Engine timing control with intake air pressure sensor
First Claim
1. An engine control apparatus for determining engine position from intake air pressure fluctuations, comprising;
- (a) an engine having at least one cylinder, a piston in said cylinder, a crankshaft connected to said piston, said piston being adapted to reciprocate between top dead center position and bottom dead center position defining a combustion chamber, an intake valve controlling the induction of an air mass into said combustion chamber with predetermined timing related to said crankshaft'"'"'s angular position, said engine air induction system having its chamber contiguous with said valve and said engine combustion chamber, a pressure sensing element in communication with said air induction chamber;
(b) a pressure sensor means for developing periodic sensor voltage timing pulses, the cycle time between timing pulses being an indication of engine crankshaft speed, and the pulse timing being an indication of a particular crankshaft degree of angular position;
(c) a means for measuring in real-time, cycle time and crankshaft position.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An engine control apparatus is disclosed for determining crankshaft position and engine phase of an internal combustion engine (10) through monitoring intake air pressure fluctuations (120). The opening of the intake valve (44) is mechanically linked to the crankshaft position of an engine. When the intake valve (44) opens it creates air pressure fluctuations in the air induction system (14) of the engine (10). The control apparatus is configured to determine intake air pressure fluctuations indicative of an intake air event (100 to 110) and thus a particular crankshaft position, and their corresponding period of the engine cycle. The controller then uses this information to determine crankshaft speed and position for the purpose of fuel injection and ignition timing of the internal combustion engine. Engine phase is also determined on four-stroke engines. The engine may also include a crankshaft position sensor in combination with monitoring intake air pressure fluctuations to increase resolution in determination of crankshaft position.
46 Citations
3 Claims
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1. An engine control apparatus for determining engine position from intake air pressure fluctuations, comprising;
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(a) an engine having at least one cylinder, a piston in said cylinder, a crankshaft connected to said piston, said piston being adapted to reciprocate between top dead center position and bottom dead center position defining a combustion chamber, an intake valve controlling the induction of an air mass into said combustion chamber with predetermined timing related to said crankshaft'"'"'s angular position, said engine air induction system having its chamber contiguous with said valve and said engine combustion chamber, a pressure sensing element in communication with said air induction chamber;
(b) a pressure sensor means for developing periodic sensor voltage timing pulses, the cycle time between timing pulses being an indication of engine crankshaft speed, and the pulse timing being an indication of a particular crankshaft degree of angular position;
(c) a means for measuring in real-time, cycle time and crankshaft position. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3)
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Specification