The present disclosure relates to an engine in which compression and expansion is performed in the same cylinder. Also disclosed is a microprocessor for controlling the state of various valves in the cylinderincluding an intake valve, a transfer valve, and an exhaust valveto cause a compression or expansion to occur. A compression tank is provided for receiving, via the transfer valve, compressed air, which may be retrieved during an expansion (combustion) cycle. Compressed air for from multiple consecutive compressions may be stored in the tank and retrieved later, including for multiple consecutive expansions. Compression and expansion are not required to occur in any fixed or predetermined pattern and the microprocessor may evaluate vehicle sensors to determine a power demand, and cause compression or expansion to occur depending on the given power demand.

An electronic control unit includes a computer that outputs a monitoring signal and an external monitoring circuit that monitors a state of the computer based on the monitoring signal. The computer includes a monitoring signal output section that generates and outputs the monitoring signal to the external monitoring circuit by performing a software process; a self-diagnostic section that self-diagnoses the computer and detects an abnormality by identifying a cause of the abnormality; and a break signal output section that outputs a break signal to interrupt an input of the monitoring signal to the external monitoring circuit by performing a hardware process when an abnormality in the monitoring signal output section is detected.

A throttle valve having: a valve body; an intake duct obtained in the valve body; a throttle plate arranged in the intake duct; a shaft mounted so as to rotate, supporting the throttle plate; an electric motor; a gear transmission, which couples the electric motor to the shaft and has an end gear which is integral with the shaft; a return spring, which is designed to rotate the throttle plate towards a closing position; a striking element, which is obtained in the valve body and establishes an intermediate position of partial opening; and a countering spring, mounted on the end gear, which is designed to rotate the throttle plate towards the intermediate position and has one end which is designed to rest against the striking element during the rotation of the end gear.

An onboard control device has a drive manipulated variable detection unit (101) for determining a drive manipulated variable manipulated by a driver to impart a propulsive force to a vehicle, a command value calculation unit (109) for calculating a command value for a drive source of the vehicle based on the drive manipulated variable, a propulsive force control unit (115) for controlling the propulsive force based on the command value, operating state detection units (102, 103) for determining the operating states of the drive source, a drive manipulation rate of change calculation unit (110) for calculating the rate of change in drive manipulation, an operating state rate of change calculation unit (111) for calculating the rate of change in the operating state, and an abnormality detection unit (112) for detecting abnormalities in the drive source based on the rates of change in drive manipulation and the operating state.

A method for diagnosing a waste gate valve malfunction in a power generation system is presented. The method includes determining an actual pressure differential across a throttle valve. The method further includes determining an estimated pressure differential across the throttle valve based on one or more first operating parameters of the power generation system. Furthermore, the method includes determining an absolute difference between the actual pressure differential and the estimated pressure differential. Moreover, the method also includes comparing the absolute difference with a threshold value and if the absolute difference is greater than the threshold value, determining an operating condition of the throttle valve. Additionally, the method includes determining whether the waste gate valve has malfunctioned based on the determined operating condition of the throttle valve. An engine controller and a power generation system employing the method are also presented.

Systems and methods are provided for providing redundant pulse-width modulation (PWM) throttle control. The system includes a manual throttle controller configured to generate a manual PWM throttle control signal, and an automated throttle control system. The automated throttle control system includes a plurality of automated throttle controllers, each of which being configured to independently control a throttle of a vehicle, and each including a processor configured to generate and output an automated PWM throttle control signal, a first double pole double throw (DPDT) relay that, when engaged, is configured to receive and output the manual PWM throttle control signal, and a second DPDT relay, configured to receive and output the automated PWM throttle control signal to an engine, when the second DPDT relay is engaged; and receive and output the manual PWM throttle control signal to the engine, when the DPDT relay is disengaged.

An angle detection mechanism to detect a rotation angle of a rotation body includes a first detection unit to cause a first output value to constantly change in response to an angle change of the rotation body in the entire region of a specific rotation range and to set a change quantity of the first output value relative to the angle change in a first rotation region of the specific rotation range to be greater than a change quantity in a non-first rotation region, and a second detection unit to cause a second output value to constantly change in response to an angle change and to set a change quantity of the second output value in a second rotation region including a rotation region different from the first rotation region to be greater than a change quantity in a non-second rotation region.

A method for improving operating a vehicle that includes an accelerator pedal is disclosed. In one example, the method assesses a vehicle for accelerator pedal degradation and applies control actions to the vehicle is accelerator pedal degradation is determined. The control actions may include adjusting a throttle position and adjusting vehicle brakes.

An onboard control device has a drive manipulated variable detection unit (101) for determining a drive manipulated variable manipulated by a driver to impart a propulsive force to a vehicle, a command value calculation unit (109) for calculating a command value for a drive source of the vehicle based on the drive manipulated variable, a propulsive force control unit (115) for controlling the propulsive force based on the command value, operating state detection units (102, 103) for determining the operating states of the drive source, a drive manipulation rate of change calculation unit (110) for calculating the rate of change in drive manipulation, an operating state rate of change calculation unit (111) for calculating the rate of change in the operating state, and an abnormality detection unit (112) for detecting abnormalities in the drive source based on the rates of change in drive manipulation and the operating state.

A fail safe device of an engine includes: a temperature setting module; a torque estimation module; and a torque monitoring module. The temperature setting module sets a value of a predetermined temperature parameter used in an estimation of a generation torque of the engine. The torque estimation module estimates the generation torque of the engine by using a set value of the predetermined temperature parameter set by the temperature setting module. The torque monitoring module decreases the generation torque of the engine, when the generation torque estimated by the torque estimation module is larger than a driver expected torque by a predetermined value or more.