US5029569A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method and apparatus for controlling an internal combustion engine
Assignee: Ford Global Technologies LLC
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Filing: 1990-09-12
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Granted: 1991-07-09
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Expires: 2010-09-12
Abstract
Abstract A mass airflow based control system is provided for an internal combustion engine including a throttle body and an air bypass valve. The system comprises a processor for determining a first value equal to predicted air charge inducted into the engine through the throttle valve, and includes memory for storing an initial value of a ratio of predicted current air charge inducted into the engine to predicted peak air charge capable of being inducted into the engine. The processor determines a second value equal to predicted air charge inducted into the engine through the air bypass valve based on the initial value, and determines a third value equal to predicted peak air charge capable of being inducted into the engine. The processor further determines an actual value of the ratio of predicted current air charge inducted into the engine to predicted peak air charge capable of being inducted into the engine based on the first, second and third values.
Inventors
- 👤 Michael J. Cullen
- 👤 Benny Vann
- 👤 Jeffry A. Greenberg
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 01:07
CPC Classifications
F; F02; F02D; F02D41/00; F02D41/24; F02D41/26; F02D41/28; F02D41/02; F02D41/18
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 30
Claim 1
Independent Claim
103 words
A method for operating an internal combustion engine comprising the steps of: determining a value equal to predicted current air mass flow inducted into said engine; determining a value equal to predicted peak air mass flow capable of being inducted into said engine; and determining a value of a ratio of predicted current air mass flow inducted into said engine to predicted peak air mass flow capable of being inducted into said engine based on said value of predicted current air mass flow inducted into said engine and said value of predicted peak air mass flow capable of being inducted into said engine.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
103 words
A method for operating an internal combustion engine comprising the steps of: determining a value equal to predicted current air mass flow inducted into said engine; determining a value equal to predicted peak air mass flow capable of being inducted into said engine; and determining a value of a ratio of predicted current air mass flow inducted into said engine to predicted peak air mass flow capable of being inducted into said engine based on said value of predicted current air mass flow inducted into said engine and said value of predicted peak air mass flow capable of being inducted into said engine.
Claim 3
Independent Claim
152 words
A method for operating an internal combustion engine including a throttle valve and an air bypass valve, said method comprising the steps of: storing an initial value of a ratio of predicted current air mass flow inducted into said engine to predicted peak air mass flow capable of being inducted into said engine; determining a first value equal to predicted air mass flow inducted into said engine through said throttle valve; determining a second value equal to predicted air mass flow inducted into said engine through said air bypass valve based on said initial value; determining a third value equal to predicted peak air mass flow capable of being inducted into said engine; and determining an actual value of said ratio of predicted current air mass flow inducted into said engine to predicted peak air mass flow capable of being inducted into said engine based on said first, second and third values.
Claim 4
Independent Claim
152 words
A method for operating an internal combustion engine including a throttle valve and an air bypass valve, said method comprising the steps of: storing an initial value of a ratio of predicted current air mass flow inducted into said engine to predicted peak air mass flow capable of being inducted into said engine; determining a first value equal to predicted air mass flow inducted into said engine through said throttle valve; determining a second value equal to predicted air mass flow inducted into said engine through said air bypass valve based on said initial value; determining a third value equal to predicted peak air mass flow capable of being inducted into said engine; and determining an actual value of said ratio of predicted current air mass flow inducted into said engine to predicted peak air mass flow capable of being inducted into said engine based on said first, second and third values.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
139 words
A method as set forth in claim 2, wherein said step of determining an actual value of said ratio of predicted current air mass flow inducted into said engine to predicted peak air mass flow capable of being inducted into said engine comprises the step of solving the following equation: ##EQU10## wherein: R is the actual value of said ratio of predicted current air mass flow inducted into said engine to predicted peak air mass flow capable of being inducted into said engine; Ct is said first value of predicted air mass flow inducted into said engine through said throttle valve; Cb is said second value of predicted air mass flow inducted into the engine through the air bypass valve; and Cp is said third value of predicted peak air mass flow capable of being inducted into said engine.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
128 words
A method as set forth in claim 2, further comprising the steps of: determining if said actual value is greater than 1.0; substituting a value equal to 1.0 for said actual value if said actual value is found to be greater than 1.0; updating said second value equal to predicted air mass flow inducted into said engine through said air bypass valve by employing said actual value if said actual value is less than or equal to 1.0 or if greater than 1.0 employing said substituted value; and updating said actual value of said ratio of predicted current air mass flow inducted into said engine to predicted peak air mass flow inducted into said engine based on said first value, said updated second value and said third value.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
141 words
A method as set forth in claim 4, wherein said step of updating said actual value of said ratio of predicted current air mass flow inducted into said engine to predicted peak air mass flow capable of being inducted into said engine comprises the step of solving the following equation: ##EQU11## wherein: R is the updated actual value of said ratio of predicted current air mass flow inducted into said engine to predicted peak air mass flow capable of being inducted into said engine; Ct is said first value of predicted air mass flow inducted into said engine through said throttle valve; Cb is said updated second value of predicted air mass flow inducted into the engine through the air bypass valve; and Cp is said third value of predicted peak air mass flow capable of being inducted into said engine.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
235 words
A method for operating an internal combustion engine including a throttle valve, and an air bypass valve, said method comprising the steps of: storing an initial value of a ratio of predicted current air mass flow inducted into said engine to predicted peak air mass flow capable of being inducted into said engine; storing first predetermined data comprising predicted air mass flow inducted into said engine via said throttle valve; storing second predetermined data comprising predicted air mass flow inducted into said engine via said air bypass valve; storing third predetermined data comprising predicted peak air mass flow capable of being inducted into said engine; determining a first value equal to predicted air mass flow inducted into said engine through said throttle valve from said first predetermined data; determining a second value equal to predicted air mass flow inducted into the engine through the air bypass valve from said second predetermined data and based on said initial value; determining a third value equal to predicted peak air mass flow capable of being inducted into said engine from said third predetermined data; and determining an actual value of said ratio of predicted current air mass flow inducted into said engine to predicted peak air mass flow capable of being inducted into said engine by adding said first value to said second value to determine a fourth value, and comparing said fourth value to said third value.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
235 words
A method for operating an internal combustion engine including a throttle valve, and an air bypass valve, said method comprising the steps of: storing an initial value of a ratio of predicted current air mass flow inducted into said engine to predicted peak air mass flow capable of being inducted into said engine; storing first predetermined data comprising predicted air mass flow inducted into said engine via said throttle valve; storing second predetermined data comprising predicted air mass flow inducted into said engine via said air bypass valve; storing third predetermined data comprising predicted peak air mass flow capable of being inducted into said engine; determining a first value equal to predicted air mass flow inducted into said engine through said throttle valve from said first predetermined data; determining a second value equal to predicted air mass flow inducted into the engine through the air bypass valve from said second predetermined data and based on said initial value; determining a third value equal to predicted peak air mass flow capable of being inducted into said engine from said third predetermined data; and determining an actual value of said ratio of predicted current air mass flow inducted into said engine to predicted peak air mass flow capable of being inducted into said engine by adding said first value to said second value to determine a fourth value, and comparing said fourth value to said third value.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
143 words
A method as set forth in claim 6, further comprising the steps of: determining if said actual value is greater than 1.0; substituting a value of 1.0 for said actual value if said actual value is found to be greater than 1.0; updating said second value equal to predicted air mass flow inducted into said engine through said air bypass valve by employing said actual value if said actual value is less than or equal to 1.0 and if greater than 1.0 employing said substituted value; and updating said actual value of said ratio of predicted current air mass flow inducted into said engine to predicted peak air mass flow capable of being inducted into said engine by adding said first value to said updated second value to determine an updated fourth value and comparing said updated fourth value to said third value.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
97 words
A method for operating an internal combustion engine comprising the steps of: determining a value equal to predicted current air charge inducted into said engine; determining a value equal to predicted peak air charge capable of being inducted into said engine; and determining a value of a ratio of predicted current air charge inducted into said engine to predicted peak air charge capable of being inducted into said engine based on said value of predicted current air charge inducted into said engine and said value of predicted peak air charge capable of being inducted into said engine.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
97 words
