Method and system of throttle control calibration

• US 7,036,485 B1
• Filed: 02/06/2004
• Issued: 05/02/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 02/06/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: BRP US Incorporated (Bombardier Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: BRP US Incorporated (Bombardier Incorporated)
• Inventors: Koerner, Scott A.
• Primary Examiner(s): KWON, JOHN
• Application Number:
  US10/708,083
• Time in Patent Office: 816 Days
• Field of Search: 123/396, 123/399
• US Class Current: 123/396
• CPC Class Codes: F02B 61/045 for outboard marine engines
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 11/106 Detection of demand or actuation
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 2009/0284 Throttle control device with means for signalling a certain throttle opening, e.g. by a steplike increase of throttle closing spring force
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 2250/16 End position calibration, i.e. calculation or measurement of actuator end positions, e.g. for throttle or its driving actuator
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 9/02 concerning induction conduits throttle valves, or arrangements thereof in conduits F02D9/08
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 9/105 having a throttle position sensor detection of actuation F02D11/106

Abstract

A method and system of throttle calibration control is presented that includes a TPS designed to provide an output indicative of throttle plate position when the throttle plate is opened and provide an output of throttle actuator position when the throttle plate is closed. The TPS output is received by an ECU to control subsequent engine operation. When an input is received from the TPS indicating that the throttle actuator is within a pre-set idle throttle position range and below an idle position benchmark, the ECU automatically reestablishes present and subsequent engine operation.

Claims

1. A throttle calibration control configured to:

determine if throttle actuator position is within an idle position range;

if so, maintain the throttle actuator position as an idle position benchmark for subsequent engine operation until a subsequent throttle actuator positioning more idle than the idle position benchmark; and

establish a WOT position benchmark for subsequent engine operation based on a fixed angular position from the idle position benchmark.

2. The control of claim 1 further configured to re-set engine control with each detected throttle actuator positioning more idle than the idle position benchmark.

3. The control of claim 1 wherein the idle position range is defined by a set of throttle position actuator values within a deadband range of a throttle linkage connecting the throttle actuator to a throttle plate.

4. The control of claim 3 wherein the fixed angular position is 94 degrees.

5. The control of claim 4 further configured to determine actual throttle plate position during open throttle engine operation from feedback provided by a TPS connected to a throttle shaft designed to rotate the throttle plate between an open and closed position.

6. The control of claim 1 further configured to:

determine throttle actuator position at engine startup; and

if the throttle actuator position is outside the idle position range, maintain engine idling independent of subsequent throttle actuator position until throttle position is detected in the idle position range.

7. The control of claim 6 further comprised to require engine shutdown prior to allowance of a more open throttle position.

8. The control of claim 1 further configured to re-set engine control with each detected throttle actuator position below the idle position benchmark independent of a previous detection of throttle actuator position within the idle position range.

9. The control of claim 1 further configured to re-establish the WOT position with each actuator positioning below the idle position benchmark.

10. The control of claim 1 further configured to measure a voltage drop induced by movement of a throttle actuator and measured by a TPS, and determine throttle actuator position based on a comparison of the voltage drop relative to a voltage at WOT.

11. The control of claim 1 further configured to adjust at least one of fuel flow, ignition timing, and oil injection for subsequent engine operation based on at least the idle position benchmark.

12. A method of throttle control calibration comprising the steps of:

determining if throttle actuator position is within an idle position range;

if so, maintaining the throttle actuator position as an idle position benchmark for subsequent engine operation until a subsequent throttle actuator positioning is in the idle position range and more toward idle than a previous idle position benchmark; and

establishing a WOT position benchmark for subsequent engine operation based on a fixed angular position from the idle position benchmark.

13. The method of claim 12 further comprising the step of re-setting engine control with each detected throttle actuator positioning more idle than a previous idle position benchmark.

14. The method of claim 12, wherein the idle position range is defined by an actual set of throttle position actuator values within a deadband range of a throttle linkage connecting the throttle actuator to a throttle plate.

15. The method of claim 14 wherein the fixed angular position is 94 degrees.

16. The method of claim 15 further comprising the step of determining actual throttle plate position during open throttle engine operation from feedback provided by a TPS connected to a throttle shaft designed to rotate the throttle plate between an open and closed position.

17. The method of claim 12 further comprising the steps of:

determining throttle actuator position at engine startup; and

if the throttle actuator position is outside the idle position range, maintaining engine idling independent of subsequent throttle actuator position until throttle position is detected in the idle position range.

18. The method of claim 17 further comprising the step of requiring engine shutdown prior to allowance of a more open throttle position.

19. The method of claim 12 further comprising the step of re-setting engine control with each detected throttle actuator position within the idle position range independent of a previous detection of throttle actuator position within the idle position range.

20. The method of claim 12 further comprising the step of re-establishing the WOT position with each actuator positioning in the idle position range.

21. The method of claim 12 further comprising the step of measuring a voltage drop induced by movement of a throttle actuator and measured by a TPS, and determining throttle actuator position based on a comparison of the voltage drop relative to a voltage at WOT.

22. The method of claim 12 further comprising the step of adjusting at least one of fuel flow, ignition timing, and oil injection for subsequent engine operation based on at least the idle position benchmark.

23. A method of throttle control calibration comprising the steps of:

determining if a throttle actuator position is within an idle position range;

if the throttle actuator position is within an idle position range then comparing the throttle actuator position to an idle position benchmark;

if the throttle actuator position is lower than the idle position benchmark, then establishing the throttle actuator position as the idle position benchmark; and

establishing a WOT position benchmark for subsequent engine operation based on a fixed angular position from the idle position benchmark.

24. The method of claim 23 further comprising the step of re-setting engine control with each time the throttle actuator position is lower than the idle position benchmark.

25. The method of claim 23 wherein the idle position range is defined by an actual set of throttle position actuator values within a deadband range of a throttle linkage connecting the throttle actuator to a throttle plate.

26. The method of claim 23 further comprising the step of adjusting at least one of fuel flow, ignition timing, and oil injection for subsequent engine operation based on at least the idle position benchmark.