Abstract: An apparatus for remote identification of the combustion performance of a vehicle is provided. The apparatus comprises a throttle device for control of fuel into an engine of a vehicle. A combustion sensor is in operative communication with the vehicle for the purpose of analyzing a vehicle combustion performance parameter. A remote communication device is in operative communication with the combustion sensor for communicating the combustion performance parameter. A remote monitoring network is included for receiving the combustion performance parameter from the remote communication device over a network to enable remote monitoring of vehicle performance.

Abstract: A drive control circuit generates a conduction drive output responsive to a detection output of an accelerator pedal depression degree sensor and an air-intake throttle-valve opening sensor, and controls a driving switch element connected to an air-intake throttle-valve opening control motor. A monitoring control circuit drives a control circuit power supply interruption element that closes a control power supply circuit of the driving switch element, and stops control operation of the driving switch element by a conduction-inhibit output. The drive control circuit can stop operation of a power supply interruption element by a feed-inhibit output. At the time of starting operation, a status signal determines activeness of the feed-inhibit output and conduction-inhibit output, after confirming that those outputs are normal, the inhibition is released.

Abstract: A method for processing knock-related data reduces the memory locations required for the method and also simplify the processing steps needed to determine a sum, average, and threshold value relating to magnitudes of knock ratios. Inputs from either pressure sensor or accelerometers are filtered and then used to form a ratio between a knock portion of a curve and a reference portion. Sequential magnitudes of the knock ratio are received and analyzed in a manner that reduces required memory locations and improves processing speed.

Abstract: In a control method, the setting for a setting device (5), comprising a device (9) for reporting the setting, is regulated in a range between two end positions by using a measured parameter, given by the device (9) for reporting the setting, depending on the setting of the setting device and a characteristic curve, whereby, during the regulation a set value or an actual value for the setting is monitored. The characteristic curve is adapted when the set value or the actual value for the setting lies within a given separation from a given value for an adaptation setting.

Abstract: A failure detection apparatus for an internal combustion engine includes failure detecting means (S22-S30) for detecting abnormality of fresh air quantity detecting means (air flow sensor) based on the result of comparison between a fresh air quantity detected by the fresh air quantity detecting means (air flow sensor) and a reference value for the fresh air quantity set by fresh air quantity reference value setting means (S20), and an EGR device (EGR passage, EGR valve, target opening setting means, EGR valve control means). The fresh air quantity reference value setting means sets the reference value (S16) in accordance with not only the operating state (engine speed Ne, fuel injection quantity Qf, etc.) of the engine but also a target EGR valve opening set by target opening setting means (S12, S14).

Abstract: A method and system may be provided to perform a process for controlling power provided by an engine in a machine. In an embodiment of the present invention, a process for controlling power provided by an engine operating in a machine is provided. The process may include determining a first power value reflecting a predetermined first power to be provided by the engine to a component operating in the machine and determining, during machine operations, at least one of a parasitic load power value and an intermittent power load value. A second power value may then be determined that reflects a second power provided by the engine based on the parasitic power value, the intermittent power value, and the net power value. The second power value is adjusted such that the engine substantially provides the predetermined net power to the component.

Abstract: A storing area of a non-volatile memory includes a plurality of blocks, in each of which a failure diagnosis frequency (numerator) and an operating frequency (denominator) are stored. The failure diagnosis frequency is the number of times failure diagnosis is executed, while the operating frequency is the number of times a vehicle enters a given operating state. When the vehicle enters the given operating state or the failure diagnosis is executed, rewriting is executed as incrementing, by one, the stored failure diagnosis frequency or operating frequency in a given block. When the operating frequency in the given block reaches an overflow threshold, the failure diagnosis frequency and operating frequency are reduced to half and written in a different block.

Abstract: An electronic throttle control system includes an electronic control unit that performs failsafe control for cases where failure of throttle valve is detected, and stores failure information about the throttle valve in a memory 1a so that the failure information can be referenced by an external tool during failure diagnosis, and that initializes the memory 1a when failure diagnosis is complete. The electronic throttle control system further includes a crank angle sensor for detecting engine speed. The electronic control unit initializes the memory that stores failure information relating to electronic control of the throttle valve for cases where an initialization request signal for initializing the memory that stores the throttle valve failure information is inputted from the external tool, and the engine speed that is computed based on the crank angle detected by the crank angle sensor is zero.

Abstract: A signal processing apparatus for detecting and displaying the properties of diesel fuel powered compression-ignition engines senses strain pulses in the fuel injection rail structure to perform a variety of testing functions. Among other capabilities, the apparatus permits the user to establish stroboscope timing, to measure engine RPM, to view the relationship between crankshaft position and injection time, and to examine the time-dependent properties of strain pulses on individual fuel injectors in order to evaluate the condition of the diesel engine.

Abstract: A fail-safe mechanism of an air induction control apparatus for automotive engines is provided which is designed to hold a throttle valve at a middle position when a valve actuator has failed to move the throttle valve. The fail-safe mechanism includes a middle position hold stopper, an opener lever connected to the throttle shaft, and a first and a second coil spring. The first coil spring works to exert a first spring pressure on the opener member in a first rotational direction in which the throttle valve is rotated from a fully opened position to the middle position. The first coil spring is urged at an end thereof into constant engagement with the middle position hold stopper to hold the opener member from rotating in a second rotational direction opposite the first rotational direction. The second coil spring has a first and a second end between which the opener member extends. The first end abuts against the middle position hold stopper.

Abstract: A method and system for diagnosing a failure of a rear oxygen sensor is provided. The sensor is determined to have failed if the difference between a maximum output value and a minimum value of the rear oxygen sensor is less than a first value, and if it is not, it is determined whether the difference is between the first value and a second value. If so, the air/fuel mixture is controlled to be richer than a stoichiometric air/fuel ratio for a predetermined period. Then, an output values of a front oxygen sensor and the rear oxygen sensor are respectively compared to first and second threshold values. If the output value of the front oxygen sensor is greater than the first threshold value, and the output value of the rear oxygen sensor is less than the second threshold value, it is determined that the rear oxygen sensor has failed.

Abstract: A method for identifying particular characteristics of a physical system includes assigning codes information to the system based upon two distinct characteristics. The code increases in value, with increasing code numbers being assigned to combination of the characteristics in such a way that between any two adjacent code values, only one of the two characteristics change, and the increasing value only changes by one value level.

Abstract: A method and a device is described as well as a component for controlling a system, in particular in a motor vehicle, the control being implementable in different variants, a component being operable in different variants according to the variants of the control, and the component receiving at least one signal via an interface. The component is introduced into a system environment and adapted to this system environment and/or initialized with this system environment as a system, in that the variant of the system environment is determined. This is done in a system-immanent manner. When the component is first started, the variant is altered and/or preselected one time as a function of the at least one signal, in particular by the component itself. Any other change in and/or selection of the variant following the initial startup is possible only with authorization.

Abstract: A diagnostic system is used for detecting the health condition of moving internal mechanical components in internal combustion engines. The system uses measurements of engine vibration and acoustic signals during cold or hot engine test. The system includes engine vibration and acoustic sensing, engine vacuum sensing, signal conditioning and pre-filtering, analog to digital conversion, advanced digital signal processing, and decision making. Engine vibration and acoustic signals are first amplified and then passed through a low-pass filter. The signals are then digitized and sent to a computer. An engine diagnostic software receives the digitized data and performs digital filtering to isolate signal parts that most influenced by each engine moving mechanical component of interest. Features are then extracted using statistical analysis and passed to a decision making inferences.

Abstract: The invention comprises a belt drive system for automatically controlling a belt tension. The system comprises an actuator controlled by a control module. The actuator operates on a pivoted pulley. A belt is trained about the pivoted pulley as well as other pulleys driving various accessories. A series of sensors in the system detect a belt condition including a belt tension. Sensor signals are transmitted to the control module. The control module processes the signals and instructs the actuator to move the pivoted pulley, thereby increasing or decreasing a belt tension. A feedback loop from the sensors to the control module allows the belt tension to be continuously monitored and adjusted many times per second. The system may actively control a belt tension by anticipating a system condition to prevent a belt noise by comparing sensor signals to instructions stored in a control module memory.

Abstract: When a first restoring pressure amount, measured after a fault diagnosis object region is in a reduced pressure state, exceeds a first or second judgment value, a second restoring pressure amount is measured by releasing the fault diagnosis object region to the atmosphere and then sealing it. When the first restoring pressure amount is between the first and second judgment values, the second restoring pressure amount is compared with a third judgment value. When the first restoring pressure amount exceeds the second judgment value, the second restoring pressure amount is compared with a fourth judgment value. Leak is determined to exist when the first restoring pressure amount exceeds the first judgment value and the second restoring pressure amount does not exceed the third judgment value, or when the first restoring pressure amount exceeds the second judgment value and the second restoring pressure amount does not exceed the fourth judgment value.

Abstract: To accurately detect occurrence of erroneous detection of a crank pulse associated with dropout of a crank pulse or occurrence of noise.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for determining a parameter associated with a delivery of fuel in an engine. The method and apparatus includes determining an initial parameter value associated with the delivery of fuel, determining at least one compensation factor based on a heating effect of a fuel and a fuel system, and applying the at least one compensation factor to the initial parameter value to derive a compensated parameter value.

Abstract: A system and method for controlling an internal combustion engine determine a catalyst gain based on an exhaust gas sensor positioned upstream relative to a catalyst and at least one exhaust gas sensor positioned downstream relative to at least a portion of the catalyst and use the gain to determine the condition or performance of the catalyst. The gain may be determined by modeling the catalyst as an integrator with an unknown gain and estimating the gain using a polynomial approximation. The gain is compared to an expected value or threshold associated with current operating conditions, such as catalyst temperature and/or mass air flow.

Abstract: A method of diagnosing a cooling system of a vehicle engine, including the steps of: acquiring operating data relative to operation of the cooling system (cooling system radiator water temperature/fan rotation speed) during a trip time between turn-on of the engine and subsequent turn-off of the engine; processing the acquired data, and accumulating the data for each trip to create a database; and examining the location of the data within the database to determine malfunction and/or potential malfunction situations of the cooling system.

Abstract: A system is disclosed for diagnosing cylinder misfiring in an internal combustion engine. A control computer is configured to periodically diagnose whether each cylinder of the engine is firing or misfiring, and to log information relating to such cylinder firing or misfiring.

Abstract: An operating internal combustion engine with at least one cylinder (2), and a piston (12), which can move in an alternating manner therein, is used to compress a fuel mix in a combustion chamber (11). In order to determine the nitrogen oxide content in oxygen-containing exhaust gases, the quantity of fuel fed to the cylinder (2) and the air mass flowing in an induction pipe (15) are recorded and are fed to an electronic circuit (6). The center of gravity (S) of the combustion is determined from at least one current measured value for the engine operation, and the level of nitrogen oxide emissions is calculated from the value for the center of gravity (S) of the combustion, including the values for the recorded fuel quantity and air mass.

Abstract: A data acquisition module for collecting data from engine-driven power equipment. The module records the operational characteristics of the power equipment. The module stores historical operational data such as time of use, total operational time, load, speed, etc. The module also provides information to the user when service or maintenance is due to be performed.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for accurately determining TTX: in a cylinder of an internal combustion engine. Gas pressure is measured in the cylinder relative to crank angle, giving rise to a curve of gas pressure with crank angle. An offset is found by first computing the angular position of an inflexion point of the compression pressure curve measured as a function of the crank angle, and then computing the offset as the difference between the angular position of a piston in the cylinder and a theoretical value for said angular position of the piston dependent on a known or measured flywheel angle. The value of TDC corrected by the offset is then used to calculate a value of work output such as the indicated Mean Effective Pressure (IMEP) which may be used for diagnostic and/or control purposes.

Abstract: A control device for an internal combustion engine, including: an ion current detecting unit for detecting an ion current flowing between electrodes, via ions generated in a combustion chamber upon combustion, at a time when a voltage is applied to electrodes arranged in a combustion chamber of the internal combustion engine; a parameter extracting unit for extracting an ion current characteristics parameter correlating to an IMEP, from the ion current detected by the ion current detecting unit; an IMEP-related-information calculating unit for using the ion current characteristics parameter outputted from the parameter extracting unit, to calculate information relating to the IMEP of the internal combustion engine; and an internal combustion engine control unit for controlling operations of the internal combustion engine based on the output from the IMEP-related-information calculating unit.

Abstract: An engine control system including an engine controller, a plurality of sensors coupled to the engine controller, and a neural network operating in the engine controller, and where upon failure of at least one of the plurality sensors, the neural network generates a representative value of the failed sensor.

Abstract: The engine ECU includes a control CPU and a monitoring CPU. The control CPU has a vehicular engine control function and an electronic throttle control function. The monitoring CPU is connected to the control CPU in an intercommunicative manner. The monitoring CPU communicates with the control CPU to receive data at least on the throttle control from the control CPU. The monitoring CPU determines whether the data from the control CPU is properly received. If the date is not properly received, the monitoring CPU resets the control CPU.

Abstract: An electronic throttle control system has a main computer and a sub-computer. The main computer calculates a target throttle angle, and the sub-computer controls a throttle actuator. In the computers, a throttle angle monitor value is set based on an accelerator angle to determine a normal range, and monitor an electronic throttle control operation by determining whether an actual throttle angle is within the normal range. The data characteristic of the monitor value is defined in a logic with which the throttle angle is controlled in the throttle closing direction upon occurrence of a memory retention abnormality.

Abstract: A computation processing is repeatedly executed in a control program. In the processing, a preceding computation result RamA that is represented as a floating point mode is used for computation of a current result RamA. Whether the preceding computation result RamA is either of non-numeral and infinity is determined. When the preceding computation result RamA is either non-numeral or infinity, the processing does not proceed to next computation but substitutes a default value for a variable RamA. Here, the processing substitutes a target value for the variable RamA if the variable RamA has a characteristic of converging on the target value in the computation processing.

Abstract: It is proposed that a quantity of heat input fed with the exhaust gas to the light-off area (8) during hot running up to a point in time be used as a criterion for successive conversion (light-off) in the downstream consecutive subvolumes (8a) of the light-off area (8) and that the functional capabilities of at least one of the downstream subvolumes (8a) heated consecutively be tested and evaluated individually at any moment of the light-off. The local variation of the catalytic converter efficiency can thus be monitored in the light-off area (8).

Abstract: The identification of a leak in the intake port (1) of an internal combustion engine (3) with lambda regulation (8) can be performed by the generation of an evaluation signal in accordance with a control signal of the lambda regulation (8) and the monitoring of the evaluation signal with respect to the transgression of a limiting value. If a leak occurs in the intake port (1), the internal combustion engine (3) receives an additional air mass, which is not registered by an air mass sensor (2). The additional air mass is compensated by the lambda regulation (8) by means of an increase in the value of the control signal, in such a way that the likewise increased value of the evaluation signal can be used for identifying leaks in the intake port (1). In this way, it is possible to determine, in particular, if a crank housing ventilation (5) of the internal combustion engine (3) is still connected correctly to the intake port (1).

Abstract: An ECU is equipped with an engine control microcomputer for executing engine control and a throttle control microcomputer for executing throttle control. The engine control microcomputer is programmed to execute a monitor program. A time in the engine control microcomputer is set with a predetermined time each time the monitor program is executed normally. The timer switches automatically its output logic level at a port from high to low, when the time count reaches zero. When the output logic level is switched to low, a throttle motor is disabled.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for diagnosing emissions in a multi-banked catalyst emissions system for a motor vehicle. A method of diagnosing emissions in a multi-banked emissions system suitably includes obtaining an emissions measurement for each bank in the multi-banked emissions system, converting the emissions measurements to scaled values, adding the scaled values to obtain a total emission value, and triggering an indication if the total emission value exceeds a pre-determined maximum. A system for processing emissions from an engine in a motor vehicle typically includes multiple exhaust banks and a processor. Each of the exhaust banks includes a catalytic converter and at least one oxygen sensor. The processor receives measurements from the oxygen sensors, converts the measurements to scaled values as a percentage of a threshold value, computes a total emission value from the scaled values, and triggers an indication if the total emission value exceeds the threshold value.

Abstract: A system and method is described for determining degradation of a diesel particulate filter in an engine exhaust system. The method uses information indicative of a regeneration rate, such as regeneration duration. From this, it is possible to determine when particulate filter operation has degraded.

Abstract: A sensor failure accommodation system includes a control computer receiving a sensor signal corresponding to an engine operating condition, and estimating a value of the engine operating condition as a function of one or more engine operating parameters different than the engine operating condition. The computer is operable to control one or more air handling mechanisms as a function of a final engine operating condition value, and if the sensor producing the engine operating condition signal is error free the final engine operating condition value is the engine operating condition signal. If the sensor producing the engine operating condition signal has failed, the final engine operating condition value is the engine operating condition estimate, and if at least one sensor producing the one or more engine operating parameters has also failed, the final engine operating condition value is a commanded or other definable engine operating condition value.

Abstract: A system for discriminating malfunction of a radiator of an internal combustion engine, in which conditions for execution of malfunction discrimination of the radiator are decided to be established, when a decline amount of outside air temperature is less than a threshold value, and the malfunction discrimination is conducted by comparing an estimated and detected coolant temperatures with predetermined values. In the system, making the decision that the conditions are not established is prevented, utilizing a parameter related to a quantity of intake air. With this, it becomes possible to inhibit decisions finding that the conditions are not established in certain cases in which such a decision would ordinarily be unreasonably made, such as when the internal combustion engine is started while still insufficiently soaked, etc.

Abstract: A system for diagnosing operation of a cooling system for an internal combustion engine includes a coolant temperature sensor producing a temperature signal corresponding to coolant fluid temperature, means for determining either an engine load or a throttle percentage, and a control computer configured to diagnose operation of the cooling system as a function of the temperature signal, either the engine load or throttle percentage, and a fuel delivery command for controllably supplying fuel to the engine. After expiration of a diagnostic period, the control computer diagnoses the cooling system as normally operating if the diagnostic period ended by the temperature signal meeting or exceeding a predefined temperature and if a total energy used by the engine during the diagnostic period is less than an estimated energy, and diagnoses the cooling system as failing if the total energy used during the diagnostic period otherwise meets or exceeds the estimated energy.

Abstract: A method of estimating a performance characteristic of a fuel injector is provided. A baseline performance curve for a predetermined type of fuel injector is established. At least one test point for the predetermined type of fuel injector is identified based on the baseline performance curve. A performance characteristic of a selected fuel injector of the predetermined type is measured at the at least one identified test point. A performance characteristic of the selected fuel injector is estimated based on the baseline performance curve and the measured performance characteristics of the selected fuel injector at the identified test point.

Abstract: An arrangement is provided for engine diagnostic via PDA. An engine diagnostic system, realized on a PDA, presents a menu to a user with a plurality of options related to engine diagnostic operations through a user graphical interface. The PDA is in connection with an engine management mechanism of an engine. The user makes a selection of an engine diagnostic operation to be performed with respect to the engine. The engine diagnostic system performs the selected engine diagnostic operation through the engine management mechanism of the engine.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for sensing a misfire in an engine having at least one cylinder and for providing a misfire indication signal in response to the occurrence of the misfire. The apparatus comprises an electronic controller that calculates an expected time period for a cylinder event during which fuel is combusted in a cylinder to provide an expected time period value. The time period of the cylinder event is measured to provide a measured time period value. The difference between the expected time period value and the measured time period value is calculated to provide a difference time period value. The difference time period value is compared to a predetermined threshold time. The misfire indication signal is provided in response to the difference time period value exceeding the predetermined threshold time.

Abstract: A method of operating an internal combustion engine in which fuel is combusted during a working stroke in at least one combustion chamber includes determining by a pressure sensor a gas pressure acting in the combustion chamber during the working stroke, monitoring a plausibility of a measuring variable obtained from a signal of the pressure sensor, determining, of a plurality of actual operational variables of the internal combustion engine which are not based on the signal of the pressure sensor, a reference variable corresponding to the measuring variable, comparing the measuring variable with the reference variable, and by this comparison checking the plausibility of the signal of the pressure sensor and the measuring variable obtained from it; and also a computer program, an electrical storage medium, and a control and/or regulating device for carrying out the method are provided.

Abstract: A diagnostic apparatus of a valve timing control system in which a valve timing is variably controlled by changing a rotational phase between a crankshaft and a cam shaft of an engine, comprises means for detecting a fluctuation of engine speeds of the engine following a change of engine operating conditions and for calculating a diagnosis value based on the fluctuation; and means for comparing the diagnosis value with a preestablished threshold value and for judging that a failure occurs in the valve timing control system, in case where the diagnosis value exceeds the threshold value.

Abstract: A drive control circuit generates a conduction drive output responsive to a detection output of an accelerator pedal depression degree sensor and an air-intake throttle-valve opening sensor, and controls a driving switch element connected to an air-intake throttle-valve opening control motor. A monitoring control circuit drives a control circuit power supply interruption element that closes a control power supply circuit of the driving switch element, and stops control operation of the driving switch element by a conduction-inhibit output. The drive control circuit can stop operation of a power supply interruption element by a feed-inhibit output. At the time of starting operation, a status signal determines activeness of the feed-inhibit output and conduction-inhibit output, after confirming that those outputs are normal, the inhibition is released.

Abstract: A method and an arrangement are suggested for determining a temperature quantity in a mass flow line which includes a throttle position and to which an additional gas mass flow is supplied after the throttle position. The temperature ahead of the throttle position is determined on the basis of the portion of the additional gas mass flow in the total flow in dependence upon the temperature of the mixture of the two gas mass flows as well as the temperature of the introduced gas mass flow.

Abstract: A method of determining an engine controller module (ECM) parameter set, the method includes specifying at least one criteria, determining whether at least one existing parameter set matches the specified criteria, presenting a report that indicates at least one matching parameter set when there is at least one matching parameter set, and presenting an alert when there is no matching parameter set, wherein the method is implemented via an ECM vendor extranet on a World Wide Web server.

Abstract: According to the invention, a circuit arrangement for a starter of a motor vehicle internal combustion engine is proposed, with which the starting relay (4) remains activated during a time-limited voltage dip (undervoltage of the battery). Between a computer (19) and an end stage (3) for triggering the starting relay (4), a memory circuit (2) is connected to a locking circuit (1), which in the event of undervoltage of the battery (20) maintains the status at a control input STEN during the voltage dip. A computer (19) which has entered a reset mode during the voltage dip is reactivated after the termination of the voltage dip and controls the locking circuit (1) in such a way that the starting relay (4) now continues to be triggered via the control input STEN. To obtain a defined outset state of the flip-flop (14, 15) upon reconnection of the battery, an RC member is disposed in the memory circuit.

Abstract: In a malfunction detecting system of an engine cooling apparatus constituted as a radiator having a thermostat that opens/closes a communicating passage between the engine and the radiator, estimated coolant temperature is calculated using a thermal load parameter correlated to rise in the coolant temperature after engine starting, whilst an engine standing time period is detected. Then, the detected engine standing time period is compared with a predetermined value and based on a result of comparison, one of preset threshold values including a malfunction discrimination threshold value and a malfunction discrimination execute threshold value is selected.

Abstract: A cold-state emission-reducing strategy wherein a diagnostic apparatus examines for possible malfunctions of a control unit during cold start. The diagnosis judges that the strategy is faulty if the cumulative amount of fuel injection is equal to or smaller than a predeterminable threshold value for a faulty judgement. Thus, the abnormality of the cold-state emission-reducing strategy is accurately and easily detected, by merely calculating the cumulative amount of an injection pulse width for the injector or the cumulative amount of fuel flow during a predeterminable cumulating time period after engine start, and comparing the calculated cumulative amount with the predeterminable judgement threshold.

Abstract: In a method and a circuit for installation-exchange protection of at least two measuring sensors for detecting physical/chemical variables of an exhaust gas in a system for exhaust-gas aftertreatment in an internal combustion engine, especially of a motor vehicle, voltage signals of the at least two measuring sensors are read in such that the read-in voltage signals are digitized and the digitized voltage values are buffer-stored. The buffer-stored voltage values each are buffer-stored as a copy. The voltage values buffer-stored as a copy are evaluated on the basis of characteristic voltage variables. During the process it is checked whether an exchange of the at least two measuring sensors has occurred and that, as a function of the test result, the buffer-stored voltage values are each buffer-stored as copies in a crosswise manner.

Abstract: A method, system, and machine-readable storage medium for diagnosing operation in a turbocharged engine having an engine control module (ECM) operable to control engine operation in response to data received from a plurality of sensors is disclosed. In operation, the method, system, and machine-readable storage medium store data corresponding to a compressor map defining a region of compressor efficiency and compressor speeds during operation, and a turbine map defining a region of turbine efficiency and turbine speeds during operation. Next, the method, system and apparatus determine a predicted value for an operating parameter using data received from selected ones of the plurality of sensors and the data stored in memory, determine an actual value for the operating parameter using data received from selected ones of the plurality of sensors, and generate an abnormal operation signal if a difference between actual and predicted values is greater than a predetermined amount.