The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Apr. 18, 2000
Filed:
Jul. 17, 1998
Gary Arthur Nichols, Farmington Hills, MI (US);
General Motors Corporation, Detroit, MI (US);
Abstract
Internal combustion engine air/fuel ratio control responsive to low voltage operating conditions of an electrical system maintains stable, precise air/fuel ratio conditions under electrical system fault conditions affecting operation of fuel control components including fuel pumps, fuel injectors, and drivers therefor. Electrical system operating voltage is monitored and when a voltage drop below a voltage threshold associated with reliable engine cylinder air/fuel ratio control is diagnosed, the air/fuel ratio smoothly transitions to a reduced engine performance operating mode which, at least for high engine output power requests, limits fueling and airflow to the engine cylinders to a level that may be accurately, reliably supported by the fuel control system components under their reduced electric drive signals. The reduced performance operating mode is maintained while the fault condition persists.