By Vibration Patents (Class 73/114.07)
  • Patent number: 11261814
    Abstract: Systems and methods determining a presence or absence of engine misfire at low engine load are disclosed. In one example, the presence or absence of engine misfire is based on a fuel target error value and an exhaust temperature error. Operation of an engine may be adjusted when engine misfire is detected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2022
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Marc G Uphues, Allen Lehmen
  • Patent number: 11222450
    Abstract: A display unit which displays information obtained from a machine tool that executes a machining program including a plurality of blocks as a plurality of program blocks identified by sequence numbers, includes: a data acquisition unit which acquires state information that indicates the state of the machine tool being operated as an amount of variation and a time axis, and timing information which indicates predetermined timing of the machining program executed by the machine tool; a chronological information generation unit which generates chronological information based on the state information and the timing information acquired; a superimposition unit which makes the timing indicated in the timing information coincide and which superimposes a plurality of pieces of the chronological information; and a display portion which displays the pieces of chronological information which are superimposed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2022
    Assignee: FANUC CORPORATION
    Inventor: Shouhei Takeno
  • Patent number: 11181059
    Abstract: Disclosed is a method for determining the configuration of a combustion engine of a motor vehicle including a step of detecting the reference position of the crankshaft, a step of controlling the control valve of the injection pump, after a predetermined time interval, a step of measuring a fuel pressure value in the injection rail, and a step of determining a first configuration of the engine when the fuel pressure value measured in the injection rail is greater than or equal to a first predetermined pressure threshold or determining a second configuration of the engine when the fuel pressure value measured in the injection rail is between a second predetermined pressure threshold and a third predetermined pressure threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2021
    Assignees: CONTINENTAL AUTOMOTIVE FRANCE, CONTINENTAL AUTOMOTIVE GMBH
    Inventors: Yves Agnus, Julien Lefevre
  • Patent number: 10132230
    Abstract: A method of controlling exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) in a turbocharged compression-ignition engine system including an engine, an induction subsystem in upstream communication with the engine, an exhaust subsystem in downstream communication with the engine, a high pressure EGR path between the exhaust and induction subsystems upstream of a turbocharger turbine and downstream of a turbocharger compressor, and a low pressure EGR path between the exhaust and induction subsystems downstream of the turbocharger turbine and upstream of the turbocharger compressor. A target total EGR fraction for compliance with exhaust emissions criteria is determined, then a target HP/LP EGR ratio is determined to optimize other engine system criteria within the constraints of the determined target total EGR fraction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2018
    Assignee: BorgWarner Inc.
    Inventors: John Shutty, Volker Joergl, Volker Mueller
  • Patent number: 10005469
    Abstract: Misfire detection techniques for a hybrid electric vehicle (HEV) including an internal combustion engine and an electric motor involve utilizing a crankshaft speed sensor configured to generate a crankshaft speed signal indicative of a rotational speed of a crankshaft of the engine that is coupled to the electric motor via a flywheel. The techniques also utilize a controller configured to control the electric motor to provide a vibrational response to dampen disturbances to the crankshaft, receive the crankshaft speed signal, selectively modify the crankshaft speed signal to obtain a modified crankshaft speed signal, and detect a misfire of the engine based on the modified crankshaft speed signal and a set of thresholds including at least one of a negative misfire threshold and a positive vibrational response threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2018
    Assignee: FCA US LLC
    Inventors: Yichao Guo, Robert Stack, Gang Wu, Marcio Quiles
  • Patent number: 9976851
    Abstract: Inspecting features of an object including measuring features of the master part that represents a desired nominal dimensions to obtain a preliminary set of dimensional data. The preliminary set of data becomes a master data set. The same master part is measured on a second machine to obtain another set of data on the master part. The two data sets are compared and correction data is generated representing differences between the different data sets for the same master part measured on different machines. Subsequent parts are then measured on the second machine to obtain measurement data that is corrected based on the correction data. The application of the correction information provides for the use of 5-axis machines within a desired measurement capability.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2018
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Joseph D. Drescher, Erik M. Pedersen
  • Patent number: 9651453
    Abstract: A method for extracting characterizing features from an ion current trace retrieved from spark plugs of cylinders of an internal combustion engine, comprises the steps of: i. dividing the ion current signal into crank angle subintervals; ii. calculating a measure of ion current in each crank angle subinterval; and iii. Performing a calculation on the measure of ion currents from different subintervals such that the result of the calculation is dimension free. Further it relates to a method of monitoring combustion processes where a plurality of ion current signals from a number of spark plugs (4A, 4B) are retrieved and used in combination.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2017
    Assignee: SEM AB
    Inventor: Jakob Angeby
  • Patent number: 9310077
    Abstract: A system is configured to apply a voltage, charge, and/or an electric field to a combustion reaction responsive to acoustic feedback from the combustion reaction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2016
    Assignee: CLEARSIGN COMBUSTION CORPORATION
    Inventors: Robert E. Breidenthal, Vincenzo Casasanta, III, Joseph Colannino, David B. Goodson, Tracy A. Prevo, Richard F. Rutkowski, Christopher A. Wiklof
  • Patent number: 8984933
    Abstract: A method for control of an internal combustion engine includes generating, with a microelectromechanical system (MEMS) accelerometer, an acceleration signal representing vibrations of the internal combustion engine. An engine crank angle signal is generated based on the acceleration signal. The engine crank angle signal is compared with a target value. The internal combustion engine is adjusted based upon the comparing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2015
    Assignee: STMicroelectronics S.R.L.
    Inventors: Ferdinando Taglialatela Scafati, Nicola Cesario, Domenico Porto, Bianca Maria Vaglieco, Simona Silvia Merola
  • Patent number: 8973429
    Abstract: A system according to the principles of the present disclosure includes a vibration intensity module and a stochastic pre-ignition (SPI) detection module. The vibration intensity module determines a vibration intensity of an engine over a first engine cycle and a second engine cycle. The first engine cycle and the second engine cycle each correspond to a predetermined amount of crankshaft rotation. The SPI detection module selectively detects stochastic pre-ignition when the vibration intensity of the first engine cycle is less than a first threshold and the vibration intensity of the second engine cycle is greater than a second threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2015
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: J. Michael Gwidt, Kevin M. Luchansky, Craig M. Sawdon, Wajdi B. Hamama
  • Publication number: 20140238120
    Abstract: A system according to the principles of the present disclosure includes a vibration intensity module and a stochastic pre-ignition (SPI) detection module. The vibration intensity module determines a vibration intensity of an engine over a first engine cycle and a second engine cycle. The first engine cycle and the second engine cycle each correspond to a predetermined amount of crankshaft rotation. The SPI detection module selectively detects stochastic pre-ignition when the vibration intensity of the first engine cycle is less than a first threshold and the vibration intensity of the second engine cycle is greater than a second threshold.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 25, 2013
    Publication date: August 28, 2014
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: J. Michael Gwidt, Kevin M. Luchansky, Craig M. Sawdon, Wajdi B. Hamama
  • Patent number: 8739613
    Abstract: A method of detecting misfire in an internal combustion engine comprises: sensing a temporal signature of a lateral displacement of the engine, performing a spectral analysis of the temporal signature of the lateral displacement to extract a magnitude of a predetermined frequency, and determining that misfiring in at least one of the plurality of cylinders has occurred based on the magnitude of the predetermined frequency. The predetermined frequency is associated with one of a plurality of orders of the engine. The one of the plurality of orders is representative of engine displacement due to in-cylinder pressures. Other methods of detecting misfire and a vehicle are also presented.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2014
    Assignee: BRP-Powertrain GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Andreas Mair, Thomas Thurner
  • Publication number: 20140069178
    Abstract: A system according to the principles of the present disclosure includes a vibration prediction module and a firing sequence module. The vibration prediction module predicts a vibration response of a vehicle based on a firing sequence of an engine when a cylinder of the engine is deactivated. The firing sequence module adjusts the firing sequence of the engine based on the predicted vibration response of the vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 13, 2013
    Publication date: March 13, 2014
    Applicant: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventor: Randall S. Beikmann
  • Patent number: 8474308
    Abstract: A method of controlling an internal combustion engine having at least one cylinder defining a variable-volume combustion chamber; and a rotating crankshaft powered by a piston sliding inside the cylinder; the control method including the steps of: determining a recording window expressed in engine angle degrees and having a start engine angle and a stop engine angle; acquiring and memorizing the intensity of sound pressure waves, generated by the internal combustion engine as a function of an engine angle, by means of at least one sound pressure sensor and within the recording window; and estimating the value of at least one operating parameter of a part of the internal combustion engine by analysing the intensity of the sound pressure waves in the recording window.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2013
    Assignee: Magneti Marelli S.p.A.
    Inventors: Stefano Sgatti, Nicolò Cavina, Filippo Cavanna, Giancarlo Bisanti
  • Publication number: 20130019667
    Abstract: In a single-cylinder internal combustion engine fitted with a knock sensor, a temperature increase of the knock sensor is suppressed and prevented, and the reliability of the knock sensor is improved. The engine includes a crankcase, a cylinder block connected to the crankcase, a cylinder head connected to the cylinder block, a sensor mounting boss provided on the cylinder block, and a knock sensor mounted to the boss. Fins are provided on the cylinder block and the cylinder head. A heat insulation member is provided between the boss and the knock sensor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 19, 2012
    Publication date: January 24, 2013
    Applicant: YAMAHA HATSUDOKI KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Akitoshi NAKAJIMA, Toshinori INOMORI
  • Patent number: 8302462
    Abstract: An engine ECU executes operations including: extracting vibration intensities of a plurality of frequency bands from vibration detected by a knock sensor, multiplying the extracted vibration intensity of each frequency band by a weight coefficient and adding the results in correspondence with crank angles to calculate integrated values of every five degrees; calculating a coefficient of correlation based on a result of comparison between a vibration waveform of a frequency band and a knock waveform model prepared in advance; calculating a knock intensity; determining occurrence of knocking in accordance with the calculated coefficient of correlation and the knock intensity; and determining no occurrence of knocking in accordance with the calculated coefficient of correlation and the knock intensity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2012
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Rihito Kaneko, Kenji Kasashima, Masatomo Yoshihara, Kenji Senda, Norihito Hanai, Yasuhiro Yamasako, Yuichi Takemura
  • Patent number: 8205489
    Abstract: An engine ECU executes a program including: detecting a magnitude of vibration of an engine; detecting a vibration waveform of the engine based on the magnitude; calculating a correlation coefficient, in the case where the engine speed is smaller than a threshold value, using the sum of values each determined by subtracting a positive reference value from a magnitude of a knock waveform model, as an area of the knock waveform model and, calculating the correlation coefficient, in the case where the engine speed is not smaller than the threshold value, using the area of the whole knock waveform model; and determining whether or not knocking has occurred using the correlation coefficient. The correlation coefficient is calculated by dividing by the area the sum of differences that are each the difference between the magnitude on the vibration waveform and the magnitude on the knock waveform model.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2012
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Rihito Kaneko, Kenji Kasashima, Masatomo Yoshihara, Kenji Senda, Norihito Hanai, Yasuhiro Yamasako, Yuichi Takemura
  • Patent number: 8155846
    Abstract: A method and system for controlling an internal combustion power train, whereby the values of various operating parameters of the power train are measured by means of a number of sensors, and operation of the engine is monitored by means of at least one control unit, which is physically separate from the engine block and connected to the sensors; at least one pressure sensor is housed in the control unit, is physically separate from the engine block, and determines the intensity of pressure waves generated by the power train; and the control unit determines the value of at least one operating parameter of the power train as a function of the intensity of the pressure waves generated by the power train.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2012
    Assignee: Magneti Marelli Powertrain S.p.A.
    Inventors: Gabriele Serra, Matteo De Cesare, Fabrizio Ponti
  • Patent number: 8151627
    Abstract: An output signal of a knock sensor is converted by an A/D conversion part in a specified knock determination range. In a time-frequency analysis part, data of frequency, time, and vibration intensity are extracted at the same time from an output signal of the knock sensor, and the time-varying patterns of vibration intensities in multiple frequency ranges are extracted. A knock determination part computes the number of time-varying patterns of vibration intensity which rise at same time. The knock determination part executes a knock determination based on whether the number of the time-varying patterns of vibration intensity is greater than a knock determination threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2012
    Assignees: Denso Corporation, Nippon Soken, Inc.
    Inventors: Satoshi Masuda, Hirohiko Yamada, Naoki Kokubo, Shuhei Oe
  • Patent number: 8145412
    Abstract: The internal combustion engine system makes detection on the occurrence or the non-occurrence of a misfire by comparing the 240-degree difference TD240 of the 30-degree rotation time T30 (CA) with the tentative detection reference value A1 and comparing the detection base difference ratios J1 and J5 with the ranges of the respective reference values B11, B12, B51 and B52 when the exhaust gas recirculation is performed, in addition to the methodology in the non-performance of the exhaust gas recirculation, that is, in addition to the methodology of comparing the 360-degree difference TD360 of the 30-degree rotation time T30 (CA) with the tentative detection reference value A1 and comparing the detection base difference ratios J0, J2 and J4 with the ranges of the respective reference values B01, B02, B21, B22, B41 and B42 (S410, S440). This arrangement enables to detect a misfire in any of cylinders of the engine 22 accurately even when the exhaust gas recirculation is performed or not performed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2012
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Hikokazu Akimoto
  • Patent number: 8099996
    Abstract: This invention relates to a method for knock detection in a combustion engine, in which combustion is controlled by a control unit (2), which comprises the steps of, a) obtaining at least one sensor signal (4, 4?) carrying information of knock intensity related within a combustion chamber of the combustion engine (1); (b) processing the sensor signal (4, 4?) to obtain a knock intensity related detection variable (z1), (c) using said detection variable (z1) in said control unit (2) arranged to avoid a knocking condition in said combustion engine (1), if the value (z1) of said detection variable indicates knock when compared with a threshold value (T) wherein using two different computations/processes for said processing (5, 6) of the at least one sensor signal (4, 4?) to obtain two separate sub-values (y1, y2), and thereafter combining said sub-values (y1, y2) to obtain said detection variable (z1).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2012
    Assignee: Hoerbiger Kompressortechnik Holding GmbH
    Inventors: Jan Nytomt, Anders Göras, Jakob Ängeby, Henric Andersson, Christian Sörqvist, Tomas Carlsson
  • Patent number: 8096166
    Abstract: An output signal of a knock sensor is converted by an A/D conversion part in a specified knock determination range. In a time-frequency analysis part, data of frequency, time, and vibration intensity are extracted at the same time from an output signal of the knock sensor and the time-varying patterns of vibration intensities in multiple frequency ranges are extracted. A knock determination part computes lengths (crank angle, or time period) from a starting point to a latest terminating point of the time-varying patterns of vibration intensity in at least two frequency ranges, which rise at a same time. The knock determination part executes a knock determination based on whether the lengths are greater than a knock determination threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2012
    Assignees: DENSO Corporation, Nippon Soken, Inc.
    Inventors: Satoshi Masuda, Hirohiko Yamada, Naoki Kokubo, Shuhei Oe
  • Patent number: 8056396
    Abstract: An output of a knock sensor is A/D converted in a specified knock determination range. In a time-frequency analysis part, data of frequency, time, and vibration intensity are extracted at the same time from the knock sensor output signal and the time-varying patterns of vibration intensities in multiple frequency ranges are extracted. An edge direction and an edge intensity are computed by an edge extraction processing. A correlation value expressing a correlation between time-varying patterns of vibration intensities in multiple frequency ranges and a reference model expressing the feature of knock is computed in a mutual correlation/knock determination part. The correlation value is compared with a determination threshold. When the correlation value is larger than the determination threshold, it is determined that knock is caused. When the correlation value is not larger than the determination threshold, it is determined that knock is not caused.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2011
    Assignees: Denso Corporation, Nippon Soken, Inc.
    Inventors: Satoshi Masuda, Hirohiko Yamada, Shuhei Oe, Naoki Kokubo
  • Patent number: 8051702
    Abstract: A system comprising an amplifier for amplifying signals of frequencies less than one kilohertz generated by a vibration sensor and using the amplified signal to amplitude modulate a carrier signal at a frequency in excess of one kilohertz and applying the amplitude modulated carrier signal to a sensor interface circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2011
    Assignee: Altronic, Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph M. Lepley, Richard D. Yohman, Thomas C. Wick
  • Patent number: 8020429
    Abstract: An engine ECU executes a program including calculating a correlation coefficient by dividing the sum of respective absolute values, which are each a difference between a magnitude in an engine vibration waveform and a magnitude in a knock waveform model for every crank angle, by an area corresponding to magnitudes equal to or larger than a positive reference value in the knock waveform model, and determining whether or not knocking has occurred based on the correlation coefficient.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2011
    Assignees: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha, Denso Corporation, Nippon Soken, Inc.
    Inventors: Rihito Kaneko, Kenji Kasashima, Masatomo Yoshihara, Kenji Senda, Norihito Hanai, Yasuhiro Yamasako, Yuuichi Takemura, Shuhei Oe
  • Patent number: 7971475
    Abstract: A method for diagnosing an internal combustion engine in a motor vehicle having at least one sensor unit, including at least one sound receiver, the sound receiver converting sound waves into an electrical signal. Sound waves of the internal combustion engine are recorded using the sound receiver of the sensor unit and converted into an electrical signal, and the electrical signal is used for the diagnosis of the operating state of the internal combustion engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2011
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Marcus Schneider, Markus Becker, Thomas Scheuerle
  • Patent number: 7942040
    Abstract: Out of synthesized waveforms of vibrations in a first frequency band A to a third frequency band C, a knock magnitude N is calculated by using a portion ? having an integrated value greater than a reference magnitude in a knock region but not using a portion having an integrated value greater than the reference magnitude out of the knock region (i.e., a region obtained by excluding the knock region from a knock detecting gate). In a case where knock magnitude N is greater than a determination value V(KX), it is determined that knocking occurs. In contrast, in a case where knock magnitude N is not greater than determination value V(KX), it is determined that no knocking occurs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2011
    Assignees: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha, Denso Corporation, Nippon Soken, Inc.
    Inventors: Rihito Kaneko, Kenji Kasashima, Masatomo Yoshihara, Kenji Senda, Yuuichi Takemura, Shuhei Oe
  • Patent number: 7779673
    Abstract: An engine ECU executes a program including the steps of: calculating an absolute value ?S(I) of the deviation of the vibration waveform detected by a knock sensor and a knock waveform model from each other at each crank angle; when ?S(I) greater than threshold value ?S(0) is present and the number of ?S(I) greater than threshold value ?S(0) is equal to or smaller than Q(1), correcting the vibration waveform; calculating a correlation coefficient K which is a value related to the deviation of the corrected vibration waveform and the knock waveform model from each other; and when the number of ?S(I) greater than threshold value ?S(0) is greater than predetermined number Q(1), calculating the correlation coefficient K without correcting the vibration waveform. Based on the correlation coefficient K, whether knocking is present or absent is determined.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2010
    Assignees: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha, Denso Corporation, Nippon Soken, Inc.
    Inventors: Rihito Kaneko, Kenji Kasashima, Masatomo Yoshihara, Koji Aso, Kenji Senda, Yuichi Takemura, Shuhei Oe, Kiyoshi Iwade
  • Patent number: 7753165
    Abstract: In a method and a device for canceling the noise in an exhaust gas channel of a vehicle, a noise signal is received from the exhaust gas channel using a sound sensor, and a frequency signal which has the same amplitude and the opposite phase as the noise signal is generated. The generated frequency signal is acoustically mixed with the noise signal in the exhaust gas channel using a sound converter, there by reducing the noise in the exhaust gas channel. In addition, the temperature in the exhaust gas channel is calculated based on the received sound signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2010
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventor: Uwe Kassner
  • Patent number: 7747380
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method having application to combustion control of an internal-combustion engine for real-time estimation of engine combustion parameters from vibratory signals. A vibratory signal representative of the engine vibrations is continuously acquired as a function of the crank angle, from a vibration detector. Real-time filtering of this vibratory signal and real-time estimation of the Fourier decomposition coefficients for the acquired vibratory signal is carried out by inverting the dynamics of the filter which is used. Finally, real-time estimation of combustion parameters allowing the combustion to be qualified is carried out from these coefficients.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2010
    Assignee: IFP
    Inventors: Jonathan Chauvin, Yohan Bentolina, Olivier Grondin
  • Publication number: 20100114460
    Abstract: The engine misfire detection process according to one aspect of the invention first makes tentative detection on the occurrence or the non-occurrence of an engine misfire in execution of both vibration control and rotation speed control. In response to the tentative detection of an engine misfire, the engine misfire detection process subsequently makes final detection on the occurrence or the non-occurrence of an engine misfire. In the event of no final detection of an engine misfire, the engine misfire detection process makes tentative detection and final detection on the occurrence or the non-occurrence of an engine misfire in prohibition of the vibration control. In the event of still no final detection of an engine misfire, the engine misfire detection process makes tentative detection and final detection on the occurrence or the non-occurrence of an engine misfire in further prohibition of the rotation speed control.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 28, 2007
    Publication date: May 6, 2010
    Inventor: Hikokazu Akimoto
  • Publication number: 20090308146
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for detecting abnormal combustion in the combustion chamber of at least one cylinder of a spark-ignition supercharged internal-combustion engine, characterized in that it comprises: measuring a quantity linked with the combustion of the fuel mixture in the chamber, producing a signal whose amplitude depends on the amplitude of the measured quantity, comparing the amplitude of the signal produced with the amplitude of a threshold signal corresponding to the amplitude of a signal during combustion with engine knock, determining the presence of a rumble type abnormal combustion in the combustion chamber when the amplitude of the signal produced exceeds the amplitude of said threshold signal by a significant value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 14, 2005
    Publication date: December 17, 2009
    Inventors: Xavier Gautrot, Gaétan Monnier, Laurent Simonet
  • Patent number: 7614289
    Abstract: A control apparatus for an internal combustion engine can detect knocking of the engine even when an extraction frequency band is switched in accordance with an operating state of the engine. The apparatus includes a knock sensor for detecting vibrations generated in the engine and outputting a vibration detection signal, a rotation sensor for detecting the engine operating state, a SCF circuit for extracting a signal of a specific frequency band from the vibration detection signal and outputting an extracted vibration signal, a filter frequency switching section for switching an extraction frequency band of the filter section in accordance with the engine operating state, and a knocking detection section for detecting knocking of the engine based on the extracted vibration signal. The filter frequency switching section inhibits switching of the extraction frequency band until a switching inhibition period elapses after the switching of the extraction frequency band.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2009
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
    Inventors: Hidetoshi Miyaji, Hiroyuki Kobayashi, Akira Furuta, Manabu Yamashita
  • Patent number: 7594423
    Abstract: In an automotive system (300), a knock detection scheme is provided for detecting knock events in an internal combustion engine that are sensed by a transducer structure, such as a non-intrusive acoustic accelerometer sensor (310) to generate sensor signal information which is processed by a signal processing structure (312, 316, 318, 326) which extracts digital signal parameters from the sensor signal information to identify a predetermined pitch frequency (330) and any short-term energy increase (328) in the digital signal information which in combination are used to provide a positive indication of engine knock behavior. When a short term Fourier transform (324) is used to extract the digital signal parameters, time frequency resolution may be improved by appropriately windowing the digital signal being transformed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2009
    Assignee: Freescale Semiconductor, Inc.
    Inventors: Kabi P. Padhi, Patrick W. Menter
  • Patent number: 7571640
    Abstract: Detection of cylinder misfires in engines. In one aspect of the invention, a method for detecting a cylinder misfire in an engine includes monitoring a temperature in the exhaust of the engine. Vibration of the engine is analyzed to identify a misfiring cylinder in the engine if the monitored temperature indicates a misfire may have occurred.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2009
    Assignee: Cummins, Inc.
    Inventor: Eric B. Andrews
  • Patent number: 7516647
    Abstract: A device and a method for assigning at least two knock sensors to at least two cylinders of an internal combustion engine are provided. An arrangement for comparison is provided, which implements the assignment of the knock sensors to the cylinders by comparing at least two characteristic acoustic signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2009
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Carsten Kluth, Werner Haeming, Wolfgang Fischer, Federico Buganza
  • Publication number: 20090063024
    Abstract: In an internal combustion engine including a flywheel damper, an operation range in which misfire detection is affected by the flywheel damper is set in advance. Whether or not an operation state of the internal combustion engine is within an operation range affected by the flywheel damper is determined. When the operation state is within the operation range affected by the flywheel damper, for example a cylinder specifying process specifying a misfiring cylinder is stopped. By such processing, erroneous detection attributed to irregular rotation fluctuation behavior caused by the flywheel damper can be avoided, and misfire detection performance can be improved.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 19, 2006
    Publication date: March 5, 2009
    Applicant: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Akihiro Katayama
  • Publication number: 20090038384
    Abstract: Out of synthesized waveforms of vibrations in a first frequency band A to a third frequency band C, a knock magnitude N is calculated by using a portion ? having an integrated value greater than a reference magnitude in a knock region but not using a portion having an integrated value greater than the reference magnitude out of the knock region (i.e., a region obtained by excluding the knock region from a knock detecting gate). In a case where knock magnitude N is greater than a determination value V(KX), it is determined that knocking occurs. In contrast, in a case where knock magnitude N is not greater than determination value V(KX), it is determined that no knocking occurs.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 21, 2007
    Publication date: February 12, 2009
    Inventors: Rihito Kaneko, Kenji Kasashima, Masatomo Yoshihara, Kenji Senda, Yuuichi Takemura, Shuhei Oe
  • Patent number: 7484405
    Abstract: A method for calibrating an engine is provided. The engine includes a cylinder for combustion of a fuel. The method includes setting combustion parameters of the engine, detecting a combustion noise during combustion proximate to the cylinder, detecting an engine sound radiated from the engine during combustion, adjusting the combustion parameters and repeating the steps of detecting a combustion noise and detecting an engine sound. The method further includes generating a relationship between the combustion noises and the engine sounds, determining a combustion noise level that correlates to a predefined engine sound threshold from the relationship, adjusting a speed of the engine and a load on the engine and repeating the previous steps to determine a combustion noise level for each engine speed and engine load setting, and calibrating the engine using the combustion noise levels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2009
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations, Inc.
    Inventors: Gary J. Hazelton, Fabien G. Redon, Boris D. Stojkovic, Konstantin V. Tanin, Sherif H. Tahry
  • Publication number: 20080257025
    Abstract: A control apparatus for an internal combustion engine can detect knocking of the engine even when an extraction frequency band is switched in accordance with an operating state of the engine. The apparatus includes a knock sensor for detecting vibrations generated in the engine and outputting a vibration detection signal, a rotation sensor for detecting the engine operating state, a SCF circuit for extracting a signal of a specific frequency band from the vibration detection signal and outputting an extracted vibration signal, a filter frequency switching section for switching an extraction frequency band of the filter section in accordance with the engine operating state, and a knocking detection section for detecting knocking of the engine based on the extracted vibration signal. The filter frequency switching section inhibits switching of the extraction frequency band until a switching inhibition period elapses after the switching of the extraction frequency band.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 19, 2007
    Publication date: October 23, 2008
    Applicant: MITSUBISHI ELECTRIC CORPORATION
    Inventors: Hidetoshi MIYAJI, Hiroyuki KOBAYASHI, Akira FURUTA, Manabu YAMASHITA
  • Publication number: 20080236262
    Abstract: Detection of cylinder misfires in engines. In one aspect of the invention, a method for detecting a cylinder misfire in an engine includes monitoring a temperature in the exhaust of the engine. Vibration of the engine is analyzed to identify a misfiring cylinder in the engine if the monitored temperature indicates a misfire may have occurred.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 28, 2007
    Publication date: October 2, 2008
    Applicant: CUMMINS, INC.
    Inventor: Eric B. Andrews
  • Publication number: 20080190185
    Abstract: When detecting the combustion noise on a combustion engine (10) by using a knock sensor (14), the problem arises in that prior art methods cannot determine with sufficient accuracy how much fuel reaches the cylinder (11) of the combustion engine (10) during a specified injection pulse. For different reasons, e.g. for minimizing the fuel consumption or for optimizing exhaust emissions, a multiple injection with, in part, the smallest quantities of fuel is commonly used in today's combustion engines (10) that require a precise fuel metering. To this end, the measuring window (M) for detecting the combustion noises of an individual injection pulse with regard to its starting and/or ending position is variably formed according to operating parameters so that only the combustion noises taken into consideration are detected that serve as a measure for the injected quantity of fuel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 12, 2004
    Publication date: August 14, 2008
    Inventor: Christian Zimmer
  • Publication number: 20080133177
    Abstract: A method for diagnosing an internal combustion engine including at least one microphone associated with the internal combustion engine, the sound of the internal combustion engine being recorded and converted into an electrical signal. The electrical signal representing the sound is used for the diagnosis of the operating state of the internal combustion engine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 30, 2007
    Publication date: June 5, 2008
    Inventors: Martin Klenk, Klaus Ries-Mueller, Uwe Kassner