Method of detecting disturbances in an internal combustion engine caused by an empty fuel tank

U.S. Patent Number: 5866810

Abstract: The invention is directed to a method of detecting disturbances of the crankshaft rpm for an internal combustion engine which are caused by an empty tank. Uneven-running values (LU) of the engine are detected which are distributed in bands of values and the spacing between the bands of uneven-running values (LU) is computed. A quantity of the engine is detected which is relevant to the exhaust gas of the engine. A check is then made to determine whether the computed band spacing is less than a pregiven threshold spacing and whether the exhaust-gas relevant quantity lies within a pregiven threshold value interval and, if so, this data is utilized as an indication that the disturbances of the crankshaft rpm are caused by an empty tank.

Inventors: Ries-Muller; Klaus (Bad Rappenau, DE)

Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH (Stuttgart, DE)

Application Number: 08/980,622

Issued: 1999-02-02

Expired: 2007-02-02

Classes: 73/117.3 ; 123/436; 701/110; 701/112; 73/116; 73/23.32

Field of search: 73/23.31,23.32,116,117.2,117.3,118.1 123/419,425,436 701/101,110,112

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