Monitoring Intake Air System (e.g., Air Filter) Patents (Class 73/114.31)
  • Patent number: 11802632
    Abstract: A method and system for controlling a fluid valve are described that avoid the effects of hysteresis. In hysteresis, the power signals associated with a valve position are different on the upstroke and downstroke. As a result, predicting the valve position can be difficult if you only know the current power signal. Instead of using upstrokes and downstrokes, a valve can momentarily be set to zero power, or a rest position when receiving a new command signal. This way the command signal is applied from a zero power or rest position, making the valve position more predictable and accurate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2023
    Assignee: Textron Innovations Inc.
    Inventors: David M. Angell, Keith D. Weaver, Richard G. Otten
  • Patent number: 11776106
    Abstract: An appearance inspection system is equipped with illumination devices that irradiate light, and retaining tools that retain an object to be inspected. Light receiving devices are disposed at locations (irradiated locations) which are on the retaining tools and are irradiated with the light emitted by the illumination devices. A determination unit of the appearance inspection system determines that an “inspection condition is not satisfied” when a measured value of a luminance measured with the light receiving devices is less than or equal to a preset reference value. Grayscale charts may be provided instead of the light receiving devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2023
    Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yoshinari Hashimoto, Daisuke Ito
  • Patent number: 11624332
    Abstract: New and/or alternative approaches to engine performance control that can account for the need to robustly monitor performance and/or operation of the physical plant and actuators thereof, while avoiding or limiting performance degradation. Model predictive control (MPC) or other control configuration such as proportional-integral-derivative control may be used to control the system by identifying a performance optimized control solution. In some examples, a modification to the performance optimized solution analysis is made to weight control solutions in favor of robust monitoring conditions. In other examples, the performance optimized solution is post-processed and modified to favor robust monitoring conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2023
    Assignee: Garrett Transportation I Inc.
    Inventors: Matej P{hacek over (c)}olka, David Hriadel, Martin Procházka
  • Patent number: 11492988
    Abstract: A method for determining a combination of an actual intake camshaft phase position of an intake camshaft and an actual exhaust camshaft phase position of an exhaust camshaft of a production internal combustion engine having at least one cylinder, wherein the method is performed in operation of the production internal combustion engine and the relevant actual phase position of the camshafts is determined in relation to an operating point of the production internal combustion engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2022
    Assignee: Volkswagen Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Jens Jeschke, Michael Mazur, Jens Drueckhammer, Frank Wildhagen
  • Patent number: 11333096
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for diagnosing temperature sensors of a vehicle. In one example, a method may include, at a duration after an engine-off event, determining that an intake air temperature measured by an intake air temperature sensor of the vehicle is greater than an ambient air temperature measured by an ambient air temperature sensor of the vehicle. In response to the determining, the method may include flowing ambient air across the intake air temperature sensor, and indicating the ambient air temperature sensor is functional responsive to the intake air temperature converging to the ambient air temperature during the flowing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2022
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Aed M. Dudar
  • Patent number: 11300538
    Abstract: In a gas sensor assembling apparatus configured to integrate first and second gas sensor components, a posture adjustment part configured to adjust the posture of a first member in a horizontal plane adjusts the posture of the first member to an insertion possible posture determined in advance while holding the first member having been transferred from a conveyance mechanism at a posture adjustment position fixedly determined in advance, and transfers the first member in the insertion possible posture to the conveyance mechanism while maintaining at the posture adjustment position, the conveyance mechanism conveys, to an integration position, the first member in the insertion possible posture, and at the integration position, the first member and the second member are integrated with each other by inserting a sensor element of a second member into an insertion port of the first member in the insertion possible posture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2022
    Assignee: NGK INSULATORS, LTD.
    Inventors: Tetsuya Hattori, Hiroyuki Tanaka, Shinichiro Shichi
  • Patent number: 11262091
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is an air conditioner that determines the replacement time of a filter. The air conditioner may include a filter for filtering particles in air that is suctioned, a first camera disposed so as to monitor the state of the filter, and a controller for analyzing an image of the filter acquired from the first camera through a deep neural network model trained using machine learning in order to determine a pollution level of the filter. The controller may be configured to determine the time at which the filter is to be replaced based on at least the pollution level of the filter, and may be further configured to use information collected from other electronic devices in an Internet-of-Things environment connected as a 5G communication environment in order to determine the time at which the filter is to be replaced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2022
    Assignee: LG ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventor: Dae Ok Kim
  • Patent number: 11162830
    Abstract: A sensor device is provided for acquiring at least one flow property of a fluid medium. The sensor device includes at least one sensor housing. At least one electronics module, having at least one flow sensor for acquiring the flow property, is accommodated in the sensor housing. The electronics module is at least partly accommodated in an electronics compartment. In addition, at least one moisture sensor is accommodated inside the sensor housing. The sensor housing has at least one inlet opening for exposing the moisture sensor to a moisture of the fluid medium. The electronics compartment is sealed relative to the inlet opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2021
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Alexander Markov, Andreas Kaufmann, Bastian Bodenberger, Hans Beyrich, Michael Rittmann
  • Patent number: 10975792
    Abstract: Provided are a novel exhaust pipe temperature estimation device and a sensor heater control apparatus for an exhaust gas sensor using the same that accurately estimates an estimation exhaust pipe temperature when an internal combustion engine is stopped and restarted in response to a change of an environmental condition of the internal combustion engine and controls an operation of a sensor heater based on the estimated estimation exhaust pipe temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2021
    Assignee: HITACHI AUTOMOTIVE SYSTEMS, LTD.
    Inventor: Kenji Takada
  • Patent number: 10955394
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to methodologies, systems, apparatus, and kits for diagnosing the condition of a restrictor element in a chromatography system based on flow rate measurements, or pressure measurements, or both.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2021
    Inventor: Michael O. Fogwill
  • Patent number: 10794303
    Abstract: A method for establishing a permitted maximum differential pressure of an air filter arranged in an intake tract of an internal combustion engine is provided. The method includes determining a control reserve of the internal combustion engine and establishing the maximum permissible differential pressure of the air filter as a function of the determined control reserve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2020
    Assignee: INNIO Jenbacher GmbH & Co OG
    Inventors: Jakub Holecek, Guenther Wall
  • Patent number: 10774757
    Abstract: A method for determining the quantity of filling components in a cylinder of an internal combustion engine. The cylinder is connected to an air supply via an inlet valve and to an exhaust gas conduit via an outlet valve. The method includes the steps of obtaining an exhaust gas back pressure at a specified point in time when the outlet valve is opened during a work cycle of the internal combustion engine and calculating the quantity of the filling components at the specified point in time on the basis of the obtained exhaust gas back pressure. A controller is also provided for carrying out the method and a motor vehicle is also provided that includes the controller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2020
    Assignee: Volkswagen Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Elmar Millich, Lars Petersen, René Kleinhans, Andre Shurkewitsch, Jean-Sebastian Tempel
  • Patent number: 10774760
    Abstract: Systems and methods for detecting a clogged intake air filter in a turbocharged engine system are provided. In one example a method for an engine coupled to an air filter and to a fuel tank includes indicating air filter clogging responsive to a measured fuel tank pressure during boosted engine operation. In this way, clogging of the air filter may be determined using existing engine system components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2020
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Aed Dudar
  • Patent number: 10598136
    Abstract: A clogging degree estimation apparatus includes an information acquisition unit configured to acquire information indicating a vehicle's traveling status for each predetermined travel section, a coefficient determination unit configured to determine a clogging coefficient K based on the traveling status indicated by the information for each travel section, and a clogging degree calculator configured to calculate an increase in clogging degree based on the product of the clogging coefficient K and a distance of the travel section for each travel section and calculate, as the clogging degree, an integrated value of the increase in clogging degree calculated for each travel section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2020
