METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR REGULATING EMISSIONS FROM IDLING MOTOR VEHICLES
First Claim
1. A system for regulating operation of an idling motor vehicle engine, said system comprising:
- (a) an engine control module having a microprocessor and a microprocessor memory, said engine control module being operative to deactivate a motor vehicle'"'"'s ignition system in response to an engine shutdown signal from the microprocessor;
(b) one or more engine sensors, each engine sensor being adapted to measure a selected engine operational parameter and to send corresponding engine sensor input values to the engine control module; and
(c) a vehicle motion sensor adapted to send a vehicle motion signal to the engine control module upon detecting that the motor vehicle has been put into motion, and wherein the engine control module is adapted to enter an inactive state upon receipt of a vehicle motion signal;
wherein;
(d) the microprocessor memory is adaptable to store selected benchmark values for the operational parameters measured by the one or more engine sensors; and
(e) the microprocessor is programmed to compare engine sensor input values against the stored benchmark values, and to generate an engine shutdown signal when all engine sensor input values equal or exceed corresponding benchmark values.
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Abstract
A system for regulating the operation of an idling motor vehicle monitors one or more selected engine operational parameters such as coolant temperature, exhaust gas temperature, and catalytic converter temperature, and compares the measured parameters against selected benchmark criteria stored in the memory of a microprocessor. The microprocessor controls the vehicle'"'"'s ignition system to shut down the engine when the measured parameters come within the corresponding benchmark criteria. The system preferably but not necessarily operates in conjunction with a remote vehicle starter system. The system may also or alternatively be adapted to shut down an idling motor vehicle engine when total idling time reaches a specified maximum value, which may be selected based on idling time restriction bylaws. Accordingly, the system promotes reduced fuel consumption and mitigates environmental impacts by automatically regulating vehicle idling times, while also facilitating avoidance of idling time restriction bylaw violations.
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Citations
15 Claims
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1. A system for regulating operation of an idling motor vehicle engine, said system comprising:
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(a) an engine control module having a microprocessor and a microprocessor memory, said engine control module being operative to deactivate a motor vehicle'"'"'s ignition system in response to an engine shutdown signal from the microprocessor; (b) one or more engine sensors, each engine sensor being adapted to measure a selected engine operational parameter and to send corresponding engine sensor input values to the engine control module; and (c) a vehicle motion sensor adapted to send a vehicle motion signal to the engine control module upon detecting that the motor vehicle has been put into motion, and wherein the engine control module is adapted to enter an inactive state upon receipt of a vehicle motion signal; wherein; (d) the microprocessor memory is adaptable to store selected benchmark values for the operational parameters measured by the one or more engine sensors; and (e) the microprocessor is programmed to compare engine sensor input values against the stored benchmark values, and to generate an engine shutdown signal when all engine sensor input values equal or exceed corresponding benchmark values. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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7. A system for regulating operation of an idling motor vehicle engine, said system comprising an engine control module having a microprocessor and a microprocessor memory, wherein:
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(a) the engine control module is operative to deactivate a motor vehicle'"'"'s ignition system in response to an engine shutdown signal from the microprocessor; (b) the microprocessor comprises clock means, and is adapted to automatically activate the clock means upon start-up of the motor vehicle engine and to monitor the engine'"'"'s running time; (c) the microprocessor memory is adaptable to store selected idling time restriction criteria including a maximum idling time; (d) the microprocessor is programmed to generate an engine shutdown signal when the engine'"'"'s running time equals or exceeds the maximum idling time; and (e) a vehicle motion sensor adapted to send a vehicle motion signal to the engine control module upon detecting that the motor vehicle has been put into motion, and wherein the engine control module is adapted to enter an inactive state upon receipt of a vehicle motion signal. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9)
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10. A method for regulating the operation of an idling motor vehicle engine, said method comprising the steps of:
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(a) providing an engine control module having a microprocessor and a microprocessor memory, said engine control module being operative to deactivate a motor vehicle'"'"'s ignition system in response to an engine shutdown signal from the microprocessor; (b) providing one or more engine sensors, each engine sensor being adapted to measure a selected engine operational parameter and to send corresponding engine sensor input values to the engine control module; and (c) providing a vehicle motion sensor adapted to send a vehicle motion signal to the engine control module upon detecting that the motor vehicle has been put into motion, and wherein the engine control module is adapted to enter an inactive state upon receipt of a vehicle motion signal; wherein; (d) the microprocessor memory is adaptable to store selected benchmark values for the operational parameters measured by the one or more engine sensors; and (e) the microprocessor is programmed to compare engine sensor input values against the stored benchmark values, and to generate an engine shutdown signal when all engine sensor input values equal or exceed corresponding benchmark values. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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Specification