Internal-combustion engines – Spark ignition timing control – Electronic control
Reexamination Certificate
2003-05-23
2004-12-21
Wolfe, Willis R. (Department: 3747)
Internal-combustion engines
Spark ignition timing control
Electronic control
C123S406290
Reexamination Certificate
active
06832598
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF INVENTION
The aforenoted co-pending application disclosed a very simple but highly effective way of determining engine load and controlling an engine control system in response to the determined load to improve engine operation. That method and apparatus, because of its simplicity, permits incorporation in relatively small and low production volume engines as used in motorcycles, motor scooters and like engine applications. Generally that earlier application relates specifically to engine spark timing control.
Many engines utilizing a wide variety of spark control arrangements frequently incorporate, in addition to the basic spark timing control, an additional control for preventing or reducing an undesirable engine operating condition, known as “knocking”. These controls generally incorporate a “knock sensor” which senses the presence of that condition. The spark timing is then altered to suppress the knocking.
Obviously the added sensor and associated control adds significantly to the cost. This added structure also makes it prohibitive to incorporate such knock control in small and low production volume engines, in spite of the added benefit.
It is, therefore, a principle object of this invention to provide a simplified, low cost knock control system and method that does not require a separate knock detector.
SUMMARY OF INVENTION
A first feature of this invention is adapted to be embodied an internal combustion engine and control system therefore. The engine comprises a driven shaft, a sensor arrangement associated with said driven shaft for sensing the rotational speed of the driven shaft during the rotation of the driven shaft. An ignition system is provided for firing the engine. The engine speed sensor is employed to determine a change in the load on the engine. If the engine load change is greater than a predetermined amount indicative of an incipient knocking condition, the ignition timing control is altered to retard the timing.
In accordance with a further feature of the invention, the engine load is determined by the change in engine speed during successive intervals.
Another feature of the invention is adapted to be embodied in a method for controlling or suppressing the knocking of an internal combustion engine. In accordance with this feature of the invention, variations in the speed of rotation of an engine shaft are measured to determine changes in engine load. If the engine load exceeds a predetermined value, it is assumed that an incipient knocking condition exists and ignition timing is retarded.
REFERENCES:
patent: 3870869 (1975-03-01), Eberle et al.
patent: 3969614 (1976-07-01), Moyer et al.
patent: 4197767 (1980-04-01), Leung
patent: 4276600 (1981-06-01), Hartford et al.
patent: 4291383 (1981-09-01), Tedeschi et al.
patent: 4301678 (1981-11-01), Full et al.
patent: 4309759 (1982-01-01), Tokuda et al.
patent: 4309971 (1982-01-01), Chiesa et al.
patent: 4344140 (1982-08-01), Leung
patent: 4380800 (1983-04-01), Wilkinson
patent: 4403584 (1983-09-01), Suzuki et al.
patent: 4433381 (1984-02-01), Wilkinson
patent: 4483184 (1984-11-01), Kunzfeld
patent: 4527523 (1985-07-01), Daumer et al.
patent: 4532592 (1985-07-01), Citron et al.
patent: 4590563 (1986-05-01), Matsumura et al.
patent: 4697561 (1987-10-01), Citron
patent: 4725955 (1988-02-01), Kobayashi et al.
patent: 4814997 (1989-03-01), Matsumura et al.
patent: 4829440 (1989-05-01), Abe
patent: 4840245 (1989-06-01), Kamei et al.
patent: 4852537 (1989-08-01), Nagano et al.
patent: 4870586 (1989-09-01), Asakura et al.
patent: 4879656 (1989-11-01), Quigley et al.
patent: 4884547 (1989-12-01), Tamura
patent: 4887216 (1989-12-01), Ohnari et al.
patent: 4893600 (1990-01-01), Holmes
patent: 4911128 (1990-03-01), Hara et al.
patent: 4924831 (1990-05-01), Piteo et al.
patent: 4928652 (1990-05-01), Shinya et al.
patent: 4951206 (1990-08-01), Kyohzuka
patent: 4991102 (1991-02-01), Sakamoto et al.
patent: 4993387 (1991-02-01), Sakakibara et al.
patent: 5021956 (1991-06-01), Yoshimura et al.
patent: 5021959 (1991-06-01), Jundt et al.
patent: 5086741 (1992-02-01), Nakamura et al.
patent: 5099429 (1992-03-01), Onari et al.
patent: 5121324 (1992-06-01), Rini et al.
patent: 5184589 (1993-02-01), Nonaka
patent: 5191531 (1993-03-01), Kurosu et al.
patent: 5218945 (1993-06-01), Kapellen et al.
patent: 5249130 (1993-09-01), Mamiya et al.
patent: 5278762 (1994-01-01), Kawamura
patent: 5284116 (1994-02-01), Richeson, Jr.
patent: 5341299 (1994-08-01), Stellwagon et al.
patent: 5345817 (1994-09-01), Grenn et al.
patent: 5392753 (1995-02-01), Burson et al.
patent: 5445014 (1995-08-01), Fiorenza, II et al.
patent: 5485382 (1996-01-01), Seki et al.
patent: 5548514 (1996-08-01), Hasegawa et al.
patent: 5566071 (1996-10-01), Akazaki et al.
patent: 5575268 (1996-11-01), Hirano et al.
patent: 5577475 (1996-11-01), Backer et al.
patent: 5629853 (1997-05-01), Ogawa et al.
patent: 5672817 (1997-09-01), Sagisaka et al.
patent: 5681239 (1997-10-01), Toukura
patent: 5684248 (1997-11-01), Iwata
patent: 5988140 (1999-11-01), Gartner et al.
patent: 6023651 (2000-02-01), Nakamura et al.
patent: 6234145 (2001-05-01), Shomura
patent: 6272425 (2001-08-01), Herndon
patent: 6343586 (2002-02-01), Muto et al.
patent: 6626145 (2003-09-01), Enoyoshi et al.
patent: 2196153 (1988-04-01), None
patent: 2237388 (1991-05-01), None
patent: 5313200 (1997-11-01), None
patent: 64-24164 (1989-01-01), None
Isoda Naoya
Nagatsu Yoshiyuki
Beutler Ernest A
Kabushiki Kaisha Moric
Wolfe Willis R.
LandOfFree
Anti-knocking device an method does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Anti-knocking device an method, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Anti-knocking device an method will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-3282400