US5025624A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Process for regulating the fuel/air ratio in internal combustion engines
Assignee: Mercedes Benz Group AG
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Filing: 1989-11-08
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Granted: 1991-06-25
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Expires: 2009-11-08
Abstract
Abstract In a process for regulating the fuel/air ratio in internal combustion engines having an exhaust gas measuring probe and a catalyst, the fuel/air mixture fed to the internal combustion engine via a proportioning device being regulated to a virtually stoichiometric value in a control unit with variable characteristics as a function of the exhaust gas composition detected by the measuring probe, the characteristics of the control unit are variable in dependence on the operating time of the catalyst.
Inventors
- 👤 Wolfgang Strauss
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 20:20
CPC Classifications
F; F02; F02D; F02D41/00; F02D41/02; F02D41/14; F02D41/1438; F02D41/1477; F02D41/1483
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim
112 words
Process for regulating a fuel/air ratio of internal combustion engines having an exhaust gas measuring probe and a catalyst in an exhaust gas path, a fuel/air mixture fed to the internal combustion engine via a proportioning device being regulated to a substantially stoichiometric value by a control unit with variable characteristics as a function of exhaust gas composition detected by the measuring probe, the process comprising the steps of: determining an operation time of the catalyst which reflects the catalyst aging and consequent decrease in conversion rate; and varying characteristics of the control unit in dependence on the operating time of the catalyst to thereby accommodate decreases in the catalyst conversion rate.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
112 words
Process for regulating a fuel/air ratio of internal combustion engines having an exhaust gas measuring probe and a catalyst in an exhaust gas path, a fuel/air mixture fed to the internal combustion engine via a proportioning device being regulated to a substantially stoichiometric value by a control unit with variable characteristics as a function of exhaust gas composition detected by the measuring probe, the process comprising the steps of: determining an operation time of the catalyst which reflects the catalyst aging and consequent decrease in conversion rate; and varying characteristics of the control unit in dependence on the operating time of the catalyst to thereby accommodate decreases in the catalyst conversion rate.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
121 words
Process for regulating a fuel/air ratio of internal combustion engines having an exhaust gas measuring probe and a catalyst in an exhaust gas path, a fuel/air mixture fed to the internal combustion engine via a proportioning device being regulated to a substantially stoichiometric value by a control unit with variable characteristics as a function of exhaust gas composition detected by the measuring probe, the process comprising the steps of: determining an operation time of the catalyst; varying characteristics of the control unit in dependence on the operating time of the catalyst; and wherein the step of varying characteristics of the control unit comprises at least one of reducing a reset time of the control unit and varying a proportional factor thereof.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
121 words
Process for regulating a fuel/air ratio of internal combustion engines having an exhaust gas measuring probe and a catalyst in an exhaust gas path, a fuel/air mixture fed to the internal combustion engine via a proportioning device being regulated to a substantially stoichiometric value by a control unit with variable characteristics as a function of exhaust gas composition detected by the measuring probe, the process comprising the steps of: determining an operation time of the catalyst; varying characteristics of the control unit in dependence on the operating time of the catalyst; and wherein the step of varying characteristics of the control unit comprises at least one of reducing a reset time of the control unit and varying a proportional factor thereof.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
24 words
Process according to claim 2, wherein the step of varying characteristics of the control unit comprises reducing a reset time of the control unit.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
24 words
Process according to claim 2, wherein the step of varying characteristics of the control unit comprises varying a proportional factor of the control unit.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
31 words
Process according to claim 2, wherein the step of varying characteristics of the control unit comprises both reducing a reset time of the control unit and varying a proportional factor thereof.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1994-06-24 | 1994-12-24 | 1995-06-25 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1998-06-24 | 1998-12-24 | 1999-06-25 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2002-06-24 | 2002-12-24 | 2003-06-25 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |