Engine Load Responsive Patents (Class 123/681)
  • Patent number: 11859568
    Abstract: Systems and methods for automatic calibration of large industrial engines in applications where the quality of the fuel supply is unknown and/or variable over time, particularly engines that drive compressors on a natural gas well site. A combination of throttles and an oxygen sensor including a mass-flow-air throttle and a mass-flow-gas throttle to determine the mass flow of air and mass flow of gas. As a response to exhaust gas oxygen level readings, the mass flow measurements are used to determine real time air-fuel ratios. An algorithm uses the air-fuel ratios as input data, wherein a microcontroller adjusts the throttles to meet engine performance demands. Additionally, using the air-fuel ratio data and suggested engine OEM calibration specifications as block multiplier inputs, particular fuel properties, such as British Thermal Unit (BTU) content, can be accurately interpolated, thereby enabling automatic calibration of the engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2024
    Assignee: EControls, LLC
    Inventors: Kennon Guglielmo, Justin H. Sanders, Michael T. Hambidge, Timothy J. Westerdale, James Cole, Chad Stovell
  • Patent number: 11668269
    Abstract: A method of operating an exhaust gas recirculation pump for an internal combustion engine including: providing an EGR pump assembly including an electric motor coupled to a roots device having rotors, the EGR pump operably connected to an internal combustion engine; providing an EGR control unit lined to the EGR pump assembly; providing sensors linked to the EGR control unit; determining if a motor speed is within a predetermined target (step SI), wherein when the motor speed is within the predetermined target then; determining if a motor torque is within a predetermined target (step S2) wherein when the motor torque is within the predetermined target then; determining if a motor temperature is within a predetermined target (step S3) wherein when the motor temperature is within the predetermined target then; maintaining operation of the exhaust gas recirculation pump.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2023
    Assignee: Eaton Intelligent Power Limited
    Inventors: Douglas Anthony Hughes, Brandon Dennis Biller, Jim Kevin Spring, Jesse Drummond, Matthew Fortini
  • Patent number: 11649779
    Abstract: Provided is a technology of accurately classifying abnormality in response characteristics of an air-fuel ratio sensors into six deterioration modes. In order to solve the above problems, the present disclosure provides a control device including a microprocessor that detects a response delay of an air-fuel ratio sensor attached to an internal combustion engine, in which the microprocessor includes a target air-fuel ratio change unit configured to change a target air-fuel ratio between lean and rich, and a response delay detection unit configured to detect a respond delay of the air-fuel ratio sensor that occurs in a real air-fuel ratio sensor signal output from the air-fuel ratio sensor when the target air-fuel ratio is changed between the lean and the rich by the target air-fuel ratio change unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2023
    Assignee: HITACHI ASTEMO, LTD.
    Inventor: Eisaku Fukuchi
  • Patent number: 10883433
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for a battery supplying power to an exhaust oxygen sensor heater. In one example, a method may include estimating a power delivered to the heater during heating of the sensor and in response to a power delivered from a battery being lower than a threshold, adjusting a battery charging strategy prior to an immediately subsequent engine start.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2021
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Christopher Paul Glugla, Kenneth Ellison, Hao Zhang, John Roth, Gopichandra Surnilla, John Virga, Richard E. Soltis
  • Patent number: 10393717
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for compensates for oxygen sensor aging determines a correction of by measuring oxygen content above a specified threshold value and measuring current flowing through the sensor over time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2019
    Assignee: Continental Automotive GmbH
    Inventors: Johannes Ante, Markus Hien, Denny Schädlich
  • Patent number: 10215123
    Abstract: The engine controlling apparatus includes a selector, a setter, and a controller. The selector selects one of a plurality of injection modes according to the operating condition of an engine, where injection rates of a plurality of injectors or the number of injections performed in one stroke of the engine differs among the injection modes. The setter sets a mode correction amount that reflects an output characteristic of a first sensor corresponding to the injection mode. The controller performs feedback control using both a detection signal from the first sensor and the mode correction amount.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2019
    Assignee: MITSUBISHI JIDOSHA KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Akihiro Tsuchiya, Mitsuhiro Yuasa, Kensuke Kondo, Yuji Sato
  • Patent number: 10190478
    Abstract: Examples of techniques for controlling a cooling system for an internal combustion engine using feedback linearization are provided. In one example implementation, a computer-implemented method includes receiving, by a processing device, desired temperature targets. The method further includes receiving, by the processing device, temperature feedbacks. The method further includes calculating, by the processing device, a desired temperature derivative for each of the desired temperature targets. The method further includes calculating, by the processing device, desired coolant flows from the desired temperature derivative for each of the desired temperature targets using feedback linearization. The method further includes calculating, by the processing device, actuator commands from the desired coolant flows using an inverted hydraulic model. The method further includes implementing, by the processing device, the actuator commands in actuators in the cooling system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2019
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventor: Gabriele Giraudo
  • Patent number: 9719434
    Abstract: A control system for a machine having an engine, a first alternator, a second alternator, and an aftertreatment system is disclosed. The control system may include a sensor associated with the aftertreatment system and configured to determine a temperature of exhaust passing through the aftertreatment system, and a controller in communication with the sensor and connectable to the first and second alternators. The controller may be configured to determine an available power output of the first alternator, determine a load increase of the engine needed to raise the temperature of the exhaust to an operating temperature of the aftertreatment system, and selectively connect the first alternator to a power consumer to achieve the load increase when the available power output of the first alternator is greater than the load increase.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2017
    Assignee: Electro-Motive Diesel, Inc.
    Inventors: Douglas Michael Biagini, William Charles Hawkins, John Franklin Kral
  • Patent number: 9328684
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for adjusting a reference voltage for an intake manifold oxygen sensor based on ingestion of hydrocarbons from a fuel system canister and/or an engine crankcase. During conditions when purge or crankcase ventilation hydrocarbons are ingested in the intake aircharge, the intake oxygen sensor is transitioned from operating at a lower reference voltage to a higher reference voltage where the effects of the ingested hydrocarbons on the sensor output are nullified. An EGR dilution of the intake aircharge is estimated based on the output of the sensor at the higher reference voltage while an amount of hydrocarbons ingested is estimated based on a difference between sensor outputs at the higher and lower reference voltages.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2016
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Gopichandra Surnilla, Daniel A. Makled, Richard E. Soltis, Stephen B. Smith
  • Patent number: 9162573
    Abstract: An electronic throttle control (ETC) system is disclosed for use on a recreational or a utility vehicle. The ETC system includes a drive mode selection device for selecting between a plurality of drive modes. The ETC system provides an adjustable engine idle speed and an engine power limiting feature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2015
    Assignee: Polaris Industries Inc.
    Inventors: Karl J Grajkowski, Eric P Nault, Steve C Erickson, David J Koenig
  • Patent number: 9014947
    Abstract: A method for operating a boosted gasoline engine. The method includes diluting an intake air charge of the engine to a first level of dilution when operating at a stoichiometric air-to-fuel ratio. The method also includes, in response to a condition of excessive exhaust temperature downstream of the engine, diluting the intake air charge of the engine to a second, greater level of dilution while operating at an enriched air-to-fuel ratio.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2015
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Gopichandra Surnilla, Daniel Joseph Styles
  • Patent number: 8887691
    Abstract: A method for selecting a preferred combustion mode for an internal combustion engine operative in a plurality of combustion modes is described. The method includes selecting a combustion mode in terms of first and second engine parameters, and separating the engine operating region into zones defined by the first parameter. Each of the zones is further separated into sub-zones defined by the second parameter. A combustion mode is associated with each of the sub-zones. Operating states are determined for the first and second parameters. One of the zones is identified based upon the state for the first parameter. One of the sub-zones of the identified zone is identified based upon the state for the second parameter, along with a combustion mode associated with the identified sub-zone. The engine is controlled to the preferred combustion mode, depending upon hysteresis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2014
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Jyh-Shin Chen, Jun-Mo Kang, Chen-Fang Chang
  • Patent number: 8838361
    Abstract: In an apparatus for controlling a general-purpose engine used as a prime mover of an operating machine, the apparatus regulating a throttle opening such that an engine speed is converged to a desired engine speed, calculating a basic fuel injection amount based on the engine speed and throttle opening, and controlling engine warm-up operation by correcting the basic fuel injection amount with a correction coefficient to calculate a warm-up time fuel injection amount after engine start is completed and injecting fuel by the calculated amount, a fuel injection amount with which the engine output becomes maximum is searched based on the throttle opening regulated in response to increase/decrease operation of the warm-up time fuel injection amount conducted when the engine speed is constant; and the correction coefficient is corrected using the searched fuel injection amount. With this, a warm-up correction coefficient appropriate for the engine warm-up condition can be calculated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2014
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shigeru Saito, Tomoki Fukushima
  • Patent number: 8755987
    Abstract: A control system for a homogeneous charge compression ignition (HCCI) engine includes first and second modules. The first module determines a load on the HCCI engine when the HCCI engine is operating in an HCCI combustion mode. The second module controls torque generated by the HCCI engine based on the determined load and a predetermined threshold, wherein the second module controls the torque generated by the HCCI engine by controlling fueling of the HCCI engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2014
    Inventors: Vijay Ramappan, Darrell W. Burleigh, Ben W. Moscherosch
  • Patent number: 8620564
    Abstract: An abnormality detection apparatus for a multi-cylinder internal combustion engine changes a fuel injection quantity of a predetermined target cylinder to detect an abnormality of an internal combustion engine based on values of rotational variations relating to the target cylinder detected before and after the change of the fuel injection quantity. The abnormality detection apparatus corrects the values of the rotational variations relating to the target cylinder detected before and after the change of the fuel injection quantity based on at least one of the number of revolutions of the engine and an engine load at a corresponding detection time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Masashi Hakariya, Isao Nakajima, Yoshihisa Oda, Hitoshi Tanaka, Kiyotaka Kushihama, Shota Kitano, Kazuyuki Noda, Katsumi Adachi, Yuichi Kohara, Akihiro Katayama
  • Patent number: 8613192
    Abstract: An engine exhaust gas purifier includes a filter, a hydraulic load mechanism, a clog detector and a forced actuation valve. The filter purifies the exhaust gas of the engine. The hydraulic load mechanism is driven by the engine's power. The clog detector detects a clogging state of the filter. The forced actuation valve forcibly increases an actuation amount of the hydraulic load mechanism. The filter is regenerated by increasing an engine load while maintaining an engine rotating speed, by increasing the actuation amount of the hydraulic load mechanism with an actuation of the forced actuation valve on the basis of detection information of the clog detector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 24, 2013
    Assignee: Yanmar Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroshi Masuda, Michihiko Hara, Shuji Shiozaki, Hiroshi Matsuyama
  • Patent number: 8606487
    Abstract: The present invention has an object to enable a torque as required to be realized without being influenced by an operation state of an IN-VVT, which is a variable valve timing mechanism which changes a valve timing of an intake valve. For this purpose, a control device for an internal combustion engine provided by the present invention stores data that defines a relationship between an air quantity and a torque in an MBT in association with the operation state of the IN-VVT, and calculates a target air quantity for realizing a required torque based on the data. The control device calculates an actual air quantity which is actually realized by an operation of a throttle when operating the throttle to realize the target air quantity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2013
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Noboru Takagi, Hiromitu Seo, Eiichiro Kido, Takamitsu Mizutani, Hirokazu Ando
  • Patent number: 8560211
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for operating an engine having a plurality of notch settings. One example method comprises, during a first notch setting, adjusting engine injection timing in a first proportion to an increasing temperature, and during a second notch setting higher than the first notch setting, adjusting engine injection timing in a second proportion to the increasing temperature, the second proportion lower than the first proportion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2013
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventor: Lawrence Hoey Heverley, III
  • Patent number: 8538659
    Abstract: A control system and method of controlling operation of an internal combustion engine includes a load determination module that determines an engine load, an equivalence ratio module that determines an equivalence ratio, a correction factor module that generates a correction factor based on the engine load, the equivalence ratio, and the engine speed and an engine operation module that regulates operation of the engine based on the correction factor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2013
    Inventors: Wenbo Wang, Layne K. Wiggins, Jeffrey M. Kaiser, Chao F Daniels
  • Publication number: 20130118461
    Abstract: A method for controlling combustion in an engine is provided. The method comprises under a first condition, adjusting an EGR amount of a total cylinder charge in response to engine out NOx levels being below a first threshold. In this way, NOx levels may be used as feedback to control combustion stability.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 14, 2011
    Publication date: May 16, 2013
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Peter Mitchell, Chris Riffle, Michiel J. Van Nieuwstadt, Frank M. Korpics, Jeff Reich, Dean Pennala
  • Patent number: 8215294
    Abstract: A method and control system for controlling an engine during diesel particulate filter regeneration includes a diesel particulate filter (DPF) regeneration request module that generates a DPF regeneration request signal. The control system also includes a DPF regeneration control module that controls the oxygen level in the exhaust based on an oxygen level signal corresponding to an oxygen level in the exhaust and a DPF inlet temperature signal corresponding to the DPF inlet temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2012
    Inventors: Julian C. Tan, John Zeilstra, Christoph Thoele, Gustavo Tepedino
  • Patent number: 8078372
    Abstract: An electronic control unit 40 calculates a target output torque of an internal combustion engine 10 based on a manipulation amount of an accelerator pedal 60, a vehicle speed, and a state of a transmission gear ratio of an automatic continuously variable transmission 30, and calculates a target opening of a throttle valve 14 based on the calculated target output torque. If the current value of the transmission gear ratio of the automatic continuously variable transmission 30 is smaller than a predetermined value, the target opening of the throttle valve 14 calculated based on the target output torque is limited to be less than or equal to a preset upper limit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2011
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Yuji Miyanoo
  • Patent number: 7941263
    Abstract: An engine controller (76) includes a first mode control module (81) for performing a first mode control in which a fuel injection amount in an engine (1) is obtained based on a first torque-engine rotational speed characteristic, and a second mode control module (82) for performing a second mode control in which the fuel injection amount is obtained based on a second torque-engine rotational speed characteristic. The first mode control module (81) has a first engine load estimation part (81a) for estimating an engine load based on a difference in rotational speed between a non-load engine rotational speed and an actual engine rotational speed, and the second mode control module (82) has a second engine load estimation part (82a) for estimating an engine load based on the fuel injection amount.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2011
    Assignee: Kubota Corporation
    Inventors: Eiji Nishi, Nobuyuki Okabe, Kenji Yoshikawa
  • Patent number: 7934484
    Abstract: In a method for controlling an internal combustion engine (10) during which two operating modes (OPMOD) are switched between under the permissible variation of at least one first and one second torque manipulated variables if, as a result, a torque-neutral changing over into the target operating mode (OPMOD_F) can be achieved within a cylinder segment. If the predetermined changing over condition is fulfilled, a torque-neutral changing over occurs while varying the at least first and second torque manipulated variables. If the predetermined changing over condition is not fulfilled, the initial operating mode (OPMOD_I) is maintained and at least one of the at least first and second torque manipulated variables and an at least one third torque manipulated variable are torque neutrally varied until the change over condition is fulfilled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2011
    Assignee: Continental Automotive GmbH
    Inventors: Kia Hsu, Markus Mantei, Dirk Schneider
  • Patent number: 7925420
    Abstract: Methods and devices for determining and putting in fuel into an internal combustion engine on the basis of an air-fuel ratio in proximity to the stechiometric value, based on the use of the ion current released by a device, positioned on each cylinder of said engine. This ion current is acquired by a Control Unit equipped by means, preferably electronic ones, which implement the invention, repeated continually for each engine cycle and for each cylinder, characterized in that the method develops over various phases.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2011
    Assignee: Eldor Corporation, S.p.A.
    Inventors: Pasquale Forte, Stefano Bordegnoni, Andrea Gelmetti
  • Patent number: 7869912
    Abstract: This invention relates to a hybrid vehicle controlling device and method of using the device, in which an engine torque proportion (which is transmitted from an engine to a driving shaft) of a total sum of torque transmitted to the driving shaft is calculated. An allowed surge torque value, which is an upper limit of a surge torque allowed to the engine, is set to a larger value as the engine torque proportion is reduced. Then a predetermined parameter of the engine is changed so that the engine is controlled in a range in which the surge torque of the engine does not go beyond the allowed surge torque value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2011
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Youichi Kishimoto
  • Patent number: 7865291
    Abstract: A system and method for controlling an engine involves providing a model for volumetric efficiency. The model recognizes that volumetric efficiency (VE) has stronger dependency on intake pressure than on exhaust pressure. The model allows tuning of the relative importance of intake pressure to exhaust pressure, specifically, by reducing the relative importance of the exhaust pressure to intake pressure in the composite volumetric efficiency load variable. The model provides for a calculation where the exhaust pressure term of the engine pressure ratio is de-rated through the use of an exponent less than one.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2011
    Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Martin Müller
  • Patent number: 7861684
    Abstract: An engine having improved combustion characteristics is provided. The engine includes a fuel injection system that is variable between two operational states. In the first operating state, the fuel injectors provide a fuel spray having first spray pattern characteristics. When the system detects that an operation characteristic exceeds a threshold, the fuel injectors are displaced into a second operating state. In the second operating state, the fuel injectors provide a spray pattern having first spray pattern characteristics. The combustion cycle may be characterized by timing the fuel injection so that the fuel is sprayed into the cylinder early in the compression stroke. Further still, the combustion cycle may be characterized by controlling the fuel pressure so that the fuel pressure is inversely related to the load on the engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2011
    Assignee: Advanced Diesel Concepts LLC
    Inventor: John M Baxter
  • Patent number: 7788018
    Abstract: A method for controlling an internal combustion engine having a common rail system together with individual accumulators. A rotational speed-control deviation (dn) is determined from a target rotational speed (nSL) that represents the set point for an outer control loop to control the rotational speed, as well as from an actual rotational speed (nIST). A target torque (MSL) is determined from the rotational speed-control deviation (dn) via a rotational speed controller as a master controller. A target injection duration (SD(SOLL)) is determined from the target torque (MSL). The target duration injection (SD(SOLL)) represents the set point for an inner control loop for controlling cylinder-specific injection duration. An injection duration deviation is determined from the target injection duration (SD(SOLL)) and from an actual injection duration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2010
    Assignee: MTU Friedrichshafen GmbH
    Inventors: Ralf Speetzen, Günther Schmidt, Albert Kloos, Andreas Kunz, Michael Willmann, Jörge Remele, Marc Hehle
  • Patent number: 7681550
    Abstract: An internal combustion engine 10 includes a fuel injection valve 37 for injecting a gasoline fuel into a combustion chamber 25, and a spark plug 35. When the internal combustion engine is operated in a light-load region, the fuel is injected at an early and/or middle stage of an intake strode, whereby a homogeneous air/fuel mixture is formed and compressed to thereby perform a premixed-charge compression auto-ignition operation in which the fuel is auto-ignited and combusted. When the internal combustion engine is operated in a middle-load region, a spark-ignition combustion operation is performed. When the internal combustion engine is operated in a high-load region, air taken into the combustion chamber is compressed, and the fuel is injected into the compressed air, thereby performing a diffusion combustion operation in which the fuel is diffusion-combusted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2010
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Tatsuo Kobayashi
  • Patent number: 7680586
    Abstract: A method and system are disclosed for compensating a mass air flow signal produced by a mass air flow sensor in fluid communication with an air intake passageway of an internal combustion engine. A mass air flow signal produced by the mass air flow sensor is monitored and an expected oxygen concentration of exhaust gas produced by the engine is determined. A compensation parameter is determined as a function of the expected oxygen concentration and a measured value of the oxygen concentration of the exhaust gas. A compensated mass air flow value is determined as a function of the mass air flow signal and the compensation parameter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2010
    Assignee: Cummins Inc.
    Inventors: Michael J. Ruth, Stewart D. Sullivan
  • Patent number: 7540279
    Abstract: A power system including a stoichiometric compression ignition engine in which a roots blower is positioned in the air intake for the engine to control air flow. Air flow is decreased during part power conditions to maintain the air-fuel ratio in the combustion chamber of the engine at stoichiometric, thus enabling the use of inexpensive three-way catalyst to reduce oxides of nitrogen. The roots blower is connected to a motor generator so that when air flow is reduced, electrical energy is stored which is made available either to the roots blower to temporarily increase air flow or to the system electrical load and thus recapture energy that would otherwise be lost in reducing air flow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2009
    Assignee: Deere & Comapny
    Inventors: Richard Edward Winsor, Scott Allen Chase
  • Publication number: 20090101125
    Abstract: In a method for controlling an internal combustion engine (10) during which two operating modes (OPMOD) are switched between under the permissible variation of at least one first and one second torque manipulated variables if, as a result, a torque-neutral changing over into the target operating mode (OPMOD_F) can be achieved within a cylinder segment. If the predetermined changing over condition is fulfilled, a torque-neutral changing over occurs while varying the at least first and second torque manipulated variables. If the predetermined changing over condition is not fulfilled, the initial operating mode (OPMOD_I) is maintained and at least one of the at least first and second torque manipulated variables and an at least one third torque manipulated variable are torque neutrally varied until the change over condition is fulfilled.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 4, 2006
    Publication date: April 23, 2009
    Applicant: CONTINENTAL AUTOMOTIVE GMBH
    Inventors: Kia Hsu, Markus Mantei, Dirk Schneider
  • Patent number: 7516731
    Abstract: A control apparatus of an engine having a compression ignition combustion mode and a spark ignition combustion mode selects the spark ignition combustion mode when operation conditions fall within a spark ignition operation area set in a spark ignition operation area/compression ignition operation area setting map memory part and selects the compression ignition combustion mode when the operation conditions fall within a switching stable area set in the memory part upon operation by the spark ignition combustion mode. The control apparatus controls to continue the compression ignition combustion mode as long as the operation conditions fall within a compression ignition operation area set in the memory part upon operation by the compression ignition combustion mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2009
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Shiro Yamaoka, Hiromu Kakuya, Kunihiko Suzuki, Shinya Satou, Atsushi Shimada
  • Publication number: 20090018753
    Abstract: A system and method for controlling an engine involves providing a model for volumetric efficiency. The model recognizes that volumetric efficiency (VE) has stronger dependency on intake pressure than on exhaust pressure. The model allows tuning of the relative importance of intake pressure to exhaust pressure, specifically, by reducing the relative importance of the exhaust pressure to intake pressure in the composite volumetric efficiency load variable. The model provides for a calculation where the exhaust pressure term of the engine pressure ratio is de-rated through the use of an exponent less than one.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 30, 2007
    Publication date: January 15, 2009
    Inventor: Martin Muller
  • Publication number: 20090013666
    Abstract: A method for determining malfunction of a nitrogen oxide sensor compares a nitrogen oxide amount detected by the sensor with a predetermined value of nitrogen oxide. If the difference between the predetermined value and the amount detected by the sensor is within a predetermined range, the method determines whether an engine is in a steady state. If the engine is in a steady state, the method changes one or more engine control parameters, thereby varying an actual nitrogen oxide amount. After changing the parameters, the method determines whether the amount detected by the sensor changes. The method determines that the sensor is malfunctioning if the amount detected by the sensor does not change. A selective catalytic reduction system includes a first nitrogen oxide sensor, a selective catalytic reduction apparatus, and a second nitrogen oxide sensor, all disposed in an exhaust pipe. A control portion performs the above-described method.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 5, 2007
    Publication date: January 15, 2009
    Inventor: Jae Yoon Jung
  • Patent number: 7469685
    Abstract: The control apparatus for the internal combustion engine increases a fuel injection amount under predetermined conditions, such as after the start of the internal combustion engine, at cold time, at acceleration requiring time, at gear shifting time from a neutral to a D-range, for example. When the fuel injection amount is increased during execution of air/fuel ratio feedback control, the feedback control follows the increase amount, and executes correction corresponding to the increase amount. Then, at the point of time when the correction corresponding to the increase amount is completed, the increase of the fuel injection amount is stopped quickly. Thereby, the increase of the fuel injection amount is not continued unnecessarily, and therefore useless consumption of the fuel can be suppressed. Also, it becomes possible to start other controls early by finishing increase quickly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2008
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Akinori Osanai
  • Patent number: 7451754
    Abstract: A control system for an internal combustion engine, which is capable of enhancing the accuracy of fuel control and ignition timing control even when there is a possibility that the reliability of a calculated intake air amount lowers, and enables reduction of manufacturing costs. An ECU of the control system calculates a first estimated intake air amount according to a valve lift, a cam phase, and a compression ratio, calculates a second estimated intake air amount according to the flow rate of air detected by an air flow sensor. The ECU determines a fuel injection amount according to the first estimated intake air amount when an estimated flow rate Gin_vt calculated based on an engine speed, the valve lift, the cam phase, and the compression ratio is within the range of Gin_vt?Gin1, and according to the second estimated intake air amount when Gin2?Gin_vt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2008
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yuji Yasui, Mitsunobu Saito, Hiroshi Tagami, Kosuke Higashitani, Masahiro Sato
  • Patent number: 7448369
    Abstract: A method of controlling a fuel injector is disclosed. Multiple airflow rate regimes are associated with different fuel injection control methods. In one example, a low airflow rate regime is associated with a speed density control method and a high airflow rate regime is associated with an airflow meter control method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2008
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: James S. Robinson, Todd R. Luken, Jared C. Vanderhoof
  • Patent number: 7380396
    Abstract: The method of the present invention is adapted to protect an exhaust aftertreatment system by preventing the system from becoming clogged and/or damaged during periods of light engine load. According to a preferred embodiment, the present invention protects the exhaust aftertreatment system by increasing the load on the engine during periods of light engine load and/or low exhaust temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2008
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventor: John P. Kresse
  • Patent number: 7370470
    Abstract: A method for increasing the exhaust gas temperature of internal combustion engines, particularly for driving a motor vehicle under load in order to reach the necessary regeneration temperature of at least one component of an exhaust gas post-treatment system, has the step of placing the engine under load by at least one of the brakes of the motor vehicle and/or by the starting element of the motor vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2008
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Olaf Graupner, Gerhard Wissler
  • Patent number: 7324889
    Abstract: In an intake-air quantity control system of an engine employing a variable valve operating device capable of controlling a cylinder intake-air quantity by variable control of an operating characteristic of an intake valve, in a normal intake-valve operating mode a target operating characteristic of the intake valve is determined based on a target cylinder intake-air quantity calculated based on a target engine torque. In a predetermined high-load range, in particular, at full-load operation, the target operating characteristic is switched to a high-load period valve operating characteristic, preset to be suitable for the predetermined high-load range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2008
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Masahiro Arai, Takahiro Yoshino, Hidekazu Yoshizawa, Hirokazu Shimizu
  • Patent number: 7305977
    Abstract: A control system and method for controlling torque output of an engine include an air control module that receives an actual airflow and a desired airflow and outputs an adjusted actual airflow based on the actual airflow and the desired airflow. A fuel control module receives the adjusted actual airflow and controls fuel output based on the adjusted actual airflow, a ratio (?) of an operating air-fuel mixture to an ideal air-fuel mixture, and an operating curve (?traj).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2007
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations, Inc.
    Inventor: David J. Stroh
  • Patent number: 7293556
    Abstract: In a method of controlling an internal combustion engine wherein an injection begin is calculated depending at least on an actual engine speed and the injection begin is corrected, the injection begin correction is calculated from a deviation of a desired air mass flow from an actual air mass flow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2007
    Assignee: MTU Friedrichshafen GmbH
    Inventors: Johannes Baldauf, Jörg Remele, Michael Eckstein, Christian Rehm, Martin Schönle, Johannes Kech, Andreas Kunz
  • Patent number: 7273046
    Abstract: A computer calculates an estimated cylinder-intake-air amount based on outputs from an airflow meter and a throttle position sensor, and then calculates a reference cylinder-intake-air amount based on an air-fuel ratio in an exhaust gas and fuel injection amount. An error of the estimated cylinder-intake-air amount is calculated by comparing the reference cylinder-intake-air amount with an estimated cylinder-intake-air amount base value. The error is low-pass filtered. The estimated cylinder-intake-air amount base value is corrected to obtain the final estimated cylinder-intake-air amount.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2007
    Assignee: DENSO Corporation
    Inventor: Naoki Osumi
  • Patent number: 7255098
    Abstract: An engine emissions control system is provided. The system may include an exhaust producing engine and an exhaust system through which the exhaust produced by the engine may flow. The system may also include a NOx sensor configured to take a NOx measurement of the amount of NOx in the exhaust produced by the engine. The system may further include a charge density sensing system configured to measure the charge density of a combustion mixture of the engine. In addition, the system may include a controller configured to receive information related to the measurement of the amount of NOx. The controller may be further configured to control a charge density of the combustion mixture with which the engine operates based on the NOx measurement and the charge density measured by the charge density sensing system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2007
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: William Boley, Stuart Niese, Ryan E. Meister
  • Patent number: 7181908
    Abstract: A torque compensation method for controlling a direct-injection gasoline engine during regeneration of a lean NOx trap disposed in an exhaust path of the engine determines a desired torque in accordance with driver demands, cruise control settings or idle control. An estimate of torque loss attributable to stratified to homogeneous transitioning to effect the regeneration is determined and a compensating control torque to the engine is provided in an amount sufficient to compensate for the estimated decrease in engine torque to thereby maintain the desired torque level during the lean NOx trap regeneration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2007
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventor: Sanjeev M. Naik
  • Patent number: 7150275
    Abstract: A method for the torque-oriented control of an internal combustion engine in which a set torque is computed from an input variable that represents the desired power, and the set torque is limited to an air mass-dependent maximum torque.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2006
    Assignee: MTU Friedrichshafen GmbH
    Inventors: Johannes Baldauf, Michael Eckstein, Christian Rehm, Jorg Remele, Martin Schonle
  • Patent number: 7151994
    Abstract: Calculation models (22, 24) for an in-cylinder air charge amount determine an estimated intake air pressure (Pe) based on an intake air flow rate (Ms), and then determine an air charge amount (Mc) from the estimated intake air pressure (Pe). A correction execution module (26) corrects, while a vehicle is traveling, the calculation model based on the relationship between the estimated intake air pressure (Pe) and a measured intake air pressure (Ps).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2006
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Naohide Fuwa
  • Patent number: 7128065
    Abstract: A method and a device are described for controlling an internal combustion engine. On the basis of the comparison of a setpoint value with an actual value for a variable that characterizes the supplied oxygen quantity, an actuating variable is predefined for controlling an actuating element that influences the fuel quantity conducted to the internal combustion engine and/or the oxygen quantity supplied to the internal combustion engine. The actual value and/or the setpoint value are/is normalized to a reference value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2006
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Wolfram Gerwing, Stefan Forthmann