Actuator Circuit (e.g., Engine Condition Responsive Electronic Circuit Actuates Injector Valve) Patents (Class 123/478)
  • Patent number: 6816773
    Abstract: Method and apparatus for controlling the ration of the amount of fuel and the amount of air in a natural gas fueled internal-combustion engine intended to work in a specified engine-specific load-rotation speed diagram. The apparatus includes a throttle for controlling the amount of air supplied to the combustion chamber in the internal-combustion engine, injection devices for controlling the amount of natural gas supplied to the combustion chamber and control devices for controlling the throttle and the injection devices, whereby the control devices are arranged to control the ratio of the amount of fuel and the amount of air dependent on the current operating point in the internal-combustion engine's load-rotation speed diagram.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2004
    Assignee: Volvo Lastvagnar AB
    Inventors: Maria Tafazoli, Hans Bernler, Bengt Jalnäs
  • Patent number: 6810858
    Abstract: A fuel injection mode is flexibly controlled according to the actual extent of adverse effects on an internal combustion engine from both deterioration of exhaust gas emissions and fuel dilution caused by fuel adhering to the piston top face and the cylinder inner peripheral face. A dilution degree counter value C is counted up when a coolant temperature at engine startup THWST and an intake air quantity sum value after engine startup GASUM are each equal to, or less than, respective predetermined values. A fuel dilution flag is set to “ON” when the dilution degree counter value C is equal to, or greater than, a predetermined value CH. A fuel injection timing of an intake stroke injection is changed to a timing on the advance side when this fuel dilution flag is “ON.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2004
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yukikazu Ito, Kiyoo Hirose, Koji Honda
  • Patent number: 6807942
    Abstract: A control system for an internal combustion engine is disclosed. The engine has an exhaust gas recirculation passage for recirculating a portion of exhaust gases from the engine to an intake system and an exhaust gas recirculation control valve for controlling an amount of exhaust gases recirculated through the exhaust gas recirculation passage. A valve opening amount of the exhaust gas recirculation control valve is detected. A fuel amount to be supplied to the engine is calculated according to the valve opening amount of the exhaust gas recirculation control valve. An average valve opening value, a change rate of which is smaller than that of the detected valve opening amount is used to calculate a correction value for correcting the fuel supply amount. The fuel supply amount is corrected according to the calculated correction value from a time at which an opening of the exhaust gas recirculation control valve is detected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2004
    Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Shinichi Kitajima, Hironao Fukuchi, Atsushi Matsubara
  • Patent number: 6802284
    Abstract: A fuel injection device mounted on a main body of an air-fuel mixture generating device including an electromagnetic driving-type fuel injection valve for injecting, at predetermined times, fuel into an air-intake passageway of an intake system of an internal combustion engine, and a collision plate operationally coupled to the fuel injection valve adapted to be disposed in the air-intake passageway for enabling the injected fuel to collide therewith.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2004
    Assignees: Oppama Industry Co., Ltd., Kioritz Corporation
    Inventors: Yoshiaki Hironaka, Michiyasu Kuwano, Masao Iwata, Kiyoshige Enomoto
  • Patent number: 6792917
    Abstract: A pressure-elevating type fuel injecting system pressurizes high pressure fuel from a pressure accumulating chamber using a pressure-elevating mechanism and injects the pressure-elevated fuel into combustion chambers by injectors. The pressure-elevating type fuel injecting system comprises a target fuel injection quantity setting unit which sets a target fuel injection quantity, a time difference setting unit which sets a time difference between a timing for opening an injector electromagnetic valve and a timing for operating an pressure-elevating mechanism electromagnetic valve, an initial fuel injection quantity calculating unit calculating an initial fuel injection quantity on the basis of a time-dependent variation of fuel pressure and the time difference, and a final injection period setting unit which calculates an operation period of the injector electromagnetic valve, on the basis of a final fuel injection quantity and the time-dependent variation of the pressure of the pressure-elevated fuel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2004
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Fuso Truck & Bus Corporation
    Inventors: Susumu Kohketsu, Shinji Nakayama, Keiki Tanabe
  • Patent number: 6785112
    Abstract: A method and device for triggering a solenoid valve for injecting fuel into an internal combustion engine is described. The triggering phase of the solenoid valve is subdivided into a pull-up phase and a holding phase. During the pull-up phase, a valve needle of the solenoid valve is caused to open by a first current intensity flowing through a magnetic coil of the solenoid valve. During the holding phase, the valve needle is held in the open state by a second, lower current intensity flowing through the magnetic coil. At least once at the beginning of the pull-up phase, a booster phase is activated during which a pulse-shaped booster current from a booster capacitor charged to a high voltage flows through the magnetic coil. During the triggering phase of the solenoid valve, a plurality of booster pulses are activated in succession, whose time position within the triggering phase is freely selectable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2004
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Rolf Reischl, Andreas Eichendorf, Ulf Pischke, Juergen Eckhardt, Klaus Mueller
  • Patent number: 6779510
    Abstract: A control method adjusts fuel injection into an engine having a variable compression ratio. The method determines the cylinder air amount based on various sensors and the current compression ratio. The disclosed fuel injection method can perform both open loop and closed loop control. A method is also disclosed for putting the compression ratio to a base value during engine shutdown so that subsequent engine starts occur with a consistent compression ratio.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2004
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: John D. Russell
  • Patent number: 6776142
    Abstract: On supplying fuel in an internal combustion engine, a control signal for changing a degree of vaporization of the fuel passing the air intake valve in accordance with the opening degree of the air intake valve or a load of the internal combustion engine so that the fuel of liquid state is restrained from existing in the combustion chamber is generated, and subsequently a vaporizing speed of the supplied fuel is changed in accordance with the control signal to adjust the degree of vaporization of the fuel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2004
    Assignees: Hitachi, Ltd., Hitachi Car Engineering Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoshihiro Sukegawa, Toshiharu Nogi, Takanobu Ichihara, Hiroaki Saeki
  • Publication number: 20040149268
    Abstract: An atmospheric pressure is obtained from an intake pressure resulting immediately before an intake stroke, an injection fuel pressure P is calculated which is constituted by a differential pressure between a fuel pressure which is supplied to an injector 13 from the atmospheric pressure so obtained, a pump delivery pressure and the intake pressure and the intake pressure which is an injection atmosphere, a fuel injection time coefficient Qt0 per unit mass which is metered when a reference injection fuel pressure is P0 is divided by a square root p1/2 of the injection fuel pressure to calculate a fuel injection coefficient Qt, and a fuel injection time required to attain a desired air-fuel ratio is calculated using the fuel injection coefficient Qt so calculated, whereby it is possible to realize a highly accurate control of the fuel injection time when a regulator for regulating an upper limit value for a fuel pump delivery pressure is provided on a fuel tank side.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 5, 2004
    Publication date: August 5, 2004
    Inventors: Hiroshi Hasegawa, Yuichiro Sawada
  • Patent number: 6769411
    Abstract: A nozzle air injection (NAI) system and algorithm for a fuel-injected engine for increasing the flow of air into the engine. In one embodiment the NAI system takes the form of a kit comprising a controller, engine speed and throttle position sensors, a power regulator, an air compressor adapted to be rotatably driven by an electric motor to drive additional air into the engine. The controller includes a processor and sufficient memory to perform the logic steps necessary to selectively operate the compressor. In one embodiment, the controller checks the status of engine speed and throttle deflection and if the engine speed is equal or less than a first threshold value, and if the throttle deflection is greater than or equal to a second threshold value the controller instructs the regulator to send electrical power to the motor to drive the compressor to provide additional air to the engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2004
    Inventor: Sandor C. Fabiani
  • Patent number: 6769400
    Abstract: A method is provided for controlling emissions in a parallel hybrid motor vehicle that includes an electric propulsion system in parallel with a combustion propulsion system. In accordance with one embodiment of the invention, manifold absolute pressure (MAP) is monitored in the intake manifold of the combustion propulsion system. The electric propulsion system is engaged to reduce the MAP to a predetermined pressure, and then fueling and combustion of the combustion propulsion system are initiated only after the MAP is reduced to a pressure less than the predetermined pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2004
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventor: Frank Ament
  • Publication number: 20040144363
    Abstract: A method is provided for controlling emissions in a parallel hybrid motor vehicle that includes an electric propulsion system in parallel with a combustion propulsion system. In accordance with one embodiment of the invention, manifold absolute pressure (MAP) is monitored in the intake manifold of the combustion propulsion system. The electric propulsion system is engaged to reduce the MAP to a predetermined pressure, and then fueling and combustion of the combustion propulsion system are initiated only after the MAP is reduced to a pressure less than the predetermined pressure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 24, 2003
    Publication date: July 29, 2004
    Inventor: Frank Ament
  • Publication number: 20040148086
    Abstract: Method and apparatus for controlling the ration of the amount of fuel and the amount of air in a natural gas fueled internal-combustion engine intended to work in a specified engine-specific load-rotation speed diagram. The apparatus includes a throttle for controlling the amount of air supplied to the combustion chamber in the internal-combustion engine, injection devices for controlling the amount of natural gas supplied to the combustion chamber and control devices for controlling the throttle and the injection devices, whereby the control devices are arranged to control the ratio of the amount of fuel and the amount of air dependent on the current operating point in the internal-combustion engine's load-rotation speed diagram.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 8, 2003
    Publication date: July 29, 2004
    Applicant: VOLVO LASTVAGNAR AB
    Inventors: Maria Tafazoli, Hans Bernler, Bengt Jalnas
  • Publication number: 20040139944
    Abstract: A bi-fuel internal combustion engine is intended for suppressing consumption of gasoline fuel and reducing exhaust emissions; under ordinary operations, a CNG fuel emitting smaller amounts of NOx, HC, CO, and the like as compared with a gasoline fuel, is used as a supply fuel to reduce the exhaust emissions; in this case, a fuel injection device is required for each of the two types of fuel, that is, the gasoline fuel and the CNG fuel and the problem is torque change and fluctuation occurring when the fuel is switched from gasoline to CNG, or vice versa.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 2, 2004
    Publication date: July 22, 2004
    Applicant: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Yasuyuki Nakano, Masami Nagano, Matsuo Amano
  • Publication number: 20040134462
    Abstract: The invention relates to an internal combustion engine comprising a fuel injector (2) for each cylinder; a fuel injection control unit (4) for controlling fuel injection quantity and a piston (5) in each cylinder whose compression action causes a mixture of air and fuel to be ignited. The engine is further provided with inlet and outlet valves (6, 7) and various sensors (12-16) for measuring various engine operating parameters. During compression ignition mode, the control unit (4) is arranged to select a &lgr;-value from a map stored in the control unit, which value is a function of engine load and engine speed, and to compare the actual &lgr;-value with the selected &lgr;-value; whereby the control unit is arranged to adjust the intake manifold pressure as a function of the difference between the said &lgr;-values in order to obtain the selected &lgr;-value. The invention further relates to a method for operating the engine and a computer readable storage device (4).
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 23, 2003
    Publication date: July 15, 2004
    Inventors: Hans Strom, Lucien Koopmans
  • Patent number: 6761147
    Abstract: Processing conditions are determined on the basis of an operation range. After IG-OFF, an intake valve opening timing is advanced to 20° CA BTDC, and an exhaust valve closing timing is retarded to 20° CA ATDC. By controlling the intake and exhaust valve timings as described above, it is possible to reduce the fuel sticking to the intake passage. Particularly in the case of cold engine starting before activation of the catalyst, it is possible to prevent direct exhaust of HC emissions and accordingly to reduce emissions because of the decreased amount of fuel sticking to the intake passage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2004
    Assignee: DENSO Corporation
    Inventor: Yoshihiro Majima
  • Patent number: 6755179
    Abstract: A fuel injection system for multi-cylinder engine has an ECU for controlling respective fuel injection amount for cylinders. The ECU adjusts each of fuel injection amounts to suppress engine revolution speed change and engine vibration caused by differences of combustion power between cylinders. The vibration suppressing control is carried out on the basis of injection correction amounts that is calculated based on deviation of the engine revolution speed in each engine cylinder. The ECU stores the injection correction amounts in a two-dimensional map defined by a cooling water temperature and a fuel temperature. In the case of an initiation of the control, the ECU looks up the map to obtain an initial value in accordance with a present temperature condition of the engine. It is possible to start or resume the control from a proper level of the injection correction amount.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2004
    Assignee: Denso Corporation
    Inventor: Yasunori Asakawa
  • Patent number: 6755182
    Abstract: A method is described for estimating cylinder airflow in engines that operate with manifold pressure near atmospheric pressure to compensate for degraded sensor response at such conditions. The method uses an adaptive approach that is updated under preselected engine operating conditions to thereby allow improved accuracy across a variety of engine operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2004
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Ilya V. Kolmanovsky, John Ottavio Michelini
  • Patent number: 6757608
    Abstract: A method and a device for controlling operational sequences, particularly in a vehicle, at least one sensor having a connection unit being connected via a bus system to at least one control unit for controlling the operational sequences, the control unit likewise having a connection unit, and sensor information being transmitted to the control unit. The control unit reads in and/or processes the sensor information at specifiable synchronization points. A trigger signal is transmitted by the control unit via the bus system to the sensor in such a way with an allowance that the sensor information is available in a manner that it is able to be read in and/or processed exactly at the synchronization point for the control unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2004
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Helmut Gross, Bernhard Mencher, Peter Baeuerle
  • Patent number: 6755183
    Abstract: The invention is directed to a method and an arrangement for operating an internal combustion engine wherein the vapor pressure curve is determined with a pressure sensor in the fuel metering pipe during the shutoff phase of the engine and the fuel injection quantity in a subsequent start of the engine is corrected in correspondence to this pressure curve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2004
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Eberhard Frech, Wolfgang Wagner
  • Patent number: 6755181
    Abstract: The invention concerns a method which consists in using an injector supplied with fuel whereof the pressure (Pcarb) is an increasing function of the amount of fuel (Q) to be injected, the opening of the injector being electromagnetically triggered by energizing the electric coil integral with the injector with a current peak of predetermined duration (T1). The invention is characterized in that the duration (T1) of the current peak in an increasing function of the pressure (Pcarb) of the fuel. Thus, the dynamics of the injector is increased.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2004
    Assignee: Siemens VDO Automotive
    Inventor: Alain Aubourg
  • Patent number: 6752126
    Abstract: A method and a device is described for controlling an internal combustion engine using fuel metering. The fuel metering is divisible into at least a first partial injection and a second partial injection. In the second partial injection, a fuel quantity variable, characterizing the fuel quantity injected in the second partial injection, is corrected on the basis of at least one pressure variable, characterizing the fuel pressure, as well as of the fuel quantity variable and at least one further variable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 22, 2004
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Andreas Pfaeffle, Christof Hammel, Peter Schubert, Andreas Kellner
  • Patent number: 6748927
    Abstract: A method for operating an internal combustion engine, e.g., of a motor vehicle, where fuel is supplied under pressure via at least one injection valve. The injected fuel quantity is influenced by the injection time of injection valve. In order to be able to provide optimum operating comfort and good component reliability even in the event of an incorrect fuel pressure, a maximum allowable torque of the internal combustion engine that is dependent on the instantaneous fuel pressure is determined.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2004
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Klaus Joos, Jens Wolber, Thomas Frenz, Markus Amler, Hansjoerg Bochum
  • Patent number: 6748929
    Abstract: Electronic circuit arrangement for controlling at least one actuator, in particular for controlling the valves and/or the injectors of an injection system of an internal combustion engine, having at least one driver circuit (1, 2) with a control input (control line 1, control line 2) and a resetting input (RESET) for electrically controlling the actuator as a function of the data which is incoming at the control input (control line 1, control line 2), a control unit (3, 4) which is connected at the output end to the resetting input (RESET) via a resetting line and to the control input (control line 1, control line 2) of the driver circuit (1, 2) via a control line, and having a signal input (Kl15) which is connected internally to the control unit (3, 4) for the external connection of a switching element, the control unit (3, 4) placing the driver circuit (1, 2) in a predefined state when the switching element is activated via the resetting line, the signal input for the switching element being connected to th
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2004
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Achim Przymusinski, Andreas Schiergl
  • Publication number: 20040094130
    Abstract: A rotation angle detector for detecting the angular position of a shaft, i.e. a camshaft or a camshaft of an internal combustion engine, includes a rotatable detector wheel coupled to the shaft. Markings of a first type are distributed along a periphery of the detector wheel and are detectable by a sensor for determining a relative rational angle. Markings of a second type are also distributed over the periphery of the detector wheel. The markings of the second type are distinguishable from each other for determining an absolute rotational angle of the shaft or for determining selection of a combustion chamber for injection.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 28, 2003
    Publication date: May 20, 2004
    Inventor: Uwe Lingener
  • Publication number: 20040094124
    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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 22, 2003
    Publication date: May 20, 2004
    Applicant: Woodward Governor Company
    Inventors: Matthew Viele, Luigi P. Tozzi, Ed VanDyne
  • Patent number: 6736112
    Abstract: Experiment shows that a diesel engine discharges more smoke at a lower rate of increase of an engine rotation speed. Reducing an amount of fuel to inject into the engine when the rate of increase of the engine rotation speed is slow can prevent smoke generation. To be more specific, a controller (1) computes the rate of increase of the engine rotation speed by using signals from sensors that detect a vehicle condition. The controller (1) contains maps that indicate a correction coefficient corresponding to the rate of increase of the engine rotation speed. The controller (1) calculates the amount of fuel to inject based on the correction coefficient. Using the calculated amount of fuel, the smoke discharge from the diesel engine is suppressed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2004
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Masahiko Tsuyuki
  • Patent number: 6736114
    Abstract: It is highly likely that fuel is already adhered to the inside wall surface of the combustion chamber at the beginning of engine startup when it is estimated that the temperature at the beginning of engine stop of the most recent engine operation is low when the engine is restarted. Under these conditions, a fuel injection quantity is reduced or an intake air quantity is increased when the engine is restarted. Therefore, even if the adhered fuel vaporizes when the engine is restarted, the air-fuel ratio will not become excessively rich as a result.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2004
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Jun Takahashi, Kazuhiro Iwahashi, Kiyoo Hirose
  • Patent number: 6732715
    Abstract: A control method for controlling the timing of fuel injection in a fuelling system for an engine comprising a fuel injector supplied with fuel from a source of fuel at high pressure, comprises varying a drive current which is supplied to the fuel injector at a first time so as to initiate or terminate a primary injection of fuel and monitoring the pressure of fuel within the source so as to detect when a variation in fuel pressure occurs. A time delay is measured, which represents the difference in time between the first time and a second, later time at which a variation in fuel pressure within the source is detected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2004
    Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Abdolreza Fallahi, Martin A P Sykes
  • Patent number: 6729304
    Abstract: A fuel injection control system including an ECU, for an internal combustion engine which is capable of changing a valve overlap period by changing a cam phase. The ECU calculates a cam phase difference between the present value and the immediately preceding value of the cam phase (amount of change in the valve overlap period), calculates a wall surface temperature of intake ports, and sets a basic fuel injection time period based on an intake pipe absolute pressure and an engine rotational speed. The ECU also calculates a final fuel injection time period by correcting the basic fuel injection time period according to the cam phase difference and wall surface temperature of the intake ports.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2004
    Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yuuji Fujiki, Manabu Niki, Osamu Takizawa
  • Patent number: 6729303
    Abstract: A control unit (41) controls an opening of an exhaust recirculation valve (6) according to a running condition of a diesel engine (1). The control unit (41) calculates an equivalence ratio of the gas mixture supplied to the engine (1) and a target intake fresh air amount taking account of the air amount in the exhaust gas recirculated by the exhaust gas circulation valve (6), based on the opening of the valve (6) and a target excess air factor of the engine (1) set according to the running condition. By controlling a turbocharger (50) according to the target intake fresh air amount, and by controlling the fuel supply mechanism according to a fuel injection amount calculated from the equivalence ratio, the excess air factor of the engine (1) and an exhaust gas recirculation rate of the exhaust gas recirculation valve (6) are respectively controlled to optimum values.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2004
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Itoyama, Kensuke Osamura, Nobusuke Toukura, Hiroshi Iwano
  • Publication number: 20040079334
    Abstract: A control system that enables optimum lean bum control only by operating one lever beyond a lean limit of a lean bum engine. A link mechanism opens a throttle valve at an angle according to the manipulated variable of a power lever while the throttle valve is located in a range from an idle position to a full throttle position. When the power lever is further operated beyond the full throttle position of the throttle valve, the throttle valve is kept at a full throttle state independent of the position of the power lever and only a positional sensor outputs a signal according to the manipulated variable of the power lever. The degree of leaning of an air-fuel mixture is determined according to the manipulated variable of the power lever.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2003
    Publication date: April 29, 2004
    Inventor: Shumpei Hasegawa
  • Publication number: 20040079337
    Abstract: To enable a reduction of the number of fuel pipes and joint parts to facilitate piping work, maintenance and inspection. An engine fuel injection apparatus includes first fuel injection valves provided on an upstream side of an air intake passage of an engine, second fuel injection valves provided on a downstream side of the air intake passage, and a fuel pump for supplying fuel to the first and the second fuel injection valves. The second fuel injection valves are positioned at a level lower than the first fuel injection valves, and the fuel pump is connected to the second fuel injection valves via the first fuel injection valves by fuel feed pipes, so that fuel does not return to a fuel tank of the engine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 28, 2003
    Publication date: April 29, 2004
    Inventors: Takashi Akagi, Yoshiyuki Kurayoshi, Tomomi Yuhara
  • Patent number: 6725842
    Abstract: A fuel injection control device for an internal combustion engine, includes a rotational speed sensor for detecting rotational speed of the internal combustion engine, intake air quantity sensor for detecting an air quantity taken into the internal combustion engine, atmospheric pressure sensor for detecting atmospheric pressure, and an engine control unit for estimating an inlet pipe pressure of the internal combustion engine from the detected rotational speed and intake air quantity, computing a fuel injection quantity fuel pressure correction coefficient according to a difference between the estimated inlet pipe pressure and the detected atmospheric pressure, and correcting a fuel injection quantity based on the computed fuel injection quantity fuel pressure correction coefficient.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2004
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Norio Matsumoto
  • Publication number: 20040069281
    Abstract: An apparatus for and method of providing improved engine performance during a change in engine load conditions reduces or eliminates engine stumbling or hesitation and/or reduces emissions levels. When an engine load change is detected (201), a compensation factor for fuel injection timing is determined (205) and combined with a base timing for fuel injection, thereby altering fuel injector timing during the transition period.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 15, 2002
    Publication date: April 15, 2004
    Inventor: David Corba
  • Publication number: 20040069282
    Abstract: In a fuel injection system for an internal combustion engine in which fuel injectors are arranged on the upstream side and on the downstream side of the throttle valve, respectively, the throttle valve will be prevented from freezing without involving the addition of piping and the like. A fuel injection system for an internal combustion engine includes a device for determining a total injection quantity of each fuel injector, a device for determining a rate of fuel injection for each fuel injector, a device for acquiring temperature information representing the throttle valve temperature, and a device for correcting the fuel injection rate on the basis of the temperature information. The correction device decreases the injection rate of the upstream fuel injector when the throttle valve is at a low temperature.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 22, 2003
    Publication date: April 15, 2004
    Inventor: Tsuguo Watanabe
  • Publication number: 20040069283
    Abstract: In an international combustion engine in which fuel injection valves are arranged upstream from and downstream from the throttle valve, respectively, the response of the accelerated increase in quantity and correction will be improved. The total injection quantity determination unit determines a total quantity of fuel to be injected from each fuel injection valve on the upstream and downstream sides. The injection rate determination unit determines an injection rate of the upstream injection valve. The correction factor calculation unit calculates a total correction factor. The injection quantity correction unit includes an accelerated increase in quantity and correction unit, and during acceleration, increases and corrects only the injection quantity of the downstream injection valve during acceleration.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 25, 2003
    Publication date: April 15, 2004
    Inventors: Tsuguo Watanabe, Tatsuo Hayashi, Kenichi Machida, Tomomi Yuhara
  • Patent number: 6718960
    Abstract: A diagnostic apparatus for gas mixture supply apparatus and diagnostic method thereof characterized in that, when any trouble has occurred to gas mixture from a gas mixture supply apparatus, it can be identified as an error; and at least engine startup is ensured, continued operation of the engine can be made enabled without any problem which may cause stalling of the engine, and deterioration of exhaust gas can be prevented. The above object can be attained by the present invention comprising a gas mixture state detecting means for detecting the state of gas mixture when gas mixture is supplied from the aforementioned gas mixture supply means during the operation of the aforementioned evaporation means, and evaluation means for evaluating an error of the aforementioned gas mixture supply means based on the result of detection by the aforementioned gas mixture state detecting means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2004
    Assignees: Hitachi, Ltd., Hitachi Car Engineering Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tadashi Someno, Kiyoshi Amou, Takanobu Ichihara
  • Publication number: 20040065302
    Abstract: A fuel injection system for an internal combustion engine has an upstream fuel injector provided upstream from the throttle valve and a downstream fuel injector provided downstream therefrom. A device is provided for determining a fuel injection quantity of the upstream and downstream fuel injectors. A sensor detects the intake temperature TA on the upstream side from an injection area of the upstream fuel injector. A device is provided for seeking an intake temperature correction factor KTA on the basis of the intake temperature TA and a fuel injection quantity of the upstream fuel injector. At least one of the fuel injection quantities due to the upstream and downstream fuel injectors is corrected on the basis of the intake temperature correction factor KTA.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 22, 2003
    Publication date: April 8, 2004
    Inventors: Tsuguo Watanabe, Tomomi Yuhara
  • Publication number: 20040055579
    Abstract: A nozzle air injection (NAI) system and algorithm for a fuel-injected engine for increasing the flow of air into the engine. In one embodiment the NAI system takes the form of a kit comprising a controller, engine speed and throttle position sensors, a power regulator, an air compressor adapted to be rotatably driven by an electric motor to drive additional air into the engine. The controller includes a processor and sufficient memory to perform the logic steps necessary to selectively operate the compressor. In one embodiment, the controller checks the status of engine speed and throttle deflection and if the engine speed is equal or less than a first threshold value, and if the throttle deflection is greater than or equal to a second threshold value the controller instructs the regulator to send electrical power to the motor to drive the compressor to provide additional air to the engine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 23, 2002
    Publication date: March 25, 2004
    Inventor: Sandor C. Fabiani
  • Publication number: 20040045533
    Abstract: On supplying fuel in an internal combustion engine, a control signal for changing a degree of vaporization of the fuel passing the air intake valve in accordance with the opening degree of the air intake valve or a load of the internal combustion engine so that the fuel of liquid state is restrained from existing in the combustion chamber is generated, and subsequently a vaporizing speed of the supplied fuel is changed in accordance with the control signal to adjust the degree of vaporization of the fuel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 26, 2003
    Publication date: March 11, 2004
    Applicant: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoshihiro Sukegawa, Toshiharu Nogi, Takanobu Ichihara, Hiroaki Saeki
  • Publication number: 20040045534
    Abstract: An internal combustion engine in which fuel injection valves are arranged on the upstream side and on the downstream side of the throttle valve respectively, in which process values such as the engine speed and the vehicle speed cause fuel injection to be accurately restricted at predetermined upper limit values. A total injection quantity determination unit determines total quantity Qtotal of fuel to be injected from the upstream side and downstream side fuel injection valves. An injection rate determination unit determines an injection rate Rupper of the upstream injection valve. An injection quantity restriction unit restricts fuel injection of each of the fuel injection valves when process values such as the vehicle speed and the engine speed reach or approach the predetermined upper limit value. The injection quantity determination unit determines the injection quantity Qupper of the upstream injection valve and the injection quantity Qlower of the downstream injection valve.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 22, 2003
    Publication date: March 11, 2004
    Inventors: Tsuguo Watanabe, Osamu Nishioka
  • Publication number: 20040040544
    Abstract: A method for controlling a dual coil fuel injector having an opening coil and a closing coil includes issuing an opening coil pulse to the opening coil. The opening coil pulse has an opening coil pulse width (OCPW) and an opening coil turn on time (OCTOT). A closing coil turn on time (CCTOT) is calculated dependent at least in part upon the OCPW. A closing coil pulse is issued to the closing coil at the calculated CCTOT.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 30, 2002
    Publication date: March 4, 2004
    Inventors: Harry R. Mieny, Eugene A. Kobos, Gordon Cheever
  • Publication number: 20040040550
    Abstract: A diagnostic apparatus for gas mixture supply apparatus and diagnostic method thereof characterized in that, when any trouble has occurred to gas mixture from a gas mixture supply apparatus, it can be identified as an error; and at least engine startup is ensured, continued operation of the engine can be made enabled without any problem which may cause stalling of the engine, and deterioration of exhaust gas can be prevented. The above object can be attained by the present invention comprising a gas mixture state detecting means for detecting the state of gas mixture when gas mixture is supplied from the aforementioned gas mixture supply means during the operation of the aforementioned evaporation means, and evaluation means for evaluating an error of the aforementioned gas mixture supply means based on the result of detection by the aforementioned gas mixture state detecting means.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 30, 2002
    Publication date: March 4, 2004
    Applicants: Hitachi, Ltd., Hitachi Car Engineering Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tadashi Someno, Kiyoshi Amou, Takanobu Ichihara
  • Patent number: 6698203
    Abstract: A system for estimating absolute boost pressure in a turbocharged internal combustion engine includes a pressure sensor producing a pressure signal indicative of the pressure of air entering a turbocharger compressor inlet, a temperature sensor producing a temperature signal indicative of the temperature entering the compressor inlet, a first speed sensor producing a first speed signal indicative of the rotational speed of the turbocharger, a second speed sensor producing a second speed signal indicative of the rotational speed of the engine, and a control computer estimating the absolute boost pressure as a function of the pressure signal, the temperature signal, the first speed signal and the second speed signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2004
    Assignee: Cummins, Inc.
    Inventor: Yue Yun Wang
  • Publication number: 20040031472
    Abstract: A fuel supply system for use in an internal combustion engine, comprising: an intake passage; a downstream fuel injection valve near the port of each cylinder of the engine and downstream of the intake passage; and a controller, wherein the intake passage includes a fuel injection/evaporation device which has an upstream fuel injection valve; a heater for evaporating injected fuel; and an air passage for supplying the injected fuel with air. The controller is adapted to control the amount of fuel injected from the downstream fuel injection valve and the upstream fuel injection valve, thereby controlling the fuel-air ratio of the injected fuel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 14, 2003
    Publication date: February 19, 2004
    Applicant: HITACHI, LTD.
    Inventors: Masami Nagano, Takanobu Ichihara
  • Patent number: 6691680
    Abstract: A marine engine has an air intake device that includes an air regulator (e.g., a throttle valve) and fuel injectors. A control system controls an actuator of the air regulator. A first sensor detects an intake pressure in the intake device. A second sensor detects a state of the actuator. A third sensor detects an engine speed of the engine. A control device controls an amount of fuel sprayed by the fuel injectors relative to an amount of the intake air. The control device controls the amount of the fuel based upon a signal of the third sensor and a signal of the first sensor in a first actuation range of the actuator in which the intake pressure is variable. The control device controls the amount of the fuel based upon a signal of the third sensor and a signal of the second sensor in a second actuation range of the actuator in which the intake pressure is invariable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2004
    Assignee: Yamaha Marine Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Chitoshi Saito
  • Publication number: 20040025849
    Abstract: A system and method for controlling multiple fuel injections during a single combustion cycle for a multiple cylinder internal combustion engine having a common rail fuel distribution system determine the beginning of injection for the pilot and main injections based on crankshaft position while post injections are based on the main injection timing and an injector turn off delay determined using actual rail pressure. A rail pressure setpoint is determined based on current engine operating conditions including one or more fluid temperatures and current operating mode to provide more accurate injection control.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 8, 2002
    Publication date: February 12, 2004
    Inventors: James A. West, James E. McCarthy
  • Publication number: 20040020473
    Abstract: An internal combustion engine (10) is operated by a method wherein the fuel is supplied via a magnetic valve (28) having a coil (34). The injected fuel quantity is influenced by the duration of the drive of the magnetic valve (28). In the method, the temperature (evtmod) of a region (26) of the magnetic valve (28) is determined and the drive duration is corrected in dependence upon temperature. In order to make the correction still more precise, a temperature (evtmod) of the magnetic valve (28) is determined from at least one usually measured temperature (tans, tmot) and the drive duration (ti_tvu_w) is so corrected (tvsp_w) that the temperature dependency of the characteristics of the magnetic coil (34) of the magnetic valve (28) is considered. Furthermore, a model is suggested in which (starting from an operating temperature) the temperature trace is simulated after shut-off of the engine and/or for the restart of the engine by means of two factors for the warmup and cool down.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 18, 2003
    Publication date: February 5, 2004
    Inventors: Bernhard Vogt, Achim Guenther, Manfred Hundhausen, Thomas Wenzler
  • Patent number: 6687600
    Abstract: An exhaust gas recirculation systems directs exhaust gasses from an exhaust manifold to an intake manifold of an internal combustion engine. The exhaust gasses travel from the exhaust manifold, first passing through a flow control valve and then through a measuring orifice before entering the intake manifold. Pressure upstream of the orifice is used, along with correction pressure downstream of the orifice, to measure and control exhaust gas flow. Further, manifold pressure is determined from downstream pressure and the used along with the measured exhaust gas flow to calculated a cylinder air charge amount.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2004
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: John D. Russell, Allan Joseph Kotwicki, Freeman Carter Gates