Engine protection system

• US 20050119821A1
• Filed: 09/02/2004
• Published: 06/02/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 09/03/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Malone Specialty Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Malone Specialty Incorporated
• Inventors: Baron, Renald, Malone, Don, Daniels, George M.
• Granted Patent: US 7,184,878 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 701/112
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 2041/0095 Synchronisation of the cylinders during engine shutdown
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 2041/227 Limping Home, i.e. taking specific engine control measures at abnormal conditions
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 2041/228 Warning displays
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 2200/023 Temperature of lubricating oil or working fluid
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 2200/503 Battery correction, i.e. corrections as a function of the state of the battery, its output or its type
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 2400/08 Redundant elements, e.g. two sensors for measuring the same parameter
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 31/003 for idle speed control
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 31/008 for idle speed control
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 41/042 for stopping the engine
• 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: F02P 11/06 Indicating unsafe conditions
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/40 Engine management systems

Abstract

An engine protection system and protocol is implemented within an electronic control module. Various engine parameters, such as engine coolant level, coolant temperature, transmission fluid temperature, and engine oil pressure are monitored and compared to limit values to determine if a fault condition exists as to one or more of the parameters. The engine protection system includes visual and audible signals responsive to the parameters. An engine disabling mechanism is operative when any of the aforementioned parameters exceed predetermined limits for a predeterminable period. The electronic control module contains a memory function for recording the fault parameters as well as other identifying information. The electronic control module also includes an engine idle limiter feature. The engine disabling means is operative when the vehicle idling duration exceeds a second predeterminable period. The electronic control module further includes a battery voltage monitor with latching relay including a circuit interrupter operative when the battery voltage falls below a predetermined limit.

Claims

1. A method for controlling an internal combustion engine having an electronic control module with engine control routines, comprising the steps of:

monitoring at least one engine parameter during operation of the engine;

determining whether a fault condition exists as to said at least one parameter;

initiating a fail safe mode when said at least one parameter is in said fault condition, said fail safe mode including an engine shut down sequence, an audible alarm, and a visual alarm.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein said fail safe mode includes said engine shut down sequence and said visual alarm, said visual alarm includes illuminating a fault circuit light.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein said fault circuit light includes an LED display.

6. The method of claim 4, wherein said fault circuit light includes an LCD display.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein said engine shut down sequence further comprises the step of shutting down said engine after a predeterminable period of time.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein said engine shut down sequence further comprises the step of blinking said fault circuit light.

9. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of recording said fault parameter, including storage of run time.

10. The method of controlling as defined in claim 1, further comprising the step of monitoring battery voltage;

determining whether a fault condition exists as to said battery voltage; and

,

initiating an audible alarm and a visual alarm when said battery voltage is in said fault condition and said engine is running.

11. The method of controlling as defined in claim 1, further comprising the step of monitoring battery voltage;

determining whether a fault condition exists as to said battery voltage; and

,

initiating a circuit interrupter when said battery voltage is in said fault condition and said engine is shut down.

12. The method of claim 1, wherein one of said fault conditions comprises engine idle duration wherein a timer is actuated when the vehicle is stationary and said engine is running.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein said fault condition results after said idle duration timer exceeds a predeterminable time period.

14. The method of claim 13, further including an initial start-up override for suspending said idle duration timer at initial start-up.

15. The method of claim 13, further including a low ambient temperature override for suspending said idle duration timer during periods of low ambient temperature.

16. The method of claim 13, further including a high ambient temperature override for suspending said idle duration timer during periods of high ambient temperature.

17. The method of controlling as defined in claim 13, further comprising the step of monitoring battery voltage;

determining whether a fault condition exists as to said battery voltage; and

, initiating a visual alarm when said battery voltage is in said fault condition and said engine is running.

18. The method of controlling as defined in claim 13, further comprising the step of monitoring battery voltage;

determining whether a fault condition exists as to said battery voltage; and

,

initiating a circuit interrupter when said battery voltage is in said fault condition and said engine is shut down.

2. The method of claim 2, wherein said audible alarm emits a plurality of sounds, at least one sound different from at least another sound.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein said audible alarm emits sounds in association with said fault conditions.

19. An engine protection system for an internal combustion engine associated with a vehicle, the system comprising:

an electronic engine control module;

means for monitoring duration of engine idling of a stationary vehicle; and

,

means for determining whether a fault condition exists as to said engine idling by comparing said duration of said engine idling to a predeterminable number limit value.

20. The engine protection system of claim 19, wherein said electronic engine control module further includes an initial start-up override for suspending said means for monitoring duration of engine idling at initial start-up.

21. The engine protection system of claim 19, wherein said engine control module further includes a low ambient temperature override for suspending said means for monitoring duration of engine idling during periods of low ambient temperature.

22. The engine protection system of claim 19, wherein said engine control module further includes a high ambient temperature override for suspending said means for monitoring duration of engine idling during periods of high ambient temperature.

23. The engine protection system of claim 19, further comprising visual and audible signals on a panel monitor and an engine disabling means.

24. The engine protection system of claim 19, wherein said electronic control module includes a microprocessor for recording and retrieving said fault condition data.

25. The engine protection system of claim 19, further comprising means for monitoring the magnitude of a number of engine fluid parameters;

and,

means for determining whether a fault condition exists as to one or more of said fluid parameters by comparing said magnitude of one each of said number of fluid parameters to a number of limit values corresponding to said one each of said fluid parameters.

26. The engine protection system of claim 25, further comprising visual and audible signals on a panel monitor and an engine disabling means.

27. The engine protection system of claim 26, wherein said electronic control module includes a microprocessor for recording and storing said fault condition data.

28. The engine protection system of claim 27, including means for monitoring the magnitude of battery voltage;

and,

means for determining whether a fault condition exists as to said battery voltage by comparing magnitude of said battery voltage to a number limit value.

29. The engine protection system of claim 28, including battery voltage protection means including a latching relay with circuit interrupter operative when said battery voltage is in said fault condition and said engine is shut down.

30. An engine protection system for an internal combustion engine associated with a vehicle, the system comprising:

an electronic engine control module;

a speed sensor and a timer for monitoring duration of engine idling of a stationary vehicle; and

,

said electronic control module for determining whether a fault condition exists as to said engine idling by comparing said duration of said engine idling to a predeterminable number limit value.

31. The engine protection system of claim 30, wherein said electronic engine control module further includes an initial start-up override for suspending said timer at initial start-up.

32. The engine protection system of claim 30, wherein said engine control module further includes a thermistor for detecting ambient temperature and suspending said timer during periods of low ambient temperature, said low ambient temperature is predeterminable.

33. The engine protection system of claim 30, wherein said engine control module further includes a thermistor for detecting ambient temperature and suspending said timer during periods of high ambient temperature, said high ambient temperature is predeterminable.

34. The engine protection system of claim 30, further comprising visual and audible signals on a panel monitor and an engine disabling shutdown circuit connection.

35. The engine protection system of claim 30, wherein said electronic control module includes a microprocessor for recording and storing said fault condition data.

36. The engine protection system of claim 30, further comprising sensors for monitoring the magnitude of a number of engine fluid parameters;

and,

said electronic control module for determining whether a fault condition exists as to one or more of said fluid parameters by comparing said magnitude of one each of said number of fluid parameters to a number of limit values corresponding to said one each of said fluid parameters.

37. The engine protection system of claim 36, further comprising visual and audible signals on a panel monitor and an engine disabling shutdown circuit connection.

38. The engine protection system of claim 37, wherein said electronic control module includes a microprocessor for recording and storing said fault condition data.

39. The engine protection system of claim 38, including a battery supervisor monitor for monitoring the magnitude of battery voltage;

and,

said electronic control module for determining whether a fault condition exists as to said battery voltage by comparing magnitude of said battery voltage to a number limit value.

40. The engine protection system of claim 39, including battery voltage protector having a latching relay with circuit interrupter operative when said battery voltage is in said fault condition and said engine is shut down.

41. A method for preserving battery power for engine start-up of an internal combustion engine having an electronic control module with engine control routines, comprising the steps of:

monitoring the voltage battery;

determining whether a fault condition exists as to said battery voltage; and

,

initiating an audible alarm, a visual alarm, and combinations thereof when said battery voltage is in said fault condition.

42. The method of claim 41, further including the step of initiating a circuit interrupter when said battery voltage remains in said fault condition after a predeterminable period of time and the engine is shut down.

43. A method for reducing emissions and fuel consumption of an internal combustion engine having an electronic control module with engine control routines, comprising the steps of:

monitoring at least one engine parameter during operation of the engine;

determining whether a fault condition exists as to said at least one parameter;

said at least one parameter includes engine idle duration wherein a timer is actuated when the vehicle is stationary and said engine is running.

44. The method of claim 43, wherein said fault condition results after said timer exceeds a predeterminable time period.

45. The method of claim 44, further including the step of monitoring the battery voltage;

determining whether a fault condition exists as to said battery voltage; and

,

initiating an audible alarm, a visual alarm, and combinations thereof when said battery voltage is in said fault condition.