Patents by Inventor Susan A. Aldridge

Susan A. Aldridge has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Engine warm-up model and thermostat rationality diagnostic
    Patent number: 6732025
    Abstract: A method is provided for testing a thermostat in a motor vehicle. The method includes an engine warm-up model and a thermostat diagnostic. The engine warm-up model predicts the temperature that the engine coolant temperature should be equal to at a given time after start-up. This is based on the engine coolant temperature at start-up, ambient air temperature, and how the vehicle is driven subsequent to start-up. This predicted engine coolant temperature is compared to the actual engine coolant temperature as read by an engine coolant temperature sensor. The error between the predicted engine coolant temperature and the actual engine coolant temperature is calculated and integrated over time. The thermostat diagnostic runs at a pre-selected temperature after start-up and compares the integrated error to a predetermined threshold value. Depending upon the results of the comparison, a pass, fail, or inconclusive condition is determined.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2004
    Assignee: DaimlerChrysler Corporation
    Inventors: Ronald A Reese, II, Gary M Pallach, Gary D. Dawson, David P. Ploucha, Susan A. Aldridge
  • Engine warm-up model and thermostat rationality diagnostic
    Publication number: 20020193921
    Abstract: A method is provided for testing a thermostat in a motor vehicle. The method includes an engine warm-up model and a thermostat diagnostic. The engine warm-up model predicts the temperature that the engine coolant temperature should be equal to at a given time after start-up. This is based on the engine coolant temperature at start-up, ambient air temperature, and how the vehicle is driven subsequent to start-up. This predicted engine coolant temperature is compared to the actual engine coolant temperature as read by an engine coolant temperature sensor. The error between the predicted engine coolant temperature and the actual engine coolant temperature is calculated and integrated over time. The thermostat diagnostic runs at a pre-selected temperature after start-up and compares the integrated error to a predetermined threshold value. Depending upon the results of the comparison, a pass, fail, or inconclusive condition is determined.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 8, 2002
    Publication date: December 19, 2002
    Inventors: Ronald A. Reese, Gary M. Pallach, Gary D. Dawson, David P. Ploucha, Susan A. Aldridge