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Method to determine the use of a block heater

  • US 10,731,543 B2
  • Filed: 06/13/2019
  • Issued: 08/04/2020
  • Est. Priority Date: 06/13/2018
  • Status: Active Grant
First Claim
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1. A method of determining whether a block heater has been used prior to starting an internal combustion engine, the method comprising;

  • a) measuring the temperature with time of intake air subsequent to start of the internal combustion engine;

    b) determining whether there is a subsequent drop in said temperature after starting;

    c) if a temperature drop is determined in step b), determining a parameter of the temperature drop with time;

    d) determining if said parameter becomes larger than a predetermined threshold; and

    e) if step d) is fulfilled, indicating a block heater has been used;

    wherein a temperature difference between a reference temperature and the measured temperature T, between first and second time points, is integrated to provide an integral value, said integral value being the parameter determined in step c).

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