joseph Norman Ulrey, Ross Dykstra Pursifull, John D. Russell
  • Publication number: 20110303189
    Abstract: A system for managing ignition of a light-duty internal combustion engine during starting includes a charge winding used to create an ignition pulse; a first signal generated by the charge winding that indicates the speed of an engine; a second signal generated by the charge winding that indicates a piston position of the engine; a switch coupled to the charge winding for controlling the ignition pulse; and a processing device that receives the first signal and the second signal, wherein the processing device activates the switch when a comparison of the received first signal and second signal indicates that a piston is positioned at approximately top dead center (TDC).
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 13, 2011
    Publication date: December 15, 2011
    Applicant: WALBRO ENGINE MANAGEMENT, L.L.C.
    Inventors: Martin N. Andersson, Cyrus M. Healy
  • Patent number: 8047188
    Abstract: A method for engine starting is provided. The method may include performing idle-stop operation, and during a subsequent re-start, applying multi-strike ignition operation for a first combustion cycle. In this way, improved engine starting may be achieved with reduced emissions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2011
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Alex O'Connor Gibson, Jianwen James Yi, Brad Alan VanDerWege, Joseph Norman Ulrey, Cindy Zhou, Steven Todd Wooldridge, David Reiche
  • Patent number: 8033267
    Abstract: A control apparatus for an engine including a unit for retarding an ignition timing from an MBT by a predetermined value or more during cranking at engine starting or during a period from a first combustion up to an idling engine speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2011
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Shinji Nakagawa, Kazuhiko Kanetoshi, Kozo Katogi, Takanobu Ichihara, Minoru Ohsuga
  • Patent number: 8006672
    Abstract: A method for starting an internal combustion engine under cold conditions. The intake manifold throttle valve is held closed and spark ignition is suspended. Fuel and air are admitted into the cylinders and the pistons are cranked for a plurality of revolutions. During each engine revolution cycle, the fuel/air mixture is compressed and heated adiabatically by the energy of the engine starter motor, and the mixture is exhausted into the exhaust manifold. During valve overlap a portion of the mixture is withdrawn into the cylinder and recompressed in the next cycle. Additional fuel may be injected to replace lost fuel. After several engine cycles, the fuel/air mixture becomes heated to a temperature above the flashpoint of the mixture. Sparking is re-established to fire the warmed mixture, and the intake throttle valve is re-enabled. The first firing can provide sufficient heat to continue spark-firing of newly-introduced mixture thereafter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2011
    Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Roberto G. Krenus, Frans M. M. Theunissen
  • Patent number: 7950368
    Abstract: A method for controlling a vehicle engine having a plurality of cylinders is provided. The method comprises: during engine idling, advancing spark timing of at least one cylinder to before a peak torque timing, and retarding spark timing from the advanced timing toward the peak torque timing in response to decreased engine speed to maintain idling speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2011
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Ross Dykstra Pursifull, Gopichandra Surnilla, Nate Trask
  • Patent number: 7950369
    Abstract: In a predetermined low-temperature startup state (in a rich atmosphere), in principle, over-advanced ignition control for advancing ignition timing beyond MBT and intake-synchronized injection control for causing the entire amount of to-be-injected fuel to undergo intake-synchronized injection are executed. Thus, the peak of intra-cylinder temperature increases, and the amount of port-adhering fuel decreases, whereby the emission amount of unburnt HC can be reduced. However, when the PM emission amount exceeds a PM permissible amount, instead of the intake-synchronized injection control, there is performed processing for causing a portion of the to-be-injected fuel to undergo intake-unsynchronized injection and causing the remaining fuel to undergo intake-synchronized injection. Thus, the amount of intra-cylinder-adhering fuel decreases, and the partial oxidation reaction of the intra-cylinder-adhering fuel, which is a cause of generation of PM, is suppressed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2011
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Koji Morita, Yusuke Nakayama
  • Patent number: 7933711
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for expediting engine spin-down in an engine that is shutdown during engine idle-stop conditions and restarted during restart conditions. In one example, the method comprises, during an automatic engine idle-stop, turning off spark, operating a first cylinder with a rich ratio of air to injected fuel richer than a rich flammability limit, operating a second cylinder with a lean ratio of air to injected fuel leaner than a lean flammability limit, and mixing un-combusted exhaust from the first and second cylinders with exhaust, the exhaust mixture being substantially stoichiometric.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2011
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Joseph Norman Ulrey, Ross Dykstra Pursifull, John D. Russell
  • Publication number: 20110047980
    Abstract: An engine control system comprises a temperature control module and an engine disabling module. The temperature control module regulates a first temperature of an electrically heated catalyst (EHC) based on a first predetermined light-off temperature while an engine is shut down. The engine disabling module selectively disables start up of the engine when a second temperature of a passive catalyst is less than a second predetermined light-off temperature while a maximum torque output of an electric motor is greater than a desired torque output.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 2, 2009
    Publication date: March 3, 2011
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Halim G. Santoso, Eugene V. Gonze, Brian Spohn, Bryan Nathaniel Roos
  • Publication number: 20100318284
    Abstract: Various example approaches are described, one of which includes a method for controlling injection of gaseous and liquid fuel to a cylinder during engine starting. Specifically, gaseous fuel is injected during or before an intake stroke of the cycle to form a well-mixed overall lean air-fuel mixture, and then liquid fuel is directly injected to the cylinder at least during one of a compression and expansion stroke of the engine cycle to form a rich air-fuel cloud near the spark plug, where a spark initiates combustion of the injected fuels. In one example, the rich cloud enables additional spark retard, and thus faster catalyst light-off, while maintain acceptable combustion stability of the gaseous fuel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 12, 2009
    Publication date: December 16, 2010
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Gopichandra Surnilla, Ross Dykstra Pursifull
  • Patent number: 7848875
    Abstract: A first ignition cylinder that performs ignition first is set based on an engine stop position in automatic start. Existence/nonexistence of a misfire in the first ignition cylinder is determined based on whether a difference ?Ne between engine rotation speed at a predetermined crank angle in an interval from timing immediately before the ignition to timing immediately after the ignition of the first ignition cylinder (e.g., at TDC of first ignition cylinder) and engine rotation speed at a predetermined crank angle before ignition of a second ignition cylinder (e.g., at TDC of second ignition cylinder) is equal to or smaller than a predetermined misfire determination threshold value Nef. When misfire time number of the first ignition cylinder exceeds a predetermined value, fuel supply to the first ignition cylinder is prohibited and the automatic start is started from the second ignition cylinder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2010
    Assignee: Denso Corporation
    Inventor: Yasuhiro Nakai
  • Publication number: 20100300404
    Abstract: A method for operation of a vehicle having an internal combustion engine is provided. The internal combustion engine may include one or more combustion chambers, a fuel delivery system including a direct fuel injector coupled to each combustion chamber, an ignition system including one or more spark plugs coupled to each combustion chamber, a piston disposed within each combustion chamber, and an intake and an exhaust valve coupled to each combustion chamber, the internal combustion engine providing motive power to the vehicle. The method may include discontinuing combustion operation within the internal combustion engine responsive to idle-stop operation. The method may further include, during a direct-start, performing multi-strike ignition operation per combustion cycle via one or more selected spark plug(s) for at least a first combustion cycle in a combustion chamber following the discontinuation of combustion operation, the one or more selected spark plug(s) coupled to the combustion chamber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 28, 2009
    Publication date: December 2, 2010
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Alex O'Connor Gibson, Jianwen James Yi, Brad Alan VanDerWege, Joseph Norman Ulrey, Cindy Zhou, Steven Todd Wooldridge, David Reiche
  • Publication number: 20100294236
    Abstract: Systems and methods of operating an engine, the engine including an injector configured to directly inject fuel into an engine cylinder. One example method comprises, during an engine cold start, performing compression direct fuel injection, and retarding a timing of the compression injection as a fuel alcohol content of the fuel increases.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 22, 2009
    Publication date: November 25, 2010
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Gopichandra Surnilla, David Karl Bidner, Peter Charles Moilanen
  • Patent number: 7827975
    Abstract: A method for operation of a vehicle having an internal combustion engine is provided. The internal combustion engine may include one or more combustion chambers, a fuel delivery system including a direct fuel injector coupled to each combustion chamber, an ignition system including one or more spark plugs coupled to each combustion chamber, a piston disposed within each combustion chamber, and an intake and an exhaust valve coupled to each combustion chamber, the internal combustion engine providing motive power to the vehicle. The method may include discontinuing combustion operation within the internal combustion engine responsive to idle-stop operation. The method may further include, during a direct-start, performing multi-strike ignition operation per combustion cycle via one or more selected spark plug(s) for at least a first combustion cycle in a combustion chamber following the discontinuation of combustion operation, the one or more selected spark plug(s) coupled to the combustion chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2010
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Alex O'Connor Gibson, Jianwen James Yi, Brad Alan VanDerWege, Joseph Norman Ulrey, Cindy Zhou, Steven Todd Wooldridge, David Reiche
  • Patent number: 7822536
    Abstract: In a speed transition period from when an internal combustion engine is started to when an engine speed settles down to a certain speed, a compression top dead center of a cylinder first operating is set as a reference crank angle and compression top dead centers of the cylinders arriving successively after said reference crank angle in the speed transition period are set as judgment use crank angles. Reference crank angle advancing times are detected and stored in advance, wherein the reference crank angle advancing times are crank angle advancing times when a reference fuel is used, and the crank angle advancing times are times required for the crank angle to advance from the reference crank angle to the judgment use crank angles. The actual crank angle advancing times are detected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2010
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Kota Sata, Koichi Ueda
  • Publication number: 20100204902
    Abstract: A stop-start control apparatus for a port injection engine (1) including cylinders (2) stops the engine (1) by stopping fuel injection from each injector (13), when a predetermined stop condition is fulfilled. An estimated position of a piston (5) in each cylinder (2) after the engine (1) is stopped is determined during a stop process period from when the predetermined stop condition is fulfilled until when the engine (1) is stopped, and a compression stroke cylinder in which the piston (5) is to be stopped in a compression stroke is identified. An amount of fuel to be injected from the injector (13) for the compression stroke cylinder during the stop process period is set based on the estimated position of the piston (5) in the compression stroke cylinder. The injector (13) injects the fuel in the set fuel amount so that the fuel is contained in the compression stroke cylinder when the engine is stopped.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 4, 2008
    Publication date: August 12, 2010
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Rentaro Kuroki, Hiroki Ichinose, Takayuki Otsuka
  • Patent number: 7753026
    Abstract: An object to be achieved by the present invention is to achieve ignition timing that is suitable for an environment in which a spark ignition internal combustion engine is used during the period of starting of the internal combustion engine and warm-up thereof just after starting. To achieve this object, according to the present invention, in an ignition control system for an internal combustion engine in which, ignition timing is controlled by feedback in such a way that the engine rotation speed becomes equal to a target rotation speed when the temperature of the internal combustion engine is lower than a prescribed temperature, and retard control for retarding the ignition timing by a predetermined amount from target ignition timing is performed when the temperature of the internal combustion engine is equal to or higher than the prescribed temperature, the aforementioned prescribed temperature is changed according to the altitude of the place where the internal combustion engine is used.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2010
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Nao Murase, Nobuhiko Koga
  • Patent number: 7753028
    Abstract: A fixed ignition mode in which ignition timing is fixed to a predetermined timing is selected when an engine speed is low. When in the fixed ignition mode, it is determined whether the engine is in a high temperature state or in a non-high temperature state and whether during or after a start-up of the engine. Then, the ignition timing is fixed to a first crank angle when the engine is in the non-high temperature state, and fixed to a second crank angle retarded from the first crank angle when the engine is in the high temperature state and during the start-up. The ignition timing is fixed to a third crank angle advanced from the second crank angle when the engine is in the high temperature state and that the start-up has been completed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2010
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Yoshinori Mikasa
  • Patent number: 7699039
    Abstract: A method for controlling an ignition system of an internal combustion engine having a primary firing pulse generator for charging a capacitor. An electronic switch is included for discharging the capacitor via an ignition coil to generate an ignition voltage. A microcomputer operates the switch to control the ignition timing of the generator. The microcomputer is in communication with a speed sensor that detects the rotational speed of the engine and a speed limitation control that limits the engine speed to a limitation speed below the clutch-in speed of an included centrifugal clutch. The speed limitation control is active or activated when one of either starting the engine or an operating problem of the power tool is detected. The speed limitation control is deactivated when a low speed state of the engine is detected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 1, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2010
    Assignee: Husqvarna AB
    Inventors: Bo Carlsson, Mikael Larsson, Lars Andersson, Tore Aronsson
  • Publication number: 20100037860
    Abstract: In a predetermined low-temperature startup state (in a rich atmosphere), in principle, over-advanced ignition control for advancing ignition timing beyond MBT and intake-synchronized injection control for causing the entire amount of to-be-injected fuel to undergo intake-synchronized injection are executed. Thus, the peak of intra-cylinder temperature increases, and the amount of port-adhering fuel decreases, whereby the emission amount of unburnt HC can be reduced. However, when the PM emission amount exceeds a PM permissible amount, instead of the intake-synchronized injection control, there is performed processing for causing a portion of the to-be-injected fuel to undergo intake-unsynchronized injection and causing the remaining fuel to undergo intake-synchronized injection. Thus, the amount of intra-cylinder-adhering fuel decreases, and the partial oxidation reaction of the intra-cylinder-adhering fuel, which is a cause of generation of PM, is suppressed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 15, 2008
    Publication date: February 18, 2010
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Koji Morita, Yusuke Nakayama
  • Patent number: 7647914
    Abstract: A system and method for operating an engine is disclosed. The system and method includes performing multiple ignitions during a single engine cycle. According to one embodiment, a first ignition takes place during a first stroke in the cycle and a second ignition takes place during a second stroke in the cycle. The system and method may further include performing multiple injections during the engine cycle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 19, 2010
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Yong-Wha Kim, Jeffrey Koncsol, Julie Buckland, Jing Sun
  • Patent number: 7562650
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a start-up control apparatus for an internal combustion engine that can further improve the start-up characteristics of an internal combustion engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 21, 2009
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Mitsuhiro Tabata, Kenji Kataoka, Makoto Nakamura
  • Publication number: 20090145382
    Abstract: In a control apparatus for an internal combustion engine having a valve timing control portion controlling the timing opening and closing of an intake valve disposed in an intake port communicating with a cylinder of the internal combustion engine, when the internal combustion engine is being started from a cold condition, multi-stroke operation is set, in which one combustion cycle of the internal combustion engine includes two or more intake and compression strokes, formed by a first intake stroke and the first compression stroke and a second intake stroke and compression stroke, followed by a combustion stroke and an exhaust stroke. The valve timing control portion controls a lift of the intake valve during the first intake stroke and the first compression stroke to a low lift amount, which is smaller than the normal lift amount required for intake of a requested intake air amount, and controls the lift of the intake valve in a second intake and a second compression stroke to the normal lift amount.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 8, 2007
    Publication date: June 11, 2009
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Takashi Kawai
  • Patent number: 7509205
    Abstract: A speed control system is for a vehicle having an engine including a carburetor with a throttle plate moveable between a minimum open position and a maximum open position. The speed control system includes a ground speed limiter mechanism operatively coupled with the throttle plate and configured to displace the plate toward the minimum position as ground speed of the vehicle approaches a predetermined maximum value. An engine speed limiter mechanism is operatively coupled with the throttle plate and is configured to displace the plate toward the minimum position as a speed of the engine approaches a predetermined maximum value. Preferably, a control linkage is connected with the throttle plate and is moveable between a first configuration, at which the throttle plate is disposed at the minimum position, and a second configuration at which the throttle plate is disposed at the maximum position, the two limiter mechanisms displacing the linkage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2009
    Assignee: Club Car, Inc.
    Inventor: Paul Warren McLeod
  • Publication number: 20090071441
    Abstract: Electrical ignition procedure for internal combustion engines, using an arrangement of multiple coils and of a magnetic generator that is coupled with the machine and turns synchronous to the machine, whose magnetic field partially flows through the coils and thereby generates a sequence of magnetic flux changes for each revolution, whereby a sequence of corresponding alternating current half waves is induced in the coils, that are used for: charging an energy storage element that is discharged by activated an ignition switch via the primary coil winding of an ignition transmitter for triggering an ignition spark for the combustion engine scanning, acquiring, processing and/or assessing via a microelectronic and/or programmable control device, that is used for activating the ignition switch at an ignition time in dependence on the acquired and assessed alternating current half waves and/or on the state of the internal combustion engine, such as its rotational setting or speed, and for formation of the powe
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 31, 2008
    Publication date: March 19, 2009
    Applicant: Prufrex-Elektro-Apparatebau, Inh. Helga Muller, geb. Dutschke
    Inventors: Leo Kiessling, Stanislaw Cichon
  • Publication number: 20090050093
    Abstract: A twin ignition system for automotive vehicles and the like is disclosed and claimed. Ignition system #1 comprises a known ignition system which allows electrical access to the engine starter, and allows full function of all facilities with which the vehicle is equipped. Ignition system #2 has its own subsystems which can be set to control vehicle speed and/or other vehicle operating parameters. Each system can be accessed by a key which does not allow access to the other ignition system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 14, 2008
    Publication date: February 26, 2009
    Inventor: Peter William Petersen
  • Publication number: 20090050108
    Abstract: The present invention is an operation control method on the basis of an ion current in an internal combustion engine, the method comprising a step of detecting the ion current generated within a combustion chamber 30 so as to control an operating state of the internal combustion engine 100 on the basis of a state of the detected ion current, wherein a control at an engine start point in time on the basis of the state of the ion current is stopped for predetermined cycles just after the engine start.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 31, 2007
    Publication date: February 26, 2009
    Applicant: Daihatsu Motor Co., Ltd
    Inventors: Morito Asano, Yoshiyuki Fukumura, Mitsuhiro Izumi, Kouichi Kitaura, Kouichi Satoya, Mamoru Yoshioka
  • Patent number: 7472688
    Abstract: A capacitor discharge ignition device for an internal combustion engine including: idling time advance angle control permission condition determination means for determining whether an idling time advance angle control permission condition is met that is a condition for permitting control to advance an ignition position during idling immediately after completion of the start of the engine in order to stabilize idling immediately after completion of the start of the internal combustion engine; and idling time advance angle control means for advancing the ignition position during idling immediately after completion of the start of the internal combustion engine when it is determined that the idling time advance angle control permission condition is met.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2009
    Assignee: Kokusan Denki Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kiyotada Nakauchi, Masayuki Sugiyama, Yasukazu Hatano, Akira Shimoyama
  • Patent number: 7448360
    Abstract: A rotation speed calculation interval is set near a combustion top dead center of each cylinder of an engine. An interval rotation time necessary for a crankshaft to rotate through the rotation speed calculation interval is calculated as angular speed information of the crankshaft in the rotation speed calculation interval for each combustion stroke of the engine. Engine rotation speed is calculated based on the interval rotation time. The angular speed information of the crankshaft in the rotation speed calculation interval set near the combustion top dead center reflects a combustion state or generated torque. By calculating the engine rotation speed based on the angular speed information, the engine rotation speed highly correlated with the combustion state or the generated torque of the engine can be calculated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2008
    Assignee: DENSO Corporation
    Inventor: Masayuki Kita
  • Publication number: 20080216465
    Abstract: The internal combustion engine control apparatus of the invention starts gradually delaying an ignition timing ? for catalyst warm-up, immediately after a start of an internal combustion engine. When the ignition timing ? is delayed to or below a preset reference timing ?ref, a fuel amount increase flag F1 is set to 1 to start increase correction of a fuel injection amount. The internal combustion engine control apparatus then starts gradually increasing a throttle opening TH to a preset target opening THset. The increase correction of the fuel injection amount is terminated after elapse of a preset time t3 since the increase of the throttle opening TH to the preset target opening THset. This arrangement enables the increase correction of the fuel injection amount according to the requirement, thus improving the fuel economy and the emission.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 1, 2004
    Publication date: September 11, 2008
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Ikuo Ando