Fluidic adaptive spark advance system

Abstract

Abstract SPARK TIMING IN A SPARK IGNITION ENGINE IS CONTROLLED TO PROVIDE MAXIMUM ENGINE TORQUE BY UTILIZING A FLUIDIC LOGIC CIRCUIT IN COMBINATION WITH AN ACTUATOR FOR SELECTIVELY ADVANCING AND RETARDING SPARK TIMING IN RESPONSE TO FLUID SIGNALS AND A SENSOR FOR DETECTING INCREASING AND DECREASING ENGINE TORQUE. AT ANY GIVEN ENGINE SPEED THE LOGIC CIRCUIT SEEKS THE ACTUATOR DIRECTION WHICH PRODUCES INCREASING TORQUE BY PROVIDING SIGNALS WHICH MOVE THE ACTUATOR ALTERNATELY TO ADVANCE AND RETARD THE SPARK TIMING AND BY SENSING THE RESULTING INCREASE OR DECREASE IN ENGINE TORQUE. AN INCREASE IN ENGINE TORQUE CAUSES THE CIRCUIT TO CONTINUE TO MOVE THE SPARKTIMING ACTUATOR IN THE SAME DIRECTION, A DECREASE IN ENGINE TORQUE RESULTS IN A REVERSAL OF THE ACTUATOR DIRECTION. THE SPARK TIMING IS THEREFORE ADJUSTED UNTIL THE MAXIMUM TORQUE IS REALIZED AND THE CONTROL SYSTEM THEN ENTERS A LOW-AMPLITUDE MODE OF OSCILLATION ABOUT THE MAXIMUM-TORQUEPRODUCING ACTUATOR POSITION UNTIL A TORQUE VARIATION IS ONCE AGAIN SENSED.

Inventors

• 👤 Romald E Bowles

Bibliographic Details