Patent · US Expired

Apparatus for controlling the idling speed of engine operable on gasoline/alcohol fuel blend

US4982709A · kind A · utility

27Cited by
2References
5Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventor

Key dates

Filing dateMar 20, 1990
Grant dateJan 8, 1991
Priority date
Expiry dateMar 20, 2010

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
  • CPC primaryY02T10/30
  • WIPO fieldEngines, pumps, turbines
  • WIPO sectorMechanical engineering

Abstract

An apparatus for use with an internal combustion engine operable on either of gasoline fuel, alcohol fuel and gasoline/alcohol fuel blend. The apparatus comprises an alcohol concentration sensor for producing a signal indicative of an alcohol concentration of the fuel to be delivered to the engine, an oxygen sensor for producing a signal indicative of an oxygen content of exhaust gases discharged from the engine, and an engine coolant temperature sensor for producing a signal indicative of an engine coolant temperature. A control unit is coupled to the alcohol-concentration, oxygen and engine-coolant-temperature sensors. The control unit is responsive to the air/fuel ratio feedback signal for correcting the fuel supplied to the engine to maintain a desired air/fuel ratio when the sensed engine coolant temperature exceeds a predetermined value. The control unit is also responsive to an idle engine condition for calculating a target value for engine idling speed as a function of alcohol concentration and engine coolant temperature when the coolant temperature is below the predetermined value. An engine speed control device is coupled to the control unit for adjusting the engine speed…

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.