Having Microprocessor Patents (Class 123/480)
  • Patent number: 6196197
    Abstract: A basic cylinder-charged air quantity is determined by a first-order delay processing of an intake air quantity per rotation. Next, an estimated value of a change portion of the cylinder-charged air quantity caused by a change in intake valve timing is computed on the basis of engine speed, throttle opening angle, displacement angle of the intake valve timing. Then, the estimated value of the change portion of the cylinder-charged air quantity is processed second-time by the first-order delay. A difference between the estimated value of a change portion of the cylinder-charged air quantity and a value obtained by processing the estimated value second-time by the first-order delay is added as a delay correction to the basic cylinder-charged air quantity, thereby obtaining an actual cylinder-charged air quantity with a change in the intake valve timing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2001
    Assignee: Denso Corporation
    Inventors: Masakazu Yamada, Hideki Morishima, Satoshi Koike, Hideki Yukumoto, Masaomi Inoue, Naoyuki Kamiya
  • Patent number: 6196196
    Abstract: A method and an arrangement for controlling an internal combustion engine (1) are introduced and have actuators (3), which influence at least one control parameter relevant for the consumption of fuel of the engine. A control appearance forms an index L for the run-in state of the engine. The drive signals y of the actuators (3) are changed in dependence upon the above-mentioned index L in a predetermined manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2001
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Jürgen Gras, Claus-Dieter Nusser, Guido Ehlers
  • Patent number: 6178943
    Abstract: An engine control system for a direct injection-spark ignition type of engine determines a target load based on an engine speed and an accelerator pedal travel, determines target air-to-fuel ratio based on an amount of intake air and the target engine load, and determines an amount of fuel injection based on the target air-to-fuel ratio, so as thereby to control engine output torque balancing the target engine load even during a transitional operating state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2001
    Assignee: Mazda Motor Corporation
    Inventors: Junichi Taga, Michihiro Imada, Masayuki Kuroki, Masayuki Tetsuno, Kiyotaka Mamiya, Hirofumi Nishimura
  • Patent number: 6170469
    Abstract: An integrated internal combustion engine control system in combination with an automotive emission control system, comprises an exhaust-gas recirculation valve (EGR valve) employed in an EGR system. A target EGR amount is calculated as a function of an intake-air flow rate measured by an air-flow meter and a target EGR rate based on engine operating conditions such as engine speed and engine load. The opening of the EGR valve is adjusted by a command from a control unit so that the target EGR amount is attained. The target EGR rate is preferably calculated depending on an intake pressure as well as the engine speed and the engine load. In combination with the above-mentioned EGR control, a throttle valve disposed in the induction system is effectively controlled in response to an actual valve lift of the EGR valve and a differential pressure between an exhaust pressure and the intake pressure. A fuel-injection amount is accurately controlled in consideration of a variation of an excess-air factor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2001
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Itoyama, Kaname Naganuma
  • Patent number: 6138642
    Abstract: A method and system for fuel rail compensation in a returnless electronic fuel pump arrangement provides modification of fuel pulsewidth based on measured or inferred rail temperature. The present invention applies fuel pulsewidth control modifiers to enlarge the fuel pulse to increase the quantity of fuel being delivered to at least one fuel injector to offset any drop in fuel density and injector performance caused by fuel rail temperature. The present invention generates these modifiers separate from a vehicle's normal fuel delivery system adaptive control process, thereby eliminating any unnecessary adaptive processing and limiting of adaptive control range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2000
    Assignees: Ford Global Technologies, Inc., Jaguar Cars Limited
    Inventors: Xiaoying Zhang, Timothy William Foster, Patrick J. Curran, Ian Edington
  • Patent number: 6135089
    Abstract: The elapsed time Ta(i) of 30.degree. crank angle near top dead center of compression and the elapsed time Tb(i) of 30.degree. crank angle near 90.degree. after top dead center of compression are found. The difference DTa(i) of the elapsed times Ta(i) between 720.degree. crank angle for a first cylinder and a second cylinder performing combustion after the first cylinder is found. The assumed elapsed time when assuming that there is no torque fluctuation is calculated from the difference DTa(i) of the elapsed time of the first cylinder and the elapsed time of the second cylinder is calculated and the assumed elapsed time is used to calculate the amount of torque fluctuation. It is judged if the vehicle is driving over a rough road from the amplitude and cycle of fluctuation of the vehicle speed. When it is judged that the vehicle is driving over a rough road, correction of the air-fuel ratio based on the amount of torque fluctuation is prohibited.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2000
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Nobuyuki Shibagaki
  • Patent number: 6125823
    Abstract: A system and method for controlling fuel delivery from a fuel injector includes determining engine speed, determining a proposed pilot pulse width time based on engine speed, determining injection pressure, determining a proposed first quantity of fuel to be delivered by the fuel injector based on the proposed pilot pulse width time and injection pressure and determining a desired engine torque output. A desired total quantity of fuel to be delivered by the fuel injector is determined based on the desired engine torque output and engine speed. The proposed first quantity of fuel is compared with the desired total quantity of fuel. A desired first quantity of fuel to be delivered by the fuel injector is determined based on the desired engine torque output and engine speed if the proposed first quantity of fuel is greater than the desired total quantity of fuel. A desired pilot pulse width time is determined based on the desired first quantity of fuel and the injection pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2000
