Virtual power steering switch

Details Virtual power steering switch Virtual power steering switch

1998-12-17

2001-01-16

Solis, Erick (Department: 3747)

Internal-combustion engines

Engine speed regulator

Idle speed control

C123S339180, C123S339210, C123S339230

Reexamination Certificate

active

06173696

ABSTRACT:

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Technical Field
The present invention relates generally to internal combustion engines and, more particularly, to an vehicle engine airflow compensation.
2. Discussion
A vehicle's engine experiences many loads upon itself which reduces the engine's torque output. Engine loads include activation of a power steering pump to provide power steering capability when a driver is using the vehicle's steering wheel.
Assistance for the engine in handling loads exists in the way of increasing the airflow to the engine. Current approaches for compensating airflow to an engine experiencing parasitic loads include using a physical component known as a pressure switch. The pressure switch is mounted directly in the power steering pump to indirectly sense a load on the engine.
When the pressure exceeds 400 psi fluid pressure in the pump following a steering maneuver, the physical switch activates and sets a software bit. The bit triggers an Intake Airflow Control Valve (IACV) in order to compensate for the power steering induced load on the engine at idle conditions. When fluid pressure recedes back to a predetermined set point as steering effort is reduced or stopped, the IACV resets the bit to zero. The physical component pressure switch approach suffers from such disadvantages as, but not limited to, the failure rates associated with physical components as well as the cost in order to manufacture and install a physical component in a vehicle.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention overcomes the aforementioned disadvantages as well as other disadvantages. In accordance with the teachings of the present invention, a computer-implemented apparatus and method is provided for controlling airflow to an engine of a vehicle having an engine speed. A sensor which is connected to the engine senses the engine speed of the engine. An engine speed reference data table stores at least one engine reference speed, and a reference comparator module which is connected to the sensor and to the reference data table performs a comparison between the sensed engine speed and the engine reference speed. The airflow to the engine is controlled based upon the comparison.


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