US4359991A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Method and apparatus for fuel metering in internal combustion engines
Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
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Filing: 1981-01-26
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Granted: 1982-11-23
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Expires: 2001-01-26
Abstract
Abstract A fuel control system for an internal combustion engine with correction for optimum values based on a variety of factors. Characteristic engine data is stored in preferably digital memories with capabilities for interpolation. Upon addressing the engine data fields with input signals related to current operational variables, for example the accelerator pedal position, the control system derives therefrom a nominal air flow rate which is used as the reference value in a control loop that sets the amount of recycled exhaust gas and the fresh air flow. As the actual air flow rate approaches the reference value, the fuel flow is adjusted to insure correct mixtures at all times. In another embodiment, the fuel is supplied on demand but cannot exceed a maximum value except under special override conditions. Several other embodiments and variants are presented.
Inventors
- 👤 Gerhard Stumpp
- 👤 Ludwig Walz
- 👤 Gerhard Schielinsky
- 👤 Wolf Wessel
- 👤 Thomas Kuttner
- 👤 Ulrich Flaig
- 👤 Fridolin Piwonka
- 👤 Hermann Eisele
- 👤 Andreas Boehringer
- 👤 Hans Kubach
- 👤 Johannes Locher
- 👤 Waldemar Becker
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 20:52
CPC Classifications
F; F02; F02D; F02D41/00; F02D41/02; F02D41/18; F02D41/182; F02D41/0025; F02D41/0047; F02D41/0065; F02M; F02M26/00; F02M26/52; F02M26/59; F02M26/62; F02B; F02B3/00; F02B3/06; Y; Y02; Y02T; Y02T10/00; Y02T10/10; Y02T10/40
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 28
Claim 1
Independent Claim
151 words
A method for controlling the fuel supply to an internal combustion engine equipped with an accelerator pedal, comprising the steps of: providing a first stored characteristic data field which relates nominal fuel quantity to accelerator pedal position; monitoring the position of the accelerator pedal, generating a signal indicative thereof and deriving from the generated accelerator pedal position signal and the first stored characteristic data field a nominal fuel quantity signal; providing a second stored characteristic data field which relates maximum permissible fuel quantity to actual air flow rate; measuring the air flow rate to the engine, generating a signal indicative thereof and deriving from the generated air flow rate signal and the second stored characteristic data field a maximum permissible fuel quantity signal; and generating a final fuel quantity control signal from the nominal fuel quantity signal and the maximum permissible fuel quantity signal for regulating a fuel flow control device.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
151 words
A method for controlling the fuel supply to an internal combustion engine equipped with an accelerator pedal, comprising the steps of: providing a first stored characteristic data field which relates nominal fuel quantity to accelerator pedal position; monitoring the position of the accelerator pedal, generating a signal indicative thereof and deriving from the generated accelerator pedal position signal and the first stored characteristic data field a nominal fuel quantity signal; providing a second stored characteristic data field which relates maximum permissible fuel quantity to actual air flow rate; measuring the air flow rate to the engine, generating a signal indicative thereof and deriving from the generated air flow rate signal and the second stored characteristic data field a maximum permissible fuel quantity signal; and generating a final fuel quantity control signal from the nominal fuel quantity signal and the maximum permissible fuel quantity signal for regulating a fuel flow control device.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
101 words
The method as defined in claim 1, wherein: (i) the first stored characteristic data field relates nominal fuel quantity and nominal air quantity to accelerator pedal position; (ii) a nominal air quantity signal as well as a nominal fuel quantity signal are generated from the signal indicative of the monitored position of the accelerator pedal and the first stored characteristic data field; and (iii) the method further comprises the step of: generating a final air quantity control signal from the nominal air quantity signal and the signal indicative of the measured air flow rate for regulating an air flow control device.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
28 words
A method according to claim 2, wherein the air flow control device simultaneously controls the exhaust gas recycle rate to the induction tube of the internal combustion engine.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
23 words
A method according to claim 1 or 2, including the further step of increasing the fuel quantity fed to the engine during acceleration.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
72 words
A method according to claim 1 or 2, including the further step of defining a secondary single-valued limiting curve which associates the air quantity per engine cycle to the fuel quantity per engine cycle so as to permit determination of a unique fuel magnitude from a given air magnitude, said secondary and limiting curve preferably being identical to the actual characteristic curve of the engine wherever that actual characteristic curve is single-valued.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
180 words
A method for controlling the fuel supply to an internal combustion engine equipped with an accelerator pedal, comprising the steps of: providing a first stored characteristic data field which relates nominal fuel quantity to accelerator pedal position; monitoring the position of the accelerator pedal, generating a signal indicative thereof and deriving from the generated accelerator pedal position signal and the first stored characteristic data field a nominal fuel quantity signal; providing a second stored characteristic data field which relates nominal fuel quantity to nominal air quantity; generating a nominal air quantity signal from the second stored characteristic data field and the nominal fuel quantity signal; providing a third stored characteristic data field which relates maximum permissible fuel quantity to actual air flow rate; measuring the air flow rate to the engine, generating a signal indicative thereof and deriving from the generated air flow rate signal and the third stored characteristic data field a maximum permissible fuel quantity signal; and comparing the nominal fuel quantity signal with the maximum permissible fuel quantity signal and selecting the lower of the signals compared.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
180 words
A method for controlling the fuel supply to an internal combustion engine equipped with an accelerator pedal, comprising the steps of: providing a first stored characteristic data field which relates nominal fuel quantity to accelerator pedal position; monitoring the position of the accelerator pedal, generating a signal indicative thereof and deriving from the generated accelerator pedal position signal and the first stored characteristic data field a nominal fuel quantity signal; providing a second stored characteristic data field which relates nominal fuel quantity to nominal air quantity; generating a nominal air quantity signal from the second stored characteristic data field and the nominal fuel quantity signal; providing a third stored characteristic data field which relates maximum permissible fuel quantity to actual air flow rate; measuring the air flow rate to the engine, generating a signal indicative thereof and deriving from the generated air flow rate signal and the third stored characteristic data field a maximum permissible fuel quantity signal; and comparing the nominal fuel quantity signal with the maximum permissible fuel quantity signal and selecting the lower of the signals compared.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
42 words
The method as defined in claim 6, further comprising the step of: generating a final air quantity control signal from the nominal air quantity signal and the signal indicative of the measured air flow rate for regulating an air flow control device.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method as defined in claim 7, wherein the air flow control device simultaneously controls the exhaust gas recycle rate to the induction tube of the internal combustion engine.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
59 words
The method as defined in claim 6, further comprising the steps of: generating an actual fuel flow rate signal; and generating a final fuel quantity control signal from the actual fuel flow rate signal and the selected lower signal of the nominal fuel quantity signal and the maximum permissible fuel quantity signal for regulating a fuel flow control device.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
89 words
The method as defined in claim 6, further comprising the steps of: generating an actual fuel flow rate signal; generating a final air quantity control signal from the nominal air quantity signal and the signal indicative of the measured air flow rate for regulating an air flow control device; and generating a final fuel quantity control signal from the actual fuel flow rate signal and the selected lower signal of the nominal fuel quantity signal and the maximum permissible fuel quantity signal for regulating a fuel flow control device.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method as defined in claim 10, wherein the air flow control device simultaneously controls the exhaust gas recycle rate to the induction tube of the internal combustion engine.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
217 words
An apparatus for controlling the fuel supply to an internal combustion engine equipped with an accelerator pedal, comprising: a position transducer for generating an accelerator signal related to the position of the accelerator pedal; a first stored characteristic data field generator connected to the position transducer, and including a stored characteristic data field which relates nominal fuel quantity to accelerator pedal position, said first stored characteristic data field generator providing a nominal fuel quantity signal from the first stored characteristic data field and the accelerator signal; an air flow rate meter for generating a signal indicative of the actual air flow rate to the engine; a second stored characteristic data field generator connected to the air flow rate meter, and including a stored characteristic data field which relates maximum permissible fuel quantity to actual air flow rate, said second stored characteristic data field generator providing a maximum permissible fuel quantity signal from the second stored characteristic data field and the actual air flow rate signal; a fuel flow control device; and a fuel controller, connected to both stored characteristic data field generators and to the fuel flow control device for generating a final fuel quantity control signal from the nominal fuel quantity signal and the maximum permissible fuel quantity signal for regulating the fuel flow control device.
