Abstract: An internal combustion engine control apparatus can reliably detect abnormality in a crank angle position signal to ensure a fail safe function upon occurrence of the abnormally. A fuel injection signal and an ignition signal is generated based on the result of cylinder identification performed by a cylinder identification part and the crank angle position of the crank angle position signal. An abnormality determination part determines whether the crank angle position signal is abnormal. The cylinder identification part includes a cylinder identification resetting part for resetting the current content of the cylinder identification performed by the cylinder identification part upon determination of abnormality.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for determining the injection time of the injection system of an internal combustion engine, comprising the following steps: detecting a crankshaft signal that indicates the relative position of the crankshaft, determining the injection time on the basis of said crankshaft signal, detecting the phase angle of the crankshaft, synchronizing the calculated injection time on the basis of the phase position of the crankshaft, said phase position of the crankshaft being determined on the basis of the crankshaft signal.

Abstract: A fail-safe device includes an intake air amount sensor, a throttle position sensor for detecting a throttle opening degree of an electronic throttle controller, an accelerator position sensor for detecting an accelerator opening degree as an amount of pressing down on an accelerator, an intake air amount control unit for controlling the intake air amount to the engine, a target air-fuel ratio control unit for controlling a fuel injection amount to be supplied to the engine, a target ignition timing control unit for controlling ignition timing of air-fuel mixture inside a cylinder of the engine; and an electronic throttle control system abnormality warning unit for deciding, when a first requirement and a second requirement are satisfied based on the output of each sensor, that the electronic throttle controller is in failure, and for, prior to warning of the abnormality of the electronic throttle controller, controlling each of the control units.

Abstract: An engine control system has a self-diagnosis function of an exhaust system. The self-diagnosis function includes a first mode for detecting a failure or abnormality of the exhaust system as a whole, and a second mode for determining and locating a specific failed component in the exhaust system. The first mode is executed during the engine is operated under a normal condition. Therefore it is possible to detect the failure of the exhaust system without lowering a drive performance or increasing emissions. In case of detecting any failure in the first mode, the second mode is activated in response to a command signal that can be entered via a service tool. In the second mode, the engine is operated in order to determine the failed component. In the second mode, determining the failed component takes priority over keeping the drive performance or reducing emissions.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method in connection with engine control, wherein a combustion feedback signal is derived by measuring one or more combustion related parameters during a chosen time period of a first combustion cycle, for control of a possible fault, wherein at least one reference feature for said parameters has been determined previously, and comparing said measured combustion feed back signal with said reference feature for automatic adaptation of at least one combustion related variable during a forthcoming combustion cycle wherein at least one reference features for each one of at least two different fault situations having been determined previously, and that a diagnosis 3 of said first combustion cycle is performed on the basis of said combustion feedback signal being processed and compared (T1-Tn) with each one of said reference features, the result of which is analysed by a decision logic, whereafter a diagnosis (D) is established by means of which one or more variables in a forthcoming co

Abstract: A method for determining the crankshaft position of an internal combustion engine is described with which, in the event of failure of the crankshaft sensor, the crankshaft position may be determined with relative precision at all times. For this purpose, the camshaft position is continuously detected by an absolute angle sensor, preferably in a defined time grid. By analyzing the camshaft positions detected in that way, a value for the instantaneous crankshaft position is determined.

Abstract: An electronic control unit for controlling a fuel injection amount of a two-cycle internal combustion engine with an exhaust control valve wherein the electronic control unit comprises an injection amount determination means for determining the fuel injection amount at various control conditions, a valve abnormality detection means for detecting an abnormality of operation of the exhaust control valve, and an injector driving means for driving an injector so as to inject fuel of the amount determined by the injection amount determination means from the injector. The injection amount determination means determines the injection amount so that when the valve abnormality detection means detects the abnormality of operation of the exhaust control valve, an air-fuel mixture is made in a rich state.

Abstract: A method of providing engine timing information for an engine having a plurality of cylinders including detecting a fault for a crankshaft sensor generating engine timing information with a camshaft sensor, providing spark and fuel with the engine timing information generated by the camshaft sensor, and shutting off fuel to at least one of the cylinders.

Abstract: A method of providing engine timing information for an engine having a plurality of cylinders including detecting a fault for a crankshaft sensor generating engine timing information with a camshaft sensor, providing spark and fuel with the engine timing information generated by the camshaft sensor, and shutting off fuel to at least one of the cylinders.

Abstract: A method of controlling the operation of an engine fuel system including at least one fuel injector, a high pressure fuel pump for delivering fuel to the injector and a pressure sensor arranged to provide an output signal indicative of the pressure of fuel delivered to the injector, comprises the steps of controlling the rate of flow of fuel delivered from the pump to the injector by means of a metering valve arrangement supplied with a control current, measuring the speed of the engine and monitoring the status of the pressure sensor so as to determine whether a fault condition has occurred within the sensor. In the event that a fault condition has occurred in the pressure sensor, the control current supplied to the metering valve arrangement is varied in response to the measured engine speed signal so as to maintain operation of the engine at a substantially constant, predetermined engine speed. The invention also relates a fuel system for implementing the control method.

Abstract: A batteryless fuel injection apparatus for a multi-cylinder internal combustion engine adapted to generate a start injection command signal for each of cylinders in predetermined order whenever a reference pulse signal is generated by a signal generation device in case that which cylinder the reference pulse signal corresponds to cannot be judged to inject a fuel from the injector for each of the cylinders and to generate the injection command signal for each of the cylinders at a regular injection start position after which cylinder the reference pulse signal corresponds to is judged.

Abstract: A fuel supply control system for controlling a fuel amount to be supplied to an internal combustion engine having an exhaust gas recirculation mechanism comprising an exhaust gas recirculation passage connected between an intake pipe and an exhaust pipe, and an exhaust gas recirculation valve provided in the exhaust gas recirculation passage, is disclosed. The fuel amount to be supplied to the engine is corrected according to a pressure difference between an intake pressure detected when opening the exhaust gas recirculation valve and an intake pressure detected when closing the exhaust gas recirculation valve.

Abstract: A control system of an internal combustion engine in a vehicle, for improving the self-diagnosis accuracy and decreasing the frequency of stopping the self-diagnosis process, is disclosed. The system comprises a self-diagnosis section for executing self-diagnosis of the internal combustion engine; a load control section for controlling a load imposed on the internal combustion engine; and a normal driving control section for maintaining a normal driving state in which a variation of the load imposed on the internal combustion engine is suppressed, by operating the load control section while the self-diagnosis is being executed by the self-diagnosis section and while the current driving state of the vehicle is in a predetermined driving range.

Abstract: A fuel supply control system for an internal combustion engine wherein a basic fuel amount supplied to said engine can be calculated according to the intake air flow rate detected by said intake air flow rate sensor. An air-fuel ratio correction coefficient can be calculated for correcting an amount of fuel to be supplied to the engine so that the detected air-fuel ratio coincides with a target air-fuel ratio. At least one correlation parameter vector which defines a correlation between the air-fuel ratio correction coefficient and the intake air flow rate detected by the intake air flow sensor, can be calculated using a sequential statistical processing algorithm. A learning correction coefficient relating to a change in characteristics of the intake air flow rate sensor can be calculated using the correlation parameter. An amount fuel to be supplied to the engine can be controlled using the basic fuel amount, the air-fuel ratio correction coefficient, and the learning correction coefficient.

Abstract: An engine control device comprising a reference voltage memory means 21 for memorizing reference voltage VAFS_STD of AFS9 for controlling an engine 1 under a normal state, a comparing means 22 for comparing an output voltage VAFS from the AFA9 when the engine 1 is stopped with the reference voltage VAFS_STD and operating a deviation &Dgr;VAFS, and a corrections means 23 for correcting the output voltage VAFS from the AFS9 based on the deviation &Dgr;VAFS so that the output voltage VAFS becomes the reference voltage VAFS_STD, wherein a fuel injection quantity Tinj is operated based on the output voltage VAFS_OBJ from the sensor obtained by the correction means 23, whereby engine stall caused by failure of the sensor for controlling the engine is avoidable.

Abstract: A combustion state detection apparatus for an internal combustion engine has a detection period limit section, which limits a detection period of an ion current processed in misfire detection section or knock detection section.

