Engine control apparatus for a multi-cylinder engine
US5239962A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jun 16, 1992 |
| Grant date | Aug 31, 1993 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jun 16, 2012 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC F)Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
- CPC primaryF02P7/0675
- WIPO fieldEngines, pumps, turbines
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
An engine control apparatus for a multi-cylinder engine is provided which precisely controls a plurality of groups of cylinders on the basis of a plurality of reference position sensors, each of which senses a reference crank position of a corresponding group of cylinders. The apparatus generates control signals for controlling the plurality of groups of cylinders even in the event of a failure of any one of the sensors thus providing a fail-safe operation. The sensors generate output signals, in synchronization with the crankshaft, which are feed to an OR gate which generates a single output signal each time a signal is received from the sensors. The output signal from the OR gate is feed to an interrupt terminal of a microcomputer whereupon the latter starts an interrupt processing which identifies the group of cylinders corresponding to the output signal and generates control signals. In another form, a rotation sensor successively senses a rotational angle of a ring gear which rotates in synchronism with the crankshaft and generates a pulse signal which is counted by a counter. The counter generates an output signal indicative of a counted number. The microcomputer generates co…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.