Method and apparatus for remote communication of vehicle combustion performance parameters

• US 20040133336A1
• Filed: 12/12/2002
• Published: 07/08/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 12/12/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Mirenco, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Mirenco, Inc.
• Inventors: Fosseen, Dwayne
• Granted Patent: US 6,845,314 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 701/114
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 11/10 of the electric type
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 41/1444 characterised by the characteristics of the combustion gases
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 41/1466 the characteristics being a soot concentration or content
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 41/26 using computer, e.g. microprocessor
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 5/008 communicating information to a remotely located station transmission systems for measured values G08C

Abstract

An apparatus for remote identification of the combustion performance of a vehicle is provided. The apparatus comprises a throttle device for control of fuel into an engine of a vehicle. A combustion sensor is in operative communication with the vehicle for the purpose of analyzing a vehicle combustion performance parameter. A remote communication device is in operative communication with the combustion sensor for communicating the combustion performance parameter. A remote monitoring network is included for receiving the combustion performance parameter from the remote communication device over a network to enable remote monitoring of vehicle performance.

Claims

1. An apparatus for remote identification of combustion performance of a vehicle, said apparatus comprising:

a vehicle with a throttle device for control of fuel into an engine of said vehicle;

a combustion sensor in operative communication with said vehicle for the purpose of analyzing a vehicle combustion parameter;

a remote communication device in operative communication with said combustion sensor for communicating said combustion parameter.

a remote monitoring network for receiving said combustion parameter from said remote communication device over a network to enable remote monitoring of vehicle performance.

4. The invention in accordance with claim 1 wherein said remote communication utilizes cellular communications.

5. The invention in accordance with claim 1 wherein said remote communication utilizes satellite communication.

6. The invention in accordance with claim 1 wherein said remote communication utilizes a radio transmitter and receiver.

7. The invention in accordance with claim 1 wherein said remote communication utilizes a wireless modem.

8. The invention in accordance with claim 1 further providing a global positioning satellite receiver located on said vehicle for receiving satellite signals that allow for locating a position of said vehicle, and said remote communication includes said vehicle position.

9. The invention in accordance with claim 1 wherein said combustion sensor comprises an exhaust analyzer.

10. The invention in accordance with claim 1 wherein said combustion sensor comprises a temperature sensor located in a catalytic converter of said vehicle.

11. The invention in accordance with claim 1 wherein said combustion sensor senses temperature differential of said vehicle exhaust before and after said exhausts enters a catalytic converter.

12. The invention in accordance with claim 1 wherein said combustion sensor senses carbon dioxide differential of said vehicle exhaust before and after said exhausts enters a catalytic converter.

13. The invention in accordance with claim 1 wherein said combustion sensor senses oxygen differential of said vehicle exhaust before and after said exhausts enters a catalytic converter.

14. The invention in accordance with claim 1 wherein said combustion sensor comprises an opacity sensor that measures the opacity of said vehicle exhaust.

15. The invention in accordance with claim 1 wherein said combustion sensor comprises an accelerometer that measures the acceleration of said vehicle to detect irregularities in combustion.

2. The invention in accordance with claim t further comprising a computer control device for controlling the position of said throttle in response to one or more sensors that indicate performance of said engine.

3. The invention in accordance with claim 2 wherein said computer is in operative communication with said combustion sensor, and said remote communication device is in operative communication with said combustion sensor through said computer.