    Assignee: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOYOTA JIDOSHOKKI
    Inventor: Yuya Naruse
  • Patent number: 10392996
    Abstract: A particulate detection device has an insulation part, electrodes, an adhesion amount calculation section, a heater and a controller. The insulation part is located in an exhaust passage of an internal combustion engine and has an adhesion surface to which exhaust particulates emitted from the internal combustion engine adhere. The adhesion amount calculation section calculates an adhesion amount of the exhaust particulates adhered to the insulation part based on an electrical resistance between two of the electrodes. The controller, in a normal control, controls an air/fuel ratio in the internal combustion engine to be a theoretical air/fuel ratio. The controller, in a regeneration control, controls the heater to increase a temperature of the insulation part and removes the exhaust particulates from the insulation part by burning the exhaust particulates, and controls the air/fuel ratio to be lean as compared to the theoretical air/fuel ratio.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2019
    Assignee: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventor: Shingo Nakata
  • Patent number: 10024260
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for a particulate matter sensor. In one example, the sensor may include a concave inlet for admitting exhaust gas from an exhaust passage downstream of a particulate filter into the sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2018
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Xiaogang Zhang
  • Patent number: 9951700
    Abstract: An intake air temperature estimation system includes: an adiabatically compressed intake air temperature computing unit that computes an adiabatically compressed intake air temperature based on an intake air temperature before compression, an intake air pressure before compression and an intake air pressure after compression; and an estimated intake air temperature computing unit that computes an estimated intake air temperature. The estimated intake air temperature computing unit variably sets a coefficient of the function in response to an amount of change per unit time in the intake air pressure after compression such that a followability of the estimated intake air temperature to the adiabatically compressed intake air temperature at the time when the amount of change is large is higher than a followability of the estimated intake air temperature to the adiabatically compressed intake air temperature at the time when the amount of change is small.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2018
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Hirofumi Kamishima
  • Patent number: 9804056
    Abstract: The present invention provides a testing device testing a multi-cylinder engine including a plurality of ports including an intake port and an exhaust port in a pseudo driving state. The device includes a plurality of pressure inspection units and at least one opening/closing mechanism. Each of the plurality of pressure inspection units includes a pipeline connected to one of the plurality of ports, a sensor for detecting a pressure in the pipeline and a valve for opening/closing the pipeline. The opening/closing mechanism includes one actuator and a transmission mechanism connected to the actuator and transmitting a driving force of the actuator to an operation unit of each of the plurality of valves to open and close the plurality of valves.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2017
    Assignee: HIRATA CORPORATION
    Inventors: Hisayuki Sueoka, Tsuyoshi Uchida
  • Patent number: 9772257
    Abstract: The present invention provides a testing device testing a multi-cylinder engine including a plurality of ports including an intake port and an exhaust port in a pseudo driving state. The device includes a plurality of pressure inspection units and at least one opening/closing mechanism. Each of the plurality of pressure inspection units includes a pipeline connected to one of the plurality of ports, a sensor for detecting a pressure in the pipeline and a valve for opening/closing the pipeline. The opening/closing mechanism includes one actuator and a transmission mechanism connected to the actuator and transmitting a driving force of the actuator to an operation unit of each of the plurality of valves to open and close the plurality of valves.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2017
    Assignee: HIRATA CORPORATION
    Inventors: Hisayuki Sueoka, Tsuyoshi Uchida
  • Patent number: 8997558
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure are directed towards a turbine combustor probe having a combustion dynamics monitoring probe configured to monitor combustion dynamics within a turbine combustor. The turbine combustor probe also has a gas sampling sleeve configured to collect a gas sample from an airflow path between a liner and a flow sleeve of the turbine combustor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Bryan Wesley Romig, Jonathan Hale Kegley, Robert Wade Clifford, Derrick Walter Simons
  • Patent number: 8893546
    Abstract: A method/device for evaluating oxygen sensor signals of an air supply channel connected to an exhaust gas channel of the internal combustion engine, via an exhaust gas recirculation having at least one exhaust gas recirculation valve; the oxygen sensor being downstream from the exhaust gas recirculation initiation; the sensor signal(s) being corrected as a function of at least one characteristics variable describing the dependence of the sensor signal on the oxygen concentration or a correlated variable, and/or additional physical variables. At at least one engine operating point(s), in response to a closed exhaust gas recirculation valve, output oxygen sensor signals and additional operating point parameters are recorded/stored; and an adaptation of the characteristic variables is derived assuming that the gas composition corresponds to pure air.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2014
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Richard Holberg, Christian Reichert
  • Patent number: 8881713
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for an engine including a humidity sensor. Degradation of the humidity sensor may be determined based on a change in intake air relative humidity as compared to a change in intake air temperature or pressure, under selected conditions. An amount of exhaust gas recirculated to an engine intake is adjusted differently based on whether the humidity sensor is degraded or functional.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2014
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Gopichandra Surnilla, Imad Hassan Makki, Michael James Uhrich, Timothy Joseph Clark, James Michael Kerns, Robert Roy Jentz
  • Patent number: 8806926
    Abstract: To achieve accurate and rapid acquisition or distribution of fluid—at multipoints—with good spatial resolution and minimal bulk, a twisted arrangement of ducts is provided in the acquisition/distribution zone making it possible to perform several acquisitions/distributions over several heights with one and the same device. The device is a pressure probe in which a probe body exhibits a first part or section for acquiring pressure forming a cylinder less than 6 mm in diameter. The probe exhibits internal ducts forming parallel helicoidal traces on the section and channels formed in a metal alloy body between the ducts and inlet orifices. The number of internal ducts is advantageously equal to nine, including three orifices being disposed over three different heights of the probe body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2014
    Assignee: Turbomeca
    Inventors: Denis Boisseleau, Jean-Baptiste Arilla, Pierre Biscay
  • Patent number: 8805609
    Abstract: An apparatus for detecting an abnormal air-fuel ratio variation, includes an abnormality detecting unit that detects an abnormal variation in each of a plurality of fuel injection valves on the basis of an injection ratio between the plurality of fuel injection valves, a fluctuation in the output before the injection ratio is changed and the fluctuation in the output after the injection ratio is changed; and a setting unit that corrects the abnormality determination threshold for each of the plurality of fuel injection valves on the basis of the injection ratio.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2014
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hitoshi Tanaka, Isao Nakajima, Toshihiro Kato, Takefumi Uchida, Yoshihisa Oda
  • Publication number: 20140216146
    Abstract: To prevent dew condensation on a sensor element, an air physical quantity sensing device which has a housing structural component integrally provided with a connector and a connector terminal member that perform input and output with the outside, an electronic circuit board mounted on the housing structural component, and an air physical quantity sensing element provided on the electronic circuit board and capable of detecting physical quantity of air. The housing structural component formed with a communication hole which allows the inside and outside of the main air flow passage to communicate with each other. The electronic circuit board has the communication hole separated into two and the surface on the side where the air physical quantity sensing element is provided faces the main air flow passage side.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 31, 2012
    Publication date: August 7, 2014
    Inventors: Takayuki Yogo, Takayuki Saito, Keiji Hanzawa
  • Publication number: 20140174165
    Abstract: A gas sensor includes a gas sensing element positioned at least partially within a body and being exposed at a first end to measure a gas in contact with the first end. A sleeve is fixed to the body and extends from the body in a direction opposite the first end of the gas sensing element. The sleeve includes it remote end portion having an engagement feature. A connector housing is overmolded onto the end portion of the sleeve to lock onto the sleeve via the engagement feature. The connector housing includes a plug connector portion partially enclosing a plurality of electrical terminals electrically connected to the gas sensing element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Publication date: June 26, 2014
    Applicant: ROBERT BOSCH GMBH
    Inventors: Craig Magera, Claus Schnabel, David Boyd
  • Patent number: 8701473
    Abstract: An end-of-life estimation device for an air cleaner, which is capable of always accurately estimating an end of a service life of the air cleaner with an inexpensive construction, thereby enabling the air cleaner to be efficiently used until the service life comes close to the end. The end-of-life estimation device calculates a life parameter indicative of remaining service life of the air cleaner during running of an engine, on an as needed basis, and stores a relationship between the degree of clogging of the air cleaner, an intake air amount, and an intake parameter (an intake pressure on a downstream side of the air cleaner and/or a throttle valve opening). Further, the end-of-life estimation device calculates and updates a reference value with reference to which the life parameter is calculated, based on the stored relationship, according to the detected intake air amount and intake parameter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2014
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Hideyo Uehara
  • Patent number: 8701476
    Abstract: A sensor assembly for use in a vehicle. The sensor assembly has a housing for receiving a substrate. Terminals with substrate mating portions are provided in the housing. The substrate has components mounted thereon and plated openings which extend therethrough. The plated openings are provided in electrical engagement with the terminals. The openings are provided to mechanically and electrically engage the resilient contact portions of the terminals. The substrate mating portions are releasably pressure fit within the plated openings to allow the substrate to be removed and replaced as needed. The substrate mating portions maintain the electrical and mechanical connection between the substrate mating portions and the plated openings when the sensor assembly is exposed to vibration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2014
    Assignee: Tyco Electronics Brasil LTDA
    Inventors: Leandro Westmann Prado, Ednei Lopes
  • Patent number: 8656763
    Abstract: The present invention is intended to provide a technique which is capable of improving detection accuracy at the time of performing failure detection of a particulate filter by the use of a PM sensor. In the present invention, the PM sensor is arranged in an exhaust passage at the downstream side of the particulate filter. Then, the presence or absence of a failure in the particulate filter is determined by making a comparison between an output value of the PM sensor at the time when a predetermined period of time has elapsed after the execution of PM removal processing to remove the particulate matter deposited on the PM sensor is completed, and a predetermined threshold value. At this time, the threshold value is set based on an average value of an amount of intake air in an internal combustion engine during the passage of the predetermined period of time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2014
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Mamoru Yoshioka
  • Publication number: 20140014079
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to a method for the measurement of relative air humidity in a fresh air induction tube of an internal combustion engine. Here a concentration of oxygen in the fresh air induction tube is measured by an oxygen sensor and a temperature in the fresh air induction tube is determined. The relative air humidity is determined depending on the measured concentration of oxygen and the determined temperature.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 2, 2013
    Publication date: January 16, 2014
    Inventors: Yasser Mohamed sayed Yacoub, Christian Winge Vigild
  • Patent number: 8596113
    Abstract: An intake air temperature sensor capable of detecting an intake air temperature highly accurately and at high speed. The intake air temperature sensor of the present invention includes: a secondary passage 7 taking in an intake airflow; a flow rate detecting element 13 disposed in the secondary passage 7; an intake air temperature detecting element 4 provided outside the secondary passage; a temperature sensor 9 detecting a temperature of a fitting section of the intake air temperature detecting element 4; a circuit board 11 disposed in a casing; and an integrated circuit 10 applying a correction process to an output of the intake air temperature detecting element 4 on the basis of signals output from the temperature sensor 9 and a flow rate detecting element 13.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2013
    Assignee: Hitachi Automotive Systems, Ltd.
    Inventors: Masahiro Matsumoto, Hiroshi Nakano, Keiji Hanzawa, Satoshi Asano
  • Patent number: 8573040
    Abstract: A sensor that is designed for determining ambient pressure for purposes of derating an internal combustion engine at high altitudes, is used to determine the condition of the air filter by taking pressure measurements in the intake manifold before and after the engine is started, with the difference then being an indication of the condition of the air filter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2013
    Assignee: Carrier Corporation
    Inventors: Peter P. Guzman, John R. Reason, Nader S. Awwad, John T. Steele
  • Patent number: 8534123
    Abstract: Disclosed are methods and systems for monitoring and indicating the optimal replacement interval for a filter. In particular, the methods and systems may be utilized for monitoring and indicating the optimal replacement interval of an air filter in an internal combustion engine based on parameters that include air filter plugging rate data, engine duty cycle data, pressure drop across the air filter, penalty on fuel consumption, and the cost of air filter replacement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2013
    Assignee: Cummins Filtration IP Inc.
    Inventors: Peter K. Herman, Roger L. Zoch, Scott W. Schwartz, Mark P. Adams
  • Patent number: 8505367
    Abstract: A device, a method, a computer program and a computer program product for diagnosing an internal combustion engine (100), in which a first cylinder (102) includes a combustion chamber (101), a fuel quantity and a fresh air quantity being supplied to the combustion chamber (101) for combustion; a torque contribution (D), generated by the combustion, of the first cylinder (102) in a first operating mode (B1) of the internal combustion engine (100) being a function of the fresh air quantity supplied, and in a second operating mode (B2) of the internal combustion engine (100) being essentially a function of the fuel quantity, wherein a first variable (L1) characterizing a smooth running of the internal combustion engine (100) in the first operating mode (B1) is ascertained, a second variable (L2) characterizing the smooth running of the internal combustion engine (100) in the second operating mode is ascertained, the first variable (L1) is compared to the second variable (L2), a diagnosis of the internal combusti
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2013
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Guido Porten, Lu Chen, Marc Schott
  • Patent number: 8463526
    Abstract: In a method for detecting a periodically pulsing operating parameter of an internal combustion engine (10), a measured quantity of the periodically pulsing operating parameter of the internal combustion engine (10) is detected in order to generate a periodically pulsing measurement signal. The measurement signal in the time range having a fixed time increment is discretized, and so, in each case, a number of discrete measured values is obtained for one period of the measurement signal that corresponds to the number of time increments in the period. A mean value over the period of the measurement signal is determined by calculating a mean of the discrete measured values. For at least one of the discrete measured values, an approximation of the course of the measurement signal over the assigned time increment is carried out using a polynomial.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2013
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventor: Stefan Bauer
  • Publication number: 20130073172
    Abstract: A detector (50) including a sensor (52) configured to detect entry of a portion of a wheel (20) into a portion of a clearance gap (37) and thereby to signify that the wheel (20) has deviated from the intended wheel path.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 15, 2011
    Publication date: March 21, 2013
    Inventors: Bret Dwayne Worden, Matthew John Malone, Milan Karunaratne
  • Publication number: 20130068004
    Abstract: A sensor assembly for use in a vehicle. The sensor assembly has a housing for receiving a substrate. Terminals with substrate mating portions are provided in the housing. The substrate has components mounted thereon and plated openings which extend therethrough. The plated openings are provided in electrical engagement with the terminals. The openings are provided to mechanically and electrically engage the resilient contact portions of the terminals. The substrate mating portions are releasably pressure fit within the plated openings to allow the substrate to be removed and replaced as needed. The substrate mating portions maintain the electrical and mechanical connection between the substrate mating portions and the plated openings when the sensor assembly is exposed to vibration.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 13, 2012
    Publication date: March 21, 2013
    Applicant: TYCO ELECTRONICS BRASIL LTDA.
    Inventors: Leandro Westmann PRADO, Ednei LOPES
  • Patent number: 8397500
    Abstract: A control system for an engine that includes a turbocharger includes a restriction estimation module and an engine protection module. The restriction estimation module estimates restriction of airflow through an air filter of the engine based on a comparison between measured and modeled temperatures at an outlet of a compressor of the turbocharger. The engine protection module, based on the estimated airflow restriction, at least one of controls turbocharger boost, controls turbocharger airflow, controls a fueling rate of the engine, and generates a warning signal for a driver of a vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2013
    Inventors: Steven J. Andrasko, Yun Xiao, Brent T. Deep
  • Patent number: 8392093
    Abstract: A first camshaft misalignment value is determined from a measurement variable allocated to an engine air flow path. A second misalignment value is determined from a first operating variable outside of the air flow path. A trouble-free operation is identified when both values are smaller than a predefined first threshold. Misalignment is confirmed when one of both values is greater than the first and a difference between both values is smaller than a predefined second threshold. An air flow path fault is identified when the first value is greater and the second value is smaller than the first threshold and when the difference between both values is greater than the second threshold. A fault outside of the air flow path is identified, when the second value is greater and the first value is smaller than the first threshold and when the difference is greater than the second threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2013
    Assignee: Continental Automotive GmbH
    Inventors: Jürgen Dingl, Gerhard Eser
  • Publication number: 20130036805
    Abstract: The present invention is intended to provide a technique which is capable of improving detection accuracy at the time of performing failure detection of a particulate filter by the use of a PM sensor. In the present invention, the PM sensor is arranged in an exhaust passage at the downstream side of the particulate filter. Then, the presence or absence of a failure in the particulate filter is determined by making a comparison between an output value of the PM sensor at the time when a predetermined period of time has elapsed after the execution of PM removal processing to remove the particulate matter deposited on the PM sensor is completed, and a predetermined threshold value. At this time, the threshold value is set based on an average value of an amount of intake air in an internal combustion engine during the passage of the predetermined period of time.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 30, 2010
    Publication date: February 14, 2013
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Mamoru Yoshioka
  • Publication number: 20130036804
    Abstract: An end-of-life estimation device for an air cleaner, which is capable of always accurately estimating an end of a service life of the air cleaner with an inexpensive construction, thereby enabling the air cleaner to be efficiently used until the service life comes close to the end. The end-of-life estimation device calculates a life parameter indicative of remaining service life of the air cleaner during running of an engine, on an as needed basis, and stores a relationship between the degree of clogging of the air cleaner, an intake air amount, and an intake parameter (an intake pressure on a downstream side of the air cleaner and/or a throttle valve opening). Further, the end-of-life estimation device calculates and updates a reference value with reference to which the life parameter is calculated, based on the stored relationship, according to the detected intake air amount and intake parameter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 7, 2012
    Publication date: February 14, 2013
    Applicant: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Hideyo UEHARA
  • Patent number: 8353201
    Abstract: A method of determining whether a fault condition of an intake air temperature (IAT) sensor of an engine is present includes estimating a first manifold absolute pressure (MAP) based on a previously estimated first MAP and an estimated first mass air flow (MAF) as a function of the previously estimated first MAP and estimating a second MAP based on a previously estimated second MAP and a currently measured MAF. An IAT difference is determined based on the first MAP and the second MAP. Whether the fault condition of the IAT sensor is present is determined based on the IAT difference.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2013
    Inventors: Kurt D. McLain, Wenbo Wang
  • Patent number: 8347700
    Abstract: An association unit is designed to determine cylinder-individual lambda signals on the basis of a lambda probe signal and to determine lambda deviation signals for the respective cylinders based on the lambda signals in relation to an averaged lambda signal. Furthermore, an observer has a sensor model of the lambda probe that is arranged in a feedback branch. The lambda deviation signals are fed to the input side and observer output quantities in relation to the respective cylinder are representative of the injection characteristics deviations from predetermined injection characteristics. A parameter detection unit impresses a predetermined interference pattern from cylinder-individual mixture deviations. It further changes at least one sensor model parameter as a detection parameter in response to the respectively predetermined interference pattern for as long as the observer output quantities represent the portion of the interference pattern associated with the cylinders thereof in a predetermined manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2013
    Assignee: Continental Automotive GmbH
    Inventor: Reza Azadeh
  • Publication number: 20120297866
    Abstract: An apparatus for detecting an abnormal air-fuel ratio variation, includes an abnormality detecting unit that detects an abnormal variation in each of a plurality of fuel injection valves on the basis of an injection ratio between the plurality of fuel injection valves, a fluctuation in the output before the injection ratio is changed and the fluctuation in the output after the injection ratio is changed; and a setting unit that corrects the abnormality determination threshold for each of the plurality of fuel injection valves on the basis of the injection ratio.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 22, 2012
    Publication date: November 29, 2012
    Applicant: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hitoshi Tanaka, Isao Nakajima, Toshihiro Kato, Takefumi Uchida, Yoshihisa Oda
  • Patent number: 8281651
    Abstract: A vehicular abnormality diagnosing apparatus that diagnoses an abnormality regarding a connection state of a pair of members that are mounted in a vehicle and connected together, includes a detecting portion that outputs, as an output signal, a first detection signal when the pair of members are in a normal connected state, and a second detection signal when the pair of members are in a state other than the normal connected state; a counting portion that counts at least one of the number of times that the output signal changes from the first detection signal to the second detection signal and the number of times that the output signal changes from the second detection signal to the first detection signal, as an output signal fluctuation count; and a determining portion that determines that there is an abnormality in the connection state when an abnormality determining condition including a condition that the output signal fluctuation count during a predetermined period be equal to or greater than a predetermi
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2012
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Keisuke Tsukamoto
  • Patent number: 8255143
    Abstract: An engine control system for a homogenous charge compression ignition (HCCI) engine includes an airflow determination module and a sensor diagnostic module. The airflow determination module generates a first plurality of estimates of airflow into the HCCI engine when the HCCI engine is operating in a first combustion mode, wherein the first plurality of estimates are based on an intake manifold absolute pressure (MAP), a mass air flow (MAF) rate, and a camshaft position. The sensor diagnostic module determines a state of at least one of a first plurality of sensors based on a predetermined threshold and differences between one of the first plurality of estimates and others of the first plurality of estimates, wherein the first plurality of sensors includes a MAP sensor, a MAF sensor, and a camshaft sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2012
    Inventors: Jonathan T. Shibata, Andrew P Bagnasco
  • Publication number: 20120192632
    Abstract: An intake air temperature sensor capable of detecting an intake air temperature highly accurately and at high speed. The intake air temperature sensor of the present invention includes: a secondary passage 7 taking in an intake airflow; a flow rate detecting element 13 disposed in the secondary passage 7; an intake air temperature detecting element 4 provided outside the secondary passage; a temperature sensor 9 detecting a temperature of a fitting section of the intake air temperature detecting element 4; a circuit board 11 disposed in a casing; and an integrated circuit 10 applying a correction process to an output of the intake air temperature detecting element 4 on the basis of signals output from the temperature sensor 9 and a flow rate detecting element 13.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 30, 2012
    Publication date: August 2, 2012
    Applicant: Hitachi Automotive Systems, Ltd.
    Inventors: Masahiro MATSUMOTO, Hiroshi NAKANO, Keiji HANZAWA, Satoshi ASANO
  • Publication number: 20120173076
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for diagnosing a fault of a turbocharger of a vehicle system. The turbocharger system comprises a rotary component and a wiring harness including a plurality of signals. In one embodiment, a diagnosis kit comprises a tester, a manipulation tool, and a plurality of human readable instructions. The tester includes a connector operable to connect to the wiring harness and a plurality of connectors. The tester is configured to receive signals from the wiring harness for use in diagnosing the fault source. The manipulation tool couples to and decouples from the rotary component and the tool is operable to rotate the rotary component when the tool is coupled to the rotary component. The plurality of human readable instructions includes information on how to diagnose the fault of the turbocharger system using the tester and the physical manipulation tool.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 16, 2011
    Publication date: July 5, 2012
    Inventor: Larry Gene ANDERSON
  • Patent number: 8174689
    Abstract: According to an apparatus for inspecting defects of a honeycomb structure that is provided with a current plate and an air current formation means (air source and a header tube), fine defects or defects taking place in the vicinity of an outer periphery of the honeycomb structure can be detected with high sensitivity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2012
    Assignee: NGK Insulators, Ltd.
    Inventors: Takayoshi Akao, Hiroyuki Shindo, Jun Inoue, Keita Oikawa
  • Patent number: 8160767
    Abstract: An analysis tool which extracts all the available parameter identifications (i.e. PIDS) from a vehicle's power train control module for diagnostic decisions. This is done by checking these PIDS and other information (e.g., calculated PIDS, Break Points, charts and algorithms) in three states; key on engine off, key on engine cranking, key on engine running. In all three modes the tool is comparing the live data from PIDS and voltage to the other information (e.g, Break Points). If any of this data are outside the programmed values a flag is assigned to the failure or control problem. The relationship between a particular PID and its associated preprogrammed value(s) may be indicated by a light. The depth of the problem (if any) is conveyed by the color of the light. Also included are tests/charts for fuel trim, engine volumetric efficiency, simulated injector, power, catalyst efficiency, and engine coolant range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2012
    Inventors: Bernie C. Thompson, Neal R. Pederson