Engine control system

• US 4,368,705 A
• Filed: 03/03/1981
• Issued: 01/18/1983
• Est. Priority Date: 03/03/1981
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Caterpillar Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Caterpillar Americas Company (Caterpillar Incorporated)
• Inventors: Szentes, John F., Stevenson, Thomas T., Zenios, Marios C.
• Primary Examiner(s): Cox, Ronald B.
• Application Number:
  US06/277,745
• Time in Patent Office: 686 Days
• Field of Search: 123/357, 123/358, 123/480, 123/486, 123/501, 123/502
• US Class Current: 123/357
• CPC Class Codes: F02B 1/04 with fuel-air mixture admission into cylinder
• CPC Class Codes: F02B 2075/027 four
• CPC Class Codes: F02B 3/06 with compression ignition compression ignition engines using air or gas for blowing fuel into compressed air in cylinder F02B13/02
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 2200/0406 Intake manifold pressure
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 2200/703 Atmospheric pressure
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 41/2422 Selective use of one or more tables
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 41/401 Controlling injection timing F02D41/402 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 41/407 of the in-line type
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/40 Engine management systems

Abstract

An electronic engine control system (10) utilizing a digital microprocessor (30) for controlling the timing mechanism (13) and fuel pump rack limit (23) to set the engine timing of, and maximum allowable rate of fuel delivery to, an interval combustion engine (11) so that maximum engine performance is obtained with smoke and emissions limited to required EPA levels. A plurality of timing maps (61-64) are provided, for different modes of engine operation, each map having predetermined value timing control signals programmed therein corresponding to the optimal timing advance of a particular engine speed, or particulaoptimoptimal timing advance of a particular engine speed, or particular combination of engine speed and position of the fuel rack (21). A timing map selector (65) identifies the mode of engine operation and selects the appropriate timing map (61-64) to control the timing mechanism (13) by the particular programmed signal for the existing engine speed and fuel rack position. A similar map (71) will output a particular programmed fuel/air signal in accordance with the existing engine speed and timing, the fuel/air signal having been predetermined to correspond to the maximum fuel/air ratio for fuel combustion to meet EPA limits for that engine speed and timing. The fuel/air signal is multiplied (76) in accordance with existing manifold pressure and the resultant fuel delivery signal is used to set the rack limit (23) for maximum allowable fuel delivery to the engine (11).

Claims

1. A control system (10) for an engine-fuel supply system, said engine fuel-supply system including an internal combustion engine (11) having a rotatable crank shaft (211), an operator-controlled throttle (22), a fuel pump (16) for supplying fuel to said engine (11), a first settable engine control means (13) comprising a timing means (13) for driving said fuel pump (16) at a speed proportional to the rotational speed of said crank shaft (211) and at a desired advance angle relative to the rotation of said crank shaft (211) for setting the engine timing advance, said fuel pump (16) having a movable fuel control means (21) for regulating the amount of fuel delivered by said fuel pump (16) to said engine (11), said fuel control means (21) being movable by said throttle (22) in a first direction to increase fuel delivery and in a second direction to decrease fuel delivery, and a second settable engine control means (23) comprising a fuel control limit means (23) for limiting movement of said fuel control means (21) in said one direction thereof, said control system (10) comprising:

first condition signal means (38) for generating a first condition signal having a value proportional to the speed of said engine (11);

second condition signal means (37) for generating a second condition signal having a value proportional to the distance that said fuel control means (21) has been moved;

third condition signal means (26) for generating a fluid condition signal having a value proportional to the magnitude of engine timing advance set by said timing means (13);

timing control signal means (61,63 or

     64) for storing a plurality of timing advance control signals, each timing advance control signal having a predetermined value corresponding to a desired setting of said timing means (13) for engine operation at a particular combination of engine speed and fuel control means position and for generating a timing advance control signal having the predetermined value corresponding to the particular values of the first and second condition signals generated by said first (38) and second (37) condition signal means;

fuel control means limit control signal means (71,76,77,72) for storing a plurality of fuel control means limit control signals, each fuel control means limit control signal having a predetermined value corresponding to a desired setting of the position of said fuel control means limit for engine operation at a particular combination of engine speed and engine timing and for generating a fuel control means limit position control signal having the predetermined value corresponding to the first and third condition signals generated by said first and third condition signal means (38,26);

means (18) for setting said timing means (13) in accordance with the value of the generated advance control signals; and

means (24) for setting the position of said fuel control means limit (23) in accordance with the value of the generated fuel control means limit position control signal.

4. A control system (10) in accordance with claim 1 wherein said third condition signal means (26) includes:

at least one first sensible member (247) rotatable at a speed constantly proportional to the speed of said engine crank shaft (211) and movable through a first circular path;

a first signal generating means (248) for generating a first signal (249) in response to each first sensible member (247) movement past a predetermined point (250) in said first circular path;

at least one second sensible member (253) rotatable at a speed constantly proportional to the speed of said crank shaft (211) and movable through a second circular path;

a second signal generating means (254) for generating a second signal (255) in response to each second sensible member (253) movement past a predetermined point (251) in said second circular path;

clock means (265) for generating a series of fixed frequency clock pulses;

counting means (278) for;

(a) obtaining a first count of the number of clock pulses occurring the time interval (T₁) beginning and ending with consecutive signals (249) from one (248) of said first and second signal generators (248,254),

(b) obtaining a second count of the number of clock pulses occurring in the time interval (T₂) beginning with a signal (255) from one (254) of said first and second signal generators (248,254) and ending with a successive signal (249) from the other (248) of said first and second signal generators (248,254); and

,

angle-indicating means (279-283) for generating said condition signal of said one (26) of said condition signal means, said condition signal being proportional to the ratio of said first and second counts of said counting means (278).

5. A control system (10) according to claim 4 wherein the number of said first and second sensible members (247,253) of said one condition signal means (26) is such that N number of each of said first and second signals (249,255) are generated by said first and second generator means (248,254) during one full revolution of one of said crank shaft (211), N being an integer, wherein said counting means (278) has the further function of obtaining N/M number of successive first and second counts during said one full revolution, M being an integer, wherein said angle-indicating means (279-283) has the further function of generating N/M number of successive angle-indicating signals during said one full revolution, and further including:

averaging means (284,285) for generating said one condition signal each time that said engine (11) has rotated through 360 M/N degrees, said one condition signal being equal to the sum of the number of successive angle-indicating signals obtained during two complete engine revolutions divided by said number of successive signals.

6. A control system (10) according to claim 5 wherein ##EQU3## in which TIM=said angle indicating signal,

T₁ =said first count of said counting means (278)

T₂ =said second count of said counting means (278)

K_T =a constant, said angle-indicating means (279-283) having the further functions of:

(a) generating an initial reference angle-indicating signal TIM(o),

(b) generating a subsequent angle-indicating signal TIM(t),

(c) generating a corrected angle-indicating signal TIM(T), wherein

TIM(T)=TIM(t)-TIM(o), when TIM(t)<

TIM(o), and

TIM(T)=TIM(t)+K_T -TIM(o), when TIM(t)<

TIM(o).

7. A control system (10) in accordance with claim 4, wherein the other said condition signal means (38) includes:

means (271) for generating said condition signal of said other condition signal means (38) with said condition signal being inversely proportional to said first count of said counting means (278).

8. A control system (10) in accordance with claim 1 wherein said timing control signal means (61,64) includes first means (61) for generating a first set of timing advance control signals each having a predetermined value corresponding to a desired engine timing advance for a first mode of engine speed and fuel control means positions, and second means (64) for generating a second set of timing advance control signals each having a predetermined value corresponding to a desired engine timing advance for a second mode of engine operation and for a particular combination of actual engine speed and fuel control means position;

and

selector means (65) for selecting said first set of timing advance control signals to be used in controlling said timing means (13) when said engine is in said first mode of operation and for selecting said second set of timing advance control signals to be used in controlling said timing means (13) when said engine is in said second mode of operation.

9. A control system (10) in accordance with claim 1 wherein said fuel control means limit control signal means (71,76,77,72) includes:

fuel/air signal means (71) for storing a plurality of fuel/air signals each having a predetermined value corresponding to a desired fuel/air ratio for desired engine operation at a particular combination of engine speed and engine timing and for generating a fuel/air signal having the predetermined value corresponding to the particular values of the first and third condition signals generated by said first and third condition signal means (38,26);

means (40) for generating a manifold pressure condition signal having a value proportional to the manifold pressure;

fuel-delivery means (76-77) for generating a fuel-delivery signal having a value proportional to the value of the generated fuel/air signal divided by the value of the generated manifold pressure condition signal; and

fuel control means limit control means (77) for storing a plurality of fuel control means limit position control signals, each fuel control means limit position control signal having a predetermined value for a desired setting of said fuel control means limit for engine operation at a particular combination of fuel delivery and engine speed and for generating a fuel control means limit position signal having the predetermined value corresponding to the particular values of the first condition signal generated by said first condition signal means (38) and the fuel-delivery signal generated by said fuel-delivery means (76,77).

10. A control system (10) in accordance with claim 9 wherein said timing control signal means (61-64) includes first means (61) for generating a first set of timing advance control signals each having a predetermined value corresponding to a desired engine timing advance for a first mode of engine operation and for a particular combination of actual engine speed and fuel control means positions, and second means (64) for generating a second set of timing advance control signals each having a predetermined value corresponding to a desired engine timing advance for a second mode of engine operation and for a particular combination of actual engine speed and fuel control means position;

and

selector means (65) for selecting said first set of timing advance control signals to be used in controlling said timing means (13) when said engine (11) is in said first mode of operation and for selecting said second set of timing advance control signals to be used in controlling said timing means (13) when said engine (11) is in said second mode of operation.

11. A control system (10) in accordance with claim 1 wherein said first, second and third condition signals are each in binary coded form with a plurality of most significant bits and a plurality of least significant bits, and wherein each of said timing and fuel control means limit control signals means (61,63,64 and 71,76,77,72) includes:

a read-only memory (61a) having plurality of columns and rows and a stored control signal in binary form for each combination of said columns and rows, said control signals having Z values;

stepping means (106,108) for increasing by a binary one the binary values of the most significant bits of each of said first condition signals;

means (101) for selecting a first row of said memory (61a) in accordance with the binary value of the most significant bits of one of said condition signals and for selecting a second row of said memory in accordance with the increased value of the most significant bits of said one condition signal;

means (102) for selecting a first column of said memory (61a) in accordance with the binary value of the most significant bits of another of said condition signals and for selecting a second column of said memory in accordance with the increased value of the most significant bits of said another of said condition signals;

means (104,107,109,110) for storing outside of said memory (61a) and Z₁ value of the control signal for said first row and first column of said memory, the Z₂ value of the control signal for said second row and first column of said memory, the Z₃ value of the control signal for said first row and second column of said memory and the Z₄ value of the control signal for said second row and column row of said memory;

means (111) for obtaining an interpolated binary value Z_a equal to Z₁ plus the difference between Z₂ and Z₁ which is proportional to the binary value of the least significant bits of said one condition signal;

means (112) for obtaining an interpolated binary value Z_b equal to Z₃ plus the difference between Z₄ and Z₃ which is proportional to the binary value of the least significant bits of said one condition signal; and

means (113) for obtaining a final interpolated control signal having a binary value Z_o equal to Z_a plus the difference between Z_b and Z_a which is proportional to the binary value of the least significant bits of said another of said condition signals.

12. A control system (10) in accordance with claim 1, wherein said third condition signal means (26) includes:

a plurality of first sensible members (247) rotatable at a speed constantly proportional to the speed of said engine (11) and movable in succession through a first circular path;

a first signal generating means (248) for generating a first signal (249) in response to movement of each first sensible member (247) movement past a predetermined point (250) in said first circular path;

a plurality of second sensible members (253) rotatable at a speed constantly proportional to the speed of said fuel camshaft (14) and movable in succession through a second circular path,

a second signal generating means (254) for generating a second signal (255) in response to movement of each second sensible member (253) movement past a predetermined point (256) in said second circular path;

clock means (265) for generating a series of fixed frequency clock pulses;

counting means (278) for;

(a) obtaining a first count of the number of clock pulses occurring in the time interval (T₁) beginning and ending with consecutive signals (249) from one (248) of said first and second signal generators (248,254),

(b) obtaining a second count of the number of clock pulses occurring in the time interval (T₂) beginning with a signal (255) from one (254) of said first and second signal generators (248,254) and ending with a successive signal (249) from the other (248) of said first and second signal generators (248,254),

angle-indicating means (279-283) for generating said third condition signal with said third condition signal being an angle-indication signal proportional to the ratio of said first and second counts of said counting means (278); and

speed indicating means (271-273) for generating said first condition signal, with said first condition signal being inversely proportional to said first count of said counting means (278).

13. A control system (10) in accordance with claim 12 wherein the number of said first and second sensible members (247,253) of said third condition signal means (26) is such that N number of each of said first and second signals (249,255) are generated by said first and second generator means (248,254) during one engine revolution, N being an integer, wherein said counting means (278) has the further function of obtaining N/M number of successive first and second counts during one engine revolution, M being an integer, wherein said speed-indicating means (271-273) has the further function of generating N/M number of successive speed-indicating signals during one engine revolution, and has the further function of generating said first condition signal each time that said engine (11) has rotated through 360 M/N degrees, with said first condition signal being equal to the sum of the successive speed-indicating signals obtained during two complete revolutions of said engine divided by said number of successive speed-indicating signals obtained during said two complete revolutions of said engine (11).

2. A control system (10) for a diesel engine-fuel supply system, said engine fuel-supply system including an internal combustion engine (11) having a rotatable crank shaft (211), an operator-controlled throttle (22), a fuel pump (16) for supplying fuel to said engine (11), timing means (13) for driving said fuel pump (16) at a speed proportional to the rotational speed of said crank shaft (211) and at a desired advance angle relative to the rotation of said crank shaft (211) for setting the engine timing advance, said fuel pump (16) having a fuel control means (21) controllable by said throttle (22) for regulating the amount of fuel delivered by said fuel pump (16) to said engine (11), and a movable fuel control limit means (23) for limiting the maximum amount of fuel delivered by said fuel control means (21) in said one direction thereof, said control system (10) comprising:

means (38) for generating an engine speed signal having a value proportional to actual engine speed;

means (37) for generating a fuel control means signal having a value indicative of the setting of said fuel control means (21);

first timing advance control signal means (61,63) for generating a first set of timing advance control signals each having a predetermined value in response to a desired engine timing advance for a first mode of engine operation and for a particular combination of actual engine speed and fuel control means position, and second timing advance control signal means (62,64) for generating a second set of timing advance control signals each having a predetermined value in response to a desired engine timing advance for a second mode of engine operation and for a particular combination of actual engine speed and fuel control means position;

means (29,47) for delivering said generated engine speed and fuel control means setting signals to said timing control means (61,63 or

     64); and

,

means (18) for controlling said timing means in response to said timing advance control signals to set the timing advance of said engine (11) to the value of a generating timing advance control signal.

14. A control system (10) in accordance with claim 2 wherein said engine-speed and fuel control means-position signals are each in binary coded form with a plurality of most significant bits and a plurality of least significant bits, and wherein said timing control signal means (61) includes:

a read-only memory (61a) having a plurality of columns and rows and a stored control signal in binary form for each combination of said columns and rows, said control signals having Z values;

stepping means (106,108) for increasing by one the binary values of the most significant bits of each of engine-speed and fuel control means-position signals;

means (101) for selecting a first row of said memory (61a) in accordance with the binary value of the most significant bits of one of said engine-speed and fuel control means-position signals and for selecting a second row of said memory in accordance with the increased value of the most significant bits of said one of said engine-speed and fuel control means-position signals,

means (102) for selecting a first column of said memory in accordance with the binary value of the most significant bits of the other of said engine-speed and fuel control means-position signals and for selecting a second column of said memory in accordance with the increased value of the most significant bits of said other of said signals;

means (104,107,109,110) for storing outside of said memory (61a) the Z₁ value of the control signal for said first row and first column of said memory, the Z₂ value of the control signal for said second row and first column of said memory, the Z₃ value of the control signal for said first row and second column of said memory, and the Z₄ value of the control signal for said second row and column row of said memory;

means (111) for obtaining an interpolated binary value Z_a equal to Z₁ plus the difference between Z₂ and Z₁ which is proportional to the binary value of the least significant bits of said one of said engine-speed and fuel control means-position signals;

means (112) for obtaining an interpolated binary value Z_b equal to Z₃ plus the difference between Z₄ and Z₃ which is proportional to the binary value of the least significant bits of said one of said engine speed and fuel control means-position signals; and

means (113) for obtaining a final interpolated control signal having a binary value Z_o equal to Z_a plus the difference between Z_b anbd Z_a which is proportional to the binary value of the least significant bits of the other of said engine-speed and fuel control means position signals.

15. A control system (10) in accordance with claim 2 including:

selector means (65) for selecting said first set of timing advance control signals of said first means (61 or

     63) to be used in controlling said timing means (13) when said engine (11) is in said first mode of operation and for selecting said second set of timing advance control signals of said second means (64) to be used in controlling said timing means (13) when said engine (11) is in said second mode of operation.

16. A control system (10) in accordance with claim 15 wherein said first mode (63) of engine operation is steady state urban operation and said second mode (64) of engine operation is steady state highway operation and wherein said control system includes:

means (143) for generating an engine-speed-change signal in response to a change in engine speed;

means (36) for generating a throttle-position signal in response to a depression or release of said throttle; and

wherein said selector means (65) includes means (142,144,145) for obtaining a count of the number of times in a predetermined length of time that an engine-speed-change signal and a throttle-position signal are concurrently generated, and means (146-149) for selecting said first set of timing advance control signals of said first means (63) when said count is above a predetermined number and for selecting said second set of timing advance control signals of said second means (64) when said count is below said predetermined number.

17. A control system (10) in accordance with claim 15 wherein said control system includes:

means (31) for sensing the temperature of said engine (11); and

wherein said selector means (65) includes means (131-136) for selecting said first set of timing advance control signals of said first means (61) when the temperature of said engine (11) is below a predetermined value and for selecting said second set of timing advance control signals of said second means (64) when said temperature is above said predetermined value.

18. A control system (10) in accordance with claim 15 wherein said engine-speed and fuel control means-position signals are each in binary coded form with a plurality of most significant bits and a plurality of least significant bits and wherein each of said first (61 or 63) and second (64) means of said timing control signal means (61-64) includes:

a read-only memory (61a) having a plurality of columns and rows and a stored timing advance control signal in binary form for each combination of row columns and rows, said timing advance control signals having Z values;

stepping means (106,108) for increasing by a binary one the binary values of the most significant bit of each of said engine-speed and fuel control means-position signals;

means (101) for selecting a first row of said memory (61a) in accordance with the binary value of the most significant bits of said one of said engine-speed and fuel control means-position signals and for selecting a second row of said memory in accordance with the increased value of the most significant bits of said one of said signals;

means (102) for selecting a first column of said memory (61a) in accordance with the binary value of the most significant bits of the other of said engine-speed and fuel control means-position signals and for selecting a second column of said memory in accordance with the increased value of the most significant bits of said other of said signals;

means (104,107,109,110) for storing outside of said memory (61a) the Z₁ value of the control signal for said first row and first column of said memory, the Z₂ value of the control signal for said second row and first column of said memory, the Z₃ value of the control signal for said first row and second column of said memory, and the Z₄ value of the control signal for said second row and column row of said memory;

means (111) for obtaining an interpolated binary value Z_a equal to Z₁ plus the difference between Z₂ and Z₁ which is proportional to the binary value of the least significant bits of said one of said engine-speed and fuel control means-position signals;

means (112) for obtaining an interpolated binary value Z_b equal to Z₃ plus the difference between Z₄ and Z₃ which is proportional to the binary value of the least significant bits of said one of said engine-speed and fuel control means-position signals; and

means (113) for obtaining a final interpolated timing advance control signal having a binary value Z_o equal to Z_a plus the difference between Z_b and Z_a which is proportional to the binary value of the least significant bits of the other of said engine speed and fuel control means-position signals.

19. A control system (10) in accordance with claim 2 wherein said first timing advance control signal means (61,63,) includes third means (61) for generating a third set of timing advance control signals corresponding to a desired engine timing advance for a third mode of engine operation and for a particular combination of actual engine speed and fuel control means position;

means (31) for sensing the temperature of said engine (11); and

,

selector means (65) for selecting said third set of timing advance control signals to be used in controlling said timing means (13) where the temperature of said engine (11) is below a predetermined value, for selecting said first set of said second set of timing advance control signals to be used in controlling said timing means (13) in accordance with whether said engine (11) is in its first or second mode of operation and the temperature of said engine (11) is above said predetermined value.

20. A control system (10) in accordance with claim 19 wherein said first mode (63) of engine operation is steady state urban operation and said second mode (64) of engine operation is steady state highway operation and wherein said control system includes:

means (143) for generating an engine-speed-change signal in response to a change in engine speed;

means (36) for generating a throttle-position signal in response to a depression or release of said throttle (22); and

wherein said selector means (65) includes means (142,144,145) for obtaining a count of the number of times in a predetermined length of time that an engine-speed-change signal and a throttle-position signal are concurrently generated, and means (146-149) for selecting said first set of timing advance control signals of said first means (63) when said count is above a predetermined number and for selecting said second set of timing advance control signals of said second means (64) when said count is below said predetermined number.

21. A control system (10) in accordance with claim 2 wherein said second timing advance control signal means (62,64) includes:

means (36) for generating a throttle-position signal in response to either depression or release of said throttle (22); and

,

selector means (65) for selecting said first set of timing advance control signals to be used in controlling said timing means (13) when said throttle-position signal is not being generated and for selecting said second set of timing advance control signals to be used in controlling said timing means (13) when said throttle position signal is being generated.

22. A control system (10) in accordance with claim 2

wherein said first and second timing advance control signal means (61-64) have the further function of generating a third set of timing advance control signals each having a predetermined value corresponding to a desired engine timing advance for a particular engine speed during acceleration and deceleration;

means (36) for generating a throttle-position signal in response to depression or release of said throttle; and

,

selector means (65) for selecting said third set of timing advance control signals for controlling said timing means (13) when said throttle-position signal is present and for selecting one of said first and second sets of timing advance control signals of said first and second means (63,64) for controlling said timing means (13) when said throttle position signal is not present.

23. A control system (10) in accordance with claim 22 wherein said first mode (63) of engine operation is steady state urban operation and said second mode (64) of engine operation is steady state highway operation and wherein said control system includes:

means (143) for generating an engine-speed-change signal in response to be change in engine speed;

means (36) for generating a throttle-position signal in response to a depression or release of said throttle; and

wherein said selector means (65) includes means (142,144,145) for obtaining a count of the number of times in a predetermined length of time that an engine-speed-change signal and a throttle-position signal are concurrently generated, and means (146,149) for selecting said first set of timing advance control signals when said count is above a predetermined number and for selecting said second set of timing advance control signals when said count is below said predetermined number.

3. A control system (10) for an engine-fuel supply system, said engine fuel-supply system including an internal combustion engine (11) having a rotatable crank shaft (211), an operator-controlled throttle (22) a fuel pump (16) for supplying fuel to said engine (11), timing means (13) for driving said fuel pump (16) at a speed proportional to the rotational speed of said crank shaft (211) and at a desired advance angle relative to the rotation of said crank shaft (211) for setting the engine timing advance, said fuel pump (16) having a fuel rack (21) movable by said throttle (22) for regulating the amount of fuel delivered by said fuel pump (16) to said engine (11), said fuel rack (21) being movable in a first direction to increase fuel delivery and in a second direction to decrease fuel delivery, and a movable rack limit means (23) for limiting movement of said fuel rack (21) in said one direction thereof, said control system comprising:

means (18) for generating a timing advance signal having a value proportional to actual engine timing advance;

means (38) for generating an engine speed signal having a value proportional to actual engine speed;

fuel/air signal generating means (71) for generating a plurality of fuel/air signals each having a predetermined value for a predetermined combination of a predetermined combination of timing advance angle and engine speed and for generating one of said fuel/air signals in response to application of a particular value timing advance signal and a particular engine speed signal to said fuel/air signal generating means (71);

means (29,48) for applying said timing advance and engine speed signals to said fuel/air signal generating means;

means (40) for generating a manifold pressure signal having a value proportional to the magnitude of manifold air pressure;

means (76,77) for generating a fuel delivery signal proportional to the value of said fuel/air signal divided by the value of said manifold pressure signal;

rack limit control means (72) for generating a plurality of rack limit position control signals each having a predetermined value for a predetermined combination of fuel delivery and engine speed and for generating one of said rack limit position control signals in response to application of a particular value fuel delivery signal and a particular value engine speed signal to said rack limit control means; and

means (24) for moving said rack limit in response to said rack limit position control signals to the position determined by the values of the generated rack limit position control signal.

24. A control system (10) in accordance with claim 3 wherein said first timing-advance, engine-speed and fuel-delivery signals each constitutes a condition signal and are each in binary coded form with a plurality of most significant bits and a plurality of least significant bits, and wherein said fuel/air signal generating means (71) and said rack limit control means (72) each includes:

a read-only memory (71a or 72a) having a plurality of columns and rows and a stored control signal in binary form for each combination of said columns and rows, said control signals having Z values;

stepping means (106,108) for increasing by a binary one the binary values of the most significant bits of each of first and second of said condition signals;

means (101) for selecting a first row of said memory (71a or 72a) in accordance with the binary value of the most significant bits of said condition signals and for selecting a second row of said memory in accordance with the increased value of the most significant bits of said first condition signal;

means (102) for selecting a first column of said memory (71a or 72a) in accordance with the binary value of the most significant bits of said second condition signal and for selecting a second column of said memory in accordance with the increased value of the most significant bits of said second condition signal;

means (104,107,109,110) for storing outside said memory (71a or 72b) the Z₁ value of the control signal for said first row of first column of said memory, the Z₂ value of the control signal for said second row and first column of said memory, the Z₃ value of the control signal for said first row and second column of said memory, and the Z₄ value of the control signal for said second row and column row of said memory;

means (111) for obtaining an interpolated binary value Z_a equal to Z₁ plus the difference between Z₂ and Z₁ which is proportional to the binary value of the least significant bits of said first condition signal;

means (112) for obtaining an interpolated binary value Z_b equal to Z₃ plus the difference between Z₄ and Z₃ which is proportional to the binary value of the least significant bits of said first condition signal; and

means (113) for obtaining a final interpolated control signal having a binary value Z_o equal to Z_a plus the difference between Z_b and Z_a which is proportional to the binary value of the least significant bits of said second condition signal.

25. A control system (10) in accordance with claim 3 wherein said plurality of rack limit position control signals of said rack limit control means (72) constitutes a first set of rack limit position control signals, and further including:

torque rise limit control means (73) for generating a second set of rack limit position control signals each having a predetermined value corresponding to a desired maximum rack limit position for a particular engine speed during engine lugging and in response to application of a particular value engine speed signal to said torque rise limit control means (73); and

selector means (78) for selecting the least value of concurrent rack limit position control signals of said first and second sets thereof for use by said means (24) for moving said rack limit (23).

26. A control system (10) in accordance with claim 25 and further including:

altitude derating means (74) for generating a third set of rack limit position control signals each having a predetermined value corresponding to a desired maximum rack limit position for a particular value of atmospheric pressure and in response to application of a particular value of atmospheric pressure signal to said altitude derating means;

means (39,48) for generating an atmospheric pressure signal proportional to existing atmospheric pressure and for applying said atmospheric pressure signal to said altitude derating means (74); and

means (79) for reducing the value of a rack limit position control signal of said second set of rack limit position control signals by the value of a rack limit position control signal of said third set of rack limit position control signals.