Internal combustion engine

Patent · Tue Feb 08 04:00:00 EST 1983

OSTI ID:6350761

Coles, D K

A spark-ignition engine has adaptive adjustment of the size of its fuel rations in dependence on misfires in the engine. A misfire is identified as an abnormal deficiency in energy conversion, this being detected by means of a mechanical energy discriminator which compares the quanta of energy derived from different combustion cycles. The preferred embodiment is a single cylinder engine having a fuel injector valve. The valve is normally closed, being opened for a short interval during each combustion cycle. The size of a fuel ration is regulated by varying the duration of opening of the valve. The duration of opening of the valve is automatically adjusted in dependence on the frequency of misfires in the cylinder. A misfire is detected by means of a decelerometer which compares engine speeds during successive combustion cycles. When a misfire is detected, the fuel rations are automatically increased. Increase of fuel rations is counteracted by gradually decreasing the fuel rations when the engine is firing without an excessive frequency of misfires. Electrical simulation of engine dynamics allows detection of misfires over a wide range of engine speeds and air intake pressures.

• Assignee: EDB-83-095484
• Patent Number(s): US 4372269
• OSTI ID: 6350761
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

33 ADVANCED PROPULSION SYSTEMS
330101* -- Internal Combustion Engines-- Spark-Ignition
CARBURETORS
CONTROL EQUIPMENT
CONTROL SYSTEMS
ENGINES
EQUIPMENT
FLOW REGULATORS
FUEL INJECTION SYSTEMS
FUEL SYSTEMS
FUEL-AIR RATIO
HEAT ENGINES
INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINES
SPARK IGNITION ENGINES
VALVES