Patent · US Expired

Thermostat malfunction detecting system for engine cooling system

US6279390A · kind A · utility

39Cited by
14References
16Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateDec 11, 1997
Grant dateAug 28, 2001
Priority date
Expiry dateDec 11, 2017

Classification

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

Abstract

Malfunction of an engine coolant thermostat is detected from the engine side coolant temperature by the subsequent behavior of the coolant temperature. When an open-malfunction occurs, the coolant temperature becomes considerably different from that normally expected for times at which the thermostat is expected to be closed. When a closure-malfunction occurs, the coolant temperature becomes considerably different from that normally expected for times at which the thermostat is expected to be opened. Alternatively, the malfunction may be detected from the difference between the engine side coolant temperature and the radiator side coolant temperature.

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