Distributed engine processing system

• US 20020116116A1
• Filed: 02/20/2001
• Published: 08/22/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 02/20/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Cummins Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Cummins Incorporated
• Inventors: Mathew, Joseph Cheri, Dollmeyer, Tom, Brunemann, George
• Granted Patent: US 6,665,606 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 701/115
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 2250/12 Timing of calculation, i.e. specific timing aspects when calculation or updating of engine parameter is performed
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 41/2487 Methods for rewriting
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 41/266 the computer being backed-up or assisted by another circuit, e.g. analogue
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 15/02 electric

Abstract

The present invention provides a distributed engine processing system, which includes a plurality of engines with an electronic engine control module located within each of the engines. The electronic engine control module is in substantially continuous communication with a server, located remotely from the electronic engine control module. There is included in the invention a means of communication between the electronic engine control module and the server. The invention further provides a method for distributing engine processing. The electronic engine control module downloads engine information to a common server, which performs processing and analysis of the downloaded information from each engine and processing and analysis of the information downloaded by all engines. After the processing, the server stores all the information within a memory of the server. The invention also provides a method for adaptation of the engine in response to the analyses by the server and a method for notification of the engine operator of the changes made to the engine or any necessary services that should be performed on the engine.

Claims

1. A distributed engine processing system, comprising:

a plurality of engines;

an electronic engine control module located within each of said plurality of engines;

a server located remotely from each said electronic engine control module, said server being in substantially continuous communication with each said electronic engine control module; and

means for substantially continuous communication between each said electronic engine control module and said server.

2. The server of claim 1, comprising a central processing unit and read only memory, whereby engine data for all said engines may be stored and statistical models of all said engines may be stored.

3. The server of claim 1, comprising a central processing unit having sufficient computing power and memory to perform statistical analysis and simulations remotely from each said electronic engine control module.

4. A method for distributing engine processing, comprising the steps of:

each electronic engine control module (ECM) for a fleet of engines constantly recording engine data;

each ECM downloading said engine data to a common server;

the server storing all of the engine data within a memory associated with the server;

the server performing processing and analysis of said engine data downloaded from each ECM; and

the server performing processing and analysis of said engine data downloaded from all ECMs.

5. The method of claim 4 further comprising the steps of:

the server determining a set of results from the processing and analysis step for each ECM;

communicating the set of results by the server to a respective ECM;

adapting the engine controls within the ECM by the respective ECM in response to said communication from said server;

communicating the adaptations to the engine operator via the ECM; and

storing all information about the adaptations within a memory of the server.

6. The method of claim 4 further comprising the steps of:

communicating the set of results to the engine operator;

communicating recommended services determined by the processing and analysis step to the engine operator; and

storing all the communications within a memory of the server.

7. The method of claim 6 wherein the communicating step is performed via the ECM.