Claim 15
Independent Claim
217 words
An apparatus for controlling the fuel supply to an internal combustion engine equipped with an accelerator pedal, comprising: a position transducer for generating an accelerator signal related to the position of the accelerator pedal; a first stored characteristic data field generator connected to the position transducer, and including a stored characteristic data field which relates nominal fuel quantity to accelerator pedal position, said first stored characteristic data field generator providing a nominal fuel quantity signal from the first stored characteristic data field and the accelerator signal; an air flow rate meter for generating a signal indicative of the actual air flow rate to the engine; a second stored characteristic data field generator connected to the air flow rate meter, and including a stored characteristic data field which relates maximum permissible fuel quantity to actual air flow rate, said second stored characteristic data field generator providing a maximum permissible fuel quantity signal from the second stored characteristic data field and the actual air flow rate signal; a fuel flow control device; and a fuel controller, connected to both stored characteristic data field generators and to the fuel flow control device for generating a final fuel quantity control signal from the nominal fuel quantity signal and the maximum permissible fuel quantity signal for regulating the fuel flow control device.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
102 words
The apparatus as defined in claim 12, wherein: The stored characteristic data field stored in the first stored characteristic data field generator also relates nominal air quantity to accelerator pedal position; said first stored characteristic data field generator also provides a nominal air quantity signal from the first stored characteristic data field and the accelerator signal; and the apparatus further comprises: an air flow control device; and an air controller connected to the air flow control device and the first and second stored characteristic data field generators for generating a final air quantity control signal for regulating the air flow control device.
Claim 17
Independent Claim
258 words
An apparatus for controlling the fuel supply to an internal combustion engine equipped with an accelerator pedal, comprising: a position transducer for generating an accelerator signal related to the position of the accelerator pedal; a first stored characteristic data field generator connected to the position transducer, and including a stored characteristic data field which relates nominal fuel quantity to accelerator pedal position, said first stored characteristic data field generator providing a nominal fuel quantity signal from the first stored characteristic data field and the accelerator signal; a second stored characteristic data field generator connected to the first stored characteristic data field generator, and including a stored characteristic data field which relates nominal fuel quantity to nominal air quantity, said second stored characteristic data field generator providing a nominal air quantity signal from the second stored characteristic data field and the nominal fuel quantity signal; an air flow rate meter for generating a signal indicative of the actual air flow rate to the engine; a third stored characteristic data field generator connected to the air flow rate meter, and including a stored characteristic data field which relates maximum permissible fuel quantity to actual air flow rate, said third stored characteristic data field generator providing a maximum permissible fuel quantity signal from the third stored characteristic data field and the actual air flow rate; and comparator means connected to the first and third stored characteristics data field generator for comparing the nominal fuel quantity signal with the maximum permissible fuel quantity signal and selecting the lower of the signals compared.
Claim 18
Independent Claim
258 words
An apparatus for controlling the fuel supply to an internal combustion engine equipped with an accelerator pedal, comprising: a position transducer for generating an accelerator signal related to the position of the accelerator pedal; a first stored characteristic data field generator connected to the position transducer, and including a stored characteristic data field which relates nominal fuel quantity to accelerator pedal position, said first stored characteristic data field generator providing a nominal fuel quantity signal from the first stored characteristic data field and the accelerator signal; a second stored characteristic data field generator connected to the first stored characteristic data field generator, and including a stored characteristic data field which relates nominal fuel quantity to nominal air quantity, said second stored characteristic data field generator providing a nominal air quantity signal from the second stored characteristic data field and the nominal fuel quantity signal; an air flow rate meter for generating a signal indicative of the actual air flow rate to the engine; a third stored characteristic data field generator connected to the air flow rate meter, and including a stored characteristic data field which relates maximum permissible fuel quantity to actual air flow rate, said third stored characteristic data field generator providing a maximum permissible fuel quantity signal from the third stored characteristic data field and the actual air flow rate; and comparator means connected to the first and third stored characteristics data field generator for comparing the nominal fuel quantity signal with the maximum permissible fuel quantity signal and selecting the lower of the signals compared.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
60 words
The apparatus as defined in claim 14, further comprising: a fourth stored characteristic data field generator including a stored characteristic data field which relates nominal air quantity to one of engine temperature and speed; and a warm-up control circuit connected to the second and fourth stored characteristic data field generators for correcting the nominal air quantity signal during engine warm-up.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
32 words
The apparatus as defined in claim 15, wherein the stored characteristic data field stored in the fourth stored characteristic data field generator relates nominal air quantity to both engine temperature and speed.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
78 words
The apparatus as defined in claim 14, further comprising: a further stored characteristic data field generator including a stored characteristic data field which which relates engine starting fuel quantity to one of engine temperature and speed, and generates therefrom an engine starting signal; and a maximum selector circuit connected to the comparator means and the further stored characteristic data field generator for selecting the higher of the signals selected by the comparator means and the engine starting signal.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
32 words
The apparatus as defined in claim 17, wherein the stored characteristic data field stored in the further stored characteristic data field generator relates engine starting fuel quantity to engine temperature and speed.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
127 words
The apparatus as defined in claim 14, further comprising: a fourth stored characteristic data field generator including a stored characteristic data field which relates nominal air quantity to one of engine temperature and speed; a warm-up control circuit connected to the second and fourth stored characteristic data field generators for correcting the nominal air quantity signal during engine warm-up. a fifth stored characteristic data field generator including a stored characteristic data field which relates engine starting fuel quantity to one of engine temperature and speed, and generates therefrom an engine starting signal; and a maximum selector circuit connected to the comparator means and the fifth stored characteristic data field generator for selecting the higher of the signals selected by the comparator means and the engine starting signal.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
39 words
The apparatus as defined in claim 19, wherein the stored characteristic data fields stored in the fourth and fifth stored characteristic data field generators relates nominal air quantity and engine starting fuel quantity, respectively, to engine temperature and speed.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
61 words
The apparatus as defined in claim 19, further comprising: a selector switch connected to the warm-up control circuit and the fifth stored characteristic data field generator, said selector switch having a maximum starting fuel quantity signal applied thereto, and said fifth stored characteristic data field generator also serving to switch said selector switch to receive the maximum starting fuel quantity signal.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
46 words
The apparatus as defined in claim 14, further comprising: an idle controller connected to the second stored characteristic data field generator and to the output of the comparator means, said idle controller serving to prevent an undue reduction in fuel during rapid reduction in engine rpm.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
62 words
The apparatus as defined in claim 22, wherein the idle controller includes: a temperature-engine speed characteristic data field generator, a PI-controller connected to the temperature-engine speed characteristic data field generator; a D-controller connected to the temperature-engine speed characteristic data field generator; and means for adding the outputs of both the PI-controller and the D-controller to form the output of the idle controller.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
53 words
The apparatus as defined in claim 12, further comprising: a PI-controller for receiving input values related to the actual fuel and air flow rates, said PI-controller being connected to the second stored characteristic data field generator; and a drift controller connected to the PI-controller and to the first stored characteristic data field generator.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1985-11-22 | 1986-05-24 | 1986-11-23 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1989-11-22 | 1990-05-24 | 1990-11-23 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1993-11-22 | 1994-05-24 | 1994-11-23 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |