Backup, Interrupt, Reset, Or Test Patents (Class 701/114)
  • Patent number: 7840336
    Abstract: In a gas turbine aeroengine control system, in Ch-A (first control channel), a first CPU monitors the operation of a second CPU and the second CPU monitors the operation of the first CPU; in Ch-B (second control channel), third and fourth CPUs similarly monitor each other, and when the operation of at least one of the first and second CPUs in Ch-A is found not to be normal, the output sent to an FCU (fuel control unit) is switched from the output of one or the other of the first and second CPUs of Ch-A to the output of one or the other of the third and fourth CPUs of Ch-B, thereby achieving improved CPU failure detection and realizing high redundancy and high reliability.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2010
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hironori Muramatsu, Yuichi Hattori, Makoto Tezuka
  • Patent number: 7835852
    Abstract: A detector for detecting the operational status of one or more fuel pumps in a fuel system of a vehicle, the system comprising an accumulator volume for storing high pressure fuel, one or more injectors arranged in fluid communication with the accumulator volume and one or more high pressure fuel pumps arranged in fluid communication with the accumulator volume so as to supply high pressure fuel thereto, the operation of the one or more fuel pumps being controlled by a filling pulse signal from a control means, the detector comprising inputs for receiving data representing at least one current system parameter; processing means arranged to compare the at least one current system parameter against one or more predetermined system parameters in order to identify the operational status of the one or more fuel pumps.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2010
    Assignee: Delphi Technologies Holding S.arl
    Inventors: Edward Williams, Evrin Erdem
  • Patent number: 7831370
    Abstract: An apparatus is provided to control injection of fuel into an engine with a combustion engine. The fuel is injected into the combustion chamber as a preliminary sub injection and a main injection following the preliminary sub injection. The preliminary sub injection repeats one or more times and is less in an amount of the fuel than the main injection. The apparatus comprises acquisition means and a control unit. The acquisition means acquires a parameter showing at least one of a state of an exhaust gas exhausted from the cylinder after the combustion of the fuel and a constituent of the exhaust gas. The control unit includes variably setting means for variably setting a mode of the preliminary sub injection depending on the parameter acquired by the acquisition means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2010
    Assignee: Denso Corporation
    Inventors: Tokuji Kuronita, Satoru Sasaki
  • Patent number: 7831378
    Abstract: A system and method are provided for estimating NOx produced by an internal combustion engine. The flow rate of fuel supplied to the engine and a plurality of engine operating parameters are monitored. NOx produced by the engine is estimated based on a product of the flow rate of fuel and a function of the plurality of engine operating parameters. The NOx estimate is stored in memory.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2010
    Assignee: Cummins Inc.
    Inventor: J. Stephen Wills
  • Patent number: 7826962
    Abstract: The electronic control apparatus includes a microcomputer having a control function of controlling an actuator mounted on a vehicle in accordance with an input signal indicative of a running state of the vehicle, and a self-monitoring function of monitoring whether or not the control function is functioning properly on the basis of the input signal, and a monitor module communicably connected to the microcomputer and having a digital circuit for monitoring whether or not the self-monitoring function is functioning properly. The monitor module includes a reference counter counting up a clock serving as operation reference of the digital circuit. The microcomputer includes a module monitoring section configured to take in a count value of the reference counter and to monitor whether or not the monitor module is functioning properly on the basis of a changing state of the count value taken in.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2010
    Assignee: Denso Corporation
    Inventors: Kosuke Ushijima, Fujiki Yamada
  • Patent number: 7826963
    Abstract: An engine control system includes a driver module and a diagnostics module. The driver module includes a high-side driver and a low-side driver, which selectively actuate a load. The driver module generates status signals based on detection of each of a plurality of failure modes of the high-side and low-side drivers. The diagnostics module increments a first error count for a first mode of the plurality of failure modes when the status signals indicate the driver module has detected the first mode. The diagnostics module increments a corresponding total count each time the driver module analyzes the first mode. The diagnostics module sets a fail state for a diagnostic trouble code (DTC) when the first error count for the first mode reaches a first predetermined threshold prior to the total count reaching a second predetermined threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2010
    Inventors: Wenbo Wang, Mark D. Carr, Michael J. Lucido, Jon C. Miller, John F. Van Gilder, Daniel P. Grenn, Hamid M. Esfahan, Ian J. Mac Ewen
  • Patent number: 7822537
    Abstract: A method of detecting faults in an injector arrangement in an engine. The injector arrangement comprises at least one fuel injector having a piezoelectric actuator, and the method comprises: charging the piezoelectric actuator during a charge phase (tC); attempting to recharge the piezoelectric actuator during a test phase (tT) which commences after a time interval (?t) following the end of the charge phase (tC); sensing a current (IS) that flows through the piezoelectric actuator during the test phase (tT); and generating a short circuit fault signal if the sensed current (IS) reaches a first predetermined threshold current (ISC) which is indicative of a short circuit in the piezoelectric actuator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2010
    Assignee: Delphi Technologies Holding S.arl
    Inventors: Louisa J. Perryman, Martin A. P. Sykes, Daniel J. Hopley
  • Patent number: 7819106
    Abstract: In an apparatus for controlling an engine, an irregular-region start detector detects that a predetermined-directed level change in an input signal is synchronized with a start of appearance of an irregular region thereof. An irregular-region end detector detects that a predetermined-directed level change in the input signal is synchronized with an end of the irregular region thereof. A fixing unit fixes a reference interval to a predetermined value when it is detected that the predetermined-directed level change in the input signal is synchronized with the start of appearance of the irregular region thereof. A resetting unit resets the reference interval from the predetermined-value to one of the measured intervals when it is detected that the predetermined-directed level change in the input signal is synchronized with the end of the irregular region thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2010
    Assignee: Denso Corporation
    Inventor: Haruhiko Kondo
  • Patent number: 7813869
    Abstract: A prediction based engine control system is disclosed. The engine control system may have sensor configured to sense a current engine operation and generate a corresponding signal and a controller in communication with the sensor. The controller may be configured to receive the signal, compare the current engine operation to an allowable range of engine operation, predict a future engine operation based on the signal, and limit current engine operation based on the prediction, even when the current engine operation is within the allowable range of operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2010
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc
    Inventors: Anthony Grichnik, Amit Jayachandran, Mary L. Kesse, Wade S. Willden, Michael Seskin
  • Patent number: 7813867
    Abstract: A control apparatus which can improve the accuracy of control of a controlled variable by a control input exhibiting a periodic fluctuating behavior. The control apparatus calculates an air-fuel ratio correction value DKCMD such that the output from an oxygen concentration sensor converges to a target output, and calculate a modulated value DKCMD_DSM by modulating DKCMD with an algorithm to which is applied a ? ? modulation algorithm. Further, the control apparatus calculates a reference air-fuel ratio KCMDBS according to an exhaust gas volume, calculates a model modification coefficient KTRQFF using a modification coefficient calculated such that DKCMD become equal to 0, calculates an adaptive reference air-fuel ratio KCMDADP by the equation of KCMDADP=KCMDBS×KTRQFF, and calculates a target air-fuel ratio KCMD by the equation of KCMD=KCMADP+DKCMD_DSM.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2010
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yuji Yasui, Ikue Kawasumi
  • Publication number: 20100236518
    Abstract: A method of operation of an internal combustion engine including an intake valve coupled to a combustion chamber, and a port fuel injector positioned upstream of the intake valve in an intake manifold including a throttle, the port fuel injector fluidly coupled to a fuel rail included in a fuel delivery system housing a fuel at least partially composed of alcohol. The method including, during a start-up operation when the temperature of the engine is below a threshold value and fuel is actively being injected into the intake manifold, adjusting a cone angle of a fuel spray from the port fuel injector, via adjustment of the throttle and/or fuel delivery system, based on the position of the intake valve.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 19, 2009
    Publication date: September 23, 2010
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: David Karl Bidner, John M. Roth, Mark Peters
  • Patent number: 7801670
