Robert A Bullis

US Patent:

46012702, Jul 22, 1986

Filed:

Dec 27, 1983

Appl. No.:

6/566001

Inventors:

John A. Kimberley - East Granby CT
Robert H. Bullis - Avon CT

Assignee:

United Technologies Diesel Systems, Inc. - Springfield MA

International Classification:

F02M 3900

US Classification:

123357

Abstract:

A method and apparatus are provided for controlling the torque or fuel quantity limit to an internal combustion engine such as a diesel engine, at least partly as a function of the sensed level of smoke in the exhaust gas stream of the engine. An open-loop preliminary fuel quantity limit signal is provided as a function of engine speed. The actual smoke level is compared with a smoke limit value for the particular operating condition, and an error signal indicates the sense and possibly the magnitude of any difference. The error signal is the basis of a compensating signal which is added to the open-loop preliminary fuel quantity limit signal such that the resulting fuel quantity limit signal provides for maximum torque without exceeding the smoke limit. The smoke level is obtained by a direct measurement of the particulate level or the like in the exhaust gas stream. An alarm may be provided for indicating when the actual smoke level exceeds some threshold relative to the smoke limit.

US Patent:

44857942, Dec 4, 1984

Filed:

Jan 17, 1984

Appl. No.:

6/571409

Inventors:

John A. Kimberley - East Granby CT
Robert H. Bullis - Avon CT

Assignee:

United Technologies Diesel Systems, Inc. - Springfield MA

International Classification:

F02M 2506

US Classification:

123569

Abstract:

A method and apparatus for controlling the recirculation of exhaust gas in a diesel engine includes an EGR valve responsive to an EGR control signal for relatively opening and closing a recirculation duct to the passage of exhaust gas therethrough. A sensor provides a signal indicative of the level of particulates in the exhaust gas stream. Control circuitry responsive to various signals indicative of engine operating conditions, including the signal indicative of exhaust gas particulate level, provides an EGR control signal for regulating the EGR valve at least partly as a function of the sensed level of particulates in the exhaust gas stream. The engine operating condition signals typically are indicative of the speed of the engine or fuel injection pump, the engine load, and engine operating temperature. The particulate level signal is preferably provided by electrostatically sensing the passage of packets of charged particles by an electrically-passive, annular electrode positioned in or adjacent to the exhaust gas stream. The control circuitry includes storage of open loop EGR valve control signals as a function of speed and load, as well as particulate objective signals also as a function of speed and load.