A method for operating an internal combustion engine comprising the steps of: determining a value equal to predicted current air charge inducted into said engine; determining a value equal to predicted peak air charge capable of being inducted into said engine; and determining a value of a ratio of predicted current air charge inducted into said engine to predicted peak air charge capable of being inducted into said engine based on said value of predicted current air charge inducted into said engine and said value of predicted peak air charge capable of being inducted into said engine.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
145 words
A method for operating an internal combustion engine including a throttle valve and an air bypass valve, said method comprising the steps of: storing an initial value of a ratio of predicted current air charge inducted into said engine to predicted peak air charge capable of being inducted into said engine; determining a first value equal to predicted air charge inducted into said engine through said throttle valve; determining a second value equal to predicted air charge inducted into said engine through said air bypass valve based on said initial value; determining a third value equal to predicted peak air charge capable of being inducted into said engine; and determining an actual value of said ratio of predicted current air charge inducted into said engine to predicted peak air charge capable of being inducted into said engine based on said first, second and third values.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
145 words
A method for operating an internal combustion engine including a throttle valve and an air bypass valve, said method comprising the steps of: storing an initial value of a ratio of predicted current air charge inducted into said engine to predicted peak air charge capable of being inducted into said engine; determining a first value equal to predicted air charge inducted into said engine through said throttle valve; determining a second value equal to predicted air charge inducted into said engine through said air bypass valve based on said initial value; determining a third value equal to predicted peak air charge capable of being inducted into said engine; and determining an actual value of said ratio of predicted current air charge inducted into said engine to predicted peak air charge capable of being inducted into said engine based on said first, second and third values.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
132 words
A method as set forth in claim 9, wherein said step of determining an actual value of said ratio of predicted current air charge inducted into said engine to predicted peak air charge capable of being inducted into said engine comprises the step of solving the following equation: ##EQU12## wherein: R is the actual value of said ratio of predicted current air charge inducted into said engine to predicted peak air charge capable of being inducted into said engine; Ct is said first value of predicted air charge inducted into said engine through said throttle valve; Cb is said second value of predicted air charge inducted into the engine through the air bypass valve; and Cp is said third value of predicted peak air charge capable of being inducted into said engine.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
128 words
A method as set forth in claim 9, further comprising the steps of: determining if said actual value is greater than 1.0; substituting a value equal to 1.0 for said actual value if said actual value is found to be greater than 1.0; updating said second value equal to predicted air charge inducted into said engine through said air bypass valve by employing said actual value if said actual value is less than or equal to 1.0 and if greater than 1.0 employing said substituted value; and updating said actual value of said ratio of predicted current air charge inducted into said engine to predicted peak air charge capable of being inducted into said engine based on said first value, said updated second value, and said third value.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
134 words
A method as set forth in claim 11, wherein said step of updating said actual value of said ratio of predicted current air charge inducted into said engine to predicted peak air charge capable of being inducted into said engine comprises the step of solving the following equation: ##EQU13## wherein: R is the updated actual value of said ratio of predicted current air charge inducted into said engine to predicted peak air charge capable of being inducted into said engine; Ct is said first value of predicted air charge inducted into said engine through said throttle valve; Cb is said updated second value of predicted air charge inducted into the engine through the air bypass valve; and Cp is said third value of predicted peak air charge capable of being inducted into said engine.
Claim 18
Independent Claim
227 words
A method for operating an internal combustion engine including a throttle valve, and an air bypass valve, said method comprising the steps of: storing an initial value of a ratio of predicted current air charge inducted into said engine to predicted peak air charge capable of being inducted into said engine; storing first predetermined data comprising predicted air charge inducted into said engine via said throttle valve; storing second predetermined data comprising predicted air charge inducted into said engine via said air bypass valve; and storing third predetermined data comprising predicted peak air charge capable of being inducted into said engine; deriving a first value equal to predicted air charge inducted into said engine through said throttle valve from said first predetermined data; deriving a second value equal to predicted air charge inducted into the engine through the air bypass valve from said second predetermined data and based on said initial value; deriving a third a value equal to predicted peak air charge capable of being inducted into said engine from said third predetermined data; and determining an actual value of said ratio of predicted current air charge inducted into said engine to predicted peak air charge capable of being inducted into said engine by adding said first value to said second value to determine a fourth value and comparing said fourth value to said third value.
Claim 19
Independent Claim
227 words
A method for operating an internal combustion engine including a throttle valve, and an air bypass valve, said method comprising the steps of: storing an initial value of a ratio of predicted current air charge inducted into said engine to predicted peak air charge capable of being inducted into said engine; storing first predetermined data comprising predicted air charge inducted into said engine via said throttle valve; storing second predetermined data comprising predicted air charge inducted into said engine via said air bypass valve; and storing third predetermined data comprising predicted peak air charge capable of being inducted into said engine; deriving a first value equal to predicted air charge inducted into said engine through said throttle valve from said first predetermined data; deriving a second value equal to predicted air charge inducted into the engine through the air bypass valve from said second predetermined data and based on said initial value; deriving a third a value equal to predicted peak air charge capable of being inducted into said engine from said third predetermined data; and determining an actual value of said ratio of predicted current air charge inducted into said engine to predicted peak air charge capable of being inducted into said engine by adding said first value to said second value to determine a fourth value and comparing said fourth value to said third value.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
139 words
A method as set forth in claim 13, further comprising the steps of: determining if said actual value is greater than 1.0; substituting a value of 1.0 for said actual value if said actual value is found to be greater than 1.0; updating said second value equal to predicted air charge inducted into said engine through said air bypass valve by employing said actual value if said actual value is less than or equal to 1.0 or if greater than 1.0 said substituted value; and updating said actual value of said ratio of predicted current air charge inducted into said engine to predicted peak air charge capable of being inducted into said engine by adding said first value to said updated second value to determine an updated fourth value and comparing said updated fourth value to said third value.
Claim 21
Independent Claim
164 words
A system for operating an internal combustion engine including a throttle body and an air bypass valve, said system comprising: processor means for determining a first value equal to predicted air mass flow inducted into said engine through said throttle valve, and including memory means for storing an initial value of a ratio of predicted current air mass flow inducted into said engine to predicted peak air mass flow capable of being inducted into said engine; said processor means determining a second value equal to predicted air mass flow inducted into said engine through the air bypass valve based on said initial value, and determining a third value equal to predicted peak air mass flow capable of being inducted into said engine; and said processor means determining an actual value of said ratio of predicted current air mass flow inducted into said engine to predicted peak air mass flow capable of being inducted into said engine based on said first, second and third values.
Claim 22
Independent Claim
164 words
A system for operating an internal combustion engine including a throttle body and an air bypass valve, said system comprising: processor means for determining a first value equal to predicted air mass flow inducted into said engine through said throttle valve, and including memory means for storing an initial value of a ratio of predicted current air mass flow inducted into said engine to predicted peak air mass flow capable of being inducted into said engine; said processor means determining a second value equal to predicted air mass flow inducted into said engine through the air bypass valve based on said initial value, and determining a third value equal to predicted peak air mass flow capable of being inducted into said engine; and said processor means determining an actual value of said ratio of predicted current air mass flow inducted into said engine to predicted peak air mass flow capable of being inducted into said engine based on said first, second and third values.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
137 words
A control system as set forth in claim 15, wherein said processor means determines said actual value of said ratio of predicted current air mass flow inducted into said engine to predicted peak air mass flow capable of being inducted into said engine by solving the following equation ##EQU14## wherein: R is the actual value of said ratio of predicted current air mass flow inducted into said engine to predicted peak air mass flow capable of being inducted into said engine; Ct is said first value of predicted air mass flow inducted into said engine through said throttle valve; Cb is said second value of predicted air mass flow inducted into the engine through said air bypass valve; and Cp is said third value of predicted peak air mass flow capable of being inducted into said engine.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
132 words
A control system as set forth in claim 15, wherein said processor means further determines if said actual value is greater than 1.0 and substitutes a value of 1.0 for said actual value if said actual value is found to be greater than 1.0, updates said second value equal to predicted air mass flow inducted into said engine through said air bypass valve by employing said actual value if said actual value is less than or equal to 1.0 or if greater than 1.0 employing said substituted value, and updates said actual value of said ratio of predicted current air mass flow inducted into said engine to predicted peak air mass flow capable of being inducted into said engine based on said first value, said updated second value and said third value.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
139 words
A control system as set forth in claim 17, wherein said processor means determines said updated actual value of said ratio of predicted current air mass flow inducted into said engine to predicted peak air mass flow capable of being into said engine by solving the following equation. ##EQU15## wherein: R is the updated actual value of said ratio of predicted current air mass flow inducted into said engine to predicted peak air mass flow capable of being inducted into said engine; Ct is said first value of predicted air mass flow inducted into said engine through said throttle valve; Cb is said updated second value of predicted air mass flow inducted into the engine through the air bypass valve; and Cp is said third value of predicted peak air mass flow capable of being inducted into said engine.
Claim 26
Independent Claim
154 words
A system for operating an internal combustion engine including a throttle body and an air bypass valve, said system comprising: processor means for determining a first value equal to predicted air charge inducted into said engine through said throttle valve, and including memory means for storing an initial value of a ratio of predicted current air charge inducted into said engine to predicted peak air charge capable of being inducted into said engine; said processor means determining a second value equal to predicted air charge inducted into said engine through the air bypass valve based on said initial value, and determining a third value equal to predicted peak air charge inducted into said engine; and said processor means determining an actual value of said ratio of predicted current air charge inducted into said engine to predicted peak air charge capable of being inducted into said engine based on said first, second and third values.
Claim 27
Independent Claim
154 words
A system for operating an internal combustion engine including a throttle body and an air bypass valve, said system comprising: processor means for determining a first value equal to predicted air charge inducted into said engine through said throttle valve, and including memory means for storing an initial value of a ratio of predicted current air charge inducted into said engine to predicted peak air charge capable of being inducted into said engine; said processor means determining a second value equal to predicted air charge inducted into said engine through the air bypass valve based on said initial value, and determining a third value equal to predicted peak air charge inducted into said engine; and said processor means determining an actual value of said ratio of predicted current air charge inducted into said engine to predicted peak air charge capable of being inducted into said engine based on said first, second and third values.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
130 words
A control system as set forth in claim 19, wherein said processor means determines said actual value of said ratio of predicted current air charge inducted into said engine to predicted peak air charge capable of being inducted into said engine by solving the following equation: ##EQU16## wherein: R is the actual value of said ratio of predicted current air charge inducted into said engine to predicted peak air charge capable of being inducted into said engine; Ct is said first value of predicted air charge inducted into said engine through said throttle valve; Cb is said second value of predicted air charge inducted into the engine through the air bypass valve; and Cp is said third value of predicted peak air charge capable of being inducted into said engine.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
129 words
A control system as set forth in claim 19, wherein said processor means further determines if said actual value is greater than 1.0 and substitutes a value of 1.0 for said actual value if said actual value is found to be greater than 1.0, updates said second value equal to predicted air charge inducted into said engine through said air bypass valve by employing said actual value if said actual value is less than or equal to 1.0 and if greater than 1.0 employing said substituted value, and updates said actual value of said ratio of predicted current air charge inducted into said engine to predicted peak air charge capable of being inducted into said engine based on said first value, said updated second value and said third value.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
133 words
A control system as set forth in claim 21, wherein said processor means determines said updated actual value of said ratio of predicted current air charge inducted into said engine to predicted peak air charge capable of being inducted into said engine by solving the following equation: ##EQU17## wherein: R is said updated actual value of said ratio of predicted current air charge inducted into said engine to predicted peak air charge capable of being inducted into said engine; Ct is said first value of predicted air charge inducted into said engine through said throttle valve; Cb is said updated second value of predicted air charge inducted into the engine through the air bypass valve; and Cp is said third value of predicted peak air charge capable of being inducted into said engine.
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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) | 1994-07-08 | 1995-01-07 | 1995-07-09 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1998-07-08 | 1999-01-07 | 1999-07-09 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2002-07-08 | 2003-01-07 | 2003-07-09 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |