Patent US5950419A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US5950419A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Method of and system for purifying exhaust gas for engines
Assignee: Mazda Motor Corp
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Filing: 1995-12-26
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Granted: 1999-09-14
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Expires: 2015-12-26
Abstract
Abstract Exhaust gas temperature is raised after a cold engine start so as to rapidly activate a catalyst in an exhaust line by retarding an ignition timing at which an air-fuel mixture is fired in the engine to a point after top-dead-center during a certain time interval and promoting combustion of the air-fuel mixture, thereby accelerating the catalyst to attain its effective activation temperature after the cold engine start as quickly as possibly.
Inventors
- 👤 Hirofumi Nishimura
- 👤 Tadataka Nakazumi
- 👤 Ken Umehara
- 👤 Takanobu Morimasa
- 👤 Masanori Misumi
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 18:47
CPC Classifications
F; F02; F02D; F02D41/00; F02D41/02; F02D41/021; F02D41/0235; F02D41/024; F02D41/0255; F02P; F02P5/00; F02P5/04; F02P5/145; F02P5/15; F02P5/1502; F02P5/1506; F02B; F02B2275/00; F02B2275/48; Y; Y02; Y02T; Y02T10/00; Y02T10/10; Y02T10/12; Y02T10/40
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 151
Claim 1
Independent Claim
200 words
An exhaust gas purifying system having a catalytic converter in an exhaust line for purifying exhaust gas for a reciprocating internal combustion engine of a vehicle, said exhaust gas purifying system comprising: thermal condition monitoring means for monitoring a warmed condition of the engine; engine operation control means for controlling operation of the engine; combustion promoting means for promoting combustion of an air-fuel mixture in the engine; and temperature control means for controlling a rise in exhaust gas temperature to an effective activation temperature of said catalytic converter during a time interval from an engine start, said temperature control means, while said thermal condition monitoring means detects a specified cold condition of the engine, causing said engine operation control means to retard an ignition timing at which an air-fuel mixture is fired in the engine to a point after top-dead-center during said time interval and causing said combustion promoting means to promote combustion of said air-fuel mixture, wherein said engine operation control means further alters an exhaust air-fuel ratio in a range equal to or greater than 14.5 during said specific time interval, thereby accelerating said rise in exhaust gas temperature to an effective activation temperature after said engine start.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
200 words
An exhaust gas purifying system having a catalytic converter in an exhaust line for purifying exhaust gas for a reciprocating internal combustion engine of a vehicle, said exhaust gas purifying system comprising: thermal condition monitoring means for monitoring a warmed condition of the engine; engine operation control means for controlling operation of the engine; combustion promoting means for promoting combustion of an air-fuel mixture in the engine; and temperature control means for controlling a rise in exhaust gas temperature to an effective activation temperature of said catalytic converter during a time interval from an engine start, said temperature control means, while said thermal condition monitoring means detects a specified cold condition of the engine, causing said engine operation control means to retard an ignition timing at which an air-fuel mixture is fired in the engine to a point after top-dead-center during said time interval and causing said combustion promoting means to promote combustion of said air-fuel mixture, wherein said engine operation control means further alters an exhaust air-fuel ratio in a range equal to or greater than 14.5 during said specific time interval, thereby accelerating said rise in exhaust gas temperature to an effective activation temperature after said engine start.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
43 words
An exhaust gas purifying system as defined in claim 1, wherein said temperature control means causes said engine operation control means to alter an excessive air ratio of said air-fuel mixture to a value greater than one (1) during said specific time interval.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
67 words
An exhaust gas purifying system as defined in claim 1, wherein said temperature control means causes said engine operation control means to alter an in-cylinder air-fuel ratio at which said air-fuel mixture is introduced into said engine and supply part of intake air directly to said exhaust gas upstream from said catalytic converter so as to alter a virtual exhaust air-fuel ratio, to be greater than 14.5.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
46 words
An exhaust gas purifying system as defined in claim 1, wherein said temperature control means causes said engine operation control means to alter said ignition timing to said point after top-dead-center after the engine has attained a specified speed of revolution subsequently to said engine start.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
65 words
An exhaust gas purifying system as defined in claim 1, wherein said engine operation control means includes a heater incorporated lambda oxygen (λO 2 ) sensor for monitoring a concentration of oxygen in the exhaust gas, based on which said engine operation control means performs feedback control of said in-cylinder air-fuel ratio toward a stoichiometric air-fuel ratio as a target ratio during said time interval.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
46 words
An exhaust gas purifying system as defined in claim 1, wherein said temperature control means cases said engine operation control means to retard said ignition timing during said time interval according to a warmed condition detected at said engine start by said thermal condition monitoring means.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
52 words
An exhaust gas purifying system as defined in claim 1, wherein said temperature control means cases said engine operation control means to change an amount of intake air introduced into the engine during said time interval according to a warmed condition detected at said engine start by said thermal condition monitoring means.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
59 words
An exhaust gas purifying system as defined in claim 1, wherein said temperature control means causes said engine operation control means to regulate an amount of intake air introduced into the engine independently from operation of a throttle valve of said engine operation control means so as to maintain a specified speed of the engine in said time interval.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
77 words
An exhaust gas purifying system as defined in claim 8, wherein said temperature control means causes said engine operation control means to regulate at the beginning of said time interval an amount of intake air introduced into the engine independently from operation of said throttle valve so as to maintain said specified engine speed and thereafter to further retard said ignition timing so as to decrease engine speed below said specified engine speed during said time interval.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
57 words
An exhaust gas purifying system as defined in claim 8, wherein said temperature control means causes said engine control means to retard said ignition timing to a point more later but before top-dead-center when the vehicle starts under a driving condition during said time interval than when driving under the same driving condition after said time interval.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
63 words
An exhaust gas purifying system as defined in claim 10, wherein, when the vehicle starts during said time interval, said temperature control means causes said engine control means to retard said ignition timing to a point more later but before top-dead-center while the vehicle drives with engine output lower than a specified level than while driving with the same level of engine output.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
68 words
An exhaust gas purifying system as defined in claim 10, wherein, when the vehicle starts during said time interval, said temperature control means causes said engine control means to retard said ignition timing to a point after top-dead-center while the vehicle drives with engine output lower than a specified level and to a point before top-dead-center while the vehicle drives with engine output higher than said specified level.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
33 words
An exhaust gas purifying system as defined in claim 1, wherein said combustion promoting means includes turbulence generating means for generating enhanced turbulence of said air-fuel mixture in a cylinder of the engine.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
22 words
An exhaust gas purifying system as defined in claim 13, wherein said turbulence generating means generates a swirl of said air-fuel mixture.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
22 words
An exhaust gas purifying system as defined in claim 13, wherein said turbulence generating means generates a tumble of said air-fuel mixture.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
34 words
An exhaust gas purifying system as defined in claim 13, wherein said turbulence generating means includes a low lift type of an intake valve for accelerating a flow of intake air entering said cylinder.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
29 words
An exhaust gas purifying system as defined in claim 1, wherein said combustion promoting means includes an air-mixing type of a fuel injector for delivering fuel mixed with air.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
23 words
An exhaust gas purifying system as defined in claim 1, wherein said combustion promoting means includes ignition means for providing high ignition energy.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
26 words
An exhaust gas purifying system as defined in claim 1, wherein said temperature control means terminates said rise in exhaust gas temperature after said time interval.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
46 words
An exhaust gas purifying system as defined in claim 1, and further comprising temperature monitoring means for detecting a specified temperature of the exhaust gas after said catalytic converter at which said temperature control means terminates said time interval for said rise in exhaust gas temperature.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
42 words
An exhaust gas purifying system as defined in claim 1, and further comprising temperature monitoring means for detecting a specified temperature of engine cooling water at which said temperature control means terminates said time interval for said rise in exhaust gas temperature.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
53 words
An exhaust gas purifying system as defined in claim 1, wherein said temperature control means causes said engine operation control means to set said ignition timing so as to produce a rise in in-cylinder pressure after the middle of an expansion stroke during said time interval for said rise in exhaust, gas temperature.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
33 words
An exhaust gas purifying system as defined in claim 13, wherein turbulence of said air-fuel mixture generated by said turbulence generating means is greater as compared to normal turbulence before and after ignition.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
33 words
An exhaust gas purifying system as defined in claim 1, wherein an operating speed of the engine is increased when said combustion promoting means is caused to promote combustion of said air-fuel mixture.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
31 words
The exhaust gas purifying system as defined in claim 1, wherein said combustion promoting means includes an intake port for generating a tumble flow in a combustion chamber of the engine.
