Apparatus for an engine control system

• US 6,073,592 A
• Filed: 03/06/1998
• Issued: 06/13/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 03/06/1998
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Caterpillar Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Caterpillar Incorporated
• Inventors: Evans, Raymond G., Weck, Shawn J., Brown, Scott C., Maddock, James B.
• Primary Examiner(s): Wolfe, Willis R.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Benton, Jason
• Application Number:
  US09/036,366
• Time in Patent Office: 830 Days
• Field of Search: 123/27 GE, 123/352, 123/525, 123/575, 123/1 A
• US Class Current: 123/27.0GE
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 19/061 by controlling fuel injectors
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 19/105 operating in a special mode, e.g. in a liquid fuel only mode for starting
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 25/02 to synchronise speed
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 31/007 controlling fuel supply
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 33/00 Controlling delivery of fuel or combustion-air, not otherwise provided for using exhaust gas sensors F02D35/0023, F02D35/0046
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 41/0025 Controlling engines characterised by use of non-liquid fuels, pluralities of fuels, or non-fuel substances added to the combustible mixtures
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 41/266 the computer being backed-up or assisted by another circuit, e.g. analogue
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/30 Use of alternative fuels, e.g. biofuels

Abstract

In one embodiment of the present invention an apparatus for controlling one or more engines by synchronizing the functions of two or more electronic control modules includes a master electronic control module, one or more slave electronic control modules, and one or more data links for transferring data between the electronic control modules. Engine control and monitoring functions are divided between the master electronic control module and the slave electronic control modules. The present invention may be used to control and monitor dual fuel engines and engines that operate on one type of fuel. The master electronic control module may transition operation of the engine to the diesel fuel only mode in the event of a failure of any dual fuel mode specific components. The master ECM coordinates timing and speed of fuel injection to engine cylinders using input from an adjustable engine speed command device and a speed sensor connected to each engine. The loads driven by the engines may be allocated evenly or unevenly.

Claims

1. An apparatus for controlling a plurality of engines, each engine having a corresponding engine speed sensor operable to transmit a sensor speed signal indicative of the engine'"'"'s speed, the apparatus comprising:

a plurality of slave electronic control modules, each slave electronic control module being in communication with a corresponding engine speed sensor and;

a master electronic control module being in communication with the plurality of slave electronic control modules, the master electronic control module being operable to receive an engine speed command and at least one sensor speed signal, to compute an error signal based on the engine speed command, and transmit the error signal to the slave electronic control modules.

2. The apparatus, as set forth in claim 1, wherein the error signal based on the engine speed command is a fuel flow command signal.

3. The apparatus, as set forth in claim 1, further comprising an adjustable speed command device operable to transmit an engine speed command signal proportional to the desired speed of the engines.

4. The apparatus, as set forth in claim 1, wherein the slave electronic control modules are operable to transmit signals proportional to the corresponding engine speed and fuel flow rate to the master electronic control module.

5. The apparatus, as set forth in claim 2, wherein each engine includes a plurality of cylinders and a plurality of fuel injectors, each fuel injected being connected to supply fuel to a corresponding cylinder,

the slave electronic control modules being further operable to compute and transmit a control signal to each fuel injector for a duration of time proportional to the fuel flow command signal.