Internal combustion engine control for improved fuel efficiency
First Claim
1. A sigma delta converter arranged to receive an input signal indicative of a desired output and to output a digital output signal reflective of the input signal, the digital output signal being suitable for use in a control of a power plant, the sigma delta converter comprising:
- an integrator block that includes at least one integrator, wherein the integrator block is arranged to receive one or more inputs that are collectively reflective of the input signal and a feedback signal that is based on the digital output signal;
a comparator that receives an integrated signal from the integrator block and outputs the digital output signal, the digital output signal being reflective of the input signal, wherein a timing of an output of the comparator is based on a clock signal; and
a variable clock that generates the clock signal, wherein the variable clock is configured to receive an indication of a rotational speed of the power plant and vary the clock signal as a function of the rotational speed of the power plant.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
A variety of methods and arrangements for improving the fuel efficiency of internal combustion engines based on skip fire operation of the engine are described. In one aspect the skip fire decisions are made on a working cycle by working cycle basis. During selected skipped working cycles, the corresponding cylinders are deactivated such that air is not pumped through the cylinder during the selected skipped working cycles. In some implementations, the cylinders are deactivated by holding associated intake and exhaust valves closed such that an air charge is not present in the working chamber during the selected skipped working cycles.
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Citations
19 Claims
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1. A sigma delta converter arranged to receive an input signal indicative of a desired output and to output a digital output signal reflective of the input signal, the digital output signal being suitable for use in a control of a power plant, the sigma delta converter comprising:
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an integrator block that includes at least one integrator, wherein the integrator block is arranged to receive one or more inputs that are collectively reflective of the input signal and a feedback signal that is based on the digital output signal; a comparator that receives an integrated signal from the integrator block and outputs the digital output signal, the digital output signal being reflective of the input signal, wherein a timing of an output of the comparator is based on a clock signal; and a variable clock that generates the clock signal, wherein the variable clock is configured to receive an indication of a rotational speed of the power plant and vary the clock signal as a function of the rotational speed of the power plant. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A sigma delta converter arranged to receive an input signal indicative of a desired output and to output a digital output signal that is used in a control of a driven system, the sigma delta converter comprising:
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a comparator that outputs the digital output signal, the digital output signal being reflective of the input signal, wherein a timing of an output of the comparator is based on a clock signal; and a variable clock that generates the clock signal, wherein the variable clock varies the clock signal as a function of a characteristic of the driven system. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A method of controlling a power plant, the method comprising:
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receiving a control input indicative of a desired output; utilizing a sigma delta converter in the control of the power plant to cause the power plant to operate in a manner that delivers the desired output, the power plant having a rotational speed; and varying a clock signal input to the sigma delta converter based on the rotational speed of the power plant. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19)
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Specification