Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for performing a non-intrusive engine compression test. When compression testing is requested, a hybrid vehicle engine may be spun unfueled using energy from a battery driven electric motor. Changes in battery current over multiple engine cycles is used to infer cylinder compression parameters and assess cylinder compression degradation.
Abstract: Negative peak voltage detection for battery end of life estimations in fuel gauging is disclosed. Battery powered devices such cell phones and laptop computers create some noise in the form of negative excursions from the average output voltage of the battery which can cause the battery powered device to stop functioning. By negative peak detection relative to the average battery voltage, the end of life or discharged voltage condition can be altered in response to the negative peaks to obtain the maximum battery life without risk of the device inadvertently shutting down. Average output voltage of the battery may be taken as an estimated open circuit voltage or some other battery voltage. Various embodiments are disclosed.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
December 9, 2011
Date of Patent:
June 9, 2015
Assignee:
Maxim Integrated Products, Inc.
Inventors:
Jason Allen Wortham, Joseph Brian Vanden Wymelenberg, Kin Keung Lau
Abstract: An internal combustion engine is analyzed by an apparatus having a data processing capability. The engine has a plurality of cylinders and a battery operative to power a starter motor. The apparatus measures a time dependence of voltage level or current draw at the battery while the engine is being cranked by the starter motor. The apparatus also measures a respective time dependence of pressure at each of one or more locations in the engine. From the measured time dependence of voltage level or current draw, the apparatus determines a respective value indicative of a compression for each of the plurality of cylinders. Furthermore, the apparatus determines the presence or absence of one or more defects in the engine from the one or more measured time dependences of pressure.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
November 25, 2008
Date of Patent:
March 29, 2011
Assignee:
Innovative Products of America, Inc.
Inventors:
Peter Vinci, Brian E. Patterson, Richard A. Frantz, Ian R. Vinci
Abstract: An internal combustion engine is analyzed by an apparatus having a data processing capability. The engine has a plurality of cylinders and a battery operative to power a starter motor. The apparatus measures a time dependence of voltage level or current draw at the battery while the engine is being cranked by the starter motor. The apparatus also measures a respective time dependence of pressure at each of one or more locations in the engine. From the measured time dependence of voltage level or current draw, the apparatus determines a respective value indicative of a compression for each of the plurality of cylinders. Furthermore, the apparatus determines the presence or absence of one or more defects in the engine from the one or more measured time dependences of pressure.
Type:
Application
Filed:
November 25, 2008
Publication date:
May 27, 2010
Applicant:
Innovative Products of America, Inc.
Inventors:
Peter Vinci, Brian E. Patterson, Richard A. Frantz, Ian R. Vinci