Method of providing notification of an air intake restriction

• US 20040178895A1
• Filed: 02/27/2003
• Published: 09/16/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 02/27/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: International Engine Intellectual Property Company, LLC (Volkswagen AG)
• Original Assignee: International Engine Intellectual Property Company, LLC (Volkswagen AG)
• Inventors: Pontius, Stephen M.
• Granted Patent: US 7,098,779 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/439
• CPC Class Codes: F02B 29/04 Cooling of air intake supply
• CPC Class Codes: F02B 77/04 Cleaning of, preventing corrosion or erosion in, or preventing unwanted deposits in, combustion engines cleaning of fuel injection apparatus F02M65/00
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 2200/0406 Intake manifold pressure
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 2200/703 Atmospheric pressure
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 23/00 Controlling engines characterised by their being supercharged
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 41/0007 for control of turbo-charged or super-charged engines control of the pumps per se F02B37/12
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 41/22 Safety or indicating devices for abnormal conditions in air/fuel ratio feedback systems F02D41/1495, in electric control linkage F02D11/107, in purge control systems F02M25/0809
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/12 Improving ICE efficiencies

Abstract

Notification of an air intake restriction is provided for an internal combustion engine (101). Readings from one or more air pressure sensors (117, 119) utilized with an internal combustion engine (101) are processed to determine whether an air intake restriction is present. A notification is provided, for example, by displaying (209) a message on a display (123) in a driver'"'"'s station of a vehicle housing the engine. Various data, including detection of an air intake restriction, may be transmitted (215) for use by personnel, for example, to provide maintenance.

Claims

1. A method comprising the steps of:

determining an external air pressure that is external to an internal combustion engine;

determining a manifold air pressure that is present in an intake manifold of the internal combustion engine;

comparing the external air pressure to the manifold air pressure;

when the manifold air pressure differs from the external air pressure by an amount greater that a predetermined value, providing a notification that an air intake restriction is present.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of determining the external air pressure comprises the step of receiving a barometric air pressure signal from a barometric air pressure sensor to determine the external air pressure.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the barometric air pressure sensor is electronically connected to an engine control module for the internal combustion engine.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of determining the manifold air pressure comprises the step of receiving a manifold air pressure signal from a manifold air pressure sensor to determine the manifold air pressure.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein the manifold air pressure sensor is electronically connected to an engine control module for the internal combustion engine.

6. The method of claim 4, wherein the manifold air pressure sensor is disposed entirely within the intake manifold.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the steps of the method are performed by an engine control module for the internal combustion engine.

8. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of transmitting at least one of the external air pressure and the manifold air pressure.

9. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of transmitting a notification of air intake restriction when the manifold air pressure differs from the external air pressure by an amount greater that a predetermined value.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of providing comprises displaying the notification to an operator of a vehicle housing the internal combustion engine.

11. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of providing comprises sending an electronic signal to a display in a driver'"'"'s station of the vehicle through an internal electrical system of the vehicle.

12. A method comprising the steps of:

determining a manifold air pressure that is present in an intake manifold of an internal combustion engine;

comparing the manifold air pressure to a predetermined value;

when the manifold air pressure exceeds a predetermined value, providing a notification that an air intake restriction is present by automatically sending the notification through an electronic system of the vehicle.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein the step of determining the manifold air pressure comprises the step of receiving a manifold air pressure signal from a manifold air pressure sensor to determine the manifold air pressure.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein the manifold air pressure sensor is electronically connected to an engine control module for the internal combustion engine.

15. The method of claim 13, wherein the manifold air pressure sensor is disposed entirely within the intake manifold.

16. The method of claim 12, wherein the steps of the method are performed by an engine control module for the internal combustion engine.

17. The method of claim 12, further comprising the step of transmitting at least one of the external air pressure and the manifold air pressure.

18. The method of claim 12, further comprising the step of transmitting a notification of air intake restriction when the manifold air pressure differs from the external air pressure by an amount greater that a predetermined value.

19. The method of claim 12, wherein the step of providing comprises displaying the notification to an operator of a vehicle housing the internal combustion engine.

20. The method of claim 12, wherein the step of providing comprises sending an electronic signal to a display in a driver'"'"'s station of the vehicle.