Backup Systems, Fail-safe, Failure Indicator Patents (Class 123/479)
  • Patent number: 7685810
    Abstract: When an abnormality occurred in a SCR device is detected, the output of an engine is restricted. To this end, in one embodiment, at the time of an abnormality occurrence, a map adopted for calculating a fuel injection quantity is switched from that for a normal time (S407). Further, as the abnormality to be detected, the clogging of an injection nozzle, the dilution of urea water stored in a tank, or the like is adopted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2010
    Assignee: Nissan Diesel Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kiminobu Hirata, Takehiro Esaka
  • Patent number: 7669571
    Abstract: A Calibrated Air Intake Tract for Internal Combustion Engine is disclosed. The intake includes a Mass Airflow Sensor section that defines an inner diameter that differs from the diameter of the overall intake air tract piping. The Mass Airflow Sensor length and diameter are precision-tuned in order to provide the best engine performance without the typical “check engine” light being lit due to faulty mass airflow sensor readings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2010
    Inventor: Ron Delgado
  • Patent number: 7665443
    Abstract: A control arrangement for a fuel injection apparatus of an internal combustion engine, the fuel injection apparatus comprising at lest two fuel injector nozzles, the injection action of which is controllable via a solenoid, and at least two control units arranged to control the solenoids controlling the injection action. According to the invention, each injector nozzle is provided with a first and second solenoid and the first and second solenoid are in connection with a different control unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2010
    Assignee: Wärtsilä Finland Oy
    Inventors: Johan Pensar, Jonas Akerman
  • Publication number: 20100024777
    Abstract: In a method for localizing a fault location within a fuel injection system, when a critical fault is detected by the diagnostic function, a pulse or a series of pulses to the injectors is triggered by a control unit. By observing the voltage value and/or charge value at the injector, it is possible to localize the fault location within the fuel injection system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 20, 2007
    Publication date: February 4, 2010
    Inventors: Robert Hoffmann, Hartmut Wolpert
  • Patent number: 7640918
    Abstract: The invention relates to a drive circuit for an injector arrangement having a fuel injector, and a method of detecting faults in the drive circuit. The drive circuit includes a diagnostic tool that senses a measured voltage between the injector and a known voltage level. The measured voltage is biased with respect to the known voltage to a predicted voltage unless the drive circuit has a fault. A fault signal is provided on sensing of a measured voltage that differs from the predicted voltage. The drive circuit may additionally, or alternatively, include a diagnostic tool. The diagnostic tool senses a detected current to provide a fault signal upon detection of the fault when the detected current is at variance from a threshold current.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2010
    Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Louisa Perryman, Nigel P. Baker, Steven Martin, Martin A. P. Sykes
  • Publication number: 20090308355
    Abstract: An electronic control unit corresponding to a fuel injection control apparatus measures an interval time in ignition signals input by wirings, detects an erroneous connection of wiring by comparing a combination of the measured interval times with a combination of interval times in the case that the wiring is in a correct connection in the same engine stroke, which is previously stored, corrects a setting in such a manner as to output the fuel injection signal to the same cylinder at the same timing as the case that the wiring is in the correct connection, by detecting the erroneous connection and stores the setting, and thereafter outputs a fuel ignition signal on the basis of the corrected setting.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 16, 2008
    Publication date: December 17, 2009
    Applicant: NIKKI CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Yukio Ichikatai
  • Patent number: 7624721
    Abstract: The invention relates to a drive circuit for an injector arrangement comprising a first fuel injector in parallel with a capacitive component. The drive circuit comprises: a selector means and diagnostic means. The selector means is operable to select the first fuel injector and/or the capacitive component into the drive circuit and to deselect the first fuel injector and/or the capacitive component from the drive circuit. When the capacitive component is selected and the first fuel injector is deselected, the diagnostic means is operable to sense a current through the first fuel injector. When the sensed current is at variance from a first threshold current the diagnostic means is operable to provide a first signal on detection of a stack terminal short circuit fault associated with the first fuel injector. The capacitive component may be a second fuel injector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2009
    Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Louisa J. Perryman, Martin A. P. Sykes
  • Patent number: 7596447
    Abstract: Provision is made to avoid a fuel discharge timing and a fuel injection timing during the ordinary operation of the engine from being limited, by, upon the activation of an engine, making a high-pressure fuel pump perform high-pressure-fuel discharge operation prior to initial fuel discharge operation by a fuel injection valve and based on the condition of the resultant fuel-pressure rise, performing a diagnosis on whether or not a malfunction exists in a high-pressure fuel system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2009
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
    Inventor: Takahiko Oono
  • Patent number: 7556016
    Abstract: In order to operate an internal combustion engine, a value of an operating variable of the internal combustion engine is determined depending on at least one measured quantity of the internal combustion engine. A test is carried out to determine whether or not the value of the operating variable is plausible depending on at least one second measured quantity of the internal combustion engine. If the value of the operating variable is implausible, a test is carried out to determine whether or not the internal combustion engine is currently being operated in lean operation. If the internal combustion engine is currently being operated in lean operation, a changeover to the quasi-stoichiometric operation of the internal combustion engine is implemented. After the changeover to the quasi-stoichiometric operation, the value of the operating variable is determined anew and tested anew. A changeover to lean operation is carried out anew if the newly determined value of the operating variable is plausible.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2009
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Markus Kraus, Kai Wollenschläger
  • Patent number: 7542843
    Abstract: An engine protection system and protocol is implemented within an electronic control module. Various engine parameters, such as engine coolant level, coolant temperature, transmission fluid temperature, and engine oil pressure are monitored and compared to limit values to determine if a fault condition exists as to one or more of the parameters. The engine protection system includes visual and audible signals responsive to the parameters. An engine disabling mechanism is operative when any of the aforementioned parameters exceed predetermined limits for a predeterminable period. The electronic control module contains a memory function for recording the fault parameters as well as other identifying information. The electronic control module also includes an engine idle limiter feature. The engine disabling means is operative when the vehicle idling duration exceeds a second predeterminable period.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2009
    Assignee: Malone Specialty, Inc.
    Inventors: Don Malone, Renald Baron
  • Publication number: 20090133671
    Abstract: The invention relates to a drive circuit for an injector arrangement comprising a first fuel injector in parallel with a capacitive component. The drive circuit comprises: a selector means and diagnostic means. The selector means is operable to select the first fuel injector and/or the capacitive component into the drive circuit and to deselect the first fuel injector and/or the capacitive component from the drive circuit. When the capacitive component is selected and the first fuel injector is deselected, the diagnostic means is operable to sense a current through the first fuel injector. When the sensed current is at variance from a first threshold current the diagnostic means is operable to provide a first signal on detection of a stack terminal short circuit fault associated with the first fuel injector. The capacitive component may be a second fuel injector.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 23, 2009
    Publication date: May 28, 2009
    Inventors: Louisa J. Perryman, Martin A.P. Sykes
  • Patent number: 7536244
    Abstract: A failure diagnostic apparatus is provided with an offset power source for offsetting a ground-side voltage of an air-fuel ratio sensor, an activation state judging unit for judging whether the air-fuel ratio sensor is active, a failure diagnosing unit for judging for a failure from an offset-added output signal of the air-fuel ratio sensor in a period when the activation state judging unit judges that the air-fuel ratio sensor is active, an input resistance switching unit for switching the level of an input signal from the air-fuel ratio sensor when the failure diagnosing unit has detected a failure in the air-fuel ratio sensor, and a failure state judging unit for determining a type of failure of the air-fuel ratio sensor on the basis of a voltage level obtained when the input resistance switching unit has switched the input signal level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2009
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Mitsuyasu Kunihiro, Koji Nishimoto
  • Patent number: 7497205
    Abstract: The invention provides a controller for determining the presence of faults within a fuel injection system of an engine system. The engine system comprises a first injector and at least one further injector, each injector comprising a needle control valve and a pressure control valve. The controller comprises: inputs for receiving data relating to a first engine system parameter; outputs for outputting a control function for controlling the injector valves of each of the injectors, and; a processor for controlling the control function output from the controller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2009
    Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark Casarella, Andreas Nilsson, David Jonsson, Abdolreza Fallahi
  • Patent number: 7497204
    Abstract: The invention relates to a drive circuit for an injector arrangement comprising a first fuel injector in parallel with a capacitive component. The drive circuit comprises: a selector means (SQ1, SQ2) and diagnostic means. The selector means (SQ1, SQ2) is operable to select the first fuel injector and/or the capacitive component into the drive circuit and to deselect the first fuel injector and/or the capacitive component from the drive circuit. When the capacitive component is selected and the first fuel injector is deselected, the diagnostic means is operable to sense a current (Isense) through the first fuel injector. When the sensed current (Isense) is at variance from a first threshold current (Ilimit) the diagnostic means is operable to provide a first signal on detection of a stack terminal short circuit fault associated with the first fuel injector. The capacitive component may be a second fuel injector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2009
    Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Louisa J Perryman, Martin A P Sykes
  • Publication number: 20090025683
    Abstract: A method for detecting failures in a fuel system of a motor vehicle including monitoring a feed-forward table of a fuel pump controller that is electrically connected to a fuel pump of the fuel system. The fuel pump controller is electrically connected to a rail pressure sensor, which is coupled to the fuel injector rail. The actual fuel injector rail pressure measured by the rail pressure sensor is compared to a desired fuel injector rail pressure associated with the feed-forward table. The feed-forward table is adjusted if the actual fuel injector rail pressure is less than the desired fuel injector rail pressure. A fuel system error is signaled if an adjusted feed-forward table differs from an initial feed-forward table. A fuel system failure is signaled of the adjusted feed-forward table requires a saturation voltage of the controller.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 24, 2007
    Publication date: January 29, 2009
    Inventors: Thomas Raymond Culbertson, Ross Dykstra Pursifull, Dennis McDonald
  • Publication number: 20080319699
    Abstract: A fault detection method for detecting short circuit faults in an injector arrangement at engine start-up. The injector arrangement comprises one or more piezoelectric fuel injectors, which are connected in a drive circuit. In one aspect of the invention, the potential at a bias point in the drive circuit is determined and compared with a predicted voltage. A short circuit fault signal is generated if the potential at the bias point is not within a predetermined tolerance voltage of the predicted voltage. In another aspect of the invention, a first charge pulse is applied to the injectors to charge the injectors. A discharge current path is provided during a delay period following the first charge pulse by closing a discharge switch. A faulty injector will discharge through the discharge current path during the delay period. A second charge pulse is applied to the injectors following the delay period.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 11, 2008
    Publication date: December 25, 2008
    Inventor: Louisa J. Perryman
  • Publication number: 20080312810
    Abstract: The alcohol concentration detection value estimated or detected by the alcohol concentration sensor is corrected in accordance with intensity, frequency and the like of knocking to set the alcohol concentration detection value after the correction as the alcohol concentration for ignition timing control. Thereby, occurrence of the knocking can be prevented by changing ignition timing in accordance with the knocking state. In regard to the fuel injection control, the alcohol concentration detection value before the correction is used as the alcohol concentration for fuel injection control as it is without using the alcohol concentration detection value corrected in accordance with the knocking state. This prevents a fluctuation of the fuel injection quantity due to correcting the alcohol concentration detection value in accordance with the knocking state, leading to prevention of a torque fluctuation or combustion deterioration.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 30, 2008
    Publication date: December 18, 2008
    Applicant: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventor: Kazutaka Nonoyama
  • Patent number: 7444993
    Abstract: A method for monitoring the operability of injection system of an internal combustion engine is described whereby, if the quantity of fuel injected changes, a malfunction source is detected according to the behavior of the pressure obtaining in the high-pressure accumulator. An appropriate emergency control program is executed by the control unit depending on the malfunction source detected. The method describes enables a malfunction source to be simply and accurately analyzed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2008
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Carl-Eike Hofmeister
  • Patent number: 7439700
    Abstract: A control system which is capable of avoiding an overloaded state of an actuator without using sensors or the like. An ECU 2 of the control system 1 calculates a lift control input U_Liftin to a variable valve lift mechanism 50 with an algorithm expressed by equations (2) to (5), such that the valve lift Liftin follows up a target valve lift Liftin_cmd, calculates a cumulative value Simot by cumulative calculation of the product of the value Imot of electric current flowing through the variable valve lift mechanism 50 and a sampling time period Stime, and when SImot?Simot_J1 holds, sets two parameters pole_f_lf and ploe_lf to respective predetermined failure-time parameters pole_f_lf_J1 and ploe_lf_J1 which cause the lift control input U_Liftin to become smaller than when Simot<Simot_J1 holds.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2008
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kanako Shimojo, Yuji Yasui
  • Publication number: 20080202475
    Abstract: A device for controlling at least one piezoactuator for an injection valve of an internal combustion engine, including a microcontroller that controls an output stage which generates the load current for charging and discharging the piezoactuator. The microcontroller controls the output stage through an integrated circuit. A discharge circuit interacts with the integrated circuit to reliably discharge the piezoactuator in case of a failure of the output stage and/or of a safety path of the microcontroller. The load current during the discharge is controlled by a control circuit having a controller which is part of the integrated circuit. The discharge circuit has emergency discharge elements that are activated in case of a failure of the controller or of the integrated circuit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 29, 2006
    Publication date: August 28, 2008
    Applicant: VDO AUTOMOTIVE AG
    Inventor: Martin Gotzenberger
  • Publication number: 20080195298
    Abstract: A Calibrated Air Intake Tract for Internal Combustion Engine is disclosed. The intake includes a Mass Airflow Sensor section that defines an inner diameter that differs from the diameter of the overall intake air tract piping. The Mass Airflow Sensor length and diameter are precision-tuned in order to provide the best engine performance without the typical “check engine” light being lit due to faulty mass airflow sensor readings. In those vehicles where necessary, an insert of the appropriate size and in the proper location is added to the interior wall of the MAFS section in order to correct final fuel trim level inadequacies.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 14, 2008
    Publication date: August 14, 2008
    Inventor: Ron Delgado
  • Patent number: 7392793
    Abstract: A fuel injection controller calculates a fuel pressure-feeding start angle of a fuel pump as a valve opening start angle of a metering valve, which regulates a discharge amount, by adding a base angle and a feedback correction value. The base angle is calculated in accordance with a command injection amount and target fuel pressure based on a basic map. The feedback correction value is calculated based on differential pressure between sensed fuel pressure and the target fuel pressure. If an abnormality is caused in either one of two metering valves, the base angle is calculated based on an abnormal period map instead of the basic map. Thus, controllability of the fuel pressure is maintained high even when the abnormality is caused in a part of multiple pressure-feeding systems including multiple plungers of the fuel pump.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2008
    Assignee: Denso Corporation
    Inventor: Yoshiki Hayakawa
  • Patent number: 7377239
    Abstract: A method for operating an internal combustion engine, a computer program product, a computer program, and a control and/or regulating device for an internal combustion engine make detection of an erroneously permanently closed intake valve for a cylinder of the internal combustion engine having more than one intake valve possible. Air and fuel are supplied to the cylinder of the internal combustion engine via a plurality of intake valves. The air and fuel are supplied to the cylinder via a shared duct, which opens into separate ducts for each intake valve of the cylinder. The separate ducts have the same volume. After an interruption of the fuel supply to the cylinder, the fuel supply is resumed. Starting at a first point in time of the resumption of the fuel supply, the fuel quantity supplied to one of the separate ducts is ascertained assuming a permanently closed associated intake valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2008
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventor: Andreas Roth
  • Publication number: 20080115768
    Abstract: A fault system for flexible fuel systems is provided. The system includes: a fault monitor module that monitors fuel estimation inputs and detects fuel estimation faults; and a fuel estimation module that selectively estimates a concentration level based on whether a fuel estimation fault is detected.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 20, 2006
    Publication date: May 22, 2008
    Inventors: Mark D. Carr, Bahram Younessi
  • Patent number: 7370638
    Abstract: An accumulator fuel injection system working to energize fuel injectors to inject fuel at a sequence of injection timings into an internal combustion engine and also to control a fuel pump to feed the fuel to an accumulator at a sequence of controlled times for compensating for the amount of the fuel flowing out of the accumulator under feedback control. When having found a failure in operation of at least one of the fuel injectors, the system alters a mode of the feedback control to decrease the amount of fuel fed to the accumulator at one of the sequence of the controlled times which is at a selected interval away from one of the sequence of the injection timings at which the at least one of the fuel injectors is to be energized, thereby ensuring a steady balance between the amounts of fuel flowing into and out of the accumulator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2008
    Assignee: Denso Corporation
    Inventor: Yoshiki Hayakawa
  • Patent number: 7367321
    Abstract: A method and an apparatus detect an erroneous connection between a plurality of ignition devices and a fuel injection control device. A first time interval is measured from an input of an ignition signal for a certain cylinder to an input of the next ignition signal and a second time interval from an input of the next ignition signal to an input of a further next ignition signal. An erroneous connection is determined by comparing a relationship between the first time interval and the second time interval with a previously stored normal relationship between the first time interval and the second time interval that are correctly connected in accordance with a predetermined procedure. The erroneous connection is outputted and displayed to a predetermined erroneous connection display device if it is determined that the erroneous connection exists.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2008
    Assignee: Nikki Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Yukio Ichikatai
  • Patent number: 7359795
    Abstract: A Calibration Method for Air Intake Tracts for Internal Combustion Engines is disclosed. The method tunes the replacement cold air intake so that the Original Equipment Mass Airflow Sensor will function with the emissions control system without check engine light illumination. The method uses the exhaust effluent composition to benchmark the OEM intake system and then to match the cold air intake to that benchmark test result. The method could use the exhaust effluent composition for calibration as well as verification, or the method could use Sensor signal output for calibration and then exhaust effluent composition for verification of the design specification.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2008
    Assignee: ARD Technology, LLC
    Inventor: Ron Delgado
  • Patent number: 7349794
    Abstract: An engine protection system and protocol is implemented within an electronic control module. Various engine parameters, such as engine coolant level, coolant temperature, transmission fluid temperature, and engine oil pressure are monitored and compared to limit values to determine if a fault condition exists as to one or more of the parameters. The engine protection system includes visual and audible signals responsive to the parameters. An engine disabling mechanism is operative when any of the aforementioned parameters exceed predetermined limits for a predeterminable period. The electronic control module contains a memory function for recording the fault parameters as well as other identifying information. The electronic control module also includes an engine idle limiter feature. The engine disabling means is operative when the vehicle idling duration exceeds a second predeterminable period.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2008
    Assignee: Malone Specialty, Inc.
    Inventors: Don Malone, Renald Baron
  • Publication number: 20080051983
    Abstract: A Calibration Method for Air Intake Tracts for Internal Combustion Engines is disclosed. The method tunes the replacement cold air intake so that the Original Equipment Mass Airflow Sensor will function with the emissions control system without check engine light illumination. The method uses the exhaust effluent composition to benchmark the OEM intake system and then to match the cold air intake to that benchmark test result. The method could use the exhaust effluent composition for calibration as well as verification, or the method could use Sensor signal output for calibration and then exhaust effluent composition for verification of the design specification.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 28, 2006
    Publication date: February 28, 2008
    Inventor: Ron Delgado
  • Publication number: 20080017174
    Abstract: Disclosed is an electronic control unit (14) connected to a hydraulic unit (13), such as in a motor vehicle, by way of a magnetic plug. The electronic control unit includes a zone formed of housing walls (14?) for accommodating several valve coils (12) arranged in the zone. Also included are a housing cover (8, 35) and at least one printed circuit board (31, 5) that accommodates electric and/or electronic components. Also included are an electrical contact and a heat-conducting plate (9, 32) for dissipating heat from the electronic components. The heat-conducting plate is connected to the printed circuit board. At least one thermal connecting element (4, 15) is provided, which constitutes a thermal bridge between the printed circuit board(s) and the heat-conducting plate(s).
