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Title: Engine air/fuel ratio control method and system selectively providing feedback control or open loop control according to oxygen sensor heating condition

Patent ·
OSTI ID:6023937

This patent describes an exhaust system and an oxygen sensor fitted to the exhaust system consisting of a sensor element and an electrically powered heater for heating the sensor element whose application is in an internal combustion engine. A methodology for controlling the air/fuel ratio of the air-fuel mixture supplied to the engine is characterized in detail by this patent. This method is described as consisting of two separate mechanisms of control. The first method pertains to the operating condition where the voltage of the power supply to the heater has dropped below a first predetermined value and thereafter has remained below a second predetermined value which is higher than the first value for longer than a specified time period, the air/fuel ratio is controlled according to engine operating parameters by an open loop form of control with no account taken of the output signal of the oxygen sensor. The second method, which encompasses all other power supply voltage conditions, controls the air/fuel ratio according to engine operational parameters by a closed loop form of feedback control taking into account the output signal of the oxygen sensor in order to obtain an optimum air/fuel ratio for the engine.

Assignee:
Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha, Toyota
Patent Number(s):
US 4563991
OSTI ID:
6023937
Resource Relation:
Patent File Date: Filed date 30 Oct 1984
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English