Fuel delivery system for an internal combustion engine

• US 6,874,467 B2
• Filed: 08/07/2002
• Issued: 04/05/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 08/07/2002
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
• Original Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
• Inventors: Miyajima, Ayumu, Oho, Shigeru, Hunt, Frank Warren
• Primary Examiner(s): HUYNH, HAI H
• Application Number:
  US10/213,794
• Publication Number:
  US 20040025837A1
• Time in Patent Office: 972 Days
• Field of Search: 123/339.23, 123/491, 123/442, 123/568.21, 123/399, 123/336, 123/339.27
• US Class Current: 123/339.27
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 11/105 characterised by the function converting demand to actuation, e.g. a map indicating relations between an accelerator pedal position and throttle valve opening or target engine torque
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 2011/102 at least one throttle being moved only by an electric actuator
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 2200/0404 Throttle position
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 2200/602 Pedal position
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 31/005 by controlling a throttle by-pass
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 41/064 at cold start F02D41/067 takes precedence

Abstract

A fuel delivery system having an electronically controlled throttle valve operatively disposed in an intake manifold. An idle speed control valve is operatively disposed within a bypass gas flow passageway. A control system controls the actuation of both the throttle valve and idle speed control valve to control the delivery of a combustible charge to the internal combustion engine to maximize engine efficiency and minimize noxious emissions.

Claims

1. A fuel delivery system for an internal combustion engine of the type having an intake manifold selectively fluidly connected to a combustion chamber and a bypass gas flow passageway having an inlet open to the intake manifold and an outlet open to the intake manifold downstream for the inlet, said system comprising:

an electronically controlled throttle valve operatively disposed in the intake manifold, said electronically controlled throttle valve being movable between an open and a closed position in response to electronic signals to control air flow through the intake manifold,

an idle speed control valve operatively disposed in the bypass gas flow passageway, said idle speed control valve being movable between an open and a closed position to control air flow through the bypass gas flow passageway,

a fuel injector operatively positioned in the bypass gas flow passageway which, upon actuation in response to electronic signals, injects fuel into the bypass gas flow passageway, and

a control system which generates electronic signals which controls the actuation of both said electronically controlled throttle valve and said idle speed control valve between their respective open and closed positions and also simultaneously controls actuation of said fuel injector in said bypass gas flow passageway.

2. The invention as defined in claim 1 and comprising a heater in the bypass gas flow passageway.

3. The invention as defined in claim 1 wherein said idle speed control valve comprises a substantially linear flow control valve.

4. The invention as defined in claim 1 wherein said idle speed control valve comprises an on/off flow control valve.

5. The invention as defined in claim 1 and comprising an exhaust gas recirculation passageway fluidly connected to the bypass gas flow passageway upstream from said idle speed control valve.

6. The invention as defined in claim 5 and comprising an exhaust gas valve operatively disposed in series with the exhaust gas recirculation passageway, said control system being connected to and controlling actuation of said exhaust gas valve.

7. The invention as defined in claim 1 and comprising an exhaust gas recirculation passageway fluidly connected to the bypass gas flow passageway downstream from said idle speed control valve.

8. The invention as defined in claim 7 and comprising an exhaust gas valve operatively disposed in series with the exhaust gas recirculation passageway, said control system being connected to and controlling actuation of said exhaust gas valve.

9. The invention as defined in claim 1 wherein said throttle valve is positioned immediately downstream from the inlet to the bypass gas flow passageway.

10. The invention as defined in claim 1 wherein the bypass passageway is formed through a housing and a portion of the intake manifold is formed through the housing, wherein the housing is a one piece construction.

11. For use in conjunction with an internal combustion engine having an electronically controlled throttle valve, a bypass gas flow passageway extending from a point upstream from the electronically controlled throttle valve to a point downstream from the electronically controlled throttle valve, an idle speed controlled valve operatively connected in series with the bypass gas flow passageway, a cold start fuel injector operatively disposed to inject fuel into the bypass gas flow passageway upon actuation and an electronic control unit to control the actuation of the electronically controlled throttle valve, the idle speed control valve and the cold start fuel injector, a method of fuel delivery during a cold engine condition comprising the steps of:

detecting a cold engine condition,

opening the idle speed control valve,

electronically actuating the cold start fuel injector,

detecting engine operating parameters, and

actuating the electronically controlled throttle valve and idle speed control valve to reduce engine emissions.

12. For use in conjunction with an internal combustion engine having an electronically controlled throttle valve, a bypass gas flow passageway extending from a point upstream from the electronically controlled throttle valve to a point downstream from the electronically controlled throttle valve, an idle speed controlled valve operatively connected in series with the bypass gas flow passageway, a cold start fuel injector operatively disposed to inject fuel into the bypass gas flow passageway upon actuation and an electronic control unit to control the actuation of the electronically controlled throttle valve, the idle speed control valve and the cold start fuel injector, a method of fuel delivery during a cold engine condition comprising the steps of:

detecting a cold engine condition,

opening the idle speed control valve,

electronically actuating the cold start fuel injector,

detecting engine operating parameters, and

simultaneously actuating the electronically controlled throttle valve and idle speed control valve to reduce engine emissions.