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:
Oct. 24, 2000
Filed:
Dec. 15, 1998
John W DeGeorge, Michigan Center, MI (US);
Robert T Forgiel, Tecumseh, MI (US);
Howard W Krausman, Dexter, MI (US);
Chrysler Corporation, Auburn Hills, MI (US);
Abstract
A spark control method for a vehicle engine is provided for enhancing engine performance and fuel economy prior to a fully warm state. The spark control method is based on coolant temperature and engine speed while accounting for an engine position and time from the start-to-run transfer. More particularly, the methodology of the present invention initially determines if the desired spark advance is before top dead center and if the throttle is open. If so, the methodology loads engine speed and coolant temperature to the engine control unit and interpolates a spark advance multiplier value. Thereafter, the current engine position pulse is loaded and an engine position pulse multiplier is interpolated and applied to the spark advance multiplier value. Next, the time since the start-to-run transfer is loaded and a time since start-to-run transfer multiplier is interpolated and applied to the spark advance multiplier value. Finally, the spark is advanced via the spark advance multiplier value, as adjusted by the engine position pulse multiplier and the time since start-to-run transfer multiplier. Upon engine operation reaching an after top dead center condition or when the throttle is closed, the methodology of the present invention is exited and engine operation is returned to normal spark control.