A method for controlling mode transitions, such as from stratified to homogeneous mode, in a direct injection engine adjusts a number of cylinders carrying out combustion to prevent engine torque disturbances. Cylinder activation is used when changes in cylinder air/fuel ratio cannot be compensated using ignition timing adjustments. In addition, the number of cylinders to activate is also determined and measures are taken if the number of cylinders determined are not available to be activated.

Direct injection engine system and method

A noise attenuation system for the air induction ducting particularly for an internal combustion engine has an outwardly facing loudspeaker mounted within an air inlet duct so as to lie in the plane of the air intake opening. Signals from an error microphone (and also optionally a detector microphone) are processed in a signal controller, the output driver used to drive the loudspeaker so that a cancellation sound field is produced, which attenuates the noise emanating from the air intake. The speaker is mounted on a fairing body creating an annular flow passage, a filter element ring inserted in the annular space.

Active noise attenuation system

This feature of the present invention comprises a method and apparatus which uses an ionization signal to optimize the air to fuel ratio AFR of the combustion mixture when the engine is operated at wide open throttle (WOT). This feature of the present invention optimizes the air to fuel ratio AFR on-line using the relationship between an air to fuel ratio AFR index C AFR and the air to fuel ratio AFR. In a preferred embodiment, the real-time control strategy adjusts the engine air to fuel ratio AFR based upon an air to fuel ratio AFR gradient parameter.

Optimal wide open throttle air/fuel ratio control

An internal combustion engine is described comprising a cylinder having an intake port (14), and two manifolds (24, 34) having branches (22, 32) that are configured to supply two gas streams to the intake port (14) of each cylinder. The two streams enter the cylinder separately so as to produce a stratified charge within the engine cylinder. The first manifold (24) supplies a metered quantity of air within which the fuel to be burnt is despersed and the second manifold (34) supplies dilution gases. A flow obstructing throttle (23) is arranged in each branch (22) of the first manifold to reduce the risk of back-filling of the branches (22) of the first manifold (24).

Stratified charge engine

A method for monitoring the power output of individual cylinders of a multicylinder internal combustion engine including considering the influence of dynamic engine operation, either braking or acceleration, in the recognition of combustion misfires. The effect of dynamic engine operation and incorrect diagnosis of combustion misfires is avoided by dynamic compensation. Only one value is needed of an instantaneous speed per ignition top dead center of each engine cylinder, whereby the speed values can be acquired over the duration of the crank angle rotation about big crank angle ranges which correspond to the distance between successive ignitions.

Process for monitoring the power output of the individual cylinders of a multicylinder internal combustion engine

A power absorption device for mounting in the coolant circuit of an engine to generate heat for directly increasing the temperature of the engine coolant during warm-up comprises a rotor 32 and a stator 34 operative to convert power into heat when rotated relative to one another and arranged in a common housing 10 which sealingly engages an opening in the engine coolant circuit. The rotor 32 is fixedly mounted on a shaft 16 which is driven from the engine crankshaft and the stator 34 is associated with a brake band 38 for preventing the stator 34 from turning when engine power is to be absorbed, the rotor and stator rotating in unison when the brake band 38 are released. The power absorption device may be mounted in the same housing as the coolant pump 18 and shares the same drive train.

Power absorption device

Verfahren zur steuerung des verbrennungsablaufes eines fremdgezuendeten verbrennungsmotors

In a manifold system an externally controlled source of sound or pressure waves (14) is disposed within a tract (10) and activated at a predetermined time preceding closing of an associated engine valve (12) such that the pressure pulse from the source (14) reaches the valve as it is closing during each engine cycle. The source may be a loudspeaker or a reservoir (16), Fig. 2 having an electrically controlled valve (18) or may be a normally open shutter in the tract (10) closable momentarily to thereby create a pressure pulse. Sound emitted by the source (14) may be counteracted by a source of anti-sound.

Manifold tuning for I.C. engines

A circulation pump 10 draws oil from a sump 16 and delivers to galleries 12 and 14 supplying upper and lower engine parts and a regulating valve 20 limits the pressure of the oil in circulation by returning directly to the sump 16 a proportion of the oil delivered by the pump. The return oil from the gallery 12 and the valve 20 are grouped together and returned to the sump by a common pipe 28 that discharges into the sump 16 under gravity separately from the oil returned from the gallery 14. The suction pipe 18 of the pump 10 is arranged to draw the major proportion of the oil to be circulated from the heated oil discharged by the return pipe 28. The pipes 18 and 28 may be insulated within the sump. A coolant heat exchanger may be combined with an oil filter immediately downstream of the pump 10.

I.c. engine lubrication system

An eccentric ring 16 is arranged between the connecting rod and its crank pin. An hydraulic mechanism is provided for setting the angular position of the eccentric ring 16 to vary the effective length of the connecting rod and thereby determine the compression ratio. Oil is drawn into portions of a groove 26 in the connecting rod on either side of a piston 38 on the ring 16 through non-return valves 28, 58 so that the pressure tends to build-up in the right-hand groove portion until a relief valve 48 is operative when the pressure exceeds a predetermined limit. Springs 20, 22 bias the ring 16 to an unpressurised rest position and the ring is rotated in operation until the maximum combustion chamber pressure corresponds to the limit set by the valve 48.

Ma Thomas Tsoi-Hei

Papers

Power absorption device

Verfahren zur steuerung des verbrennungsablaufes eines fremdgezuendeten verbrennungsmotors

Manifold tuning for I.C. engines

I.c. engine lubrication system

I.c.engine with variable compression ratio