Chrysler Corporation

Daimlerchrysler Corporation

Other

Thomas A Larson

Kenneth P DeGroot

Gregory T Weber

Bruce H Teague

Keith L Jones

Peter G Hartman

Christopher P Thomas

Michael J Reale

Gerald R Honkanen

A method for reducing hydrocarbon emissions in an engine of a vehicle. The methodology is triggered following the switching off of the ignition by the operator. First, fuel delivery to the engine is terminated. Second, spark ignition is continued based on a predetermined parameter such as time or engine cycles following the termination of the fuel delivery. Last, spark ignition is stopped. Since combustion continues until no fuel exists in the cylinder, there is no over abundance of fuel in the catalyst at a subsequent start up. As such, the catalyst operates effectively at start up and hydrocarbon emissions are lowered.

Method for sparking engine cylinders after fuel shutdown for reduced emissions

The analog input of a sensor is connected to a 10-bit analog-to-digital converter. The converted is powered using a 5V supply. The A/D is interfaced with a microprocessor; however, only the least significant eight bits of the A/D output are connected to the microprocessor input. The microprocessor is used to adjust the fuel-air mixture used in engine combustion based on the output of the sensor. The use of the 10-bit A/D interfaced with only eight bits allows increased precision and increased computational speed. The increased precision allows more accurate adjustment of the fuel-air mixture to enable the engine to run closer to its stoichiometric point.

Sensor output precision enhancement in an automotive control system

A method for advanced crank spark with blend spark retard for an internal combustion engine includes the steps of selecting whether a spark in an engine cylinder will be fired on a predetermined first or second crank edge during an engine start mode, firing the spark on the second crank edge during the engine start mode if the second crank edge is selected, firing the spark on the first crank edge if the first crank edge is selected, determining whether the internal combustion engine is in the engine start mode based on engine speed, continuing to select whether to fire the spark on the predetermined first crank edge or the predetermined second crank edge if the internal combustion engine is in the engine start mode based on engine speed less than the predetermined speed, and retarding the spark from a first spark level to a hold start level at a predetermined rate, holding the spark at the hold spark level for a hold period, and advancing the spark to the first spark level at the predetermined rate, if the internal combustion engine is in the engine start mode based on engine speed greater than the predetermined speed.

Method for advanced crank spark with blend spark retard for an engine

A method of altitude compensation of exhaust gas recirculation in an intake manifold for an internal combustion engine includes the steps of calculating vacuum at sea level, calculating vacuum at present altitude of the engine, determining whether the calculated vacuum at sea level is equal to the calculated vacuum at present altitude, and correcting the exhaust gas recirculation in the intake manifold if the calculated vacuum at sea level does not equal the calculated vacuum at present altitude.

Method of altitude compensation of exhaust gas recirculation in an

A method of estimating exhaust gas recirculation in an intake manifold for an internal combustion engine includes the steps of determining a volumetric efficiency value of the intake manifold, determining whether a speed of the engine is accelerating, getting a manifold unfilling constant if the speed of the engine is not accelerating, getting a manifold filling constant if the speed of the engine is accelerating, calculating a K-factor based on the volumetric efficiency value and either the manifold filling constant or manifold unfilling constant, and using the K-factor to modify spark of the engine.

Method of estimating exhaust gas recirculation in an intake manifold for

A collapsible privacy chamber preferably for use aboard a boat or other watercraft is provided. The privacy chamber includes an openable enclosure having an openable top, a sectional support member, mechanism for anchoring the sectional support member inside of the openable enclosure, an upper suppport frame, a flexible sheet attachable to the upper support frame such that the flexible sheet can hang from the upper support frame thereby providing a partial enclosure such that one can obtain a measure of privacy inside of the partial enclosure, an upper mechanism for supporting the upper support frame such that the upper support frame can support the flexible sheet. The sectional support member preferably includes a plurality of elongated cooperating segments. The sectional support member cooperates with the anchoring mechanism to anchor the support member in the openable enclosure such that the assembled support member can extend vertically from the enclosure. Preferably, the privacy chamber includes a portable toilet located inside the openable enclosure. The elements of the partial enclosure are preferably collapsible such that they may be disassembled and placed within the openable enclosure so that the openable enclosure may be closed and used as a bench on the deck of a watercraft. The openable enclosure is preferably portable, however, in an alternate embodiment, it is incorporated into the deck of a boat.

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Bloomfield Hills, MI, United States of America

Thomas A Larson