US 6,655,351 B2 · Vehicle engine control

Abstract

An engine control unit, and method of use, uses a power curve or algorithm to pro-actively adjust fuel flow rate to an engine, optionally in combination with a reactive power curve or algorithm, thereby to adjust engine power, in anticipation of changes in loads being imposed on the engine, as well as to respond to engine speed changes. The ECU has a power curve or algorithm stored in memory which responds to certain predetermined operating conditions other than sensed engine speed, by providing a sequence of pro-active change inputs, at predetermined rates of change, in rate of delivery of fuel to the engine combustion chambers, independent of engine speed change, thereby to produce pro-active incremental changes in power output of the engine. Such pro-active incremental power changes are effected in anticipation of changes in load demand on the engine, and correspond generally with expected incrementally progressive changes in load demand on the engine. In preferred embodiments, the power curve or algorithm includes a first upwardly sloping line representing small increment increases in engine power, a second step change increase in engine power, a third downwardly sloping line representing small incremental decreases in engine power, and a fourth relatively greater magnitude step change decrease in engine power. The pro-active change input signals can be combined with reactive change input signals to make respective combination change input signals which take into consideration a variety of operating parameters, including engine speed changes.

Claims23

Dependent claims

In an engine-driven vehicle, an engine power control system controlling the power output of the engine, said engine power control system comprising:

(a) a fuel system including a fuel supply pump and adjustment apparatus which adjusts the rate at which fuel is delivered to combustion chambers of the engine in response to control signals supplied to an input of the adjustment apparatus, thereby to adjust power output of the engine;
and
(b) an electronic engine controller capable of generating, and delivering to the adjustment apparatus, a series of control signals which cause the adjustment apparatus to change the rate at which fuel is delivered to the combustion chambers thereby to change the power output of the engine,
the electronic engine controller having at least one of a power curve or an algorithm for a power curve stored in memory which, responsive to certain predetermined operating conditions other than sensed engine speed, provides a sequence of pro-active change inputs, at predetermined rates of change, in quantity of fuel delivered to the engine combustion chambers, at points in time based on timing of occurrence of the respective operating conditions, thereby to produce pro-active incremental changes in power output of the engine, which pro-active incremental power changes are effected in anticipation of changes in load demand on the engine, and which pro-active incremental power changes generally correspond with expected incrementally progressive changes in load demand on the engine.

1 more element

In an engine-driven vehicle, an engine power control system controlling the power output of the engine, said engine power control system comprising:

(a) a fuel system including a fuel supply pump and adjustment apparatus which adjusts the rate at which fuel is delivered to combustion chambers of the engine in response to control signals supplied to an input of the adjustment apparatus, thereby to adjust power output of the engine;
and
(b) an electronic engine controller capable of generating, and delivering to the adjustment apparatus, a series of control signals which cause the adjustment apparatus to change the rate at which fuel is delivered to the combustion chambers thereby to change the power output of the engine,
the electronic engine controller having at least one of a power curve or an algorithm for a power curve stored in memory, the power curve or algorithm changing quantity of fuel delivered to the combustion chambers of the engine according to a combination of
(i) a first parameter defining pro-active change inputs based on anticipated engine loading changes, and
(ii) a second parameter defining reactive change inputs responsive and reactive to sensed engine-loading changes not satisfied by the first pro-active parameter.

3 more elements

In an engine-driven vehicle wherein an engine power control system comprises a fuel system including a fuel supply pump and adjustment apparatus which adjusts the rate at which fuel is delivered to combustion chambers of the engine in response to control signals applied to an input of the adjustment apparatus, thereby to adjust power output of the engine, the vehicle including an electronic engine controller capable of generating, and delivering to the adjustment apparatus, a series of control signals which cause the adjustment apparatus to change the rate at which fuel is delivered to the combustion chambers thereby to change the power output of the engine, the electronic engine controller having at least one of a power curve or an algorithm for a power curve stored in memory, effective to control fuel input to the engine, a method of controlling power output of the engine, comprising

providing a sequence of pro-active change inputs of progressively changing magnitude, in quantity of fuel delivered to the engine combustion chambers, at points in time based on timing of occurrence of the respective operating conditions, thereby producing pro-active changes, of progressively changing magnitude, in power output of the engine in anticipation of expected changes in load demand on the engine, and which pro-active power output changes generally correspond with expected progressive changes in load demand on the engine.

providing a sequence of change inputs, in quantity of fuel delivered to the engine, according to a combination of
(i) a first parameter defining pro-active change inputs based on anticipated engine loading changes, and
(ii) a second parameter defining reactive change inputs responsive and reactive to sensed engine loading changes not satisfied by the first pro-active parameter.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Vehicle engine control

Life of this patent

Vehicle engine control

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims23