The Bendix Corporation

Alan W Barman

Thomas W Hartford

Robert S Henrich

A method and apparatus for controlling the various functions of an internal combustion engine using a program controlled microprocessor having a memory preprogrammed with various control laws and associated control schedules, such as a fuel cut-off and reset system which responds to one of the selected fail signals receives information concerning one or more engine operating parameters such as manifold pressure, throttle position, engine coolant temperature, air temperature, and engine speed or period and the like. These parameters are sensed and then supplied to input circuits for signal conditioning and conversion to digital words usable by the microprocessor. The microprocessor system computes a digital word indicative of a computer-commanded engine control operation and output circuitry responds to predetermined computer-generated commands and to the computed digital command words for converting them to corresponding pulse-width control signals for controlling such engine operations as fuel-injections ignition timing, proportional and/or on-off EGR control, and the like.

Failure system for internal combustion engine

A method and apparatus for controlling the various functions of an internal combustion engine using a program-controlled microprocessor having a memory preprogrammed with various control laws and associated control schedules receives information concerning one or more engine-operating parameters such as manifold absolute pressure, throttle position, engine coolant temperature, air temperature, and engine speed or period or the like. These parameters are sensed and then supplied to input circuits for signal conditioning and conversion into digital words usable by the microprocessor. The microprocessor system computes one or more digital command word indicative of a computer-commanded engine control operations and output circuitry responds to predetermined computer-generated commands and to the computed digital command words for converting them to corresponding pulse width control signals for controlling such engine operations as fuel-injection, ignition timing, proportional and/or on-off EGR control, and the like. More particularly this disclosure relates to an improved microprocessor-based engine control system for controlling both fuel and ignition wherein an exhaust gas sensor is periodically sampled for the integrity of its output signals. In addition, an A/D converter having a novel window which is used in the engine control system and the digital control of ignition signals is also described.

Microprocessor-based engine control systems

A method and apparatus for controlling the various functions of an internal combustion engine using a program-controlled microprocessor having a memory preprogrammed with various control laws and associated control schedules receives information concerning one or more engine operating parameters such as manifold absolute pressure, throttle position, engine coolant temperature, air temperature, and engine speed or period and the like. These parameters are measured and then supplied to input circuits for signal conditioning and conversion to digital words usable by the microprocessor. The microprocessor system computes a command word indicative of a computer-commanded engine control operation and output circuitry responds to predetermined computer-generated commands and to the computed digital command words for converting them to corresponding pulse-width control signals for controlling such engine operations as fuel-injection, ignition timing, proportional and/or on-off EGR control, and the like.

Analog to digital converter for electronic engine control systems

A method and apparatus for controlling the various functions of an internal combustion engine using a program controlled microprocessor having a memory preprogrammed with various control laws and associated control schedules receives information concerning one or more engine-operating parameters such as manifold absolute pressure, throttle position, engine coolant temperature, air temperature, engine speed or period and the like. These parameters are measured and their value or status is supplied to input circuits for signal conditioning and conversion into digital words usable by the microprocessor. The microprocessor system computes a digital word indicative of a particular computer-commanded engine control operation and output circuitry responds to predetermined computer-generated commands and to the computed digital words for converting it into a corresponding pulse-width control signal for controlling such engine operations as fuel-injection, ignition timing, proportional and/or on-off EGR control, and the like. The engine control system further includes 'limp home' circuitry for enabling the engine to function for a predetermined time even after the microprocessor fails to enable the vehicle to get to a place of repair or the like.

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Oak Park, MI, United States of America

Alan W Barman