Internal-combustion engines – Charge forming device – Auxiliary air or gas used to inject fuel
Patent
1996-12-27
1998-08-18
Argenbright, Tony M.
Internal-combustion engines
Charge forming device
Auxiliary air or gas used to inject fuel
123533, F02D 106
Patent
active
057946000
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
This invention relates to the control of the operation of an internal combustion engine and in particular to the control of the speed and/or load of an internal combustion engine.
In the control of the operation of an engine there are a number of control functions that necessitate movement of components to vary an aspect of the engine operation. It is currently a common practice to use electrically or electronically operated devices to effect such movements, the devices usually being operable in response to sensed engine operating conditions. The devices may be directly controlled by the sensed inputs, or said sensed inputs may be fed into an electronic control unit (ECU) which in turn controls such devices. These known practices are effective and accurate, however the electrical or electronic devices typically used are relatively expensive to construct or purchase and require a significant source of electrical energy. These cost factors are particularly relevant in respect of low cost small capacity engines.
With the increasing requirement to reduce the emissions of internal combustion engines, it has been recognised that controls must be introduced in respect of the permitted level of exhaust emissions from a range of engines in addition to automotive engines, and particularly in regard to small capacity engines such as marine engines for pleasure craft and engines for motorcycles and motor scooters. There are also trends towards restrictions on fuel consumption and emissions from various forms of stationary internal combustion engines and equipment employing relatively low cost, small capacity internal combustion engines such as lawnmowers and chainsaws.
It has been established that the most effective control of exhaust emissions, particularly in two stroke cycle engines, is attained by directly injecting the fuel into the engine combustion chambers. In automobiles having relatively large capacity engines, it is economically acceptable to provide a sophisticated engine management system incorporating a high capacity electronic control unit (ECU) programmed to control all aspects of the combustion process including fuel metering, fuel injection and ignition. However, the costs of such engine management systems are too high to permit the use thereof in controlling the operation of relatively low cost small capacity engines such as small marine engines, motorcycle and scooter engines and lawnmower engines.
An area of operation of such small capacity engines that presents challenges in the management of the delivered fuelling rate, and hence exhaust emissions, is operation at engine idle speed due to the fact that the quantity of fuel required by each engine cylinder is relatively small and must be able to be accurately controlled. Previously, attaining the required fuelling rate control at idle has required the use of electrical componentry such as a linear stepper motor controlled by an electronic control unit (ECU). This equipment is expensive relative to the total fuel system cost and the use thereof is therefore undesirable, although necessary in some applications to achieve the required level of speed control. Further, the durability of stepper motors in long term use has been found to be less than the desired level in some environments, and other issues such as vibration problems and reliability are often associated therewith.
It is therefore the object of the present invention to provide a method and apparatus for use in the control of the operation of an internal combustion engine which is effective and reliable in operation and is relatively low cost to operate and incorporate into an engine control system.
There is thus provided a method of operating an internal combustion engine having a fuel injection system to inject fuel entrained in a compressed gas to the engine combustion chamber, said method comprising, in at least part of the operating range of the engine, managing fluid pressure available from a source associated with the operation of the engine, and applying said managed pressure to po
REFERENCES:
patent: 4446833 (1984-05-01), Matsushita et al.
patent: 4541381 (1985-09-01), Sugiura
patent: 4754735 (1988-07-01), Simons
patent: 4936279 (1990-06-01), Ragg
patent: 4944272 (1990-07-01), Carlsson et al.
Patent Abstracts of Japan, p. 75, JP 63-205430, 24 Aug. 1988.
Patent Abstracts of Japan, p. 132, JP 55-137326, 27 Oct 1980.
Patent Abstracts of Japan, p. 100, JP 65-7917, 21 Jan. 1980.
Argenbright Tony M.
Orbital Engine Company (Australia) Pty. Limited
Vo Hieu T.
LandOfFree
Internal combustion engine control does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Internal combustion engine control, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Internal combustion engine control will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-1106240