Abstract: A default engine control method for an internal combustion engine recovers from the loss of a high-resolution engine position signal by calculating a high resolution pulse period based on a recognized pattern of a low resolution engine position signal. Interrupts for signaling the execution of cycle-related control algorithms are scheduled in time based on the calculated pulse period, and pulse period errors due to changing engine speed are periodically corrected based on the timing of subsequent transitions in the low resolution position signal relative to the scheduled interrupts.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for limitation of at least one controllable operating parameter that can cause ageing of at least one component or one material in connection with an engine. The method includes the steps of determination of a maximum limit value allowed regarding the operating parameter and control of the engine so that the limit value is not exceeded, thereby limiting ageing of the component or material. The invention includes continuous determination of a measure that corresponds to the degree of impairment of the component that depends on ageing, wherein said determination of the limit value is made depending on the measure. The invention also relates to an arrangement for accomplishing this method.

Abstract: An arrangement for monitoring the drive of an actuator includes an output-stage component which includes a counter. With the aid of the counter, the switch-on time of the actuator is determined. The determined switch-on time is made available to the microcomputer for diagnostic purposes.

Abstract: A method and a device are described for controlling an internal combustion engine, comprising a sensor for detecting a pressure variable characterizing the pressure of the air supplied to the internal combustion engine. The performance reliability of the sensor is monitored and a substitute signal is used in case of a fault. To determine the substitute signal, a static substitute value is defined on the basis of variables that characterize the operating state of the internal combustion engine. The static substitute value is filtered by a filter having a delay component, in order to generate the substitute signal.

Abstract: A method and a device for driving at least one load, in particular a solenoid valve for controlling the injection of fuel in an internal combustion engine. Using at least one switching element, the current flowing through the load is controlled as a function of a control signal. In the presence of at least one safety signal, the load is driven such that it adopts a safe state.

Abstract: Actuator configuration, in particular, for actuating an injection valve of an internal combustion engine, includes an electrically activated actuator, a power switch for activating the actuator, a control input for receiving a control signal for actuating the power switch from an external control unit through a control line, and a diagnostic circuit connected at an input end to the actuator and/or to the power switch. For sensing the operating state, the control input is connected to at least a switching element in order to influence the electrical input characteristics, and the diagnostic circuit is connected at the output end to the switching element in order to influence the input characteristics as a function of the operating state and, as a result, to permit remote diagnostics by the external control unit through the control line. A method for actuating an injection valve of an internal combustion engine is also provided.

Abstract: A vehicle fluid directing includes an engine control unit (ECU) mounted directly to the intake manifold to provide engine management and diagnostic functions. A case encloses the ECU to hermetically seal and protect the circuit board and attached components. Sensors preferably extend through the case and into the intake manifold to receives a direct input to the medium passing through the intake manifold. In another embodiment, a sensor such as an accelerometer which does not extend from the case receives vibration input. As the entire circuit board is directly mounted to the intake manifold, the vibrations are received as input to the sensor.

Abstract: Actuator configuration, in particular, for actuating an injection valve of an internal combustion engine, includes an electrically activated actuator, a power switch for activating the actuator, a control input for receiving a control signal for actuating the power switch from an external control unit through a control line, and a diagnostic circuit connected at an input end to the actuator and/or to the power switch. For sensing the operating state, the control input is connected to at least a switching element in order to influence the electrical input characteristics, and the diagnostic circuit is connected at the output end to the switching element in order to influence the input characteristics as a function of the operating state and, as a result, to permit remote diagnostics by the external control unit through the control line. A method for actuating an injection valve of an internal combustion engine is also provided.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for the diagnosis of a sensor in connection with control of a combustion engine. The method includes feeding fuel under pressure (p) to the engine, detecting the pressure (p) by means of the sensor, and controlling the air/fuel mixture based on to the operating state of the engine. The invention involves an intentional modification of both the pressure (p) and injection time period (tinj) during which fuel is fed to the engine. The modifications are selected in such a way that substantially no change in the fuel flow (F) to the engine is obtained. A check is performed to determine if the modifications of the pressure (p) and injection time period (tinj) result in any unallowable deviation in the operating state of the engine. If so, an indication that the sensor is defective is provided. With the invention, an improved diagnosis method for checking the functioning of a fuel pressure sensor is provided.

Abstract: An engine control unit receives a crank signal that includes a pulse train of a predetermined angle interval corresponding to rotation of an engine crankshaft. An edge time measuring counter measures a pulse interval. A frequency multiplication counter generates frequency multiplication clocks of an integer times the next pulse on the basis of the pulse interval of this time. An angle counter for ignition and/or injection operates on the basis of the frequency multiplication clocks. When a failure in a crank signal system is detected, a CPU switches the angle counter by a change-over switch so as to be used as a free-run counter which operates on the basis of time clocks, and generates a control signal for controlling the engine in accordance with the value of the free-run counter.

Abstract: A system, apparatus including on-board diagnostics, and methods are provided for sensing the effects of differing fuel quality in charge-by-charge, and cylinder-by-cylinder variation, and using a sensor and feedback to adjust the fueling to reduce the variation between charges in each cylinder to improve performance, reduce emissions, and increasing the operative life of a compression ignition engine.

Abstract: It is checked whether or not a supercharged pressure Pb becomes equal to or greater than a predetermined value P0 to judge whether or not a mechanism for adjusting the supercharged pressure is failed. When it is judged that the mechanism for adjusting the supercharged pressure is not failed, the fuel injection quantity Tp of normal time is computed based upon the engine operation condition. When it is judged that the mechanism for adjusting the supercharged pressure is failed, on the other hand, the fuel injection quantity Tp of failed time is computed, which is smaller than the fuel injection quantity of normal time. The fuel injection is then controlled based upon either the computed fuel injection quantity Tp of normal time or the computed fuel injection quantity Tp of failed time.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for controlling the amount of fuel used in combustion during open-loop run mode of a internal combustion engine. A lookup table calibrated to a fuel with a low driveability index is used to make a fueling decision for open-loop run mode. Then, at least one of the following indicators of fuel problems is monitored: the engine misfire detection system, the engine speed and the manifold absolute pressure. If any of these indicators detect a problem with the amount of fuel the engine is receiving, a fuel increase is calculated and implemented in one or more steps. A problem is indicated if an engine misfire is detected, the engine speed drops below a predetermined threshold value, or the manifold absolute pressure rises above a predetermined threshold value. The fuel increase is limited by a calculation based upon a fuel with a high driveability index.

Abstract: The plenum of an engine air manifold, coupled to engine cylinders, is provided with a fuel injector. A solenoid prevents supply of fuel to the plenum fuel injector during normal operation of the engine. Upon failure of the primary fuel system, solenoid opens to provide a fuel/air mixture via the manifold, to the engine cylinders, converting the manifold from a dry manifold to a fuel/air mixture manifold. The fuel bus of the primary fuel system preferably receives fuel from, and returns fuel to, a header tank, rather than directly from and to one or more fuel tanks.

Abstract: The apparatus comprises two accelerator position sensors and two throttle position sensors, and when one out of said two accelerator position sensors or said two throttle position sensors fails to operate, a limitation is added to the increase in accelerator position for the output characteristics of the accelerator position sensor. Thereby, the vehicle is enabled to travel at a minimum speed necessary without excessively increasing the engine output. When one of the two throttle position sensors fails to operate, the fuel injection quantity may be set based on the detection value of the accelerator position, which enables the vehicle to be driven by approximately the desired speed without excessively increasing the engine output.

Abstract: An engine has an improved fuel injection control apparatus the pressure boosting and method that prevents misfire and prevents unburned fuel from entering the exhaust system. The fuel injection system has two pumps, a primary pump and a booster pump. When an abnormality occurs in the booster pump, it is stopped, and fuel injection is performed by the primary pump. When the booster pump is stopped, a fuel injection valve or an air intake device is regulated such that the air/fuel mixture formed in the combustion chambers will not misfire, and unburned fuel will not remain and enter the exhaust system.

Abstract: An electrical system for a marine outboard drive includes an improved construction. The outboard drive includes an engine. The engine has a combustion chamber, a fuel supply unit arranged to supply fuel to the combustion chamber, and an igniting unit arranged to fire the fuel in the combustion chamber. The electrical system includes a power source arranged to supply electricity to the fuel supply unit and the igniting unit. The electrical system includes a first control device and a second control device. The first control device is arranged to control the fuel supply unit and the igniting unit while the second control device is arranged to watch the supply of electricity. The second control device is physically separated from the first control device.

Abstract: In order to avoid an undesired and damaging ignition in the case of the failure of a valve in an internal combustion engine with electromechanical valve drive, a control device interrupts the injection and/or the ignition for at least the cylinder in question when such a failure of a valve is detected by the control device.

Abstract: A method of regulating gas pressure in a dual fluid fuel injection system for an internal combustion engine having at least one delivery injector, including; determining when the gas pressure supplied to the fuel injection system is above a desired level; and opening the at least one delivery injector of the dual fluid fuel injection system for a determined duration when the gas pressure is above the desired level to allow gas to be passed through the delivery injector and thereby regulate the gas pressure of the supplied gas.

Abstract: A diagnostic/control device for fuel injected internal combustion engines comprising a control system (14) connectable via leads (16) to the fuel injectors (10) after disconnection therefrom of an engine management computer (11), the latter being connected directly (at 18) to the control system (14). An oxygen sensor (13) is connected (at 17) to the control system (14) whereby the latter is connected between the engine management computer (11) and the fuel injectors (10) and can be operated in closed circuit or open circuit mode to control the injectors directly when required independently of the engine management computer (11).

Abstract: A highly stable engine failure diagnosing system free from influence of purging is presented. A monitoring apparatus for monitoring a fuel feed system of an internal combustion engine is provided with an A/F ratio detector and an A/F ratio controller for performing feedback control of the A/F ratio. An A/F ratio feedback coefficient is calculated according to the output of the detector. A malfunction determination parameter is calculated based on the coefficient. A purging is suspended when the parameter reaches a first decision value. The monitoring is suspended when the parameter reaches a second decision value in a purge cutting state. A value of the malfunction determination parameter it would take if the purge cut was not carried out is estimated using the value when the parameter reached the first decision value. The monitoring is resumed when the estimated value of the malfunction determination parameter reaches the second decision value.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and a control arrangement for the metering of fuel in an injection system, especially for engines having an exhaust-gas turbocharger. The inducted air mass in the intake manifold (2) is measured as a primary control quantity by an air mass measuring apparatus (1) for the metering of fuel and the cylinder charge is computed via a control apparatus (3). A switchover to a substitute signal (P) as the primary control quantity takes place when a leak (8) is detected in the intake manifold (2) via a change of stored and actual pressure conditions.

Abstract: Methods and devices for detecting and predicting parameter deviations and isolating failure modes in systems that are subject to failure. In a preferred embodiment, methods are provided for use with engines, including aircraft, automobile, and industrial combustion engines. However, numerous other applications are contemplated. Such engines may be described as having monitor points having current parameter values, where the monitor points may correspond to single physical sensors or to virtual or inferred monitor points having parameter values derived from multiple sensors. Acceptable ranges, limits, and values for each of the monitor point parameters may be provided for use with the present invention. Parameters lying outside of the acceptable ranges may be said to be in deviation. Ambiguity groups, including one or more failure modes or physical causes of the parameter deviations may also be provided.

Abstract: An engine control system for use in automotive vehicles is provided which is designed to execute given control tasks, for example, at a 30° angular interval of a crank shaft of the engine determined by sequential inputs of crank angle signals from a crank sensor. If a failure of the crank sensor has occurred, it becomes impossible to determine the 30° angular interval of the crank shaft. In this case, the engine control system works to calculate one-third of an interval (e.g., a 90° crank angle) between consecutive inputs of cam angular position signals provided by a cam sensor to define a dummy 30° crank angle as a trigger for initiating the control tasks.

Abstract: The plenum of an engine air manifold, coupled to engine cylinders, is provided with a fuel injector. A solenoid prevents supply of fuel to the plenum fuel injector during normal operation of the engine. Upon failure of the primary fuel system, solenoid opens to provide a fuel/air mixture via the manifold, to the engine cylinders, converting the manifold from a dry manifold to a fuel/air mixture manifold. The fuel bus of the primary fuel system preferably receives fuel from, and returns fuel to, a header tank, rather than directly from and to one or more fuel tanks.

Abstract: A method for controlling an engine of a system having an air-charger system connected to the engine includes sensing air-charger system temperature; comparing the air-charger system temperature to a temperature threshold; and adjusting an engine control parameter when the air-charger system temperature exceeds the temperature threshold. A system for controlling engine operation is also provided.

Abstract: An internal combustion engine has an electromechanical valve train, in which the valve control device houses not only the output stage for the ignition system and the output stage for the fuel injection system. The valve control device can rapidly prevent the ignition of the air/fuel mixture in the cylinder affected by the valve failure of an electromechanically actuated valve. Moreover, all output stages important for the thermal combustion process are combined in one control device, which is advantageously connected to a water-cooling system.

Abstract: The energy conversion during a combustion process is computed from the body sound signal of the internal combustion engine according to a theoretical model, and from it the amount of fuel delivered is derived. If the computed amount of fuel differs from the predetermined amount of fuel, a malfunction of the fuel injection system is recognized.

Abstract: An on-board diagnostic method for detecting whether a diesel emissions control system is functioning properly by continuously monitoring the temperature rise generated by the catalyst and the light-off temperature with reference to theoretical values stored in an engine control computer. When either of the parameters falls below a predetermined threshold value, the vehicle emissions may exceed emission standards and, if so, the system causes a malfunction indicator light (MIL) to be energize to advise the driver of the need for service.

Abstract: A method and an arrangement for operating and monitoring an internal combustion engine are suggested wherein, in at least one operating state, operation is undertaken with a lean air/fuel ratio. At least one quantity, which represents the degree of actuation of the accelerator pedal, and a quantity, which represents the engine rpm, are detected and, in at least one operating state, only an operation of the engine with an approximately stoichiometric or rich mixture is permitted and/or only an operation with limited air supply is permitted. The operation is monitored on the basis of at least one operating variable of the engine.

Abstract: A method of controlling functions of an internal-combustion engine having electrically operated actuators for controlling engine functions, includes the following steps: detecting control-relevant operational data by a sensor arrangement; applying the detected operational data to a first, engine-integrated electronic engine control system; controlling the actuators by control signals from the first electronic engine control system through a power unit; applying the operational data to a second, external electronic engine control system in synchronism with the operational data applied to the first electronic engine control system; generating control signals at an output of the second electronic engine control system; applying, to the power unit, control signals emanating from the second electronic engine control system for the actuator of at least one selected engine function; and simultaneously with the preceding step, removing from the power unit control signals emanating from the first electronic engine con

Abstract: A method of controlling a dual fluid fuel injection system of an internal combustion engine having at least one cylinder, the fuel injection system having at least one delivery injector and a compressed gas supply means for supplying gas to the at least one delivery injector, the method including: determining if there has been a reduction in the compressed gas supplied to the at least one delivery injector below a required supply level; opening the at least one delivery injector when there is a depression in a respective said cylinder such that the pressure within said cylinder is lower than the pressure upstream of the delivery injector if the compressed gas supply is below said required supply level; and delivering fuel to the delivery injector such that the fuel is drawn into the cylinder by virtue of the pressure differential existing across the delivery injector.

Abstract: A control system of an internal combustion engine in a vehicle, for improving the self-diagnosis accuracy and decreasing the frequency of stopping the self-diagnosis process, is disclosed. The system comprises a self-diagnosis section for executing self-diagnosis of the internal combustion engine; a load control section for controlling a load imposed on the internal combustion engine; and a normal driving control section for maintaining a normal driving state in which a variation of the load imposed on the internal combustion engine is suppressed, by operating the load control section while the self-diagnosis is being executed by the self-diagnosis section and while the current driving state of the vehicle is in a predetermined driving range.

Abstract: A control arrangement for an internal combustion engine which includes a fuel supply system, an air/fuel ratio control system, an abnormality diagnoser which diagnoses a possible abnormality in the fuel supply system, when the pressure of the pressurized fuel in the fuel supply system detected by a fuel pressure senor exceeds predetermined upper and lower limits determined by a control duty for an electrically controlled pressure regulator, and an abnormal element decider which decides an abnormality either in the fuel pressure sensor or in the electrically controlled pressure regulator based on an amount representing an air/fuel ratio status including the actual air/fuel ratio and the air/fuel ratio feed back control amount extracted from the air/fuel ratio control system for the internal combustion engine, when the abnormality diagnoser diagnoses an abnormality in the fuel supply system.