초록 ▼

A method is disclosed for detecting misfire or partial burn and for controlling spark retard in the cylinders of an internal combustion engine operated under the control of a microprocessor and utilizing signals indicative of the pressure in said cylinder at crank angle positions before and after in

A method is disclosed for detecting misfire or partial burn and for controlling spark retard in the cylinders of an internal combustion engine operated under the control of a microprocessor and utilizing signals indicative of the pressure in said cylinder at crank angle positions before and after initiation of combustion. A ratio of the actual pressure to the motored pressure in the cylinder at one or more predetermined crank angles is used to estimate the fraction of fuel burned which, in turn, enables a determination of combustion failure in said cylinder cycle. Confirmation of said misfire or unacceptable partial burn leads to correction of engine operation by said controller and/or to a diagnosis of possible damage to the vehicle's catalytic converter. This method also permits better engine operation under conditions of high spark retard.

대표청구항 ▼

A method is disclosed for detecting misfire or partial burn and for controlling spark retard in the cylinders of an internal combustion engine operated under the control of a microprocessor and utilizing signals indicative of the pressure in said cylinder at crank angle positions before and after in

A method is disclosed for detecting misfire or partial burn and for controlling spark retard in the cylinders of an internal combustion engine operated under the control of a microprocessor and utilizing signals indicative of the pressure in said cylinder at crank angle positions before and after initiation of combustion. A ratio of the actual pressure to the motored pressure in the cylinder at one or more predetermined crank angles is used to estimate the fraction of fuel burned which, in turn, enables a determination of combustion failure in said cylinder cycle. Confirmation of said misfire or unacceptable partial burn leads to correction of engine operation by said controller and/or to a diagnosis of possible damage to the vehicle's catalytic converter. This method also permits better engine operation under conditions of high spark retard. host vehicle comprising: a forward-looking sensor generating a range signal corresponding to a distance between the host vehicle and a target vehicle; said forward-looking sensor generating a range rate signal corresponding to a rate that said distance between the host vehicle and said target vehicle is changing; and a controller electrically coupled to said forward-looking sensor and acquiring said target vehicle, said controller including control logic operative to maintain a preset headway distance between the host vehicle and said target vehicle from a host vehicle velocity of zero KPH, by adjusting the host vehicle velocity in response to said range signal and said range rate signal, stopping said host vehicle when said target vehicle stops and said target vehicle did not exceed a predetermined velocity, and activating a warning when said target vehicle stops and said target vehicle exceeded said predetermined velocity. 16. A method of adjusting the velocity of a host vehicle comprising: sensing a target vehicle and generating a range signal corresponding to a distance between the host vehicle and said target; generating a range rate signal corresponding to a rate said distance between the host vehicle and said target vehicle is changing; maintaining a preset headway distance between the host vehicle and said target vehicle, in response to said range signal and said range rate signal; stopping said host vehicle when said target vehicle stops and said target vehicle was acquired below a predetermined velocity; and activating a warning when said target vehicle stops and said target vehicle was acquired above said predetermined velocity. 17. A method as in claim 16 further comprising maintaining a headway distance between the host vehicle and said target vehicle, from an initial vehicle rest velocity of zero KPH, in response to said range signal and said range rate signal. 18. A method as in claim 16 further comprising stopping said host vehicle when said target vehicle stops and said target vehicle did not exceed a predetermined velocity. 19. A method as in claim 16 further comprising activating a warning when said target vehicle stops and said target vehicle exceeded said predetermined velocity.