Having Engine Component Position Sensor Patents (Class 123/612)
  • Patent number: 10975826
    Abstract: A method for engine start control based on a failsafe logic includes performing, by an engine control unit, calculated information failsafe control for performing miscalculation verification for a submodule start angle of a submodule using a start angle for fuel injection and ignition of an engine as a driver start angle of an injector driver.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2021
    Assignees: HYUNDAI MOTOR COMPANY, KIA MOTORS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Chang-Jin Oh, Jung-Suk Han
  • Patent number: 10968605
    Abstract: An embodiment of this invention provides a swivel joint for a working machine that makes it easy to install a device for detecting rotation angle and is able to suppress the increase of the size due to the installation of the device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2021
    Assignee: Caterpillar SARL
    Inventors: Taro Kawamura, Takashi Sasajima
  • Patent number: 10746113
    Abstract: Disclosed is to a method for compensating noise of a crank sensor in a vehicle. When noise is applied to a crank sensor, information of a crank is predicted based on information input up to now without canceling engine synchronization. The method for compensating noise of a crank sensor includes: judging an engine stroke based on an ignition angle and, based on amount of compensation determined accordingly, creating virtual information of a crank, when judgment of fault of crank signal occurs discontinuously.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2020
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Jung-Suk Han, Hyeok-Jun Kwon
  • Patent number: 10101180
    Abstract: The embodiments described herein include systems with a variable reluctance sensor (VRS) interface and methods of their operation. Embodiments of VRS interfaces include a clearing signal generator configured to generate a clearing signal corresponding with the timing of a noise event. The clearing signal may be configured to clear a post-processing circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2018
    Assignee: NXP USA, INC.
    Inventors: Mike R. Garrard, William E. Edwards
  • Patent number: 9856842
    Abstract: A fuel injection device includes a nozzle needle, an actuator for actuating the nozzle needle, a force sensor for detecting a force applied by the actuator, and a control unit which is connected to the force sensor. The force sensor supplies signals to the control unit and the control unit is designed for determining a position of the nozzle needle and for precisely determining an injected fuel quantity, based on the supplied signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2018
    Assignee: ROBERT BOSCH GMBH
    Inventors: Gernot Wuerfel, Ingo Pietsch, Ingo Kerkamm, Andreas Jakobi
  • Patent number: 9559546
    Abstract: A charging device containing a support beam and a substantially planar housing may be configured to maintain an angle of under 90 degrees with respect to a flat surface that the charging device is placed on. The charging device may contain an inductive charging component that charges a mobile device in connection with the charging device. One or more magnets also contained in the charging device may enable the connection to a mobile device and may also facilitate the charging device rolling towards a mobile device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2017
    Assignee: Google Inc.
    Inventor: Vincent Claudepierre
  • Patent number: 9316509
    Abstract: A method of measuring direction of rotation of a tappet of an engine valve train. Two opposing notches are machined or otherwise formed in the outer surface of the tappet. Two sensors proximate the outer surface of the tappet are operable to detect the change in distance resulting from the notches as the tappet rotates. There is a predetermined difference angle of separation between the arc distance between the notches and the arc distance between the sensors. Each sensor outputs a square wave output having pulses whose width represents detection of the notches by the sensor. The location of the pulses of the two square wave outputs is compared to determine direction of rotation of the tappet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2016
    Assignee: SOUTHWEST RESEARCH INSTITUTE
    Inventors: Gregory A. T. Hansen, Peter M. Lee
  • Patent number: 8813733
    Abstract: When throttle lever is pulled with the rotation lock member of the engine-powered tool in a state in which rotation of rear handle is permitted, the electrode terminal provided on the rotation lock member and the electrode terminal provided on throttle lever contact each other. As a result of this contact, the two output terminals of the engine generator are short-circuited, the supply of electric power to the ignition device from the engine generator is stopped and the supply of electric power from the ignition device to sparkplug in the engine is stopped. Through this, operation of the blade is prevented when rotating rear handle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2014
    Assignee: Hitachi Koki Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Fukushi Tamura, Shigetoshi Ishida
  • Patent number: 8688351
    Abstract: The timing of a controlled event is advanced or retarded in an IC engine by emulating the engine speed and position signal pattern prior to transmission of that signal pattern to an output such as a fuel injector. In a multi-controller engine in which a second controller is controlled at least in part by signals delivered by first controller, the signal preferably is emulated in the first controller prior to transmission to the second engine controller in order to allow the shifting of a timing of a controlled event without direct data transfer from the second controller to the first controller. The technique is particularly well-suited for controlling diesel fuel injection in a dual fuel or other multi-fuel engine. In this case, the first controller must be a dual fuel controller and the second controller may be a diesel controller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2014
    Assignee: Clean Air Power, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert Oalen, Hoi Ching Wong
  • Patent number: 8656898
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for controlling a glow plug to a target value of the surface temperature while the engine is running. An effective voltage is generated by pulse width modulation of a vehicle electrical system voltage. This effective voltage is applied to the glow plug. The electric resistance of the glow plug is measured and compared to a resistance value expected for the target value of the surface temperature. The effective voltage is varied as a function of the deviation of the measured value of the electric resistance from the expected value of the electric resistance. A pressure sensor of the glow plug is used to measure the combustion chamber pressure. The resistance value expected for the target value of the surface temperature is determined as a function of the combustion chamber pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2014
    Assignee: Borgwarner Beru Systems GmbH
    Inventors: Martin Sackmann, Bernd Last, Marc Rottner, Hans Houben, Olaf Toedter
  • Publication number: 20130186379
    Abstract: A distributorless ignition kit is provided for retrofitting an existing engine having a distributor mounted in a distributor opening. The distributorless ignition kit comprises a coil pack having a series of spark plug wire terminals. A mounting bracket is provided for mounting the coil pack to the engine or adjacent the engine. A modified crankshaft pulley having a series of circumferentially spaced timing notches is provided in the kit. Further, there is provided a VR sensor that is adapted to be mounted adjacent the modified crankshaft pulley. A bracket is provided for mounting the VR sensor adjacent the modified crankshaft pulley. In order to direct firing signals from the VR sensor to the coil pack, there is provided a VR sensor cord that connects the VR sensor and the coil pack.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 13, 2013
    Publication date: July 25, 2013
    Applicant: Axiom Automotive Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Rickey Patterson, Jeffrey Schrupp
  • Patent number: 8387589
    Abstract: A rotary actuator comprises a housing with an output shaft extending from the housing. There is a magnet disposed on the output shaft and the output shaft is coupled to an actuator arm. A motor rotates the output shaft. A position sensor mounted on a circuit board determines the position of the output shaft based on the position of the magnet. A position of the actuator arm may be determined based on the rotating position of the output shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2013
    Assignee: Marine Canada Acqusition Inc.
    Inventors: Ray Tat Lung Wong, Neil Garfield Allyn
  • Publication number: 20120291764
    Abstract: An engine ignition control device comprising: a start-up ignition controller having a function for preventing the occurrence of kickback by either delaying an ignition position of an engine or stopping ignition; start-up rotation angle detection means for detecting a rotation angle of a crankshaft of the engine after initiation of a start-up operation of the engine; and switching means for switching control specifics of the start-up ignition controller in accordance with the detected start-up rotation angle so that when the detected start-up rotation angle is less than a set angle, there is created a kickback-preventive effect within a range at which engine startability is not compromised, and when the detected start-up rotation angle is equal to or greater than the set angle, there is created a kickback-preventive effect that is greater than the kickback-preventive effect for when the start-up rotation angle is equal to or less than the set angle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 27, 2010
    Publication date: November 22, 2012
    Applicant: KOKUSAN DENKI CO., LYTD.
    Inventors: Hiroyasu Sato, Kiyoshi Uemura, Tomoaki Sekita
  • Patent number: 8204641
    Abstract: The traction motor control apparatus has a correction means for correcting an error included in a rotation detection signal outputted from a rotation angle sensor and outputting it as corrected rotation data for control of a motor. The correction means includes a rotation time predicting section configured to predict a predicted time necessary for the motor to rotate by a predetermined reference angle on the basis of a time having been elapsed for the motor to rotate by a predetermined angle, the time being calculated from the rotation detection signal outputted from the rotation angle sensor, a predicted rotation data generating section configured to generate a predicted rotation angle of the motor on the basis of the predicted time, and a corrected data updating section configured to update the corrected rotation data presently being outputted from the correction means in accordance with the predicted rotation angle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2012
    Assignee: Denso Corporation
    Inventors: Eiichiro Kawakami, Shigenori Mori
  • Patent number: 8100104
    Abstract: An internal combustion engine crankshaft assembly includes a crankshaft having an output device, such as a flywheel or crankshaft damper, fastened to the crankshaft. An electronic engine control device is positioned between the crankshaft and the output device. The electronic engine control device includes a generally planar base which contacts both the output device and the crankshaft. The planar base is coated with a pressure-responsive friction-promoting material which causes the output device to be torsionally locked with respect to the crankshaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2012
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies
    Inventors: Leon A. Widdall, Rick L. Williams, Patrick B. Morgan
  • Publication number: 20110220073
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for controlling a glow plug to a target value of the surface temperature while the engine is running, wherein an effective voltage is generated by pulse width modulation of a vehicle electrical system voltage and this effective voltage is applied to the glow plug, the electric resistance of the glow plug is measured and compared to a resistance value expected for the target value of the surface temperature, and the effective voltage is varied as a function of the deviation of the measured value of the electric resistance from the expected value of the electric resistance. According to the invention, a pressure sensor of the glow plug is used to measure the combustion chamber pressure and the resistance value expected for the target value of the surface temperature is determined as a function of the combustion chamber pressure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 9, 2011
    Publication date: September 15, 2011
    Applicant: BorgWarner BERU Systems GmbH
    Inventors: Martin Sackmann, Bernd Last, Marc Rottner, Hans Houben, Olaf Toedter
  • Patent number: 7997255
    Abstract: An engine ignition control apparatus for controlling ignition of a multi-cylinder, 4-cycle engine includes dual ignition coils for controlling ignition timing of the respective cylinders during engine operation. The engine ignition control apparatus includes a stroke determination unit for determining a stroke based on crank pulses and on an output signal of an intake pressure sensor. The engine ignition control apparatus also includes an ignition map allocation unit for allocating ignition maps to the respective cylinders of two ignition systems, each having a pair of cylinders with a same phase, before the stroke determination. The ignition map allocation unit also allocates ignition maps independently to each of the respective cylinders after the stroke determination. The engine ignition control apparatus also includes an ignition timing calculation unit for calculating ignition timing of the respective ignition coils based on the ignition maps allocated to the respective cylinders.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2011
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yukihiro Asada, Kenichi Machida
  • Patent number: 7980218
    Abstract: In a pump driving device in an engine, driving a pump shaft of a pump mounted to an engine body by a valve-operating cam shaft supported by the engine body, a bolt is threadedly engaged with one end of the cam shaft, the bolt having a head portion in which a polygonal hole is formed, and a polygonal shaft portion is formed at one end of the pump shaft so as to be fitted into the polygonal hole. The pump shaft is driven by the cam shaft via the polygonal hole and the polygonal shaft portion. Thus, a large driving torque can be transmitted from the cam shaft to the pump shaft without reducing any effective support surface of a journal portion of the cam shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2011
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Masanori Tsubouchi
  • Patent number: 7661412
    Abstract: A method of controlling the startup of an engine using a sensor having a reference index, commanding the rotation of the crankshaft, detecting the rotation of the crankshaft, selecting a group of cylinders for which the reference index is detected less than a half-turn of the crankshaft before the piston reaches the top dead center, before the inlet valves of the selected group of cylinders closes, commanding the injectors of the selected group of cylinders, detecting the reference index, and commanding the ignition element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2010
    Assignee: Continental Automotive France
    Inventors: Thibault Kein, Laure Carbonne
  • Publication number: 20090229562
    Abstract: A control system for an engine comprises an air per cylinder (APC) generating module that generates measured and desired APC values. A combustion transition module selectively transitions the engine from spark ignition (SI) combustion to homogeneous charge compression ignition (HCCI) combustion and from HCCI combustion to SI combustion. A spark control module selectively retards spark during the transitions based on a ratio of the measured APC value and the desired APC value. Alternately, spark retard can be based on measured and desired engine torque representing values (ETRVs).
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 12, 2008
    Publication date: September 17, 2009
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Vijay Ramappan, Allen B. Rayl, Jun-Mo Kang, Peter Kafarnik, Matthew A. Wiles, Hanho Yun
  • Publication number: 20090064950
    Abstract: A valve control system for an internal combustion engine includes a valve actuation system. The valve actuation system includes lift control valves that actuate at least one of an intake valve and an exhaust valve between N open lift modes, where N is an integer greater than one. A control module enables transitioning of at least one of the intake valve and the exhaust valve between the open lift modes. The control module synchronizes transitions between the N open lift modes with crankshaft and valvetrain timing. The control module generates an engine position synchronization signal based on the transitioning.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 4, 2008
    Publication date: March 12, 2009
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventor: Allen B. Rayl
  • Patent number: 7475682
    Abstract: Method for determining the timing of an indirect injection internal combustion engine, in which the following steps are performed: use is made of a first sensor (2) including a target (6) connected to the crankshaft and having a plurality of marks (8), use is made of a second sensor (12) including a target (16) connected to the camshaft and having: a plurality of teeth (D1, D2, D3), a plurality of gaps (C1, C2, C3), and a plurality of fronts (F1, F2, F3, F4, F5, F6) separating the teeth (D1, D2, D3) and the gaps (C1, C2, C3), the engine is turned over from a starting position, the marks (8) on the target (6) of the first sensor (2)are counted, the fronts (F1, F2, F3, F4, F5, F6) on the target of the second sensor are detected, this is used to deduce the engine timing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2009
    Assignee: Continental Automotive France
    Inventors: Frédéric Galtier, Bruno Nicolas, Cédric Vedel, Franz Dietl
  • Patent number: 7475672
    Abstract: An apparatus for producing an ignition spark in an internal combustion engine. The apparatus comprises an inductive ignition device having a primary coil and a secondary coil, flow of current through the primary coil being controlled by an electronic switching element (e.g., a transistor) responsive to a triggering signal. A rotatable body (e.g., the engine flywheel) having detectable features on a periphery thereof is also provided. A sensor device is located adjacent to the rotatable body at a fixed position and is operative to produce an output in response to the detectable features. The apparatus also includes a controller operative to receive an output from the sensor device and responsively produce the triggering signal so as to have a selected dwell time and ignition position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2009
    Assignee: R.E. Phelon Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Larry O. Gray, David W. Canestrari, Bryant K. McLaughlin
  • Publication number: 20080196697
    Abstract: A method of controlling the start-up of an engine in which: an engine is used including: a plurality of cylinders in each of which a piston slides, a crankshaft linked with the pistons, inlet valves and exhaust valves, injectors, ignition element, there is used a sensor having a reference index, the rotation of the crankshaft is commanded, the rotation of the crankshaft is detected, a group of cylinders is selected for which the reference index is detected less than a half-turn of the crankshaft before the piston reaches the top dead center, before the inlet valves of the selected group of cylinders closes, the injectors of the selected group of cylinders are commanded, the reference index is detected, the ignition element is commanded.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 7, 2006
    Publication date: August 21, 2008
    Applicant: SIEMENS VDO AUTOMOTIVE
    Inventors: Thibault Kein, Laure Carbonne
  • Patent number: 7359789
    Abstract: The invention provides a control system for an internal combustion engine of a vehicle. The control system includes a sensor controller and an engine controller. The sensor controller includes a first interface configured to be connected to a sensor coupled to the engine, a first one or more components to provide power regulation and electromagnetic compatibility for the sensor controller, a second interface configured to be connected to a local communication bus of the vehicle, and a first processor and memory configurable to provide control and diagnostics of the sensor. The engine controller includes a third interface configured to be connected to the local communication bus, a second one or more components to provide power regulation and electromagnetic compatibility for the engine controller, and a second processor and memory configurable to control at least one aspect of the internal combustion engine based on information from the sensor controller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2008
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Vincent Hackel, Claus Schnabel, David Zevchak
  • Patent number: 7165538
    Abstract: A method and a device for operating an internal combustion engine having at least two cylinder banks are provided, each of the at least two cylinder banks having an air supply with an individual compressor, and a coordination of the compressors is possible in a simple and precise manner. In this context, a shared setpoint value is predefined for a characteristic variable for the rotational speed of a first compressor in a first air supply of a first cylinder bank, and a characteristic variable for the rotational speed of a second compressor in a second air supply of a second cylinder bank. An actual value of the characteristic variable for the rotational speed of the first compressor and an actual value for the characteristic variable for the rotational speed of the second compressor are corrected to the shared setpoint value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2007
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventor: Uwe Kassner
  • Patent number: 7152562
    Abstract: A motorcycle engine's ignition system controls the spark that ignites the fuel in a cylinder. The ignitition system routes high-voltage pulses to individual cylinders of a motorcycle engine in the correct sequence and with precise timing. A timing structure is provided that allows timing adjustment to be made externally without the invasive procedures used in a motorcycle shop.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2006
    Inventor: Rod Anderson
  • Patent number: 6854455
    Abstract: A rotation angle detector for detecting the angular position of a shaft, i.e. a camshaft or a camshaft of an internal combustion engine, includes a rotatable detector wheel coupled to the shaft. Markings of a first type are distributed along a periphery of the detector wheel and are detectable by a sensor for determining a relative rational angle. Markings of a second type are also distributed over the periphery of the detector wheel. The markings of the second type are distinguishable from each other for determining an absolute rotational angle of the shaft or for determining selection of a combustion chamber for injection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2005
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Uwe Lingener
  • Patent number: 6840236
    Abstract: To accurately detect occurrence of erroneous detection of a crank pulse associated with dropout of a crank pulse or occurrence of noise. A cogless section is provided in cogs provided on an outer periphery of a crankshaft for transmitting a crank pulse. Occurrence of erroneous detection of a crank pulse is detected through use of an instantaneous rotational speed of the crankshaft computed from a crank pulse assigned to the cogless section and crank pulses assigned to cogs before and after the cogless section. When too few crank pulses are detected, a rapid increases arises in the instantaneous rotational speed of the crankshaft computed from the crank pulses after occurrence of a rapid decrease. The number of detected cramp pulses—which are fewer than the original crank pulses—is detected from the number of crank pulses existing between occurrence of a rapid decrease and occurrence of a rapid increase.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2005
    Assignee: Yamaha Hatsudoki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Michiyasu Takahashi, Hitoshi Hasegawa, Yuichiro Sawada
  • Patent number: 6827063
    Abstract: For the establishment of a crank-angle based signal pattern with high discrimination representing a relevant working characteristic of an internal combustion engine, the working characteristic is detected with high time discrimination and with the aid of a time-based and angled-based crank-angle signal of low angle discrimination and transformed to a crank-angle basis under interpolation, and whereby there is assigned to the top dead center (OT) of the respective cylinder, by a multiple, a freely selectable angle increment under interpolation with high angle discrimination.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2004
    Assignee: AVL List GmbH
    Inventors: Bernhard Breitegger, Eduard Unger, Christian Roduner, Alois Fürhapter
  • Patent number: 6809513
    Abstract: A rotary position sensor includes a cylindrical housing having a partition wall which divides the interior of the housing into a first storing space and a second storing space. The first storing space stores a rotating mechanism and is closed with a first cover in such a manner that a shaft portion of a rotating member projects outside, and the second storing space stores an electrical circuit component and is closed with a second cover. A magnet included in the rotating mechanism is disposed at a position close to the partition wall, and a giant magnetoresistive element included in the electrical circuit component is disposed in a recess formed in the partition wall. Thus, the rotating mechanism and the electrical circuit component are completely separated from each other by the partition wall, so that a complex sealing process is not necessary and the detection accuracy can be increased.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2004
    Assignee: Alps Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kyuichiro Terui, Hirofumi Okumura
  • Patent number: 6612296
    Abstract: An engine control apparatus for preventing erroneous cylinder identification by clearing cylinder identification information upon detection of on/off operation of a starter (50) includes a sensor (32) for generating crank angle pulse signals with dropout portions corresponding to reference positions defined by tooth dropout sections provided in an angular position detecting member (31), a sensor (22) for generating cylinder identifying pulse signals, an electronic control unit (40) for identifying cylinders of the engine (10) and crank angle positions on the basis of sensor output signals. The electronic control unit (40) includes means for detecting changeover of driving/non-driving states of the starter (50), means for detecting an engine rotation speed (NE), and cylinder identification information invalidating means responsive for changeover of the starter driving states in an engine starting operation to inhibit the information from being employed in succeeding cylinder identification.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2003
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Shiro Yonezawa, Tomokazu Makino, Eiji Kanazawa, Takou Watanuki
  • Publication number: 20030075142
    Abstract: In one embodiment, the present invention is directed to a method of igniting a fuel charge of a Gasoline Direct Injection engine. The method of this embodiment includes providing an ignition pulse to an ignitor, the pulse having a duration of at least 1 &mgr;s and an average power of at least 500W.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 16, 2002
    Publication date: April 24, 2003
    Inventor: Artur P. Suckewer
  • Patent number: 6460526
    Abstract: A method is disclosed for controlling spark distribution for an internal combustion engine. The method incorporates the use of an electronic distributor that is capable of being used with a number of internal combustion engines. The electronic distributor receives signals from the crankshaft and the camshaft with respect to their respective locations to identify which of the cylinders is to have the fuel found therein ignited. The electronic distributor is versatile because it uses the crankshaft position sensor as a clock signal. This enables the electronic distributor to be timed with any engine control unit/internal combustion engine combination having the same required inputs as the electronic distributor has outputs. Further, an electronic distributor is disclosed having an engine selection device that matches a counter incorporated into the electronic distributor to the internal combustion engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2002
    Assignee: TCI Automotive, L.L.C.
    Inventor: Lance M. Ward
  • Publication number: 20020112711
    Abstract: A rotor has teeth on a rotor body. The teeth indicate fixed ignition timings for both of normal and reverse rotations. The teeth also indicate beginning positions of a calculation ignition sequence and an excess advanced ignition sequence for both of the normal and reverse rotations. One of the teeth is longer than the other teeth to provide a signal for determining a rotating direction based on a detected signal from a timing sensor. In a stable rotating condition, a countdown process begins when the beginning position located on the forward side in the rotating direction from the cylinder to be ignited is detected, and the spark plug of the target cylinder sparks when the counting process finished.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 31, 2002
    Publication date: August 22, 2002
    Inventor: Shigeyuki Ohira
  • Publication number: 20020073981
    Abstract: An internal combustion engine, particularly suitable for a motor vehicle, is provided with a plurality of combustion cylinders, at least a first exhaust manifold and a second exhaust manifold and at least one intake manifold. Each exhaust manifold is coupled with a plurality of the combustion cylinders. Each intake manifold is coupled with a plurality of the combustion cylinders. A first turbocharger includes a first turbine having at least one inlet and an outlet, and a first compressor having an inlet and an outlet. The at least one first turbine inlet is fluidly coupled with the first exhaust manifold. A second turbocharger includes a second turbine having an inlet and an outlet, and a second compressor having an inlet and an outlet. The second turbine inlet is fluidly coupled with the second exhaust manifold and includes a controllable, variable intake nozzle. The first compressor outlet is fluidly coupled with the second compressor inlet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2000
    Publication date: June 20, 2002
    Inventors: Gerald N. Coleman, James J. Faletti, Dennis D. Feucht, David A. Pierpont
  • Patent number: 6202634
    Abstract: In the case of a process for recognizing the ignition cycle of a defined cylinder during the start of an internal-combustion engine in motor vehicles using a crankshaft angle sensor which interacts with a crankshaft generator gear equipped with teeth and with a reference mark, a camshaft angle sensor for differentiating between the ignition cycle and the exhaust cycle of the cylinders, and an electronic control unit, the high levels and the low levels as well as the descending and the ascending edges of the signal of the camshaft angle sensor are analyzed in the control unit and are related to the signal of the crankshaft sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2001
    Assignee: Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Norbert Siegl
  • Patent number: 6119666
    Abstract: A device for controlling a multi-cylinder internal combustion engine with a rotatable shaft has a transmitter wheel mountable on the rotatable shaft and having a number of uniform spaced angular marks spaced and at least one reference mark which as a synchronization mark for forming control pulses for the internal combustion engine, a sensor which senses the transmission wheel and supplies a rectangular output signal corresponding to its surface, a computing device which evaluates the output signal and compares time intervals of uniform signal flanks with one another or sets them relative to one another in a certain ratio, to recognize the reference mark, and after a first recognition of the reference mark occurrence of the reference mark by counting of the uniform signal flanks is recognized and in addition the distance of the signal flanks is tested and thereby the recognized reference mark is tested for plausibility, an error counter arranged so that when a non plausibility is recognized it is incremented
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2000
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Werner Fischer, Kai-Lars Barbehoen
  • Patent number: 6098604
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a cylinder identifying device to identify the cylinder or cylinders of a running internal combustion engine in a specific stroke, and more particularly to a cylinder identifying device for internal combustion engines suitable for automotive use. A signal plate for detecting revolutions, fitted to the camshaft, is provided with two signal generating means per cylinder; a cylinder identifying signal is added before said two signals; and two sensors are so arranged as to have a phase difference from the detection of said projection. Bit patterns are prepared from the outputs of these two sensors correspondingly to individual cylinders, and cylinder identification is accomplished according to the combination of these patterns.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2000
    Assignees: Hitachi, Ltd., Hitachi Car Engineering Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Mamoru Nemoto, Masami Nagano, Hiroto Ishikawa
  • Patent number: 5921211
    Abstract: An adjustable interlocking ignition rotor device 10 includes a first member 12 having a plurality of orifices 34 radially positioned around the axis of the first member 12, a second member 14 having a plurality of orifices 56 radially positioned around the axis of the second member 14, and an index screw 16 to secure the first member 12 to the second member 14. The first and second members 12 and 14 are secured to a base portion of a distributor assembly or one end of a crankshaft to adjust the timing of an internal combustion engine. The engine timing is easily adjusted to an advanced or retarded position in relation to a zero degree setting by counting from a zero degree orifice 78 and 80 in both the first and second members 12 and 14 in a corresponding advanced or retarded direction, a quantity of orifices corresponding in number to a predetermined degree of engine timing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 13, 1999
    Inventor: Marc W. Salvisberg
  • Patent number: 5815827
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a circuit for processing internal combustion engine crank angle sensor signals. The construction is such that an output side circuit of a crank angle sensor outputs a crank angle signal with a high level pulse generated in response to the switching on and off of a switch element connected in series to a power source. Moreover, an input side circuit of a signal processing circuit includes a voltage reducing circuit which pulls down a power source voltage applied at the time of pulse generation, to a predetermined voltage and supplies this to an arithmetic processing section. Consequently, the output signal at the time of no pulse generation becomes a low level so that influence from noise is minimized. Also, since the input signal at the time of momentary disconnection of terminals connecting between the crank angle sensor and the processing circuit is a low level, then erroneous recognition of pulse generation is prevented.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 29, 1998
    Assignee: Unisia Jecs Corporation
    Inventors: Naoki Tomisawa, Satoru Watanabe
  • Patent number: 5811967
    Abstract: An valve position sensor apparatus for measuring the linear position of an EGR valve including a valve stem portion is disclosed. The apparatus comprises an elongated sensor probe extending from a base and a tubular member slideably overlying a varying length of the probe. The base is adapted to be secured relative to the EGR valve. The probe includes parallel, spaced apart, coextensive primary and secondary windings having a transformer coupling. The tubular member is movable with the EGR valve stem and is comprised of a material adapted to alter the transformer coupling of the overlied windings. An AC signal is supplied to the primary winding thereby inducing a signal in the secondary winding, the magnitude of the induced signal being dependent on the transformer coupling. An output means monitors the signal induced in the secondary winding and provides an output signal related to the linear position of the EGR valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 1993
    Date of Patent: September 22, 1998
    Assignee: Nartron Corporation
    Inventors: David W. Shank, Timothy J. Rigling
  • Patent number: 5447143
    Abstract: A device for detecting the position of a shaft of an internal combustion engine is described, in which a sensor disc which is connected to the shaft and has at least one reference mark is sensed by at least one sensor and the output signals obtained are evaluated in the control device. So that the position of the shaft is known immediately after the internal combustion engine is started up, the last position to be determined after the internal combustion engine is switched off and after the shaft coasts to a standstill is stored in a non-volatile memory of the control device and, after the internal combustion engine is switched on again, is used to determine and output the first fuel injections during a starting phase.In order to improve the accuracy, a detection of the direction of rotation is additionally carried out so that a correction can take place if the shaft turns backwards to a certain degree as a result of the engine swinging back.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 1994
    Date of Patent: September 5, 1995
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Karl Ott, Klaus Walter, Joachim Heimes, Joachim Strate, Klaus Boettcher
  • Patent number: 5329904
    Abstract: An engine control apparatus for discriminating each cylinder of an engine comprises a crank angle rotor (M1) having a configuration representing a crank angle of an engine; a crank angle sensor (M2) operatively associated with the crank angle rotor (M1) to generate a crank angle signal in accordance with the configuration of the crank angle rotor (M1). The configuration of the crank angle rotor (M1) includes first and second silent sections. The first silent section is cooperative with the crank angle sensor (M1) to constitute a part (M3) for generating a first level non-pulsation component of the crank angle signal. The second silent section being cooperative with said crank angle sensor to constitute a part (M4) for generating a second level non-pulsation component of the crank angle signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 1993
    Date of Patent: July 19, 1994
    Assignee: Nippondenso Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Naoki Kokubo, Koji Sakakibara, Hiroshi Haraguchi
  • Patent number: 5284114
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for controlling an internal combustion engine can perform exact timing control for ignition timing, fuel injection timing and the like in an inexpensive manner. A crank angle sensing means 20 generates a crank angle signal .theta. comprising a series of successive pulses in synchronization with the rotation of the engine. A cylinder pressure sensor 21 senses an internal pressure in at least one of cylinders of the engine and generates a corresponding cylinder pressure signal P. A pressure peak detecting means 42 detects a peak in the internal pressure in the at least one cylinder during an engine cranking cycle. A reference position setter 43 sets as a reference position the crank angle signal at the instant when the pressure peak in the at least one cylinder is detected. A control timing setter 44 includes a position counter for counting the number of pulses in the crank angle signal. The counter is reset in response to an occurrence to the reference position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 1992
    Date of Patent: February 8, 1994
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Wataru Fukui
  • Patent number: 5263450
    Abstract: A control apparatus can electronically control the operation of a multi-cylinder engine in a precise manner. A first signal generator 1 and a second signal generator 2 are provided on a camshaft operatively connected with a crankshaft for generating a cylinder identifying signal SC and a reference position signal ST, respectively, in synchronism with the rotation of the camshaft. A pulse signal generator 6 or 12 is provided on a crankshaft for generating a pulse signal P of a high frequency in synchronism with the rotation of the crankshaft. The reference position signal ST contains a series of pulses each indicative of a first and a second reference position for each cylinder which are modified by counting the number of pulses in the pulse signal P to provide exact reference positions. A microcomputer 5 or 15 controls the engine based on the exact reference positions of each cylinder thus obtained.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 1992
    Date of Patent: November 23, 1993
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Atsuko Hashimoto, Toshio Iwata
  • Patent number: 5233960
    Abstract: An engine timing adjustment device is disclosed having a rotating member which rotates integrally with the crankshaft and which has ignition timing indicia on its surface. The device further has a timing pointer wherein the position of this pointer relative to the cylinder body of the engine is fixed such that the position of the ignition timing adjustment indicia on the rotating member with respect to the timing pointer corresponds to the piston displacement for a desired ignition timing. The rotating member may be a flywheel affixed directly to the crankshaft such that it may be assembled to the crankshaft only in a position in which the ignition timing indicia is in the proper desired relationship with the crankshaft throws and, therefore, the piston displacement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 1992
    Date of Patent: August 10, 1993
    Assignee: Sanshin Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Hideki Kato
  • Patent number: 5186144
    Abstract: Continued improper and erroneous ignition control resulting from misidentification of reference positions of the cylinders of an internal combustion engine can be prevented in an effective manner. A signal generator generates a reference signal SGT representative of at least one predetermined reference crank angle of each cylinder and a cylinder identification signal SGC. The at least one reference crank angle of each cylinder is successively identified on the basis of the reference signal and the cylinder identification signal. It is evaluated whether the identification of the cylinder reference position is correct. Then, ignition control is performed based on the result of the evaluation. More specifically, ignition control is performed in a timer controlled manner if the cyinder identification is correct.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 1991
    Date of Patent: February 16, 1993
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Wataru Fukui
  • Patent number: 5113839
    Abstract: The ignition system consists of a free-running ignition final stage, a miniature induction coil, a static and/or dynamic determination of the ignition angle, and a power supply. The ignition final stage ensures that the ignition current is an alternating current and that the ignition energy is fed to the spark plugs in a current-controlled manner. The ignition point is determined by reading the ignition angle. The electrical supply to the entire ignition final stage and additional consumers in a motor vehicle is through a power supply that converts the current and voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 1990
    Date of Patent: May 19, 1992
    Assignee: Vogt Electronic AG
    Inventors: Uwe Hartmann, Udo Mai, Roman Schichl
  • Patent number: 5069194
    Abstract: One of the exhaust gas turbochargers of a plurality of parallel turbochargers is constructed to be disconnectable and connectable by the arrangement of one controllable exhaust gas blocking device in the exhaust gas pipe in front of the exhaust gas turbine and one automatically operating charge air blocking device in the suction pipe of the charge air compressor. A fast power increase to the nominal power of the internal-combustion engine is achieved, if a bypass pipe with a controllable bypass blocking device is arranged at the switchable exhaust gas turbocharger, this bypass blocking device being constructed as a transverse connection between the suction pipe of the charge air compressor of the exhaust gas turbocharger, which cannot be disconnected, and the suction pipe of the charge air compressor downstream of the charge air blocking device of the disconnectable and connectable exhaust gas turbocharger. The thermal and mechanical overloading of the connected exhaust gas turbocharger is therefore avoided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 1990
    Date of Patent: December 3, 1991
    Assignee: MTU Motoren-und Turbine-Union
    Inventors: Herbert Deutschmann, Hans Sudmanns