Apparatus and method for detecting coolant belt slippage
First Claim
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1. A method for detecting slippage of a coolant pump drive belt on an internal combustion engine having a generator driven by said belt, the method comprising monitoring electrical output of the generator and determining that coolant belt slippage has occurred when the electrical output is reduced below a normal electrical output level.
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Abstract
A method and apparatus for detecting slippage of a coolant pump drive belt on an internal combustion engine having a generator driven by the belt. The method comprises monitoring electrical output of the generator and determining that coolant belt slippage has occurred when the electrical output is reduced below a normal electrical output level.
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Citations
21 Claims
- 1. A method for detecting slippage of a coolant pump drive belt on an internal combustion engine having a generator driven by said belt, the method comprising monitoring electrical output of the generator and determining that coolant belt slippage has occurred when the electrical output is reduced below a normal electrical output level.
- 5. An auxiliary power unit having an internal combustion engine with a coolant pump, a generator, a drive belt operatively engaging the coolant pump and the generator, and a coolant belt slip detector comprising an electrical output monitor coupled to the generator, reduced electrical output indicating coolant belt slippage.
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9. A power unit, comprising:
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an internal combustion engine including means for disabling the engine;
an alternator, the alternator including means for providing a first signal when the alternator output is below a specified level;
a drive belt operatively connecting the alternator to the engine; and
a controller connected to the alternator for receiving the first signal and providing a second signal to the means for disabling the engine, whereby the engine is disabled when the alternator output is below the specified level. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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- 16. A method of disabling an engine, having an alternator operatively coupled to the engine by drive belt, of when slippage of the drive belt or breakage of the drive belt occurs, the method comprising providing a first signal from the alternator to a controller when output of the alternator is below a specified level and providing a second signal from the controller to a means for disabling the engine when the controller receives the first signal from the alternator, thereby disabling the engine.
Specification