Method and apparatus for engine control
First Claim
1. A method for controlling a combustion engine used in a process of converting heat energy, released by the combustion of a fuel, into mechanical energy, said engine having an output shaft which rotates while it is in operation and including at least one means for controlling said energy conversion process, said method comprising the steps of:
- generating an electrical signal in the form of a binary number, said signal being indicative of a condition of said engine as of a selected instant in time during which said engine is operative in effecting said energy conversion process;
thenarithmetically calculating a value corresponding to a setting of said means for controlling said energy conversion process, said calculating being performed using said binary number electrical signal, by a digital computer programmed to calculate said value from an algebraic function or functions describing a desired relationship between said engine condition and said means for controlling said energy conversion process;
thenwith an electrical circuit coupled between said digital computer and said means for controlling said energy conversion process, converting said calculated value into a setting of said means for controllng said energy conversion process; and
thereafterwhile said engine is in operation, continuously repeating the above sequence of steps at uniform angular intervals of rotation of said engine output shaft to effect changes in the settings of said means for controlling said energy conversion process in response to changes in said binary number electrical signal indicative of said engine condition.
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Abstract
A method and apparatus for controlling a combustion engine. Means are provided for controlling the energy conversion function of the engine. Adjustments of these control means are obtained by sensing at least one engine operating condition, developing an electrical signal indicative of such condition, and, with a digital computer, calculating repetitively values corresponding to settings of the means used to control the energy conversion function of the engine. The digital computer is programmed to calculate these values or settings arithmetically from an algebraic function or functions describing a desired relationship between settings of the energy conversion control means and the sensed condition.
158 Citations
18 Claims
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1. A method for controlling a combustion engine used in a process of converting heat energy, released by the combustion of a fuel, into mechanical energy, said engine having an output shaft which rotates while it is in operation and including at least one means for controlling said energy conversion process, said method comprising the steps of:
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generating an electrical signal in the form of a binary number, said signal being indicative of a condition of said engine as of a selected instant in time during which said engine is operative in effecting said energy conversion process;
thenarithmetically calculating a value corresponding to a setting of said means for controlling said energy conversion process, said calculating being performed using said binary number electrical signal, by a digital computer programmed to calculate said value from an algebraic function or functions describing a desired relationship between said engine condition and said means for controlling said energy conversion process;
thenwith an electrical circuit coupled between said digital computer and said means for controlling said energy conversion process, converting said calculated value into a setting of said means for controllng said energy conversion process; and
thereafterwhile said engine is in operation, continuously repeating the above sequence of steps at uniform angular intervals of rotation of said engine output shaft to effect changes in the settings of said means for controlling said energy conversion process in response to changes in said binary number electrical signal indicative of said engine condition. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A method for controlling a combustion engine used in a process of converting heat energy, released by the combustion of a fuel, into mechanical energy, said engine including at least first and second means for controlling said energy conversion process, said method comprising the steps of:
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generating an electrical signal in the form of a binary number, said signal being indicative of a condition of said engine as of a selected instant in time during which said engine is operative in effecting said energy conversion process;
thenarithmetically calculating a first value corresponding to a setting of said first means for controlling said energy conversion process, said calculating being performed, using said binary number electrical signal, by a digital computer programmed to calculate said first value from an algebraic function or functions describing a desired relationship between said engine condition and said first means for controlling said energy conversion process; arithmetically calculating a second value corresponding to a setting of said second means for controlling said energy conversion process, said calculating being performed, using said calculated value corresponding to a setting of said first means for controlling said energy conversion process, by said digital computer programmed to calculate said second value from an algebraic function or functions describing a desired relationship between settings of said first and second means for controlling said energy conversion process; with a first electrical circuit coupled between said digital computer and said first means for controlling said energy conversion process, converting said calculated first value into a setting of said first means for controlling said energy conversion process; with a second electrical circuit coupled between said digital computer and said second means for controlling said energy conversion process, converting said calculated second value into a setting of said second means for controlling said energy conversion process; and
thereafterwhile said engine is in operation, continuously repeating the above sequence of steps to effect changes in the settings of said first and second means for controlling said energy conversion process in response, respectively, to changes in said binary number electrical signal indicative of said engine condition and in said calculated first value. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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Specification