METHOD FOR MONITORING AN ENGINE STARTING SYSTEM AND ENGINE INCLUDING STARTING SYSTEM MONITOR

• US 20100175656A1
• Filed: 06/18/2007
• Published: 07/15/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 06/18/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: AB Volvo
• Original Assignee: MACK Trucks Incorporated (AB Volvo)
• Inventors: Doub, John Elvin
• Granted Patent: US 8,789,507 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 123/179.300
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 41/062 for starting F02D41/061 takes precedence
• 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: F02N 11/10 Safety devices F02N11/08 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F02N 11/108 for diagnosis of the starter or its components
• CPC Class Codes: F02N 2200/044 Starter current
• CPC Class Codes: F02N 2200/063 Battery voltage
• CPC Class Codes: F02N 2300/102 Control of the starter motor speed; Control of the engine speed during cranking
• CPC Class Codes: F02P 5/1506 with particular means during starting
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 31/006 on road vehicles, e.g. automobiles or trucks testing of ignition installations peculiar to internal combustion engines F02P17/00
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/0048 Detection of remaining charge capacity or state of charge [SOC]
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/005 Detection of state of health [SOH]
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/14 for charging batteries from dynamo-electric generators driven at varying speed, e.g. on vehicle

Abstract

In a method of monitoring an engine starting system in an engine, the engine starting system includes a charging system, a battery, a starter, a flywheel, and a controller. The controller and monitors can monitor components and systems associated with starting of an engine, such as engine or cranking speed, power cylinder unit compression, injection timing, and proper fuel delivery to predict and/or diagnose problems. For example, a charging system voltage is monitored and the charging system voltage is compared with predetermined charging system voltage values. Voltage of the battery is monitored and battery voltage is compared with predetermined battery voltage values. A signal to an operator is provided if one or more of the charging system voltage and the battery voltage are outside of predetermined ranges for the one or more of the charging system voltage and the battery voltage.

Claims

1. A method of monitoring an engine starting system in an engine, the engine starting system comprising a charging system, a battery, a starter, a flywheel, and a controller, the method comprising:

monitoring a charging system voltage and comparing the charging system voltage with predetermined charging system voltage values;

monitoring voltage of the battery and comparing battery voltage with predetermined battery voltage values; and

providing a signal to an operator if one or more of the charging system voltage and the battery voltage are outside of predetermined ranges for the one or more of the charging system voltage and the battery voltage.

2. The method as set forth in claim 1, wherein the charging system voltage is monitored during start-up.

3. The method as set forth in claim 1, wherein the charging system voltage is monitored during normal operation.

4. The method as set forth in claim 1, wherein the charging system voltage is monitored during after-run.

5. The method as set forth in claim 1, if the charging system voltage is outside of a range of values for the predetermined charging system voltage values, measuring a current produced by an alternator of the charging system and comparing the alternator current against predetermined alternator current values.

6. The method as set forth in claim 5, if the alternator current is within a range of values for the predetermined alternator current values, sending a signal to the operator to check a regulator of the charging system.

7. The method as set forth in claim 1, wherein the predetermined charging system voltage values are empirically developed and change as a function of factors including state of charge of a battery, load on an electrical system, and temperature.

8. The method as set forth in claim 1, wherein battery voltage is monitored during start-up.

9. The method as set forth in claim 1, wherein battery voltage is monitored during normal operation.

10. The method as set forth in claim 1, comprising, if the engine fails to start, comparing battery voltage with battery voltage measured when the engine was most recently keyed off

11. The method as set forth in claim 10, comprising storing the battery voltage measured when the engine was most recently keyed off in a FIFO buffer with historical data of at least one of any previous voltages when the engine was keyed off

12. The method as set forth in claim 1, comprising monitoring current through the starter and comparing starter current with predetermined starter current values and providing a signal to the operator if the starter current is outside of a predetermined range for the starter current.

13. The method as set forth in claim 12, comprising, if starter current is below the predetermined starter current values, sending a signal to the operator if it is also determined that the starter will not spin and draws zero current, the starter spins more slowly than a predetermined starter speed, and the starter spins but fails to engage the flywheel.

14. The method as set forth in claim 12, comprising, if starter current is above the predetermined starter current values, sending a signal to the operator to check a condition of the starter.

15. The method as set forth in claim 12, comprising monitoring voltage in at least one other starter system circuit during start-up and, if starter current is above the predetermined starter current values and voltage drops below a predetermined voltage level, sending a signal to the operator to check a condition of the starter.

16. The method as set forth in claim 15, wherein the step of monitoring voltage in at least one other starter system comprises monitoring voltage proximate the controller and comparing controller voltage with predetermined controller voltage values.

17. A computer program on a computer readable medium for performing the method of claim 1.

18. A method of monitoring an engine starting system in an engine, the engine starting system comprising a charging system, a battery, a starter, a flywheel, and a controller, the method comprising:

monitoring a charging system voltage and comparing the charging system voltage with predetermined charging system voltage values; and

providing a signal to an operator if the charging system voltage is outside of a predetermined range the charging system voltage.

19. The method as set forth in claim 18, comprising monitoring current through the starter and comparing starter current with predetermined starter current values, and providing a signal to the operator if the starter current is outside of a predetermined range for the starter current.

20. A computer program on a computer readable medium for performing the method of claim 19.

21. A computer program on a computer readable medium for performing the method of claim 18.

22. A method of monitoring an engine starting system in an engine, the engine starting system comprising a charging system, a battery, a starter, a flywheel, and a controller, the method comprising:

monitoring current through the starter and comparing starter current with predetermined starter current values; and

providing a signal to an operator if the starter current is outside of a predetermined range for the starter current.

23. The method as set forth in claim 22, comprising monitoring voltage of the battery and comparing battery voltage with predetermined battery voltage values, and providing a signal to an operator if the battery voltage is outside of a predetermined range for the battery voltage.

24. A computer program on a computer readable medium for performing the method of claim 23.

25. A computer program on a computer readable medium for performing the method of claim 22.

26. An engine having a starting system comprising:

a charging system;

a controller;

a monitor for monitoring a charging system voltage and sending a signal corresponding to the charging system voltage to the controller;

the controller being arranged to compare the charging system voltage with predetermined charging system voltage values and to provide a signal to an operator if the charging system voltage is outside of a predetermined range the charging system voltage.

27. The engine having a starting system as set forth in claim 26, comprising a battery, a monitor for monitoring voltage of the battery and sending a signal corresponding to the battery voltage to the controller, the controller being arranged to compare the battery voltage with predetermined battery voltage values and to provide a signal to the operator if one or more of the charging system voltage and the battery voltage are outside of predetermined ranges for the one or more of the charging system voltage and the battery voltage.

28. The engine having a starting system as set forth in claim 27, comprising a starter, a monitor for monitoring current through the starter and sending a signal corresponding to the starter current to the controller, the controller being arranged to compare the starter current with predetermined starter current values and to provide a signal to an operator if the starter current is outside of a predetermined range for the starter current.

29. The engine having a starting system as set forth in claim 26, comprising a starter, a monitor for monitoring current through the starter and sending a signal corresponding to the starter current to the controller, the controller being arranged to compare the starter current with predetermined starter current values and to provide a signal to an operator if the starter current is outside of a predetermined range for the starter current.

30. An engine having a starting system comprising:

a starter;

a controller;

a monitor for monitoring current through the starter and sending a signal corresponding to the starter current to the controller; and

the controller being arranged to compare the starter current with predetermined starter current values and to provide a signal to an operator if the starter current is outside of a predetermined range for the starter current.