Controlling Timing Patents (Class 701/105)
  • Publication number: 20040098190
    Abstract: A control apparatus for a motor vehicle is provided in which each of a plurality of output values of the vehicle varies depending upon a plurality of input control parameters for controlling the vehicle. The control apparatus changes the input control parameter or parameters so that each of the output values becomes substantially equal to a corresponding target output value. The control apparatus then determines adapted values of the input control parameters, based on values of the input control parameters obtained when each of the output values becomes substantially equal to the corresponding target output value or falls within a permissible adaptation range of the target output value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 29, 2003
    Publication date: May 20, 2004
    Inventors: Shigeki Nakayama, Toshio Suematsu, Takao Fukuma, Tomihisa Oda, Yasuo Harada, Akio Matsunaga, Tomoyuki Ono, Teruhiko Miyake, Yoshitsugu Suzuki
  • Patent number: 6735512
    Abstract: A power supply unit for an internal combustion engine capable of more stably providing drive power to a control circuit of the internal combustion engine and capable of more rapidly starting up the control circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2004
    Assignee: Mikumi Corporation
    Inventors: Shigeru Yamazaki, Hirokazu Hirosawa
  • Patent number: 6725148
    Abstract: A diesel engine injection timing signal interceptor module comprised of a micro-controller-based control module and interface circuitry that intercepts engine speed and position signals from engine sensors and produces output signals which are shifted in time (advanced or retarded) relative to the sensor signals. By controlling the amount of time shift, the interceptor manipulates fuel injection timing. Use of the interceptor module provides the ability to reduce NOx emissions while achieving acceptable fuel consumption, without having to change the engine's sensors, electronic controller or fuel injectors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2004
    Assignee: CSXT Intellectual Properties Corporation
    Inventors: Ted E. Stewart, Daniel J. Podnar
  • Patent number: 6725147
    Abstract: A method of deriving a formula (FIG. 4) for calculating a quantity of fuel injected by an electric-actuated fuel injector (16) during an injection wherein duration of the injection is set by duration of an electric signal (P1, P2) applied to the fuel injector and pressure (ICP) at which the fuel is injected is set by pressure of hydraulic fluid applied to the fuel injector. The fuel injector is mapped by applying, various combinations of different selected hydraulic fluid pressures and different selected durations of the electric signal to create data sets of the corresponding selected hydraulic fluid pressure, the corresponding selected electric signal duration, and the quantity of fuel injected. Data from the data sets is processed to create terms of a multiple term mathematical formula that is used to calculate the quantity of fuel injected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2004
    Assignee: International Engine Intellectual Property Company, LLC
    Inventor: Chad Mollin
  • Patent number: 6722345
    Abstract: A fuel injection system carries out a multi-injection. A preceding injection affects a pressure in a combustion chamber at a succeeding injection. In order to ensure an amount and timing of a succeeding injection, the ECU carries out a compensating process. In one embodiment, an injection period for the succeeding injection is corrected by varying a corrective value in accordance with parameters indicative of a pressure deviation. In another embodiment, each of the injection amounts for preceding and succeeding injections is corrected in accordance with deviations from a standard pressure respectively. The deviation is determined based on an intake pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2004
    Assignee: Denso Corporation
    Inventors: Takayuki Saeki, Yoshimitsu Takashima
  • Patent number: 6721646
    Abstract: A miniature unmanned aircraft which uses remotely controlled model aircraft components and technology, and has on-board automatic “on-the-fly” fuel and air mixture adjustment enabling high altitude flight. The aircraft, which may have conventional fuselage, wing, reciprocating piston engine and radio frequency operated controls, also has sensors for sensing atmospheric pressure, atmospheric temperature, engine crankshaft rotational speed, engine temperature, and exhaust temperature. A microprocessor aboard the aircraft receives inputs from the sensors and controls at least one servo to adjust fuel and air mixture according to preprogrammed look-up tables and equations to operate the engine at appropriate fuel-to-air ratios for the altitude and other operating conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2004
    Inventor: Ernest A. Carroll
  • Patent number: 6708103
    Abstract: Controlling an internal combustion engine which has an additional component provided in its exhaust gas conduit including a turbine and turbo of a turbo charger, includes enriching a mixture at a high throughput, determining a main filling signal by a main filling signal sensor and a substitute filling signal by a substitute filling sensor, converting the substitute filling signal into a control signal for at least one value selected from the group consisting of an air supply, a fuel supply and an ignition time point, such that the substitute filling signal is greater than the main filling signal by at least one protective factor, and selecting the protective factor so that at high throughput a change of the mixture toward a fattening is performed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2004
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Ernst Wild, Detlef Heinrich
  • Patent number: 6704640
    Abstract: To simplify a constitution of an engine control device operated using another fuel different from a predetermined fuel. The engine control device includes: a main computer 1 to output a signal on the supposition that the predetermined fuel is used; and a sub computer 2 to calculate and output only an injection signal on the supposition that another fuel is used. The sub computer conducts injection control on another fuel according to the injection signal or ignition signal outputted from the main computer and further according to the output of a sensor. Control, except for injection control, is conducted according to a signal outputted from the main computer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2004
    Assignee: Fujitsu Ten Limited
    Inventor: Akira Miki
  • Patent number: 6668547
    Abstract: A method and an apparatus for protecting the catalytic converter in the exhaust system of an internal combustion engine from overheating in the case of retarded ignition angles, in which a characteristic map (10) provides an engine-speed- and/or load-dependent ignition angle (Zu) that can be specified without time restriction. The ignition angle (Zu) is compared in a comparison device (12) with an optimum ignition angle (OZ) calculated in a parameter-dependent manner and, in the case of an optimum ignition angle (OZ) that is more retarded than the unrestricted specifiable ignition angle (Zu), this optimum ignition angle (OZ) is used for ignition of the internal combustion engine during specifiable time periods in alternation with the ignition angle (Zu), which can be specified without time restriction, while, in the opposite case, only the optimum ignition angle (OZ) is used for this purpose.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2003
    Assignee: DaimlerChrysler AG
    Inventor: Thomas Paland
  • Patent number: 6651617
    Abstract: Provided is a method of controlling the timing of ignition of a compression ignition internal combustion engine of a premixed mixture type in which a premixed gas is self-ignited through compression by a piston, the volume of fuel spray impinging upon the inner wall surface of a combustion chamber is continuously or stepwise increased as the engine speed is changed from a low value to a high value, and which can optimumly control the timing of compression ignition in accordance with an operating condition of the engine at a low cost without complicating the apparatus configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2003
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoshihiro Sukegawa, Shiro Yamaoka, Yusuke Kihara
  • Patent number: 6651677
    Abstract: Provided is a method of controlling the timing of ignition of a compression ignition internal combustion engine of a premixed mixture type in which a premixed gas is self-ignited through compression by a piston, the volume of fuel spray impinging upon the inner wall surface of a combustion chamber is continuously or stepwise increased as the engine speed is changed from a low value to a high value, and which can optimumly control the timing of compression ignition in accordance with an operating condition of the engine at a low cost without complicating the apparatus configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2003
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoshihiro Sukegawa, Shiro Yamaoka, Yusuke Kihara
  • Patent number: 6640778
    Abstract: Controlled variable computing apparatus for an internal combustion engine 101 includes, a revolution signal generating unit 111, 112, 121, 122 for outputting a revolution signal in synchronism with revolution of the internal combustion engine and a control unit 150 for computing a controlled variable for a control target time the revolution signal is inputted, in which the control unit 150 includes, a controlled variable computing unit for computing a driving timing and a driving time period for the control target, and a driving control unit for controlling the driving of the control target each time the revolution signal is inputted, in which if the operation time period of the controlled variable computing unit overlaps the operation time period of the driving control unit, the driving control unit is prioritized to perform its operation by suspending an operation of the controlled variable computing unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2003
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Yasuyoshi Hori
  • Patent number: 6636788
    Abstract: A corrected torque command value P_TRQ which is produced by correcting a torque command value TRQ with a torque command correcting unit 34 is substantially proportional to the armature current of an electric motor. Using the corrected torque command value P_TRQ and its average value P_ATRQ, an inferred temperature change &Dgr;tf of the electric motor is determined in each predetermined cycle time. The inferred temperature change &Dgr;tf calculated in a fuzzy inference operation, for example. The inferred temperature change &Dgr;tf is integrated by an integrating unit 37 to determine an accumulated temperature change &Dgr;Tf. The output of the electric motor is limited when the accumulated temperature change &Dgr;Tf exceeds a predetermined value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2003
    Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yutaka Tamagawa, Takuya Shirasaka
  • Publication number: 20030195692
    Abstract: Method and apparatus for retrofitting a low impedance fuel injection system to a high impedance fuel injection system internal combustion engine is disclosed. The original high impedance electronic control system may be retained, while system modification circuitry is added along the fuel injector control path. In one aspect, an original fuel injector control signal is intercepted along the fuel injector control wire. The intercepted signal is then modified from a simple on-off signal to a signal which varies the fuel injector current as a function of time, such that the on-state from the original high impedance system is converted to a current controlled signal. Moreover, using a plurality of parameters, the fuel injector pulsewidth may be modified, as well as the peak and hold current levels provided to the fuel injectors.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 7, 2003
    Publication date: October 16, 2003
    Inventor: Jeffrey Donald Stevens
  • Publication number: 20030191576
    Abstract: A soft hybrid-electric vehicle power supply circuit (14) is provided. The circuit includes a load sensor (19), which generates a load signal. A high-voltage bus (26) supplies a high voltage for a high-voltage load (30) and a low-voltage bus (28) is electrically coupled to and supplying a low-voltage to a low-voltage load (32). A converter circuit (24) is electrically coupled to the high-voltage bus (26), the low-voltage bus (28), and a high-voltage load (30). The converter circuit (24) maintains a predetermined minimum voltage level on the high-voltage load (30) by switching between the high-voltage bus (26) and the low-voltage bus (28) in response to the load signal. A method of maintaining the predetermined minimum voltage level is also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 9, 2002
    Publication date: October 9, 2003
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Shahram Zarei
  • Patent number: 6618665
    Abstract: An internal combustion engine control system processes data to develop desired fueling data representing a desired amount of fuel that is to be injected into the engine for combustion. The desired fueling data is modified by a multiplier during a cranking, starting, and initial running phase of the engine, and after the engine has started and begins running, modifies the multiplier by a multiplier adder. Use of the multiplier added is discontinued once the engine fuel injectors have sufficiently warmed up. The multiplier adder is a function of an average of desired fueling data taken over a time interval that includes engine cranking, starting, and initial engine running.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2003
    Assignee: International Engine Intellectual Property Company, LLC
    Inventors: Robert S. Walker, Michael M. Beyene, Suresh L. Satyavolu
  • Patent number: 6609493
    Abstract: A fuel supply system has a fuel injector positioned to directly inject fuel into a combustion chamber, and it is capable of performing a split injection wherein a first fuel injection in each engine cycle precedes a second fuel injection that occurs during compression stroke in the same engine cycle. A spark plug produces a spark to ignite a first air/fuel mixture portion created due to the second fuel injection, initiating a first stage combustion. The first stage combustion raises temperature and pressure high enough to cause auto-ignition of a second air/fuel mixture portion surrounding the first air-fuel mixture portion, initiating a second stage combustion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2003
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Koichi Yamaguchi, Tomonori Urushihara, Koudai Yoshizawa, Tsuyoshi Taniyama
  • Publication number: 20030144789
    Abstract: An electronic control unit for an internal combustion engine having a fuel injection system and an ignition system including: timing determination means (2) for determining timing sequences for injection events of the fuel injection system and ignition events of the ignition system and to provide update timing sequence data (10) to a schedule sequencing means (3) adapted to control at least one driver circuit (4) wherein the at least one driver circuit (4) is adapted to provide drive pulses (11) to the fuel injection system and ignition system; wherein the schedule sequencing means (3) is adapted to select between update sequence data to at least one of an injection of ignition event, such that the update timing sequence data is selected when there is no current injection occurring.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 18, 2002
    Publication date: July 31, 2003
    Inventors: Jean-Yves Rene Le Gall, Luke Newman Andersen, Wayne Andrew Hawken, Craig Bowman, Troy Bradley Epskamp, Peter Truong, Phillip Leo O'Neill, Koon Chul Yang
  • Publication number: 20030139872
    Abstract: To simplify a constitution of an engine control device operated using-another fuel different from a predetermined fuel. The engine control device includes: a main computer 1 to output a signal on the supposition that the predetermined fuel is used; and a sub computer 2 to calculate and output only an injection signal on the supposition that another fuel is used. The sub computer conducts injection control on another fuel according to the injection signal or ignition signal outputted from the main computer and further according to the output of a sensor. Control, except for injection control, is conducted according to a signal outputted from the main computer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 11, 2002
    Publication date: July 24, 2003
    Inventor: Akira Miki
  • Patent number: 6584952
    Abstract: Device for controlling the mode of combustion of a controlled-ignition four-stroke petrol engine (1) equipped with a system (2) for the direct injection of fuel into the combustion chamber, with at least one catalytic converter (3) placed in the exhaust line (4) of the engine (1) and with a control system (5) receiving information from sensors (6, 7, 9, 10) relating to the rotational speed and to the load of the engine, to the position of the accelerator pedal, and to the temperatures of the engine and of the exhaust gases, characterized in that the control system (5) includes a device for choosing a priority mode of combustion taking account of the said information and on the basis of an estimate of the combustion efficiency of the various modes available.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2003
    Assignee: Peugeot Citroen Automobiles SA
    Inventor: Marc Lagier
  • Publication number: 20030120418
    Abstract: An engine has cylinders, a fuel injection unit with a valve operable in response to a valve control signal to cause fuel to be injected into the cylinders, and a control unit which generates the valve control signal. A method of controlling the valve includes sensing a time associated with movement of the valve corresponding to start of a fuel injection event, and modifying the valve control signal as a function of the sensed time. The method further includes determining a rise time of the valve control signal, determining a valve operation delay time as a function of the rise time, determining a difference time representing a difference between a desired valve operation time and the sensed time, comparing the valve operation delay time to the difference time, and adjusting timing of the valve control signal as a function of the comparison.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 26, 2001
    Publication date: June 26, 2003
    Applicant: Deere & Company, a Delaware corporation
    Inventor: Gary John Treichel
  • Patent number: 6581572
    Abstract: A method for controlling the fuelling rate for an internal combustion engine including: a) controlling the fuelling rate in a fuel led control mode whereby the fuelling rate is controlled as a function of the operator demand on the engine during at least a portion of low engine load operation; b) controlling the fuel rate in an air led control mode whereby the fuelling rate is controlled as a function of the air flow rate to the engine during at least a portion of medium-to-high engine load operation; and c) providing a point of transition between the two control modes wherein each control mode provides substantially the same predetermined fuelling rate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2003
    Assignee: Orbital Engine Company (Australia) Pty Limited
    Inventors: Richard William Hurley, Martin David Hughes
  • Patent number: 6557528
    Abstract: A method of controlling detonation in an internal combustion engine is provided with the steps of: combusting a fuel and air mixture within a combustion cylinder; sensing a plurality of pressures at discrete points in time within the combustion cylinder; determining a pressure profile of the plurality of pressures; detecting detonation within the combustion cylinder; and acting upon the detonation, dependent upon where said detonation occurs on the pressure profile.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2003
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventor: Joel D. Hiltner
  • Patent number: 6550457
    Abstract: An electronic fuel injection control apparatus for an internal combustion engine, which is used for controlling a quantity of fuel injected from an injector into an intake pipe of the internal combustion engine, includes a microcomputer which performs an arithmetical operation for determining a pressure within the above described intake pipe based on a throttle valve opening degree and a rotational speed, an arithmetical operation for determining a variation relative to an arithmetically operated reference value of the intake pipe pressure, an arithmetical operation for determining a correction coefficient used for correcting an injection time when this variation exceeds a set value, and an arithmetical operation for determining an actual injection time by multiplying a basic injection time by the correction coefficient arithmetically operated immediately before a timing where the fuel is injected, and controls the injector such that the fuel is injected during the arithmetically operated injection time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2003
    Assignee: Kokusan Denki Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yuichi Kitagawa, Kazuyoshi Kishibata, Hiroyasu Sato
  • Patent number: 6546915
    Abstract: To enable accurate detection of the alternative ambient pressure when the correction of fuel supply is carried out by the used of the value of the ambient pressure substituted by the negative pressure in the inlet pipe. The difference between the calculated alternative ambient pressure and the estimated ambient pressure (offset) is set as a plurality of functions of the number of engine revolutions and the throttle opening, and stored in the area determination section with a plurality of areas divided by each offset value. In which area the condition of the engine resides is determined from the number of engine revolution and the throttle opening and the offset corresponding to the area is supplied. The calculation section calculates the calculation base value by the use of the negative pressure PB and the offset.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2003
    Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Kenichi Machida, Tatsuo Hayashi, Masahiko Abe
  • Publication number: 20030062028
    Abstract: An electronic fuel injection control apparatus for an internal combustion engine, which is used for controlling a quantity of fuel injected from an injector into an intake pipe of the internal combustion engine, includes a microcomputer which performs an arithmetical operation for determining a pressure within the above described intake pipe based on a throttle valve opening degree and a rotational speed, an arithmetical operation for determining a variation relative to an arithmetically operated reference value of the intake pipe pressure, an arithmetical operation for determining a correction coefficient used for correcting an injection time when this variation exceeds a set value, and an arithmetical operation for determining an actual injection time by multiplying a basic injection time by the correction coefficient arithmetically operated immediately before a timing where the fuel is injected, and controls the injector such that the fuel is injected during the arithmetically operated injection time.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 27, 2002
    Publication date: April 3, 2003
    Inventors: Yuichi Kitagawa, Kazuyoshi Kishibata, Hiroyasu Sato
  • Patent number: 6542790
    Abstract: A method of distributing an error correction term over four grid points used in a normalized 3D lookup routine circulates a change in output of the normalized 3D lookup routine at a given position by a fixed error correction amount at a plurality of points related in proximity to an input value point. The magnitude of change for a given one of the plurality of break points is proportional to the slope change of the grid point from a read point. The proportional reverse interpolation process is particularly well adapted for use with a proportional-integral controller as may be used in the air/fuel ratio control system generating a fuel multiplier control signal in response to variations between an exhaust gas oxygen sensor signal and a command signal for the air/fuel ratio.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2003
    Assignee: Ford Motor Company
    Inventor: Charles Hamilton Loucks
  • Patent number: 6539915
    Abstract: Method and arrangement for operating an internal combustion engine (10) which can be operated in several modes of operation, especially an internal combustion engine (10) having direct injection (DE) or intake manifold injection (SRE) and with a control apparatus (11). The control apparatus (11) or its software has a plurality of functions (12) and a scheduler (13) for activating the functions (12). Operating modes are assigned to the functions (12) and the functions (12) are activated by the scheduler (13) in dependence upon the assigned modes of operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2003
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Ernst Wild, Roland Herynek, Miriam Steger, Gudrun Menrad, Lutz Reuschenbach, Michael Oder, Werner Hess, Hans Hillner, Georg Mallebrein, Christian Koehler
  • Patent number: 6536414
    Abstract: A required injection time tau is calculated at intervals of 60° CA, and an injection start timing is determined according to the required injection time tau at that time at intervals of 180° CA so that fuel is taken in the cylinder by a first injection end regulation value (ATDC 60° CA). After that, at the injection start timing, the fuel injection for the (latest) required injection time tau calculated just before the start of injection is started. During the fuel injection, the required injection time tau is also calculated at intervals of 60° CA. When the calculated required injection time tau is different from the value of last time, the fuel injection time is extended or shortened according to the change amount.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2003
    Assignee: Denso Corporation
    Inventors: Jun Hasegawa, Hisashi Iida
  • Patent number: 6529815
    Abstract: A method for controlling an engine of a system having an air-charger system connected to the engine includes sensing air-charger system temperature; comparing the air-charger system temperature to a temperature threshold; and adjusting an engine control parameter when the air-charger system temperature exceeds the temperature threshold. A system for controlling engine operation is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2003
    Assignee: Detroit Diesel Corporation
    Inventors: Jeffery S. Hawkins, Ian D. McKenzie
  • Patent number: 6502550
    Abstract: An ignition and fuel control system 10 of a vehicle 18 is provided including a controller 22. The controller 22 is electrically coupled to an ignition system 14, a fuel system 16, a crankshaft position sensor 32, and a camshaft position sensor 34. The crankshaft position sensor 32 senses a crankshaft position and generates a crankshaft position signal. A camshaft position sensor 34 senses a camshaft position and generates a camshaft position signal. The controller 22 determines a crankshaft position and a camshaft position in response to the crankshaft position signal and the camshaft position signal respectively. The controller 22 identifies a reference engine cylinder in response to the crankshaft position and the camshaft position and generates a synchronization value. The controller 22 also enables the ignition system 14 and the fuel system 16 in response to the synchronization value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2003
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Allan J. Kotwicki, Siamak Hashemi, Steven Joseph Szwabowski, Woong-chul Yang, Yin Chen, Yong-Wha Kim
  • Patent number: 6493628
    Abstract: In an engine control unit, a crank signal is generated as a pulse train of every predetermined angle interval corresponding to rotation of a crankshaft of an engine. An edge time measuring counter receives the crank signal and measures an interval of pulses. A frequency multiplication counter generates frequency multiplication clocks of integer times by the next pulse on the basis of a pulse interval of this time. A reference counter counts the number of waves of the frequency multiplication clocks between pulses in the crank signal. When the count value of the reference counter reaches a frequency multiplication number, a guard counter forcedly stops outputting of angle clocks which are outputted in response to generation of frequency multiplication clocks in a tracking counter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2002
    Assignee: DENSO Corporation
    Inventor: Katsuyuki Ando
  • Patent number: 6484689
    Abstract: A fuel injection control apparatus for a diesel engine (1) is provided that eliminates a torque step occurring when shifting from a pilot fuel injection mode to a normal injection mode. After finding a total fuel injection quantity QFIN per cycle (block 101), a pilot fuel injection quantity QPILOTB is subtracted therefrom to determine a pilot fuel injection quantity QPILOT and a main fuel injection quantity QMAIN (block 103). Corrected pilot fuel injection quantity QPILOTF and corrected main fuel injection quantity QMAINF are determined using a fuel temperature correction coefficient KQTHF and a pilot fuel injection thermal efficiency CEHPILOT (block 104) and a main fuel injection thermal efficiency CEHMAIN (block 105). The thermal efficiencies are established based on the respective injection timings. A change in torque does not occur because the change in the thermal efficiency caused by the injection timing is offset.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2002
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Manabu Hasegawa
  • Patent number: 6484691
    Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus and a method for controlling and regulating an internal combustion engine 6; via a transducer disk 16 on the crankshaft 12 and a pickup 15, the annular position of the crankshaft 12 is ascertained continuously, with gasoline direct injection valves, in which the fuel injection valves 5 receive the fuel 1 from a pressure-imposing electric fuel pump 9 via a fuel rail 7. A control unit 25 evaluates the output signals of the pickup 15 to determine the annular position and to ascertain the rpm; depending on the annular position, the control unit 25 trips injection and/or ignition pulses. According to the invention, to detect the phase relationship of the engine 6, the pressure course in the fuel rail sensor 8 is evaluated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2002
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Thomas Schuster, Ingolf Rupp, Andreas Roth
  • Patent number: 6480781
    Abstract: A fuel injection control system and method for trimming an internal combustion engine during a fuel injection event based upon engine operating conditions, the control system including an electronic controller in electrical communication with the engine, the controller being operable to detect the operating mode of each injector of the engine and alter each injector operating mode as desired.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2002
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Gregory G. Hafner, Brian G. McGee
  • Publication number: 20020162529
    Abstract: A fuel injection control apparatus for a diesel engine (1) is provided that eliminates a torque step occurring when shifting from a pilot fuel injection mode to a normal injection mode. After finding a total fuel injection quantity QFIN per cycle (block 101), a pilot fuel injection quantity QPILOTB is subtracted therefrom to determine a pilot fuel injection quantity QPILOT and a main fuel injection quantity QMAIN (block 103). Corrected pilot fuel injection quantity QPILOTF and corrected main fuel injection quantity QMAINF are determined using a fuel temperature correction coefficient KQTHF and a pilot fuel injection thermal efficiency CEHPILOT (block 104) and a main fuel injection thermal efficiency CEHMAIN (block 105). The thermal efficiencies are established based on the respective injection timings. A change in torque does not occur because the change in the thermal efficiency caused by the injection timing is offset.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 26, 2002
    Publication date: November 7, 2002
    Inventor: Manabu Hasegawa
  • Publication number: 20020165659
    Abstract: This invention is a method and system to control engine shutdown for a hybrid electric vehicle (HEV). The invention allows for reduced tailpipe emissions during the many engine shutdowns and subsequent restarts during the course of an HEV drive cycle and reduced evaporative emissions during an HEV “soak” (inactive) period. The engine shutdown routine can ramp off fuel injectors, control engine torque (via electronic throttle control), control engine speed, stop spark delivery by disabling the ignition system, stop purge vapor flow by closing a vapor management valve (VMV), stop exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) flow by closing an EGR valve, and flush the intake manifold of residual fuel (vapor and puddles) into the combustion chamber to be combusted. The resulting exhaust gas byproducts are then converted in the catalytic converter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 5, 2001
    Publication date: November 7, 2002
    Inventors: David Lee Boggs, Jerry D. Robichaux, Mark William Peters, Stephen John Kotre
  • Publication number: 20020157649
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for rotational position determination of an internal combustion engine having a camshaft to which a camshaft sensor is assigned and having a crankshaft to which a crankshaft rotational position transducer is assigned. A control apparatus for controlling the engine includes at least one configurable control apparatus input. After detecting a fault function of the crankshaft rotational position transducer, the control apparatus input of the control apparatus switches to the evaluation of one of the flanks (9.1, 10.1, 11.1, 12.1; 9.2, 10.2, 11.2, 12.2) or of all flanks (9.1, 10.1, 11.1, 12.1; 9.2, 10.2, 11.2, 12.2) of pulse segments (A, C, E, G). Thereafter, an injection of fuel takes place into the cylinders of the engine until an rpm gradient is detected which makes possible a position determination of the rotational position of the crankshaft of the engine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 29, 2002
    Publication date: October 31, 2002
    Inventors: Klaus Zimmermann, Oliver Hasslacher, Bodo Wolf
  • Patent number: 6463913
    Abstract: A fuel control method uses a MAP sensor output that is encoded to render fueling computations insensitive to microprocessor clock accuracy. The signal output of the MAP sensor is encoded as a pulse width modulated signal, the cylinder air mass is calculated as a function of the encoded MAP signal and the engine is fueled according to the calculated cylinder air mass. By using the same time scale to decode the pulse width of the MAP PWM signal as is used to time injector duration, the time scale becomes irrelevant to the actual fuel/air ratio attained.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2002
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Allan Joseph Kotwicki, Paul A. Crosby, Ross Dykstra Pursifull
  • Patent number: 6453720
    Abstract: Before starting an air-fuel ratio feedback control utilizing an air-fuel ratio sensor, activation of a wide-range air-fuel ratio sensor in an internal combustion engine is diagnosed by calculating heat transferred to and from the air-fuel ratio sensor, the output value of the wide-range air-fuel ratio sensor varies in response to oxygen concentration in exhaust which varies according to the air-fuel ratio of an intake air-fuel mixture of the internal combustion engine. The activation time from the starting of the engine until the air-fuel ratio sensor is activated is estimate based on the calculated result of the heat transfer. Alternatively, activation of the sensor is diagnosed under the condition that an output voltage of the oxygen concentration detecting unit of the sensor is fixed to a value either equal to or above a rich-side set voltage or equal to or under a lean-side set voltage, before starting the air-fuel ratio feedback control.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2002
    Assignee: Unisia Jecs Corporation
    Inventor: Naoki Tomisawa
  • Patent number: 6431153
    Abstract: In a motor control method and apparatus for an internal combustion engine, a point for the beginning of injection moment and injection period for each cylinder are determined in a load-controlled way in a motor controller and supplied to the actuators for execution of the injection. To improve the response characteristic of the internal combustion engine, control information for injection of the cylinder currently to be addressed is transmitted as reserve information for the subsequent cylinder in every transmission cycle. In the event of a load increase, reserve information from the previous transmission cycle is used to control injection in the subsequent cylinder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2002
    Assignees: DaimlerChrysler AG, Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Thomas Ganser, Charles Robert Koch, Dietmar Lauffer, Kurt Maute, Andreas Schmidt, Markus Stalitza, Johannes Wehle
  • Publication number: 20020100458
    Abstract: A fuel injection control system and method for trimming an internal combustion engine during a fuel injection event based upon engine operating conditions, the control system including an electronic controller in electrical communication with the engine, the controller being operable to detect the operating mode of each injector of the engine and alter each injector operating mode as desired.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 21, 2002
    Publication date: August 1, 2002
    Inventors: Gregory G. Hafner, Brian G. McGee
  • Patent number: 6415769
    Abstract: An apparatus and a method of improving performance characteristics of an internal combustion engine is provided which includes electronically coupling a fuel boost controller to a fuel delivery solenoid of a fuel injector. The boost controller measures a timed release of fuel from an activated fuel delivery valve of the fuel delivery solenoid into a cylinder and activates the fuel delivery valve an extended amount of time over a programmed time for injecting additional fuel over the programmed amount into the cylinder to improve the performance characteristics.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2002
    Assignee: Blue Chip Diesel Performance
    Inventors: Charles P. Fisher, Jr., Tony Brock-Fisher
  • Patent number: 6415218
    Abstract: A control system for an automotive vehicle is capable of realizing superior control precision and response ability by an intake air flow rate control on the basis of a fuel injection amount which is, in turn, derived on the basis of a target torque even in lean-burn condition. The control system controls at least one of vehicle speed, a vehicular distance, driving wheel speed, slip ratio toward a target value, derives a target torque of an engine on the basis of the target value, a fuel injection amount for the engine on the basis of the target torque of the engine, a target air supply amount to the engine on the basis of the fuel injection amount derived by the vehicle condition control means and an actual air supply amount of the engine. The control system controls the actual air supply amount toward the target air supply amount.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2002
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Kousaku Shimada, Satoru Kuragaki, Koji Matsufuji
  • Patent number: 6411885
    Abstract: A computer readable storage medium having stored data representing instructions for controlling a spark ignited direct injection internal combustion engine having a plurality of cylinders operable in at least homogeneous and stratified modes, includes instructions for determining a desired value for an engine operating parameter based on current engine operating conditions wherein the desired value results in scheduling of an air/fuel ratio between homogeneous range and stratified range of allowable air/fuel ratios, instructions for operating a first portion of the cylinders in the homogenous operating mode, and instructions for operating a second portion of the cylinders in the stratified operating mode such that a combined air/fuel ratio associated with the first and second portions of the cylinders approaches the scheduled air/fuel ratio.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2002
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Jessy W. Grizzle, Jing Sun
  • Publication number: 20020069011
    Abstract: A method for controlling an engine of a system having an air-charger system connected to the engine includes sensing air-charger system temperature; comparing the air-charger system temperature to a temperature threshold; and adjusting an engine control parameter when the air-charger system temperature exceeds the temperature threshold. A system for controlling engine operation is also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 5, 2000
    Publication date: June 6, 2002
    Applicant: Detroit Diesel Corporaton
    Inventors: Jeffery S. Hawkins, Ian D. McKenzie
  • Patent number: 6363912
    Abstract: A method of regulating the rotational speed of multicylinder internal combustion engines is described using the rotational speed can be detected precisely and rapidly in a simple and cost-effective manner, permitting stable regulation to a constant rotational speed in the event of periodic and temporary rotational speed fluctuations. The time required for a fixed sequence of successively sensed pulses is continuously measured and used to form equidistant, uncorrected actual rotational speed values. The number of successively sensed pulses is defined as a function of the number of cylinders in the engine and the number of pulses that can be generated by the pole wheel per revolution. The time required for the number of sensed pulses corresponding to one complete revolution of the pole wheel is measured and used to form an average rotational speed. The difference between the average rotational speed and each uncorrected actual rotational speed value is smoothed to form corrected actual rotational speed values.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2002
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Michael Flach
  • Patent number: 6360159
    Abstract: A system and method is provided for controlling noxious emissions, such as NOx, from an internal combustion engine. The invention utilizes a closed loop and an open loop control algorithm to control one or more compensating levers, each compensating lever corresponding to a controllable engine operating parameter that when changed yields a change in the NOx emissions. In the closed loop control approach, the mass flow rate of the NOx is compared to a predetermined threshold to obtain a delta value. This delta value is applied through a PID controller to generate a corresponding change in one or more compensating levers. In the open loop portion, predetermined relationships are generated between one or more compensating levers and changes in a measure of the noxious emissions. Current values for one or more of the levers are compared against nominal values, and the change in these values are evaluated using predetermined relationships to produce a number of NOx delta values.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2002
    Assignee: Cummins, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul R. Miller, Mike Barbieri, Chaun He
  • Publication number: 20020029764
    Abstract: To enable accurate detection of the alternative ambient pressure when the correction of fuel supply is carried out by the used of the value of the ambient pressure substituted by the negative pressure in the inlet pipe. The difference between the calculated alternative ambient pressure and the estimated ambient pressure (offset) is set as a plurality of functions of the number of engine revolutions and the throttle opening, and stored in the area determination section with a plurality of areas divided by each offset value. In which area the condition of the engine resides is determined from the number of engine revolution and the throttle opening and the offset corresponding to the area is supplied. The calculation section calculates the calculation base value by the use of the negative pressure PB and the offset. When the relationship between the calculated base value and the last determined alternative ambient pressure is constant, the alternative ambient pressure is renewed by the calculation base value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 14, 2001
    Publication date: March 14, 2002
    Inventors: Kenichi Machida, Tatsuo Hayashi, Masahiko Abe
  • Patent number: 6354274
    Abstract: An ECU calculates a command injection amount based on a driving condition, and calculates an injection timing based on a detected fuel pressure. Further, the ECU calculates a provisional injection period, and calculates again an injection period based on the injection timing fuel pressure and the command injection amount when the injection timing fuel pressure is correctly detected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2002
    Assignee: Denso Corporation
    Inventors: Nobuhiko Shima, Takashi Kikutani, Hitoshi Kato