Internal combustion engine controls for reduced exhaust contaminants

Claim 1

An engine control system for an internal combustion engine having a source of electrical energy, an ignition switch, and having in its exhaust system catalytic conversion equipment, said system comprising means operable automatically upon closing the ignition switch to start the engine to enrich the fuel/air mixture by a predetermined amount above the normal value for continued operation and means responsive only to temperature of the catalytic conversion system to restore the fuel/air mixture to such normal value upon attainment of a predetermined minimum temperature of the conversion system, said means comprising a needle valve controlling flow of fuel to the engine, a solenoid operatively connected to the needle valve, a thermally responsive switch at said conversion equipment closed when said conversion equipment is below efficient operating temperature, said solenoid and said thermally responsive switch being connected in series with the engine ignition switch and source of electrical energy, said needle valve being threadedly adjustable, and the operative connection between the solenoid and needle valve comprising a rack connected to the solenoid, a pinion in mesh with the rack, and adjustable means connecting said pinion to said needle valve.

Claim 23

A system applicable to the engine of an automobile having a carburetor provided with a fuel control valve for controlling the richness of the fuel supply mixture to the engine through the carburetor, the engine having an engine operated timing cam and a distributor provided with a housing in which said cam is located, said housing having therein a circuit breaker arm actuated by the cam, said system being adapted to reduce the time required for a catalytic converter contained in the exhaust system of the automobile engine to reach efficient operating temperature and comprising a normally closed switch responsive directly to the temperature of the catalytic converter and adapted to open when the converter reaches efficient temperature, a first solenoid in series with said switch, means connecting said first solenoid to the fuel control valve and operable upon energization of the solenoid to effect a predetermined adjustment of said fuel control valve, means mounting said distributor housing as a unit for angular adjustment about the axis of rotation of the timing cam, pressure actuated motor means connected to said distributor housing, a passage connecting said motor means to the intake manifold of the engine, a solenoid actuated value in said passage and a second solenoid connected to said last mentioned valve and in series with said switch and operable upon energization of said second solenoid to open said solenoid actuated valve, said motor means being operable upon starting the engine to provide an over-riding adjustment of the distributor housing to retard the spark, whereby upon energization of the solenoids, Initial engine operation occurs with a predetermined enrichment of fuel and with a predetermined amount of spark retard superimposed on the normal timing adjustment of the distributor which continues until the catalytic converter reaches efficient operating temperature and is then terminated.

Claim 24

A system applicable to the engine of an automobile having a carburetor provided with a fuel control valve for controlling the richness of the fuel supply mixture to the engine through the carburetor, the engine having an engine operated timing cam and a distributor provided with a housing in which said cam is located, said housing having therein a circuit breaker arm actuated by the cam, said system being adapted to reduce the time required for a catalytic converter contained in the exhaust system of the automobile engine to reach efficient operating temperature and comprising a normally closed switch responsive directly to the temperature of the catalytic converter and adapted to open when the converter reaches efficient temperature, a first solenoid in series with said switch, means connecting said first solenoid to the fuel control valve and operable upon energization of the solenoid to effect a predetermined adjustment of said fuel control valve, means mounting said distributor housing as a unit for angular adjustment about the axis of rotation of the timing cam, pressure actuated motor means connected to said distributor housing, a passage connecting said motor means to the intake manifold of the engine, a solenoid actuated value in said passage and a second solenoid connected to said last mentioned valve and in series with said switch and operable upon energization of said second solenoid to open said solenoid actuated valve, said motor means being operable upon starting the engine to provide an over-riding adjustment of the distributor housing to retard the spark, whereby upon energization of the solenoids, Initial engine operation occurs with a predetermined enrichment of fuel and with a predetermined amount of spark retard superimposed on the normal timing adjustment of the distributor which continues until the catalytic converter reaches efficient operating temperature and is then terminated.