Computer controlled flow of nitrous oxide injected into an internal combustion engine

A system for regulating power output of an internal combustion engine wherein the density of a combustible mixture provided to the cylinders of said engine is selectively enhanced by delivering a supplemental oxidizing agent and additional fuel to said combustible mixture for the cylinders of said engine;

• said system comprising:
• supplemental oxidizing agent delivery means;
• fuel delivery means;
• first means for activating said supplemental oxidizing agent delivery means in order to commence the addition of said supplemental oxidizing agent to said combustible mixture;
• second means for controlling the rate at which said supplemental oxidizing agent delivery means adds said supplemental oxidizing agent to said combustible mixture;
• third means for adjusting fuel flow rate into said combustible mixture, said fuel flow rate being adjusted at least in accordance with the flow rate of said supplemental oxidizing agent;
• and
• fourth means for adjusting ignition timing of said combustible mixture at least in accordance with the concentration of said combustible mixture contained within said cylinders.

A system for regulating power output of an internal combustion engine wherein the density of a combustible mixture provided to the cylinders of said engine is selectively enhanced by delivering a supplemental oxidizing agent and additional fuel to said combustible mixture for the cylinders of said engine;

• said system comprising:
• supplemental oxidizing agent delivery means;
• fuel delivery means;
• means for sensing the speed of said engine and transmitting a first signal representative of said sensed engine speed;
• first means for activating said supplemental oxidizing agent delivery means in order to commence the addition of said supplemental oxidizing agent to said combustible mixture;
• third means for adjusting fuel flow rate into said combustible mixture, said fuel flow rate being adjusted at least in accordance with the flow rate of said supplemental oxidizing agent;
• fourth means for adjusting ignition timing of said combustible mixture at least in accordance with the concentration of said combustible mixture contained within said cylinders;
• and
• fifth means for receiving said first signal and further adjusting ignition timing in response to at least said first signal.

A system for regulating power output of an internal combustion engine wherein the density of a combustible mixture provided to the cylinders of said engine is selectively enhanced by delivering a supplemental oxidizing agent and additional fuel to said combustible mixture for the cylinders of said engine;

• said system comprising:
• supplemental oxidizing agent delivery means;
• fuel delivery means;
• first means for activating said supplemental oxidizinq agent delivery means in order to commence the addition of said supplemental oxidizing agent to said combustible mixture in response to the detected occurrence of at least one pre-determined engine operating condition precedent after the operator enables the system.
• third means for adjusting fuel flow rate into said combustible mixture, said fuel flow rate being adjusted at least in accordance with the flow rate of said supplemental oxidizing agent;
• and
• fourth means for adjusting ignition timing of said combustible mixture at least in accordance with the concentration of said combustible mixture contained within said cylinders.

A system for regulating power output of an internal combustion engine wherein the density of a combustible mixture provided to the cylinders of said engine is selectively enhanced by delivering a supplemental oxidizing agent and additional fuel to said combustible mixture for the cylinders of said engine;

• said system comprising:
• supplemental oxidizing agent delivery means;
• fuel delivery means;
• first means for activating said supplemental oxidizing agent delivery means in order to commence the addition of said supplemental oxidizing agent to said combustible mixture;
• third means for adjusting fuel flow rate into said combustible mixture, said fuel flow rate being adjusted at least in accordance with the flow rate of said supplemental oxidizing agent;
• means for providing a feedback signal representing the concentration of oxygen in the exhaust from said internal combustion engine, the magnitude of said feedback signal indicating the amount of deviation from an ideal oxygen concentration in said exhaust;
• and wherein said third means receives said feedback signal and further adjusts fuel flow in response to said feedback signal, the magnitude of said fuel flow adjustment being responsive to the deviation of the magnitude of said feedback signal from a set point;
• and
• fourth means for adjusting ignition timing of said combustible mixture at least in accordance with the concentration of said combustible mixture contained within said cylinders.

A system for regulating power output of an internal combustion engine wherein the density of a combustible mixture provided to the cylinders of said engine is selectively enhanced by delivering a supplemental oxidizing agent and additional fuel to said combustible mixture for the cylinders of said engine;

• said system comprising:
• supplemental oxidizing agent delivery means;
• fuel delivery means;
• first means for activating said supplemental oxidizing agent delivery means in order to commence the addition of said supplemental oxidizing agent to said combustible mixture;
• third means for adjusting fuel flow rate into said combustible mixture, said fuel flow rate being adjusted at least in accordance with the flow rate of said supplemental oxidizing agent;
• and wherein said third means transmits appropriate control signals to said fuel delivery means individually mounted proximate to said cylinders;
• and
• fourth means for adjusting ignition timing of said combustible mixture at least in accordance with the concentration of said combustible mixture contained within said cylinders.

A method for regulating power output of an internal combustion engine wherein the density of a combustible mixture provided to the cylinders of said engine is selectively enhanced by delivering a supplemental oxidizing agent and additional fuel to said combustible mixture for the cylinders of said engine;

• said method comprising the following steps:
• first step of testing for appropriate conditions for commencing delivery of said supplemental oxidizing agent to said combustible mixture;
• second step of commencing delivery of said supplemental oxidizing agent when said appropriate conditions have been detected;
• combustible mixture, said fuel flow rate being adjusted at least in accordance with the flow rate of said supplemental oxidizing agent;
• and
• fourth step of adjusting ignition timing of said combustible mixture in accordance with the concentration of the combustible mixture contained within the cylinders and in accordance with the engine speed.

A method for regulating power output of an internal combustion engine wherein the density of a combustible mixture provided to the cylinders of said engine is selectively enhanced by delivering a supplemental oxidizing agent and additional fuel to said combustible mixture for the cylinders of said engine;

• said method comprising the following steps:
• first step of testing for appropriate conditions for commencing delivery of said supplemental oxidizing agent to said combustible mixture;
• second step of commencing delivery of said supplemental oxidizing agent at an initial flow rate which is less than the maximum flow rate when said appropriate conditions have been detected;
• third step of testing for loss of wheel traction, and decreasing the flow rate of said supplemental oxidizing agent to said combustible mixture;
• and
• fourth step of testing whether a required period has elapsed since the flow rate of said supplemental oxidizing agent was adjusted, and if said required period has elapsed performing the following additional steps comprising:
• resetting a period timer;
• and
• testing whether the flow rate of said supplemental oxidizing agent has attained a maximum value, and if the flow rate has not reached a maximum, then increasing the flow rate of said supplemental oxidizing agent, increasing the fuel flow rate, adjusting the ignition timing of said combustible mixture.