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:
Nov. 13, 2007
Filed:
Dec. 06, 2005
Masahiro Arai, Yokohama, JP;
Tsuneyasu Nohara, Fujisawa, JP;
Masahiro Arai, Yokohama, JP;
Tsuneyasu Nohara, Fujisawa, JP;
Nissan Motor Co., Ltd., Yokohama-shi, Kanagawa, JP;
Abstract
With a variable valve timing system, engine operability may be lost when performing open control of lift characteristic amounts to the minimum or the maximum of a variable range when a sensor error occurs. The present invention provides a lift operation angle changing mechanism that can continuously change intake valve lift amount and operation angle within a prescribed variable range. A target operation angle is calculated based on the number of engine revolutions and the accelerator pedal opening APO. An error is determined for the operation angle sensor that detects the actual operation angle. A normal control amount is calculated based on the target operation angle and the actual operation angle, and a failure control amount is calculated based on the number of engine revolutions. Therefore, an intermediate value within the variable range can be obtained as the failure control amount. The normal control amount is output to actuatorunder normal operation, and the failure control amount is output to actuatorwhen an error occurs.