Engine speed control for decreasing engine speed

Details Engine speed control for decreasing engine speed Engine speed control for decreasing engine speed

2000-02-15

2001-04-24

Dolinar, Andrew M. (Department: 3747)

Internal-combustion engines

Engine speed regulator

Having condition responsive means with engine being part of...

C701S110000

Reexamination Certificate

active

06220219

ABSTRACT:

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to automatic control of engine speed in a fully or partially automated vehicular transmission system including an electronically controlled engine, preferably communicating over an electronic data link and allowing control in at least a speed-limiting mode and in a torque-limiting mode. In particular, the present invention relates to control of engine speed for such systems when a relatively large decrease in engine speed is required, typically when synchronizing for an upshift.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Fully and partially automated mechanical transmission systems intended for medium- and heavy-duty vehicular use are well known in the prior art, as may be seen by reference to U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,361,060; 4,595,986; 4,648,290; 4,850,236; 5,582,558; 5,735,771; 5,755,639; 5,797,110; 5,894,758 and 5,904,635, the disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference. Such systems typically involve some automatic control of engine speed to synchronize for engaging a target gear ratio.
The current fully or partially automated transmission systems may include an electronically controlled engine having control logic conforming to and/or communicating over an electronic data link conforming to an industry standard protocol, such as SAE J-1922, SAE J-1939, ISO 11898 or the like. U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,457,633 and 5,738,606 are illustrative of such electronically controlled internal combustion (usually diesel) engines.
Such systems have an engine speed mode of operation wherein the engine is controlled to achieve a target engine speed. In heavy-duty diesel engines, the engines are programmed to respond to engine speed mode commands by fueling the engine to achieve the target engine speed in a smooth, ramped manner.
The prior art systems are subject to improvement, as when commanding a relatively large decrease in engine speed in the speed control mode of operation, usually during a single or skip upshift, a longer-than-desirable time may be required to achieve the target engine speed.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In accordance with the present invention, the drawbacks of the prior art are minimized or overcome by shortening the time required to achieve a relatively large decrease in engine speed to a target engine speed.
The foregoing is accomplished by operating in a torque control mode requesting a low torque, preferably zero torque, not in a speed control mode, when a significant decrease in engine speed is required. For the electronically controlled heavy-and medium-duty diesel engines produced by engine manufacturers, when in the torque control mode and when defueling to reduce torque, engine speed will decrease in an unmodulated manner according to the “decay rate” of the engine.
Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide an improved engine speed control when substantial decreases in engine speed are required, such as in upshifts, which will decrease the time required to reach the desired engine speed.
This and other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from a reading of the following description of the preferred embodiment taken in connection with the attached drawings.


REFERENCES:
patent: 4361060 (1982-11-01), Smyth
patent: 4595986 (1986-06-01), Daubenspeck et al.
patent: 4648290 (1987-03-01), Dunkley et al.
patent: 4714144 (1987-12-01), Speranza
patent: 4754665 (1988-07-01), Vandervoort
patent: 4850236 (1989-07-01), Braun
patent: 5390561 (1995-02-01), Stine
patent: 5457633 (1995-10-01), Palmer et al.
patent: 5582558 (1996-12-01), Palmeri et al.
patent: 5682790 (1997-11-01), Genise
patent: 5729110 (1998-03-01), Steeby et al.
patent: 5735771 (1998-04-01), Genise
patent: 5738606 (1998-04-01), Bellinger
patent: 5743143 (1998-04-01), Carpenter et al.
patent: 5755639 (1998-05-01), Genise et al.
patent: 5797110 (1998-08-01), Braun et al.
patent: 5894758 (1999-04-01), Walker
patent: 5904635 (1999-05-01), Genise et al.

Affiliated with

Also associated with

Rating

Engine speed control for decreasing engine speed does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.

If you have personal experience with Engine speed control for decreasing engine speed, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Engine speed control for decreasing engine speed will most certainly appreciate the feedback.

Rate now

Comments { 0 }

Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2554818