Engine control

Internal-combustion engines – Engine speed regulator – Open loop condition responsive

Reexamination Certificate

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Details

C123S306000, C123S360000, C123S401000

Reexamination Certificate

active

06367448

ABSTRACT:

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to an engine control and more particularly to an improved engine control for the induction system of an internal combustion engine to improve engine performance during transitional running conditions.
As is well known, in many applications internal combustion engines run over widely varying range of conditions of both speed and load. This is particularly true when the engine is employed for powering a motor vehicle be it operated on either land or water. It is, of course, desirable if the engine runs at optimum performance under each of the varying conditions it is required to run. This presents significant difficulties because of the inherent nature of many of the systems of internal combustion engines.
The induction system is one area where this condition of desired flexibility presents significant difficulties. An induction system that is designed so as to provide maximum power output, will not be efficient at low speeds and low loads. In a like manner, an engine designed to provide optimum performance at low speeds will not achieve large maximum power outputs or speeds. Therefore, various devices have been proposed varying the operating conditions or characteristics of an induction system over the running range of the engine to provide more optimal performance under each running condition.
One way that this is done is through the utilization of a flow controlling valve in the induction system. The flow controlling valve is movable between a opened position wherein no substantial restriction to air flow is encountered and the air flows into the combustion chamber in a relatively straight fashion so, as to achieve maximum charging and maximum power under high load high speed conditions. Under other running conditions, the flow into the combustion chamber is either restricted and/or redirected so as to introduce turbulence in the combustion chamber. This will improve running under lower speed and lower load conditions.
A wide variety of types of flow control valves and control strategies have been proposed for achieving this optimal running. However, the systems generally operate in response to fixed parameters and set the optimum position for a fixed running condition of speed and load.
However, because the speed and load of the engine may change continuously, transient conditions present problems of their own. Although control strategies have been proposed for controlling the transient conditions, these basically operate to provide a set condition of the valve during the transient condition. Thus, this itself represents a compromise that does not provide optimum engine performance.
It is, therefore, a principal object of this invention to provide an improved engine control and specifically an induction system control for an engine to offer optimal performance under transient conditions.
It is a further object of this invention to provide an improved induction control system for an engine wherein the control valve has not only its position changed in response to changed running conditions but also the rate of change of the position of the valve is controlled.
It is a further object of this invention to provide an improved control valve system and operating mechanism therefore that permits not only adjustment in the position of the valve but in the rate of change of the valve position.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
A first feature of the invention is adapted to be embodied in an internal combustion engine induction control valve and method of operating the valve to improve performance under transient conditions. A flow control valve is positioned in the induction system and is movable between a first wide open position wherein the direction of flow into the combustion chamber is generally unaltered as well as providing a minimal change in the effective flow area and another position wherein the flow into the combustion chamber is either restricted and/or redirected. A control senses engine conditions for positioning the induction control valve.
In accordance with an apparatus for performing the invention, the control is operative to sense the rate of change of engine running conditions and to alter the rate of change in position of the control valve in response to sensed transient conditions.
In accordance with a method for practicing the invention, the engine conditions including a rate of change in engine running condition is measured. The control valve is then positioned in a position and at a rate of change to suit the measured conditions to including rate of change to provide optimal performance.
Another feature of the invention is adapted to be embodied in a control motor for controlling the operation of an induction control valve in an internal combustion engine induction system. The control valve is positioned by a diaphragm type motor having one chamber that is exposed to a predetermined force for moving the valve in one direction. The other side of the diaphragm is exposed to a source of pressure and communicates with this source of pressure either in an unrestricted or in a restricted fashion depending upon the engine running condition so as to vary the rate of change in position of the control valve.


REFERENCES:
patent: 4144852 (1979-03-01), Kawai et al.
patent: 4232640 (1980-11-01), Matsumoto et al.
patent: 4271801 (1981-06-01), Yamakawa et al.
patent: 4318273 (1982-03-01), Nohira et al.
patent: 4359982 (1982-11-01), Yoshioka et al.
patent: 4528958 (1985-07-01), Yoshida et al.
patent: 5394846 (1995-03-01), Jaeger et al.
patent: 5640941 (1997-06-01), Hazen et al.

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