Abstract: A system and methods for inferring a local engine temperature based on various engine conditions input to a dynamic model are disclosed. In the example system provided, an inferential temperature sensor uses a trainable model to estimate a local metal temperature in an exhaust valve bridge of a cylinder head which thereby allows closed loop control of a coolant flow device independent from engine speed, engine state, coolant flow state or system temperature. In response to estimated local metal temperatures, the methods described further allow thermal management of the engine system to be optimized.

Abstract: A method for determining the quantity of fuel leaving an injector of a direct-injection diesel engine, the quantity of fuel supplying a cylinder of the engine in which a piston moves, the injection of fuel being performed by a pilot injection during which a first quantity of fuel is injected into the cylinder followed by a main injection during which a second quantity of fuel, greater than the first quantity of fuel, is injected into the cylinder, the method including the following steps: a) operating the engine at idle speed, b) determining the maximum pressure in the cylinder, and c) determining, from the maximum pressure, the quantity of fuel injected into the cylinder during the pilot injection, by way of a predefined one-to-one relationship, at idle speed, between a maximum pressure value in the cylinder and a quantity of fuel injected into the cylinder during the pilot injection.

Abstract: An internal combustion engine has a fuel pressure sensor, the measured value of which represents a fuel pressure in a fuel reservoir of the internal combustion engine. Fuel is metered from the fuel reservoir into a combustion chamber. In a predefined idle operating state (LBZ) of the internal combustion engine, a speed of the internal combustion engine is regulated so as to reach a specific idling speed. During the regulation process, a value of a manipulated variable for metering the fuel is determined, the value being required to reach the specific idling speed. Furthermore, it is concluded that the measured fuel pressure value contains an error (ERR) when the determined required value of the manipulated variable differs from a reference value (REF) predefined for the predefined idle operating state (LBZ) of the internal combustion engine by at least a given amount or factor.

Abstract: In a fuel injector, a body has formed therein a spray hole and a fuel supply passage. Fuel supplied to the fuel supply passage is delivered to the spray hole. A fuel pressure sensor produces a signal indicative of a pressure of the fuel. First terminals are attached to the fuel pressure sensor and include a terminal for outputting the signal. The fuel pressure sensor is threadedly installed in the body while the first terminals are rotated. A connector includes a housing attached to the body, and second terminals supported by the housing for external electric connection of the fuel pressure sensor. Wires are operative to establish electrical connection between the first terminals and the second terminals. A wire holder is configured to hold each of the plurality of wires at least partly around the fuel pressure sensor.

Abstract: A fuel pressure varies according to whether a fuel pressure sensor and a high-pressure pump have a malfunction or not. In view of this, a first threshold Perr1 is defined for determining whether the fuel pressure sensor has a malfunction and a second threshold Perr2 is defined for determining whether the high-pressure pump has a malfunction. The second threshold Perr2 is greater than the first threshold Perr1. By comparing a detection value of the fuel pressure sensor with the first and the second threshold, a malfunction in the fuel pressure sensor and a malfunction in the high-pressure pump are distinguished from each other. A first fail-safe control or a second fail-safe control is executed according to a portion having a malfunction.

Abstract: A fuel injection amount control apparatus of an embodiment according to the present invention comprises an air-fuel ratio sensor 56 which is disposed between an exhaust gas aggregated portion HK and a three-way catalyst 43, and which outputs an output value corresponding to an amount of oxygen and an amount of unburnt substances contained in an exhaust gas that has reached an exhaust-gas-side electrode layer via a porous layer (diffusion resistance layer). This control apparatus obtains an actual detected air-fuel ratio by correcting the output value of the air-fuel ratio sensor 56 based on an alcohol concentration of a fuel detected by the alcohol concentration sensor 59 and an air-fuel ratio imbalance indicating value representing a degree of a non-uniformity among cylinder-by-cylinder air-fuel ratios. The control apparatus feedback controls on a fuel amount in such a manner that the actual detected air-fuel ratio coincides with a target value.

Abstract: In an actuation method for a piezoactuator in an injector, an injection is triggered by controlling the piezoactuator to open and close the injection valve. An injection charge and discharge pulse each cause a change in length of the piezoactuator, which excites an oscillation system. After an idle time interval without injection, the steps for triggering an injection are repeated. At times t1 and t2 during the idle time interval tL, a damping charge current pulse and a damping discharge current pulse are applied, wherein the change in length which is generated by the damping charge and discharge current pulses are too small to activate the injection valve and to trigger an injection. The times t1 and t2 are selected such that excitation of the oscillation system by the pulses takes place in anti-phase with respect to the oscillation which is excited by the injection charge and discharge current pulse.

Abstract: A method and system for controlling an injection valve has the following steps: recording a voltage curve of a voltage present at a piezoelectric actuator of the injection valve and a time characteristic curve of an electric charge which is shifted in a circuit with the piezoelectric actuator during a reference injection, computationally determining a force curve of a force applied by the piezoelectric actuator to a moving closing element of the injection valve during the reference injection from the voltage curve and the time characteristic curve of the electric charge, determining a location of a maximum of the force curve,—specifying an activation time instant and/or an activation duration and/or an activation pulse intensity for at least one subsequent injection as a function of a time offset between an activation time instant selected for the reference injection and the maximum of the force curve.

Abstract: A method for operating an internal combustion engine includes monitoring signal output from a high-resolution torque sensor configured to monitor engine torque during ongoing operation, monitoring states of engine operating and control parameters associated with engine input parameters, and estimating a mass air charge for each cylinder event corresponding to the signal output from the high-resolution torque sensor and the states of engine operating and control parameters associated with the engine input parameters.

Abstract: A microcomputer of an alcohol concentration sensor reads a first measurement value corresponding to a first frequency and reads a second measurement value corresponding to a second frequency. The microcomputer calculates a difference between the first and second measurement values. The microcomputer performs stuck failure abnormality determination when a state where the difference between the measurement values is equal to or smaller than a predetermined value continues. The microcomputer outputs a PWM signal of a specific frequency, which is different from a frequency in a case of a normality, to an engine ECU. Thus, a failure of the alcohol concentration sensor can be surely determined.

Abstract: A fuel injector has an injector body and a control rod, which is movable in the injector body along an axis for controlling opening/closing of a nozzle that injects fuel in an engine cylinder; the injector body houses a metering servovalve, provided with a control chamber and with an open/close element of a balanced type, axial sliding of which causes a variation in pressure in the control chamber; the metering servovalve comprises a valve body made of two pieces coaxially coupled to one another via a deformable ring, which defines also a gasket for guaranteeing fluid tightness between the two pieces and maintains in a fixed position a disk on which a calibrated restriction is made.

Abstract: In a control device and a method for regulating a combustion process in an internal combustion engine, fuel is injected into the internal combustion engine for combustion, wherein exhaust gas is returned in an intake channel, wherein a combustion point of the combustion is detected, wherein the detected point of time is compared to a target value, wherein depending on the comparison result the injection is changed in order to move the combustion toward the target value, wherein part of the change of the injection is translated into an adaptation value for regulating the exhaust gas return in order to move the combustion in the direction of the target value.

Abstract: It is equipped with an injector body 4z which has formed therein high-pressure paths 6az, 6bz, and 6cz through which high-pressure fuel flows to a spray hole and stores therein a piezo-actuator 2z (i.e., an opening/closing mechanism) and a back-pressure control mechanism 3z (i.e., an opening/closing mechanism) which open or close the spray hole, a stem 51z (i.e., an elastic body) which is installed in said body 4z and elastically deformed when subjected to pressure of the high-pressure fluid, and a strain gauge 52z (i.e., a sensing device) which converts the degree of strain occurring at the stem 51z into an electric signal and outputs it as a measured-pressure signal. Specifically, the stain gauge 52z is installed on the stem 51z that is constructed as being separate from the body 4z.

Abstract: An electric circuit for triggering a piezoelectric element, in particular of a fuel injection system of a motor vehicle. Two transistors connected in series and triggerable using a clock pulse are provided, whose shared connecting point is coupled to the piezoelectric element and one of which is provided for discharging the piezoelectric element. In the event of an error, the transistor provided for discharging can be triggered using the clock pulse.

Abstract: A system configured to measure properties of fuel in a fuel tank includes a first measuring device configured to measure a first property of the fuel, a second measuring device configured to measure a second property of the fuel, and a processor connected to the first and second measuring devices. The processor is capable of communicating with a control device that controls an internal combustion engine to which the fuel in the fuel tank is supplied. The processor outputs first signals, a second signal, or both the first and second signals, the first signals indicating a first result measured by the first measuring device and a second result measured by the second measuring device, and the second signal being obtained by processing the first and second results.

Abstract: A method for closed-loop combustion control within an internal combustion engine, that includes, but is not limited to individual calculation of actual Start of Combustion (SoC) information for all cylinders of said internal combustion engine using information from a combustion sensor applied to the engine, calculation of 50% Mass Fraction Burned (MFB50) and SoC information using cylinder pressure sensor information available from at least one leading cylinder of the engine, using pressure-based MFB50 information from the at least one leading cylinder to control it in closed loop, and using pressure-based SoC information from said at least one leading cylinder as a reference value for comparison with the combustion sensor based value of SoC from the same cylinder in order to calculate the desired SoC for the other cylinders of the engine which are then controlled relative to said at least one leading cylinder.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for estimating the temperature of a gas pressure sensor attached to a wall of a turbocharged motor vehicle diesel engine, said sensor being positioned upstream of the turbine of the turbocharger. According to the invention, the temperature of the gas pressure sensor is estimated at least by measuring the temperature of the external air and the temperature of the wall to which the sensor is attached.

Abstract: An internal combustion engine can be operated by a fuel mixture consisting of a base fuel and an alternative fuel. Concentration values (ETH_PERC) of the alternative fuel are determined in at least two different ways for operating the internal combustion engine. A reliable concentration value of the alternative fuel is determined depending on the various determined concentration values (ETH_PERC).

Abstract: A piezoelectric-actuated fuel injector for injecting fuel into a combustion chamber of an internal combustion engine is provided which includes a piezoelectric actuator movable to expand in a first direction and movable to contract in a second direction opposite the first direction, and a hydraulic link assembly disposed within a nozzle cavity formed in a nozzle housing containing a nozzle valve element. The hydraulic link assembly is positioned close to the injector orifices to minimize needle valve element length and mass, thereby reducing seat impact forces and enhance response time. A refill valve operates to move into an open position to refill a hydraulic link chamber. An actuator power source operates to vary voltage to cause multiple injection pulses and to selectively maintain the voltage above a predetermined lower level between injection pulses to maintain the refill valve in a closed position to prevent refilling of the hydraulic link chamber.

Abstract: A stem is installed to an injector body and is resiliently deformable upon receiving a pressure of high pressure fuel conducted through a high pressure passage of the injector body. A strain gauge is installed to the stem to sense a strain generated in the stem. A molded IC device executes an amplifying operation, which amplifies a signal received from the strain gauge. The stem, the strain gauge and the molded IC device are integrally assembled together to form a fuel pressure sensing unit, which is installed to the injector body by threadably fastening a threaded portion, which is formed at the stem, to the injector body.

Abstract: A fuel injection device includes a fuel injection valve for injecting fuel, which is distributed from a pressure-accumulation vessel. A pressure sensor is located in a fuel passage, which extends from the pressure-accumulation vessel to a nozzle hole of the fuel injection valve. The pressure sensor is located closer to the nozzle hole than the pressure-accumulation vessel and configured to detect pressure of fuel. The fuel injection device further includes a storage unit for storing individual difference information, which indicates an injection characteristic of the fuel injection valve. The injection characteristic is obtained by an examination. The individual difference information indicates a relationship between an injection state when the fuel injection valve performs fuel injection and a fluctuation in detected pressure of the pressure sensor. The fluctuation is attributed to the fuel injection.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for adjusting injection, combustion and/or post-treatment parameters of an internal combustion engine with auto-ignition, characterized in that it comprises a step of determining the content and the type of biofuel present in the fuel feeding the injection system. The invention also relates to a motorization system and equipment for implementing this method, implementing a sensor for determining the content and the type of biofuel present in the fuel feeding the injection system.

Abstract: In a fuel injector, a body has formed therein a spray hole and a fuel supply passage. Fuel supplied to the fuel supply passage is delivered to the spray hole. A fuel pressure sensor produces a signal indicative of a pressure of the fuel. First terminals are attached to the fuel pressure sensor, and include a terminal for outputting the signal. The fuel pressure sensor is threadedly installed in the body while the plurality of first terminals are rotated about a preset axis. A connector includes a housing attached to the body, and second terminals supported by the housing for external electric connection of the fuel pressure sensor. Electrodes are each arranged to extend around the preset axis in a circular arc. Each of the electrodes electrically connects a corresponding one of the first terminals to a corresponding one of the second terminals.

Abstract: An injector includes a nozzle hole, a metal body including a high pressure passage inside the body, and a fuel pressure sensor attached to the body to detect fuel pressure. The sensor includes a metal flexure element resiliently deformed upon application of fuel pressure to the flexure element, and a sensor element that converts flexure in the flexure element into an electrical signal and outputs the signal as a pressure detection value. The body includes a sensor high pressure passage communicating with the flexure element, and a body side sealing surface on which the flexure element is pressed and closely-attached so that a clearance between the body and the flexure element is metal-to-metal sealed on the sealing surface. Carburizing treatment is performed on at least a part of the body that defines the sensor high pressure passage. The carburizing treatment is not performed on the sealing surface.

Abstract: A fuel injector for an internal combustion engine is provided. The fuel injector is equipped with a fuel pressure sensor which is installed in a metallic injector body. The fuel injector also includes an amplifier working to amplify an output of the fuel pressure sensor and a thermal insulating member disposed between the metallic injector body and the amplifier to shield the amplifier thermally, thereby ensuring the accuracy in measuring the pressure of fuel within the fuel injector.

Abstract: A stem is installed to an injector body and is resiliently deformable upon receiving a pressure of high pressure fuel conducted through a high pressure passage of the injector body. A strain gauge is installed to the stem to sense a strain generated in the stem. A molded IC device executes an amplifying operation, which amplifies a signal received from the strain gauge. A housing is installed to the stem and holds the molded IC device. The stem, the strain gauge the molded IC device and the housing are integrally assembled together to form a fuel pressure sensing unit, which is installed to the injector body by threadably fastening a threaded portion, which is formed at the housing, to the injector body.

Abstract: In a method to determine the temperature of a fuel in a common rail injection system of an engine, the fuel temperature at one place of the common rail injection system is calculated from a fuel temperature at another place of the common rail injection system.

Abstract: A stem is installed to an injector body and is resiliently deformable upon receiving a pressure of high pressure fuel conducted through a high pressure passage of the injector body. A strain gauge is installed to the stem to sense a strain generated in the stem. A molded IC device executes an amplifying operation, which amplifies a signal received from the strain gauge. A retainer is threadably fastened to the injector body and is configured to be rotatable relative to the stem. The stem, the strain gauge the molded IC device are integrally assembled together to form a fuel pressure sensing unit, which is installed to the injector body by threadably fastening a threaded portion of the retainer to the injector body.

Abstract: A method of determining whether a fault condition of an intake air temperature (IAT) sensor of an engine is present includes estimating a first manifold absolute pressure (MAP) based on a previously estimated first MAP and an estimated first mass air flow (MAF) as a function of the previously estimated first MAP and estimating a second MAP based on a previously estimated second MAP and a currently measured MAF. An IAT difference is determined based on the first MAP and the second MAP. Whether the fault condition of the IAT sensor is present is determined based on the IAT difference.

Abstract: It is equipped with an injector body 4z which has formed therein high-pressure paths 6az, 6bz, and 6cz through which high-pressure fuel flows to a spray hole and stores therein a piezo-actuator 2z (i.e., an opening/closing mechanism) and a back-pressure control mechanism 3z (i.e., an opening/closing mechanism) which open or close the spray hole, and a fuel pressure sensor 50z installed in the body 4z to measure the pressure of the high-pressure fuel. The body 4z has formed therein a branch path 6ez diverging from the high-pressure paths 6bz and 6cz to deliver the high-pressure fuel to the fuel pressure sensor 50z.

Abstract: To provide a multi-layer piezoelectric element that is improved to mitigate the decrease in the amount of displacement under such harsh operating conditions, the multi-layer piezoelectric element, the multi-layer piezoelectric element comprising: a stacked body comprising a plurality of piezoelectric material layers and a plurality of internal electrodes, the stacked body being formed by stacking the plurality of internal electrodes and the piezoelectric layers alternately on each other; and an external electrode formed on a side face of the stacked body, wherein the external electrode comprises a base portion and a first protrusion protruding from the base portion toward an outside.

Abstract: In an actuation method for a piezoactuator in an injector, an injection is triggered by controlling the piezoactuator to open and close the injection valve. An injection charge and discharge pulse each cause a change in length of the piezoactuator, which excites an oscillation system. After an idle time interval without injection, the steps for triggering an injection are repeated. At times t1 and t2 during the idle time interval tL, a damping charge current pulse and a damping discharge current pulse are applied, wherein the change in length which is generated by the damping charge and discharge current pulses are too small to activate the injection valve and to trigger an injection. The times t1 and t2 are selected such that excitation of the oscillation system by the pulses takes place in anti-phase with respect to the oscillation which is excited by the injection charge and discharge current pulse.

Abstract: A piezoelectric-actuated fuel injector for injecting fuel into a combustion chamber of an internal combustion engine is provided which includes a piezoelectric actuator movable to expand in a first direction and movable to contract in a second direction opposite the first direction, and a hydraulic link assembly disposed within said injector cavity. The hydraulic link assembly includes a hydraulic link barrel having an inner bore, a hydraulic link outer plunger positioned to slidably move in the inner bore, and a hydraulic link operatively connected to a needle valve to move the needle valve in the second direction toward the open position in response to movement of the piezoelectric actuator in the first direction. A hydraulic link inner plunger is attached to the needle valve and extends into a center bore of the hydraulic link outer plunger. Leakage control features and hydraulic link refill valves are also provided.

Abstract: A sensor structure capable of achieving both resistance to pollution and measurement performance such as humidity responsiveness is disclosed as is a multifunction sensor capable of facilitating integration of detecting devices for various physical quantities. The sensor structure includes a housing including a connector that mediates an input/output exchange with an outside and a terminal of the connector; and an electronic circuit board that is mounted inside of the housing and includes a humidity sensing element, the terminal of the connector and the electronic circuit board being electrically connected to each other, the sensor structure being inserted to be attached to an airflow tube through which a main air flows, via a seal material provided in the housing. The housing includes a plurality of bypass channels that each communicate an inside of the housing with an inside of the airflow tube.

Abstract: Systems and methods involving multiplexed engine control signals are provided. In this regard, a representative engine control system for a gas turbine engine includes: a signal relay device operative to receive multiplexed signals from an engine electronic control (EEC), demultiplex the signals, and provide demultiplexed signals to corresponding ones of multiple control devices of the engine.

Abstract: A charge control unit controls electricity charged to a piezo element, which is for actuating a backpressure control valve so as to control backpressure applied to a valve element for a fuel injection valve. The backpressure control valve is configured to start to decrease the backpressure to actuate the valve element to open an injection port of the fuel injection valve when voltage of the electricity exceeds a threshold. A charge unit increases the voltage by repeating increasing and decreasing a drive current, which is supplied to the piezo element, for multiple times for charging the piezo element. A switching unit alternates the increasing and the decreasing such that the voltage exceeds the threshold in an intermediate period in a middle of a specific increasing period among multiple increasing periods, in each of which the drive current increases.

Abstract: A method of operating a fuel injector including a piezoelectric actuator having a stack of piezoelectric elements, and wherein in use the injector communicates with a fuel rail, the method comprises: applying a discharge current to the actuator for a discharge period so as to discharge the stack from a first differential voltage level across the stack to a second differential voltage level across the stack; maintaining the second differential voltage level for a period of time; and applying a charge current to the actuator for a charge period so as to charge the stack from the second differential voltage level to a third differential voltage level; wherein the third differential voltage level is selected in dependence on at least two engine parameters, the at least two engine parameters selected from: rail pressure; the electric pulse time; and the piezoelectric stack temperature.

Abstract: A control device 10 for an internal combustion engine 80 includes an injector drive circuit 90 that drives an injector 30 that injects fuel and a temperature detection device that at least detects timing when a temperature condition that the temperature of the injector drive circuit 90 exceeds predetermined temperature is satisfied. The control device 10 includes a heat-generation-suppression control means 104 that performs control for suppressing the heat generation of the injector drive circuit 90. The heat-generation-suppression control means 104 selects, on the basis of a driving state of a vehicle, at least one parameter among an electric current applied to the injector, fuel pressure supplied to the injector 30, the number of revolutions of the internal combustion engine, and voltage from a battery to be boosted and performs control for limiting a value of the selected parameter on the basis of the timing.

Abstract: A method and system for controlling an injection valve has the following steps: recording a voltage curve of a voltage present at a piezoelectric actuator of the injection valve and a time characteristic curve of an electric charge which is shifted in a circuit with the piezoelectric actuator during a reference injection, computationally determining a force curve of a force applied by the piezoelectric actuator to a moving closing element of the injection valve during the reference injection from the voltage curve and the time characteristic curve of the electric charge, determining a location of a maximum of the force curve,—specifying an activation time instant and/or an activation duration and/or an activation pulse intensity for at least one subsequent injection as a function of a time offset between an activation time instant selected for the reference injection and the maximum of the force curve.

Abstract: A charge control unit controls electricity charged to a piezo element, which is for actuating a backpressure control valve so as to control backpressure applied to a valve element for a fuel injection valve. The backpressure control valve is configured to start to decrease the backpressure to actuate the valve element to open an injection port of the fuel injection valve when voltage of the electricity exceeds a threshold. A charge unit increases the voltage by repeating increasing and decreasing a drive current, which is supplied to the piezo element, for multiple times for charging the piezo element. A switching unit alternates the increasing and the decreasing such that the voltage exceeds the threshold in an intermediate period in a middle of a specific increasing period among multiple increasing periods, in each of which the drive current increases.

Abstract: A fuel injection amount control apparatus controlling an amount of fuel supplied to an internal combustion engine is disclosed. An intake passage extends from the engine, and the intake passage is branched into a plurality of branch passages in an upstream section. The apparatus includes a plurality of intake air temperature sensors and an ECU. Each of the intake air temperature sensors is provided in one of the intake passages and detects an intake air temperature in the corresponding intake passage. The ECU selects an intake air temperature that most directly expresses the engine state or the environment from the intake air temperatures detected by the intake air temperature sensors. The ECU controls the amount of the fuel supplied to the engine by using the selected intake air temperature.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for determining the instantaneous rate of the mass flow of a flow of a fluid pulsating periodically at a frequency f, said method comprising the following steps: a) a pressure gradient in the flow over a certain period (P) is determined, b) the harmonic amplitude of the pressure gradient is calculated by means of Fourier transformation, c) the frequency f and the time t are converted into dimensionless numbers F, t and d) the rate of the mass flow is determined using a table from which at least one corresponding value describing the mass flow rate and/or a phase difference can be deduced for each dimensionless number F of the frequency f.

Abstract: A piezoactuator of monolithic multilayer design with an overall stack has at least one piezoelectrically active partial stack with piezoceramic layers arranged one above another and electrode layers arranged between these layers, at least one piezoelectrically inactive terminating region arranged above the partial stack, and at least one transition region arranged between the partial stack and the terminating region.

Abstract: The control apparatus for the internal combustion engine includes: a unit for detecting the change in the alcohol concentration of a fuel supplied to the internal combustion engine including a plurality of cylinders; a unit for detecting an air-fuel ratio variation between the plurality of cylinders; a unit for making the failure diagnosis when the air-fuel ratio variation between the plurality of cylinders exceeds a predetermined threshold value; and a unit for inhibiting the failure diagnosis executed based on the air-fuel ratio variation between the plurality of cylinders when the change in the alcohol concentration is detected.

Abstract: A piezoelectric-actuated fuel injector for injecting fuel into a combustion chamber of an internal combustion engine is provided which includes a piezoelectric actuator movable to expand in a first direction and movable to contract in a second direction opposite the first direction, and a hydraulic link assembly disposed within said injector cavity. The hydraulic link assembly includes a hydraulic link barrel having an inner bore, a hydraulic link outer plunger positioned to slidably move in the inner bore, and a hydraulic link operatively connected to a needle valve to move the needle valve in the second direction toward the open position in response to movement of the piezoelectric actuator in the first direction. A hydraulic link inner plunger is attached to the needle valve and extends into a center bore of the hydraulic link outer plunger. Leakage control features and hydraulic link refill valves are also provided.

Abstract: A piston aircraft engine assembly includes a piston aircraft engine, a fuel source, and a control system adapted to deliver fuel from the fuel source to the piston aircraft engine. The control system includes a mass airflow sensing apparatus adapted provide a pressure signal, an electronic engine controller coupled to the mass airflow sensing apparatus, and a set of fuel injectors. The electronic engine controller is adapted to (i) receive the pressure signal from the mass airflow sensing apparatus and (ii) generate a set of fuel injector signals based on the pressure signal received from the mass airflow sensing apparatus. The set of fuel injectors is adapted to meter the fuel in response to the set of fuel injector signals generated by the electronic engine controller.

Abstract: A method for operating an injection system, in particular an injection system of an internal combustion engine having piezoelectrically triggered injectors, in which a basic voltage is applied to the injectors in the closed state, and a bottom voltage is applied to open them. The bottom voltage is individually adjusted for each injector.

Abstract: A fuel pressure sensor/sensor mount assembly for use in a fuel injection system equipped with fuel injectors which inject fuel, as supplied from an accumulator through fuel pipes, into a multi-cylinder internal combustion engine mounted in an engine compartment of a vehicle. The assembly includes a connector unit and fuel pressure sensors. The connector unit has formed therein a plurality of communication paths each of which is to establish a connection between one of the fuel injectors and the accumulator through one of the fuel pipes. The connector unit also has formed therein sensor mounts exposed to the communication paths. Each of the fuel pressure sensors is disposed in the sensor mount to measure the pressure of the fuel in the communication path. This structure permits steps of installing the fuel pressure sensors within the engine compartment to be decreased and ensures desired measurement accuracy of the fuel pressure sensors.

Abstract: The fuel injection amounts into each cylinder are set on the assumption that a heavy fuel will be injected during the engine starting process, and a specific torque is allowed to be generated by combustion in a specific cylinder when a fuel with a specific property between those of the heaviest fuel and the lightest fuel is injected thereinto. When the torque generated in the specific cylinder is in a range at or around the specific torque, the property level of fuel to be injected during the engine starting process is determined to be in a level range at or around the specific property. When the torque generated in the specific cylinder is higher than the range around the specific torque, the property level is determined to be in a level range on the light fuel side of the level range around the specific property.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for utilizing any arbitrary mixture ratio of multiple fuel gases having differing combustion characteristics, such as natural gas and hydrogen gas, within an internal combustion engine. The gaseous fuel composition ratio is first sensed, such as by thermal conductivity, infrared signature, sound propagation speed, or equivalent mixture differentiation mechanisms and combinations thereof which are utilized as input(s) to a “multiple map” engine control module which modulates selected operating parameters of the engine, such as fuel injection and ignition timing, in response to the proportions of fuel gases available so that the engine operates correctly and at high efficiency irrespective of the gas mixture ratio being utilized. As a result, an engine configured according to the teachings of the present invention may be fueled from at least two different fuel sources without admixing constraints.