Patent ID: 6152106
Filing Date: 2000-11-28
Classification: F02D

Abstract:
An engine control system for compensating for a load placed on the engine by a steering system for displacing steerable wheels of the vehicle, comprising:a steering apparatus for variably displacing the wheels of the vehicle in accordance with an input supplied to the steering apparatus;a steering assist device for providing mechanical advantage to the input to facilitate displacement of the wheels by the steering apparatus, wherein operation of the steering assist device exerts a load on the engine which varies at least partially in accordance with the mechanical advantage provided by the steering assist device;a sensor for generating a variable output signal that varies at least partially in accordance with the mechanical advantage provided by the steering assist device;an engine controller for varying the power output by the engine, wherein the engine controller varies the power output by the engine in accordance with the output signal provided by the sensor;wherein the engine controller generates a signal to operate the stepper motor to a displacement in steps in accordance with the following relation: ##EQU2## pump power is the load required to drive the steering assist device, BSFC is a brake specific fuel consumption,flow characteristic is a relationship between air flow and the number of steps,flow calibration pressure is an ambient pressure at which the flow characteristic is determined, andBARC is the barometric pressure.