Speed, Acceleration, Deceleration Patents (Class 701/110)
  • Patent number: 8423265
    Abstract: A control system of an internal combustion engine in which a first fuel of ammonia and a second fuel which is easier to burn than ammonia are used as fuels. An ammonia ratio is usually set to a reference ammonia ratio which is determined in advance in accordance with an operating state of an engine. At the time when feed of the fuel is restarted after suspension of feed of the fuel at the time of deceleration, the ammonia ratio is temporarily made lower than the reference ammonia ratio in accordance with the operating state of the engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2013
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Koji Aso, Takahiko Fujiwara, Hiroshi Tanaka
  • Patent number: 8406981
    Abstract: An operation amount detecting unit 17 detects an operation amount of a throttle grip from a zero position. A basic throttle opening degree computing unit 18 computes a basic throttle opening degree corresponding to the operation amount. A throttle opening degree additional value computing unit 20 outputs as a target throttle opening degree a value obtained by adding the basic throttle opening degree with a throttle opening degree additional value corresponding to the operation amount when the operation of the throttle grip is performed within a small operation region corresponding to an idle operation. The throttle opening degree additional value computing unit 20 outputs as the target throttle opening degree the basic throttle opening degree when the operation of the throttle grip is performed without the small operation region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2013
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Takashi Tetsuka, Makoto Tsuyuguchi, Takeru Abe, Yukihiro Asada, Kenichi Machida
  • Patent number: 8406973
    Abstract: The present invention provides a driving force control unit for a vehicle having an accelerator opening degree detecting unit for detecting accelerator opening degree, a driving condition detecting unit for detecting engine driving condition, a driving force setting unit for setting a driving force indication value according to a plurality of different driving force characteristics based on the accelerator opening degree and the engine driving condition, a selector for selecting a driving force characteristic from the plural of different driving force characteristics by manipulation. The driving force setting unit setting the driving force indication value according to the selected driving force characteristic.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2013
    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: 8401764
    Abstract: Systems and methods for identifying alcohol content of a fuel in an engine. In one example approach, a method comprises adjusting fuel injection to the engine based on fuel alcohol content identified from crankshaft acceleration. For example, the crankshaft acceleration may be generated by modulating an air/fuel ratio in a selected cylinder across a range of air/fuel ratios while keeping the engine at stoichiometry.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2013
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Robert Roy Jentz, John Eric Rollinger, Brandon M. Dawson, Michael Igor Kluzner
  • Patent number: 8396647
    Abstract: When an engine shifts to idle operation in a process of stopping an automobile, a target engine speed of an engine idle speed control is reduced and a threshold engine speed of an engine speed reduction prevention control is also reduced accordingly, provided that the automobile is traveling on a road surface with low friction coefficient.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2013
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Takashi Tsunooka, Yoshiyuki Shogenji
  • Patent number: 8396649
    Abstract: A method comprises steps for reconstructing in-cylinder pressure data from a vibration signal collected from a vibration sensor mounted on an engine component where it can generate a signal with a high signal-to-noise ratio, and correcting the vibration signal for errors introduced by vibration signal charge decay and sensor sensitivity. The correction factors are determined as a function of estimated motoring pressure and the measured vibration signal itself with each of these being associated with the same engine cycle. Accordingly, the method corrects for charge decay and changes in sensor sensitivity responsive to different engine conditions to allow greater accuracy in the reconstructed in-cylinder pressure data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2013
    Assignee: Westport Power Inc.
    Inventor: Jian Huang
  • Patent number: 8396644
    Abstract: A control device for an internal combustion engine employing PCCI combustion, capable of realizing high-stability operation of the engine throughout a large operation area, is provided. The engine control device comprises a fuel supply system which supplies light oil or mixed fuel containing light oil to the engine, a gas supply system which supplies hydrogen to the engine, and a required premixed gas calculating unit which previously stores and uses multiple combustion waveforms (changing depending on hydrogen addition concentration) as data. The required premixed gas calculating unit selects one of the combustion waveforms so as to achieve high thermal efficiency depending on the status of the engine and determines the hydrogen addition concentration (addition concentration of the hydrogen to be supplied to the engine) corresponding to the selected combustion waveform, by which the generation of PM and NOx can be reduced while also improving the thermal efficiency of the engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2013
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hajime Kabashima, Yasuhiro Urata, Kazushi Yamamoto
  • Patent number: 8386150
    Abstract: An engine control system includes a fuel cutoff (FCO) module, a fuel control module, and a spark control module. The FCO module, when a FCO event is disabled, determines a feed-forward (FF) number of cylinders to offset a delay period associated with supplying fuel to the cylinders of an engine and selectively maintains a FCO torque request at a predetermined torque. The fuel control module commands fuel be supplied to the FF number of cylinders of the engine when the FCO event is disabled. The spark control module maintains a spark timing of the FF number of cylinders at a fully retarded spark timing based on the FCO torque request.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2013
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Christopher E. Whitney, Jun Lu, Michael J. Pitsch, Ryan Goode, Krishnendu Kar
  • Patent number: 8380419
    Abstract: A method and system of accelerating a vehicle from an intermediate speed to a target speed under control of a cruise control or driving speed control unit are disclosed. An acceleration rate of a vehicle is measured while a vehicle speed is below an intermediate speed at which the driving speed control unit is enabled. The intermediate speed is greater than the initial speed and less than the target speed. A derived acceleration rate is calculated using the measured acceleration rate. When the driving speed control unit is enabled, the vehicle is accelerated from the intermediate speed to the final speed at an acceleration rate about equal to the derived acceleration rate. The derived acceleration rate may be the acceleration rate of the vehicle at the intermediate speed, the average acceleration rate between the initial and intermediate speeds, or the average acceleration rate within a threshold of the intermediate speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2013
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventor: Ingo-Gerd Sauter
  • Patent number: 8380421
    Abstract: Methods and systems are described for conserving fuel used by an engine. In some embodiments a control module processes a user-provided input, as a first function, into a second function. The second function can be used to direct the engine with a directive output power. The directive output power may have regions equal to, greater than, and/or less than what the power output would be if the engine were controlled using the user-provided input.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2013
    Assignee: Fuel Saving Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Jeffrey N. Yu, James W. Hill
  • Patent number: 8380376
    Abstract: An apparatus includes an engine; an exhaust gas control apparatus; a first and second electric motors; a power distributing portion that is connected to an engine shaft, a rotating shaft of the first electric motor, and a drive shaft that inputs/outputs power to/from the second electric motor; a power storage device that supplies/receives electric power to/from the two motors; a setting portion that sets a required torque of the drive shaft; and a control portion that, when there is a demand to decelerate the drive shaft while a fuel-supply to the engine is being prohibited, controls the engine and the two motors such that torque based on the required torque is output to the drive shaft and an engine speed is decreased to a self-sustaining speed with the fuel-supply and an adjustment that increases the intake air amount of the engine as the temperature of the power storage device increases.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2013
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Hikokazu Akimoto
  • Publication number: 20130035844
    Abstract: The present invention concerns an output control device for an internal combustion engine for generating a drive force of a vehicle. The output control device includes a braking request detection sensor for detecting whether or not a braking request operation has been performed, and a controller programmed to limit an output of the internal combustion engine when the braking request operation is started, completely lift output limitation of the internal combustion engine over a predetermined limitation lifting time when the braking request operation is finished and shorten the limitation lifting time when a predetermined condition holds.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 12, 2011
    Publication date: February 7, 2013
    Inventor: Masahiro Iriyama
  • Publication number: 20130035843
    Abstract: When a computer determines that an accelerator pedal and a brake pedal are simultaneously stepped based on the signals from the accelerator position sensor and a brake switch, the first switch is turned off so that the accelerator sensor signal which will be transmitted into the computer is compulsorily made zero. A throttle-position command value which will be transmitted from the computer into a throttle actuator is reduced to a value corresponding to the idling state. If an engine output is not reduced, the computer turns off a second switch so that a throttle actuator is de-energized. A throttle valve is compulsorily brought into a position corresponding to an idling state by a biasing force of a throttle return spring.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 11, 2012
    Publication date: February 7, 2013
    Applicants: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA, DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Akinori KOUDA, Tsutomu MIYAZAKI
  • Patent number: 8370049
    Abstract: A control system of an internal combustion engine in which as fuel, a first fuel of ammonia and a second fuel easier to burn than ammonia are used. These two types of fuel are burned in the combustion chamber. A basic ammonia ratio is set in accordance with an engine load and engine speed. The set basic ammonia ratio is corrected based on at least one of a combustion state, knocking strength, temperature of an exhaust gas or temperature of a catalyst arranged in an engine exhaust passage, NOx concentration in the exhaust gas, actual compression ratio, air-fuel ratio, and fuel properties.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2013
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Rio Shimizu, Yasuyuki Irisawa, Koji Aso, Tomojiro Sugimoto, Hiroshi Tanaka
  • Publication number: 20130030676
    Abstract: The present invention concerns an output control device for an internal combustion engine for generating a drive force of a vehicle. The output control device includes a braking request detection sensor for detecting whether or not a braking request operation has been performed, and a controller programmed to calculate a braking operation time from the start of the braking request operation, and limit an output of the internal combustion engine when the braking operation time becomes longer than a predetermined time.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 12, 2011
    Publication date: January 31, 2013
    Inventor: Masahiro Iriyama
  • Publication number: 20130030675
    Abstract: Provided is a vehicle control apparatus that can prevent the drivability from being deteriorated. The vehicle control apparatus has an ECU which determines, when the control permission condition is not established, not to execute the reduction control in the case that the accelerator opening degree is smaller than or equal to the accelerator threshold value or the vehicle speed is smaller than or equal to the vehicle speed threshold value, even if a depression of an accelerator pedal is detected and a depression of a foot brake pedal is detected. Therefore, the vehicle control apparatus can stop the torque reduction control to prevent the reduction of the engine output contrary to the intention of the driver in the case that an impact to the vehicle is small such that a load more than necessary is not applied to the vehicle even if the accelerator pedal and the brake pedal are both depressed by the driver.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 7, 2010
    Publication date: January 31, 2013
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Yuki Minase, Michihito Shimada, Masashi Takagi, Tsutomu Miyazaki, Toshiya Oishi, Kenichi Okaya
  • Publication number: 20130030673
    Abstract: An electronic control unit executes torque suppression control for reducing engine torque at the time of strong accelerator operation on the basis of an execution condition that a period of time elapsed from when an ignition switch is turned on is shorter than a prescribed period of time. By so doing, the torque suppression control is executed only when the elapsed period of time is short, a vehicle is still running in a parking lot and it is less likely that a driver performs accelerator operation with the intention to suddenly accelerate the vehicle; whereas, when the elapsed period of time is longer than a certain period of time and the vehicle is presumably running on an ordinary road, the torque suppression control is not executed, and acceleration of the vehicle along with the driver's intention is allowed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 24, 2012
    Publication date: January 31, 2013
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Kenji Kimura
  • Publication number: 20130030674
    Abstract: Provided is a vehicle control apparatus that can prevent the drivability from being deteriorated. The vehicle control apparatus has an ECU that determines an acceleration/deceleration is caused by the disturbances and determines the control permission condition is not established, when an acceleration calculated by the variation of the wheel rotation speed detected by the wheel rotation speed sensor is more than or equal to a third deceleration threshold value, or less than or equal to a second deceleration threshold value. Therefore, the vehicle control apparatus can prohibit the reduction control of the driving force and can eliminate an influence of the variation of the wheel rotation speed caused by the disturbances when an unreasonable variation of the wheel rotation speed is detected as the acceleration, even under the condition that the vehicle travels on an extremely uneven road surface or a slippery road surface, thereby appropriately determining the deceleration of the vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 7, 2010
    Publication date: January 31, 2013
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Yuki Minase, Michihito Shimada, Masashi Takagi, Tsutomu Miyazaki, Toshiya Oishi, Kenichi Okaya
  • Patent number: 8364381
    Abstract: A control system for an engine includes a speed error determination module that periodically determines an engine speed error rate based on a difference between a measured speed and a desired speed of the engine, and a torque reserve module that monitors the engine speed error rate and that selectively adjusts a torque reserve of the engine based on the engine speed error rate. The torque reserve module maintains the torque reserve at a predetermined first torque reserve amount while the engine speed error rate is less than a predetermined first error rate and selectively increases the torque reserve above the first torque reserve amount when the engine speed error rate increases above a predetermined second error rate greater than the first error rate. The torque reserve module decreases the torque reserve when the engine speed error rate decreases below the first error rate. A related method is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2013
    Inventors: Krishnendu Kar, Daniel Lee Baibak
  • Patent number: 8364383
    Abstract: In a method for controlling an internal combustion engine comprising an intake pipe and a throttle valve that is arranged therein, the pressure in the intake pipe is regulated by modifying the opening angle of the throttle valve, and the desired pressure value is adjusted when the valve lift of the internal combustion engine changes. An apparatus for controlling an internal combustion engine has a mechanism for regulating the intake pipe pressure, the mechanism allowing the opening angle of the throttle valve to be influenced as a controlled variable. In addition, at least one device is provided for changing the valve lift of the internal combustion engine while a device is provided for adjusting the desired pressure value to the valve lift.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2013
    Assignee: Continental Automotive GmbH
    Inventors: Matthias Delp, Jürgen Dingl, Bernhard Niebler
  • Patent number: 8352141
    Abstract: A method for actuating a clutch in the drive train of a motor vehicle, including: generating a respective position setpoint for each predetermined target interval to actuate the clutch; in each predetermined target interval, actuating the clutch in a plurality of predetermined controller sampling intervals; discretizing a respective position setpoint change into a plurality of intermediate position setpoints; determining a number of intermediate position setpoints in the plurality of intermediate position setpoint depending on the ratio of the target interval to the controller sampling interval; and specifying the respective position setpoint changes in steps to actuate the clutch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2013
    Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co., KG
    Inventor: Michael Schuhen
  • Patent number: 8352160
    Abstract: Engine surge includes oscillations in engine torque resulting in bucking or jerking motion of a vehicle that may degrade driver experience. The present application relates to increasing reformate entering an example engine cylinder in response to engine surge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2013
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Thomas G. Leone
  • Patent number: 8352152
    Abstract: An apparatus for providing an antisurge operating mode for a turbocharged engine may include a processor. The processor may be configured to receive indications of engine operating parameters and engine accelerator pedal position, determine whether the received indications correspond to antisurge mode activation conditions, and, in response to a determination that the received indications correspond to antisurge mode activation conditions, initiate control of selected engine components by directing the selected engine components to operate based on stored engine operating parameters recorded a predetermined time prior to the determination.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2013
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventor: Nicolas Serres
  • Patent number: 8347855
    Abstract: A control system for an engine includes a stop-start initiation module and a load control module. The stop-start initiation module shuts down the engine in response to an engine shutdown request. The load control module, in response to the engine shutdown request, increases a rate at which a rotational speed of the engine decreases during engine shutdown by increasing a rotational load input to the engine by an engine accessory coupled to a crankshaft of the engine. A method for an engine includes shutting down the engine in response to an engine shutdown request. The method further includes increasing, in response to the engine shutdown request, a rate at which a rotational speed of the engine decreases during engine shutdown by increasing a rotational load input to the engine by an engine accessory coupled to a crankshaft of the engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2013
    Inventors: Norman Schoenek, Michael G. Reynolds, Amin Abboud, Gary E. McGee, Douglas R. Verner, Sharon Liu
  • Patent number: 8352155
    Abstract: A method of operating an IC engine in an agricultural harvester includes the steps of: operating the IC engine in a normal mode with a base torque curve as a function of engine operating speed and engine power output, the base torque curve being generally isochronous at a rated operating speed over a power output range terminating at a rated power output; and operating the IC engine in a boost mode with a boost torque curve when a power boost is required above the rated power output, the boost torque curve having a power output which is above the base torque curve over a predefined range of the operating speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2013
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventors: Rodney A. Schindler, Alan D. Sheidler, Joseph P. Schmitz
  • Patent number: 8346461
    Abstract: Method for controlling a start-up of an internal combustion engine, an actuation of the internal combustion engine being begun and maintained by an electric machine in order to set the internal combustion engine into independent motion, thereby characterized, in that the actuation of the internal combustion engine is concluded before an initial combustion in the internal combustion engine takes place.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2013
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventor: David Moessner
  • Patent number: 8340888
    Abstract: A control system for a powertrain includes an energy determination module and a speed control module. The energy determination module determines a rotational energy input to the powertrain during a first period of a negative lash event of the powertrain. The speed control module selectively limits an increase in a rotational speed of the engine to a first predetermined rate based on the rotational energy during a second period of the negative lash event following the first period. The rotational energy is based on an acceleration rate of the rotational speed, and the speed control module limits the increase when the acceleration rate is greater than a predetermined acceleration rate. The speed control module further selectively increases the rotational speed at a second predetermined rate during a third period beginning at an end of the second period. A related method is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2012
    Inventors: Michael L. Kociba, Ning Jin, Andrew W. Baur, Daniel N Wehrwein
  • Patent number: 8340884
    Abstract: A system and method for maximizing a vehicle's fuel efficiency preferably without inconveniencing the driver, includes maximizing a ratio of a real-time parameter proportional to engine load or engine power to fuel flow or air flow rate referred to herein as the P/F ratio. This ratio is calculated to evaluate engine fuel efficiency. With the system and method, the throttle is operated incrementally to increase or decrease the throttle in a manner to maximize the P/F ratio, thus maximizing fuel efficiency, in a pulse phase. The system and method implement an on and off pulse width modulation (“PWM”) style of control to modulate engine power and acceleration to achieve the speed that the driver desires, based on the position of the accelerator pedal. When the desired speed is achieved, the throttle is released and when the speed drops a sufficient amount, the throttle is re-engaged to reach the desired speed again.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2012
    Inventors: Jing He, Hongping He
  • Patent number: 8340882
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method of controlling a driver request torque in a hybrid electric vehicle, in which a driver request torque is calculated by determining that a driver has an intention to accelerate, if an accelerator opening degree detected by an accelerator pedal position sensor (APS) is greater than 0% when the accelerator pedal is depressed by the driver who intends to re-accelerate after coasting or decelerating, and a torque discontinuity, which may be caused when the APS is turned on?off?on according to the depression operation of the accelerator pedal by the driver, is controlled using an up/down torque rate limit logic, thus preventing deterioration of driving performance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2012
    Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventor: Jeong Eun Kim
  • Patent number: 8335626
    Abstract: An apparatus is provided for controlling acceleration of a vehicle to a target acceleration. In the apparatus, a target acceleration calculator calculates the target acceleration. A provisional acceleration setting unit sets a provisional target acceleration such that a change rate of the provisional target acceleration is limited to a target limitation value. The provisional target acceleration is used during a step during which the acceleration of the vehicle is changed to the target acceleration. A drive power calculator calculates a drive power to obtain the provisional target acceleration. In the provisional acceleration setting unit, an initial value of the provisional target acceleration depends on a running state of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2012
    Assignees: DENSO CORPORATION, Advics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shotaro Fukuda, Yasuhiro Nakai, Satoshi Niwa, Hajime Kumabe, Motoaki Umakoshi, Masayoshi Takeda, Yukio Mori
  • Patent number: 8335634
    Abstract: A method for controlling a direct injection internal combustion engine and a torque machine configured to transfer torque to a driveline responsive to an operator torque request includes operating the direct injection internal combustion engine to transfer torque to the driveline, monitoring the operator torque request, determining a time constant associated with the operator torque request, detecting a fast transient condition associated with the operator torque request, providing a restricted engine torque command as a function of the operator torque request and the time constant, and during fast transient conditions controlling engine operation to achieve the restricted engine torque command, and operating the torque machine responsive to a motor torque command, the motor torque command corresponding to a difference between the operator torque request and the restricted engine torque command.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2012
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Jun-Mo Kang, Man-Feng Chang, Chen-Fang Chang
  • Patent number: 8333174
    Abstract: Method for controlling fuel metering in a carburetor or a low pressure injection system of an internal combustion engine when the engine is operating at idle speed, the method includes the steps of: a) monitoring the engine speed; b) determining a first variable (A) based on a first moving average algorithm using the monitored engine speed as input data; c) determining a second variable (B) based on a second moving average algorithm using the monitored engine speed as input data, where the first moving average algorithm is arranged to react faster to an engine speed change than the second moving average algorithm; d) comparing the second variable (B) to the first variable (A), where if 1) the second variable (B) is higher than the first variable (A): the fuel metering is set in a first leaner setting, and where if 2) the second variable (B) is lower than the first variable (A): the fuel metering is set in a second richer setting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2012
    Assignee: Husqvarna AB
    Inventors: Bo Carlsson, Mikael Larsson
  • Patent number: 8335633
    Abstract: A driving control system includes a controller which is configured to, in response to a command for starting an auto-cruise mode generated by the operation of an input device, control an engine speed or a vehicle speed so that a value detected by a speed detector falls within a cruising speed range, when the value detected by the speed detector is outside the cruising speed range; and to then cause the watercraft to cruise at a constant engine speed or at a constant vehicle speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2012
    Assignee: Kawasaki Jukogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Toshio Araki, Atsufumi Ozaki, Satoru Watabe
  • Patent number: 8332128
    Abstract: An engine system may include an engine generating torque through a crankshaft, an exhaust line that exhaust gas of the engine flows, a diesel particulate filter disposed on the exhaust line to trap particulate matters of the exhaust gas, a first pressure difference sensor configured to detect a front/rear pressure difference of the diesel particulate filter, a temperature sensor configured to detect a temperature of exhaust gas flowing into the diesel particulate filter, and a control unit that detects signal form the temperature sensor and the first pressure difference sensor in a predetermined rotation cycle of the crankshaft, uses the detected signal to calculate a front/rear pressure difference of the diesel particulate filter, and calculates a temperature of exhaust gas flowing into the diesel particulate filter. A corresponding signal processing method is also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2012
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors Corporation
    Inventor: Seungbum Kim
  • Patent number: 8326481
    Abstract: A vehicle driving assist system calculates a risk potential indicative of a degree of convergence between a host vehicle and a preceding obstacle. Then, the system performs a driver notification operation that produces a driver notification stimulus based on the risk potential such as decreasing the driving force exerted against the vehicle as the risk potential increases and increasing an actuation reaction force exerted on the accelerator pedal during its operation as the risk potential increases. If a failure is detected in a reaction force generating device serving to add a reaction force to the accelerator pedal in accordance with the risk potential, then the system corrects an engine torque characteristic such that the engine torque does not increase even if the accelerator pedal is depressed to suppress an odd feeling in the vehicle performance by the driver when a failure occurs in the reaction force generating device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2012
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Takeshi Kimura, Yosuke Kobayashi, Yukinori Nishida
  • Patent number: 8322326
    Abstract: An internal combustion engine (8) has an ignition device, a device for supplying fuel and a device for detecting the rpm of the engine (8). The engine (8) includes a permissible limit rpm (ng) and a control range (A) of the rpm (n) above the limit rpm (ng). A method for operating the engine (8) provides that the rpm of the engine (8) is limited in the control range (A) because of suppression of the ignition in individual engine cycles wherein the rpm (n) lies above a control rpm (na) lying in the control range (A). In the control range, and to improve the exhaust-gas values, the noncombustion engine cycle ratio (NECR) is adjusted. The NECR indicates the ratio of the number of engine cycles wherein the ignition is suppressed to the total number of ignitions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2012
    Assignee: Andreas Stihl AG & Co. KG
    Inventors: Tim Gegg, Manuel Dangelmaier, Andreas Neubauer, Wolfgang Layher
  • Patent number: 8321119
    Abstract: A method for assembling a gas turbine engine to prevent rotor over-speeding is described. The method includes serially coupling a first fuel system interface to a second fuel system interface, such that at least one of the first fuel system interface and the second fuel system interface is coupled to the gas turbine engine. The method also includes coupling a control system to the first fuel system interface and to the second fuel system interface. The control system is configured to identify an occurrence of an over-speed condition. The method also includes programming the control system to discontinue fuel flow to the engine when both the first fuel system interface and the second fuel system interface indicate an over-speed condition has occurred.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2012
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: David R. Van Vactor, Bertram S. Noyes, Jr.
  • Patent number: 8316638
    Abstract: A method comprises determining a temperature of a particulate matter (PM) filter in communication with an exhaust gas from an engine; and reducing a power output of the engine when the PM filter is not being regenerated and the temperature exceeds a first predetermined temperature. A control module comprises a PM filter temperature determination module that determines the temperature of a PM filter in communication with an exhaust gas from an engine; and a reduced engine power module in communication with the PM filter temperature determination module that reduces the power output of the engine when the PM filter is not being regenerated and the temperature exceeds a first predetermined temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2012
    Inventor: Frank Tornambe
  • Patent number: 8316822
    Abstract: A vehicle speed limiter is described, for use with, and for example fitted to, a vehicle throttle system (1) comprising a mechanically actuatable throttle member (3), an engine (10) speed controller (7), and a throttle signal unit in data communication with an engine speed controller and operably coupled to the throttle member so as to generate an electronic throttle signal in functional response to the degree of actuation of the throttle member, and to transmit a throttle signal to the engine speed controller whereby the engine speed is controlled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2012
    Assignee: Autokontrol Limited
    Inventor: George Malcolm Gray
  • Patent number: 8316819
    Abstract: There is provided, in one aspect of the present description, a method of controlling a spark ignited internal combustion engine having a fuel injector which injects fuel directly into its combustion chamber. The method comprises stopping the fuel injection if a desired torque for the engine is a predetermined torque or less and a speed of the engine is a predetermined speed or greater. The method comprises resuming the fuel injection by injecting a first amount of fuel directly into the combustion chamber during a negative pressure period and injecting a second amount of the fuel into the combustion chamber during an intake period. The method further includes resuming the fuel injection by injecting a third amount of the fuel directly into the combustion chamber during the negative pressure period and injecting a fourth amount of the fuel into the combustion chamber during the intake period.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2012
    Assignee: Mazda Motor Corporation
    Inventors: Masahisa Yamakawa, Shinichi Sugihara, Naohiro Yamaguchi, Keiji Araki
  • Patent number: 8315783
    Abstract: There are provided: a pedal operation amount detection unit 12 that detects an operation amount s of the accelerator pedal 11; a speed ratio detection unit 14, 15 that detects a speed ratio e of an input shaft and an output shaft of the torque converter 2; a load pressure detection unit 16 that detects a load pressure P of the hydraulic pump 6; a speed stage detection unit 18 that detects a low speed stage of a transmission 3 capable of varying a speed stage between a low speed stage and a high speed stage; and a speed limiting unit 10 that limits a maximum speed of the engine 1 to a lower speed upon satisfaction of following speed limitation conditions: at least a pedal operation amount s is equal to or greater than a predetermined value s1, a speed ratio e is equal to or less than a predetermined value ea, a load pressure P is equal to or greater than a predetermined value Pa, and the low speed stage of the transmission has been detected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2012
    Assignee: Hitachi Construction Machinery Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Koji Hyodo, Hiroki Nakazono, Nobuhiro Suzuki, Atsushi Shimazu, Masaki Yoshikawa, Kentaro Itoga, Kazuo Chonan, Tomoo Takahashi
  • Patent number: 8311724
    Abstract: A valve overlap period is increased as a desired torque of an engine increases by advancing an opening timing of an intake valve at a rate greater than that of retarding a closing timing of an exhaust valve in a low engine-torque area in which the desired torque of the internal combustion engine is relatively low (step S16). The valve overlap period is increased as the desired torque of the engine increases by retarding the closing timing of the exhaust valve at a rate greater than that of advancing the opening timing of the intake valve in a high engine-torque area in which the desired torque of the internal combustion engine is relatively high (step S17). Accordingly, the drivability can be improved by obtaining the proper torque and the smooth torque curve in the wide driving area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2012
    Assignee: Mazda Motor Corporation
    Inventors: Mikihito Fujii, Kazuya Yokota, Naoyuki Yamagata, Kazuaki Narahara
  • Patent number: 8306720
    Abstract: In a power output apparatus, when the fuel vapor concentration is high and the target purge rate is high, an operating point on a purge priority operating line is selected as a target operating point of an engine. As a result, the intake manifold negative pressure greater than that when an operating point on an optimum fuel efficiency operating line is selected, so that the flow rate of purge gas released from a canister is increased. When the fuel vapor concentration does not fall within a high-concentration range, the necessity to immediately purge fuel vapor trapped in the canister into the intake pipe is low, and thus an operating point on the optimum fuel efficiency operating line is selected to keep the engine operating at high fuel efficiency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2012
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Makoto Yamazaki, Shunsuke Fushiki
  • Patent number: 8306723
    Abstract: A direct-injection, compression-ignition internal combustion engine control adapts nominal minimum pulsewidth parameters controlling the fuel injectors to minimize pilot fuel delivered to the cylinders required to initiate a preliminary combustion event.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2012
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Ibrahim Haskara, Yue-Yun Wang, Chol-Bum M Kweon, Zhiping Liu, Frederic Anton Matekunas, Paul Anthony Battiston
  • Patent number: 8306722
    Abstract: A control system includes an engine speed control module, a fuel control module, and an air control module. The engine speed control module controls an actual speed of an engine based a desired power to be generated by combustion in the engine, wherein the desired power is a product of a desired speed of the engine and a desired torque output of the engine. When operating in a fuel lead mode, the fuel control module controls fuel flow in the engine by adjusting a desired fuel mass for each activated cylinder of the engine based on the desired power. The air control module controls air flow in the engine based on an actual air/fuel ratio of the engine resulting from the desired fuel mass.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2012
    Inventors: Christopher E. Whitney, Krishnendu Kar, Massimiliano Maira, Luca Scavone, Michael Livshiz
  • Patent number: 8301351
    Abstract: A parameter ?(OUT) having an accelerator pedal position, a vehicle speed and a drive force as components is set according to information representing a driver's operation and information representing running environment of a vehicle. A gear is set according to the parameter ?(OUT) and a map determining the gear based on the accelerator pedal position, the vehicle speed and the drive force. A gear shift line is defined such that a rate of increase of the drive force with respect to the vehicle speed is zero or more. A down-shift line is defined such that the drive force decreases with increase in accelerator pedal position. Down-shift after up-shift as well as the up-shift after the down-shift are inhibited when both a condition that an amount of change of the accelerator pedal position after last gear shift is larger than a threshold and a condition that an amount of change of the drive force after the last gear shift is larger than the threshold are satisfied.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2012
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Seiji Kuwahara, Masato Kaigawa
  • Publication number: 20120271535
    Abstract: A method including: a) determining a value representative of temperature of exhaust gases flowing in an exhaust duct of an engine upstream from a turbine; b) comparing the representative value with a predetermined threshold value; c) if the representative value is higher than the threshold value, initiating timing-out of a first time delay during which a) and b) are repeated; d) if the representative value is lower than the threshold value, initiating the timing-out of a second time delay during which a) and b) are repeated; e) if the first time delay has elapsed and the representative value is higher than the threshold value, preventing the automatic stoppage of the engine; f) if the second time delay has elapsed and the representative value is lower than the threshold value, authorizing the automatic stoppage of the engine and resetting the measure of the timing-out of the first time delay.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 6, 2012
    Publication date: October 25, 2012
    Applicant: RENAULT S. A.S
    Inventors: Clement GAMBERONI, Christophe Blond
  • Patent number: 8291889
    Abstract: A pressure relief valve includes a valve body having a valve seat fluidly positioned between an inlet and an outlet. A valve member is movable among a first position, a second position, and a third position. The valve member is in contact with the valve seat and fluidly blocks the inlet from the outlet at the first position. At the second position of the valve member, the inlet is fluidly connected to the outlet via a small flow area. The inlet is fluidly connected to the outlet via a large flow area when the valve member is at the third position. An electrical actuator is attached to the valve body and is operably coupled to move the valve member when energized. The valve member includes an opening hydraulic surface exposed to fluid pressure in the inlet when at the first position. A spring is operably positioned to bias the valve member toward the second position when the valve member is at the third position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2012
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Scott F. Shafer, Jeffrey DePayva, Daniel R. Puckett, Amy S. Johanson, Kenneth C. Adams, Benjamin R. Tower, Jason Z. Li, Jayaraman Venkataraghavan, Michael D. Gerstner, Michael C. Long
  • Patent number: 8296041
    Abstract: A vehicle control apparatus is provided which is operative in an automatic engine stop mode to stop an engine automatically and in an engine restart mode to restart the engine automatically after the engine is stopped in the automatic engine stop mode so as to output a predetermined reference engine torque immediately after the engine is started. The vehicle control apparatus works to determine the travel performance of the vehicle required immediately after the engine has been restarted in the engine restart mode and control the torque outputted by the engine based on the determined travel performance so as to ensure the drivability of the vehicle after the engine is restarted automatically.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2012
    Assignee: Denso Corporation
    Inventors: Masanori Yamamura, Kenji Kawahara
  • Patent number: 8296034
    Abstract: To provide a vehicle speed limiting system that is capable of executing a maximum speed limiting control without influencing a driving feeling of a vehicle. A vehicle speed limiting system includes: a three-dimensional map 46a and a throttle valve driving unit 47. A first maximum speed limiter opening degree is calculated by adding a first predetermined opening degree, a second predetermined opening degree, and a current throttle valve opening degree, the first predetermined opening degree being calculated by multiplying a speed difference of the vehicle by a preset P-term coefficient, the second predetermined opening degree being calculated by multiplying an acceleration of the vehicle by a preset D-term coefficient. Once the calculated first maximum speed limiter opening degree falls below the target throttle valve opening degree ?B, the throttle valve motor 30 is driven on a basis of the first maximum speed limiter opening degree.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2012
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Takashi Tetsuka, Kenichi Machida, Yukihiro Asada, Masanori Nakamura