A method and apparatus for controlling a combustion engine. Means are provided for controlling the energy conversion function of the engine. Adjustments of these control means are obtained by sensing at least one engine operating condition, developing an electrical signal indicative of such condition, and, with a digital computer, calculating repetitively values corresponding to settings of the means used to control the energy conversion function of the engine. The digital computer is programmed to calculate these values or settings arithmetically from an algebraic function or functions describing a desired relationship between settings of the energy conversion control means and the sensed condition.

Method and apparatus for engine control

The invention relates to methods and systems for the storage and recovery of energy using open-air hydraulic-pneumatic accumulator and intensifier arrangements that combine at least one accumulator and at least one intensifier in communication with a high-pressure gas storage reservoir on a gas-side of the circuits and a combination fluid motor/pump, coupled to a combination electric generator/motor on the fluid side of the circuits.

Systems and methods for energy storage and recovery using compressed gas

The invention relates to systems and methods for rapidly and isothermally expanding and compressing gas in energy storage and recovery systems that use open-air hydraulic-pneumatic cylinder assemblies, such as an accumulator and an intensifier in communication with a high-pressure gas storage reservoir on a gas-side of the circuits and a combination fluid motor/pump, coupled to a combination electric generator/motor on the fluid side of the circuits. The systems use heat transfer subsystems in communication with at least one of the cylinder assemblies or reservoir to thermally condition the gas being expanded or compressed.

Systems and methods for energy storage and recovery using rapid isothermal gas expansion and compression

The invention relates to systems and methods including an energy conversion system for storage and recovery of energy using compressed gas, a source of recovered thermal energy, and a heat-exchange subsystem in fluid communication with the energy conversion system and the source of recovered thermal energy.

Systems and methods for combined thermal and compressed gas energy conversion systems

The invention relates to systems and methods for rapidly and isothermally expanding gas in a cylinder. The cylinder is used in a staged hydraulic-pneumatic energy conversion system and includes a gas chamber (pneumatic side) and a fluid chamber (hydraulic side) and a piston or other mechanism that separates the gas chamber and fluid chamber while allowing the transfer of force/pressure between each opposing chamber. The gas chamber of the cylinder includes ports that are coupled to a heat transfer subassembly that circulates gas from the pneumatic side and exchanges its heat with a counter flow of ambient temperature fluid from a reservoir or other source.

System and method for rapid isothermal gas expansion and compression for energy storage

An engine control system, particularly for a road vehicle, includes two transducers for producing two signals representing any two of the parameters engine speed, manifold pressure and throttle angle. These signals provide input to a matrix which gives an n-bit output determined by both input signals, where n is at least two. This output controls an engine characteristic.

Engine control systems

1,207,678. Automatic voltage control. JOSEPH LUCAS (INDUSTRIES) Ltd. May 22, 1968 [June 2, 1967], No.25591/67. Heading G3R. A voltage regulator for a multi-phase alternator 9 which charges the battery 8 of a motor vehicle over a full-wave rectifier 10 comprises a thyristor 16 which is connected in series with the field winding 15 of the alternator, the series combination deriving its power through rectifiers, i.e. 13 and 14 as shown, from only a proportion of the phases of the alternator so that at some point during each cycle of operation of the alternator the current flow'through the thyristor 16 will be reduced to zero; the thyristor 16 is provided with gate current to turn it on as long as the output voltage of the alternator is below a predetermined value, the gate current being derived from a semi-conductor switch, i.e. a transistor 18, also connected in series with the field winding 15. The transistor 18 is itself controlled by a transistor 22 associated with a reference Zener diode 22, and the regulator circuit also includes the ignition switch 34 of the vehicle and a warning light 33 which is turned on when the switch 34 is first closed and turned off when the alternator produces an output.

Alternator voltage regulators

Voltage regulator employing triacs and diodes in a full wave rectifier

In a battery-charging system a permanent magnet alternator has a winding connected at one end to one supply line and at its other end connected to the other supply line through a diode In order to control the output from this winding, a gate controlled semiconductor switch, which can by way of example be a thyristor or a new device called a triac, is connected across the winding, and is provided with base current only when the voltage between the lines reaches a predetermined value

Malcolm Williams

Papers

Engine control systems

Alternator voltage regulators

Voltage regulator employing triacs and diodes in a full wave rectifier

Electrical supply systems incorporating a permanent magnet alternator with voltage regulation