Dual mode hybrid control for electronic fuel injection system

• US 4,170,201 A
• Filed: 05/31/1977
• Issued: 10/09/1979
• Est. Priority Date: 05/31/1977
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Siemens-Bendix Automotive Electronics LP
• Original Assignee: The Bendix Corporation (Honeywell International Inc.)
• Inventors: Toelle, Alvin D., Wen, Gene Y., Camp, John
• Primary Examiner(s): Myhre, Charles J.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Lall, P. S.
• Application Number:
  US05/802,201
• Time in Patent Office: 861 Days
• Field of Search: 123/32 EE, 123/32 EH, 123/32 EA, 123/119 EC, 60/276, 60/285
• US Class Current: 123/682
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 41/1482 Integrator, i.e. variable slope
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 41/1489 Replacing of the control value by a constant

Abstract

A dual mode control system for operating an electronic fuel injection system for an internal combustion engine so as to achieve an optimal compromise between engine emissions, fuel economy and driveability. A closed loop control circuit is provided which senses the amount of oxygen in the engine exhaust and normally drives an integrator in a closed loop mode of operation to operate the electronic fuel injection system at the stoichiometric air/fuel ratio at which the best conversion efficiency of hydrocarbons, carbon monoxide and nitrous oxides occur. An open loop control circuit senses high speed operation where hydrocarbons and carbon monoxide conversion are normally high and where nitrous oxide emission is not critical and clamps the output of the integrator to a predetermined value which operates the electronic fuel injection system at a nonstoichiometric, relatively lean, air/fuel ratio for improved fuel economy. Further open loop control circuitry may be provided to sense very low speed, low engine load operation where nitrous oxide emission is negligible for similarly switching to an open loop mode of operation with the integrator output clamped. An override circuit may be provided which senses engine acceleration which normally requires a relatively rich air/fuel ratio for good driveability and overrides the clamped integrator output to restore the closed loop mode of operation regardless of the engine speed thereby achieving an optimal compromise between engine emissions, fuel economy and drivability.

Claims

1. A dual mode hybrid control system for controlling the operation of an electronic fuel management system which regulates the air/fuel ratio of an internal combustion engine, the engine operable at different rotational speeds and having a catalytic converter for reducing exhaust gas emissions, said hybrid control system comprising:

means for generating an electrical signal for controlling the operation of said electronic fuel management system;

closed loop comparator means coupled to said signal-generating means for establishing a closed loop control mode for enabling said signal-generating means to normally operate said electronic fuel management system at air-fuel ratios within a conversion window of maximum efficiency for the converter while said engine operates within a predetermined range of driving speeds to achieve optimal reduction of engine emissions, said range of speeds including those engine conditions at which the level of NOx formation is detrimental and should be converted by said converter; and

open loop comparator means coupled to said signal-generating means and responsive to the attainment of a driving speed outside of said predetermined range for switching to an open loop control mode for clamping the output of said signal-generating means to a predetermined air/fuel ratio value to operate said electronic fuel management system at a relatively lean air/fuel ratio not within said conversion window for improved fuel economy.

2. The dual mode hybrid control system of claim 1 further including means for sensing engine acceleration and means responsive to said engine acceleration having exceeded a predetermined limit for overriding said open loop control mode of operation and restoring said closed loop control mode of operation by unclamping the output of said signal-generating means to operate said electronic fuel management system at air/fuel ratios within said conversion window regardless of engine speed to achieve improved drivability over operation at said relatively lean air/fuel ratio.

3. The dual mode hybrid control system of claim 1 wherein said fuel management system includes a fuel injection system and said means for generating an electrical signal for controlling the operation of said electronic fuel injection system includes an electrical integrator circuit whose input is normally coupled to said closed loop comparator means, and whose output controls the operation of said electronic fuel injection system said integrator circuit further including means responsive to the output of said open loop comparator means for clamping the output of said integrator circuit to said predetermined air/fuel ratio value for operating said electronic fuel injection system at said predetermined relatively lean air/fuel ratio for improved fuel economy.

4. The dual mode hybrid control system of claim 1 wherein said closed loop comparator means includes means for sensing the quantity of oxygen in the engine exhaust and for generating an electrical signal indicative thereof and wherein said closed loop comparator means further includes a comparator having one input coupled to said oxygen sensing means and its other input coupled to a resistive means for establishing a reference level such that the output of said comparator goes high or low as the quantity of oxygen present in the engine exhaust increases and decreases on either side of said established reference level, the output of said comparator being coupled to the input of said means for generating an electrical signal for establishing a closed loop to control the operation of said electronic fuel injection system at a substantially stoichiometric air/fuel ratio for minimizing engine emissions.

5. The dual mode hybrid control system of claim 1 wherein said electrical signal-generating means comprises an electrical integrator circuit including an operational amplifier having first and second inputs and an integrator output, the output of said closed loop comparator means being coupled to the first input of said operational amplifier and resistive means for establishing said predetermined value of clamped voltage outputted during the open loop mode of operation being coupled to the second input of said operational amplifier, capacitive means being coupled between the first input of said operational amplifier and said integrator output, and a series combination including a resistor and a transistor switch being connected in parallel across said capacitive means such that the control electrode of said transistor switch is coupled to the output of said open loop comparator means to operate said switch for selectively clamping or unclamping the output of said integrator.

6. The dual mode hybrid control system of claim 5 further including means for sensing the quantity of oxygen present at the exhaust of said engine and for generating an electrical signal indicative thereof and wherein said closed loop comparator means includes a comparator having first and second inputs and a comparator output, the first comparator input being coupled to said means for generating electrical signals indicative of the quantity of oxygen present at said engine exhaust, the second comparator input being coupled to resistive means for establishing a reference level about which the oxygen level will vary for maintaining the stoichiometric air/fuel ratio during the closed loop mode operation, and said comparator output being coupled to the first input of said operational amplifier of said integrator circuit to complete a closed loop between the oxygen sensing means and the electronic fuel injection system.

7. A dual mode control circuit for controlling the operation of an electronic fuel injection system for an internal combustion engine operable at various engine speeds and having an engine exhaust with a catalytic converter for reducing emissions from said exhaust, said control circuit comprising:

integrator means whose output controls the operation of said electronic fuel injection system;

means for sensing the amount of oxygen present in the engine exhaust and generating an electrical signal indicative thereof;

first comparator means establishing a closed loop between said oxygen sensing means and said integrator means and responsive to said oxygen-indicative electrical signal for normally causing the output of said integrator means to vary as the quantity of oxygen in said engine exhaust varies so as to maintain an optimum air/fuel ratio window near stoichiometric for minimal engine emissions, said optimum air/fuel ratio being within the maximum conversion efficiency window of said converter;

speed sensing means for generating signals indicative of engine speed; and

second comparator means coupled between said speed sensing means and said integrator means and responsive to said engine speed having exceeded a predetermined limit for clamping the output of said integrator means at a predetermined limit for clamping the output of said integrator means at a predetermined level effective to operate said fuel injection system at a predetermined, non-stoichiometric, relatively lean air/fuel ratio outside said conversion window for improved fuel economy, said predetermined limit corresponding to a driving speed where the conversion of the NOx component of the emissions of the engine exhaust is not critical to emission control.

8. A dual mode control circuit for controlling the operation of an electronic fuel injection system for an internal combustion engine operable at various engine speeds comprising and having a catalytic converter for the reduction of exhaust gas emissions:

closed loop means including an integrator whose output normally varies to maintain the operation of said electronic fuel injection system at near the stoichiometric air/fuel ratio which is within the window of maximum conversion efficiency for said converter; and

means for establishing a range of driving speeds within which said closed loop means is operable to maintain said near stoichiometric air/fuel ratio to obtain optimal conversion of hydrocarbons, carbon monoxide and nitrous oxides, said range-establishing means being responsive to driving speeds outside of said range for clamping the output of said integrator in an open loop mode of operation to operate said electronic fuel injection system at a relatively lean air/fuel ratio for improved fuel economy since at speeds below said established range, hydrocarbons and carbon monoxide conversion is normally high and nitrous oxide emissions are negligible when engine loads are low and since at speeds above said established range nitrous oxide emissions are not usually critical in areas where high speed driving is permitted.

9. In an internal combustion engine operable at various rotational speeds and having an engine exhaust with a catalytic converter for the reduction of emissions and an electronic fuel injection system for controlling the quantity of fuel supplied to the engine, a dual mode control for operating the electronic fuel injection system comprising:

means for generating signals indicative of the oxygen present in the engine exhaust;

means coupled between said means for generating signals indicative of the oxygen present in the engine exhaust and said electronic fuel injection system for establishing a closed loop control mode of operation and including an integrator whose output varies as the oxygen in the engine exhaust varies for normally maintaining said engine operating at optimal emission-reducing air/fuel ratios near stoichiometric for maximum conversion efficiency of said converter;

means for generating signals indicative of the speed of the engine;

means coupled between said means for generating speed indicative signals and said integrator and responsive to the engine speed having passed a threshold corresponding to a predetermined driving speed for switching to an open loop mode of operation and clamping the output of said integrator to a predetermined value to operate said engine at a predetermined leaner air/fuel ratio for improved fuel economy;

means for generating a signal indicative of the acceleration of said engine; and

means responsive to a predetermined acceleration for unclamping said integrator output and restoring said closed loop mode of operation.

10. A dual mode hybrid control system for controlling the operation of an electronic fuel management system which regulates the air/fuel ratio of an internal combustion engine, the engine operable at different rotational speeds and having a catalytic converter for reducing exhaust gas emissions, said hybrid control system comprising:

means for generating an electrical signal for controlling the operation of said electronic fuel management system;

means for generating electrical signals indicative of the speed of the engine;

closed loop comparator means coupled to said signal-generating means for establishing a closed loop control mode for enabling said signal-generating means to normally operate said electronic fuel management system at air-fuel ratios within a conversion window of maximum efficiency for the converter while said engine operates within a predetermined range of driving speeds to achieve optimal reduction of engine emissions, said range of speeds including those engine conditions at which the level of NOx formation is detrimental and should be converted by said converter;

open loop comparator means coupled to said signal-generating means and responsive to the attainment of a driving speed outside of said predetermined range for switching to an open loop control mode for clamping the output of said signal-generating means to a predetermined air/fuel ratio value to operate said electronic fuel management system at a relatively lean air/fuel ratio not within said conversion window for improved fuel economy; and

said open loop comparator means including a comparator having first and second inputs and a comparator output, said first comparator input being coupled to means for establishing a predetermined threshold level indicative of a driving speed and said second input being coupled to said source of speed indicative signals such that the output of said comparator means will normally allow said signal-generating means to operate in said closed loop control mode so long as said engine speed is below said predetermined threshold level but will switch the operation of said signal-generating means to said predetermined value for effecting said relatively lean air/fuel ratio whenever said predetermined threshold level of driving speed has been exceeded.

11. A dual mode hybrid control system for controlling the operation of an electronic fuel management system which regulates the air/fuel ratio of an internal combustion engine, the engine operable at different rotational speeds and having a catalytic converter for reducing exhaust gas emissions, said hybrid control system comprising:

means for generating an electrical signal for controlling the operation of said electronic fuel management system;

means for generating electrical signals indicative of the speed of the engine;

closed loop comparator means coupled to said signal-generating means for establishing a closed loop control mode for enabling said signal-generating means to normally operate said electronic fuel management system at air-fuel ratios within a conversion window of maximum efficiency for the converter while said engine operates within a predetermined range of driving speeds to achieve optimal reduction of engine emissions, said range of speeds including these engine conditions at which the level of NOx formation is detrimental and should be converted by said converter;

open loop comparator means coupled to said signal-generating means and responsive to the attainment of a driving speed outside of said predetermined range for switching to an open loop control mode for clamping the output of said signal-generating means to a predetermined air/fuel ratio value to operate said electronic fuel management system at a relatively lean air/fuel ratio not within said conversion window for improved fuel economy; and

12. said open loop comparator means including first and second comparators each having one input coupled to said source of speed indicative signals, the other input of one of said comparators being coupled to means for establishing a predetermined low speed driving threshold and the second input of the other of said comparators being coupled to means for establishing a predetermined high speed driving threshold such that so long as the engine operates between said low threshold and said high threshold, the outputs of said first and second comparators enable said signal-generating means to operate in said closed loop control mode, but whenever the engine speed falls below said low threshold or exceeds said high threshold of driving speed the output of one of said comparators switches said signal-generating means to operate in said open loop control mode by clamping the output of said signal-generating means to said predetermined value to operate said electronic fuel management system at said relatively lean air/fuel ratio.

14. The dual mode hybrid control system of claim 12 further including means for sensing engine acceleration and means responsive to said engine acceleration having attained a predetermined value for overriding said open loop control mode of operation, restoring said transistor switch to said normally non-conductive state and reverting to said closed loop control mode for maintaining the stoichiometric air/fuel ratio to improve drivability.

15. The dual mode hybrid control system of claim 12 further including an electronic circuit for differentiating said speedindicative signals to output a signal indicative of the acceleration of the engine, a third comparator having first and second inputs and a comparator output, the first comparator input of said third comparator being connected to the output of said differentiator circuit for receiving said signal indicative of the acceleration of said engine, the second comparator input of said third comparator being connected to resistive means for establishing a predetermined acceleration threshold such that said third comparator outputs a first signal when said engine acceleration is below said acceleration threshold level and a second switching signal when said engine acceleration exceeds said acceleration threshold level, and normally non-conductive switching means coupled between the trigger electrode of the switching transistor of said integrator circuit and ground and responsive to said second switching signal at the output of said third comparator means for switching to a conductive state and grounding the trigger electrode of said switching transistor of said integrator circuit whenever the engine acceleration exceeds said threshold value for overriding said open loop control mode of operation and unclamping the integrator output to restore the closed loop mode of operation.

17. The dual mode hybrid control system of claim 15 further including means for sensing the acceleration of said engine and means responsive to said sensed acceleration having attained a predetermined value for overriding the operation of said second and third comparators to switch said integrator circuit from said open loop control mode of operation to said closed loop control mode of operation by switching off said switching transistor of said integrator to unclamp the integrator output and restore operation at the stoichiometric air/fuel ratio for improved drivability.

18. The dual mode hybrid control system of claim 15 further including differentiator means responsive to said speed indicative signals for outputting a signal indicative of the acceleration of said engine, a fourth comparator having a first input coupled to said source of acceleration indicative signal, a second input coupled to resistive means for establishing a predetermined acceleration threshold and a comparator output for generating a switching signal whenever the engine acceleration exceeds said predetermined acceleration threshold level, and switching means coupled between the trigger electrode of the switching transistor of said integrator circuit and ground for switching to a conductive state in response to the presence of said switching signal at the output of said fourth comparator to override the output of said second and third comparators and restore said switching transistor of said integrator circuit to a nonconductive state thereby restoring said integrator circuit to the closed loop control mode of operation and unclamping the integrator output to resume operating said electronic fuel injection system at the stoichiometric air/fuel ratio for improved drivability.

20. The dual mode control circuit of claim 18 wherein said acceleration responsive means includes an electrical differentiator circuit having its input coupled to said means for generating signals indicative of the engine speed, a third comparator means having its first input coupled to the output of said electrical differentiator circuit and its second output coupled to variable resistor means for selecting a predetermined threshold level of acceleration such that said third comparator means will generate an override signal whenever the acceleration of said engine exceeds said predetermined acceleration threshold level, and switching means responsive to the presence of said override signal at the output of said third comparator means for overriding said second comparator means, unclamping the output of said integrator means and restoring closed loop control for improved drivability.

22. The dual mode control circuit of claim 20 wherein said second comparator means includes a comparator having its first input coupled to said means for generating signals indicative of the engine speed, its second input coupled to resistive means for selecting a predetermined threshold level of speed below which the output of said comparator is low and above which the output of said comparator is high, the output of said comparator being coupled to the trigger electrode of said switching transistor which is responsive to the presence of a low signal at the output of said comparator for maintaining said closed loop mode of operation but which is responsive to the presence of a high at the output of said comparator for switching said transistor to a conductive state thereby switching to said open loop mode of operation to clamp the integrator output of said operational amplifier to said predetermined level for operating said fuel injection system at said leaner non-stoichiometric air/fuel ratio.

25. The dual mode control circuit of claim 20 wherein said second comparator means includes first and second comparators each having one comparator input coupled to said means for generating signals indicative of the engine speed, said first comparator having its second input coupled to resistive means for selectively determining a predetermined lower limit of engine speed and said second comparator having its second input coupled to resistive means for selectively determining a predetermined upper limit of engine speed, such that whenever the engine speed is between the lower speed limit determined by the resistive means at the second input of said first comparator and the upper speed limit determined by the resistive means at the second input of said second comparator, the outputs of said first and second comparators will be low enabling said trigger electrode to maintain said switching transistor in a non-conductive state to permit said integrator means to operate in said closed loop mode of operation but whenever the engine speed falls below said lower speed limit determined by the resistive means at the second input of said first comparator or exceeds the upper speed limit determined by the resistive means at the second input of said second comparator, the output of one of said first and second comparators goes high, said trigger electrode being responsive to the presence of a high at the output of one of said first and second comparators for switching said switching transistor to a conductive state to switch said integrator means to said open loop mode of operation and clamp the integrator output of said operational amplifier to said predetermined level for operating said fuel injection system at said relatively lean, non-stoichiometric, air/fuel ratio.

27. The dual mode control circuit of claim 25 wherein said closed loop means includes the means for generating an electrical signal indicative of the variation from ideal emission-reducing stoichiometric air/fuel ratio operation, and wherein said integrator includes an operational amplifier having a first input coupled to the output of said means for generating variation indicative signals, capacitive means coupled between said first input of said operational amplifier and the integrator output, the series combination of a resistor and a transistor coupled in parallel across said capactive means, and means coupled to the second input of said operational amplifier for establishing a predetermined voltage level for establishing said a predetermined non-stoichiometric relatively lean air/fuel ratio in the range of from 15 to 1 to 19 to 1 for better fuel economy, the control electrode of said transistor being coupled to the outputs of said first and second comparators and being adapted for normally maintaining a non-conductive state so long as the output of said comparators is "low " thereby operating said integrator in said closed loop mode but being responsive to a "high" at the output of one of said first and second comparators for switching to a conductive state, shifting said integrator to an open loop mode of operation and clamping the output of said integrator at said predetermined voltage level.

13. A dual mode hybrid control system for controlling the operation of an electronic fuel management system which regulates the air/fuel ratio of an internal combustion engine, the engine operable at different rotational speeds and having a catalytic converter for reducing exhaust gas emissions, said hybrid control system comprising:

means for generating an electrical signal for controlling the operation of said electronic fuel management system;

means for generating electrical signals indicative of engine speed;

means for sensing the quantity of oxygen present at the exhaust of said engine and for generating an electrical signal indicative thereof;

closed loop comparator means coupled to said signal-generating means for establishing a closed loop control mode for enabling said signal-generating means to normally operate said electronic fuel management system at air-fuel ratios within a conversion window of maximum efficiency for the converter while said engine operates within a predetermined range of driving speeds to achieve optimal reduction of engine emissions, said range of speeds including those engine conditions at which the level of NOx formation is detrimental and should be converted by said converter;

open loop comparator means coupled to said signal-generating means and responsive to the attainment of a driving speed outside of said predetermined range for switching to an open loop control mode for clamping the output of said signal-generating means to a predetermined air/fuel ratio value to operate said electronic fuel management system at a relatively lean air/fuel ratio not within said conversion window for improved fuel economy;

wherein said electrical signal-generating means comprises an electrical integrator circuit including an operational amplifier having first and second inputs and an integrator output, the output of said closed loop comparator means being coupled to the first input of said operational amplifier and resistive means for establishing said predetermined value of clamped voltage outputted during the open loop mode of operation being coupled to the second input of said operational amplifier, capacitive means being coupled between the first input of said operational amplifier and said integrator output, and a series combination including a resistor and a transistor switch being connected in parallel across said capacitive means such that the control electrode of said transistor switch is coupled to the output of said open loop comparator means to operate said switch for selectively clamping or unclamping the output of said integrator;

wherein said closed loop comparator means includes a comparator having first and second inputs and a comparator output, the first comparator input being coupled to said means for generating electrical signals indicative of the quantity of oxygen present at said engine exhaust, the second comparator input being coupled to resistive means for establishing a reference level about which the oxygen level will vary for maintaining the stoichiometric air/fuel ratio during the closed loop mode operation, and said comparator output being coupled to the first input of said operational amplifier of said integrator circuit to complete a closed loop between the oxygen sensing means and the electronic fuel management system; and

wherein said open loop comparator means includes a second comparator having first and second inputs and a comparator output, the first input of said second comparator being coupled to said means for generating speed indicative signals and the second input of said second comparator being coupled to resistive means for establishing a predetermined speed threshold below which the output of said second comparator will be maintained at a first value and above which the output of said second comparator will attain a second value, the output of said second comparator means being coupled to the control electrode of said switching transistor of said integrator circuit such that when the output of said second comparator means is in said first state, said switching transistor remains in a normally non-conductive state and said integrator circuit operates in said closed loop control mode, but when the output of said second comparator attains said second state said switching transistor is switched to a conductive state to clamp the output of said integrator circuit at said predetermined value established by the resistive means coupled to the second input of said operational amplifier thereby switching the operation of said integrator circuit to said open loop control mode to operate said electronic fuel management system to maintain said relatively lean air/fuel ratio.

16. A dual mode hybrid control system for controlling the operation of an electronic fuel management system which regulates the air/fuel ratio of an internal combustion engine, the engine operable at different rotational speeds and having a catalytic converter for reducing exhaust gas emissions, said hybrid control system comprising:

means for generating an electrical signal for controlling the operation of said electronic fuel management system;

means for generating electrical signals indicative of engine speed;

means for sensing the quantity of oxygen present at the exhaust of said engine and for generating an electrical signal indicative thereof;

closed loop comparator means coupled to said signal-generating means for establishing a closed loop control mode for enabling said signal-generating means to normally operate said electronic fuel management system at air-fuel ratios within a conversion window of maximum efficiency for the converter while said engine operates within a predetermined range of driving speeds to achieve optimal reduction of engine emissions, said range of speeds including those engine conditions at which the level of NOx formation is detrimental and should be converted by said converter;

open loop comparator means coupled to said signal-generating means and responsive to the attainment of a driving speed outside of said predetermined range for switching to an open loop control mode for clamping the output of said signal-generating means to a predetermined air/fuel ratio value to operate said electronic fuel management system at a relatively lean air/fuel ratio not within said conversion window for improved fuel economy;

wherein said electrical signal-generating means comprises an electrical integrator circuit including an operational amplifier having first and second inputs and an integrator output, the output of said closed loop comparator means being coupled to the first input of said operational amplifier and resistive means for establishing said predetermined value of clamped voltage outputted during the open loop mode of operation being coupled to the second input of said operational amplifier, capactive means being coupled between the first input of said operational amplifier and said integrator output, and a series combination including a resistor and a transistor switch being connected in parallel across said capacitive means such that the control electrode of said transistor switch is coupled to the output of said open loop comparator means to operate said switch for selectively clamping or unclamping the output of said integrator;

wherein said closed loop comparator means includes a comparator having first and second inputs and a comparator output, the first comparator input being coupled to said means for generating electrical signals indicative of the quantity of oxygen present at said engine exhaust, the second comparator input being coupled to resistive means for establishing a reference level about which the oxygen level will vary for maintaining the stoichiometric air/fuel ratio during the closed loop mode operation, and said comparator output being coupled to the first input of said operational amplifier of said integrator circuit to complete a closed loop between the oxygen sensing means and the electronic fuel management system; and

wherein said open loop comparator means includes second and third comparators each having first and second inputs and a comparator output, the first input of each of said second and third comparators being coupled to said means for generating speed-indicative pulses, the second input of said second comparator being coupled to resistive means for establishing a predetermined low speed threshold, the second input of said third comparator being coupled to resistive means for establishing a predetermined high speed threshold, and the outputs of said second and third comparator being resistively coupled to the control electrode of said switching transistor of said integrator circuit such that when the speed of said engine is between said low speed threshold and said high speed threshold, the signal outputted from said second and third comparators will enable said integrator circuit to operate in said closed loop control mode, but when the engine speed falls below said low speed threshold or exceeds said high speed threshold the outputs from said second or third comparator will switch said switching transistor to a conductive state thereby operating said integrator circuit in said open loop control mode and clamping the output of said integrator circuit to said predetermined value to operate the electronic fuel management system at said relatively lean air/fuel ratio.

19. A dual mode control circuit for controlling the operation of an electronic fuel injection system for an internal combustion engine operable at various engine speeds and having an engine exhaust with a catalytic converter for reducing emissions from said exhaust, said control circuit comprising:

integrator means whose output controls the operation of said electronic fuel injection system;

means for sensing the amount of oxygen present in the engine exhaust and generating an electrical signal indicative thereof;

first comparator means establishing a closed loop between said oxygen sensing means and said integrator means and responsive to said oxygen-indicative electrical signal for normally causing the output of said integrator means to vary as the quantity of oxygen in said engine exhaust varies so as to maintain an optimum air/fuel ratio window near stoichiometric for minimal engine emissions, said optimum air/fuel ratio being within the maximum conversion efficiency window of said converter;

speed sensing means for generating signals indicative of engine speed;

second comparator means coupled between said speed sensing means and said integrator means, responsive to said engine speed having exceeded a predetermined limit for clamping the output of said integrator means at a predetermined level effective to operate said fuel injection system at a predetermined, non-stoichiometric, relatively lean air/fuel ratio outside said conversion window for improved fuel economy, said predetermined limit corresponding to a driving speed where the conversion of the NOx component of the emissions of the engine exhaust is not critical to emission control; and

means responsive to a predetermined engine acceleration for disabling said second comparator means to unclamp the output of said integrator means and restore closed loop operation in said window near the stoichiometric air/fuel ratio.

21. A dual mode control circuit for controlling the operation of an electronic fuel injection system for an internal combustion engine operable at various engine speeds and having an engine exhaust with a catalytic converter for reducing emissions from said exhaust, said control circuit comprising:

integrator means whose output controls the operation of said electronic fuel injection system;

means for sensing the amount of oxygen present in the engine exhaust and generating an electrical signal indicative thereof;

first comparator means establishing a closed loop between said oxygen sensing means and said integrator means and responsive to said oxygen-indicative electrical signal for normally causing the output of said integrator means to vary as the quantity of oxygen in said engine exhaust varies so as to maintain an optimum air/fuel ratio window near stoichiometric for minimal engine emissions, said optimum air/fuel ratio being within the maximum conversion efficiency window of said converter;

speed sensing means for generating signals indicative of engine speed;

second comparator means coupled between said speed sensing means and said integrator means, responsive to said engine speed having exceeded a predetermined limit, for clamping the output of said integrator means at a predetermined level effective to operate said fuel injection system at a predetermined, non-stoichiometric, relatively lean air/fuel ratio outside said conversion window for improved fuel economy, said predetermined limit corresponding to a driving speed where the conversion of the NOx component of the emissions of the engine exhaust is not critical to emission control; and

wherein said integrator means includes an operational amplifier having one input coupled to the output of said first comparator means, a second input coupled to variable resistive means for selecting said predetermined level of voltage outputted from said integrator means when its output is clamped during open loop operation for determining said predetermined, non-stoichiometric, relatively lean air/fuel ratio for improved fuel economy and an integrator output for supplying control signals to operate said electronic fuel injection system, a capacitive means coupled between the first input of said operational amplifier and said integrator output, and a series path connected in parallel across said capactive means, said series path including a resistor and a switching transistor, said switching transistor having a control electrode coupled to the output of said second comparator means such that while said switching transistor is maintained in its normally non-conducting state, said integrator means operates in said closed loop mode to maintain said stoichiometric air/fuel ratio, but when said switching transistor is triggered to a conductive state, the output of said operational amplifier is clamped to a level determined by the resistive means at the second input of said operational amplifier to operate said integrator means in said open loop mode thereby operating said electronic fuel injection system at said predetermined non-stoichiometric relatively lean air/fuel ratio.

23. The dual mode control circuit of claim 21 further including means for sensing engine acceleration, means responsive to said acceleration having attained a predetermined value for outputting an override signal and switching means coupled to the trigger electrode of said switching transistor and responsive to the presence of said override signal for completing a current path between said trigger electrode and ground to restore said switching transistor to its non-conductive state, restore said integrator means to said closed loop mode of operation and unclamp the integrator output of said operational amplifier regardless of the speed of said engine.

24. The dual mode control circuit of claim 21 further including an electrical differentiator circuit having one input coupled to the output of said means for generating signals indicative of engine speed, a second comarator having an input coupled to the output of said electrical differentiator and its other input coupled to resistive means for establishing a threshold level of acceleration such that said second comparator generates an override output signal whenever the engine acceleration exceeds said established acceleration threshold level, and normally non-conductive transistor switching means coupled between the trigger electrode of said switching transistor of said integrator means and ground and responsive to the presence of said override signal at the output of said second comparator for switching to a conductive state and completing a current path between said trigger electrode and ground for overriding the operation of said second comparator means and switching the switching transistor of said integrator means to a non-conductive state for restoring said integrator means to said closed loop mode of operation to unclamp the integrator output of said operational amplifier for improved drivability.

26. A dual mode control circuit for controlling the operation of an electronic fuel injection system for an internal combustion engine operable at various engine speeds comprising and having a catalytic converter for the reduction of exhaust gas emissions:

closed loop means including an integrator whose output normally varies to maintain the operation of said electronic fuel injection system at near the stoichiometric air/fuel ratio which is within the window of maximum conversion efficiency for said converter;

means for establishing a range of driving speeds within which said closed loop means is operable to maintain said near stoichiometric air/fuel ratio to obtain optimal conversion of hydrocarbons, carbon monoxide and nitrous oxides, said range-establishing means being responsive to driving speeds outside of said range for clamping the output of said integrator in an open loop mode of operation to operate said electronic fuel injection system at a relatively lean air/fuel ratio for improved fuel economy since at speeds below said established range, hydrocarbons and carbon monoxide conversion is normally high and nitrous oxide emissions are negligible when engine loads are low and since at speeds above said established range nitrous oxide emissions are not usually critical in areas where high speed driving is permitted; and

wherein said means for establishing the range of driving speeds includes a first comparator having a first input coupled to said means for generating speed indicative signals, first threshold determining means for generating an electrical signal indicative of the predetermined low speed limit of said range coupled to the second input of said comparator such that the output of said first comparator will go "low" whenever the speed is above said predetermined low speed threshold limit established by said first threshold means and will go "high" whenever the speed drops below said low speed threshold level, a second comparator having a first input coupled to said means for generating speed indicative signals, a second threshold determining means for generating an electrical signal indicative of the predetermined high speed limit of speed range coupled to the second input of said second comparator such that the output of said second comparator will go "low" whenever the speed is below said predetermined high speed threshold limit established by said second threshold means and the output of said second comparator will go "high" whenever the speed exceeds said high speed threshold limit, means for coupling the outputs of said first and second comparators to said integrator, said integrator being responsive to the presence of a "low" signal for maintaining a closed loop mode of operation but being responsive to the presence of a "high" signal for switching to an open loop mode of operation and clamping the output of said integrator to a predetermined voltage for operating said electronic fuel injection system at a non-stoichiometric relatively lean air/fuel ratio in the range of from 15 to 1 to 19 to 1 for improved fuel economy.

28. The dual mode control circuit of claim 26 further including means for sensing the quantity of oxygen present in the exhaust of said engine, means for generating an electrical signal indicative of said sensed quantity of oxygen, a third comparator having one input coupled to said means for generating oxygen indicative signals, means for establishing a reference level indicative of the ideal level of oxygen required for optimal emission-reducing operation coupled to the second input of said third comparator such that the output of said third comparator is coupled to the first input of said operational amplifier to complete a closed loop between said oxygen sensing means and said electronic fuel injection system so as to operate said electronic fuel injection system in said closed loop mode at an optimal emission-reducing stoichiometric air/fuel ratio.

29. The dual mode control circuit of claim 26 further including means for sensing engine acceleration and means responsive to said engine acceleration having attained a predetermined value for unclamping the output of said integrator and restoring the closed loop mode of operation to operate said electronic fuel injection system at said optimal emission-reducing stoichiometric air/fuel ratio regardless of the vehicle speed.

30. The dual mode control circuit of claim 26 further including a differentiator having its input coupled to said means for generating speed indicative signals for generating an output indicative of the engine acceleration, a forth comparator having one input coupled to the output of said differentiator for generating an override signal whenever a predetermined value of engine acceleration has been attained and switching means responsive to the presence of said override signal at the output of said forth comparator for switching the transistor of said integrator to a non-conductive state to unclamp the output of said integrator and restoring a closed loop control mode to operate the electronic fuel injection system at said optimal emission-reducing stoichiometric air/fuel ratio regardless of vehicle speed for improved drivability.