Governor and control system for internal combustion engines

• US 5,832,896 A
• Filed: 01/09/1997
• Issued: 11/10/1998
• Est. Priority Date: 09/18/1995
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Zenith Fuel Systems, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Zenith Fuel Systems, Inc.
• Inventors: Phipps, Jack R.
• Primary Examiner(s): ARGENBRIGHT, TONY MICHAEL
• Application Number:
  US08/780,932
• Time in Patent Office: 670 Days
• Field of Search: 123/352, 123/361, 123/399, 123/478, 123/571, 123/687
• US Class Current: 123/352
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 31/002 controlling air supply
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 31/007 controlling fuel supply
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 41/005 according to engine operating conditions
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 43/00 Conjoint electrical control of two or more functions, e.g. ignition, fuel-air mixture, recirculation, supercharging or exhaust-gas treatment
• CPC Class Codes: F02M 26/13 Arrangement or layout of EGR passages, e.g. in relation to specific engine parts or for incorporation of accessories
• CPC Class Codes: F02M 26/47 the characteristics being temperatures, pressures or flow rates
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/40 Engine management systems

Abstract

A speed governing system for an internal combustion engine includes an internal combustion engine having an inlet manifold, an exhaust manifold, and at least one variable volume combustion chamber disposed therebetween. The apparatus also includes a fuel and air delivery control system having an air delivery mechanism responsive to a sensor control signal for affecting engine operation, a fuel delivery mechanism responsive to input from an operator for affecting engine operation, and a sensor responsive to engine operating conditions for supplying the sensor control signal. The apparatus also has an exhaust gas recirculation system including an exhaust gas recirculation conduit and an exhaust gas recirculation control valve, the control valve being controllably regulated in response to the sensor control signal in order to adjust air/fuel ratio. A method for governing operating speed of an internal combustion engine is also disclosed.

Claims

1. A speed governing system for an internal combustion engine, comprising:

an internal combustion engine having an inlet manifold, an exhaust manifold, and at least one variable volume combustion chamber disposed therebetween;

a fuel and air delivery control system having an air delivery mechanism responsive to a sensor control signal for affecting engine operation, a fuel delivery mechanism responsive to input from an operator for affecting engine operation, and a sensor responsive to engine operating conditions for supplying the sensor control signal; and

an exhaust gas recirculation system including an exhaust gas recirculation conduit and an exhaust gas recirculation control valve, the control valve being controllably regulated in response to the sensor control signal in order to adjust air/fuel ratio.

2. The speed governing system of claim 1 wherein the operator comprises an engine speed governor.

3. The speed governing system of claim 2 wherein the engine speed governor comprises an engine speed sensor configured to detect engine speed.

4. The speed governing system of claim 2 wherein the engine speed governor outputs a governor electronic control signal in the form of an engine speed feedback loop constructed and arranged to adjust fuel delivery to the engine relative to speed of the engine.

5. The speed governing system of claim 1 wherein the sensor comprises a manifold absolute pressure (MAP) sensor.

6. The speed governing system of claim 5 wherein the manifold absolute pressure (MAP) sensor is configured to detect a measured intake manifold absolute pressure of the internal combustion engine and output a detected manifold absolute pressure signal representative of the detected manifold absolute pressure, the manifold absolute pressure signal being input to an electronic control unit to control exhaust gas recirculation as a function of manifold absolute pressure.

7. The speed governing system of claim 1 wherein the air delivery mechanism comprises an air throttle actuator and a throttle.

8. The speed governing system of claim 1 where the fuel delivery mechanism comprises a fuel injector.

9. The speed governing system of claim 1 wherein the fuel and air delivery control system comprises an electronic control unit.

10. The speed governing system of claim 1 wherein the sensor comprises an engine speed sensor and the sensor control signal comprises an engine speed feedback loop constructed and arranged to adjust fuel delivery to the engine via the air inlet relative to speed of the engine.

11. A speed governing system for an internal combustion engine, comprising:

an electronic control unit for controlling exhaust gas recirculation, fuel delivery and air delivery to an internal combustion engine;

a manifold absolute pressure (MAP) sensor configured to detect a measured intake manifold absolute pressure of the internal combustion engine and output a detected map signal representative of the detected manifold absolute pressure; and

an exhaust gas recirculation control valve configured to receive a control signal from the electronic control unit, the map signal being input to the electronic control unit to control exhaust gas recirculation as a function of manifold absolute pressure;

wherein the electronic control unit comprises a fuel and air delivery control system having an air delivery mechanism responsive to a sensor control signal for affecting engine operation, a fuel delivery mechanism responsive to input from an operator for affecting engine operation, and a sensor responsive to engine operating conditions for supplying the sensor control signal.

12. The speed governing system of claim 11 wherein the operator comprises an engine speed governor.

13. The speed governing system of claim 12 wherein the engine speed governor comprises an engine speed sensor configured to detect engine speed.

14. The speed governing system of claim 12 wherein the engine speed governor outputs a governor electronic control signal in the form of an engine speed feedback loop constructed and arranged to adjust fuel delivery to the engine relative to speed of the engine.

15. A method for governing operating speed of an internal combustion engine, comprising:

providing an internal combustion engine having an air and fuel inlet, an exhaust outlet, exhaust gas recirculation including an exhaust gas recirculation control valve for regulating exhaust gas recirculation from the exhaust outlet to the air inlet, and at least one variable volume combustion chamber disposed between the air inlet and the exhaust outlet;

providing a fuel and air delivery control system having an air delivery mechanism cooperating with the air and fuel inlet and responsive to control signals for affecting engine operation, a fuel delivery mechanism cooperating with the air and fuel inlet and responsive to input from an operator for affecting engine operation, and a sensor responsive to engine operating conditions for supplying sensor control signals;

detecting manifold absolute pressure; and

controllably recirculating exhaust gases as a function of manifold absolute pressure to adjust air/fuel delivery to the engine so as to account for the recirculated exhaust gases.

16. The method of claim 15 wherein the sensor comprises a manifold absolute pressure sensor.

17. The method of claim 15 wherein the fuel and air delivery control system comprises an electronic control unit.