Method and apparatus for providing interface to original equipment engine control computer

• US 7,003,393 B2
• Filed: 12/27/2004
• Issued: 02/21/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 04/07/2003
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Jeffrey Donald Stevens
• Original Assignee: Jeffrey Donald Stevens
• Inventors: Stevens, Jeffrey Donald
• Primary Examiner(s): KWON, JOHN
• Application Number:
  US11/023,264
• Publication Number:
  US 20050119819A1
• Time in Patent Office: 421 Days
• Field of Search: 701/103, 701/104, 701/105, 123/478, 123/480, 123/492, 123/493
• US Class Current: 701/103
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 2041/2013 by using a boost voltage source
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 2041/2051 using voltage control
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 2200/503 Battery correction, i.e. corrections as a function of the state of the battery, its output or its type
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 2400/11 After-sales modification devices designed to be used to modify an engine afterwards
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 41/20 Output circuits, e.g. for controlling currents in command coils
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 41/28 Interface circuits

Abstract

Method and apparatus for retrofitting a low impedance fuel injection system to a high impedance fuel injection system internal combustion engine is disclosed. The original high impedance electronic control system may be retained, while system modification circuitry is added along the fuel injector control path. In one aspect, an original fuel injector control signal is intercepted along the fuel injector control wire. The intercepted signal is then modified from a simple on-off signal to a signal which varies the fuel injector current as a function of time, such that the on-state from the original high impedance system is converted to a current controlled signal. Moreover, using a plurality of parameters, the fuel injector pulsewidth may be modified, as well as the peak and hold current levels provided to the fuel injectors.

Claims

1. An interface apparatus for use in a fuel injector engine system, comprising:

an input terminal configured to receive a fuel injector control signal; and

a controller operatively coupled to the input terminal to receive said fuel injector control signal, the controller further configured to generate a current controlled fuel injector control signal based on the fuel injector control signal and one or more of an engine operating parameters.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 further including a sensor unit operatively coupled to the controller, the sensor unit configured to monitor one or more of the engine operating parameters, and in accordance therewith, generate a sensor output signal.

3. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein the controller is configured to generate the current controlled fuel injector control signal based on the fuel injector control signal and the sensor output signal.

4. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein the controller is configured to automatically vary the fuel injector pulsewidth based on the sensor output signal.

5. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the controller is further configured to vary a fuel injector pulsewidth based on the one or more of the engine operating parameters.

6. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the one or more of the engine operating parameters includes engine exhaust gas temperature, engine exhaust gas oxygen content, engine intake manifold pressure, engine throttle position, engine intake air temperature, engine coolant temperature, engine knock detection, and engine intake air flow.

7. The apparatus of claim 1 further including an output terminal operatively coupled to the controller for outputting said current controlled fuel injector control signal.

8. An interface apparatus for use in a fuel injector engine system, comprising:

an input terminal configured to receive a fuel injector control signal;

a sensor unit configured to monitor one or more of the engine operating parameters, and in accordance therewith, generate a sensor output signal; and

a controller operatively coupled to the input terminal and to the sensor unit, the controller configured to receive said fuel injector control signal and the sensor output signal, and in accordance therewith, generate a current controlled fuel injector control signal.

9. The apparatus of claim 8 further including an output terminal operatively coupled to the controller for outputting said current controlled fuel injector control signal.

10. The apparatus of claim 8 wherein the controller is configured to automatically vary the fuel injector pulsewidth based on the sensor output signal.

11. The apparatus of claim 8 wherein the controller is further configured to vary a fuel injector pulsewidth based on the one or more of the engine operating parameters.

12. The apparatus of claim 8 wherein the one or more of the engine operating parameters includes engine exhaust gas temperature, engine exhaust gas oxygen content, engine intake manifold pressure, engine throttle position, engine intake air temperature, engine coolant temperature, engine knock detection, and engine intake air flow.

13. A method of providing an interface in a fuel injector engine system, comprising the steps of:

receiving a fuel injector control signal;

receiving one or more of an engine operating parameters; and

generating a current controlled fuel injector control signal based on the fuel injector control signal and the one or more of an engine operating parameters.

14. The method of claim 13 further including the steps of:

monitoring the one or more of the engine operating parameters; and

generating a sensor output signal based on the one or more of the engine operating parameters.

15. The method of claim 14 wherein the step of generating the current controlled fuel injector control signal includes generating the current controlled fuel injector control signal based on the fuel injector control signal and the sensor output signal.

16. The method of claim 14 wherein sensor output signal generating step includes the step of automatically varying a fuel injector pulsewidth based on the sensor output signal.

17. The method of claim 13 wherein the current controlled fuel injector control signal generating step includes the step of varying a fuel injector pulsewidth based on the one or more of the engine operating parameters.

18. The method of claim 13 wherein the one or more of the engine operating parameters includes engine exhaust gas temperature, engine exhaust gas oxygen content, engine intake manifold pressure, engine throttle position, engine intake air temperature, engine coolant temperature, engine knock detection, and engine intake air flow.

19. The method of claim 13 further including the step of outputting said current controlled fuel injector control signal.