Apparatus and method for controlling an internal combustion engine
US5261368A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Oct 13, 1992 |
| Grant date | Nov 16, 1993 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Oct 13, 2012 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC F)Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
- CPC primaryF02D31/005
- WIPO fieldEngines, pumps, turbines
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
An engine control apparatus and method can prevent engine stall in a reliable manner when the engine is changed from a high-speed loaded operation into an idling operation. An air/fuel mixture is supplied to engine cylinders 16 through an intake passage 1 with a throttle valve 6 disposed therein, and a bypass passage 10 with an air valve 12 disposed therein is connected with the intake passage 1 for bypassing the throttle valve 6 to supply auxiliary air to the cylinders. Based on an operating condition signal D in the form of an idle switch on/off signal, an electronic control unit (ECU) 30A detects a change from a loaded operation into an idling operation of the engine, and determines, based on a speed signal R from a speed sensor, whether the number of revolutions per minute of the engine R is equal to or less than a predetermined reference value Rk. The ECU 30A gradually closes the air valve 12 in the bypass passage 10 to decrease an amount of auxiliary air Ac flowing therein in a delayed manner when the engine is changed from a loaded operation into an idling operation, i.e., when the number of revolutions per minute of the engine becomes equal to or less than the predetermined…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.