US6330873B1
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method for engine control
Assignee: Detroit Diesel Corp
•
Filing: 1997-12-30
•
Granted: 2001-12-18
•
Expires: 2017-12-30
Abstract
Abstract A method for comprehensive integrated control of a compression-ignition internal combustion engine having integral fuel pump-injectors utilizing an electronic control unit is disclosed. The control strategy integrates various functions of engine control including fuel delivery, cooling fan control, engine speed governing and overspeed protection, engine braking, torque control, and vehicle speed diagnostics and control. Cooling fan control is integrated with vehicle speed diagnostics and control as well as fuel delivery to provide an integrated cruise control function which incorporates engine braking. The method also includes improved control over the various engine speed governors while improving idle quality by balancing the power delivered by each of the engine cylinders when at idle. The integrated torque control employs functions to reduce NOx emissions and noise utilizing adaptive fuel delivery timing and a split injection strategy.
Inventors
- 👤 Dennis M. Letang
- 👤 Douglas J. Babcock
- 👤 II S. Miller Weisman
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 18:00
CPC Classifications
F; F02; F02D; F02D41/00; F02D41/008; B; B60; B60K; B60K31/00; B60K31/02; B60K31/04; B60K31/042; B60K31/045; B60K31/047; F01; F01P; F01P7/00; F01P7/02; F01P7/04; F01P7/048; F01P7/08; F02D31/00; F02D31/001; F02D31/007; F02D31/009; F02D41/02; F02D41/04; F02D41/12; F02D41/14; F02D41/1497; F02D41/1498; F02D41/30; F02D41/38; F02D41/40; F02D41/402; F02D41/403; B60K2031/0091; B60W; B60W50/00; B60W2050/0001; B60W2050/0019; B60W2050/0022; B60W2050/0042; B60W2050/0043; B60W2050/0052; B60W2510/00; B60W2510/06; B60W2510/0638; B60W2510/0676; B60W2710/00; B60W2710/06; B60W2710/0616; B60W2710/0666; F01P2023/00; F01P2023/08; F01P2025/00; F01P2025/08; F01P2025/13; F01P2025/40; F01P2025/46; F01P2031/00; F02B; F02B3/00; F02B3/06; F02D41/1401; F02D2041/1413; F02D2041/1432; F02D2200/00; F02D2200/02; F02D2200/10; F02D2200/1015; F02D2200/50; F02D2200/501; F02D2250/00; F02D2250/18; F02D2250/38; F02D41/0085; Y; Y02; Y02T; Y02T10/00; Y02T10/10; Y02T10/40
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
141 words
A method of controlling the road speed of a vehicle including a multi-cylinder internal combustion engine having means for engine braking, an electronic control unit with memory for controlling the engine, at least one sensor for sensing a vehicle operating parameter from which current vehicle speed can be derived, and means for indicating an overspeed condition, comprising: providing a plurality engine braking levels operable to a effect a plurality of engine braking loads when activated; receiving a first commanded engine braking level from the vehicle operator; sensing the current vehicle speed: determining a second commanded engine braking level by comparing a current vehicle speed with at least one predetermined speed limit; selecting the one of the first or second commanded engine braking levels corresponding to the lesser engine braking load; and activating the engine brake at the selected engine braking level.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
141 words
A method of controlling the road speed of a vehicle including a multi-cylinder internal combustion engine having means for engine braking, an electronic control unit with memory for controlling the engine, at least one sensor for sensing a vehicle operating parameter from which current vehicle speed can be derived, and means for indicating an overspeed condition, comprising: providing a plurality engine braking levels operable to a effect a plurality of engine braking loads when activated; receiving a first commanded engine braking level from the vehicle operator; sensing the current vehicle speed: determining a second commanded engine braking level by comparing a current vehicle speed with at least one predetermined speed limit; selecting the one of the first or second commanded engine braking levels corresponding to the lesser engine braking load; and activating the engine brake at the selected engine braking level.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein the means for engine braking comprises modifying the exhaust stroke pressure of at least one of the cylinders.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
38 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein receiving a first commanded engine braking level includes sensing a state of each of a plurality of vehicle cabin switches corresponding to respective ones of the plurality of engine braking levels.
Claim 5
Independent Claim
108 words
A method of controlling the road speed of a vehicle including a multi-cylinder internal combustion engine having means for increasing the engine load, an electronic control unit with memory for controlling the engine, at least one sensor for sensing a vehicle operating parameter from which current vehicle speed can be derived, comprising: determining a desired vehicle road speed; sensing at least one vehicle operating parameter to obtain the current vehicle speed; comparing the desired road speed to the current vehicle speed to determine whether an overspeed condition exists; and when an overspeed condition exists, increasing the engine load so as to reduce the road speed of the vehicle.
Claim 6
Independent Claim
108 words
A method of controlling the road speed of a vehicle including a multi-cylinder internal combustion engine having means for increasing the engine load, an electronic control unit with memory for controlling the engine, at least one sensor for sensing a vehicle operating parameter from which current vehicle speed can be derived, comprising: determining a desired vehicle road speed; sensing at least one vehicle operating parameter to obtain the current vehicle speed; comparing the desired road speed to the current vehicle speed to determine whether an overspeed condition exists; and when an overspeed condition exists, increasing the engine load so as to reduce the road speed of the vehicle.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 4 , wherein increasing the engine load includes modifying the exhaust stroke pressure of at least one of the cylinders.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
31 words
The method of claim 4 , wherein the vehicle includes at least one accessory powered by the engine and wherein increasing the engine load includes activating the at least one accessory.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method of claim 4 , wherein the engine includes at least one cooling fan and wherein increasing the engine load includes activating the at least one cooling fan.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method of claim 4 , wherein the vehicle includes at least one air conditioner and wherein increasing the engine load includes activating the at least one air conditioner.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method of claim 4 , wherein the vehicle includes at least one air compressor and wherein increasing the engine load includes activating the at least one air compressor.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
55 words
The method of claim 4 , wherein the engine includes at least one accessory powered by the engine, and wherein increasing the engine load includes at least one of modifying exhaust stroke pressure of at least one of the cylinders and controlling the at least one accessory powered by the engine based on the comparison.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
49 words
The method of claim 4 , wherein the engine includes at least one cooling fan, and wherein increasing the engine load includes at least one of modifying exhaust stroke pressure of at least one of the cylinders and controlling the at least one cooling fan based on the comparison.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US1239523A
Cited
US2627254A
Cited
US3439655A
Cited
US4022165A
Cited
US3827419A
Cited
US4186693A
Cited
US4223297A
Cited
US4367706A
Cited
US4359714A
Cited
US4671232A
Cited
US4425766A
Cited
US4608551A
Cited
US4838232A
Cited
US4697561A
Cited
US4711209A
Cited
US4766863A
Cited
US4782803A
Cited
US4943923A
Cited
US4941098A
Cited
US4745898A
Cited
US5003483A
Cited
US4936277A
Cited
US5074144A
Cited
US5054445A
Cited
US5117793A
Cited
US5019986A
Cited
US5090379A
Cited
US5103785A
Cited
US5156128A
Cited
US5265575A
Cited
US5203423A
Cited
US5243523A
Cited
US5165373A
Cited
US5261374A
Cited
US5235512A
Cited
US5385129A
Cited
US5331933A
Cited
US5307644A
Cited
US5402760A
Cited
US5343780A
Cited
US5303163A
Cited
US5430432A
Cited
US5647317A
Cited
US5445128A
Cited
US5847644A
Cited
US5483927A
Cited
US5615654A
Cited
US5481909A
Cited
US5469826A
Cited
US5839534A
Cited
US6076622A
Cited
US6067489A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2004-12-17 | 2005-06-18 | 2005-12-18 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2008-12-17 | 2009-06-18 | 2009-12-18 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2012-12-17 | 2013-06-18 | 2013-12-18 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |