Method and apparatus for controlling an internal combustion engine, using the current temperature of a downstream catalytic converter

US5307626A · kind A · utility

Assignee

• EMITEC Gesellschaft fuer Emissionstechnologie mbH · DE

Inventors

• Wolfgang Maus · Bensberg, DE
• Helmut Swars · Bensberg, DE
• Rolf Brück · Bensberg, DE

Key dates

• Filing date: Sep 18, 1992
• Grant date: May 3, 1994
• Expiry date: Sep 18, 2012

Classification

• Technology area (CPC Y): Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
• CPC primary: Y02T10/40
• WIPO field: Environmental technology
• WIPO sector: Chemistry

Abstract

An internal combustion engine has an engine control for processing a number of measured values received over measurement lines, converting the measured values into control data for operating the engine and carrying the control data over engine feed lines to the engine, for instance for controlling at least one of fuel injection, air delivery and ignition with the control data. A method for controlling the internal combustion engine includes directly measuring a temperature of walls or structures of a catalytic converter disposed downstream of the engine, supplying a value of the temperature to the engine control over at least one data line, processing the value of the temperature in the engine control along with other measured values and using the processed value to control the engine. An apparatus for controlling the engine and for monitoring the temperature of the catalytic converter includes at least one temperature sensor integrated on or in walls or structures of the catalytic converter. An engine control receives a number of measurement data as input variables from measurement lines and derives control data for operation of the engine from the measurement data. Engine feed li…