Diagnostic tool for sensing oxygen sensor heater operation
First Claim
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1. A diagnostic testing system for a vehicle comprising:
- an oxygen sensor having a heating element for heating the oxygen sensor to its minimum operational temperature;
an analyzer having a user interface;
a communications link between the analyzer and a vehicle to obtain data from the oxygen sensor; and
a diagnostic heuristic for analyzing the data and confirming proper operation of the heating element;
the diagnostic heuristic being adapted to generate an output and transmit the output to the user interface, the output including the results generated by analysis of the data by the diagnostic heuristic.
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Abstract
A diagnostic testing system for a vehicle comprising an oxygen sensor having a heating element for heating the oxygen sensor to its minimum operational temperature, an analyzer having a user interface, a communications link between the analyzer and the vehicle to obtain data from the oxygen sensor, and a diagnostic heuristic analyzing the data and confirming proper operation of the heating element, the diagnostic heuristic being adapted to generate an output and transmit the output to the user interface, the output including the results generated by analysis of the data by the diagnostic heuristic.
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Citations
18 Claims
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1. A diagnostic testing system for a vehicle comprising:
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an oxygen sensor having a heating element for heating the oxygen sensor to its minimum operational temperature;
an analyzer having a user interface;
a communications link between the analyzer and a vehicle to obtain data from the oxygen sensor; and
a diagnostic heuristic for analyzing the data and confirming proper operation of the heating element;
the diagnostic heuristic being adapted to generate an output and transmit the output to the user interface, the output including the results generated by analysis of the data by the diagnostic heuristic. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A diagnostic testing system for a vehicle having an internal combustion engine comprising:
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an oxygen sensor having a heating element for heating the oxygen sensor to its minimum operational temperature, the oxygen sensor being received within the exhaust stream of the vehicle;
an analyzer having a user interface;
a communications link between the analyzer and a vehicle to obtain data from the oxygen sensor, the data from the oxygen sensor including a voltage, the voltage varying between an upper voltage and a lower voltage in a generally sinusoidal manner over a time period; and
a diagnostic heuristic for analyzing the data and confirming proper operation of the oxygen sensor, the diagnostic heuristic being configured to combine the voltage with an elapsed time period to analyze operation of the heating element;
the diagnostic heuristic being adapted to generate an output and transmit the output to the user interface, the output including the results generated by analysis of the data by the diagnostic heuristic. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. A method for diagnostic testing the operation of a heating element of an oxygen sensor within a vehicle, the method comprising:
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configuring a user interface in communication with a software system;
configuring a communications link between the software system and the oxygen sensor;
conducting a pre-validation test using the software system;
heating the oxygen sensor to its minimum operational temperature; and
conducting a diagnostic test of the heating element using the software system. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18)
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Specification