Claim 27
Independent Claim
148 words
A method of purifying exhaust gas discharged from a reciprocating internal combustion engine equipped with a catalytic converter in an exhaust system, said exhaust gas purifying method comprising the steps of: monitoring a thermal condition of the engine after an engine start; retarding an ignition timing at which an air-fuel mixture is fired in the engine to a point after top-dead-center; and promoting combustion of said air-fuel mixture by controlling the engine to burn said air-fuel mixture with a high combustion efficiency so as to stabilize engine cycling, for a time interval so as to cause a rise in exhaust gas temperature when the engine is monitored to be still in a cold condition, and altering an exhaust air-fuel ratio in a range equal to or greater than 14.5 during said time interval, thereby accelerating a rise in temperature of said catalytic converter to an effective activation temperature.
Claim 28
Independent Claim
148 words
A method of purifying exhaust gas discharged from a reciprocating internal combustion engine equipped with a catalytic converter in an exhaust system, said exhaust gas purifying method comprising the steps of: monitoring a thermal condition of the engine after an engine start; retarding an ignition timing at which an air-fuel mixture is fired in the engine to a point after top-dead-center; and promoting combustion of said air-fuel mixture by controlling the engine to burn said air-fuel mixture with a high combustion efficiency so as to stabilize engine cycling, for a time interval so as to cause a rise in exhaust gas temperature when the engine is monitored to be still in a cold condition, and altering an exhaust air-fuel ratio in a range equal to or greater than 14.5 during said time interval, thereby accelerating a rise in temperature of said catalytic converter to an effective activation temperature.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
43 words
An exhaust gas purifying method as defined in claim 26, wherein said ignition timing is set so as to produce a rise in in-cylinder pressure after the middle of an expansion stroke during said time interval for said rise in exhaust gas temperature.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
233 words
An exhaust gas purifying system having a catalytic converter in an exhaust line for purifying exhaust gas for a reciprocating internal combustion engine of a vehicle, said exhaust gas purifying system comprising: thermal condition monitoring means for monitoring a temperature condition of the engine; engine operation control means for controlling operation of the engine; turbulence generating means for generating enhanced turbulence of an air-fuel mixture in a cylinder of the engine; and temperature control means for controlling a rise in exhaust gas temperature to an effective activation temperature of said catalytic converter during a time interval from an engine start, said temperature control means, while said thermal condition monitoring means detects a specified cold temperature condition of the engine, causing said engine operation control means to retard an ignition timing at which said air-fuel mixture is fired in the engine to a point after top-dead-center during said time interval and causing said turbulence generating means to make an air-fuel mixture rate constant before an ignition time at which a spark plus is fired, to create a turbulent energy at said ignition time when said turbulence generating means is operated greater than a turbulent energy at said ignition time when said turbulence generating means is not operated and to maintain said turbulent energy after said ignition time, thereby accelerating said rise in exhaust gas temperature to an effective activation temperature after said engine start.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
233 words
An exhaust gas purifying system having a catalytic converter in an exhaust line for purifying exhaust gas for a reciprocating internal combustion engine of a vehicle, said exhaust gas purifying system comprising: thermal condition monitoring means for monitoring a temperature condition of the engine; engine operation control means for controlling operation of the engine; turbulence generating means for generating enhanced turbulence of an air-fuel mixture in a cylinder of the engine; and temperature control means for controlling a rise in exhaust gas temperature to an effective activation temperature of said catalytic converter during a time interval from an engine start, said temperature control means, while said thermal condition monitoring means detects a specified cold temperature condition of the engine, causing said engine operation control means to retard an ignition timing at which said air-fuel mixture is fired in the engine to a point after top-dead-center during said time interval and causing said turbulence generating means to make an air-fuel mixture rate constant before an ignition time at which a spark plus is fired, to create a turbulent energy at said ignition time when said turbulence generating means is operated greater than a turbulent energy at said ignition time when said turbulence generating means is not operated and to maintain said turbulent energy after said ignition time, thereby accelerating said rise in exhaust gas temperature to an effective activation temperature after said engine start.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
22 words
An exhaust gas purifying system as defined in claim 28, wherein said turbulence generating means generates a swirl of said air-fuel mixture.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
21 words
A exhaust gas purifying system as defined in claim 29, wherein swirl ratio of said air-fuel mixture is greater than 1.0.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
22 words
An exhaust gas purifying system as defined in claim 28, wherein said turbulence generating means generates a tumble of said air-fuel mixture.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
22 words
An exhaust gas purifying system as defined in claim 31, wherein a tumble ratio of said air-fuel mixture is greater than 1.5.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
31 words
An exhaust gas purifying system as defined in claim 28, wherein said turbulence generating means includes a low lift intake valve for accelerating a flow of intake air entering said cylinder.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
34 words
An exhaust gas purifying system as defined in claim 28, wherein an operating speed of the engine is increased when said turbulence generating means is caused to generate enhanced turbulence of said air-fuel mixture.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
259 words
An exhaust gas purifying system having a catalytic converter in an exhaust line for purifying exhaust gas for a reciprocating internal combustion engine of a vehicle, said exhaust gas purifying system comprising: thermal condition monitoring means for monitoring a temperature condition of the engine; engine operation control means for controlling operation of the engine; turbulence generating means for generating enhanced turbulence of an air-fuel mixture in a cylinder of the engine; and temperature control means for controlling a rise in exhaust gas temperature to an effective activation temperature of said catalytic converter during a time interval from an engine start, said temperature control means, while said thermal condition monitoring means detects a specified cold temperature condition of the engine, causing said engine operation control means to retard an ignition timing at which said air-fuel mixture is fired in the engine to a point after top-dead-center during said time interval and causing said turbulence generating means to make an air-fuel mixture rate constant before an ignition time at which a spark plug is fired, to create a turbulent energy at said ignition time when said turbulence generating means is operated greater than a turbulent energy at said ignition time when said turbulence generating means is not operated and to maintain said turbulent energy after said ignition time, thereby accelerating said rise in exhaust gas temperature to an effective activation temperature after said engine start wherein said engine operation control means further alters an exhaust air-fuel ratio in a range equal to or greater than 14.5 during said specific time interval.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
259 words
An exhaust gas purifying system having a catalytic converter in an exhaust line for purifying exhaust gas for a reciprocating internal combustion engine of a vehicle, said exhaust gas purifying system comprising: thermal condition monitoring means for monitoring a temperature condition of the engine; engine operation control means for controlling operation of the engine; turbulence generating means for generating enhanced turbulence of an air-fuel mixture in a cylinder of the engine; and temperature control means for controlling a rise in exhaust gas temperature to an effective activation temperature of said catalytic converter during a time interval from an engine start, said temperature control means, while said thermal condition monitoring means detects a specified cold temperature condition of the engine, causing said engine operation control means to retard an ignition timing at which said air-fuel mixture is fired in the engine to a point after top-dead-center during said time interval and causing said turbulence generating means to make an air-fuel mixture rate constant before an ignition time at which a spark plug is fired, to create a turbulent energy at said ignition time when said turbulence generating means is operated greater than a turbulent energy at said ignition time when said turbulence generating means is not operated and to maintain said turbulent energy after said ignition time, thereby accelerating said rise in exhaust gas temperature to an effective activation temperature after said engine start wherein said engine operation control means further alters an exhaust air-fuel ratio in a range equal to or greater than 14.5 during said specific time interval.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
168 words
An exhaust gas purifying system having a catalytic converter in an exhaust line for purifying exhaust gas for a reciprocating internal combustion engine of a vehicle, said exhaust gas purifying system comprising: thermal condition monitoring means for monitoring a warmed condition of the engine; engine operation control means for controlling operation of the engine and altering an exhaust air-fuel ratio in a range equal to or greater than 14.5 during a time interval from an engine start; and temperature control means for controlling a rise in exhaust gas temperature to an effective activation temperature of said catalytic converter during said time interval and, while said thermal condition monitoring means detects a specified cold condition of the engine, for causing said engine operating control means to retard an ignition timing at which an air-fuel mixture is fired in the engine to a point after top-dead-center during said time interval, so as thereby to accelerate said rise in exhaust gas temperature to an effective activation temperature after said engine start.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
168 words
An exhaust gas purifying system having a catalytic converter in an exhaust line for purifying exhaust gas for a reciprocating internal combustion engine of a vehicle, said exhaust gas purifying system comprising: thermal condition monitoring means for monitoring a warmed condition of the engine; engine operation control means for controlling operation of the engine and altering an exhaust air-fuel ratio in a range equal to or greater than 14.5 during a time interval from an engine start; and temperature control means for controlling a rise in exhaust gas temperature to an effective activation temperature of said catalytic converter during said time interval and, while said thermal condition monitoring means detects a specified cold condition of the engine, for causing said engine operating control means to retard an ignition timing at which an air-fuel mixture is fired in the engine to a point after top-dead-center during said time interval, so as thereby to accelerate said rise in exhaust gas temperature to an effective activation temperature after said engine start.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
56 words
An exhaust gas purifying system as defined in claim 36, wherein said temperature control means causes said engine operation control means to regulate an amount of intake air introduced into the engine independently from operation of a throttle valve of the engine so as to maintain a specified speed of the engine in said time interval.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
46 words
An exhaust gas purifying system as defined in claim 36, wherein said engine operation control means controls a throttle valve of the engine to maintain the engine at a relatively high engine speed during said acceleration of said rise in said rise in exhaust gas temperature.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
77 words
An exhaust gas purifying system as defined in claim 38, wherein said temperature control means causes said engine operation control means to regulate at the beginning of said time interval an amount of intake air introduced into the engine independently from operation of said throttle valve so as to maintain said specified engine speed and thereafter to further retard said ignition timing so as to decrease engine speed below said specified engine speed during said timing interval.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
60 words
An exhaust gas purifying system as defined in claim 38, wherein said temperature control means causes said engine operation control means to retard said ignition timing to a point of time more later but before top-dead-center when the vehicle starts under a driving condition during said time interval than when driving under the same driving condition after said time interval.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
167 words
An exhaust gas purifying system having a catalytic converter in an exhaust line for purifying exhaust gas for a reciprocating internal combustion engine of a vehicle, said exhaust gas purifying system comprising: thermal condition monitoring means for monitoring a warmed condition of the engine; engine operation control means for controlling operation of the engine; combustion promoting means operative only during a cold condition of the engine for promoting combustion of an air-fuel mixture in the engine; and temperature control means for controlling a rise in exhaust gas temperature to an effective activation temperature of said catalytic converter during said time interval and, while said thermal condition monitoring means detects a specified cold condition of the engine, for causing said engine operating control means to retard an ignition timing at which an air-fuel mixture is fired in the engine to a point after top-dead-center during said time interval, so as thereby to accelerate said rise in exhaust gas temperature to an effective activation temperature after said engine start.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
167 words
An exhaust gas purifying system having a catalytic converter in an exhaust line for purifying exhaust gas for a reciprocating internal combustion engine of a vehicle, said exhaust gas purifying system comprising: thermal condition monitoring means for monitoring a warmed condition of the engine; engine operation control means for controlling operation of the engine; combustion promoting means operative only during a cold condition of the engine for promoting combustion of an air-fuel mixture in the engine; and temperature control means for controlling a rise in exhaust gas temperature to an effective activation temperature of said catalytic converter during said time interval and, while said thermal condition monitoring means detects a specified cold condition of the engine, for causing said engine operating control means to retard an ignition timing at which an air-fuel mixture is fired in the engine to a point after top-dead-center during said time interval, so as thereby to accelerate said rise in exhaust gas temperature to an effective activation temperature after said engine start.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
162 words
An exhaust gas purifying system having a catalytic converter in an exhaust line for purifying exhaust gas for a reciprocating internal combustion engine of a vehicle, said exhaust gas purifying system comprising: thermal condition monitoring means for monitoring a warmed condition of the engine; combustion control means for generating enhanced turbulence of an air-fuel mixture in a cylinder of the engine; engine operation control means for controlling operation of the engine; and temperature control means for controlling a rise in exhaust gas temperature to an effective activation temperature of said catalytic converter during said time interval and, while said thermal condition monitoring means detects a specified cold condition of the engine, for causing said engine operating control means to retard an ignition timing at which an air-fuel mixture is fired in the engine to a point after top-dead-center during said time interval, so as thereby to accelerate said rise in exhaust gas temperature to an effective activation temperature after said engine start.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
162 words
An exhaust gas purifying system having a catalytic converter in an exhaust line for purifying exhaust gas for a reciprocating internal combustion engine of a vehicle, said exhaust gas purifying system comprising: thermal condition monitoring means for monitoring a warmed condition of the engine; combustion control means for generating enhanced turbulence of an air-fuel mixture in a cylinder of the engine; engine operation control means for controlling operation of the engine; and temperature control means for controlling a rise in exhaust gas temperature to an effective activation temperature of said catalytic converter during said time interval and, while said thermal condition monitoring means detects a specified cold condition of the engine, for causing said engine operating control means to retard an ignition timing at which an air-fuel mixture is fired in the engine to a point after top-dead-center during said time interval, so as thereby to accelerate said rise in exhaust gas temperature to an effective activation temperature after said engine start.
Claim 50
Independent Claim
126 words
A method of purifying exhaust gas discharged from a reciprocating internal combustion engine equipped with a catalytic converter in an exhaust system, said exhaust gas purifying means comprising the steps of: monitoring a thermal condition of the engine after an engine start; altering an exhaust air-fuel ratio in a range equal to or greater than 14.5 during a specified time interval from said engine start; and retarding an ignition timing at which an air-fuel mixture is fired in the engine to a point after top-dead-center during said time interval so as to cause a rise in exhaust gas temperature when the engine is monitored to be still in a cold condition, thereby accelerating a rise in temperature of said catalytic converter to an effective activation temperature.
Claim 51
Independent Claim
126 words
A method of purifying exhaust gas discharged from a reciprocating internal combustion engine equipped with a catalytic converter in an exhaust system, said exhaust gas purifying means comprising the steps of: monitoring a thermal condition of the engine after an engine start; altering an exhaust air-fuel ratio in a range equal to or greater than 14.5 during a specified time interval from said engine start; and retarding an ignition timing at which an air-fuel mixture is fired in the engine to a point after top-dead-center during said time interval so as to cause a rise in exhaust gas temperature when the engine is monitored to be still in a cold condition, thereby accelerating a rise in temperature of said catalytic converter to an effective activation temperature.
Claim 52
Dependent Claim
225 words
An exhaust gas purifying system having a catalytic converter in an exhaust line for purifying exhaust gas for a reciprocating internal combustion engine of a vehicle, said exhaust gas purifying system comprising: thermal condition monitor which monitors a temperature condition of the engine; engine operation control operative to control operation of the engine; turbulence generator which generates enhanced turbulence of an air-fuel mixture in a cylinder of the engine; and temperature control operative to control a rise in exhaust gas temperature to an effective activation temperature of said catalytic converter during a time interval from an engine start, said temperature control, while said thermal condition monitor detects a specified cold temperature condition of the engine, causing said engine operation control to retard an ignition timing at which said air-fuel mixture is fired in the engine to a point after top-dead-center during said time interval and causing said turbulence generator to make an air-fuel mixture rate constant before an ignition time at which a spark plug is fired, to create a turbulent energy at said ignition time when said turbulence generator is operated greater than a turbulent energy at said ignition time when said turbulence generator is not operated and to maintain said turbulent energy after said ignition time, thereby accelerating said rise in exhaust gas temperature to an effective activation temperature after said engine start.
Claim 53
Dependent Claim
225 words
An exhaust gas purifying system having a catalytic converter in an exhaust line for purifying exhaust gas for a reciprocating internal combustion engine of a vehicle, said exhaust gas purifying system comprising: thermal condition monitor which monitors a temperature condition of the engine; engine operation control operative to control operation of the engine; turbulence generator which generates enhanced turbulence of an air-fuel mixture in a cylinder of the engine; and temperature control operative to control a rise in exhaust gas temperature to an effective activation temperature of said catalytic converter during a time interval from an engine start, said temperature control, while said thermal condition monitor detects a specified cold temperature condition of the engine, causing said engine operation control to retard an ignition timing at which said air-fuel mixture is fired in the engine to a point after top-dead-center during said time interval and causing said turbulence generator to make an air-fuel mixture rate constant before an ignition time at which a spark plug is fired, to create a turbulent energy at said ignition time when said turbulence generator is operated greater than a turbulent energy at said ignition time when said turbulence generator is not operated and to maintain said turbulent energy after said ignition time, thereby accelerating said rise in exhaust gas temperature to an effective activation temperature after said engine start.
Claim 54
Dependent Claim
163 words
An exhaust gas purifying system having a catalytic converter in an exhaust line for purifying exhaust gas for a reciprocating internal combustion engine of a vehicle, said exhaust gas purifying system comprising: thermal condition monitor which monitors a warmed condition of the engine; engine operation control operative to control operation of the engine and alter an exhaust air-fuel ratio in a range equal to or greater than 14.5 during a time interval from an engine start; and temperature control which controls a rise in exhaust gas temperature to an effective activation temperature of said catalytic converter during said time interval and, while said thermal condition monitor detects a specified cold condition of the engine, causes said engine operating control to retard an ignition timing at which an air-fuel mixture is fired in the engine to a point after top-dead-center during said time interval, so as thereby to accelerate said rise in exhaust gas temperature to an effective activation temperature after said engine start.
Claim 55
Dependent Claim
163 words
An exhaust gas purifying system having a catalytic converter in an exhaust line for purifying exhaust gas for a reciprocating internal combustion engine of a vehicle, said exhaust gas purifying system comprising: thermal condition monitor which monitors a warmed condition of the engine; engine operation control operative to control operation of the engine and alter an exhaust air-fuel ratio in a range equal to or greater than 14.5 during a time interval from an engine start; and temperature control which controls a rise in exhaust gas temperature to an effective activation temperature of said catalytic converter during said time interval and, while said thermal condition monitor detects a specified cold condition of the engine, causes said engine operating control to retard an ignition timing at which an air-fuel mixture is fired in the engine to a point after top-dead-center during said time interval, so as thereby to accelerate said rise in exhaust gas temperature to an effective activation temperature after said engine start.
Claim 56
Dependent Claim
163 words
An exhaust gas purifying system having a catalytic converter in an exhaust line for purifying exhaust gas for a reciprocating internal combustion engine of a vehicle, said exhaust gas purifying system comprising: thermal condition monitor which monitors a warmed condition of the engine; engine operation control operative to control operation of the engine; combustion promotor operative only during a cold condition of the engine for promoting combustion of an air-fuel mixture in the engine; and temperature control operative to control a rise in exhaust gas temperature to an effective activation temperature of said catalytic converter during said time interval and, while said thermal condition monitor detects a specified cold condition of the engine, for causing said engine operating control to retard an ignition timing at which an air-fuel mixture is fired in the engine to a point after top-dead-center during said time interval, so as thereby to accelerate said rise in exhaust gas temperature to an effective activation temperature after said engine start.
Claim 57
Dependent Claim
163 words
An exhaust gas purifying system having a catalytic converter in an exhaust line for purifying exhaust gas for a reciprocating internal combustion engine of a vehicle, said exhaust gas purifying system comprising: thermal condition monitor which monitors a warmed condition of the engine; engine operation control operative to control operation of the engine; combustion promotor operative only during a cold condition of the engine for promoting combustion of an air-fuel mixture in the engine; and temperature control operative to control a rise in exhaust gas temperature to an effective activation temperature of said catalytic converter during said time interval and, while said thermal condition monitor detects a specified cold condition of the engine, for causing said engine operating control to retard an ignition timing at which an air-fuel mixture is fired in the engine to a point after top-dead-center during said time interval, so as thereby to accelerate said rise in exhaust gas temperature to an effective activation temperature after said engine start.
Claim 58
Dependent Claim
131 words
An engine control system for a reciprocating internal combustion engine of a vehicle equipped with an exhaust gas purifying system having a catalytic converter in an exhaust line for purifying exhaust gas from the engine, said engine control system comprising: ignition means extending in a combustion chamber of the engine for firing an air-fuel mixture; thermal condition monitoring means for monitoring a thermal condition of the engine; fuel supply control means for supplying fuel into said combustion chamber so as to provide an exhaust air-fuel ratio of approximately 14.7 while the engine is monitored to be still in a cold condition after an engine start; and mixture control means for creating a substantially homogeneous distribution of said air-fuel mixture in said combustion chamber before said ignition means ignites said air-fuel mixture.
Claim 59
Dependent Claim
131 words
An engine control system for a reciprocating internal combustion engine of a vehicle equipped with an exhaust gas purifying system having a catalytic converter in an exhaust line for purifying exhaust gas from the engine, said engine control system comprising: ignition means extending in a combustion chamber of the engine for firing an air-fuel mixture; thermal condition monitoring means for monitoring a thermal condition of the engine; fuel supply control means for supplying fuel into said combustion chamber so as to provide an exhaust air-fuel ratio of approximately 14.7 while the engine is monitored to be still in a cold condition after an engine start; and mixture control means for creating a substantially homogeneous distribution of said air-fuel mixture in said combustion chamber before said ignition means ignites said air-fuel mixture.
Claim 60
Dependent Claim
62 words
An engine control system as defined in claim 47, and further comprising an ignition control means for controlling said ignition means to retard an ignition time at which said ignition means ignites said air-fuel mixture in said combustion chamber to a point of time after top-dead-center in a compression stroke while the engine is monitored to be still in a cold condition.
Claim 61
Dependent Claim
80 words
An engine control system as defined in claim 48, wherein said ignition control means for controlling said ignition means to retard said ignition time to a point of time after top-dead-center in a compression stroke for during a specific time interval from said engine start while the engine is monitored to be still in a cold condition but before top-dead-center in a compression stroke after said time interval while the engine is monitored to be still in a cold condition.
Claim 62
Dependent Claim
158 words
An engine control system as defined in claim 48, and further comprising an air-flow sensor operative to detect of an intake air quantity introduced into the engine and a heater equipped oxygen (O 2 ) sensor disposed in the exhaust line and operative to monitor an oxygen concentration of the exhaust gas, wherein said fuel supply control means supplies fuel into said combustion chamber according to said intake air quantity in feed-forward control until said heater equipped oxygen (O 2 ) sensor is activated after a point of time that the engine is monitored to be still in a cold condition after an engine start and according to said intake air quantity and said oxygen concentration in feed-back control after said heater equipped oxygen (O 2 ) sensor is activated while the engine is monitored to be still in a cold condition after said engine start, so as thereby to provide an exhaust air-fuel ratio of approximately 14.7.
Claim 63
Dependent Claim
68 words
An engine control system as defined in claim 47, and further comprising an ignition control means for controlling said ignition means to regulate an ignition time at which said ignition means ignites said air-fuel mixture in said combustion chamber so as to provide an increase in cylinder pressure after a middle point in an expansion stroke while the engine is monitored to be still in a cold condition.
Claim 64
Dependent Claim
34 words
An engine control system as defined in claim 51, wherein said ignition control means controls said ignition means to regulate said ignition time to a point 10 degrees after top-dead-center in a compression stroke.
Claim 65
Dependent Claim
45 words
An engine control system as defined in claim 47, wherein said mixture control means controls an intake air flow introduced into said combustion chamber to create a homogeneous distribution of said air-fuel mixture in said combustion chamber before said ignition means ignites said air-fuel mixture.
Claim 66
Dependent Claim
48 words
An engine control system as defined in claim 53, wherein said mixture control means generates a swirl of an intake air flow introduced into said combustion chamber to create a homogeneous distribution of said air-fuel mixture in said combustion chamber before said ignition means ignites said air-fuel mixture.
Claim 67
Dependent Claim
48 words
An engine control system as defined in claim 53, wherein said mixture control means generates a tumble of an intake air flow introduced into said combustion chamber to create a homogeneous distribution of said air-fuel mixture in said combustion chamber before said ignition means ignites said air-fuel mixture.
Claim 68
Dependent Claim
37 words
An engine control system as defined in claim 47, wherein said thermal condition monitoring means monitors a temperature of engine cooling water based on which the engine is determined to be in a cold condition or not.
Claim 69
Dependent Claim
184 words
An engine control system for a reciprocating internal combustion engine of a vehicle equipped with an exhaust gas purifying system having a catalytic converter in an exhaust line for purifying exhaust gas from the engine, said engine control system comprising: an air-flow sensor operative to detect of an intake air quantity introduced into the engine; a spark plug extending in a combustion chamber of the engine which is fired to ignite an air-fuel mixture; a fuel injector operative to deliver fuel into said combustion chamber; a temperature sensor operative to monitor a temperature of engine cooling water; a controller operative to control said fuel injector to deliver fuel into said combustion chamber according to said intake air quantity so as to provide an exhaust air-fuel ratio of approximately 14.7 while said temperature sensor monitors said temperature of engine cooling water lower than a specified value; and an intake air passage connected to said combustion chamber to produce an air stream with which said substantially homogeneous distribution of said air-fuel mixture is created in said combustion chamber before said spark plug ignites said air-fuel mixture.
Claim 70
Dependent Claim
184 words
An engine control system for a reciprocating internal combustion engine of a vehicle equipped with an exhaust gas purifying system having a catalytic converter in an exhaust line for purifying exhaust gas from the engine, said engine control system comprising: an air-flow sensor operative to detect of an intake air quantity introduced into the engine; a spark plug extending in a combustion chamber of the engine which is fired to ignite an air-fuel mixture; a fuel injector operative to deliver fuel into said combustion chamber; a temperature sensor operative to monitor a temperature of engine cooling water; a controller operative to control said fuel injector to deliver fuel into said combustion chamber according to said intake air quantity so as to provide an exhaust air-fuel ratio of approximately 14.7 while said temperature sensor monitors said temperature of engine cooling water lower than a specified value; and an intake air passage connected to said combustion chamber to produce an air stream with which said substantially homogeneous distribution of said air-fuel mixture is created in said combustion chamber before said spark plug ignites said air-fuel mixture.
Claim 71
Dependent Claim
222 words
An engine control system for a reciprocating internal combustion engine of a vehicle equipped with an exhaust gas purifying system having a catalytic converter in an exhaust line for purifying exhaust gas from the engine, said engine control system comprising: an air-flow sensor operative to detect of an intake air quantity introduced into the engine; a spark plug extending in a combustion chamber of the engine which is fired to ignite an air-fuel mixture; an igniter operative to fire said spark plug; a fuel injector operative to deliver fuel into said combustion chamber; a temperature sensor operative to monitor a temperature of engine cooling water; a controller operative to provide an injection signal for causing said fuel injector to deliver fuel into said combustion chamber according to said intake air quantity so as to provide an exhaust air-fuel ratio of approximately 14.7 while said temperature sensor monitors said temperature of engine cooling water lower than a specified value, and to provide an ignition signal for causing said igniter to fire said spark plug at a point of time after top-dead-center in a compression stroke; and an intake air passage connected to said combustion chamber to produce an air stream with which said substantially homogeneous distribution of said air-fuel mixture is created in said combustion before said spark plug ignites said air-fuel mixture.
Claim 72
Dependent Claim
222 words
An engine control system for a reciprocating internal combustion engine of a vehicle equipped with an exhaust gas purifying system having a catalytic converter in an exhaust line for purifying exhaust gas from the engine, said engine control system comprising: an air-flow sensor operative to detect of an intake air quantity introduced into the engine; a spark plug extending in a combustion chamber of the engine which is fired to ignite an air-fuel mixture; an igniter operative to fire said spark plug; a fuel injector operative to deliver fuel into said combustion chamber; a temperature sensor operative to monitor a temperature of engine cooling water; a controller operative to provide an injection signal for causing said fuel injector to deliver fuel into said combustion chamber according to said intake air quantity so as to provide an exhaust air-fuel ratio of approximately 14.7 while said temperature sensor monitors said temperature of engine cooling water lower than a specified value, and to provide an ignition signal for causing said igniter to fire said spark plug at a point of time after top-dead-center in a compression stroke; and an intake air passage connected to said combustion chamber to produce an air stream with which said substantially homogeneous distribution of said air-fuel mixture is created in said combustion before said spark plug ignites said air-fuel mixture.
Claim 73
Dependent Claim
266 words
An engine control system for a reciprocating internal combustion engine of a vehicle equipped with an exhaust gas purifying system having a catalytic converter in an exhaust line for purifying exhaust gas from the engine, said engine control system comprising: an air-flow sensor operative to detect of an intake air quantity introduced into the engine; a spark plug extending in a combustion chamber of the engine which is fired to ignite an air-fuel mixture; an igniter operative to fire said spark plug; a fuel injector operative to deliver fuel into said combustion chamber; a temperature sensor operative to monitor a temperature of engine cooling water; a controller operative to provide an injection signal for causing said fuel injector to deliver fuel into said combustion chamber according to said intake air quantity so as to provide an exhaust air-fuel ratio of approximately 14.7 while said temperature sensor monitors said temperature of engine cooling water lower than a specified value, and to provide an ignition signal for causing said igniter to fire said spark plug at a point of time after top-dead-center in a compression stroke during a specified time interval from a point of time that said temperature sensor monitors said temperature of engine cooling water lower than said specified value and at a point of time before a top-dead-center in a compression stroke after said time interval; and an intake air passage connected to said combustion chamber to produce an air stream with which said substantially homogeneous distribution of said air-fuel mixture is created in said combustion chamber before said spark plug ignites said air-fuel mixture.
Claim 74
Dependent Claim
266 words
An engine control system for a reciprocating internal combustion engine of a vehicle equipped with an exhaust gas purifying system having a catalytic converter in an exhaust line for purifying exhaust gas from the engine, said engine control system comprising: an air-flow sensor operative to detect of an intake air quantity introduced into the engine; a spark plug extending in a combustion chamber of the engine which is fired to ignite an air-fuel mixture; an igniter operative to fire said spark plug; a fuel injector operative to deliver fuel into said combustion chamber; a temperature sensor operative to monitor a temperature of engine cooling water; a controller operative to provide an injection signal for causing said fuel injector to deliver fuel into said combustion chamber according to said intake air quantity so as to provide an exhaust air-fuel ratio of approximately 14.7 while said temperature sensor monitors said temperature of engine cooling water lower than a specified value, and to provide an ignition signal for causing said igniter to fire said spark plug at a point of time after top-dead-center in a compression stroke during a specified time interval from a point of time that said temperature sensor monitors said temperature of engine cooling water lower than said specified value and at a point of time before a top-dead-center in a compression stroke after said time interval; and an intake air passage connected to said combustion chamber to produce an air stream with which said substantially homogeneous distribution of said air-fuel mixture is created in said combustion chamber before said spark plug ignites said air-fuel mixture.
Claim 75
Dependent Claim
333 words
An engine control system for a reciprocating internal combustion engine of a vehicle equipped with an exhaust gas purifying system having a catalytic converter in an exhaust line for purifying exhaust gas from the engine, said engine control system comprising: an air-flow sensor operative to detect of an intake air quantity introduced into the engine; a spark plug extending in a combustion chamber of the engine which is fired to ignite an air-fuel mixture; an igniter operative to fire said spark plug; a fuel injector operative to deliver fuel into said combustion chamber; a heater equipped oxygen (O 2 ) sensor disposed in the exhaust line and operative to monitor an oxygen concentration of the exhaust gas; a temperature sensor operative to monitor a temperature of engine cooling water; a controller operative to provide an injection signal for causing said fuel injector to deliver fuel into said combustion chamber according to said intake air quantity in feed-forward control until said heater equipped oxygen (O 2 ) sensor is activated after a point of time that said temperature sensor monitors said temperature of engine cooling water lower than a specified value and according to said intake air quantity and said oxygen concentration in feed-back control after said heater equipped oxygen (O 2 ) sensor is activated, so as thereby to provide an exhaust air-fuel ratio of approximately 14.7, and to provide an ignition signal for causing said igniter to fire said spark plug at a point of time after top-dead-center in a compression stroke during a specified time interval from a point of time that said temperature sensor monitors said temperature of engine cooling water lower than said specified value and a point of time before top-dead-center in a compression stroke after said time interval; and an intake air passage connected to said combustion chamber to produce an air stream with which said substantially homogeneous distribution of said air-fuel mixture is created in said combustion chamber before said spark plug ignites said air-fuel mixture.
Claim 76
Dependent Claim
333 words
An engine control system for a reciprocating internal combustion engine of a vehicle equipped with an exhaust gas purifying system having a catalytic converter in an exhaust line for purifying exhaust gas from the engine, said engine control system comprising: an air-flow sensor operative to detect of an intake air quantity introduced into the engine; a spark plug extending in a combustion chamber of the engine which is fired to ignite an air-fuel mixture; an igniter operative to fire said spark plug; a fuel injector operative to deliver fuel into said combustion chamber; a heater equipped oxygen (O 2 ) sensor disposed in the exhaust line and operative to monitor an oxygen concentration of the exhaust gas; a temperature sensor operative to monitor a temperature of engine cooling water; a controller operative to provide an injection signal for causing said fuel injector to deliver fuel into said combustion chamber according to said intake air quantity in feed-forward control until said heater equipped oxygen (O 2 ) sensor is activated after a point of time that said temperature sensor monitors said temperature of engine cooling water lower than a specified value and according to said intake air quantity and said oxygen concentration in feed-back control after said heater equipped oxygen (O 2 ) sensor is activated, so as thereby to provide an exhaust air-fuel ratio of approximately 14.7, and to provide an ignition signal for causing said igniter to fire said spark plug at a point of time after top-dead-center in a compression stroke during a specified time interval from a point of time that said temperature sensor monitors said temperature of engine cooling water lower than said specified value and a point of time before top-dead-center in a compression stroke after said time interval; and an intake air passage connected to said combustion chamber to produce an air stream with which said substantially homogeneous distribution of said air-fuel mixture is created in said combustion chamber before said spark plug ignites said air-fuel mixture.
Claim 77
Dependent Claim
195 words
An engine control system for a reciprocating internal combustion engine of a vehicle equipped with an exhaust gas purifying system having a catalytic converter in an exhaust line for purifying exhaust gas from the engine, said engine control system comprising: a spark plug extending in a combustion chamber of the engine which is fired to ignite an air-fuel mixture; an igniter operative to fire said spark plug; a fuel injector operative to deliver fuel into said combustion chamber; a temperature sensor operative to monitor a temperature of engine cooling water; a controller operative to provide an injection signal for causing said fuel injector to deliver fuel into said combustion chamber and an ignition signal for causing said igniter to fire said spark plug so as to provide an increase in cylinder pressure after a middle point in an expansion stroke while said temperature sensor monitors a temperature of engine cooling water lower than a specified value; and an intake air passage connected to said combustion chamber to produce an air stream with which said substantially homogeneous distribution of said air-fuel mixture is created in said combustion chamber before said spark plug ignites said air-fuel mixture.
Claim 78
Dependent Claim
195 words
An engine control system for a reciprocating internal combustion engine of a vehicle equipped with an exhaust gas purifying system having a catalytic converter in an exhaust line for purifying exhaust gas from the engine, said engine control system comprising: a spark plug extending in a combustion chamber of the engine which is fired to ignite an air-fuel mixture; an igniter operative to fire said spark plug; a fuel injector operative to deliver fuel into said combustion chamber; a temperature sensor operative to monitor a temperature of engine cooling water; a controller operative to provide an injection signal for causing said fuel injector to deliver fuel into said combustion chamber and an ignition signal for causing said igniter to fire said spark plug so as to provide an increase in cylinder pressure after a middle point in an expansion stroke while said temperature sensor monitors a temperature of engine cooling water lower than a specified value; and an intake air passage connected to said combustion chamber to produce an air stream with which said substantially homogeneous distribution of said air-fuel mixture is created in said combustion chamber before said spark plug ignites said air-fuel mixture.
Claim 79
Dependent Claim
258 words
An engine control system for a reciprocating internal combustion engine of a vehicle equipped with an exhaust gas purifying system having a catalytic converter in an exhaust line for purifying exhaust gas from the engine, said engine control system comprising: an air-flow sensor operative to detect of an intake air quantity introduced into the engine; a spark plug extending in a combustion chamber of the engine which is fired to ignite an air-fuel mixture; a fuel injector operative to deliver fuel into said combustion chamber; a heater equipped oxygen (O 2 ) sensor disposed in the exhaust line and operative to monitor an oxygen concentration of the exhaust gas; a temperature sensor operative to monitor a temperature of engine cooling water; a controller operative to provide an injection signal for causing said fuel injector to deliver fuel into said combustion chamber according to said intake air quantity in feed-forward control until said heater equipped oxygen (O 2 ) sensor is activated after a point of time that said temperature sensor monitors said temperature of engine cooling water lower than a specified value and according to said intake air quantity and said oxygen concentration in feed-back control after said heater equipped oxygen (O 2 ) sensor is activated, so as thereby to provide an exhaust air-fuel ratio of approximately 14.7; and an intake air passage connected to said combustion chamber to produce an air stream with which said substantially homogeneous distribution of said air-fuel mixture is created in said combustion chamber before said spark plug ignites said air-fuel mixture.
Claim 80
Dependent Claim
258 words
An engine control system for a reciprocating internal combustion engine of a vehicle equipped with an exhaust gas purifying system having a catalytic converter in an exhaust line for purifying exhaust gas from the engine, said engine control system comprising: an air-flow sensor operative to detect of an intake air quantity introduced into the engine; a spark plug extending in a combustion chamber of the engine which is fired to ignite an air-fuel mixture; a fuel injector operative to deliver fuel into said combustion chamber; a heater equipped oxygen (O 2 ) sensor disposed in the exhaust line and operative to monitor an oxygen concentration of the exhaust gas; a temperature sensor operative to monitor a temperature of engine cooling water; a controller operative to provide an injection signal for causing said fuel injector to deliver fuel into said combustion chamber according to said intake air quantity in feed-forward control until said heater equipped oxygen (O 2 ) sensor is activated after a point of time that said temperature sensor monitors said temperature of engine cooling water lower than a specified value and according to said intake air quantity and said oxygen concentration in feed-back control after said heater equipped oxygen (O 2 ) sensor is activated, so as thereby to provide an exhaust air-fuel ratio of approximately 14.7; and an intake air passage connected to said combustion chamber to produce an air stream with which said substantially homogeneous distribution of said air-fuel mixture is created in said combustion chamber before said spark plug ignites said air-fuel mixture.
Claim 81
Dependent Claim
105 words
An engine control method of controlling engine operation to purify exhaust gas from a reciprocating internal combustion engine of a vehicle equipped with an exhaust gas purifying system having a catalytic converter in an exhaust line, said engine control method comprising the steps of: monitoring a thermal condition of the engine; supplying fuel into said combustion chamber so as to provide an exhaust air-fuel ratio greater than approximately 14.5 while the engine is monitored to be still in a cold condition after an engine start; and creating a substantially homogeneous distribution of said air-fuel mixture in said combustion chamber before said air-fuel mixture is ignited.
Claim 82
Dependent Claim
105 words
An engine control method of controlling engine operation to purify exhaust gas from a reciprocating internal combustion engine of a vehicle equipped with an exhaust gas purifying system having a catalytic converter in an exhaust line, said engine control method comprising the steps of: monitoring a thermal condition of the engine; supplying fuel into said combustion chamber so as to provide an exhaust air-fuel ratio greater than approximately 14.5 while the engine is monitored to be still in a cold condition after an engine start; and creating a substantially homogeneous distribution of said air-fuel mixture in said combustion chamber before said air-fuel mixture is ignited.
Claim 83
Dependent Claim
26 words
An engine control method as defined in claim 63, and further comprising the step of retarding an ignition time at which said air-fuel mixture is ignited.
Claim 84
Dependent Claim
22 words
An engine control method as defined in claim 64, wherein said ignition time is retarded to a point of time after top-dead-center.
Claim 85
Dependent Claim
54 words
An engine control method as defined in claim 65, wherein said ignition time is retarded to a point of time more later but before top-dead-center while the vehicle starts under a driving condition during a specified time interval from an engine start than while driving under the same driving condition after said time interval.
Claim 86
Dependent Claim
55 words
An engine control method as defined in claim 66, wherein, when the vehicle starts during said time interval, said ignition time is retarded to a point of time more later but before top-dead-center while the vehicle drives with engine output lower than a specified level than while driving with the same level of engine output.
Claim 87
Dependent Claim
62 words
An engine control method as defined in claim 66, wherein, when the vehicle starts during said time interval, said ignition time is retarded to a point of time after top-dead-center while the vehicle drives with engine output lower than a specified level and to a point of time before top-dead-center while the vehicle drives with engine output higher than said specified level.
Claim 88
Dependent Claim
38 words
An engine control method as defined in claim 66, wherein said ignition time is retarded during a specified time interval from a point of time that the engine attains a specified speed of rotation after a complete explosion.
Claim 89
Dependent Claim
23 words
An engine control method as defined in claim 66, wherein said ignition time is retarded until the exhaust gas attains a specified temperature.
Claim 90
Dependent Claim
20 words
An engine control method as defined in claim 70, wherein said exhaust gas temperature is measured after the catalytic converter.
Claim 91
Dependent Claim
29 words
An engine control method as defined in claim 63, wherein said substantially homogeneous distribution of said air-fuel mixture is created by an intake air stream in said combustion chamber.
Claim 92
Dependent Claim
32 words
An engine control method as defined in claim 72, wherein said substantially homogeneous distribution of said air-fuel mixture is created by a swirl of said intake air stream in said combustion chamber.
Claim 93
Dependent Claim
20 words
An exhaust gas purifying system as defined in claim 73, wherein said swirl has a swirl ratio greater than 1.0.
Claim 94
Dependent Claim
33 words
An exhaust gas purifying system as defined in claim 72, wherein said substantially homogeneous distribution of said air-fuel mixture is created by a tumble of said intake air stream in said combustion chamber.
Claim 95
Dependent Claim
20 words
An exhaust gas purifying system as defined in claim 75, wherein said tumble has a tumble ratio greater than 1.5.
Claim 96
Dependent Claim
18 words
An exhaust gas purifying system as defined in claim 63, wherein said exhaust air-fuel ratio is approximately 14.7.
Claim 97
Dependent Claim
35 words
An engine control method as defined in claim 63, wherein the control of engine operation is started from a point of time that the engine attains a specified speed of rotation after a complete explosion.
Claim 98
Dependent Claim
30 words
An engine control method as defined in claim 63, wherein the control of engine operation is started when a temperature of engine cooling water is lower than a specified value.
Claim 99
Dependent Claim
23 words
An engine control method as defined in claim 63, wherein said exhaust air-fuel ratio before the catalytic converter is greater than approximately 14.5.
Claim 100
Dependent Claim
33 words
An engine control method as defined in claim 80, wherein air is introduced into the exhaust line before the catalytic converter so as to provide said exhaust air-fuel ratio greater than approximately 14.5.
Claim 101
Dependent Claim
67 words
An engine control method as defined in claim 63, and further comprising the step of monitoring an oxygen concentration of the exhaust gas by a heater equipped oxygen (O 2 ) sensor disposed in the exhaust line, wherein fuel is delivered into said combustion chamber according to at least said oxygen concentration in feed-back control so as thereby to provide an exhaust air-fuel ratio of approximately 14.5.
Claim 102
Dependent Claim
126 words
An engine control method as defined in claim 82, and further comprising the step of monitoring an intake air quantity introduced into the engine wherein fuel is delivered into said combustion chamber according to said intake air quantity in feed-forward control until said heater equipped oxygen (O 2 ) sensor is activated after a point of time that the engine is monitored to be still in a cold condition after an engine start and according to said intake air quantity and said oxygen concentration in feed-back control after said heater equipped oxygen (O 2 ) sensor is activated while the engine is monitored to be still in a cold condition after said engine start, so as thereby to provide an exhaust air-fuel ratio of approximately 14.5.
Claim 103
Dependent Claim
27 words
An engine control method as defined in claim 63, and further comprising the step of increasing an engine speed of rotation to a specified speed of rotation.
Claim 104
Dependent Claim
28 words
An engine control method as defined in claim 84, wherein said engine speed of rotation is increased by an increase in intake air quantity by idle speed control.
Claim 105
Dependent Claim
45 words
An engine control method as defined in claim 84, and further comprising the step of retarding an ignition time at which said air-fuel mixture is ignited to a point of time after top-dead-center after said engine speed of rotation attains said specified speed of rotation.
Claim 106
Dependent Claim
50 words
An engine control method as defined in claim 63, and further comprising the step of controlling combustion of said air-fuel mixture so as to provide an increase in cylinder pressure after a middle point in an expansion stroke while the engine is monitored to be still in a cold condition.
Claim 107
Dependent Claim
36 words
An engine control method as defined in claim 87, wherein said combustion is controlled by retarding an ignition time at which said fuel-mixture is ignited later as compared to ordinary combustion control of an air-fuel mixture.
Claim 108
Dependent Claim
22 words
An engine control method is defined in claim 88, wherein said ignition time is retarded to a point of time after top-dead-center.
Claim 109
Dependent Claim
26 words
An engine control method as defined in claim 89, wherein said ignition time is retarded to a point 10 degrees after top-dead-center in a compression stroke.
Claim 110
Dependent Claim
87 words
An engine control method of controlling engine operation to purify exhaust gas from a reciprocating internal combustion engine of a vehicle equipped with an exhaust gas purifying system having a catalytic converter in an exhaust line, said engine control method comprising the steps of: monitoring a thermal condition of the engine; and controlling combustion of an air-fuel mixture so as to provide an increase in cylinder pressure after a middle point in an expansion stroke while the engine is monitored to be still in a cold condition.
Claim 111
Dependent Claim
87 words
An engine control method of controlling engine operation to purify exhaust gas from a reciprocating internal combustion engine of a vehicle equipped with an exhaust gas purifying system having a catalytic converter in an exhaust line, said engine control method comprising the steps of: monitoring a thermal condition of the engine; and controlling combustion of an air-fuel mixture so as to provide an increase in cylinder pressure after a middle point in an expansion stroke while the engine is monitored to be still in a cold condition.
Claim 112
Dependent Claim
36 words
An engine control method as defined in claim 91, wherein said combustion is controlled by retarding an ignition time at which said fuel-mixture is ignited later as compared to ordinary combustion control of an air-fuel mixture.
Claim 113
Dependent Claim
22 words
An engine control method as defined in claim 92, wherein said ignition time is retarded to a point of time after top-dead-center.
Claim 114
Dependent Claim
26 words
An engine control method as defined in claim 93, wherein said ignition time is retarded to a point 10 degrees after top-dead-center in a compression stroke.
Claim 115
Dependent Claim
54 words
An engine control method as defined in claim 93, wherein said ignition time is retarded to a point of time more later but before top-dead-center while the vehicle starts under a driving condition during a specified time interval from an engine start than while driving under the same driving condition after said time interval.
Claim 116
Dependent Claim
55 words
An engine control method as defined in claim 95, wherein, when the vehicle starts during said time interval, said ignition time is retarded to a point of time more later but before top-dead-center while the vehicle drives with engine output lower than a specified level than while driving with the same level of engine output.
Claim 117
Dependent Claim
62 words
An engine control method as defined in claim 95, wherein, when the vehicle starts during said time interval, said ignition time is retarded to a point of time after top-dead-center while the vehicle drives with engine output lower than a specified level and to a point of time before top-dead-center while the vehicle drives with engine output higher than said specified level.
Claim 118
Dependent Claim
38 words
An engine control method as defined in claim 92, wherein said ignition time is retarded during a specified time interval from a point of time that the engine attains a specified speed of rotation after a complete explosion.
Claim 119
Dependent Claim
23 words
An engine control method as defined in claim 92, wherein said ignition time is retarded until the exhaust gas attains a specified temperature.
Claim 120
Dependent Claim
20 words
An engine control method as defined in claim 99, wherein said exhaust gas temperature is measured after the catalytic converter.
Claim 121
Dependent Claim
70 words
An engine control method as defined in claim 91 and further comprising the steps of supplying fuel into said combustion chamber so as to provide an exhaust air-fuel ratio between approximately 13.5 and 18 while the engine is monitored to be still in a cold condition after an engine start and creating a substantially homogeneous distribution of said air-fuel mixture in said combustion chamber before said air-fuel mixture is ignited.
Claim 122
Dependent Claim
29 words
An engine control method as defined in claim 101, wherein said substantially homogeneous distribution of said air-fuel mixture is created by an intake air stream in said combustion chamber.
Claim 123
Dependent Claim
32 words
An engine control method as defined in claim 102, wherein said substantially homogeneous distribution of said air-fuel mixture is created by a swirl of said intake air stream in said combustion chamber.
Claim 124
Dependent Claim
20 words
An exhaust gas purifying system as defined in claim 103, wherein said swirl has a swirl ratio greater than 1.0.
Claim 125
Dependent Claim
33 words
An exhaust gas purifying system as defined in claim 102, wherein said substantially homogeneous distribution of said air-fuel mixture is created by a tumble of said intake air stream in said combustion chamber.
Claim 126
Dependent Claim
20 words
An exhaust gas purifying system as defined in claim 105, wherein said tumble has a tumble ratio greater than 1.5.
Claim 127
Dependent Claim
18 words
An exhaust gas purifying system as defined in claim 101, wherein said exhaust air-fuel ratio is approximately 14.7.
Claim 128
Dependent Claim
35 words
An engine control method as defined in claim 91, wherein the control of engine operation is started from a point of time that the engine attains a specified speed of rotation after a complete explosion.
Claim 129
Dependent Claim
30 words
An engine control method as defined in claim 91, wherein the control of engine operation is started when a temperature of engine cooling water is lower than a specified value.
Claim 130
Dependent Claim
27 words
An engine control method as defined in claim 91, and further comprising the step of increasing an engine speed of rotation to a specified speed of rotation.
Claim 131
Dependent Claim
28 words
An engine control method as defined in claim 110, wherein said engine speed of rotation is increased by an increase in intake air quantity by idle speed control.
Claim 132
Dependent Claim
40 words
An engine control method as defined in claim 110, wherein said combustion is controlled so as to provide an increase in cylinder pressure after a middle point in an expansion stroke after the engine attains said specified speed of rotation.
Claim 133
Dependent Claim
15 words
An engine control method as defined in claim 112, wherein said ignition time is retarded.
Claim 134
Dependent Claim
23 words
An engine control method as defined in claim 91, wherein said exhaust air-fuel ratio before the catalytic converter is greater than approximately 14.5.
Claim 135
Dependent Claim
33 words
An engine control method as defined in claim 114, wherein air is introduced into the exhaust line before the catalytic converter so as to provide said exhaust air-fuel ratio greater than approximately 14.5.
Claim 136
Dependent Claim
67 words
An engine control method as defined in claim 91, and further comprising the step of monitoring an oxygen concentration of the exhaust gas by a heater equipped oxygen (O 2 ) sensor disposed in the exhaust line, wherein fuel is delivered into said combustion chamber according to at least said oxygen concentration in feed-back control so as thereby to provide an exhaust air-fuel ratio of approximately 14.5.
Claim 137
Dependent Claim
126 words
An engine control method as defined in claim 116, and further comprising the step of monitoring an intake air quantity introduced into the engine wherein fuel is delivered into said combustion chamber according to said intake air quantity in feed-forward control until said heater equipped oxygen (O 2 ) sensor is activated after a point of time that the engine is monitored to be still in a cold condition after an engine start and according to said intake air quantity and said oxygen concentration in feed-back control after said heater equipped oxygen (O 2 ) sensor is activated while the engine is monitored to be still in a cold condition after said engine start, so as thereby to provide an exhaust air-fuel ratio of approximately 14.5.
Claim 138
Dependent Claim
116 words
An engine control method of controlling engine operation to purify exhaust gas from a reciprocating internal combustion engine of a vehicle equipped with an exhaust gas purifying system having a catalytic converter in an exhaust line, said engine control method comprising the steps of: monitoring a thermal condition of the engine; supplying fuel into said combustion chamber so as to provide an exhaust air-fuel ratio greater than approximately 14.5; creating a substantially homogeneous distribution of said air-fuel mixture in said combustion chamber before said air-fuel mixture is ignited; and retarding said ignition time to a point of time after top-dead-center while the engine is monitored to be still in a cold condition after an engine start.
Claim 139
Dependent Claim
116 words
An engine control method of controlling engine operation to purify exhaust gas from a reciprocating internal combustion engine of a vehicle equipped with an exhaust gas purifying system having a catalytic converter in an exhaust line, said engine control method comprising the steps of: monitoring a thermal condition of the engine; supplying fuel into said combustion chamber so as to provide an exhaust air-fuel ratio greater than approximately 14.5; creating a substantially homogeneous distribution of said air-fuel mixture in said combustion chamber before said air-fuel mixture is ignited; and retarding said ignition time to a point of time after top-dead-center while the engine is monitored to be still in a cold condition after an engine start.
Claim 140
Dependent Claim
126 words
An engine control method of controlling engine operation to purify exhaust gas from a reciprocating internal combustion engine of a vehicle equipped with an exhaust gas purifying system having a catalytic converter in an exhaust line, said engine control method comprising the steps of: monitoring a thermal condition of the engine; supplying fuel into said combustion chamber so as to provide an exhaust air-fuel ratio greater than approximately 14.5; controlling an intake air stream in said combustion chamber to create a substantially homogeneous distribution of said air-fuel mixture in said combustion chamber before said air-fuel mixture is ignited; and retarding said ignition time to a point of time after top-dead-center while the engine is monitored to be still in a cold condition after an engine start.
Claim 141
Dependent Claim
126 words
An engine control method of controlling engine operation to purify exhaust gas from a reciprocating internal combustion engine of a vehicle equipped with an exhaust gas purifying system having a catalytic converter in an exhaust line, said engine control method comprising the steps of: monitoring a thermal condition of the engine; supplying fuel into said combustion chamber so as to provide an exhaust air-fuel ratio greater than approximately 14.5; controlling an intake air stream in said combustion chamber to create a substantially homogeneous distribution of said air-fuel mixture in said combustion chamber before said air-fuel mixture is ignited; and retarding said ignition time to a point of time after top-dead-center while the engine is monitored to be still in a cold condition after an engine start.
Claim 142
Dependent Claim
157 words
An engine control method of controlling engine operation to purify exhaust gas from a reciprocating internal combustion engine of a vehicle equipped with an exhaust gas purifying system having a catalytic converter in an exhaust line, said engine control method comprising the steps of: monitoring a thermal condition of the engine; supplying fuel into said combustion chamber so as to provide an exhaust air-fuel ratio of approximately 14.7; creating a substantially homogeneous distribution of said air-fuel mixture in said combustion chamber before said air-fuel mixture is ignited; retarding said ignition time to a point of time after top-dead-center while the engine is monitored to be still in a cold condition after an engine start; and monitoring an oxygen concentration of the exhaust gas by a heater equipped oxygen (O 2 ) sensor disposed in the exhaust line so as to control fuel delivery into said combustion chamber according to at least said oxygen concentration in feed-back control.
Claim 143
Dependent Claim
157 words
An engine control method of controlling engine operation to purify exhaust gas from a reciprocating internal combustion engine of a vehicle equipped with an exhaust gas purifying system having a catalytic converter in an exhaust line, said engine control method comprising the steps of: monitoring a thermal condition of the engine; supplying fuel into said combustion chamber so as to provide an exhaust air-fuel ratio of approximately 14.7; creating a substantially homogeneous distribution of said air-fuel mixture in said combustion chamber before said air-fuel mixture is ignited; retarding said ignition time to a point of time after top-dead-center while the engine is monitored to be still in a cold condition after an engine start; and monitoring an oxygen concentration of the exhaust gas by a heater equipped oxygen (O 2 ) sensor disposed in the exhaust line so as to control fuel delivery into said combustion chamber according to at least said oxygen concentration in feed-back control.
Claim 144
Dependent Claim
29 words
An engine control method as defined in claim 120, wherein said substantially homogeneous distribution of said air-fuel mixture is created by an intake air stream in said combustion chamber.
Claim 145
Dependent Claim
114 words
An engine control method as defined in claim 120, and further comprising the step of monitoring an intake air quantity introduced into the engine wherein fuel is delivered into said combustion chamber according to said intake air quantity in feed-forward control until said heater equipped oxygen (O 2 ) sensor is activated after a point of time that the engine is monitored to be still in a cold condition after an engine start and according to said intake air quantity and said oxygen concentration in feed-back control after said heater equipped oxygen (O 2 ) sensor is activated while the engine is monitored to be still in a cold condition after said engine start.
Claim 146
Dependent Claim
138 words
An engine control method of controlling engine operation to purify exhaust gas from a reciprocating internal combustion engine of a vehicle equipped with an exhaust gas purifying system having a catalytic converter in an exhaust line, said engine control method comprising the steps of: monitoring a thermal condition of the engine; supplying fuel into said combustion chamber so as to provide an exhaust air-fuel ratio greater than approximately 14.5; creating a substantially homogeneous distribution of said air-fuel mixture in said combustion chamber before said air-fuel mixture is ignited; retarding said ignition time to a point of time after top-dead-center while the engine is monitored to be still in a cold condition after an engine start; and introducing air into the exhaust line before the catalytic converter so as to provide said exhaust air-fuel ratio greater than approximately 14.5.
Claim 147
Dependent Claim
138 words
An engine control method of controlling engine operation to purify exhaust gas from a reciprocating internal combustion engine of a vehicle equipped with an exhaust gas purifying system having a catalytic converter in an exhaust line, said engine control method comprising the steps of: monitoring a thermal condition of the engine; supplying fuel into said combustion chamber so as to provide an exhaust air-fuel ratio greater than approximately 14.5; creating a substantially homogeneous distribution of said air-fuel mixture in said combustion chamber before said air-fuel mixture is ignited; retarding said ignition time to a point of time after top-dead-center while the engine is monitored to be still in a cold condition after an engine start; and introducing air into the exhaust line before the catalytic converter so as to provide said exhaust air-fuel ratio greater than approximately 14.5.
Claim 148
Dependent Claim
29 words
An engine control method as defined in claim 123, wherein said substantially homogeneous distribution of said air-fuel mixture is created by an intake air stream in said combustion chamber.
Claim 149
Dependent Claim
152 words
An engine control method of controlling engine operation to purify exhaust gas from a reciprocating internal combustion engine of a vehicle equipped with an exhaust gas purifying system having a catalytic converter in an exhaust line, said engine control method comprising the steps of: monitoring a thermal condition of the engine; and controlling combustion of an air-fuel mixture so as to provide an increase in cylinder pressure after a middle point in an expansion stroke while the engine is monitored to be still in a cold condition; supplying fuel into said combustion chamber so as to provide an exhaust air-fuel ratio greater than approximately 14.5; creating a substantially homogeneous distribution of said air-fuel mixture in said combustion chamber before said air-fuel mixture is ignited; and retarding said ignition time to a point of time after top-dead-center while the engine is monitored to be still in a cold condition after an engine start.
Claim 150
Dependent Claim
152 words
An engine control method of controlling engine operation to purify exhaust gas from a reciprocating internal combustion engine of a vehicle equipped with an exhaust gas purifying system having a catalytic converter in an exhaust line, said engine control method comprising the steps of: monitoring a thermal condition of the engine; and controlling combustion of an air-fuel mixture so as to provide an increase in cylinder pressure after a middle point in an expansion stroke while the engine is monitored to be still in a cold condition; supplying fuel into said combustion chamber so as to provide an exhaust air-fuel ratio greater than approximately 14.5; creating a substantially homogeneous distribution of said air-fuel mixture in said combustion chamber before said air-fuel mixture is ignited; and retarding said ignition time to a point of time after top-dead-center while the engine is monitored to be still in a cold condition after an engine start.
Claim 151
Dependent Claim
29 words
An engine control method as defined in claim 125, wherein said substantially homogeneous distribution of said air-fuel mixture is created by an intake air stream in said combustion chamber.
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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) | 2002-09-13 | 2003-03-15 | 2003-09-14 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2006-09-13 | 2007-03-15 | 2007-09-14 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2010-09-13 | 2011-03-15 | 2011-09-14 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |