Monitoring Intake Air System (e.g., Air Filter) Patents (Class 73/114.31)
  • Patent number: 8151637
    Abstract: The present invention provides apparatus (100) and methods for testing for leaks in forced-induction internal combustion engine (10) air intake systems. The apparatus (100) includes a plurality of work faces (132n) each having at least one flange (134n) disposed thereon for attaching the apparatus (100) to an air intake system of an engine (10). An air flow valve (136n) is disposed on each work face (132n), those valves (136n) being moveable between open and closed positions. The apparatus (100) also includes a compressed air supply inlet (138) configured to supply compressed air to the air flow valves (136n). Wherein, compressed air can be supplied to the air intake system of engine (10), via an open valve (136n) which is, in use, internal of the intake system, enabling a simulated air pressure test to be performed in order to locate possible intake system leaks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2012
    Assignee: Uptime Truck & Trailer Services Pty Ltd.
    Inventor: Rodney Graeme Spargo
  • Patent number: 8115612
    Abstract: A display device for a vehicle that display an amount of a particulate matter collected in a filter device for exhaust gas purification. A vehicle 1 includes distance storage apparatus 46 for storing a travel distance, a filter device 5 for exhaust gas purification for trapping a particulate matter contained in an exhaust gas, and collected amount detection apparatus 25 for finding an amount of the particulate matter collected in the filter device 5 for exhaust gas purification. A display control unit 42 normally acquires a travel distance from the distance storage apparatus 46 and displays the travel distance as a numerical value on a segment display unit 41, and when instructed to display a collected amount of the particulate matter, the display control unit 42 acquires a collected amount from the collected amount detection apparatus 25 and lights up the number of segment groups 61 corresponding to the collected amount, thereby displaying the collected amount.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2012
    Assignee: Isuzu Motors Limited
    Inventors: Tomoki Hirano, Seiji Kadota, Masakatsu Ukai
  • Publication number: 20120006107
    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: Application
    Filed: October 22, 2009
    Publication date: January 12, 2012
    Applicant: Continental Automotive GmbH
    Inventor: Reza Azadeh
  • Publication number: 20110308308
    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: Application
    Filed: June 15, 2011
    Publication date: December 22, 2011
    Applicant: CUMMINS FILTRATION IP INC.
    Inventors: Peter K. Herman, Roger L. Zoch, Scott W. Schwartz, Mark P. Adams
  • Publication number: 20110302999
    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: Application
    Filed: December 17, 2009
    Publication date: December 15, 2011
    Inventors: Guido Porten, Lu Chen, Marc Schott
  • Publication number: 20110252875
    Abstract: In a method and a device for checking the adjustment of a plurality of actuators driven by a common drive in different mass flow channels of an internal combustion engine, the actuators are adjusted between a first limit stop and a second limit stop in the particular mass flow channel. The actuators are brought by their common drive to the first limit stop. A first value of a variable that is characteristic of a position of the common drive of the actuators is determined when the first limit stop is reached. The actuators are brought by their common drive to the second limit stop. A second value of the variable that is characteristic of the position of the common drive of the actuators is ascertained upon reaching the second limit stop. A difference is determined between the first value and the second value. The difference is compared in terms of absolute value to at least one predefined threshold value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 12, 2009
    Publication date: October 20, 2011
    Inventors: Alex Grossmann, Soenke Mannal
  • Patent number: 8024109
    Abstract: An abnormality determination apparatus for an intake amount control mechanism according to the invention includes a control portion which sets an allowable range of an opening amount of a throttle valve which provided in an intake passageway of an internal combustion engine based at least on an index value of an engine operation state, including an operation amount of accelerator, and on a lift working angle of an intake valve, and which determines that an abnormality is present in a state of driving of the throttle valve if an actual opening amount of the throttle valve is outside the allowable range set.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2011
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Naohide Fuwa, Kiyoo Hirose, Yuuji Miyanoo, Yuichiro Ido
  • Patent number: 8001833
    Abstract: A method for determining the trapping efficiency and/or a scavenging air mass of an internal combustion engine has the steps of: for operating points (BP), in which a scavenging of a cylinder of the internal combustion engine with air takes places, an efficiency curve (?KL, ?KL,M1) of the internal combustion engine is created as a function of an injection mass (mK) of fuel in the cylinder, and on the basis of the efficiency curve (?KL, ?KL,M1) an optimum injection mass (mK,opt) for an optimum efficiency (?opt,1) of the internal combustion engine is determined, which is a measure for the trapping efficiency and/or a measure for the scavenging air mass of the internal combustion engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2011
    Assignee: Continental Automotive GmbH
    Inventor: Matthias Delp
  • Publication number: 20110146394
    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: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2010
    Publication date: June 23, 2011
    Applicant: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Keisuke Tsukamoto
  • Patent number: 7946162
    Abstract: A method for estimating the oxygen concentration in an internal combustion engine that includes, but is not limited to an intake manifold, an exhaust manifold, an EGR system, a throttle valve, an air mass sensor for measuring a fresh air flow ({dot over (m)}thr) entering the intake manifold through the throttle valve, and cylinders.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2011
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Nando Vennettilli, Massimiliano Maira
  • Patent number: 7945371
    Abstract: In turbocharged engines, there is the problem that, in particular under load, the ambient pressure (AMP) cannot be determined directly from the measurement values of a charge-pressure sensor (8). In order to avoid the installation of a further pressure sensor which is suitable for the detection of the ambient pressure (AMP), it is proposed that, during a negative load step of the internal combustion engine in which a switch takes place from supercharged engine operation into non-supercharged engine operation, the charge-pressure sensor (8) measures the transient profile of the charge pressure (PUT). A value for the ambient pressure (AMP) is determined from the transient profile of the charge pressure (PUT). Through the pressure value for the present ambient pressure (AMP), it is possible to optimize the engine operation for example when travelling up a slope.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2011
    Assignee: Continenetal Automotive GmbH
    Inventor: Thomas Burkhardt
  • Publication number: 20110094297
    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: Application
    Filed: April 23, 2009
    Publication date: April 28, 2011
    Inventors: Peter P. Guzman, John R. Reason, Nader S. Awwad, John T. Steele
  • Patent number: 7932833
    Abstract: A system for detecting a reduction in engine coolant flow rate is provided. The system includes a device configured to monitor at least one parameter associated with an engine, and a device configured to measure actual engine air intake manifold temperature. The system further includes a controller configured to determine a theoretical engine air intake manifold temperature based on the at least one monitored parameter, compare the theoretical engine air intake manifold temperature with the actual measured engine air intake manifold temperature, and generate a signal indicative of engine coolant flow rate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2011
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventor: Sridhar Deivasigamani
  • Patent number: 7886585
    Abstract: A diagnostic system for an internal combustion engine includes an intake air temperature (IAT) determination module, a reference temperature determination module, and an adaptive learning module. The IAT determination modules determines a first IAT using an IAT sensor at a first time and determines a second IAT using the IAT sensor at a second time. The reference temperature determination module determines a first frequency based on a first voltage output of a MAF sensor at the first time and determines a second frequency based on a second voltage output of the MAF sensor at the second time. The adaptive learning module determines a temperature-frequency relationship based on the first IAT, the second IAT, the first frequency and the second frequency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2011
    Inventors: Kurt D. McLain, Wenbo Wang
  • Publication number: 20110016957
    Abstract: A method and system for monitoring proper connection between a valve/separator and an intake system through a crankcase ventilation system. A dielectric hose has an electrically hose conductive connector mechanically connectable to either: (a) an electrically conductive valve/separator connector, or (b) an electrically conductive intake system connector. An electrical circuit detects electrical continuity through the hose connector and the one of the valve/separator connector or the intake system connector mechanically connectable to said hose connector.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 24, 2009
    Publication date: January 27, 2011
    Inventors: Ted Haladyna, Christopher Oberski, Brien Lloyd Fulton, Roberto Teran, JR., Michelle M. Hutchison, Michiel J. Van Nieuwstadt, John Paul Bogema
  • Publication number: 20100294239
    Abstract: A system includes a control module, a valve control module, and a diagnostic module. The control module controls a valve of a variable intake manifold when the system operates in a first mode. The control module commands the valve to a first position when a desired airflow through the variable intake manifold is greater than a threshold and commands the valve to a second position when the desired airflow is less than the threshold. The valve control module controls the valve when the system operates in a second mode. The valve control module commands the valve to move from the second position to the first position when the desired airflow is less than the threshold. The diagnostic module determines an operating state of the valve based on whether the valve is detected at the first position a predetermined period after the valve control module commands the valve.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 22, 2009
    Publication date: November 25, 2010
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Kurt D. Mc Lain, Layne K. Wiggins, Elizabeth Sarah Peterson
  • Publication number: 20100269802
    Abstract: A malfunction diagnostic apparatus for intake air temperature sensors includes a coolant temperature sensor; a first determination portion that determines that a precondition for performing a malfunction diagnosis is satisfied when a process of starting an engine is started, if a detected coolant temperature is determined to be equal to an intake air temperature detected by an intake air temperature sensor provided at a portion that is likely to be cooled, and a decrease amount, by which the detected coolant temperature decreases, is equal to or larger than a preset value; a second determination portion that makes a tentative determination based on a difference between the detected intake air temperatures, if the precondition is satisfied; and a third determination portion that determines whether the tentative determination is an invalid determination or a valid determination, based on a change in the detected intake air temperatures during a given time period.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 25, 2009
    Publication date: October 28, 2010
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Toyokazu Nakashima, Kohei Kowata
  • Patent number: 7818997
    Abstract: An abnormality diagnostic device diagnoses the presence/absence of abnormality of an intake air temperature sensor (21) on the basis of the magnitude of deviation between the lowest temperature of the intake air detected via the intake air temperature sensor (21) in a period from the startup of an internal combustion engine until the trend of change in the temperature of the air taken into the internal combustion engine becomes stable and a temperature detected via a water temperature sensor (22). If the decline in the temperature of the intake air detected via the intake air temperature sensor (21) within the aforementioned period is greater than or equal to a predetermined criterion value (IAT1), the abnormality diagnosis is suspended.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2010
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Atsushi Iwai
  • Patent number: 7810320
    Abstract: An intake air temperature detected by an airflow sensor is corrected based on a rotation speed of an engine and a fuel supply amount to thereby estimate an atmospheric temperature. The atmospheric temperature is estimated by calculating a dynamic temperature error caused by heat generated around an engine and a correction factor in regard to thermal influence which changes according to the flow rate of an intake air, and correcting the intake air temperature detected by the airflow sensor with the temperature error corrected with the correction factor. On the basis of the atmospheric temperature, an electric heater is controlled, which is provided on at least a part of a system of supplying a reducing agent or its precursor, for example, a supply pipe mutually communicating a reducing agent container with a reducing agent supplying apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2010
    Assignee: Nissan Diesel Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Hideki Matsunaga
  • Patent number: 7805984
    Abstract: A method of diagnosing a malfunction of a tuning valve of an intake manifold coupled to an internal combustion engine is provided. The method includes: commanding the tuning valve to at least one of a closed and an opened position; computing an average deviation of manifold absolute pressure; determining an average deviation threshold using fuzzy logic based on engine speed and airflow per cylinder; comparing the average deviation to the average deviation threshold; and diagnosing a malfunction of the tuning valve based on a comparison of the average deviation and the average deviation threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2010
    Inventors: Kurt D. McLain, Wenbo Wang
  • Patent number: 7797993
    Abstract: An intake air temperature (IAT) sensor diagnostic system may include an IAT determination module, a mass air flow (MAF) module, and a diagnostic module. The IAT determination module determines a measured IAT based on an IAT sensor. The MAF module determines a reference temperature based on a MAF sensor. The diagnostic module determines faults in the IAT sensor based on a comparison between the reference temperature and the measured IAT.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2010
    Inventors: Kurt D. Mc Lain, Wenbo Wang
  • Publication number: 20100180675
    Abstract: A device for determining at least one parameter of a fluid medium, in particular an intake air mass of an internal combustion engine. The device comprises a sensor chip for measuring the parameter and a control and evaluation electronics having a circuit carrier. The sensor chip is situated on a chip carrier capable of being introduced into the fluid medium.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 4, 2008
    Publication date: July 22, 2010
    Inventors: Norbert Schneider, Hans Hecht, Uwe Konzelmann, Lutz Westenberger, Bernd Kuenzl
  • Patent number: 7757548
    Abstract: A Calibrated Air Intake Tract for Internal Combustion Engine is disclosed. The intake includes a Mass Airflow Sensor section that defines an inner diameter that differs from the diameter of the overall intake air tract piping. The Mass Airflow Sensor length and diameter are precision-tuned in order to provide the best engine performance without the typical “check engine” light being lit due to faulty mass airflow sensor readings. In those vehicles where necessary, an insert of the appropriate size and in the proper location is added to the interior wall of the MAFS section in order to correct final fuel trim level inadequacies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2010
    Assignee: ARD Technology, LLC
    Inventor: Ron Delgado
  • Publication number: 20100175462
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for monitoring cylinder valve deactivation in an engine operating with a plurality of cylinder valves. One example method comprises indicating valve degradation based on an indication of manifold pressure over a plurality of immediately successive induction events of the engine, said indication responsive to increases and decreases in the indication of manifold pressure correlated to the induction events of engine cylinders and further correlated to whether cylinders are commanded to be activated or deactivated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 13, 2009
    Publication date: July 15, 2010
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Jeffrey Allen Doering, John Eric Rollinger
  • Publication number: 20100154738
    Abstract: An apparatus determines a cylinder deactivation state of an internal combustion engine capable of deactivating one or more cylinders among a plurality of cylinders in accordance with an instruction from a program-controlled electronic control unit (ECU). The apparatus includes detection means to output a signal corresponding to an intake air amount into the internal combustion engine. The ECU includes Fourier transformation means to perform Fourier transformation on the signal from the detection means at plural fundamental frequencies, and determines the cylinder deactivation state with spectrums obtained from the Fourier transformation means based on predetermined relationship between the spectrums of Fourier transformation at the plural fundamental frequencies and the cylinder deactivation state of the internal combustion engine. The ECU distinguishes a deactivated cylinder with a phase obtained from the Fourier transformation means.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 16, 2009
    Publication date: June 24, 2010
    Applicant: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Toshinori TSUKAMOTO, Naoki OIE
  • Patent number: 7644608
    Abstract: An intake air temperature (IAT) sensor diagnostic module comprises a measured noise module, an expected noise module, an excess noise module, and an IAT fault detection module. The measured noise module measures noise in an IAT signal from an IAT sensor in a vehicle. The expected noise module determines expected noise based upon the IAT signal. The excess noise module determines an excess noise value based upon the measured noise and the expected noise. The IAT fault detection module diagnoses faults in the IAT sensor based upon a comparison of the excess noise value and a first predetermined value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2010
    Inventors: Kurt D. Mc Lain, Wenbo Wang, John F. Van Gilder
  • Publication number: 20090320577
    Abstract: A method for detecting faults in an air system of an internal combustion engine having an intake manifold and an exhaust manifold includes, but is not limited to the steps of measuring an oxygen concentration of the gas flowing in the exhaust manifold, estimating an intake oxygen control value in the intake manifold and estimating an intake oxygen reference value in the intake manifold based on said oxygen concentration of the gas flowing in the exhaust manifold. The method further includes, but is not limited to the steps of calculating an intake deviation value as a difference between the intake oxygen control value and the intake oxygen reference value and verifying if the intake deviation value is greater than a predetermined first threshold.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 26, 2009
    Publication date: December 31, 2009
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Nando VENNETTILLI, Massimiliano MAIRA, Morena BRUNO
  • Publication number: 20090260428
    Abstract: While there occurs a steady operation state where an engine operation state (such as intake air quantity) is maintained substantially constant, a high-response intake air quantity sensor (referred to as the sensor, hereafter) is temporarily powered off and is powered on again when a predetermined time elapses after the power-off. An output rising characteristic of the sensor at the time when the sensor is powered on again is sensed and abnormality diagnosis of the sensor is performed based on the sensing value of the output rising characteristic During a power-off period, the engine operation state is controlled using a sensing value (a stored value) of the sensor immediately preceding the power-off. When an abnormality of the sensor is detected, use of the sensor is prohibited and the intake air quantity is estimated based on intake pipe pressure and the like.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 10, 2009
    Publication date: October 22, 2009
    Applicant: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventor: Hiroshi YAMASHITA
  • Patent number: 7596991
    Abstract: A multiple path air mass flow sensor assembly includes an inlet duct which is divided into at least two separate ducts. A first duct has an air mass flow sensor disposed in conventional fashion therein. A second duct includes a damper or valve which may be selectively, partially or fully opened. At low air flow rates, the damper is closed forcing all air through the first duct. As engine speed increases and the air mass flow rate increases, the damper opens, either fully at a predetermined flow rate or proportionally over a predetermined flow rate range, to allow a larger volume of air through the inlet duct. The signal from the air mass flow sensor is adjusted by the engine controller to compensate for the (bypass) air flowing through the second duct.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2009
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations, Inc.
    Inventor: Fabien G. Redon
  • Patent number: 7581430
    Abstract: An apparatus and a system is provided that may be utilized to determine air flow through an air filter and/or a plurality of air filters. The present invention utilizes a demonstration apparatus to illustrate the differences in air flow and air restriction between a plurality of different air filters and filtration media. The apparatus and system utilizes a common plenum which subjects the plurality of air filters to the same differential pressure. The air flows through a first side of the air filter and is measured on the second side of the air filter by utilizing a wind meter or similar device to gauge the amount of air flow velocity of the second side of the filter. Additionally, the apparatus and system utilizes a display means to illustrate the differing air velocity through the second side of the air filter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2009
    Assignee: K&N Engineering, Inc.
    Inventors: John Reedy, Steve Rogers
  • Patent number: 7574280
    Abstract: It is an object to provide an AGV that enables preventing a substrate and a manufacturing system from being contaminated due to another substrate with an adhering contaminant generated in a manufacturing process, and also a production system for a semiconductor device and a production management method for a semiconductor device, which use the AGV. In the present invention, air filtered through a filter is introduced into a containing portion of an AGV, and air in the containing portion containing a carrier is exhausted after filtering the air in the containing portion through another filter. As the filter used before discharging the air, a filter that enables filtering an impurity on the order of a submicron level is used. In addition, a carrier used before doping is changed to another carrier after doping, and CIM system is used to control driving of the AGV and selection of the carrier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2009
    Assignee: Semiconductor Energy Laboroatory Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hisashi Ohtani, Eiichiro Tsuji
  • Patent number: 7562561
    Abstract: An intake manifold air leak determination system and method for an internal combustion engine including an intake manifold fluidly connected to a plurality of cylinders of the engine and a plurality of fuel injection valves for injecting fuel for the cylinders. Each of the plurality of fuel injection valves corresponds to a respective one of the plurality of cylinders. A fuel cutoff indicating module determines that fuel has been cut from one or more of said plurality of cylinders due to certain operating conditions of the internal combustion engine. An air leak detection module determines whether a significant air leak is occurring at the intake manifold. An air leak fuel cutoff module cuts off fuel supply to the fuel injection valves when the air leak detection module determines that a significant air leak is occurring at the intake manifold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 21, 2009
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Akira Murakami
  • Patent number: 7552007
    Abstract: A method for calibrating an engine control system includes identifying engine calibration sub-problems for an engine calibration; seeding an initial generation for one of the engine calibration sub-problems with known/good individuals; optimizing free parameters in the one of the engine calibration sub-problem over a parameter/coefficient scheduling space using a genetic algorithm; using penalty functions; identifying a next one of the engine calibration sub-problems containing a prior one of the engine calibration sub-problems; seeding an initial population of the next one of the engine calibration sub-problems with know/good individuals; repeating until the engine calibration containing the engine calibration sub-problems is solved; and operating an engine control system of a vehicle using the engine calibration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2009
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations, Inc.
    Inventor: Kenneth P. Dudek
  • Publication number: 20090139317
    Abstract: A system for detecting a reduction in engine coolant flow rate is provided. The system includes a device configured to monitor at least one parameter associated with an engine, and a device configured to measure actual engine air intake manifold temperature. The system further includes a controller configured to determine a theoretical engine air intake manifold temperature based on the at least one monitored parameter, compare the theoretical engine air intake manifold temperature with the actual measured engine air intake manifold temperature, and generate a signal indicative of engine coolant flow rate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 30, 2007
    Publication date: June 4, 2009
    Inventor: Sridhar Deivasigamani
  • Publication number: 20090100921
    Abstract: An intake air temperature (IAT) sensor diagnostic module comprises a measured noise module, an expected noise module, an excess noise module, and an IAT fault detection module. The measured noise module measures noise in an IAT signal from an IAT sensor in a vehicle. The expected noise module determines expected noise based upon the IAT signal. The excess noise module determines an excess noise value based upon the measured noise and the expected noise. The IAT fault detection module diagnoses faults in the IAT sensor based upon a comparison of the excess noise value and a first predetermined value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 7, 2008
    Publication date: April 23, 2009
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Kurt D. Mc Lain, Wenbo Wang, John F. Van Gilder
  • Patent number: 7509845
    Abstract: A system for detecting contamination of an air filter for an internal combustion engine includes an air pressure sensor disposed downstream of the air filter, an air flow sensor disposed in an air intake system of the engine, and a control module in communication with the air pressure sensor and the air flow sensor. The control module is configured to estimate an atmospheric pressure based on a signal received from the air pressure sensor. The control module is further configured to determine a contamination level of the air filter based on an air flow rate provided by the air flow sensor and a pressure drop across the air filter based on a pressure difference between the estimated atmospheric pressure and a second pressure measurement from the air pressure sensor that corresponds to the provided air flow rate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2009
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations, Inc.
    Inventors: Layne K. Wiggins, Vivek Mehta
  • Publication number: 20090049896
    Abstract: A method and a device for detecting faulty functioning of actuators in the air system on internal combustion engines, an actuator being operated using at least two control states, one after the other, at least one sensor, whose output signal is a function of the excursion state of the actuator, reading out the output signal of this sensor being undertaken, and an assessment of the function of the controlled actuator being undertaken from the response of this output signal to the change of the control of the actuator, during the control of the actuator, at least the control of those other actuators included in the air system being kept constant as well as additional control signals for operating the internal combustion engine, which have an influence on the output signal of the sensor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 12, 2008
    Publication date: February 26, 2009
    Inventors: Michael Gebers, Joachim Wagner
  • Publication number: 20080264153
    Abstract: A device for indicating clogging of the fuel filter (1) of internal combustion engines, in particular diesel engines, the filter comprising an outer casing (2) closed by a cover (3) of amagnetic material, and a filter element (5) which, together with the disc (30) to which it is connected, defines two chambers (6 and 7) for fuel entry and exit respectively; said device comprises a pressure sensor means (10) sensing the difference between the entry and exit fuel pressure and housed inside the filter casing, and a means (20) for generating a signal proportional to said pressure difference which is located outside the filter casing and is not mechanically connected to the pressure sensor means.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 23, 2005
    Publication date: October 30, 2008
    Applicant: UFI FILTERS S.P.A.
    Inventor: Giorgio Girondi
  • Patent number: 7441449
    Abstract: A method of monitoring air flow restriction in an air intake of an internal combustion engine includes recording a predetermined number of pre-throttle pressure samples, recording a predetermined number of mass air flow samples, which respectively correspond to the pre-throttle pressure samples and determining a slope based on the pre-throttle pressure samples and the mass air flow samples. Whether an air filter is inducing an air flow over restriction is determined based on the slope.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2008
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations, Inc.
    Inventors: Wenbo Wang, Michael A. Kropinski, Kurt D. Mc Lain
  • Publication number: 20080255749
    Abstract: An intake manifold air leak determination system and method for an internal combustion engine including an intake manifold fluidly connected to a plurality of cylinders of the engine and a plurality of fuel injection valves for injecting fuel for the cylinders. Each of the plurality of fuel injection valves corresponds to a respective one of the plurality of cylinders. A fuel cutoff indicating module determines that fuel has been cut from one or more of said plurality of cylinders due to certain operating conditions of the internal combustion engine. An air leak detection module determines whether a significant air leak is occurring at the intake manifold. An air leak fuel cutoff module cuts off fuel supply to the fuel injection valves when the air leak detection module determines that a significant air leak is occurring at the intake manifold.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 13, 2007
    Publication date: October 16, 2008
    Applicant: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Akira Murakami
  • Publication number: 20080223123
    Abstract: A method of monitoring air flow restriction in an air intake of an internal combustion engine includes recording a predetermined number of pre-throttle pressure samples, recording a predetermined number of mass air flow samples, which respectively correspond to the pre-throttle pressure samples and determining a slope based on the pre-throttle pressure samples and the mass air flow samples. Whether an air filter is inducing an air flow over restriction is determined based on the slope.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 24, 2007
    Publication date: September 18, 2008
    Inventors: Wenbo Wang, Michael A. Kropinski, Kurt D. Mc Lain
  • Publication number: 20080202223
    Abstract: A secondary air supply system includes a supply passage, a valve, and a detecting unit. Secondary air is supplied to the upstream of a purification apparatus in an exhaust passage of an engine through the supply passage. The valve communicates and blocks the supply passage to be in open and close conditions. The detecting unit detects a detection object of secondary air in the upstream of the valve in the supply passage. A diagnosis apparatus for the secondary air supply system includes a diagnosis unit that obtains a detection result of the detecting unit in each of the open and close conditions of the valve for evaluating an abnormity of the secondary air supply system in accordance with the detection result. The diagnosis apparatus includes a reliability maintaining unit that determines the diagnosis operation of the diagnosis unit to be valid when the detecting operations in the open and close conditions are continuously performed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 24, 2008
    Publication date: August 28, 2008
    Applicant: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Tomohiro Tsujimura, Shujiro Morinaga, Satoshi Kodo
  • Publication number: 20080148827
    Abstract: In one aspect, the present invention is directed to a method for operating an electronically controlled internal combustion engine in a vehicle to perform at least one rationality check on at least one sensor to detect impending sensor failure and verify component functionality. The engine is equipped with an engine control system (ECS) having a memory and in electronic communication with various sensors. The sensors transmit data signals to the ECS indicative of associated engine and vehicle component functionality.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 17, 2007
    Publication date: June 26, 2008
    Inventors: Donald E. Keski-Hynnila, Jeffery S. Hawkins, Harald Wedler, Reinhard Pfundt, Frank S. Groer, Mark A. Zurawski, Dennis J. Grace, Heather A. Staley, Jimmie L. Priest, Min Sun, Jason T. Barton, Zhiping Han