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US5024191A Expired / Lapsed US ⏱️ 0.0 years remaining

Control system for a variable valve actuating mechanism of an internal combustion engine

Assignee: Honda Motor Co Ltd
•
Filing: 1990-02-22
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Granted: 1991-06-18
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Expires: 2010-02-22
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Abstract

Abstract A control system for a variable valve actuating mechanism for an internal combustion engine for varying the lift or timing of intake or exhaust valves in response to engine operating conditions. The control system includes sensors for detecting the pressure in the combustion cylinder and the temperture at the mounting seat of the spark plug. A warning device and fail safe conditions can be activated when an abnormal condition is detected by one of the sensors.

Inventors

  • 👤 Kenichi Nagahiro
  • 👤 Takashi Moriya

Bibliographic Details

Application Number —
Jurisdiction US
Data Source google_patents
Last Synchronized 2026-10-28 22:49
CPC Classifications
F; F02; F02D; F02D13/00; F02D13/02; F02D13/0203; F02D13/0207; F01; F01L; F01L1/00; F01L1/26; F01L1/267; F02D35/00; F02D35/02; F02D35/023; F02D35/025; F02B; F02B1/00; F02B1/02; F02B1/04; F02B2275/00; F02B2275/18; F02D41/00; F02D41/0002; F02D2041/001; F02D41/22; F02D41/221; Y; Y02; Y02T; Y02T10/00; Y02T10/10; Y02T10/12

Claims Analysis

Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim 97 words
A control system for a variable valve actuating mechanism for an internal combustion engine having a camshaft for actuating intake or exhaust valves, and adjusting means for changing a lift or valve timing of said intake or exhaust valves, comprising: sensor means for detecting a state of combustion in a cylinder of said engine so as to indirectly monitor an operating condition of said variable valve actuating mechanism; a control unit which acts upon said valve actuating mechanism to force it to a certain fail safe condition when any abnormal condition is detected by said sensor means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim 97 words
A control system for a variable valve actuating mechanism for an internal combustion engine having a camshaft for actuating intake or exhaust valves, and adjusting means for changing a lift or valve timing of said intake or exhaust valves, comprising: sensor means for detecting a state of combustion in a cylinder of said engine so as to indirectly monitor an operating condition of said variable valve actuating mechanism; a control unit which acts upon said valve actuating mechanism to force it to a certain fail safe condition when any abnormal condition is detected by said sensor means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim 22 words
A control system according to claim 1, wherein said sensor means comprises a pressure sensor for detecting a pressure in said cylinder.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim 25 words
A control system according to claim 1, wherein said sensor means comprises an annular temperature sensor detecting a temperature of a part of said engine.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim 25 words
A control system according to claim 3, wherein said sensor means comprises a temperature sensor for measuring a temperature of a spark plug mounting seat.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim 26 words
A control system according to claim 1, further comprising a control unit which activates warning means when any abnormal condition is detected by said sensor means.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim 53 words
A control system according to claim 1, wherein said engine comprises a plurality of cylinders, and said sensor means is provided for each of said cylinders, said control unit being provided with means to identify the cylinder with the faulty valve actuating mechanism when any abnormal condition is detected by said sensor means.

References Cited (Backward Citations)

US4356551A Cited
US4541392A Cited
US4648364A Cited
JPS63147909A Cited
US4876995A Cited
US4899701A Cited
US4924823A Cited

USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows

Annuity Stage Window Opens Payment Deadline Surcharge Period Until Estimated Fee Status
3.5 Years (Year 4) 1994-06-17 1994-12-17 1995-06-18 $2000.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8) 1998-06-17 1998-12-17 1999-06-18 $3760.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12) 2002-06-17 2002-12-17 2003-06-18 $7700.00 Window Closed / Lapsed

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