    Abstract: To avoid potentially erroneous results, monitoring the operation of an oxygen sensor of an internal combustion engine of a motor vehicle to detect a slow response of the oxygen sensor as indicative of an oxygen sensor fault is temporarily suspended in response to a brake operation transition of a braking system of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2010
    Assignee: Denso Corporation
    Inventors: Peter Richardson, Kenichi Fujiki
  • Patent number: 7792633
    Abstract: A control system comprising an ignition fuse diagnostic module that determines a state of an ignition fuse associated with an ignition coil of an engine cylinder, and a fuel control module that selectively operates a fuel injector associated with the engine cylinder based on the state of the ignition fuse. A method comprising determining a state of an ignition fuse associated with an ignition coil of an engine cylinder, and selectively operating a fuel injector associated with the engine cylinder based on the state of the ignition fuse.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2010
    Inventors: Wajdi B. Hamama, Craig M. Sawdon, Eric Ferch, Debbie L. Makowske, Dale W. McKim, Mark D. Carr, Wenbo Wang
  • Patent number: 7788024
    Abstract: A torque control system comprises a torque correction factor module, a RPM-torque transition module, and a selection module. The torque correction factor module determines a first torque correction factor and a second torque correction factor. The RPM-torque transition module stores the first torque correction factor. The selection module selectively outputs one of the first torque correction factor and the second torque correction factor based on a control mode of the torque control system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2010
    Inventors: Michael Livshiz, Christopher E. Whitney, Jeffrey M. Kaiser, Todd R. Shupe, Scott J. Chynoweth, Lan Wang
  • Patent number: 7774128
    Abstract: A method of measuring an initial hydrocarbon concentration in a canister includes opening a purge control valve thereby introducing hydrocarbons from the canister to a cylinder; calculating an amount of air introduced into the cylinder; and calculating the initial hydrocarbon concentration based on the amount of air. A method of controlling fuel injection includes measuring an initial hydrocarbon concentration in a canister by opening a purge control valve in a fuel cut-off mode; determining a driving state of a vehicle; calculating an air inflow to a cylinder according to the driving state of the vehicle; calculating a ? set-point according to the driving state of the vehicle; and calculating fuel injection amount based on the air inflow and the ? set-point. Also, a system for controlling fuel injection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2010
    Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventor: Hyung Kee Kim
  • Patent number: 7769534
    Abstract: A diagnostic system for an engine includes an oxygen detection module, a timing module and a control module. The oxygen detection module receives an oxygen signal from an oxygen sensor that detects an oxygen level in an exhaust system of the engine. The oxygen signal has N rich states and M lean states, where N and M are integers greater than or equal to 1. The timing module determines a rich period that the oxygen signal is in at least one of the N rich states and determines a lean period that the oxygen signal is in at least one of the M lean states. The control module detects an asymmetrical error with the oxygen sensor based on a comparison between the rich period and the lean period.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2010
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations, Inc.
    Inventors: Yong Xu, Wenbo Wang, Vincent A. White, Richard H. Clutz, Douglas J. Moening
  • Patent number: 7762237
    Abstract: A method for determining degraded valve operation. According to the method, valve degradation can be determined from the duration of a spark event. This method allows for the determination of both intake and exhaust valve degradation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 27, 2010
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Alex O'Connor Gibson, Jeffrey Allen Doering, Nelson William Morrow, Jr., James Donald McCoy, Michael Damian Czekala
  • Patent number: 7764487
    Abstract: A display has a closed body, a display panel, an inactive propeller, an inactive magnet and a driving assembly. The closed body has an inner cavity and liquid. The display panel is mounted around by the closed body. The inactive propeller is mounted rotatably in the inner cavity and has multiple blades to agitate the liquid. The inactive magnet is mounted securely in the inactive propeller. The driving assembly is mounted on the closed body outside the inner cavity and has a power unit, a shaft and an active magnet. The active magnet is attached to the shaft and corresponds to the inactive magnet. With the magnetic force between the active and inactive magnets, the power is transmitted into the closed body without any physical contact. Therefore, the closed body does not require any waterproof structures and the liquid maintains clean and isolated from the outer environment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 27, 2010
    Assignee: Hannspree, Inc.
    Inventors: Wen-Hung Huang, Chien-Kun Hsu
  • Patent number: 7761221
    Abstract: A variable valve controller for internal combustion engines and methods for operating the same. In the variable valve controller, and engine control unit (ECM) calculates a target value of a valve lift (VEL) for an intake valve and transmits it to a controller with a second control unit (VEL-C/U). The VEL-C/U controls the VEL on the basis of the VEL target value, detects a VEL actual value, and transmits it to the ECM. The ECM calculates a target value of a valve timing (VTC), and controls the VTC. Also, the ECM controls a limit value for the VTC target value in accordance with the VEL actual value. Fail-safe control is performed when an error occurs in a communication unit or a sensor. To reliably perform the control in a period from occurrence of an error to detection of the error, the limit value is set with calculation by offsetting a limit basic value set in accordance with the VEL actual value, by a displacement of the VEL within a time necessary for detecting the error.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2010
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kazuhiko Abe, Youichi Oshimi
  • Patent number: 7761223
    Abstract: A method for distinguishing between combustion issues and sensor faults within an engine includes monitoring pressure sensor data from a cylinder within the engine, monitoring engine data describing combustion health from a source other than a pressure sensor, analyzing the pressure sensor data to diagnose an anomalous combustion event, comparing the anomalous combustion event to analysis of the engine data, and indicating a pressure sensor fault warning if the comparison diagnoses a pressure sensor fault.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2010
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations, Inc.
    Inventors: Yue-Yun Wang, Ibrahim Haskara, Chol-Bum M Kweon, Frederic Anton Matekunas, Paul Anthony Battiston
  • Patent number: 7756812
    Abstract: A method for operating an input-cell comprises: receiving a sensor input signal, a digital-bias first control input and a second control input and, using a first resistor network to apply an analog pull-up bias to the sensor input signal when the bias of the first control input is in a first digital state. To provide a path for at least a portion of the first resistor network to a ground to cause the first resistor network to apply a pull-down bias to the sensor input signal when the bias of the first control input is in a second digital state. Receiving a voltage reference and an input waveform signal; using a second resistor network to apply to the input waveform signal to a comparator when the bias of the second control input is in a first digital state and, to apply a biased and attenuated input waveform signal to the comparator when the bias of the second control input is in a second digital state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2010
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventor: Vitaly Burkatovsky
  • Patent number: 7751966
    Abstract: In an abnormality diagnostic device and an abnormality diagnostic device for an air-fuel ratio sensor that detects the air-fuel ratio of exhaust gas of an internal combustion engine, a system extending from a fuel injection valve to the air-fuel ratio sensor is model by a first order response delay, and a parameter in the first order response delay is identified based on an input air-fuel ratio that is given to the air-fuel ratio sensor and an output air-fuel ratio that is output from the air-fuel ratio sensor. Then, the presence/absence of abnormality regarding a predetermined characteristic of the air-fuel ratio sensor is determined based on the parameter identified. Thus, abnormality is diagnosed regarding individual characteristics of the air-fuel ratio sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2010
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Yasushi Iwazaki
  • Patent number: 7747376
    Abstract: A method for monitoring a control circuit of an actuating device with at least one actuator including an actuated part and an electric member controlling movement of the actuated part, the control circuit including a bridge, the controlling electric member being connected in the bridge. The method includes: powering the bridge, producing at least one measurement signal representing the position of the actuated part, and selectively interrupting conduction in at least one branch of the bridge in accordance with the measurement signal to maintain the measurement signal substantially in an operating zone defined between a low threshold and a high threshold during a phase activating the controlling electric member. Conduction is interrupted in at least one branch to place the controlling electrical member in short-circuit via two branches of the bridge when the measurement signal reaches at least one specific threshold above the low threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2010
    Assignee: Renault s.a.s.
    Inventors: Eugenio Macua, Christophe Ripoll
  • Patent number: 7739027
    Abstract: An internal combustion engine is selectively operative in a spark ignition combustion mode and a controlled auto-ignition combustion mode. An EGR valve operative to control flow of exhaust gas to an intake manifold is monitored, including commanding the EGR valve to a closed position and monitoring operation of the internal combustion engine. An intake manifold pressure due to a fresh air charge is estimated based upon the operation of the engine. The intake manifold pressure is measured, and the estimated intake manifold pressure is compared to the measured intake manifold pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2010
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations, Inc.
    Inventors: Jun-Mo Kang, Chen-Fang Chang, Allen B. Rayl, Vijay Ramappan
  • Patent number: 7739028
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method to operate an internal combustion engine with electronic control wherein fault codes indicative of emissions levels may be stored in permanent memory.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2010
    Assignee: Detroit Diesel Corporation
    Inventors: Frank S. Groer, Tomislav I. Golub
  • Patent number: 7729849
    Abstract: A method for detecting the angular position of a gas knob of a motorcycle; the method presents the steps of: detecting simultaneously four mutually redundant measurements of the angular position of the gas knob by means of two mutually independent angular-position sensors forming part of an acquisition system; making a cross comparison two by two between the four measurements for diagnosing any possible malfunctioning of the angular-position sensors; and determining the angular position of the gas knob, using at least one measurement supplied by an angular-position sensor operating properly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2010
    Assignee: Magneti Marelli Powertrain S.p.A.
    Inventors: Massimo Zanotti, Claudio Grossi, Loris Lambertini
  • Patent number: 7729848
    Abstract: A device for controlling at least one piezoactuator for an injection valve of an internal combustion engine, including a microcontroller that controls an output stage which generates the load current for charging and discharging the piezoactuator. The microcontroller controls the output stage through an integrated circuit. A discharge circuit interacts with the integrated circuit to reliably discharge the piezoactuator in case of a failure of the output stage and/or of a safety path of the microcontroller. The load current during the discharge is controlled by a control circuit having a controller which is part of the integrated circuit. The discharge circuit has emergency discharge elements that are activated in case of a failure of the controller or of the integrated circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2010
    Assignee: VDO Automotive AG
    Inventor: Martin Götzenberger
  • Patent number: 7729847
    Abstract: The combustion air-fuel ratio is made leaner than the stoichiometric air-fuel ratio at the time of engine startup and the combustion air-fuel ratio is made richer than the stoichiometric air-fuel ratio and the exhaust downstream part of the three-way catalyst apparatus is raised in temperature when it is judged that just the exhaust upstream part of the three-way catalyst apparatus arranged in the engine exhaust system has been raised to the catalyst activation temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2010
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hiroaki Mizoguchi, Takahiko Fujiwara, Kunihiko Nakata, Kenji Sakurai, Hiroki Ichinose, Masaaki Kawai, Atsunori Hirata
  • Patent number: 7725247
    Abstract: A system extending from a fuel injection valve to an air-fuel ratio sensor is modeled by using a first order response delay element. Parameters of the first order response delay element T, k are identified based on an input u(t) based on an input air-fuel ratio that occurs when the input air-fuel ratio is relatively sharply changed in accordance with an engine operation requirement, and an output y(t) of the air-fuel ratio sensor that changes in response to a change in the input air-fuel ratio. Then, an abnormality of characteristics (response rate and output) of the air-fuel ratio sensor is determined based on the identified parameter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2010
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Yasushi Iwazaki
  • Patent number: 7720595
    Abstract: An abnormality diagnostic device for an air-fuel ratio sensor that detects the air-fuel ratio of exhaust gas of an internal combustion engine is provided. The abnormality diagnostic device includes: a device that an device that models a system extending from a fuel injection valve to the air-fuel ratio sensor by using a first order response delay element and a waste time element, and that identifies at least a waste time of the waste time element based on an input given to the air-fuel ratio sensor and an output obtained from the air-fuel ratio sensor; and another device that performs determination about an abnormality of the waste time based on the identified waste time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2010
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Yasushi Iwazaki
  • Patent number: 7717085
    Abstract: A method and system for operating a throttle system includes a throttle body generating a throttle position sensor signal and encoding the throttle position sensor signal to form an encoded throttle position sensor signal. The system also includes an electronic control module receiving the encoded throttle position sensor signal from a throttle body, forming a first replicated throttle position sensor signal and a second replicated second throttle position sensor signal from the encoded signal and communicating the first replicated throttle position sensor signal and the second throttle position sensor signal to a diagnostics module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2010
    Inventor: Paul A. Bauerle
  • Patent number: 7711471
    Abstract: A fuel injection control method for controlling fuel injection to a plurality of cylinders of an engine is disclosed. The method involves the use of a fuel injection control device that includes a key switch, an engine rotation sensor, and a controller, wherein the key switch initiates an engine stopping operation, engine rotation sensor recognizes fuel injection to a specific cylinder, and then the controller stops fuel injection. A phase difference is provided between fuel injection of the specific engine and that of another engine so as to control fuel injection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2010
    Assignee: Yanmar Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Takeshi Takahashi, Takao Kawabe
  • Patent number: 7706962
    Abstract: A fuel delivery device 11 has a delivery pipe 18, which supplies fuel to a fuel injection valve 21 of an internal combustion engine 10. An electromagnetic relief valve 22 releases the fuel from the delivery pipe 18 in response to an opening instruction and lowers the pressure of the fuel in the delivery pipe 18. A diagnosis device for the relief valve 22 has an electronic control unit 27 outputting the opening instruction to the relief valve 22 in response to a stopping instruction for stopping the engine 10. The unit 27 determines whether the relief valve 22 has a defect based on a manner in which the pressure of the fuel in the delivery pipe 18 changes after output of the stopping instruction. As a result, it is appropriately diagnosed whether the electromagnetic relief valve 22 has a defect.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2010
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Shunsuke Fushiki, Naoto Suzuki
  • Patent number: 7698888
    Abstract: An algorithm (26) in an engine control system (14) develops data indicative of pressure across a DPF (20) as a function of time and data indicative of flow rate through the DPF as a function of time, calculates derivatives (32, 30) (38, 36) with respect to time of the data, processes the derivatives (44, 42, 50, 48, 56, 54, 58) to confirm validity of a calculation of particulate loading of the DPF (load_pf) when a result of processing the derivatives discloses the absence of transient conditions in the DPF that would prevent the calculation from being valid and to not confirm validity of a calculation of particulate loading of the DPF when a result of processing the derivatives discloses the presence of transient conditions in the DPF that would prevent the calculation from being valid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2010
    Assignee: International Engine Intellectual Property Company, LLC
    Inventor: Sean C. Wyatt
  • Patent number: 7693648
    Abstract: A method of detecting an assembly condition, such as, for example, a misassembly, of an exhaust aftertreatment system of a machine includes a step of executing an aftertreatment assembly diagnostic algorithm. The executing step includes detecting an electronic identification feature of an aftertreatment component of the exhaust aftertreatment system, and comparing the electronic identification feature to an expected value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2010
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey D. Klein, Richard Thompson, Timothy Davis, Clayton Walenta, Michael S. Thornton
  • Patent number: 7680587
    Abstract: A monitoring method and a monitoring arrangement, wherein: (a) first comparison value is established based on information from a sensor as to the measured magnitude of a parameter related to exhaust gases flowing out of an exhaust gas aftertreatment appliance included in an exhaust aftertreatment system; b) a second comparison value corresponding to the first comparison value is established based on a value representing the magnitude of said parameter calculated on the basis of a calculation model; c) a difference value representing the difference between said comparison values is established; d) steps a)-c) are repeated during a certain period of time and a variance value representing the variance of the difference value during this period of time is established; and e) the variance value is compared with a given threshold value for generation of information regarding the functioning of the sensor or the system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2010
    Assignee: Scania CV AB (publ)
    Inventor: David Elfvik
  • Patent number: 7676317
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for the cylinder-selective control of an air/fuel mixture to be burnt in a multi-cylinder internal combustion engine, in which the lambda values for different cylinders or groups of cylinders are separately sensed and controlled, and also relates to a multi-cylinder internal engine suitable for carrying out the method. In accordance with the invention, the lambda values of the individual cylinders or groups of cylinders are simultaneously controlled to different required values using an integrating I-control proportion with variable integrator slope and/or a differentiating D-control proportion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2010
    Assignee: Continental Automotive GmbH
    Inventors: Reza Aliakbarzadeh, Manfred Klepatsch
  • Patent number: 7668643
    Abstract: An exhaust emission data processing system for inspecting automatically exhaust emission of the vehicle and wirelessly transmitting exhaust emission inspection data to a remote server is provided. The system includes an exhaust emission processing module, a wireless connection module, and a remote server. The exhaust emission processing module receives OBD data indicating the exhaust emission inspection data from an OBD system embedded in the vehicle via an OBD connector. The exhaust emission processing module creates an exhaust emission inspection package with the vehicle identification and the exhaust emission inspection data. The exhaust emission processing module transmits the package to the remote server for further diagnosis through the wireless connection module. The remote server sends the diagnosis reports back to the vehicle through the wireless connection module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2010
    Assignee: O2Micro International Ltd.
    Inventors: Xinsheng Peng, Xiaoguang Yu, Geen Sui
  • Publication number: 20100042284
    Abstract: An air-flow based control system for an internal combustion engine has various sensors that are used to calculate various control commands. By comparing pairs of values calculated from different sensors, errors in connection with the sensors can be detected.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 12, 2008
    Publication date: February 18, 2010
    Applicant: Southwest Research Institute
    Inventor: Shizuo Sasaki
  • Patent number: 7664595
    Abstract: A fault code memory manager architecture for heavy duty diesel engines consisting of a dedicated monitoring unit module and at least one fault code memory manager administrator module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2010
    Assignee: Detroit Diesel Corporation
    Inventors: Frank Steffen Groer, Tomislav Ivo Golub
  • Patent number: 7660662
    Abstract: A method to operate an electronic controlled diesel engine to provide enhanced fault code administration responsive to the variable driving cycle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2010
    Assignee: Detroit Diesel Corporation
    Inventors: Frank S. Groer, Tomislav I. Golub
  • Publication number: 20100029421
    Abstract: A crankshaft reversal detection system includes a sensor module and a control module that communicates with the sensor module. The sensor module detects position of a belt tensioner that communicates with a crankshaft driven accessory drive belt. The control module determines a rotational direction of the crankshaft pulley based on the position of the belt tensioner.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 4, 2008
    Publication date: February 4, 2010
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Mike M. Mc Donald, William C. Albertson
  • Patent number: 7653479
    Abstract: A fuel cut failsafe function monitoring section of a microcomputer sets a fuel cut failsafe function diagnosis period in a period, in which an operation of an engine is stopped (e.g., a period before engine start), and sends a fuel cut failsafe execution command signal to a fuel cut failsafe execution section of an abnormality monitoring device during the fuel cut failsafe function diagnosis period. Thus, the fuel cut failsafe execution section is caused to output a fuel cut failsafe signal to an injector driver to stop an operation of the injector driver. The fuel cut failsafe function monitoring section monitors an output level of a disablement port of the injector driver at the time, thereby performing abnormality diagnosis of a fuel cut failsafe function.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2010
    Assignee: Denso Corporation
    Inventor: Yoshifumi Murakami
  • Patent number: 7650226
    Abstract: A fuel injection system designed to execute a learning operation to spray fuel through fuel injectors at each of given pressures of the fuel to determine the quantity of fuel sprayed actually from each of the fuel injectors (i.e., an actual injection quantity) into an internal combustion engine. The system calculates a deviation of each of the actual injection quantities from a target quantity to determine an injection correction value required to eliminate such a deviation. The system determines whether each of the injection correction values has an error or not and analyzes the mode in which the errors appear at the injection correction values to specify types of malfunction occurring in the system. The system relearns ones of the injection correction values as determined to have the errors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 19, 2010
