System and method for controlling diagnostic annunciators
US6112148A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Dec 18, 1998 |
| Grant date | Aug 29, 2000 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Dec 18, 2018 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY02T10/40
- WIPO fieldEngines, pumps, turbines
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A diagnostic system for an engine is provided for which a plurality of annunciators are energized according to particular fault code sequences. A self-diagnosis mode is controlled by use of the vehicle throttle. The self-diagnosis mode can be initiated by a predetermined number of cycles of the vehicle throttle, in which a cycle corresponds to depressing and releasing the throttle beyond upper and lower limits. In one aspect of the invention, a timer is used to determine whether the predetermined number of throttle cycles occurs within a fixed time limit. If not, then the self-diagnosis mode is not activated. Once the self-diagnosis mode is activated, subsequent cycles of the vehicle throttle will increment the annunciators among the sequential fault codes.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.