    Assignee: Detroit Diesel Corporation
    Inventor: Eric D. Thomas
  • Patent number: 6122589
    Abstract: A fuel injection control system of an engine includes: (a) an intake air quantity estimation unit for estimating the quantity of intake air; (b) an intake fuel quantity estimation unit for estimating the quantity of intake fuel; (c) an estimated air-fuel ratio calculation unit for calculating an estimated air-fuel ratio; (d) a target air-fuel ratio setting unit for setting a target air-fuel ratio; (e) a feedback control unit for providing a fuel injection signal to the engine, which fuel injection signal is outputted also to the intake fuel quantity estimation unit as one of the predetermined signals; and (f) an actual air-fuel ratio deviation estimation unit for estimating a deviation of an actual air-fuel ratio or a factor correlated thereto from a predetermined level, which unit is programmed to output a deviation signal based on predetermined signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2000
    Assignee: Yamah Hatsudoki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Masashi Yamaguchi, Shigeki Hashimoto
  • Patent number: 6116210
    Abstract: An internal combustion engine for a motor vehicle in particular is described, provided with an injection valve for injecting fuel directly into a combustion chamber either during an intake phase in a first operating mode or during a compression phase in a second operating mode. In addition, a control unit is also provided for controlling and/or regulating a fuel mass injected into the combustion chamber differently in the two operating modes. The control unit is designed so that a required air mass can be determined from a torque demand in the first operating mode, and then the fuel mass to be injected can be determined from the required air mass, and in the second operating mode the fuel mass injected can be determined directly from the torque demand.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2000
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Michael Oder, Uwe Maienberg, Klaus Scherrbacher
  • Patent number: 6095127
    Abstract: A method of controlling the fueling rate of a compression ignition engine having an exhaust gas recirculation system (EGR) and a turbocharger. The method includes the steps of predicting the exhaust gas air/fuel ratio as a function engine operating characteristics and the operator-requested fueling rate. This value is compared to an air/fuel limit value stored in a table of values indexed by engine operating characteristics. The air/fuel limit is the value below which visible smoke occurs. The predicted air/fuel ratio is compared to the air/fuel ratio limit and either (1) the fuel is delivered at the requested rate, (2) the start of injection timing is modified and the fuel is delivered at the requested rate or (3) the fueling rate is limited as a function of the requested fueling rate and measured or determined engine operating parameters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2000
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Ilya V. Kolmanovsky, Mrdjan J. Jankovic, Michiel J. Van Nieuwstadt, Paul Eduard Moraal
  • Patent number: 6095120
    Abstract: A fuel injection system for an air-compressing, particularly supercharged internal-combustion engine, has an electronic control unit for determining the injection quantity for a quantity adjusting mechanism. The fuel injection system has an electronically controlled or regulated injection timing device for changing the start of the injection in each case as a function of the operating point of the internal-combustion engine. The start of the injection is, in addition, corrected as a function of the running time after the start of the internal-combustion engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2000
    Assignee: Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Stephan Neugebauer
  • Patent number: 6085730
    Abstract: A method for improving the transient response of a multi-port fuel injection system wherein the delivery of a pulse to an injector is fragmented into a variable number of pulse fragments and the delivery of the pulse fragments to the injector is spaced throughout a respective fueling window. The magnitude and delivery angle of each of the pulse fragments is variable and depends upon the current engine operating conditions. Calculations of the magnitude of each pulse fragment are based upon a constantly recalculated total pulse width.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2000
    Assignee: Chrysler Corporation
    Inventors: Timothy A. Coatesworth, Greg T. Weber, John N. Oenick, Brian E. Beechie, Jeff C. Ehlers
  • Patent number: 6076510
    Abstract: The apparatus for correcting air-flow sensor output includes an air-flow sensor sensing an air-flow in an intake of an engine, and other sensors sensing operating conditions of the engine. An electronic control unit determines whether the engine is operating in one of a first and second state based on the sensed operating conditions, and reads a correction factor from a data map based on the sensed operating conditions when the engine is operating in the first state. Also, the electronic control unit calculates a new correction factor based on the sensed operating conditions and stores the new correction factor in the data map when the engine is operating in the second state. Then, the electronic control unit determines a corrected air-flow quantity based on the sensed air-flow and one of the read correction factor and the calculated correction factor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 1998
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2000
    Assignee: Hyundai Motor Co.
    Inventor: Sounghoon Kim
  • Patent number: 6067965
    Abstract: A method and system for determining a quantity of fuel to be injected into a multi-cylinder, internal combustion engine during each combustion event of the engine includes an air flow sensor for sensing a quantity of air flowing through the engine. An electronic control unit is operative to determine a desired combustion fuel quantity based on the quantity of air flowing through the engine and determine a desired fuel injection quantity based on a previous fuel injection quantity delivered during a previous combustion event and the desired combustion fuel quantity. The control unit is further operative to control the amount of fuel injected into the engine for the current combustion event based on the desired fuel injection quantity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2000
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: David Karl Trumpy, Daniel Lawrence Meyer, Eric Warren Curtis, Leighton Ira Davis, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6065443
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for controlling combustion of an engine. The engine has a throttle valve located in an intake duct connected to combustion chambers, and a brake booster actuated by vacuum supplied by the intake duct. During stratified charge combustion, if vacuum supplied to the brake booster is insufficient, an ECU decreases the opening of the throttle valve thereby increasing the vacuum. The ECU switches the combustion mode to stratified charge combustion if a target injection amount, which corresponds to load applied to the engine, is equal to or smaller than a predetermined value. When the target injection amount is greater than the value, the ECU switches the combustion mode to homogeneous charge combustion. During stratified charge combustion, the ECU sets the determination value to a smaller value when an operation for producing vacuum is performed than when the operation is not performed. This procedure improves fuel economy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2000
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Mizuno, Jun Takahashi
  • Patent number: 6062201
    Abstract: A fuel injection control system for an engine enhances efficiency for charging suctioned air into a cylinder stabilizes a fuel combustion state. An engine intake pipe is provided with an air-assisted injector. Fuel injected by the injector flows into a combustion chamber within the cylinder via an intake valve. An ECU controls the injector drive so that injected fuel flows into the cylinder about 1/3 of the time at the beginning of the valve opening period. This arrangement allows a large amount of fuel supplied into the cylinder to be vaporized quickly and completely before the intake value is closed. At this time, because temperature of air drops due to heat of vaporization of the fuel, weight (density) of air suctioned into the cylinder per unit volume increases, thus enhancing the charging efficiency of suctioned air.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2000
    Assignee: Denso Corporation
    Inventors: Masaei Nozawa, Sigenori Isomura, Yukio Sawada, Daiji Isobe
  • Patent number: 6055956
    Abstract: An engine control system for a direct injection-spark ignition type of engine which is equipped with a fuel injector for spraying fuel directly into a combustion chamber and an exhaust system having a lean NOx conversion catalyst for lowering an emission level of nitrogen oxides (NOx) in exhaust gas at an air-fuel ratio of .lambda.>1 controls divides a given amount of fuel into two parts which are intermittently delivered through early and late split injection respectively in a intake stroke and controls a fuel injector such that a midpoint between points at which the early and late split injection are timed respectively to start is before a midpoint of a intake stroke while the engine is in a lean fuel charge zone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2000
    Assignee: Mazda Motor Corporation
    Inventors: Hirofumi Nishimura, Youichi Kuji
  • Patent number: 6047683
    Abstract: In a process for controlling the fuel injection quantity for an internal-combustion engine in a vehicle via an electronic control unit, the actual angle of the crankshaft is detected and, as a function of the actual angle, of a defined fuel injection time and of a defined injection end angle, the required fuel injection starting angle of the crankshaft or the required injection starting point in time for a certain cylinder is determined. The injection is carried out in a time-controlled manner by triggering an injection valve, which is assigned to the certain cylinder, for the defined fuel injection time to an actual injection end angle. Furthermore, while maintaining the defined injection end angle, a short pulse is defined in the control unit as an additional fuel injection time for the certain cylinder if the actual injection end angle is before the defined injection end angle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2000
    Assignee: Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Norbert Siegl
  • Patent number: 6041279
    Abstract: A fuel metering control system for an internal combustion engine including a feedback loop having an adaptive controller and an adaptation mechanism that estimates controller parameters .theta.. The adaptive controller corrects the quantity of fuel injection to bring a controlled variable obtained at least based on an output of said air/fuel ratio sensor, to a desired value. The adaptation mechanism is input with the controlled variable once per prescribed crank angle such as a TDC of a certain cylinder and estimates the controller parameters. Using the controller parameters, it is discriminated whether system operates stably.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 1995
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2000
    Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hidetaka Maki, Shusuke Akazaki, Toshiaki Hirota
  • Patent number: 6029630
    Abstract: An engine control device comprising has a processor which receives a variety of operating state detection signals (such as an engine crank angle signal and an accelerator opening signal) and computes control quantities for an interrupt routine on the basis of a predetermined signal such as the engine crank angle signal or a signal generated at fixed basic intervals, in accordance with a predetermined program during a period of time between the predetermined signals. A means is provided for counting and/or limiting the number of times interrupt processing triggered by an activation signal for the routine is executed during the period of time between the predetermined signals whenever processing of the routine exists.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 29, 2000
    Assignees: Hitachi, Ltd., Hitachi Car Engineering Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Masahiro Toyohara, Takeshi Atago, Katsuya Oyama
  • Patent number: 6026781
    Abstract: A fuel injection control device in a cylinder direct injection engine which switches between premixed combustion by intake stroke injection and stratified combustion by compression stroke injection in accordance with a change of an engine speed or a required load, where an unpleasant torque shock occurring when the injection mode is changed and the combustion state is changed despite the vehicle operating in the driving pattern such as driving on an upward slope or downward slope is prevented by maintaining the same injection mode while the vehicle continues to operate in the same driving state and where stratified combustion by the compression stroke injection is carried out when the vehicle is in driving on a downward slope, but is augmented by intake stroke injection when the vehicle sharply accelerates and the torque becomes insufficient.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2000
    Assignees: Nippon Soken, Inc., Toyoda Jidosha Kabushika Kaisha
    Inventors: Nobuo Imatake, Shingo Morishima, Kimitaka Saito, Tokio Kohama, Tatsuo Kobayashi
  • Patent number: 6026779
    Abstract: A cylinder direct-injection spark-ignition engine using at least a homogeneous combustion mode where early fuel-injection on intake stroke produces a homogeneous air-fuel mixture and a stratified combustion mode where late fuel-injection on compression stroke produces a stratified air-fuel mixture, is equipped with an electronic engine control unit connected to an electronic fuel injection system, an electronic spark-timing control system, and an electronically-controlled throttle valve. The control unit permits switching to a homogeneous combustion mode and changes the manipulated variable for engine torque correction to a spark-timing correction quantity, immediately when the demand for switching from stratified to homogeneous combustion mode occurs during a high-response torque correction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2000
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Takeaki Obata, Keisuke Suzuki, Nobutaka Takahashi
  • Patent number: 6021755
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method and apparatus for determining a fuel command for an fuel system. The present invention provides a method for determining a fuel command for an engine. The method includes determining a desired and actual engine speed, comparing the desired and actual engine speeds, and controlling the air/fuel mixture flow into the intake manifold of the fuel system in response to the comparison. The inlet pressure and temperature within the manifold are then determined. A fuel command is determined in response to the manifold air pressure and temperature. The fuel command is then modified in response to the comparison of the desired and actual engine speeds.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2000
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: James B. Maddock, Fred Mehdian, Rodrigo L. Sanchez
  • Patent number: 6016459
    Abstract: An electronic control (18) for a combustion engine that forms a portion of an automotive vehicle powertrain and has an output shaft for powering a drivetrain portion (14, 16, 17, 19) of the powertrain to propel the vehicle. The control has at least one ambient parameter variable input source representing a respective ambient parameter (EOT, BAP, AIT, and MAP) useful in deriving gross torque output of the combustion engine. The control also has at least one operating variable input source (EFC, ACD, DIT.sub.-- ADJ) representing a respective operating parameter useful in deriving a reduction in gross torque output of the combustion engine due to operation of the combustion engine, and a processor for processing a respective signal correlated to the at least one ambient parameter variable input source and for processing a respective signal correlated to the at least one operating parameter variable input source to derive torque at the output shaft of the engine for powering the drivetrain to propel the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2000
    Assignee: Navistar International Transportation Corp
    Inventors: Emad S. Isaac, Titus J. Iwaszkiewicz
  • Patent number: 6012431
    Abstract: At least an engine speed, an opening of an accelerator and an amount of an intake air are detected as an engine operating condition. A standard volume for injecting fuel oil is calculated on the basis of at least the engine speed and the opening of the accelerator. A target injection timing of fuel is set on the basis of the engine speed and the standard volume for injecting fuel oil. An actual fuel injection timing is detected. A standard target EGR rate is calculated on the basis of the engine speed, the amount of the intake air and the standard volume for injecting fuel oil. An amount of adjustment of a target EGR rate is calculated on the basis of the standard volume for injecting fuel oil, the target fuel injection timing and the actual fuel injection timing. A final target EGR rate is set on the basis of the standard target EGR rate and the amount of adjustment. An EGR is controlled on the basis of the final target EGR rate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 1997
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2000
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Itoyama, Hiroyuki Aizawa
  • Patent number: 6006724
    Abstract: The invention ensures that a vehicle responds in accordance with a driver's expectations during negative pressure control (or boost control). A negative pressure control target intake air flow rate is calculated. This air flow rate ensures that the pressure in a cylinder does not drop too low (which could increase oil leakage into the cylinder). A greater one of an ISC (idle speed control) target torque and a negative pressure control target intake air flow rate torque-converted value is selected. The selected torque is set as an engine demand torque. The engine demand torque is combined with a driver demand torque to calculate a target torque. The throttle valve is controlled in an electronic manner based on the target torque.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 1998
    Date of Patent: December 28, 1999
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Nobutaka Takahashi, Yoshitaka Deguchi
  • Patent number: 6003496
    Abstract: Transient internal combustion engine fueling control with reduced calibration burden and increased precision through application of a convection model to estimate the mass transfer of fuel between cylinder intake gasses and intake system components primarily as a function of fuel film temperature and gas flow across fuel film on such components. The convection model applies potential/flow conditions in proximity to fuel film on intake components of an engine cylinder to predict the depletion of the fuel film and generates an impact factor representing the fraction of injected fuel impacting intake system components in a manner providing fuel control stability. The convection model applies an intake valve temperature estimate generated simply as a function of air mass flow rate through the intake system to be used in the calculation of the film convection parameters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 1998
    Date of Patent: December 21, 1999
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventor: Peter James Maloney
  • Patent number: 6000378
    Abstract: A change gear control device is provided for an automatic transmission in a motor vehicle propelled by an internal combustion engine which is operated with an air/fuel mixture having air/fuel ratios ranging from a fuel rich air/fuel ratio to a fuel lean air/fuel ratio depending on driving conditions of the motor vehicle. In this device a first detector detects an engine torque of the internal combustion engine and a second detector detects a vehicle speed of the motor vehicle. A processor processes transmission gear ratios for the automatic transmission.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 1998
    Date of Patent: December 14, 1999
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Toshimichi Minowa, Hiroshi Kimura, Yoshiyuki Yoshida, Yoshishige Ohyama, Yutaka Nishimura
  • Patent number: 5992384
    Abstract: Pulsations which falsify an output signal of an air mass meter occur at low and medium rotational speeds in a unit that supplies air to an internal combustion engine. A method for adjusting the load of the internal combustion engine limits an opening angle of an electromotively adjustable throttle valve to a rotational speed-dependent opening value which includes an opening base value that is between a lower and an upper limit value. In the case of the lower limit value, the full load of the engine is reached. In the case of the upper limit value, pulsations of the air in an intake duct upstream of the throttle valve do not yet occur.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 30, 1999
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiegesellschaft
    Inventors: Bernhard Bauer, Michael Sudholt, Manfred Wier
  • Patent number: 5988140
    Abstract: An engine management system for 4-cycle engines includes a processing means and utilizes various inputs from sensors operatively connected to the engine for the purpose of providing the correct fuel/air ratio or spark ignition angle for the engine in a manner whereby the transient response is fast. The engine management system utilizes the rotational speed information that is obtained from a magneto or speed sensor to determine the speed of each engine revolution. The system effectively solves many of the fuel/air ratio problems that are caused by load transients occurring on the engine. By comparing such high pass filtered speeds of selected revolutions, the system is able to determine the inferred engine intake air flow. By using measured system rotational inertia compensation factors for the engine together with the inferred intake air flow, the system can accurately determine the amount of fuel to be fed to the engine for proper operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 23, 1999
    Assignee: Robert Bosch Corporation
    Inventors: Paul M. Gartner, Bradley J. Darin, Werner List, Dennis P. Nick
  • Patent number: 5988141
    Abstract: An apparatus for controlling a torque produced from an internal combustion engine operable at an air/fuel ratio. The engine torque control apparatus includes a first control device for controlling an amount of air permitted to enter the engine, and a second control device for controlling an amount of fuel metered to the engine. Target values for the engine torque and air/fuel ratio are calculated based on the sensed engine operating conditions. The first and second control devices are set to control the engine torque to the target value calculated therefor and the air/fuel ratio to the target value calculated therefor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 23, 1999
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Masaaki Uchida
  • Patent number: 5957993
    Abstract: Process for the quantitative determination of gasoline film deposited on the intake manifold of an engine with controlled ignition, which comprises the following steps:a) feeding of a first set of injectors (I) with a first fuel selected from those which do not leave deposits in the feeding manifold;b) opening of the second set of injectors (II) fed with a second fuel to be tested, until an equilibrium stage of the air/fuel ratio equal to that of step (a) is reached;c) calculation of the mass of fuel film by integrating the difference in the flow-rate values measured in step (b).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 28, 1999
    Assignee: EURON S.p.A.
    Inventors: Agostino Frigoli, Giovanni Livraghi, Mauro Miorali
  • Patent number: 5954783
    Abstract: An engine control system includes an inverse model which includes a forward model and a feedback loop, wherein an actuating parameter, such as the quantity of fuel injected from a fuel injector, outputted from the forward model is used as a controlled variable, such as the air-fuel ratio in an exhaust system, inputted into the inverse model through the feedback loop. The forward model has preferably a learning function using condition-indicating factors such as engine speed and throttle angle. Accuracy of the inverse model is improved and appropriate engine control can be realized even during a transient state of the engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 21, 1999
    Assignee: Yamaha Hatsudoki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Masashi Yamaguchi, Yoko Fujime
  • Patent number: 5941210
    Abstract: A gaseous fuel direct injection fuel system for a spark ignited internal combustion engine having an inlet port for admitting combustion air into a combustion chamber of the engine, the direction injection system including at least one fuel injector for directly injecting gaseous fuel into the combustion chamber, and means for supplying gaseous fuel to the fuel injector, a quantity of gaseous fuel being injected into the combustion chamber by the fuel injector, wherein at least at some operating condition thereof, the injection of the gaseous fuel is initiated after the closing of the inlet port, and wherein the injection of the gaseous fuel is completed before the compression stroke of the engine is substantially completed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 1996
    Date of Patent: August 24, 1999
    Assignees: Orbital Engine Company (Australia) PTY Limited, Meteor
    Inventors: Raymond John Hill, Steven Ross Ahern
  • Patent number: 5935188
    Abstract: A method is provided for determining wall wetting for an engine which includes running a multi-cylinder engine at a predetermined speed and load. The fuel delivery and spark to one of the cylinders is then interrupted. The hydrocarbon level exhausted from the cylinder is then measured for a predetermined number of engine cycles. The test results can then be curve fitted to the relationship HCPPM=(A+B* engine cycle).sup.(1/exp). In this relationship, HCPPM is the hydrocarbon count in parts per million, A and B are each constants, and the exponent exp is derived using an iterative process. The exponent which is derived is the main qualifier for wall wetting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 10, 1999
    Assignee: Chrysler Corporation
    Inventor: John R. Jaye
  • Patent number: 5931140
    Abstract: An internal combustion engine system is reticulated into an exhaustive network of interdependent temperature nodes and heat transfer branches for estimating thermal states at various nodes as required in engine control and diagnostic operations. All material heat transfer processes of each node of interest in engine control and diagnostics are modeled with additional nodes and their respective heat transfer processes added as necessary for a comprehensive analysis of all thermal dependencies, resulting in a precise, generic, portable thermal model for each relevant engine system temperature node.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 3, 1999
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventor: Peter James Maloney
  • Patent number: 5931138
    Abstract: An apparatus for controlling a torque produced from an internal combustion engine operable at an air/fuel ratio. The engine torque control apparatus includes a first control device for controlling an amount of air permitted to enter the engine, and a second control device for controlling an amount of fuel metered to the engine. Target values for the engine torque and air/fuel ratio are calculated based on the sensed engine operating conditions. The first and second control devices are set to control the engine torque to the target value calculated therefor and the air/fuel ratio to the target value calculated therefor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 3, 1999
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Masaaki Uchida
  • Patent number: 5920004
    Abstract: A method of calibrating an injector driver system including an injector driver circuit, a logic device connected to an input line of the injector driver circuit, and an information storage device associated with the logic device, involves testing the injector driver circuit once assembled. A predetermined test is connected to the injector driver circuit. A pulse width modulated signal having a predetermined duty cycle is applied to the input line of the injector driver circuit and the corresponding current level through the test load is measured. A value indicative of the measured current level is stored in the information storage device for later retrieval during operation of the injector driver system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 6, 1999
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Paul C. Gottshall, Ricky L. Crebo
  • Patent number: 5918582
    Abstract: An integrated internal combustion engine control system in combination with an automotive emission control system, comprises an exhaust-gas recirculation valve (EGR valve) employed in an EGR system. A target EGR amount is calculated as a function of an intake-air flow rate measured by an air-flow meter and a target EGR rate based on engine operating conditions such as engine speed and engine load. The opening of the EGR valve is adjusted by a command from a control unit so that the target EGR amount is attained. The target EGR rate is preferably calculated depending on an intake pressure as well as the engine speed and the engine load. In combination with the above-mentioned EGR control, a throttle valve disposed in the induction system is effectively controlled in response to an actual valve lift of the EGR valve and a differential pressure between an exhaust pressure and the intake pressure. A fuel-injection amount is accurately controlled in consideration of a variation of an excess-air factor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 1996
    Date of Patent: July 6, 1999
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Itoyama, Kaname Naganuma
  • Patent number: 5911206
    Abstract: A fuel-injection system for an internal combustion engine that operates in a stratified mode of fuel injection during a first engine speed range and a homogeneous mode of fuel injection during a second engine speed greater than the first range. A changeover speed is determined for a particular engine and, upon speed (or load) increasing to the point of changeover from the stratified mode, the engine speed update point changes from a first or "standard" update point to a second predetermined "provisional" update point for one or two revolutions after which the update point then reverts back to the "standard" update point.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 15, 1999
    Assignee: Outboard Marine Corporation
    Inventor: Philip J. Bylsma
  • Patent number: 5908463
    Abstract: A fuel metering control system for an internal combustion engine having a plurality of cylinders. The system includes an air/fuel ratio sensor and engine operating condition detecting means for detecting engine operating conditions such as engine speed and engine load. The basic quantity of fuel injection is determined by retrieving mapped data according to the detected parameters. A plurality of controllers are provided all using outputs of the air/fuel ratio sensor. The controllers are configured to receive the sensor outputs through filters having different cutout frequency so as to avoid control interference therebetween.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 1995
    Date of Patent: June 1, 1999
    Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Shusuke Akazaki, Yusuke Hasegawa, Isao Komoriya, Hidetaka Maki, Yoichi Nishimura, Toshiaki Hirota
  • Patent number: 5899189
    Abstract: A method and system for adjusting the horsepower output of an internal combustion engine having an electronic control with programmable memory, at least one cylinder, and at least one fuel injector in fuel delivery communication with said cylinder. The method includesoperating the engine at full load until the engine reaches an equilibrium operating temperature and achieves an overall engine operating horsepower,sensing the overall engine operating horsepower andcomparing the overall engine operating horsepower to a target engine operating horsepower.Fuel dispensed by the fuel injectors to each cylinder individually sequentially is cut off and the change in overall engine horsepower output per each disabled cylinder is recorded.The fuel injector delivery output is adjusted based upon the percent deviation of overall engine horsepower output per cylinder and the overall engine horsepower percent deviation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 1997
    Date of Patent: May 4, 1999
    Assignee: Detroit Diesel Corporation
    Inventors: James W. Adelsperger, William R. Tritten, Jeffrey A. Lies
  • Patent number: 5896845
    Abstract: An engine for radio controlled models includes an internal combustion engine and a radio control receiver having a control unit for generating a fuel injection signal to control the supply of fuel to the internal combustion engine and a throttle adjusting signal to control an opening of a throttle value. The control unit provides a fuel injection signal based on fuel injection timing which is derived from a stroke signal and control unit provides a fuel injection timing signal to cause the fuel injector of the internal combustion engine to inject fuel into the combustion chamber of the engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 1997
    Date of Patent: April 27, 1999
    Assignee: Futaba Denshi Kogyo K.K.
    Inventors: Norio Matsuda, Michio Yamamoto
  • Patent number: 5893039
    Abstract: A catalytic reaction system for promoting hydrocarbon reduction during periods of fuel rich engine operation of a multicylinder internal combustion engine which operates from signals generated by a microprocessor based engine controller. Each cylinder is fueled by an injection means, signalled by the engine controller. The amount of fuel injected into each cylinder may be different, so that each cylinder can be operated at different fuel/air ratios. The microprocessor senses metered air intake, ambient temperatures, engine speed and exhaust gas oxygen content. The sensed information is used to calculate the amount of oxygen needed by the catalytic converter to efficiently remove hydrocarbons and by adjusting the fuel/air ratios in one or more cylinders, effects the quantity of oxygen fed to the exhaust gas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 1997
    Date of Patent: April 6, 1999
    Assignee: Precision Combustion, Inc.
    Inventor: William C. Pfefferle
  • Patent number: 5868118
    Abstract: A fuel injection control device for outboard motors optimizes the air-fuel ratio when trim is applied to the outboard motor, especially those with two-cycle engines. In such an outboard motor, engine speed, throttle setting, engine boost pressure, engine temperature, intake air temperature, and/or other variables are detected and a basic fuel injection volume determined. Fuel is supplied to each of the engine's cylinders according to the detected values. A trim angle detecting means is used to indicate trim angle. During low-speed operation, the trim angle is detected, and the magnitude of a change in the trim angle is calculated. The magnitude of the change in the trim angle is used to estimate the residual fuel volume within the engine. The estimated value is used to apply correction to the basic fuel injection volume following the change in the trim angle. As a result, during low-speed operation, an optimal air-to-fuel ratio can be obtained when the trim of the outboard device is changed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 1997
    Date of Patent: February 9, 1999
    Assignee: Suzuki Motor Corporation
    Inventor: Hidehiko Yoshioka
  • Patent number: 5848580
    Abstract: An improved apparatus and method for controlling fuel injection in an internal combustion engine. An EGR passage is connected to an intake duct for supplying exhaust gas, which has been discharged from a combustion chamber, to the intake duct. An EGR valve is located in the EGR passage to adjust the flow rate of the exhaust gas supplied to the intake duct from the EGR passage. An acceleration pedal adjusts the flow rate of the air supplied to the combustion chamber. An ECU computes the amount of fuel to be injected from a fuel injection valve based on the depression degree of the acceleration pedal and the engine speed when the exhaust gas is supplied to the intake duct from the EGR passage. The ECU computes the amount of fuel to be injected from the fuel injection valve based on the intake pressure and the engine speed when the exhaust gas is not supplied to the intake duct from the EGR passage. The ECU controls the fuel injection valve based on the computed fuel injection amount.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 15, 1998
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Zenichiro Mashiki
  • Patent number: 5832901
    Abstract: A fuel injection control apparatus for an internal combustion engine includes an electronic control unit (23) which has a fuel injection information calculating section for periodically calculating fuel injection information according to the operation state of the engine, a temporary setting section for temporarily setting fuel injection information derived at specific timing prior to the actuation of the fuel injection valve in a desired operation cycle as fuel injection information in the desired operation cycle, and a correcting section for correcting the temporally set fuel injection information based on fuel injection information derived at a correction timing set later than the specific timing; and a fuel injection valve driving section (34) for driving the fuel injection valves (8) provided for the respective cylinders of the engine for each operation cycle of the engine based on the fuel injection information, to thereby effect more adequate fuel injection control based on the newest fuel injection in
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 1996
    Date of Patent: November 10, 1998
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Jidosha Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Masato Yoshida, Kazumasa Iida, Katsunori Ueda, Katsuhiko Miyamoto
  • Patent number: 5826211
    Abstract: An ECU is equipped with multiple microprocessors. Each microprocessor has an erasable ROM. A communication port of a first microprocessor is connected via an external communication line to a memory overwriter while another communication port of the same microprocessor and a communication port of a second microprocessor are connected to each other via an internal communication line. Before overwriting the contents of the ROM, each microprocessor stores its own identification number whose value is obtained by incrementing the identification number received from the memory overwriter and sending the incremented identification number to the next stage microprocessor. In this way, there is no need to store the identification numbers beforehand in nonerasable memory regions inside the microprocessors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 1996
    Date of Patent: October 20, 1998
    Assignee: Denso Corporation
    Inventor: Masayuki Kobayashi
  • Patent number: 5819714
    Abstract: A method and system for adaptive transient fuel compensation in a cylinder of a multi-cylinder engine estimates fuel puddle dynamics for the cylinder by determining parameters of a wall-wetting model every engine cycle of the multi-cylinder engine. Fuel delivery to the cylinder is adjusted dependent on the estimated fuel puddle dynamics.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 1996
    Date of Patent: October 13, 1998
    Assignee: Motorola Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin J. Bush, Darren A. Schumacher
  • Patent number: 5813387
    Abstract: A change gear control device is provided for an automatic transmission in a motor vehicle propelled by an internal combustion engine which is operated with an air/fuel mixture having air/fuel ratios ranging from a fuel rich air/fuel ratio to a fuel lean air/fuel ratio depending on driving conditions of the motor vehicle. In this device a first detector detects an engine torque of the internal combustion engine and a second detector detects a vehicle speed of the motor vehicle. A processor processes transmission gear ratios for the automatic transmission.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 29, 1998
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Toshimichi Minowa, Hiroshi Kimura, Yoshiyuki Yoshida, Yoshishige Ohyama, Yutaka Nishimura