Speed, Acceleration, Deceleration Patents (Class 701/110)
  • Publication number: 20090138183
    Abstract: In an adaptive positioning method for an actuator, in particular, for a throttle butterfly on an internal combustion engine, during the adaptive positioning method, after a request for a set position and selection of a pilot value a corresponding pilot position for the actuator is adopted. The pilot position is adjusted until said position corresponds to the requested set position. The control value actually required or this set position is subsequently measured and recorded as corrected pilot value for the corresponding set position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 19, 2007
    Publication date: May 28, 2009
    Inventor: Joris Fokkelman
  • Patent number: 7536992
    Abstract: A PI control strategy controls engine speed to an engine speed set-point. A proportional map (36) is populated with data values to be used in calculating the P component of the strategy. An integral map (38) is populated with data values to be used in calculating the I component. Each data value in the maps is correlated with a speed data value representing engine speed (N) and a speed error data value representing the difference between engine speed and engine speed set-point (N_DIF_MAX_LIM). Values for proportional and integral components are selected from the respective maps by processing current engine speed data and current engine speed error data. The strategy uses the values from the maps for controlling engine speed to the speed set-point. Data values from other maps (20 and 24; or 22 and 26) modify the selected values from the proportional and integral maps (36, 38) for transmission type, transmission gear, and engine temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2009
    Assignee: International Engine Intellectual Property Company, LLC
    Inventors: Paul A. Wieshuber, James T. Beaucaire, Michael A. Majewski
  • Patent number: 7533652
    Abstract: A control device for a vehicle for cooperatively controlling the engagement of a lock-up clutch and the conditions of fuel cut. When the rotational speed of an input shaft of a transmission becomes greater than a predetermined value during deceleration running in the condition where a throttle valve is fully closed, the lock-up clutch is engaged. Thereafter, the fuel cut start engine speed increased by a predetermined value is changed to a normal fuel cut start engine speed, at which the fuel cut is started. Accordingly, engine brake can be produced at a lower vehicle speed as compared with the prior art.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2009
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoshiharu Saitou, Hiroyuki Takeo
  • Publication number: 20090112448
    Abstract: A throttle valve control system for an internal combustion engine which controls an opening of a throttle valve of the engine so that the opening coincides with a target opening. A regulation value of a change amount of the throttle valve opening is set according to at least a temperature parameter indicative of a temperature of the engine. The target opening is set within a range defined by the regulation value. An upper limit value and a lower limit value of the regulation value is set according to the temperature parameter, and a transition control is performed wherein the regulation value is set according to an elapsed time period after start of the engine so as to change from the lower limit value to the upper limit value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 22, 2008
    Publication date: April 30, 2009
    Inventors: Kazunori Kawamura, Futoshi Nishioka, Osamu Kitamura
  • Patent number: 7526375
    Abstract: An engine control system is provided. The system includes: an engine torque module that estimates torque output based on charge energy; and a cylinder mode module that controls fuel cut-off and adjusts spark timing to the engine based on the torque output.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2009
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations, Inc.
    Inventors: Kenneth J. Buslepp, Louis A. Avallone, Stuart R. Smith, Donovan L. Dibble
  • Patent number: 7522985
    Abstract: For monitoring of a measuring device (1), located in a wheeled vehicle, the measuring device (1) is configured so as to measure three linear accelerations (in unit 3) of the wheeled vehicle, which extend perpendicular to each other, respectively, as well as three rotational speeds (in unit 4) and one respective rotational movement or a component of a rotational movement about an axis of the wheeled vehicle, the three axes running perpendicular to each other, respectively. At least components of an orientation of the wheeled vehicle in a vehicle-external coordinate system are determined (in unit 7) from the three rotational speeds, and at least one of the measured linear accelerations is monitored (in unit 9) using at least the components of the orientation and a comparative variable (from unit 8).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2009
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Jens Fiedler, Andreas Mayer, Thomas Schweiger, Martin Stratesteffen
  • Patent number: 7520263
    Abstract: Disclosed are an engine torque control apparatus and an engine torque control method that can stably control engine torque when a variation of a TPS signal converts from an idle state to a part load state or from the part load state to the idle state in an engine, in which an ISA is installed, thereby resolving a problem on drivability, such as a drop of an engine RPM and resolving a problem on drivability, such as flare of an engine RPM, and improving fuel consumption.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2009
    Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventor: Hyung Kee Kim
