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:
May. 20, 1999
Steven M Bellinger, Columbus, IN (US);
John V Shutty, Columbus, IN (US);
Cummins Engine Company, Inc., Columbus, IN (US);
Abstract
A system for controlling operation of an internal combustion engine includes a control computer responsive to a number of engine/vehicle operating conditions to control engine operation to thereby control engine speed and engine or vehicle acceleration. In one embodiment, the control computer is configured to determine an engine or vehicle acceleration limit value based on current engine or vehicle speed, and an engine speed limit value based on current engine load, and to control engine fueling and/or speed to thereby limit engine speed to the engine speed limit value and/or engine/vehicle acceleration to the engine/vehicle acceleration limit value. In another embodiment, the control computer is configured to determine a pseudo-load value, which is preferably a vehicle mass value and/or road grade value estimated from current vehicle acceleration and engine fueling conditions, determine an engine speed limit value based on the pseudo-load value and current vehicle speed, and control engine speed and/or fueling to thereby limit engine speed to the pseudo-load-based engine speed limit value. In either case, the concepts of the present invention provide for increased fuel economy by limiting engine speed and/or acceleration during shifting, while providing for additional engine speed, and correspondingly higher engine power, when there exists a legitimate need therefore.