Method of reducing fuel consumption rate in internal combustion engines

摘要

An optimum control method for internal combustion engines uses the values of an engine control variable, such as engine timing, which are arranged in a map and stored in a memory. During normal operation, the engine is operated in accordance with one of the mapped engine control variable values related to engine operating conditions. During a fuel consumption minimization operation, the mapped engine control variable value is changed by an incremented amount to operate the engine therewith, and the mapped engine control variable value is replaced by the changed engine control variable value, if it is detected that the change by the incremented amount is in a direction to reduce the fuel consumption rate of the engine. This optimum engine control method can compensate for changes in the characteristics of engines caused during the manufacture or caused by changes over time during their operation, thereby ensuring the operation of an engine at a minimum rate of fuel consumption.