WO2000005495A1

WO2000005495A1 - Internal combustion engine control

Info

Publication number: WO2000005495A1
Application number: PCT/GB1998/002157
Authority: WO
Inventors: Terrance Ian Jupe; Peter Roy Coleman
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1998-07-20
Filing date: 1998-07-20
Publication date: 2000-02-03
Anticipated expiration: 2001-01-20
Also published as: AU8452198A

Abstract

Automatic control system for regulating or monitoring operation of a vehicle I.C. engine includes a pick-up device, conveniently an induction coil (10) to be mounted close to the engine driven alternator (8) or other generator, providing a pulsating electrical signal whose frequency is a function of engine speed. An electronic processing unit (14) responds to the signal to actuate one or more control or monitoring devices, for example a device (16) controlling operation of a diesel or other fuel distribution or feed pump (18) of the engine to cut off fuel feed when not required, e.g. when coasting with the throttle closed. Other devices operated by the unit may include a revolution counter or tachograph.

Description

INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINE CONTROL

This invention relates to internal combustion engines, particularly but not exclusively diesel and other compression ignition engines and/or gas fuelled or petrol engines using fuel injection or carburettors in road vehicles. The invention, in its preferred form, is especially suited to light vehicle diesel engines as fitted in cars, small vans, and other light goods vehicles and which may use a rotary or m line fuel distribution pump.

Whilst proposals have been made for monitoring and/or improving engine performance it is believed that such improvements have not been optimised and e.g. savings in fuel may be possible with different or modified control systems Reference is made to US Patent Specification No. 5,617,819 which shows a control means responsive to a signal from an alternator to generate a signal indicative of the rotational speed of the engine said signal being utilised to control the starter motor

Japanese Abstract Accession No 570104816 shows an engine revolution detection circuit adapted to generate signals corresponding to engine revolution by shaping and dividing signals from an alternator which are input to a fuel consumption circuit, in order to display fuel consumption level.

An object of the invention is to provide internal combustion engine control which is improved in at least some respect or to provide improved control and monitoring of engine performance with substantial savings in fuel consumption, reduction in atmospheric pollution and increase in general efficiency and economy According to the invention there is provided an internal combustion engine automatic control and/or monitoring system including a) a pick-up device to be operatively associated with an alternator or other electric generator or flywheel continuously driven by the engine in use to respond to emissions from said generator or flywheel in use and provide a read-out of the running performance of the generator b) an electronic processing unit for receiving said read-out and converting it to a regulating signal representing engine running speed. c) one or more control or monitoring devices responsive to the regulating signal and programmed to control and/or provide an indication of engine performance, and d) a control device for automatically regulating fuel input to the engine in use.

Conveniently, for ease of installation particularly when the system is retro-fitted to existing engines, the pick-up device is not directly connected to the generator or electrical output circuits therefrom but includes a coil to be mounted on or adjacent to the generator whereby a secondary signal is induced

The control device may automatically regulate fuel input to the engine tor example by controlling operation of a fuel feed or metering device such as an injection or distribution pump of a diesel or similar engine or, possibly, of a petrol or gas fuelled engine having fuel injection; or a pump or other device feeding fuel to a carburettor. Control may include stopping the pump or other tuel teed device so that no fuel is fed when the engine does not require it e g when a vehicle is running with the throttle fully closed as on de-acceleration, running downhill, during gear changes, or duπng braking using engine compression The system may further include an engine performance monitoring device responsive to the regulating signal for example an engine revolution counter.

The control device may be or include an engine speed limiter or governor e.g. cutting off or reducing fuel feed and/or closing or limiting opening of the throttle when engine speed exceeds a preset limit or proportionately to speed increase or attempted speed increase beyond a preset

An example of the invention is now more particularly described with reference to the accompanying drawings wherein:-

Figure 1 is a block diagram of a diesel engine control system, and Figure 2 is a circuit diagram of the control system.

This example is applied to a vehicle diesel or other compression ignition engine as used on light goods vehicles and cars.

As normally constructed and operated a rotary or in line distribution pump, which feeds fuel to the engine cylinder injectors, runs continuously whenever the engine is running, i.e. fuel in greater or lesser amounts is always being delivered to the engine even though its power is not being utilised as on de-acceleration or other occasions when the throttle is closed during motion of the vehicle as referred to above.

Not only is this wasteful of fuel but it is also a substantial cause of atmospheric pollution particularly as combustion of the unnecessary fuel is likely to take place only incompletely or poorly because the correct air/fuel mix is not made due to closing of the throttle. This increases harmful emissions.

The control system comprises a pick-up induction coil 10, forming part of a primary sensing circuit 12, which is operatively mounted in close proximity to the engine driven alternator 8 so that, whenever the engine is running, pulses of current are induced in circuit 12 at the same frequency as that of the alternator output current which is, in turn, a function of engine running speed.

Coil 10 is potted in resin for durability and is provided with a band or clip for ease of mounting on the alternator casing.

An electronic microprocessor unit 14 of the system, connected in circuit 12, responds to said induced pulses to provide a regulating signal which is a function of engine speed.

This signal is passed to an electronically operated control device 16 of the system which, in turn, through suitable relays and switching, controls operation of a rotary or in line fuel distribution pump 18 of the engine.

Control device 16 is programmed so that it automatically causes pump 18 to cease delivering fuel to the engine on de-acceleration or other throttle closed running conditions as referred to above. Delivery of fuel is restarted immediately the throttle is opened again and there is also a bypass provision for keeping the engine running at tickover when required, e.g. when the vehicle is stationary. The fuel feed distribution pump fitted to cars and other light diesel vehicles is usually provided with an electrically actuated solenoid shut-off valve 20 in the fuel feed within the pump turned on and off by the "ignition" key. the valve being closed except when the key is inserted and turned "on" to start and run the engine.

Solenoid valve 20 is conveniently used to effect fuel shut off under the control of device 16, the latter being connected in series between the "ignition" key switch (not shown) and the line 22 leading to valve 20. Thus minimum adaptation of the existing wiring of the vehicle engine is required for fitting the control system.

There is also a switch 24 controlled in response to throttle movement or position. Switch 24 is conveniently comprised in a threaded bolt which is substituted for the normal adjustable stop bolt used to set a throttle plunger of pump 18 for adjusting tick-over. This again simplifies installation.

The arrangement is such that if engine speed drops below a pre-set minimum, (e.g. 1100 r.p.m) i.e. nears the "tick-over" condition as when the vehicle is held up in traffic, solenoid valve will be opened to keep the engine running; the shut down action of control unit 16 being overridden in this condition. But if the throttle is closed while the engine continues to turn over at a higher speed than tickover because the vehicle is in motion, eg on deceleration or when coasting downhill, the fuel feed will be shut off as above.

It is to be noted that the system does not affect the running of the vehicle and its engine except as indicated above. The system is readily installed and is particularly convenient for fitting to existing engines and vehicles although it is also contemplated that it may be provided as part of the engine installation when first manufactured or during original assembly of a vehicle

Provision may also be incorporated by other circuitry and programming of control device 16 to provide speed limiting or governing of the engine, e g by reducing or cutting off fuel even when the throttle is open if engine speed exceeds a predetermined maximum Input of other operating parameters to the system, e g to control device 16, may be provided, for example road speed as well as engine speed may be monitored and the values combined to regulate the governing or speed limiting function

The system may also provide a readout to the operator of the vehicle, or to a recording device such as a tachograph or like of engine speed and other operating conditions, for example the system may be connected to an analogue or digital revolution counter

Figure 2 is one example of the electronic circuitry which can be employed in the device but it is to be understood that modi cations. variations, or alternative circuit arrangements may be used

It has been realised that a very important aspect of the present invention is the control of fuel input to the engine utilising any signal indicative of engine speed not necessarily taken from the alternator or other generator For example, such a control signal may conveniently be taken from an engine flywheel, more particularly since some vehicle control systems already utilise flywheel sensors and such an already existing flywheel sensor could be utilised for providing the control signal (thereby reducing costs and easing installation of the control system to an existing engine). A signal indicative of engine speed could be drawn from another source such as the engine crankshaft or any convenient part of the engine or attachment thereto.

Therefore, further according to the present invention there is provided a control means for controlling the amount of fuel input to an internal combustion engine, said control means being arranged, in use, to be responsive to a signal indicative of engine speed, to control fuel input to the engine and characterised in that the control means is adapted to automatically substantially shut off the supply of fuel to the engine whenever fuel is not required e,g, on deceleration.

The control means may be arranged to evaluate throttle movement or position in relation to engine speed in order to substantially shut off the supply of fuel to the engine whenever fuel is not required.

Usually, the control means will include an electronic processor or processing unit.

The control means may include a by-pass provision for keeping the engine running at tick over when required.

In one embodiment of the present invention, an existing shut off solenoid valve for a fuel delivery pump (usually a rotary or in line distribution pump) connected in an ignition circuit to the engine is utilised to substantially shut off the supply of fuel to the engine, said solenoid valve being located in the fuel feed within the pump.

The control means may be adapted to provide speed limiting or governing of the engine. The control means may have an electrical pick up device or sensor including a coil to be mounted on or adjacent to the generator whereby a secondary signal is induced in said coil.

Still further according to the invention there is provided a method a method of controlling the amount of fuel input to an internal combustion engine (installed in a vehicle), said method comprising obtaining signal information indicative of engine speed in order to vary the fuel input to the engine characterised in that the supply of fuel to the engine is automatically substantially shut off whenever fuel is not required e.g. on deceleration.

The method may include evaluating the signal information indicative of engine speed in relation to throttle movement or position to substantially shut off the supply of fuel to the engine wherever fuel is not required and/or including keeping the engine running at tickover when required and/or including speed limiting or governing of the engine.

Still further according to the present invention there is provided an internal combustion engine automatic control and/or monitoring system including: a) a pick up device to be operatively associated with an alternator or other electric generator or member (e.g. flywheel) continuously driven by the engine in use to respond to emissions from said generator/or member in use and provide a read-out of the running performance of the generator,

b) an electronic processing unit for receiving said read-out and converting it to a regulating signal representing engine running speed, c) one or more control or monitoring devices responsive to the regulating signal and programmed to control and/or provide an indication of engine performance, and

d) a control device for automatically regulating fuel input to the engine in use, wherein said fuel input regulating device operatively controls output of a fuel distribution or feed pump of the engine and wherein the regulating device operates to cease fuel input when the engine throttle is fully closed in use, at least while the engine is running at above a predetermined minimum speed.

Importantly, in tests performed by the applicant on road vehicles a saving of at least 12% and up to 30% on fuel consumption has been achieved with the control means (as claimed in claim 1) for diesel engines.

It is to be understood that the scope of the present invention is not to be unduly limited by the particular choice of terminology and that a specific term may be replaced by any equivalent or generic term. For example, the term "control means" could be replaced by "control device" or "electronic control"; the term "shut off" could be replaced by "switch off" or "substantially reduced". Further it is to be understood that individual features, method or functions related to the control means or fuel injection shut off mechanism might be individually patentably inventive. In particular, any disclosure in this specification of a range for a variable or parameter shall be taken to include a disclosure of any selectable or derivable sub-range within that range and shall be taken to include a disclosure of any value for the variable or parameter lying within or at an end of the range. The singular may include the plural or vice versa.

Therefore, further according to the invention there is provided control means adapted to substantially shut off the supply of fuel to an engine in situations where fuel is not required e g deceleration

Further according to the invention there is provided an internal combustion engine automatic control and/or monitoring system including

ά) an electrical pick-up device to be operatively associated with an alternator or other electric generator continuously driven by the engine m use to respond to electrical emissions from said generator in use and provide a read-out of the running performance of the generator

b) an electronic processing unit for receiving said read-out and converting it to a regulating signal representing engine running speed, and

c) one or more control or monitoring devices responsive to the regulating signal and programmed to control and/or provide an indication of engine performance

Claims

1. A control means for controlling the amount of fuel input to an internal combustion engine, said control means being arranged, in use, to be responsive to a signal indicative of engine speed, to control fuel input to the engine and characterised in that the control means is adapted to automatically substantially shut off the supply of fuel to the engine whenever fuel is not required e,g, on deceleration.

2. A control means as claimed in claim 1 arranged to evaluate throttle movement or position in relation to engine speed in order to substantially shut off the supply of fuel to the engine whenever fuel is not required.

3. A control means as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2 which includes an electronic processor or processing unit.

4 A control means as claimed in any one of the preceding claims including a by-pass provision for keeping the engine running at tickover when required.

5 A control means as claimed in any one of the preceding claims in which a existing shut off solenoid valve for a fuel delivery pump connected in an ignition circuit to the engine is utilised to substantially shut off the supply of fuel to the engine, said solenoid valve being located in the fuel feed within the pump.

6. A control means as claimed in any one of the preceding claims adapted to provide speed limiting or governing of the engine.

7. A control means as claimed in any one of the preceding claims including an electrical pick up device or sensor to be operatively associated with an alternator or other electric generator of the engine.

8. A control means as claimed in claim 7 in which the electrical pick up device or sensor includes a coil to be mounted on or adjacent to the generator whereby a secondary signal is induced in said coil.

9. A control means as claimed in any one of the preceding claims including a sensor to be operatively associated with a flywheel of the engine.

10. A control means as claimed in claim 9 in which the flywheel sensor is an existing sensor already utilised for monitoring functions related to the engine performance.

1 1. A control means as claimed in any one of the preceding claims including a device for monitoring and displaying engine performance.

12. A diesel or compression ignition engine having a control means as claimed in any one of the preceding claims.

13. A vehicle having a control means as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 1 1 or an engine as claimed in claim 12.

14. A method of controlling the amount of fuel input to an internal combustion engine said method comprising obtaining signal information indicative of engine speed in order to vary the fuel input to the engine characterised in that the supply of fuel to the engine is automatically substantially shut off whenever fuel is not required e.g. on deceleration.

15. A method as claimed in claim 14 including evaluating the signal information indicative of engine speed in relation to throttle movement or position to substantially shut off the supply of fuel to the engine whenever fuel is not required.

16. A method as claimed in claim 14 or claim 15 including keeping the engine running at tickover when required.

17. A method as claimed in any one of claims 14 to 16 including speed limiting or governing of the engine.

18. An internal combustion engine automatic control and/or monitoring system including : a) a pick-up device to be operatively associated with an alternator or other electric generator or flywheel continuously driven by the engine in use to respond to emissions from said generator or flywheel in use and provide a read-out of the running performance of the generator,

b) an electronic processing unit for receiving said read-out and converting it to a regulating signal representing engine running speed,

c) one or more control or monitoring devices responsive to the regulating signal and programmed to control and/or provide an indication of engine performance, and

d) a control device for automatically regulating fuel input to the engine in use. 19 A system as in Claim 18 wherein the pick-up device includes a coil to be mounted on or adjacent to the generator whereby a secondary signal is induced in said coil.

20 A system as in Claim 18 or 19 wherein said fuel input regulating device operatively controls output of a fuel distribution or feed pump of the engine

21 A system as m Claim 20 wherein the regulating device operates to cease fuel input when the engine throttle is fully closed in use. at least while the engine is running at above a predetermined minimum speed

22 A system as in any one of claims 18 to 21 including a momtoπng device for providing an indication of the performance of the engine in use

23 A system as in Claim 22 wherein said monitoring device is an engine revolution counter

24 A system as in any one of claims 18 to 23 including a control device which is an engine speed limiter or governor

25 An internal combustion engine assembly including a system as in any one of claims 18 to 24

26 A motor vehicle including a system or assembly as in any one ot claims 18 to 25

27 An internal combustion engine automatic control and/or monitoring system including: a) a pick up device to be operatively associated with an alternator or other electric generator or member (e.g. flywheel) continuously driven by the engine in use to respond to emissions from said generator/or member in use and provide a read-out of the running performance of the generator.

d) a control device for automatically regulating fuel input to the engine in use. wherein said fuel input regulating device operatively controls output of a fuel distribution or feed pump of the engine and wherein the regulating device operates to cease fuel input when the engine throttle is fully closed in use, at least while the engine is running at above a predetermined minimum speed.