System and method for providing cooling protection for an engine

• US 20070129874A1
• Filed: 12/02/2005
• Published: 06/07/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 12/02/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Cummins Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Cummins Incorporated
• Inventors: Bays, Mark
• Granted Patent: US 7,509,208 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 701/102
• CPC Class Codes: F01P 2025/00 Measuring
• CPC Class Codes: F01P 2025/32 Engine outcoming fluid temperature
• CPC Class Codes: F01P 7/04 by varying pump speed, e.g. by changing pump-drive gear ratio
• CPC Class Codes: F01P 7/164 by varying pump speed
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 41/068 for warming-up
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 41/086 taking into account the temperature of the engine

Abstract

A method and system for controlling the temperature of an engine system is disclosed. The method and system comprise measuring a coolant temperature of the engine system; measuring noise factors of the engine system; and controlling components of the engine system to provide for an optimal operation of the engine based upon the measured temperature and measured noise factors. Accordingly, a system and method in accordance with the present invention combines measuring noise factors such as coolant pressure or coolant concentration and the temperature and then adjusting the threshold values for factors such as fan on temperature and engine protection derate. In so doing the coolant temperature can be controlled within an acceptable range of values.

Claims

1. A method for controlling the temperature of an engine system comprising:

measuring a coolant temperature of the engine system;

measuring noise factors of the engine system; and

controlling a plurality of components of the engine system to provide for an optimal operation of the engine based upon the measured temperature and measured noise factors.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein the plurality of components of the engine system comprise an engine;

a coolant pump coupled to the engine and a radiator coupled to the coolant pump and the engine, a fan for cooling the radiator, and actuators for controlling the performance of the engine.

3. The method of claim 2 wherein a fan and performance actuators of the engine are controlled to provide the optimal operation of the engine system.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein the controlling is provided by adjusting temperature thresholds of the plurality of components.

5. The method of claim 4 wherein pre-tabulated values are utilized to determine the threshold that is appropriate for the measured condition.

6. The method of claim 4 wherein the threshold is calculated based on a physical relationship of a phenomena.

7. A computer readable medium containing program instructions for controlling the temperature of an engine system comprising:

measuring a coolant temperature of the engine system;

measuring noise factors of the engine system; and

controlling a plurality of components of the engine system to provide for an optimal operation of the engine based upon the measured temperature and measured noise factors.

8. The computer readable medium of claim 7 wherein a plurality of components of the engine system comprise an engine;

a coolant pump coupled to the engine and a radiator coupled to the coolant pump and the engine and a fan for cooling the radiator.

9. The computer readable medium of claim 8 wherein a fan and a performance actuators of the engine are controlled to provide the optimal operation of the engine system.

10. The computer readable medium of claim 7 wherein the controlling is provided by adjusting temperature thresholds of the plurality of components.

11. The computer readable medium of claim 10 wherein pre-tabulated values are utilized to determine the threshold that is appropriate for the measured condition.

12. The computer readable medium of claim 10 wherein the threshold is calculated based on a physical relationship of a phenomena.

19. The system of claim 12 wherein the threshold is calculated based on a physical relationship of a phenomena.

13. A system comprising:

an engine system;

a measurement system for measuring coolant temperature of the engine system and noise factors of the engine system; and

a control system coupled to the measurement system and the engine system, the control system for controlling a plurality of components of the engine system to provide for an optimal operation of the engine system based upon the measured temperature and the measured noise factors.

14. The system of claim 13 wherein the plurality of components of the engine system comprise an engine;

a coolant pump coupled to the engine and a radiator coupled to the coolant pump and the engine and a fan cooling the radiator.

15. The system of claim 14 wherein the control system comprises:

performance modifying actuator is coupled to the engine;

a fan control actuator coupled to the fan; and

a controller coupled to the measurement system, the performance modifying actuators and the fan control actuator.

16. The system of claim 15 wherein the fan and the performance modifying actuators of the engine are controlled to provide the optimal operation of the engine system.

17. The system of claim 16 wherein the control system adjusts temperature thresholds of the plurality of components.

18. The system of claim 17 wherein pre-tabulated values are utilized to determine the threshold that is appropriate for the measured condition.