Start air control system
AssigneeThe Bendix Corporation
InventorWilliam A. Peterson, Jr.
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An auxiliary air control system is disclosed for automatically controlling the air flow to an internal combustion engine during the starting phase of the engine's operational cycle to facilitate clean consistant starts under both hot and cold engine conditions. The system embodies an electrically actuated control providing a predetermined air flow during the cranking and subsequent start of the engine. After the start has been achieved, the engine is permitted to accelerate to a speed determined from the engine's temperature. Thereafter the air flow is reduced in a controlled manner to the normal idle air flow. The system not only facilitates consistent starting of the engine but also substantially reduces the noxious exhaust emissions normally attendant the starting of an internal combustion engine.
Claims22
A start air control system for an internal combustion engine having an air delivery system including a throttle controlled air intake manifold and cranking means for starting the engine comprising:
- means sensing engine operating conditions including engine speed and engine temperature for generating a start termination signal when engine speed exceeds a reference speed having a value determined by engine temperature;
- and
- start air control means for generating an output signal operative to provide a predetermined engine input air flow during engine starting, said start air control means having a first state generating said output signal and switched to a second state terminating said output signal in response to said termination signal.
In combination with an internal combustion engine having an air delivery system providing the air required for the operation of the engine and a cranking system for starting the engine, a cold start air control system to facilitate the starting of the engine comprising:
- a temperature sensor generating a signal indicative of the engine's temperature;
- reference signal generating means receiving said temperature signal for generating a temperature dependent reference speed signal;
- a speed sensor generating a signal indicative of the actual speed of the engine;
- comparator means receiving said reference speed signal and said actual speed signal for generating a termination signal when the actual speed signal is indicative of an engine speed greater than the speed indicated by the reference speed signal;
- and
- start air control means controlling the air flow through the engine's air delivery system during starting of the engine, said start air control means having a first start providing a predetermined increased air flow through the air delivery system during the cranking period and operative to remain in said first state until switched to a second state terminating said increased air flow in response to said termination signal.
A method for increasing the starting capability of an internal combustion engine having a primary air delivery system including a throttle controlled air intake manifold and an electrically energized starter for cranking the engine to effect a start comprising the steps of:
- generating a start signal indicative of a start attempt when the starter is energized;
- actuating a start air delivery means in response to said start signal to cause an increased air flow in the engine's air intake manifold;
- generating a reference speed signal inversely proportional to the engine's temperature indicative of desired start speed;
- generating an actual speed signal indicative of the engine's actual speed;
- comparing said actual speed signal to said reference speed signal to generate a termination signal when the engine's actual speed is greater than said desired start speed;
- and
- terminating the actuation of said start air delivery means in response to said termination signal.
An internal combustion engine system having an auxiliary start air control comprising:
- an internal combustion engine having an operator controlled input air delivery system and cranking means for starting the engine;
- means sensing the operating conditions of said engine, including engine speed and engine temperature for generating a start termination signal when the engine speed exceeds a reference speed having a value determined the engine temperature;
- and
- start air control means for controlling the air flow through said input air delivery system during the starting of said engine, said start air control means having a first state providing a predetermined increased air flow through said air delivery system during the cranking period of said engine and operative to remain in said first state until switched to a second state in response to said termination signal terminating said increased air flow.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.