US5542403A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method of determining start of closed-loop fuel control for an internal combustion engine
Assignee: FCA US LLC
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Filing: 1994-11-18
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Granted: 1996-08-06
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Expires: 2014-11-18
Abstract
Abstract A method of determining start of closed-loop fuel control for an internal combustion engine including the steps of determining a base fuel pulsewidth threshold, ascertaining whether a current accumulated base fuel pulsewidth is greater than or equal to the base fuel pulsewidth threshold, updating the current accumulated base fuel pulsewidth with a value of a previous accumulated base fuel pulsewidth plus the current base fuel pulsewidth if the current accumulated base fuel pulsewidth is not greater than or equal to the base fuel pulsewidth threshold, and beginning a closed loop fuel control of a plurality of fuel transferring components if the current accumulated base fuel pulsewidth is greater than or equal to the base fuel pulsewidth threshold.
Inventors
- 👤 Mark S. Borland
- 👤 Bruce H. Teague
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 01:27
CPC Classifications
F; F02; F02D; F02D41/00; F02D41/02; F02D41/04; F02D41/06; F02D41/068
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
142 words
A method of determining start of closed-loop fuel control for an internal combustion engine having a plurality of fuel transferring components, at least one exhaust passageway, and at least one oxygen sensor disposed within the exhaust passageway, the method comprising the steps of: determining a base fuel pulsewidth threshold; ascertaining whether a current accumulated base fuel pulsewidth is greater than or equal to the base fuel pulsewidth threshold; updating the current accumulated base fuel pulsewidth with a value of a previous accumulated base fuel pulsewidth plus a current base fuel pulsewidth if the current accumulated base fuel pulsewidth is not greater than or equal to the base fuel pulsewidth threshold; and beginning a closed loop fuel control of the plurality of fuel transferring components if the current accumulated base fuel pulsewidth is greater than or equal to the base fuel pulsewidth threshold.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
142 words
A method of determining start of closed-loop fuel control for an internal combustion engine having a plurality of fuel transferring components, at least one exhaust passageway, and at least one oxygen sensor disposed within the exhaust passageway, the method comprising the steps of: determining a base fuel pulsewidth threshold; ascertaining whether a current accumulated base fuel pulsewidth is greater than or equal to the base fuel pulsewidth threshold; updating the current accumulated base fuel pulsewidth with a value of a previous accumulated base fuel pulsewidth plus a current base fuel pulsewidth if the current accumulated base fuel pulsewidth is not greater than or equal to the base fuel pulsewidth threshold; and beginning a closed loop fuel control of the plurality of fuel transferring components if the current accumulated base fuel pulsewidth is greater than or equal to the base fuel pulsewidth threshold.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
24 words
A method as set forth in claim 1 including the step of sensing a temperature of the engine prior to said step of determining.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
25 words
A method as set forth in claim 1 including the step of sensing a coolant temperature of the engine prior to said step of determining.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
29 words
A method as set forth in claim 1 including the step of returning to said step of ascertaining after said step of updating the current accumulated base fuel pulsewidth.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
33 words
A method as set forth in claim 1 including the step of disposing at least one oxygen sensor upstream of a catalyst connected to the exhaust passageway prior to said step of determining.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
28 words
A method as set forth in claim 5 including the step of disposing at least one oxygen sensor downstream of the catalyst prior to said step of determining.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
34 words
A method as set forth in claim 3 wherein said step of determining comprises using a look-up table to determine a base fuel pulsewidth threshold based on the read coolant temperature of the engine.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
179 words
In an engine and associated control system methodology, the engine including a plurality of fuel transferring components, at least one exhaust passageway, a catalyst disposed in the at least one exhaust passageway, and at least one oxygen sensor disposed within the at least one exhaust passageway, the method comprising the steps of: sensing a coolant start temperature; determining a base fuel pulsewidth threshold required for the coolant start temperature; ascertaining whether a current accumulated base fuel pulsewidth is greater than or equal to the base fuel pulsewidth threshold; updating a current accumulated base fuel pulsewidth with a value of a previous accumulated base fuel pulsewidth plus a current base fuel pulsewidth if the current accumulated base fuel pulsewidth is not greater than or equal to the base fuel pulsewidth threshold; returning to ascertain whether the current accumulated base fuel pulsewidth is greater than or equal to the base fuel pulsewidth threshold after updating the current accumulated base fuel pulsewidth; beginning a closed loop control of the plurality of fuel transferring components; and returning to perform another engine control tasks.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
179 words
In an engine and associated control system methodology, the engine including a plurality of fuel transferring components, at least one exhaust passageway, a catalyst disposed in the at least one exhaust passageway, and at least one oxygen sensor disposed within the at least one exhaust passageway, the method comprising the steps of: sensing a coolant start temperature; determining a base fuel pulsewidth threshold required for the coolant start temperature; ascertaining whether a current accumulated base fuel pulsewidth is greater than or equal to the base fuel pulsewidth threshold; updating a current accumulated base fuel pulsewidth with a value of a previous accumulated base fuel pulsewidth plus a current base fuel pulsewidth if the current accumulated base fuel pulsewidth is not greater than or equal to the base fuel pulsewidth threshold; returning to ascertain whether the current accumulated base fuel pulsewidth is greater than or equal to the base fuel pulsewidth threshold after updating the current accumulated base fuel pulsewidth; beginning a closed loop control of the plurality of fuel transferring components; and returning to perform another engine control tasks.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
22 words
A method as set forth in claim 8 including the step of disposing at least one oxygen sensor upstream of the catalyst.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method as set forth in claim 8 including the step of disposing at least one oxygen sensor downstream of the catalyst.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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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) | 1999-08-06 | 2000-02-05 | 2000-08-06 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2003-08-06 | 2004-02-05 | 2004-08-06 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2007-08-06 | 2008-02-05 | 2008-08-06 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |