Vehicle engine control

Abstract

An engine control unit, and method of use, uses a power curve or algorithm to pro-actively adjust fuel flow rate to an engine, optionally in combination with a reactive power curve or algorithm, thereby to adjust engine power, in anticipation of changes in loads being imposed on the engine, as well as to respond to engine speed changes. The ECU has a power curve or algorithm stored in memory which responds to certain predetermined operating conditions other than sensed engine speed, by providing a sequence of pro-active change inputs, at predetermined rates of change, in rate of delivery of fuel to the engine combustion chambers, independent of engine speed change, thereby to produce pro-active incremental changes in power output of the engine. Such pro-active incremental power changes are effected in anticipation of changes in load demand on the engine, and correspond generally with expected incrementally progressive changes in load demand on the engine. In preferred embodiments, the power curve or algorithm includes a first upwardly sloping line representing small increment increases in engine power, a second step change increase in engine power, a third downwardly sloping line representing small incremental decreases in engine power, and a fourth relatively greater magnitude step change decrease in engine power. The pro-active change input signals can be combined with reactive change input signals to make respective combination change input signals which take into consideration a variety of operating parameters, including engine speed changes.