  • Patent number: 7512478
    Abstract: To enable operation of an internal combustion engine even without the signals of a phase sensor while nonetheless enabling an emergency driving function in the case of a disturbance of a crankshaft signal acquired by a crankshaft sensor, a cylinder pressure is acquired using a cylinder pressure sensor and it is checked whether the cylinder pressure reaches a prespecifiable threshold value. When the threshold value is reached or exceeded, an angular position associated with the threshold value is inferred. The angular position is then made available for an operation of the internal combustion engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2009
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Michael Kessler, Thomas Bossmeyer, Michael Kolbe
  • Patent number: 7512480
    Abstract: An electronic variable valve apparatus may be stably controlled regardless of variations of engine condition with minimized usage of map tables by employing a sliding surface calculation for controlling the electronic variable valve apparatus in order to achieve a target cam angle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2009
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors Corporation
    Inventor: Hakmo Yoo
  • Publication number: 20090082945
    Abstract: A method is provided of boosting power to a continuously variable transmission having a motor. The continuously variable transmission is powered by an engine. The method includes selectively adjusting a power output of the engine above a steady state power output rating of the engine when an acceleration of the motor exceeds an acceleration threshold value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 24, 2008
    Publication date: March 26, 2009
    Inventors: Brian Dean Kuras, Thomas Michael Sopko, JR., Maria-Magdalena Dilmot, Michael Edward Vanderham
  • Patent number: 7502682
    Abstract: A method for regulating an actual output variable of an internal combustion engine to a reference variable. A maximum value for the reference variable is generated as a function of at least one physical variable in the exhaust system of the internal combustion engine and the reference variable is limited to this maximum value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2009
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Horst Wagner, Maik Schaufler
  • Patent number: 7500469
    Abstract: A hybrid vehicle has, as its driving-force source, an internal combustion engine that includes an in-cylinder injector directly injecting fuel into a cylinder and an intake manifold injector injecting fuel into an intake manifold and/or an intake port as well as another driving-force source. When the internal combustion engine is operated in such an operation state as the low-vehicle-speed running state where the sound generated from the whole vehicle is low in volume, the fuel injection ratio between the injectors is set so that the total fuel quantity is injected by the intake manifold injector, without using the in-cylinder injector that injects fuel at a high pressure. In this way, the operating sound of the internal combustion engine can be reduced in the operation state where the sound generated from the whole vehicle is low in volume.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2009
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Tatsuhiko Akita
  • Patent number: 7487023
    Abstract: In a hybrid construction machine, its display device displays, toward an operator, an artificial engine sound serving as load information according to a magnitude of a workload, instead of an engine sound. Furthermore, the display device issues an alarm sound to surrounding workers when performing an operation by only stored electrical power of an electrical energy storage device without using an engine. In this hybrid construction machine, in addition to the issuing of alarm from the display device during the operation without using the engine, the display device issues an advance notice sound for engine restart when at least one value out of the workload and a charge amount of the electrical energy storage device has become an advance notice set value close to a set value of engine restart.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2009
    Assignee: Kobelco Construction Machinery Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Masayuki Komiyama, Masayuki Kagoshima
  • Patent number: 7487032
    Abstract: An engine control system, which is adaptable for individual differences among engines, changes with time, environmental changes, etc., and which can control engine torque with high accuracy and high response. The engine control system comprises a unit for detecting engine torque in at least one of direct and indirect manners, a unit for computing an engine control parameter, and a unit for modifying the engine control parameter based on the detected torque detected by the engine torque detecting unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2009
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Shinji Nakagawa, Shinya Satou, Mamoru Nemoto
  • Patent number: 7477972
    Abstract: A rollover warning and detection method for a transport vehicle is adaptively adjustable to take into account the CG height of the vehicle. Measures of the vehicle speed, lateral acceleration and yaw rate are sampled during normal driving conditions and used to estimate the CG height of the vehicle. The centrifugal acceleration acting on the vehicle is calculated as the product of vehicle speed and yaw rate, and the CG height is estimated based on the relationship between the calculated centrifugal acceleration and the measured lateral acceleration. The estimated CG height of the vehicle is used to adjust various calibrated rollover detection thresholds so that algorithm outputs such as rollover warnings automatically take into consideration vehicle loading effects.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2009
    Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Brian M. Stavroff, Peter J. Schubert
  • Patent number: 7477981
    Abstract: An arrangement, a computer-readable medium and a method for controlling an HCCI (homogenous charge compression ignition) engine are disclosed. The arrangement comprises a control unit for initiating closure and/or opening of the inlet valve and/or the exhaust valve at a current crankshaft angle in such a way that self-ignition of the fuel mixture occurs when the crankshaft is at a target crankshaft angle. The arrangement comprises cards for storing relevant values of the current crankshaft angle as a function of at least one operation-related parameter such as engine speed, temperature and pressure, and an estimator estimating values of the operation-related parameter during operation of the combustion engine. The control unit can adjust the inlet valve and/or the exhaust valve depending on the stored value of the current crankshaft angle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2009
    Assignee: Scania CV AB (publ)
    Inventor: Fredrik Agrell
  • Patent number: 7474952
    Abstract: A fuel injection controller performs minute injection amount learning for learning an injection characteristic of an injector related to a minute amount injection such as a pilot injection by performing n-times of injections of fuel amounts obtained by equally dividing a fuel injection amount required during idle rotation speed control. The controller performs relative injection amount learning for learning a variation in the injection characteristics among cylinders based on a correlation between output torque of an engine and the injection amount when the injections of the equally-divided fuel amounts are not performed. Learning areas of the minute amount injection learning and the relative injection amount learning are defined by the injection amount and fuel pressure such that the learning areas do not interfere with each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2009
    Assignee: Denso Corporation
    Inventor: Kouichi Sugiyama
  • Patent number: 7472013
    Abstract: An engine control module comprises a table that outputs a parked VE estimate based on an input parameter when intake and exhaust cam phasers of an engine are in a parked position. A calculation module calculates VE estimate when the intake and exhaust cam phasers are not in a parked position based on the parked VE estimate and a mathematical relationship.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2008
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations, Inc.
    Inventors: Layne K. Wiggins, Kenneth P. Dudek, Jason Meyer, Yann G. Guezennec
  • Patent number: 7469173
    Abstract: A notification system for a vehicle includes at least a first and a second power source. The notification system also includes a controller that is operable with the first and second power sources and is configured to determine operating modes of the first and second power sources. The controller is also adapted to generate signals that correspond to the operating modes and operating limitations of the vehicle to effect an audible indication in the form of a voice message that may include a vehicle system limitation message for a vehicle operator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2008
    Assignee: Ford Motor Company
    Inventors: John Czubay, John Proietty
  • Patent number: 7460944
    Abstract: A damping device comprises a device (4, 7) for determining a mechanical state variable (??MODEL, ??ACTUAL) reproducing the torsion of a drivetrain (3) of an internal combustion engine (1) and an actuator (2) to activate an internal combustion engine (1) with a control variable as a function of the mechanical state variable (??MODEL, ??ACTUAL). It is proposed that the mechanical state variable (??MODEL, ??ACTUAL) be determined by a predictor element (4) that contains a model of the drivetrain (3) and/or the internal combustion engine (1).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2008
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Julian Baumann, Thomas Schlegl, Dara Daniel Torkzadeh
  • Patent number: 7457702
    Abstract: An ECU executes the step S100 of detecting an intake air amount QA and an ignition timing IT, the step S200 of calculating an estimated engine torque TE from QA and IT, the step S300 of detecting the engine rotation speed NE and the turbine rotation speed NT, the step S400 of calculating the speed ratio E of the torque converter 210, the step S500 of calculating a torque capacity C from the speed ratio, the step S600 of calculating a reference torque TP(0) from the torque capacity C, the step S700 correcting the reference torque TP(0) into TP based on a map, the step S900 setting TE as the estimated engine torque if TP is greater than TE, and the step S1000 setting TP as the estimated engine torque if TP is not greater than TE.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2008
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabsuhiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Hideki Takamatsu
  • Patent number: 7457700
    Abstract: A method and a device for operating an internal combustion engine provide that a value for a first performance quantity of the internal combustion engine is modeled as a function of at least one second performance quantity different from the first performance quantity, e.g., a charge of the internal combustion engine. This modeling is corrected as a function of a comparison of the modeled value for the first performance quantity with a measured value for the first performance quantity. The correction is performed differently for different operating points of the internal combustion engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2008
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Helge Frauenkron, Robert Kuenne
  • Patent number: 7454286
    Abstract: The present invention relates to: self-tuning engine control algorithms using inputs from transducers that measure pressure in the engine cylinders, and from an engine crankshaft rotational position sensor; methods of processing the input signals to “self-tune” or learn accurate values for a) pressure transducer voltage offset, b) crank position encoder error and c) engine compression ratio; improved pressure-ratio-based algorithms for calculating cylinder heat release fraction as a function of crank angle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2008
    Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: James F. Sinnamon, Mark C. Sellnau
  • Publication number: 20080270010
    Abstract: An engine racing detecting apparatus detects engine racing of an engine of a vehicle. The engine racing detecting apparatus includes a rotation-speed acquiring unit, a clutch-state acquiring unit, and an engine-racing determining unit. The rotation-speed acquiring unit acquires a rotation speed of the engine. The clutch-state acquiring unit acquires clutch state indicative of whether a clutch of the engine is ON or OFF. The engine-racing determining unit determines whether the engine races based on the rotation speed when the clutch state indicates that the clutch is OFF.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 16, 2008
    Publication date: October 30, 2008
    Applicant: FUJITSU TEN LIMITED
    Inventors: Satoshi Harumoto, Yuusaku Matsuda, Kouei Kiyo
  • Patent number: 7441547
    Abstract: A method of feeding fuel to an engine, comprising the steps of determining whether or not the engine is decelerating based on a time-lapse change rate of an engine speed of the engine, and reducing an amount of the fuel to be fed to air taken into the engine from outside to less than a reference amount preset according to the engine speed when it is determined that the engine is decelerating.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2008
    Assignee: Kawasaki Jukogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Naoki Kawamura, Satoru Watabe
  • Patent number: 7437874
    Abstract: A method for controlling exhaust gas particulate emissions from a compression ignition internal combustion engine having a variable geometry turbocharger (VGT) includes the steps of determining backpressure across the engine and air mass flow into the engine, closing vanes of the VGT to provide air mass flow increase when backpressure is increasing, and stopping the step of closing the vanes of the VGT when a decrease in rate of change of air mass flow is determined.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2008
    Assignee: Detroit Diesel Corporation
    Inventors: Ravishankar Ramamurthy, Laurentiu Vaduva, Admir Krejo
  • Patent number: 7440840
    Abstract: There is a need for making a user fully conscious about environmentally friendly driving. In an ecological driving system, a CPU allows a display apparatus to distinctively display fuel consumption according to the following idling states. One idling state results from engine warm-up. Another is useless idling state. Still another idling state results when a vehicle waits for turning to the left at an intersection or stops at a roadside. Yet another idling state results when the vehicle waits for turning to the right at an intersection. Still yet another idling state results when the vehicle waits forward at an intersection or stops due to traffic congestion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2008
    Assignee: Denso Corporation
    Inventors: Akira Tsukamoto, Nobutaka Tauchi
  • Patent number: 7430483
    Abstract: A method of analyzing variations in an indicator of the behavior of a mechanism, in which noise is extracted, and any discontinuities from an indicator in order to obtain a trend, variations in the trend are compared with one or more reference values; and a fault of the mechanism is indicated as a function of the result of the comparison. Any outlier data in the indicated data are search for and subtracted, and any edge data are extracted from the data obtained from the search operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2008
    Assignee: Eurocopter
    Inventor: Johan Wiig
  • Patent number: 7424361
    Abstract: The driving force control unit for vehicle comprises a driving condition detecting unit for detecting the vehicle driving condition, a selector for selecting one of driving modes by manipulation, the driving modes including a first mode having a driving force characteristic suitable for normal driving and a second mode having a suppressed driving force, and driving force setting unit for setting a driving force indication value based on the selected mode and the vehicle driving conditions. The selector being formed by a multiple switch having a push switch which turns to ON state when a pressing force direction manipulation is applied, and other switch which turns to ON state when manipulation other than the pressing force direction is applied, the second mode is selected by the ON manipulation of the push switch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2008
    Assignee: Fuji Jukogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Toshio Masuda, Kenichi Yamamoto, Kenji Hijikata, Satoshi Satomura, Hiroshi Oishi, Toyohide Sunaguchi, Yoshio Iwakami, Munenori Homma, Atsushi Atake, Kouji Kaneda, Tatsuru Fukuda, Minoru Yuki, Masayuki Ushiki, Tsuyoshi Kobayashi, Masahito Motoi, Naoki Shibata, Hiroshi Ogiwara, Katsumasa Igarashi, Junzo Shinozuka, Akihisa Nakamura
  • Patent number: 7421343
    Abstract: Systems and methods for reducing vibration-induced bias errors in inertial sensors are disclosed. A system for reducing bias errors in an inertial sensor operating within an environment may include a vibration detector for sensing vibration changes within the environment proximate to the inertial sensor, and a Kalman filter for computing an estimate of the navigational error produced by the inertial sensor due to a vibration-induced bias shift detected by the vibration detector. The vibration detector can be configured to measure an accelerometer output of the inertial sensor over a Kalman filter cycle, and then use the standard deviation of such output to obtain a statistical measure of the vibration within the environment. In some embodiments, the inertial sensor may include an inertial measurement unit (IMU) connected to an error compensation unit and strapdown navigator, each of which can be fed navigation corrections determined by the Kalman filter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2008
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventor: Wesley J. Hawkinson
  • Publication number: 20080201064
    Abstract: An idle stop controller connects to a vehicle computer so as to implement an idle stop on request of the driver from a signal derived from a foot brake, a parking brake, or a voice-activated switch. It also implements an engine restart on request of the driver, and this can be done in several ways.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 18, 2008
    Publication date: August 21, 2008
    Inventor: Michael DiGonis
  • Publication number: 20080178837
    Abstract: A control device for a vehicle for cooperatively controlling the engagement of a lock-up clutch and the conditions of fuel cut. When the rotational speed of an input shaft of a transmission becomes greater than a predetermined value during deceleration running in the condition where a throttle valve is fully closed, the lock-up clutch is engaged. Thereafter, the fuel cut start engine speed increased by a predetermined value is changed to a normal fuel cut start engine speed, at which the fuel cut is started. Accordingly, engine brake can be produced at a lower vehicle speed as compared with the prior art.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 24, 2008
    Publication date: July 31, 2008
    Applicant: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yoshiharu Saitou, Hiroyuki Takeo
  • Patent number: 7398148
    Abstract: The valve timing is changed to increase the internal EGR amount the moment a fuel cut process begins (FIG. 2C). Before a sufficient amount of internal EGR is obtained, control is exercised so that the throttle-opening angle TA is larger than a basic idle-opening angle TA0. When a sufficient amount of internal EGR is obtained, control is exercised so that the throttle-opening angle TA is smaller than the basic idle-opening angle TA0 (FIG. 2D). The increase in the internal EGR amount is rendered smaller during fuel cut at a low rotation speed than during fuel cut at a high rotation speed. In addition, the amount of decrease in the throttle-opening angle TA is rendered smaller during fuel cut at a low rotation speed than during fuel cut at a high rotation speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2008
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Mamoru Yoshioka, Yasuyuki Takama
  • Publication number: 20080162022
    Abstract: A method to operate an internal combustion engine by derating the engine in response to sensed emissions levels as compared to engine speed and engine torque and logging a fault.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 14, 2007
    Publication date: July 3, 2008
    Applicant: Detroit Diesel Corporation
    Inventor: Frank S. Groer
  • Patent number: 7395143
    Abstract: The system (CVT) includes a first electrical machine (M1) with a first rotor (R1) provided with a multiphase winding (W1) and fixed firmly to the shaft (1) of the internal combustion engine (ICE) and a second rotor (R2) or intermediate rotor coaxial with the first rotor (R1) and carrying first magnetic means (PM1) operatively cooperating with the winding (W1) of the first rotor (R1), the intermediate rotor (R2) being coupled with at least one axle (2) of the motor vehicle, and a second rotary electrical machine (M2) coaxial with the first (M1) and including a stator (ST), which is arranged on the opposite side of the intermediate rotor (R2) to the first rotor (R1) and is provided with a multiphase winding (W2), as well as the intermediate rotor (R2) which also carries second magnetic means operatively cooperating with the winding (W2) of the stator (ST), a first inverter and a second inverter (I1, I2) of which the a.c.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2008
    Assignee: CRF Societa Consortile per Azioni
    Inventors: Franco Villata, Antonino Fratta, Alfredo Vagati, Gian Mario Pellegrino, Angela Del Gobbo, Liborio Tarquinio, Stefano Re Fiorentin
  • Patent number: 7395147
    Abstract: An engine system includes an engine having an intake manifold and a turbocharger that supplies compressed air to the intake manifold. An engine control module calculates a desired pre-throttle pressure of air before the throttle and calculates a desired manifold air flow into the engine. The engine control module determines a desired pre throttle pressure area based on the desired air per cylinder, desired manifold pressure and RPM and generates control signals to control the engine with the turbocharger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2008
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Livshiz, Douglas J. Babcock, Joseph R. Dulzo, Emil Ritzen, Anne E. Vondracek, Lennarth Zander
  • Patent number: 7392116
    Abstract: A method for operating a chassis regulating system of a vehicle, in which a control quantity is generated for an actuator, includes providing a first signal, which is representative of the transverse acceleration of the vehicle, providing a second signal, which is representative of the steering lock angle, providing a third signal, which is representative of the speed of the vehicle, allocating a weighting factor for the amplitude of the first signal, generating an estimated transverse acceleration signal from the second signal and the third signal, generating a weighted estimation signal by multiplying the estimated transverse acceleration signal with the weighting factor, and generating the control quantity by additive superimposing of the weighted estimation signal with the first signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2008
    Assignee: TRW Automotive GmbH
    Inventor: Dirk Kesselgruber
  • Patent number: 7386390
    Abstract: A requested volume flow ratio calculated based on a requested torque, an amount of two times a spit-back gas amount at the valve overlap time calculated based on a requested residual gas rate, and a spit-back gas amount of the time when an intake valve is closed are added together, to set a requested valve passing gas amount of the intake valve, thereby determining a target operating characteristic of the intake valve based on the requested valve passing gas amount.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2008
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventor: Kenichi Machida
  • Patent number: 7383117
    Abstract: This invention describes a method for optimizing a valve-lift changeover on spark-ignition engines with lambda control. On the basis of the evaluation of an acceleration characteristic and a lambda characteristic during the valve-lift changeover, it is determined whether cylinder charging errors and/or torque errors that require correction are present in the spark-ignition engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2008
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Erwin Bauer, Dietmar Ellmer
  • Patent number: 7377260
    Abstract: An internal combustion engine has a plurality of cylinders having combustion chambers and each being associated with a spark plug designed for igniting a mixture of air and fuel in the combustion chamber, and at least two adjusting devices for adjusting the air supply to the combustion chambers of the different cylinders. To control the internal combustion engine, an individual ignition angle is detected for each group of cylinders to which the same air mass per working cycle is respectively supplied and during the respective working cycles of which the same loss torque is decisive. The decisive loss torque is the one associated with the cylinder that is in its intake cycle during the respective working cycle of the respective cylinder of the respective group. The individual ignition angle for each group is detected as a function of the decisive loss torque for the respective group.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2008
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Martin Jehle, Dirk Schneider
  • Patent number: 7373922
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for controlling the intake air amount in an internal combustion engine provided with a throttle valve and an intake air amount changing means linked with the same, the intake air amount control apparatus and method of an internal combustion engine finding a target intake air amount mcta based on an accelerator opening degree and engine speed (step 101), determining a target setting Cvta for said intake air amount changing means based on at least said target intake air amount (step 103), and finding a target throttle opening degree ?tta based on model equations creating a model of an engine intake system and expressing the air passing through the engine intake system from said target intake air amount mcta and the target setting Cvta (step 107).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2008
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Harufumi Muto, Yuji Miyanoo, Akira Eiraku, Masashi Hakariya
  • Patent number: 7376505
    Abstract: A method and a device for operating an internal combustion engine, in particular a motor vehicle having a plurality of cylinder banks are described, making it possible to eliminate fluctuations in a time trend in an output quantity of the internal combustion engine that may result due to differences in operation of different cylinder banks of the internal combustion engine. A characteristic value of the output quantity of the internal combustion engine is determined repeatedly over time. The thus formed time trend in the characteristic value for the output quantity of the internal combustion engine is filtered as a function of the operation of the cylinder banks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2008
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Peter Skala, Horst Wagner, Ruediger Fehrmann, Maik Schaufler
  • Patent number: 7373239
    Abstract: An engine control apparatus for a work vehicle having a cooling fan or an auxiliary device driven by an engine. The engine control apparatus is capable of operating the work vehicle with the importance placed either on amount of work or fuel economy depending on the situation, and preventing the input of excessive traveling horsepower (or working horsepower), regardless of a selected work mode, to ensure durability of the traveling power train (or work machine drive equipment). Upon selection of a work mode by the work mode selection switch, a controller controls the engine to obtain a power curve selected from those selectable for the selected work mode can be obtained, based on the coolant temperature range and the selected work mode, so that the input torque transmitted to the traveling power train does not surpass the upper limit for the input torque (rated output).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2008
    Assignee: Komatsu, Ltd.
    Inventors: Mitsuhiko Kamado, Shigeru Yamamoto
  • Publication number: 20080097683
    Abstract: A control apparatus which is capable of compensating for a control error properly and quickly even under a condition where the control error is temporarily increased e.g. by degradation of reliability of the detection results of reference parameters other than controlled variables, thereby making it possible to ensure a high accuracy of control. An air-fuel ratio controller of the control apparatus calculates modified errors by multiplying e.g.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 12, 2007
    Publication date: April 24, 2008
    Inventors: Yuji Yasui, Ikue Kawasumi, Kosuke Higashitani
  • Publication number: 20080086256
    Abstract: A torque adaptation system is provided. The system includes, a torque error estimator module that estimates a torque error based on an error propagation model and a plurality of torque model parameters; and an adapt torque module that adapts a model torque based on the torque error.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 10, 2006
    Publication date: April 10, 2008
    Inventor: David J. Stroh
  • Patent number: 7353803
    Abstract: The present invention generally includes a method of detecting a misfire in an internal combustion engine. The method includes detecting a first engine speed at a first crankshaft position that corresponds to about a top dead center compression position of a first piston within a first cylinder and detecting a second engine speed at a second crankshaft position that corresponds to about a position subsequent to the top dead center compression position. The method determines whether the misfire occurred in the first cylinder based on the first engine speed and the second engine speed. The method provides an improved signal to noise ratio for engine misfire detection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2008
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations, Inc.
    Inventors: David S. Mathews, Tameem K. Assaf, David L. St. Pierre
  • Patent number: 7353105
    Abstract: There is provided construction machinery for switchably controlling rotational speed between a normal and an energy saving mode. Change in workload is detected by means except for change in pressure of a main circuit. It is more convenient to use the machinery in the energy saving mode, increasing opportunities for use in the energy saving mode to suppress fuel consumption and noise.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2008
    Assignee: Sumitomo (SHI) Construction Machinery Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hisaho Mino, Nobuyuki Baba
  • Patent number: 7353104
    Abstract: A timer module in an ECU has an angle counter and a timer counter. A value counted by the angle counter indicates a crank angle of a crankshaft. Under the control of the termination to output an ignition pulse signal to an igniter, the ECU inverts the level of the ignition pulse signal to Low level (as an inactive mode) when a first comparator outputs an angle comparison matching signal after a value of the angle counter reaches a pulse OFF angle “an12” count value of the angle counter, and when a second comparator outputs a time comparison matching signal after the value of the time counter reaches a time “t12” as an elapsed time of a regular time length “TH” counted from a pulse ON time “t11”. Thus, even if the crank angle of the crankshaft reaches the pulse OFF angle “an12” before the timing “t12”, the ECU keeps High level of the ignition pulse signal until the timing “t12”.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2008
    Assignee: Denso Corporation
    Inventor: Tadaharu Nishimura
  • Patent number: 7346445
    Abstract: A method for operating an internal combustion engine, including the following steps: forming a value for a maximum admissible torque, forming a dimension figure for the actual torque and comparing the dimension figure to the value and triggering an error response if the actual torque exceeds the maximum admissible torque. The value for the maximum admissible torque is developed from a first approximation value and an estimated value for the torque contribution of an intervention of a fault regulator. Also, a control unit as well as its use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2008
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventor: Gerit Von Schwertfuehrer
  • Patent number: 7340338
    Abstract: A method and a device for operating an internal combustion engine, particularly of a vehicle, having several cylinder banks are provided, which allow for a simplified control. For this purpose, a resulting requirement is formed by coordinating several output variable requirements of the internal combustion engine. The coordination of the requirements for several cylinder banks is performed jointly, and the resulting output variable requirement is then divided into several individual output variable requirements of each particular cylinder bank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2008
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Peter Skala, Horst Wagner, Maik Schaufler