Internal-combustion engines – Charge forming device – Fuel injection system
Patent
1995-08-17
1998-09-15
Argenbright, Tony M.
Internal-combustion engines
Charge forming device
Fuel injection system
123416, 123478, 123487, F02P 515, F02D 4134, F02D 4304
Patent
active
058064885
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an electronic timing system and method for an internal combustion engine and relates particularly, though not exclusively, to such a system and method for a spark ignited, gas fuelled internal combustion engine.
BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION
As the level of sophistication and reliability of electronic components and processing systems have improved by several orders of magnitude, electronic control systems are increasingly being incorporated in motor vehicles to replace functions previously performed by mechanical and/or electromechanical components and systems. Furthermore, the availability of such electronic components and systems has also opened the door to hitherto unforseen developments and improvements in the control and operation of the combustion cycle of internal combustion engines.
Many motor vehicles are now being manufactured with on-board computers and/or an engine control unit (ECU) to control the sequence of combustion in the respective cylinders of the engine. The engine is typically fuel injected and the ECU generates timing control signals for controlling the timing and sequence of operation of the injectors and spark ignition to provide optimum engine performance. In order to provide the correct timing control signals prior art ECUs must typically be supplied with engine speed and position signals, and a reference cylinder or top-dead centre (TDC) identification signal. Generally such signals are provided by a series of toothed wheels synchronously rotated by the engine crankshaft, and having a plurality of slots/projections thereon which are detected by a sensor to produce a pulse train. The repetition rate of these pulses is directly related to engine speed and pulse positions can be used to determine various engine cycle positions. The provision of such toothed wheels or slotted discs external to the engine creates additional hardware and adds to the mechanical complexity of the engine. Furthermore, the pulse trains generated are generally used to trigger counters or other means for producing time referenced timing control signals to controlling the sequence of combustion. However, with time referenced timing control signals timing errors can occur if the engine speed changes between successive timing calculations. For example, if the timing control signals were time referenced and the speed were to increase the instigation of these control signals would appear to retard by some angle instead of ideally becoming more advanced.
The present invention was developed with a view to providing an improved electronic engine timing system and method that can provide high resolution engine timing control signals used to control the sequence of combustion.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
According to one aspect of the present invention there is provided an electronic timing system for an internal combustion engine, the system comprising:
an engine gear wheel teeth position sensor for detecting the rotation of a gear wheel of the engine, wherein each gear tooth of a periphery of the gearwheel is detected as it passes said gear wheel teeth position sensor to generate a gear wheel teeth signal;
an engine phase sensor for detecting a phase of the engine and for generating an engine phase signal every cycle of the engine;
a signal multiplying means for multiplying said gear wheel teeth signal by an integer multiple of the number of cylinders, N, in the engine to produce a high resolution engine rotation signal in the form of a pulse train, each pulse in said pulse train indicating a predetermined angular displacement of the engine;
means for generating a cylinder cycle reference signal for initiating a timing activity for each individual cylinder of the engine, wherein said cylinder cycle reference signal is generated responsive to said high resolution engine rotation signal and engine phase signal such that a predetermined number of pulses of said high resolution engine rotation signal, corresponding to one cycle of the engine as indicated by sai
REFERENCES:
patent: 4232368 (1980-11-01), Hill et al.
patent: 4494509 (1985-01-01), Long et al.
patent: 4527522 (1985-07-01), Cerny
Patent Abstracts of Japan, M-386, p. 106, JP,A, 60-17269, (Mitsubishi Denki, K.K.) Jan. 29, 1985.
Patent Abstracts of Japan M-587, p. 86, JP, A 61-279772, (Nippon Denso Co. Ltd.) Dec. 10, 1986.
Argenbright Tony M.
Transcom Gas Technologies Pty
LandOfFree
Electronic engine timing does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Electronic engine timing, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Electronic engine timing will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-78012