Abstract: A failure detection apparatus for a cooling system of an internal combustion engine is disclosed. The cooling system has a radiator, a cooling water pipe for circulating a cooling water in the engine to the radiator, and a thermostat provided in the cooling water pipe for opening and closing the cooling water pipe. An estimated cooling water temperature of the engine is calculated according to the engine operating condition. The estimated cooling water temperature is compared with a determination threshold set according to the detected vehicle speed at the time the detected cooling water temperature has exceeded a predetermined water temperature. If the estimated cooling water temperature is lower than or equal to the determination threshold, it is determined that the thermostat is normal.

Abstract: An improved method of diagnosing an engine cooling system through the use of a coolant temperature model based on existing sensor information. Proper operation of the engine thermostat and coolant temperature sensor is diagnosed based on an initial comparison of coolant temperature to ambient air temperature at key-on and a later comparison of coolant temperature to a predetermined regulated temperature. The coolant temperature model is used to trigger the initiation of the later comparison to ensure that the diagnostic is performed when the engine is fully warmed up. Advantageously, the modeled coolant temperature may be used for control purposes in the event that the diagnostic detects faulty operation of the coolant temperature sensor.

Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus for diagnosing thermostat trouble in an engine cooling system comprising a thermostat which works to open a valve to make a cooling water flow through a radiator when the cooling water temperature for an engine becomes more than a predetermined temperature, or to close the valve to make the cooling water bypass a radiator when this temperature becomes less than the predetermined temperature. The apparatus comprises means for calculating a radiation heat amount from a radiator received by the cooling water for the engine and means for determining whether the thermostat trouble has occurred based on the radiation heat amount calculated by the means for calculating the radiation heat amount.

Abstract: A method of cooling an internal combustion engine having a first group of fuel injectors supplying fuel to a first group of injectors and a second group of fuel injectors supplying fuel to a second group of cylinders, the method including the steps of measuring the temperature of the engine, determining if the temperature of the engine exceeds a predetermined temperature threshold, shutting off the first group of fuel injectors to the first number of cylinders where air is pumped through the first number of cylinders to cool the first number of cylinders, energizing the second group of fuel injectors to the second group of cylinders to provide an air/fuel mixture to the second group of cylinders to drive the engine, shutting off at least one of the second group of fuel injectors to the second group of cylinders to pump air through at least one of the second group of cylinders.

Abstract: A method is presented for diagnosing an engine coolant temperature sensor and an engine thermostat. Engine coolant temperature is estimated based on engine operating conditions, such as engine speed, net engine torque, air flow, fuel-air ratio, exhaust gas temperature, etc., and a characteristic of the thermostat. The estimate is compared to the actual reading of the engine coolant temperature sensor in order to detect degradation in the performance of the sensor or the engine thermostat. If degradation is detected, the estimated engine coolant temperature can be used for various engine control strategies, such as electronic fuel injection, thereby improving vehicle performance, fuel efficiency, and emission control.

Abstract: The present invention 10 discloses an emergency cooling and refilling system that can be adapted to fit any application involving a heat exchanger, such as an automobile radiator 32, transmission cooler 36, or air conditioner condenser coil 34 or residential and commercial central air condenser coils 64. The present invention 10 can be factory installed or retrofitted to existing units and is automatically activated when a thermocouple 20 detects a high temperature condition and activates a pump 24 that moves fluid 16 from an independent reservoir 22 to atomizers 28 facing the component to be cooled and sprayed thereupon. The atomized spray 30 takes on a spiraling nature due to the presence of a rotational nozzle 86 within the atomizer 28 that is acted upon by the passage of the pressurized fluid traveling through multiple diagonal channels 94 cut in the nozzle's head 78.

Abstract: In a disclosed diagnostic apparatus and a diagnostic method of a coolant temperature sensor, a time point when a predetermined time is elapsed after an engine started or when a predetermined heat amount is generated in the engine after the engine started is set as a measuring timing. A variation amount of output of the coolant temperature sensor from the start of the engine to the measuring timing is calculated, and it is judged that a trouble occurs in the coolant temperature sensor when the variation amount is smaller than a predetermined value. The apparatus and the method are preferably applied to diagnosis of a cooling apparatus comprising a cooling section for carrying off heat of the engine by coolant to cool the engine, a radiator for radiating the heat carried off by the coolant, and a thermostat for controlling a flow rate of the coolant which circulates via the cooling section and the radiator.

Abstract: An improved overheat detection system for an engine having at least one coolant jacket which is drained of coolant when the engine is not running. The coolant jacket has an inlet portion into which the coolant is supplied and an outlet portion from which the coolant is discharged during the engine is running. In one feature of this invention, the overheat detection system has a sensor for sensing a temperature associated with the coolant jacket at an aft part of the coolant jacket including the outlet portion. In another feature of this invention, the overheat detection system has at least two sensors, one is positioned at a fore part of the coolant jacket including the inlet portion and another is positioned downstream of the former sensor, and both sensors for sensing each temperature associated with the coolant jacket. The overheat detection system is arranged to output an overheat signal in the event the temperature sensed by the sensor or at least one of the sensors is above a predetermined temperature.

Abstract: A safety fuel tank and filler cap apparatus is disclosed for use with a powered implement such as a lawn mower, tiller, weed trimmer or the like. The apparatus includes a locking mechanism that can be mounted on the engine body or fuel tank that disallows removal of the filler cap until the engine has cooled to a predetermined temperature that will not cause the fuel to ignite.

Abstract: A marine propulsion system is provided with a liquid detector located within a cooling passage of the cooling system of an engine. Conductivity sensors, or other types of liquid sensors, provide signals representative of the absence or presence of water at particular locations within the cooling system. The signals are used to energize and de-energize various annunciators on a display panel to inform the operator of a marine vessel of the status of a draining procedure. When all of the annunciators properly indicate the absence of water within strategic locations of the cooling system, the marine vessel operator can be assured that the draining procedure has been effectively completed.

Abstract: To detect the capability to function of a thermostatic valve of a cooling system of an internal combustion engine of a vehicle, the actual temperature of the internal combustion engine, the ambient temperature and the actual temperature at the outlet of a coolant radiator are measured and evaluated in such a way that a malfunction of the thermostatic valve can be detected thereby.

Abstract: An engine cooling apparatus for cooling the engine prior to a scheduled maintenance activity. A cool down controller receives a maintenance cool down signal and operates to place the cooling fan, coolant pump, coolant bypass valve and air control shutter in their respective maximum or increased cooling modes. These components are maintained in their maximum or increased cooling mode until the engine reaches a predetermined temperature which may be a function of an ambient temperature control signal. Interlocks may be provided to incorporate a motion control signal and/or a brake control signal.

Abstract: In an electrically driven coolant pump with an electromotor-pump unit an electronic control unit, generates a pulse-width modulated control signal for the pump depending on at least one engine operating parameter. In order to recognize irregularities and malfunctions in the pump's operation in due time, the control unit is connected with an error detector for the recognition of abnormal control signals and pump operating conditions and with a speed controlling device for the pump speed, with the error detector having an emergency device for the coolant pump.

Abstract: A safety cap, particularly for cooling liquid circuits of i.c. engines for motorvehicles, comprising an inner cover to be screwed onto a circuit filler and bearing a body axially and sealingly engageable within the filler. The body is hollow and carries a thermostatic actuator, and the inner cover is substantially completely surrounded by an outer cover which is movable, by means of the thermostatic actuator, from a torsionally coupled position to a torsionally uncoupled position relative to the inner cover.

Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed for protecting an engine of a vehicle driving a load from overheating. The apparatus comprises a sensor configured to provide a temperature signal representative of a temperature of the engine of the vehicle, a controller responsive to the temperature signal and configured to provide a control signal, and an instrumentation system responsive to the control signal and configured to provide a warning signal. The warning signal is provided when the temperature of the engine is within a warning range, and the load is disengaged when the temperature of the engine is within an overheat range.