Measuring and testing – Internal combustion engine or related engine system or... – Compression
Reexamination Certificate
1998-12-14
2001-02-20
Fuller, Benjamin R. (Department: 2855)
Measuring and testing
Internal combustion engine or related engine system or...
Compression
Reexamination Certificate
active
06189378
ABSTRACT:
DESCRIPTION
1. Technical Field
The present invention relates generally to a fuel control system for an engine, and more particularly, to a method and apparatus for determining a performance characteristic of a fuel injector located in a fuel system.
2. Background Art
The fuel quantity that is delivered to an engine may be determined by a fuel control governor. The governor determines the amount of fuel that should be injected by each fuel injector into the engine in order to achieve a desired engine speed. The governor then sends a fuel command to the fuel injectors to deliver the fuel. However, due to variances between each fuel injector, the same fuel command does not inherently result in the same quantity of fuel being delivered to the engine by each injector. The result of fuel variations may include engine speed variability, the production of white smoke from the engine, and a rough ride for the vehicle which the engine is located.
The present invention is directed to overcoming one or more of the problems set forth above.
DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION
In one aspect of the present invention, a method for determining a performance characteristic of at least one of a plurality of fuel injectors is disclosed. The method includes the steps of determining a first desired fuel quantity to be delivered by the injectors, suspending fuel delivery by one of the injectors and determining a performance characteristic of the suspended injector.
In yet another aspect of the present invention, a method for determining a performance characteristic of at least one of a plurality of fuel injectors is disclosed. The method includes the steps of determining a first fuel command to be delivered to the injectors, suspending fuel delivery by one of the injectors, and determining a performance characteristic of the suspended injector.
In yet another aspect of the present invention, an apparatus for determining a performance characteristic of at least one of a plurality of fuel injectors is disclosed. The apparatus includes a temperature sensing device adapted to sense a temperature of the engine and responsively generate a temperature signal; and a controller adapted to receive said temperature signal, determine a first desired fuel quantity to be delivered by each of the injectors, suspend fuel delivery by one of the injectors, and determine a performance characteristic of said suspended.
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Research Disclosure, Apr., 1991, Two-Stroke Engine Control, 32448.
Kendrick Larry E.
Lukich Michael S.
Mutti James H.
Caterpillar Inc.
Fuller Benjamin R.
McPherson W. Bryan
Stevens Maurice
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