US4876995A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Valve operation control device for internal combustion engine
Assignee: Honda Motor Co Ltd
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Filing: 1988-06-23
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Granted: 1989-10-31
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Expires: 2008-06-23
Abstract
Abstract Method and apparatus are described for determining the operability, or lack thereof, of a hydraulic pressure-operated selective coupling mechanism for operating an intake valve or an exhaust valve of an internal combustion engine during various modes of engine operation wherein a control means employed to operate the control valve effective for supplying hydraulic pressure to the mechanism is imparted with an indication of the selected mode of intake or exhaust valve operation and of the hydraulic pressure supplied to the mechanism and is operative to compare such indications to determine whether or not they coincide.
Inventors
- 👤 Yutaka Otobe
- 👤 Noriyuki Kishi
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 06:24
CPC Classifications
F; F01; F01L; F01L1/00; F01L1/26; F01L1/267
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 15
Claim 1
Independent Claim
183 words
In a valve operation system for an internal combustion engine having a selective coupling mechanism for operating an engine operating valve in one of a plurality of opening and closing modes of operation dependent on the level of hydraulic pressure applied to said mechanism, a control valve disposed between said selective coupling mechanism and a hydraulic pressure source for varying the level of hydraulic pressure supplied to said mechanism, and control means for controlling the operation of said control valve dependent upon the operating conditions of said engine, means for determining the operability of said valve operation system comprising: a hydraulic pressure detector for detecting the level of hydraulic pressure supplied to said selective coupling mechanism; means for imparting to said control means a signal representative of the respective modes of operation of said control valve; means for imparting to said control means signals representative of the level of pressure detected by said hydraulic pressure detector; and said control means including means for comparing the signals imparted thereto by said two signal imparting means for determining whether said signals correspond to each other.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
183 words
In a valve operation system for an internal combustion engine having a selective coupling mechanism for operating an engine operating valve in one of a plurality of opening and closing modes of operation dependent on the level of hydraulic pressure applied to said mechanism, a control valve disposed between said selective coupling mechanism and a hydraulic pressure source for varying the level of hydraulic pressure supplied to said mechanism, and control means for controlling the operation of said control valve dependent upon the operating conditions of said engine, means for determining the operability of said valve operation system comprising: a hydraulic pressure detector for detecting the level of hydraulic pressure supplied to said selective coupling mechanism; means for imparting to said control means a signal representative of the respective modes of operation of said control valve; means for imparting to said control means signals representative of the level of pressure detected by said hydraulic pressure detector; and said control means including means for comparing the signals imparted thereto by said two signal imparting means for determining whether said signals correspond to each other.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
34 words
The operability detecting means of claim 1 in which said control means includes means for establishing a predetermined time period over which said two signals are compared before a determination of correspondence is made.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
28 words
The operability detecting means of claim 1 including means actuated by said control means for issuing a signal indicative of a failure of said two signals to correspond.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
30 words
The operability detecting means of claim 3 including an alarm unit, and means actuated by said control means for operating said alarm unit when said two signals fail to correspond.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
34 words
The operability detecting means according to either one of claims 3 or 4 including means operated by said control means for terminating fuel supply to said engine when said two signals fail to correspond.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
21 words
The operability detecting means according to claim 1 including an engine speed detector for determining the operating conditions of said engine.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
23 words
The operability detecting means according to claim 1 including means for detecting throttle valve opening for determining the operating conditions of said engine.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
23 words
The operability detecting means according to claim 1 including means for detecting intake manifold vacuum for determining the operating conditions of said engine.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
22 words
The operability detecting means according to claim 1 including means for detecting engine temperature for determining the operating conditions of said engine.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
148 words
A method of determining the operability of a valve operation system for use in an internal combustion engine having a selective coupling mechanism for operating an engine operating valve in one of a plurality of opening and closing modes of operation dependent on the level of hydraulic pressure applied to said mechanism, a control valve for supplying hydraulic pressure to said mechanism at different levels, and control means for controlling the operation of said control valve dependent upon the operating conditions of said engine, comprising the steps of: imparting to said control means an indication of the desired mode of operation of said control valve; detecting the level of hydraulic pressure supplied to said selective coupling mechanism; imparting to said control means an indication of the detected level of hydraulic pressure; comparing the indications supplied to said control means; and determining whether said indications correspond to each other.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
148 words
A method of determining the operability of a valve operation system for use in an internal combustion engine having a selective coupling mechanism for operating an engine operating valve in one of a plurality of opening and closing modes of operation dependent on the level of hydraulic pressure applied to said mechanism, a control valve for supplying hydraulic pressure to said mechanism at different levels, and control means for controlling the operation of said control valve dependent upon the operating conditions of said engine, comprising the steps of: imparting to said control means an indication of the desired mode of operation of said control valve; detecting the level of hydraulic pressure supplied to said selective coupling mechanism; imparting to said control means an indication of the detected level of hydraulic pressure; comparing the indications supplied to said control means; and determining whether said indications correspond to each other.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
35 words
The method according to claim 10 including the step of delaying the determination of whether said indications correspond to each other for a predetermined time period after said indications are supplied to said control means.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method according to claim 10 or 11 including the step of actuating an alarm when said indications fail to correspond to one another.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
32 words
The method according to claim 10 or 11 including the step of terminating fuel supply under a prescribed operating condition of said engine when said indications fail to correspond to one another.
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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) | 1992-10-30 | 1993-05-01 | 1993-10-31 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1996-10-30 | 1997-05-01 | 1997-10-31 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2000-10-30 | 2001-05-01 | 2001-10-31 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |