Patent ID: 6176224
Filing Date: 2001-01-23
Classification: F02D,Y02T

Abstract:
A method of controlling an internal combustion engine assembly which includes (i) an internal combustion engine having an engine inlet and an engine outlet, (ii) a mixing chamber having an air inlet, a fuel inlet, and a fuel-air mixture outlet, (iii) a fuel valve which controls the ratio of air-to-gaseous fuel in a fuel-air mixture advanced from the fuel-air mixture outlet of the mixing chamber, and (iv) a throttle operable to control flow rate of the fuel-air mixture which is advanced from the fuel-air mixture outlet to the engine inlet, comprising the steps of:operating the internal combustion engine assembly at a substantially constant predetermined speed;determining oxygen content of exhaust gases advanced through the engine outlet and generating an oxygen content signal in response thereto;measuring a parameter related to load on the internal combustion engine and generating a signal in response thereto;calculating the internal combustion engine assembly load based upon the substantially constant predetermined speed and the signal; andadjusting the fuel valve to alter the ratio of air-to-gaseous fuel of the fuel-air mixture advanced through the fuel-air outlet of the mixing chamber based on the oxygen content signal and the calculated load.