Acf Industries, Incorporated

Chusak Tansuwan

Richard D Doerr

Paul M Meyer

Steven R Bollinger

Mark A Jefferis

A spark control apparatus (1) for an internal combustion engine using a breaker point (3) or solid state (5) ignition to control current to an ignition coil (11). The waveform of the ignition signal from the ignition system is applied to a converter section (35) of the apparatus to convert the signal waveform to a predetermined waveform. A sensor (25) senses engine vibration and generates a representative electrical signal which a signal processor (41) processes to determine engine knock by comparing the peak and average values of the signal. A delay circuit (45) delays termination of current to the ignition coil and thus the ignition timing as a function of the comparison of the peak and average values of the control signal. When there is no knock, the timing slowly returns to normal. A driver (50) responds to current signals to control current to the ignition coil. The driver is shut off when the engine is not running to reduce current drain. A first transistor (Q12) switches on and off when the engine is running and is off when the engine is not running. A second transistor (Q13) turns off the driver when the transistor is on. A controller (Q17, C14, R48 and R49) controls this transistor to turn it on when the engine is not running. The controller responds to changes in operating states of the first transistor to switch the operating state of the second transistor.

Spark control apparatus

Apparatus (1) for controllably opening the choke valve (V) of a carburetor (C). An actuator (3) is supplied signal elements of an electrical command signal. The actuator is responsive to the command signal elements to move a choke shaft (S) and open the choke valve. A spring (13) is connected to the actuator and the choke shaft to exert a choke valve opening force on the choke shaft when command signal elements are supplied to the actuator. A sensor (21) senses the temperature of the engine and generates an electrical signal representative thereof. A processor (23) processes the electrical signal from the sensor and generates and supplies signal elements of the electrical command signal to the actuator if the engine temperature represented by the electrical signal is less than a predetermined engine temperature. The choke valve is fully opened when engine temperature reaches the predetermined temperature.

Apparatus for controllably opening a carburetor choke valve

Apparatus for automatically controlling the idle speed of an internal combustion automobile engine. A sensor senses the operating speed of the engine and develops an electrical signal representative thereof. Movement of a carburetor throttle valve from an open to a substantially closed position is sensed and an electrical signal indicative thereof is generated. Closure of the throttle valve indicates the engine is operating at idle. A controller is responsive to the second electrical signal to process the electrical signal from the sensor and generate an electrical control signal. The controller processes the electrical signal from the sensor means in accordance with a predetermined format based upon a transfer function derived for the engine. An electromechanical device is responsive to the control signal for moving the throttle valve to a desired position at which engine idle speed is a preselected speed determined in accordance with the transfer function.

Engine automatic idle speed control apparatus

Apparatus for simulating the operating characteristics of an automobile engine. The ignition system of the engine is electrically simulated and an electrical signal representative of engine revolutions per minute under various engine operation conditions is generated. A transfer function derived for the engine is implemented to control generation of the electrical signal. Engine acceleration and deceleration is simulated. An oxygen sensor normally positioned in an exhaust system of the engine is simulated with an electrical signal representative of an output signal supplied by the oxygen sensor being generated. Operation of a first electromechanical device controlled by an engine control sysem is simulated as is the operation of a second electromechanical device. The apparatus is useful for testing and calibrating a feedback and automatic idle speed control system for the automobile.

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St. Louis, MO, United States of America

Chusak Tansuwan