Patent · US Expired

Back-up system and method for engine coolant temperature sensor in electronic engine control system

US4556029A · kind A · utility

32Cited by
9References
28Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateMar 28, 1983
Grant dateDec 3, 1985
Priority date
Expiry dateMar 28, 2003

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
  • CPC primaryY02T10/40
  • WIPO fieldEngines, pumps, turbines
  • WIPO sectorMechanical engineering

Abstract

A back-up system for an engine coolant temperature sensor detects deviation of the output of the temperature sensor from its designed output range to produce a fault signal. In response to the fault signal, an engine control system derives the engine coolant temperature indirectly from other engine conditions. This derivation is based on two facts: (1) the amount of fuel required to start the engine is related to engine temperature, and (2) since the calorific value of a given engine is essentially constant, the rate of increase of engine temperature is related to the integrated number of engine revolutions. Thus, when the engine is to be started, engine temperature can be derived by gradually increasing the fuel supply quantity from a minimal initial value until the engine is able to start to determine the required fuel supply quantity. Thereafter, the derived temperature value can be updated as a function of total engine revolutions.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.