Ford Motor Company Limited

Visteon Global Technolgoies, Inc.

Benjamin David Sweet

Carl R Morganti

Gitanjli Singh

Ross Dykstra Pursifull

Charles Francis Weber

Jack Marshall

A method and system are provided for processing multiple sensor output signals of different ranges/sensitivities so as to provide a seamless transition when switching between the different ranges. More specifically, a determination is made as to whether a selected sensor output range is of a sensitivity higher than a predetermined sensitivity. If the sensitivity is higher, the value of a higher sensitivity sensor output is converted to a value corresponding to the predetermined sensitivity range. An error value is then determined between the converted sensor output value and a sensor output corresponding to a range having the predetermined sensitivity. The sensor output is then modified based on the error value when the control process switches from the selected sensor output to the sensor output corresponding to the predetermined sensitivity. This insures that no glitches will occur in a controller output at the time of switchover.

Method and system for seamless transition between multiple feedback ranges

An electronic throttle control system including a throttle valve for adjusting the amount of air drawn into the engine is disclosed. A throttle valve is controlled by a throttle position feedback controller which suspends an integration element when position error absolute value is greater than a threshold, or when the position rate absolute value is greater than another threshold. The integration element includes an integration increment such that generation of the integration increment begins by a determination made of the position error between the throttle position and the position command. Once a determination of the sign of position error is made, a gain is applied to the position error. Also, a gain is applied to the sign of position error. The integration element of the throttle position feedback controller then operates with the position error and the sign of position error. The throttle valve then reacts in response to the throttle position feedback controller.

Throttle position control system

An energy-on-demand vehicular ignition system with a programmable re-striking and minimum single-strike energy output whereby at idle engine speed and lowest load, each coil will be re-struck or discharged the maximum number of times permitted by the coil design within a limited time interval representing the beginning of the combustion event and occurring within 0-2% MFB of the ignitable air fuel mixture within the combustion chamber. The system strategy also includes programmable re-striking whereby the system will default to a single-strike at conditions above a predetermined range of operating conditions, in particular, at a particular engine speed condition and a particular engine partial load condition. In between the conditions at (i) idle engine speed and lowest load on the one hand and, (ii) a predetermined engine speed and partial load condition. The ignition strategy includes the coil being re-struck more than once, with the particular number of re-strikes being determined in accordance with a preset schedule as predetermined to be ideal for complete combustion at the operating conditions being sensed.

Energy-on-demand ignition coil

An energy-on-demand vehicular ignition system, particularly a coil-per-plug system ('CPP') with a programmable re-striking and minimum single-strike energy output whereby at idle engine speed and lowest load, each coil will be re-struck or discharged the maximum number of times permitted by the coil design within a limited time interval representing the beginning of the combustion event and occurring within 0-2% MFB, and preferably within 0.5% MFB, of the ignitable air fuel mixture within the combustion chamber. The CPP system also includes programmable re-striking whereby the system will default to a single-strike at conditions above a predetermined range of operating conditions, in particular, at a particular engine speed condition and a particular engine partial load condition. In between the conditions at (i) idle engine speed and lowest load on the one hand and, (ii) a predetermined engine speed and partial load condition. The ignition strategy includes the coil being re-struck more than once, but less than the maximum number of re-strikes permitted by the coil design, with the particular number of re-strikes being determined in accordance with a preset schedule as predetermined to be ideal for complete combustion at the operating conditions being sensed.

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Southfield, MI, United States of America

Benjamin David Sweet