    Assignee: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kouji Ishizuka, Kouichi Sugiyama, Manabu Tsujimura, Tetsuya Ohno
  • Patent number: 7650225
    Abstract: An engine controller comprises a combustion state detection or estimation means for detecting or estimating a combustion state in the combustion chamber, a combustion air-fuel ratio estimation means for estimating a combustion air-fuel ratio in the combustion chamber according to an exhaust air-fuel ratio and the detected or estimated combustion state, and a means for calculating engine control parameters according to the estimated combustion air-fuel ratio.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 19, 2010
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Shinji Nakagawa, Kazuhiko Kanetoshi, Kozo Katogi, Takanobu Ichihara, Minoru Ohsuga
  • Patent number: 7647158
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for diagnosing an airflow control system of an internal combustion engine, the method comprising: determining if a valve is in a stable position; commanding the valve of the airflow control system to move from a first position to a second position; determining a period of time for the valve to move from the first position to the second position; providing a first signal if the period of time is greater than or less than a predetermined period of time, the predetermined period of time corresponding to an amount of time necessary to move the valve from the first position to the second position under predetermined conditions; and providing a second signal if the period of time is within a range defined by the predetermined period of time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2010
    Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Kenneth M. Simpson, Peter H. Maehling
  • Patent number: 7640918
    Abstract: The invention relates to a drive circuit for an injector arrangement having a fuel injector, and a method of detecting faults in the drive circuit. The drive circuit includes a diagnostic tool that senses a measured voltage between the injector and a known voltage level. The measured voltage is biased with respect to the known voltage to a predicted voltage unless the drive circuit has a fault. A fault signal is provided on sensing of a measured voltage that differs from the predicted voltage. The drive circuit may additionally, or alternatively, include a diagnostic tool. The diagnostic tool senses a detected current to provide a fault signal upon detection of the fault when the detected current is at variance from a threshold current.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2010
    Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Louisa Perryman, Nigel P. Baker, Steven Martin, Martin A. P. Sykes
  • Patent number: 7643930
    Abstract: A control system which is capable of compensating for and suppressing the influence of a periodic disturbance on a controlled object more quickly, even when the controlled object is subjected to the periodic disturbance the amplitude of which periodically changes, thereby enhancing the stability and the accuracy of control. The control system includes an ECU. The ECU calculates disturbance compensation values for compensating for a periodic disturbance by searching maps and tables, in timing of generation of each pulse of a CRK signal. The ECU calculates control inputs at a predetermined control period, with predetermined control algorithms, according to the disturbance compensation values read in at the control period, respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2010
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yuji Yasui, Mitsunobu Saito, Tadaharu Shoji, Akiyuki Yonekawa
  • Publication number: 20090312941
    Abstract: A method for distinguishing between combustion issues and sensor faults within an engine includes monitoring pressure sensor data from a cylinder within the engine, monitoring engine data describing combustion health from a source other than a pressure sensor, analyzing the pressure sensor data to diagnose an anomalous combustion event, comparing the anomalous combustion event to analysis of the engine data, and indicating a pressure sensor fault warning if the comparison diagnoses a pressure sensor fault.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 17, 2008
    Publication date: December 17, 2009
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Yue-Yun Wang, Ibrahim Haskara, Chol-Bum M. Kweon, Frederic Anton Matekunas, Paul Anthony Battiston
  • Patent number: 7634351
    Abstract: A diagnostic testing system for a vehicle comprising an oxygen sensor having a heating element for heating the oxygen sensor to its minimum operational temperature, an analyzer having a user interface, a communications link between the analyzer and the vehicle to obtain data from the oxygen sensor, and a diagnostic heuristic analyzing the data and confirming proper operation of the heating element, the diagnostic heuristic being adapted to generate an output and transmit the output to the user interface, the output including the results generated by analysis of the data by the diagnostic heuristic.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2009
    Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Earl D. Diem