Method for monitoring the operation of sensors in an internal combustion engine, and electronic controller operating in accordance with the method

US6317681A · kind A · utility

Assignee

• Siemens Aktiengesellschaft · DE

Inventors

• Mark Elliott · Regensburg, DE
• Gerhard Fischer · Darmstadt, DE
• Thomas Haug · Manitowoc, US
• Stephan Bolz · Pfatter, DE
• Roger Rouphael · L'Union, FR
• Markus Amtmann · Regensburg, DE

Key dates

• Filing date: Jan 2, 2001
• Grant date: Nov 13, 2001
• Expiry date: Jan 2, 2021

Classification

• Technology area (CPC Y): Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
• CPC primary: Y02T10/40
• WIPO field: Engines, pumps, turbines
• WIPO sector: Mechanical engineering

Abstract

A method for monitoring the operation of sensors in an internal combustion engine includes providing reference values from output signals from a sensor. A sliding average (comparison value) is calculated from a relatively large number of reference values. The operation of the sensor is diagnosed as a function of the amplitude distribution of the reference values about the comparison value. If a malfunction is found, a fault message is transmitted to the driver and reversionary running of the internal combustion engine is started. An electric controller operating in accordance with the sensor is also provided.