# US 5,699,771 A · Fuel controller for internal combustion engine

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- Number: US 5,699,771 A
- Document ID: US5699771A
- Status: Granted
- Kind: A
- Application number: 08/677,528
- Filed: 1996-07-10
- Granted: 1997-12-23
- Earliest claimed: 1996-02-19
- Assignees: Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki Kaisha
- Inventors: Tsuneo Tanabe
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US5699771A

## CPC

- F02D 41/009: {using means for generating position or synchronisation signals}
- F02D 41/222: {relating to the failure of sensors or parameter detection devices}
- F02D 41/0097: {using means for generating speed signals}
- F02D: CONTROLLING COMBUSTION ENGINES (vehicle fittings, acting on a single sub-unit only, for automatically controlling vehicle speed B60K31/00; conjoint control of vehicle sub-units of different type or different function, road vehicle drive control systems for purposes other than the control of a single sub-unit B60W)

## Abstract

A fuel controller for an internal combustion engine includes a rotational speed sensor 4 for detecting a rotational speed of a cam shaft of the engine 1, a crank angle sensor 5 for detecting a rotational speed of a crank shaft of the engine 1, and a controller 7 for determining whether the crank angle sensor 5 is normally operated or not based on an output from the rotational speed sensor 4 and an output from the crank angle sensor 5. With this arrangement, the fuel controller can securely execute fuel control with high reliability by detecting the failure of various sensors relating to the fuel control.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A fuel controller for an internal combustion engine, comprising:
a first sensor for detecting a rotational speed of a cam shaft of an internal combustion engine;
a second sensor for detecting a rotational speed of a crank shaft of said internal combustion engine; and
determination means connected to said first and second sensors for determining whether said second sensor is normally operated or not based on an output from said first sensor and an output from said second sensor,
wherein said determination means includes a plurality of counters for counting output pulses output from said first and second sensors, and determines whether said second sensor is normally operated or not based on count values counted by said counters.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

A fuel controller for an internal combustion engine according to claim 1, wherein when said first sensor fails, fuel is controlled based on an output from said second sensor.

### Claim 3

A fuel controller for an internal combustion engine, comprising:
a first sensor for detecting a rotational speed of a cam shaft of an internal combustion engine;
a second sensor for detecting a rotational speed of a crank shaft of said internal combustion engine;
a third sensor for discriminating cylinders of said internal combustion engine; and
determination means connected to said first, second and third sensors for determining whether said third sensor is normally operated or not based on an output from said second sensor when said first sensor fails.

### Claim 4 (depends on 3)

A fuel controller for an internal combustion engine according to claim 3, wherein said determination means includes a plurality of counters for counting output pulses output from said first, second and third sensors, and determines whether said third sensor is normally operated or not based on count values counted by said counters.

### Claim 5 (depends on 3)

A fuel controller for an internal combustion engine according to claim 3, wherein when said first sensor fails, fuel is controlled based on an output from said second sensor.