Engine management system

• US 6,512,974 B2
• Filed: 02/20/2001
• Issued: 01/28/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 02/18/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Optimum Power Technology LP
• Original Assignee: Optimum Power Technology LP
• Inventors: Houston, Roy D., Chatfield, Glen F.
• Primary Examiner(s): Wolfe, Willis R.
• Application Number:
  US09/792,010
• Publication Number:
  US 20020010541A1
• Time in Patent Office: 707 Days
• Field of Search: 701/1, 701/29, 701/35, 701/101, 701/102, 701/103, 701/104, 701/105, 701/106, 701/114, 701/115, 123/478, 123/480, 123/486, 123/494, 123/406.47, 123/406.64, 123/406.65, 307/10.1, 307/10.6, 434/305, 340/901, 340/902
• US Class Current: 701/115
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 2400/11 After-sales modification devices designed to be used to modify an engine afterwards
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 2400/18 Packaging of the electronic circuit in a casing
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 37/02 one of the functions being ignition
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 41/2422 Selective use of one or more tables
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 41/263 the program execution being modifiable by physical parameters
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 41/3005 Details not otherwise provided for

Abstract

An engine management system for an internal combustion engine. The engine management system comprises an engine control system calculating an engine operating control value, a palm-size computer transportable relative to the engine control system, and an external computer communicating with the palm-size computer. The engine operating control value is adapted to be supplied to the internal combustion engine to vary engine performance. The palm-size computer has height, width, and thickness dimensions that are no larger than approximately 6 inches by approximately 4 inches by approximately 1 inch. The palm-size computer runs a set of engine management tools that communicate engine management data to the engine control system. The external computer downloads to the palm-size computer engine management tools and engine management files, and uploads from the palm-size computer engine management files.

Claims

1. A method of tuning an engine, comprising:

storing a map on an external computer;

coupling the external computer to a palm-size computer;

downloading the map from the external computer to the palm-size computer;

mounting the palm-size computer on a motorcycle;

coupling the palm-size computer to an engine control unit; and

downloading the map from the palm-size computer to the engine control unit;

wherein the engine control unit determines an engine operating value utilizing the map.

4. The engine management system according to claim 1, wherein the palm-size computer comprises a touch-screen and a battery.

5. The engine management system according to claim 1, wherein the palm-size computer comprises a file sub-system.

6. The engine management system according to claim 1, wherein the palm-size computer comprises a touch-screen, a battery, and a file sub-system.

7. The engine management system according to claim 1, wherein the external computer communicating with the palm-size computer via at least one of a wire, a docking station, and electromagnetic waves.

8. The engine management system according to claim 1, wherein the palm-size computer comprises a communication sub-system communicating with the external computer via one of a local area network and a world-wide web.

9. The engine management system according to claim 8, wherein the communication sub-system includes an internet browser.

10. The engine management system according to claim 1, wherein the engine management files comprise a base engine control map, the base engine control map correlating values of an engine performance characteristic with values of a base engine control.

11. The engine management system according to claim 10, wherein the engine management data comprises a trim control map separate from the base engine control map, the trim control map correlating the values of the engine performance characteristic with values of a trim control.

12. The engine management system according to claim 10, wherein the set of engine management tools comprises a calibration tool that can define all base engine control values in a base engine control map, adjust base engine control values in a base engine control map, communicate a base engine control value to the engine control system, and communicate a base engine control map to the engine control system.

2. An engine management system, comprising:

an engine control system determining an engine operating control value, the engine operating control value being supplied to an engine to control an aspect of engine operation;

a palm-size computer communicating engine management data to the engine control system; and

an external computer communicating engine management data to the palm-size computer, wherein the palm-size computer may be coupled to the engine control system and coupled to the external computer independently.

3. An engine management system for an internal combustion engine, the engine management system comprising:

an engine control system calculating an engine operating control value, the engine operating control value being adapted to be supplied to the internal combustion engine to vary engine performance;

a palm-size computer transportable relative to the engine control system, the palm-size computer having height, width, and thickness dimensions no larger than approximately 6 inches by approximately 4 inches by approximately 1 inch, and the palm-size computer running a set of engine management tools for communicating engine management data to the engine control system; and

an external computer communicating with the palm-size computer, the external computer downloading to the palm-size computer engine management tools and engine management files and uploading from the palm-size computer engine management files.

13. An engine management system, comprising:

an internal combustion engine;

an actuator mounted adjacent said engine to control an aspect of engine operation;

an engine control system having a memory and an output, wherein said memory has stored therein instructions for determining an engine operating control value and having an output on which a signal commensurate with said control value is incident, said output being coupled to said actuator;

a palm-size computer communicating engine management data used in determining the engine operating control value to the engine control system;

a first coupler coupling said palm-size computer to said engine control system;

an external computer communicating said engine management data to said palm-size computer, wherein said palm-size computer may be coupled to said engine control system and coupled to said external computer independently; and

a second coupler coupling said palm-size computer to said external computer.

14. The engine management system of claim 13, wherein said actuator controls ignition timing.

15. The engine management system of claim 13, wherein said actuator controls fuel delivery.

16. The engine management system of claim 13, wherein said engine management data is a map.

17. The engine management system of claim 13, wherein said first coupler is a cable.

18. The engine management system of claim 13, wherein said first coupler is a wireless communication device.

19. The engine management system of claim 13, wherein said second coupler is a cable.

20. The engine management system of claim 13, wherein said second coupler is a wireless communication device.