US6026786A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Method and apparatus for controlling a fuel injector assembly of an internal combustion engine
Assignee: Caterpillar Inc
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Filing: 1997-07-18
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Granted: 2000-02-22
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Expires: 2017-07-18
Abstract
Abstract A method of controlling a fuel injector assembly of an internal combustion engine includes the stop of generating a first injection pulse with an engine control module. The method also includes the step of injecting fuel into a cylinder of the engine in response to generation of the first injection pulse. The method further includes the step of detecting when fuel is injected into the cylinder and generating a control signal in response thereto. Moreover, the method includes the step of determining a time period between generation of the first injection pulse and generation of the control signal. The method also includes the step of adjusting initiation of a second injection pulse based on the time period. An apparatus for controlling a fuel injector assembly of an internal combustion engine is also disclosed.
Inventors
- 👤 William T. Groff
- 👤 Stephen R. Lewis
- 👤 David C. Mack
- 👤 Robert R. Patterson
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 07:29
CPC Classifications
F; F02; F02M; F02M59/00; F02M59/44; F02D; F02D41/00; F02D41/24; F02D41/2403; F02D41/2406; F02D41/30; F02D41/38; F02D41/40; F02M57/00; F02M57/02; F02M57/022; F02M57/023; F02M59/02; F02M59/10; F02M59/102; F02M59/20; F02M59/36; F02M59/366; Y; Y02; Y02T; Y02T10/00; Y02T10/10; Y02T10/40
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 22
Claim 1
Independent Claim
101 words
An apparatus for controlling a fuel injector assembly of an internal combustion engine, comprising: a strain measuring device for measuring mechanical distortion of an engine component during injection of fuel into a cylinder of said engine, said engine component being mechanically coupled to said fuel injector assembly; and an engine control module electrically coupled to said strain measuring device, said engine control module communicates with said strain measuring device so as to determine mechanical distortion of said engine component, wherein said engine control module adjusts operation of said fuel injector assembly based on determination of mechanical distortion of said engine component.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
101 words
An apparatus for controlling a fuel injector assembly of an internal combustion engine, comprising: a strain measuring device for measuring mechanical distortion of an engine component during injection of fuel into a cylinder of said engine, said engine component being mechanically coupled to said fuel injector assembly; and an engine control module electrically coupled to said strain measuring device, said engine control module communicates with said strain measuring device so as to determine mechanical distortion of said engine component, wherein said engine control module adjusts operation of said fuel injector assembly based on determination of mechanical distortion of said engine component.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
34 words
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein: said engine component includes a rocker shaft, and said strain measuring device is secured to said rocker shaft so as to detect strain exerted on said rocker shaft.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
89 words
The apparatus of claim 2, wherein: said engine includes (1) an injector rocker arm pivotally coupled to said rocker shaft, and (2) a camshaft, a first end of said injector rocker arm is operatively coupled to said fuel injector assembly, and a second end of said injector rocker arm is operatively coupled to said camshaft, and said fuel injector assembly and said camshaft cooperate so as to cause said injector rocker arm to exert strain on said rocker shaft during injection of fuel into said cylinder of said engine.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
24 words
The apparatus of claim 2, wherein: said rocker shaft has a recess defined therein, and said strain measuring device is positioned within said recess.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
46 words
The apparatus of claim 4, wherein: said strain measuring device has a leadwire coupled thereto, said rocker shaft has a groove defined therein which is juxtaposed to said recess, and said leadwire of said strain measuring device is positioned within said groove of said rocker shaft.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
52 words
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein: said engine control module generates an injection pulse so as to cause said fuel injector assembly to inject fuel into a cylinder of said engine, and said engine control module adjusts initiation of said injection pulse based on determination of mechanical distortion of said engine component.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
52 words
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein: said engine control module generates an injection pulse so as to cause said fuel injector assembly to inject fuel into a cylinder of said engine, and said engine control module adjusts duration of said injection pulse based on determination of mechanical distortion of said engine component.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
90 words
A method of controlling a fuel injector assembly of an internal combustion engine, comprising the steps of: generating a first injection pulse with an engine control module; injecting fuel into a cylinder of the engine in response to generation of the first injection pulse; detecting when fuel is injected into the cylinder and generating a control signal in response thereto; determining a time period between generation of the first injection pulse and generation of the control signal; and adjusting initiation of a second injection pulse based on the time period.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
90 words
A method of controlling a fuel injector assembly of an internal combustion engine, comprising the steps of: generating a first injection pulse with an engine control module; injecting fuel into a cylinder of the engine in response to generation of the first injection pulse; detecting when fuel is injected into the cylinder and generating a control signal in response thereto; determining a time period between generation of the first injection pulse and generation of the control signal; and adjusting initiation of a second injection pulse based on the time period.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method of claim 8, further comprising the step of: injecting fuel into the cylinder of the engine in response to initiation of the second injection pulse.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
61 words
The method of claim 8, wherein: the step of detecting when fuel is injected into the cylinder includes the step of detecting mechanical distortion of an engine component and generating a distortion signal in response thereto, and the determining step includes the step of determining a time period between generation of the first injection pulse and generation of the distortion signal.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
42 words
The method of claim 10, wherein: the engine includes a rocker shaft mechanically coupled to the fuel injector assembly, and the step of detecting mechanical distortion includes the step of measuring strain exerted on the rocker shaft with a strain measuring device.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
43 words
The method of claim 8, further comprising the steps of: detecting a peak fluid pressure within the fuel injector assembly and generating a peak pressure signal in response thereto; and adjusting duration of the second injection pulse based on the peak pressure signal.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 12, further comprising the step of generating a warning signal when the peak pressure signal exceeds a predetermined amount.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method of claim 8, wherein the step of adjusting initiation of the second injection pulse includes the step of advancing initiation of the second injection pulse.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method of claim 8, wherein the step of adjusting initiation of the second injection pulse includes the step of retarding initiation of the second injection pulse.
Claim 18
Independent Claim
72 words
A method of controlling a fuel injector assembly of an internal combustion engine, comprising the steps of: generating a first injection pulse with an engine control module; detecting mechanical distortion of an engine component and generating a distortion signal in response thereto; determining a time period between generation of the first injection pulse and generation of the distortion signal; and adjusting initiation of a second injection pulse based on the time period.
Claim 19
Independent Claim
72 words
A method of controlling a fuel injector assembly of an internal combustion engine, comprising the steps of: generating a first injection pulse with an engine control module; detecting mechanical distortion of an engine component and generating a distortion signal in response thereto; determining a time period between generation of the first injection pulse and generation of the distortion signal; and adjusting initiation of a second injection pulse based on the time period.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method of claim 16, further comprising the step of: injecting fuel into the cylinder of the engine in response to initiation of the second injection pulse.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
48 words
The method of claim 16, further comprising the steps of: determining a peak fluid pressure within the fuel injector assembly based on the distortion signal and generating a peak pressure signal in response thereto; and adjusting duration of the second injection pulse based on the peak pressure signal.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
42 words
The method of claim 16, wherein: the engine includes a rocker shaft mechanically coupled to the fuel injector assembly, and the step of detecting mechanical distortion includes the step of measuring strain exerted on the rocker shaft with a strain measuring device.
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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) | 2003-02-21 | 2003-08-23 | 2004-02-22 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2007-02-21 | 2007-08-23 | 2008-02-22 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2011-02-21 | 2011-08-23 | 2012-02-22 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |