Method and device for optimizing air filling in an internal combustion engine cylinder

Claim 3

In combination with an internal combustion engine having a cylinder, an intake valve associated therewith, and a lifter for lifting the intake valve in a controlled fashion, a device for optimizing an air supply into the cylinder of the internal combustion engine, the device comprising: a lifter control for variably controlling the lifter; a memory in which values of a closure lag for closing the intake valve under a heavy load are stored as a function of the engine speed; a load sensor sensing a load on the engine and issuing a load signal representing the load on the engine; means for issuing an opening signal representing a full opening of a throttle valve of the engine; and a control apparatus for controlling said lifter control, said control apparatus receiving the load signal from said load sensor and receiving the opening signal, said control apparatus including: means for gradually varying, at a stabilized engine speed under a heavy load, a closure lag applied to the intake valve in steps; comparison means for comparing the respective loads measured by said load sensor before and after each successive step in the variation; and means for updating the stored value of the lag to the current stabilized speed, when the comparison means indicate an increase in the measured load.

Claim 4

In combination with an internal combustion engine having a cylinder, an intake valve associated therewith, and a lifter for lifting the intake valve in a controlled fashion, a device for optimizing an air supply into the cylinder of the internal combustion engine, the device comprising: a lifter control for variably controlling the lifter; a memory in which values of a closure lag for closing the intake valve under a heavy load are stored as a function of the engine speed; a load sensor sensing a load on the engine and issuing a load signal representing the load on the engine; means for issuing an opening signal representing a full opening of a throttle valve of the engine; and a control apparatus for controlling said lifter control, said control apparatus receiving the load signal from said load sensor and receiving the opening signal, said control apparatus including: means for gradually varying, at a stabilized engine speed under a heavy load, a closure lag applied to the intake valve in steps; comparison means for comparing the respective loads measured by said load sensor before and after each successive step in the variation; and means for updating the stored value of the lag to the current stabilized speed, when the comparison means indicate an increase in the measured load.

Claim 5

The device according to claim 2, wherein the engine includes an air intake manifold, and said load sensor is a flow meter disposed in the air intake manifold.

Claim 6

The device according to claim 2, wherein the engine includes an output shaft, and said load sensor is a torque sensor sensing an available torque on the output shaft.

Claim 7

The device according to claim 2, wherein said control apparatus includes electronic means for calculating a closed position of the intake valve, and said means for gradually varying are software means integrated in said electronic means for calculating the closed position of the valve.

Claim 8

The device according to claim 5, wherein the engine includes a computer for calculating at least one of an ignition-advance angle and a fuel injection timing, said electronic means being integrated in said computer of the internal combustion engine.

Claim 9

In combination with an internal combustion engine having a cylinder, an intake valve associated therewith, and a lifter for lifting the intake valve in a controlled fashion, a device for optimizing an air supply into the cylinder of the internal combustion engine, the device comprising: a lifter control for variably controlling the lifter; a memory in which values of a closure lag for closing the intake valve under a heavy load are stored as a function of the engine speed; a load sensor sensing a load on the engine and issuing a load signal representing the load on the engine; means for issuing an opening signal representing a full opening of a throttle valve of the engine; and a control apparatus for controlling said lifter control, said control apparatus receiving the load signal from said load sensor and receiving the opening signal, and said control apparatus being programmed to: at a stabilized engine speed under a heavy load, gradually vary a closure lag applied to the intake valve in steps; compare the respective loads measured by said load sensor before and after each successive step in the gradual variation; and update the stored value of the lag to the current stabilized speed, when the comparison of the loads indicates an increase in the measured load, until a load maximum is detected.

Claim 10

In combination with an internal combustion engine having a cylinder, an intake valve associated therewith, and a lifter for lifting the intake valve in a controlled fashion, a device for optimizing an air supply into the cylinder of the internal combustion engine, the device comprising: a lifter control for variably controlling the lifter; a memory in which values of a closure lag for closing the intake valve under a heavy load are stored as a function of the engine speed; a load sensor sensing a load on the engine and issuing a load signal representing the load on the engine; means for issuing an opening signal representing a full opening of a throttle valve of the engine; and a control apparatus for controlling said lifter control, said control apparatus receiving the load signal from said load sensor and receiving the opening signal, and said control apparatus being programmed to: at a stabilized engine speed under a heavy load, gradually vary a closure lag applied to the intake valve in steps; compare the respective loads measured by said load sensor before and after each successive step in the gradual variation; and update the stored value of the lag to the current stabilized speed, when the comparison of the loads indicates an increase in the measured load, until a load maximum is detected.