Internal combustion engine fuel control system

• US 4,398,515 A
• Filed: 06/18/1981
• Issued: 08/16/1983
• Est. Priority Date: 06/18/1981
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Texaco Incorporated (Chevron Corp.)
• Original Assignee: Texaco Incorporated (Chevron Corp.)
• Inventors: Mitchell, Edward, Canup, Robert E., Alperstein, deceased, Martin
• Primary Examiner(s): Nelli, Raymond A.
• Application Number:
  US06/274,855
• Time in Patent Office: 789 Days
• Field of Search: 123/450, 123/458, 123/510, 123/446, 123/486, 123/416, 123/478, 123/480, 123/357, 123/358, 123/367
• US Class Current: 123/357
• CPC Class Codes: F02B 2275/14 Direct injection into combustion chamber
• 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 41/26 using computer, e.g. microprocessor
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 41/408 of the distributing type
• CPC Class Codes: F02M 41/1411 characterised by means for varying fuel delivery or injection timing
• CPC Class Codes: F02M 59/447 means specially adapted to limit fuel delivery or to supply excess of fuel temporarily, e.g. for starting of the engine combined with fuel pump regulating devices F02D
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/12 Improving ICE efficiencies
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/40 Engine management systems

Abstract

A fuel control system which is applicable to an internal combustion engine that employs a diesel type fuel injection pump. That type of injection pump incorporates a metering valve to regulate the amount of fuel that is delivered to a pair of pumping plungers. The system includes a microprocessor, and there are means for controlling the metering valve by an output from the microprocessor so that the fuel delivered may be kept at an optimum at all times throughout the operating range of the engine.

Claims

1. Fuel control system for an internal combustion engine employing a diesel type fuel injection pump including a pair of pumping plungers actuated simultaneously with radial movement toward one another and having a metering valve, comprising

a microprocessor having a read only memory and means for entering a first series of data representing a curve of engine throttle positions for predetermined speeds covering an operating range and a second series of data representing a curve of throttle positions for speeds covering an idling range, incrementally positionable stop means for limiting the opening of said metering valve from zero to maximum,

means for connecting said stop means to an output of said microprocessor,

speed signal means comprising a pulse generator actuated by said engine,

means for connecting said pulse generator to an input of said microprocessor,

a random access memory with said microprocessor for temporarily storing data relating to operating parameters of said system,

throttle means,

means for setting a fast idle state of said throttle means,

means for connecting said fast idle state means to an output of said microprocessor,

first switch means for determining activation of said throttle,

means for connecting said first switch means to an input of said microprocessor,

second switch means for sensing zero position of said metering valve, and

means for connecting said second switch means to an input of said microprocessor.

2. Fuel control system according to claim 1, wherein

said fuel injection pump also has a fuel pressure dump valve, and

said system also comprises means for connecting said dump valve to an output of said microprocessor.

3. In an internal combustion engine employing a diesel type fuel injection pump, said pump comprising

a drive shaft coupled to said engine,

a pair of pumping plungers coupled to said drive shaft,

a metering valve for controlling the amount of fuel being delivered to said pumping plungers, and

throttle means for controlling said metering valve,

the improvement comprising:

incrementally positionable stop means for limiting said metering valve over an operating range,

a microprocessor having a read only memory and a random access memory and means for storing tables of data for both the operating and idle speed ranges of said engine,

pulse generating means coupled to said engine for providing speed signals therefrom,

means for connecting said speed signals to an input of said microprocessor,

first switch means for providing a signal when said throttle means is activated,

means for connecting said first switch means to an input of said microprocessor,

solenoid means for setting a fast idle position into said throttle means,

means for connecting said solenoid means to an output of said microprocessor,

second switch means for providing a signal when said metering valve is at zero setting,

means for connecting said second switch means to an input of said microprocessor, and

means for connecting said incremental stop means to an output of said microprocessor for controlling the quantity of fuel injection over the entire range of operation of said engine.