US4674459A — Apparatus for metering an air-fuel mixture to an …

Claim 1

Independent Claim 253 words

Apparatus for metering an air-fuel mixture to an internal combustion engine, the apparatus comprising: characteristic field means made up of operating quantities of said engine for anticipatorily controlling engine variables that influence the air-fuel mixture; a control arrangement responsive to at least one of the operating quantities for correctively influencing the characteristic field values, the control arrangement including: means for addressing characteristic field values stored in said characteristic field in dependence upon operating quantities of said engine; and, control means for changing said characteristic field values to correctively influence the latter, said control means being a control directed to a minimal specific consumption of fuel (be min -control) in the lower and part-load range and being a control directed to maximum power (P max -control) in the upper load range, said control means being configured so as to operate pursuant to an extreme-value control; one of said engine variables controlled by said characteristic field means being a fuel metering signal, said control means including a test signal generator for generating a test signal superposed on said fuel metering signal for controlling to maximum power (P max -control); and, measuring means for analyzing the reaction of the engine to said test signal; and speed sensor means for providing a speed signal indicative of the rotational speed of the engine, said measuring means receiving said speed signal for analyzing said reaction of the engine based on changes in said speed signal; and, said measuring means including a digital bandpass for use in analyzing said reaction.

Claim 2

Dependent Claim 253 words

Apparatus for metering an air-fuel mixture to an internal combustion engine, the apparatus comprising: characteristic field means made up of operating quantities of said engine for anticipatorily controlling engine variables that influence the air-fuel mixture; a control arrangement responsive to at least one of the operating quantities for correctively influencing the characteristic field values, the control arrangement including: means for addressing characteristic field values stored in said characteristic field in dependence upon operating quantities of said engine; and, control means for changing said characteristic field values to correctively influence the latter, said control means being a control directed to a minimal specific consumption of fuel (be min -control) in the lower and part-load range and being a control directed to maximum power (P max -control) in the upper load range, said control means being configured so as to operate pursuant to an extreme-value control; one of said engine variables controlled by said characteristic field means being a fuel metering signal, said control means including a test signal generator for generating a test signal superposed on said fuel metering signal for controlling to maximum power (P max -control); and, measuring means for analyzing the reaction of the engine to said test signal; and speed sensor means for providing a speed signal indicative of the rotational speed of the engine, said measuring means receiving said speed signal for analyzing said reaction of the engine based on changes in said speed signal; and, said measuring means including a digital bandpass for use in analyzing said reaction.

Claim 3

Dependent Claim 22 words

The apparatus of claim 1, said digital bandpass having a resonance frequency changeable in proportion to the rotational speed of the engine.

Claim 4

Dependent Claim 32 words

The apparatus of claim 2, said measuring means including an evaluation unit for utilizing the phase relationship between said test signal and the output signal of said digital bandpass for control purposes.

Claim 5

Dependent Claim 15 words

The apparatus of claim 1, said digital bandpass having a resonance frequency that is constant.

Claim 6

Dependent Claim 32 words

The apparatus of claim 4, said measuring means including an evaluation unit for utilizing the phase relationship between said test signal and the output signal of said digital bandpass for control purposes.

Claim 7

Dependent Claim 253 words

Apparatus for metering an air-fuel mixture to an internal combustion engine, the apparatus comprising: characteristic field means made up of operating quantities of said engine for anticipatorily controlling engine variables that influence the air-fuel mixture; a control arrangement responsive to at least one of the operating quantities for correctively influencing the characteristic field values, the control arrangement including: means for addressing characteristic field values stored in said characteristic field in dependence upon operating quantities of said engine; control means for changing said characteristic field values to correctively influence the latter, said control means being a control directed to a minimal specific consumption of fuel (be min -control) in the lower and part-load range and being a control directed to maximum power (P max -control) in the upper load range, said control means being configured so as to operate pursuant to an extreme-value control; throttle flap means for adjusting the quantity of air supplied to the engine; said control means including a test signal generator for generating a test signal superposed on said air supplied to the engine for controlling to a specific consumption of fuel (be min -control); and, measuring means for analyzing the reaction of the engine to said test signal; speed sensor means for providing a speed signal indicative of the rotational speed of the engine; and, said measuring means receiving said speed signal for analyzing said reaction of the engine based on changes in said speed signal, said measuring means including a digital bandpass for use in analyzing said reaction.

Claim 8

Dependent Claim 253 words

Apparatus for metering an air-fuel mixture to an internal combustion engine, the apparatus comprising: characteristic field means made up of operating quantities of said engine for anticipatorily controlling engine variables that influence the air-fuel mixture; a control arrangement responsive to at least one of the operating quantities for correctively influencing the characteristic field values, the control arrangement including: means for addressing characteristic field values stored in said characteristic field in dependence upon operating quantities of said engine; control means for changing said characteristic field values to correctively influence the latter, said control means being a control directed to a minimal specific consumption of fuel (be min -control) in the lower and part-load range and being a control directed to maximum power (P max -control) in the upper load range, said control means being configured so as to operate pursuant to an extreme-value control; throttle flap means for adjusting the quantity of air supplied to the engine; said control means including a test signal generator for generating a test signal superposed on said air supplied to the engine for controlling to a specific consumption of fuel (be min -control); and, measuring means for analyzing the reaction of the engine to said test signal; speed sensor means for providing a speed signal indicative of the rotational speed of the engine; and, said measuring means receiving said speed signal for analyzing said reaction of the engine based on changes in said speed signal, said measuring means including a digital bandpass for use in analyzing said reaction.

Claim 9

Dependent Claim 22 words

The apparatus of claim 6, said digital bandpass having a resonance frequency changeable in proportion to the rotational speed of the engine.

Claim 10

Dependent Claim 32 words

The apparatus of claim 7, said measuring means including an evaluation unit for utilizing the phase relationship between said test signal and the output signal of said digital bandpass for control purposes.

Claim 11

Dependent Claim 15 words

The apparatus of claim 6, said digital bandpass having a resonance frequency that is constant.

Claim 12

Dependent Claim 32 words

The apparatus of claim 9, said measuring means including an evaluation unit for utilizing the phase relationship between said test signal and the output signal of said digital bandpass for control purposes.

Claim 13

Dependent Claim 267 words

Apparatus for metering an air-fuel mixture to an internal combustion engine, the apparatus comprising: characteristic field means made up of operating quantities of said engine for anticipatorily controlling engine variables that influence the air-fuel mixture; a control arrangement responsive to at least one of the operating quantities for correctively influencing the characteristic field values, the control arrangement including: means for addressing characteristic field values stored in said characteristic field in dependence upon operating quantities of said engine; and, control means for changing said characteristic field values to correctively influence the latter, said control means being a control directed to a minimal specific consumption of fuel (be min -control) in the lower and part-load range and being a control directed to maximum power (P max -control) in the upper load range, said control means being configured so as to operate pursuant to an extreme-value control; one of said engine variables controlled by said characteristic field means being a fuel metering signal, said control means including a test signal generator for generating a test signal superposed on said fuel metering signal for controlling to maximum power (P max -control); and, measuring means for analyzing the reaction of the engine to said test signal; a throttle flap for adjusting the quantity of air supplied to the engine; throttle flap sensor means for providing a position signal indicative of the position of said throttle flap; and, said measuring means receiving said position signal for analyzing said reaction of the engine based on changes in said position signal; and, said measuring means including a digital bandpass for use in analyzing said reaction.

Claim 14

Dependent Claim 267 words

Apparatus for metering an air-fuel mixture to an internal combustion engine, the apparatus comprising: characteristic field means made up of operating quantities of said engine for anticipatorily controlling engine variables that influence the air-fuel mixture; a control arrangement responsive to at least one of the operating quantities for correctively influencing the characteristic field values, the control arrangement including: means for addressing characteristic field values stored in said characteristic field in dependence upon operating quantities of said engine; and, control means for changing said characteristic field values to correctively influence the latter, said control means being a control directed to a minimal specific consumption of fuel (be min -control) in the lower and part-load range and being a control directed to maximum power (P max -control) in the upper load range, said control means being configured so as to operate pursuant to an extreme-value control; one of said engine variables controlled by said characteristic field means being a fuel metering signal, said control means including a test signal generator for generating a test signal superposed on said fuel metering signal for controlling to maximum power (P max -control); and, measuring means for analyzing the reaction of the engine to said test signal; a throttle flap for adjusting the quantity of air supplied to the engine; throttle flap sensor means for providing a position signal indicative of the position of said throttle flap; and, said measuring means receiving said position signal for analyzing said reaction of the engine based on changes in said position signal; and, said measuring means including a digital bandpass for use in analyzing said reaction.

Claim 15

Dependent Claim 200 words

Apparatus for metering an air-fuel mixture to an internal combustion engine equipped with an air-intake pipe having a throttle flap mounted therein, the air-fuel mixture having a lambda value corresponding thereto, the apparatus comprising: characteristic field means made up of operating quantities of said engine for anticipatorily controlling engine variables such as the duration of injection t i that influence the air-fuel mixture, said operating quantities of the engine including the position α of said throttle flap and the speed n of the engine; a control arrangement responsive to at least one of said operating quantities for correctively influencing the characteristic field values, the control arrangement including: means for addressing characteristic field values stored in said characteristic field in dependence upon said operating quantities of said engine; and, extreme-value control means for changing said characteristic field values to correctively influence the latter; a test signal generator for generating test signals for varying the lambda value of the air-fuel mixture metered to the engine, said test signal generator including means for adjusting the frequency of said signals in dependence upon said operating quantities of said engine; and, digital filter means for analyzing the reaction of said engine to said test signals.

Claim 16

Dependent Claim 200 words

Apparatus for metering an air-fuel mixture to an internal combustion engine equipped with an air-intake pipe having a throttle flap mounted therein, the air-fuel mixture having a lambda value corresponding thereto, the apparatus comprising: characteristic field means made up of operating quantities of said engine for anticipatorily controlling engine variables such as the duration of injection t i that influence the air-fuel mixture, said operating quantities of the engine including the position α of said throttle flap and the speed n of the engine; a control arrangement responsive to at least one of said operating quantities for correctively influencing the characteristic field values, the control arrangement including: means for addressing characteristic field values stored in said characteristic field in dependence upon said operating quantities of said engine; and, extreme-value control means for changing said characteristic field values to correctively influence the latter; a test signal generator for generating test signals for varying the lambda value of the air-fuel mixture metered to the engine, said test signal generator including means for adjusting the frequency of said signals in dependence upon said operating quantities of said engine; and, digital filter means for analyzing the reaction of said engine to said test signals.

Claim 17

Dependent Claim 23 words

The apparatus of claim 12, said control arrangement including means for correctively influencing said characteristic field values pursuant to an extreme-value control method.

Claim 18

Dependent Claim 18 words

The apparatus of claim 13, said digital filter means being a digital filter having a constant resonant frequency.

Claim 19

Dependent Claim 26 words

The apparatus of claim 13, said digital filter means including means for varying the resonant frequency thereof in dependence upon said operating quantities of said engine.

Claim 20

Dependent Claim 40 words

The apparatus of claim 13, wherein said operating quantities of the engine include the load thereon, said digital filter means including means for varying the resonant frequency thereof in dependence upon said speed n and said load of the engine.

Claim 21

Dependent Claim 37 words

The apparatus of claim 13, wherein said operating quantities of the engine include the load thereon, said digital filter means including means for varying the resonant frequency thereof in dependence upon said speed n of the engine.

Claim 22

Dependent Claim 36 words

The apparatus of claim 13, wherein said operating quantities of the engine include the load thereon, said digital filter means including means for varying the resonant frequency thereof in dependence upon said load of the engine.

Claim 23

Dependent Claim 33 words

The apparatus of claim 13, said digital filter means having an output signal, said apparatus further comprising means for evaluating the amplitude of said output signal to correctively influence said characteristic field values.

Claim 24

Dependent Claim 47 words

The apparatus of claim 13, said digital filter having output signals; said operating quantities of the engine including the load thereon; and, said apparatus further comprising means for evaluating the phase relationship between said test signals and said output signals to correctively influence said characteristic field values.

Claim 25

Dependent Claim 38 words

The apparatus of claim 20, said phase relationship having a phase desired value and said apparatus further comprising means for changing said phase desired value in dependence upon at least one of said operating quantities of the engine.

Claim 26

Dependent Claim 14 words

The apparatus of claim 13, said digital filter means being a bandpass digital filter.

Claim 27

Dependent Claim 25 words

The apparatus of claim 13, comprising means utilizing said speed n of the engine for evaluating the reaction of said engine to said test signals.

Claim 28

Dependent Claim 43 words

The apparatus of claim 13, wherein said control arrangement includes means for correctively influencing said characteristic field values pursuant to an extreme-value control method; and, wherein said frequency of said test signals take on different value in dependence upon said extreme-volume control method.

Claim 29

Dependent Claim 30 words

The apparatus of claim 24, wherein said frequency of said test signal takes on higher values for a control to maximum power than for a control to minimal fuel consumption.

Annuity Stage	Window Opens	Payment Deadline	Surcharge Period Until	Estimated Fee	Status
3.5 Years (Year 4)	1990-06-22	1990-12-22	1991-06-23	$2000.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8)	1994-06-22	1994-12-22	1995-06-23	$3760.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12)	1998-06-22	1998-12-22	1999-06-23	$7700.00	Window Closed / Lapsed

Apparatus for metering an air-fuel mixture to an internal combustion engine

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