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 15, 2004
    Publication date: January 24, 2008
    Inventors: Wolfgang Kafer, Michael Jurgens, Jurgen Peter Gilb, Ralf Weyrich, Matthias Viering
  • Patent number: 7318420
    Abstract: A drive control circuit supplies power to a solenoid coil in an in-cylinder injector of a cylinder in response to a fuel injection signal. A failure detection circuit to detect disconnection failure at an in-cylinder injector is arranged to be shared among cylinders whose phase of each stroke differs 360 degrees in crank angle. An engine ECU detects failure including identification of the injector with disconnection failure based on a failure detection signal from the failure detection circuit, and a crank angle detected by a crank angle sensor. The driver is notified of the failure detection result through the engine ECU.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2008
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Kenichi Kinose
  • Patent number: 7318409
    Abstract: A system and method for utilizing a humidity sensor with an internal combustion engine of a vehicle is described. Specifically, information from the humidity sensor is used to adjust a desired air-fuel ratio to reduce engine misfire while improving vehicle fuel economy. Further, such information is also used to adjust timing and/or lift of the valve in the engine cylinder. Finally, diagnostic routines are also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2008
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Michael J. Cullen
  • Patent number: 7305971
    Abstract: A common rail fuel injection apparatus for an engine is provided which is equipped with a rail pressure sensor working to measure the pressure of fuel in a common rail, fuel injectors, and a controller. When the operation state of the rail pressure sensor monitored to be unusual, the controller changes the value of electricity supplied to an actuator of one of the fuel injectors to induce a change in a preselected operation characteristic of the engine. Upon appearance of such a change, the controller estimates the value of the rail pressure using the changed value of the electricity and a physical property of balance among forces acting on a valve of one of the fuel injectors which has induced the change in operation characteristic of the engine. The estimated value of the rail pressure is used for subsequent injections of the fuel into the engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2007
    Assignee: Denso Corporation
    Inventor: Hiroto Fujii
  • Patent number: 7305972
    Abstract: In a method of controlling an internal combustion engine having a common rail fuel injection system including individual fuel storage chambers, wherein the pressure pattern of the fuel supplied to each injector can be determined and actual and virtual fuel injection ends and fuel injection begins are determined, the deviations from the desired fuel injection ends and from the fuel injection begins are calculated and the injectors are evaluated on the basis of the deviations and further control of the internal combustion engine is based on an evaluation of the fuel injectors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2007
    Assignee: KTU Friedrichshafen GmbH
    Inventors: Albert Kloos, Michael Willmann, Günther Schmidt, Ralf Speetzen, Stefan Müller, Andreas Kunz
  • Patent number: 7299788
    Abstract: When fuel supply is stopped while an engine is decelerating, pressure in each cylinder is detected using a pressure sensor, and the peak value of the pressure in each cylinder is determined. Also, an intake air amount is detected when the fuel supply is stopped, and the allowable range of the peak value is calculated based on the intake air amount. When the peak value of the pressure in a cylinder is in the allowable range, it is determined that a charged air amount in the cylinder is in a target amount range. When the peak value of the pressure in a cylinder is out of the allowable range, it is determined that the charged air amount in the cylinder is out of the target amount range, and a warning device is operated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2007
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Koichi Hoshi, Kenji Sakurai, Makoto Tomimatsu
  • Patent number: 7295913
    Abstract: An engine control apparatus for a motorcycle capable of detecting an abnormality such that there is no change in vehicle behavior even when the abnormality is brought about. A control CPU controls injection and ignition of an engine and a throttle valve. A monitor CPU detects an abnormality of the engine control apparatus. The control CPU calculates a fuel injection amount, an ignition timing, and an opening degree of the throttle valve necessary for controlling the engine and executes a predetermined engine control. The monitor CPU detects the abnormality of the engine control apparatus. A comparison of control values to detect the abnormality by the monitor CPU is executed by a detection interval equal to or smaller than 10 ms.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2007
    Assignee: Yamaha Hatsudoki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Takeshi Matsuda, Hidenori Akatsuka, Daichi Noborio
  • Patent number: 7280910
    Abstract: A method and an apparatus for protecting an engine are disclosed which are capable of preventing damage to the engine or associated parts thereof. The engine is provided with an electronic control fuel injection system. A quasi-abnormality of at least one of variables in connection with the engine and the associated parts thereof, such as an engine cooling water, a fuel pressure or the like is detected by a sensor. When the quasi-abnormality of the variable and such a quasi-abnormal state lasts for a predetermined period of time, a throttle opening of an electronic control throttle is regulated so as to limit an engine rotational speed to a low rate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2007
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoshiji Miyamoto, Toshihiro Kobayashi
  • Publication number: 20070227506
    Abstract: The invention relates to a drive circuit for an injector arrangement comprising a fuel injector, and method of detecting faults in the drive circuit. The drive circuit comprises diagnostic means (RH, RL) that is operable to sense a measured voltage (VBIAS) between the injector and a known voltage level (VBAT, VGND). The measured voltage (VBIAS) is biased with respect to the known voltage (VBAT, VGND) to a predicted voltage (VPinjN, VBcalc) unless the drive circuit has a fault. A fault signal is provided on sensing of a measured voltage (VBIAS) that differs from the predicted voltage (VPinjN, VBcalc). The drive circuit may additionally, or alternatively, comprise diagnostic means (RF). The diagnostic means (RF) is operable to sense a detected current (Idect) and to provide a fault signal on detection of a fault, when the detected current (Idect) is at variance from a threshold current (Itrip).
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 3, 2007
    Publication date: October 4, 2007
    Inventors: Louisa Perryman, Nigel P. Baker, Steven Martin, Martin A. P. Sykes
  • Patent number: 7273039
    Abstract: In a case where fuel injection system abnormality is detected, and fuel supply stop processing is carried out against the abnormality, since a judgment is made using a misfire judgment, in a case where the misfire judgment is carried out in a periodic measurement system, the reliability is low at the time of a periodic variation or in a low rotation region, and in a case where it is carried out in an ion detection system, the cost increases, and the calculation load of an internal combustion engine control apparatus by the misfire judgment processing increases. A control apparatus for a vehicular internal combustion engine of the invention includes an injector drive abnormality judgment unit to judge, based on an injector drive confirmation signal, drive abnormality of an injector corresponding to the injector drive confirmation signal, and the injector drive abnormality judgment unit judges abnormality of the injector drive confirmation signal based on a state of the injector drive confirmation signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2007
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Takao Ohno, Akira Furuta
  • Patent number: 7258109
    Abstract: A method for operating a fuel injection device, particularly of a motor vehicle. The fuel injection device is provided with an injection valve which has a piezoelectric element. In using the method, the piezoelectric element is activated in such a way that the injection valve goes over into an opened state. During the activation, an electrical voltage is ascertained and/or prespecified at the piezoelectric element and/or an electrical current is ascertained and/or specified via the piezoelectric element. From the path of the voltage and/or from the path of the current one may infer the point in time of opening of the injection valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2007
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventor: Michael Mennicken
  • Patent number: 7258103
    Abstract: An engine ECU executes a program including the steps of: when the port fuel injection ratio is 100% (YES at S200), sensing the engine coolant temperature THW (S210); when the engine coolant temperature THW is higher than a threshold value (YES at S220), monitoring fuel pressure P in a high-pressure delivery pipe (S230); and when fuel pressure P rises by the received heat (YES at S240), identifying that there is no error at the high-pressure fuel system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2007
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Tatsuya Tahara, Kenichi Kinose
  • Patent number: 7252072
    Abstract: A fueling system for an internal combustion engine. The system has a voltage booster and a fuel injector. The voltage booster is operatively coupled to the injector to selectively drive the injector. A method includes determining compliance of a booster voltage with a threshold. The method further includes diagnosing fuel system error based upon the determining compliance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2007
    Assignee: Cummins Inc.
    Inventors: Todd Slater, John E. Rogers, Michael D. Zieles
  • Patent number: 7240660
    Abstract: A method of reducing heat generated in a fuel injector driver controlled by an engine control unit (ECU) of a vehicle engine, the injector coupled to the engine, the method comprising of varying a number of fuel injector injections in an engine cycle as a temperature of the ECU varies, where during a first ECU temperature condition said injector performs a first number of injections in an engine cycle, said first number being at least two injections, and during a second temperature condition higher than said first temperature condition said injector performs a second number of injections less than said first number of injection in an engine cycle, said second number being at least one injection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2007
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Bruce Bryant, Michiel J. van Nieuwstadt, Suresh Sureshbabu
  • Patent number: 7225075
    Abstract: A method for operating an injection valve of an internal combustion engine, whereby the metering of fuel is adjustable in particular by varying the stroke of the nozzle needle of the injection valve, makes it possible to prevent an incomplete closure of the valve due to soiling (the risk of damage caused by a gasoline-filled cylinder) in operating states of the internal combustion engine in which no complete strokes of the nozzle needle occur over a prolonged period of time and the nozzle is therefore not sufficiently scavenged. The nozzle is scavenged with fuel when a jammed-open operating state of the nozzle needle is detected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2007
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Klaus Joos, Juergen Pantring
  • Patent number: 7207318
    Abstract: A method for operating a converter for the energy conversion of fuel from at least one main fuel supply, and from at least one auxiliary fuel supply for operating the converter directly and/or by operating an auxiliary unit, comprises: detecting the amount of fuel in the main fuel supply; detecting the amount of fuel in the auxiliary fuel supply, at least with respect to a predetermined minimum amount; in response to the minimum amount being reached, generating a signal that blocks at least one of a) filling of the main fuel supply, and b) startup of the converter via a control unit; and deactivating the blocking in response to the auxiliary fuel supply being replenished.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2007
    Assignee: FEV Motorentechnik GmbH
    Inventors: Gerhard Lepperhoff, Helmut Pleimling
  • Patent number: 7195001
    Abstract: An engine system comprising of at least one fuel injector sensor coupled to at least one fuel injector of a first group of cylinders; at least one fuel injector sensor coupled to at least one fuel injector of a second group of cylinders; and a controller configured to operate the engine system in at least a first mode and a second mode, where in the first mode the first and second cylinder groups combust air and injected fuel, where in the second mode at least one of the first and second cylinder groups combusts air and injected fuel and the other one of the first and second cylinder groups pumps air without injecting fuel; where in the first mode the controller sets a degradation condition responsive to detection of inactivity of the at least one fuel injector by the at least one fuel injection sensors; and where in the second mode the controller sets a degradation condition responsive to at least one of detection of fuel injection activity in both the first and second groups of cylinders by the fuel injecti
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2007
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Tobias Pallett
  • Patent number: 7185627
    Abstract: An engine ECU executes a program including the step of closing a current control valve in all regions when there is abnormality in a high-pressure system fuel system (YES at S100), the step of setting the VVT overlap to 0, the step of injecting fuel from only an intake manifold injector, the step of corresponding to an ignition timing when the current control valve is closed, and the step of correcting the increased quantity of fuel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2007
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Nobuyuki Shibagaki
  • Patent number: 7184878
    Abstract: An engine protection system and protocol is implemented within an electronic control module. Various engine parameters, such as engine coolant level, coolant temperature, transmission fluid temperature, and engine oil pressure are monitored and compared to limit values to determine if a fault condition exists as to one or more of the parameters. The engine protection system includes visual and audible signals responsive to the parameters. An engine disabling mechanism is operative when any of the aforementioned parameters exceed predetermined limits for a predeterminable period. The electronic control module contains a memory function for recording the fault parameters as well as other identifying information. The electronic control module also includes an engine idle limiter feature. The engine disabling means is operative when the vehicle idling duration exceeds a second predeterminable period.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2007
    Assignee: Malone Specialty, Inc.
    Inventors: Don Malone, Renald Baron, George M. Daniels
  • Patent number: 7168413
    Abstract: A fuel injector control apparatus for a cylinder injection type engine includes driving circuits each shared by plural fuel injectors classified groupwise and having one ends connected in common to a potential source, switching means (13, 17, 19) connected to the potential source for turning on/off driving currents supplied to the injectors of a same group, a fuel quantity/injection timing arithmetic means (2) for determining a fuel supply quantity and a fuel injection timing on the basis of outputs from various sensors (1), driving circuits (10, 20) for firing the switching means in response to output of the fuel quantity/injection timing arithmetic means (2), and a ground fault identifying/discriminating means (2) for specifying a fault location upon occurrence of a ground fault. When the fault location is specified, fuel injection from other injector of the injector group to which the fault suffering injector belongs is stopped.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2007
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Takahiko Oono
  • Patent number: 7167794
    Abstract: A control apparatus for an internal combustion engine can detect a tubing disconnection failure of an intake pressure sensor thereby to make it possible to give a warning to a user and to take appropriate measures to cope with such a failure situation. A control unit controls the engine based on a throttle opening, an intake pressure measured by an intake pressure sensor, and a rotational speed and a crank angle of the engine. The intake pressure sensor is connected to the intake system through tubing. The control unit includes a failure diagnosis section that detects an abnormality of the intake pressure sensor. The failure diagnosis section detects an open circuit or a short circuit of a signal line between the intake pressure sensor and the control unit based on a change in the intake pressure, and also detects a disconnection failure of the tubing of the intake pressure sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2007
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Yousuke Fukuzawa