METHODS AND SYSTEMS TO DERIVE KNOCK SENSOR CONDITIONS

• US 20160231190A1
• Filed: 02/09/2015
• Published: 08/11/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 02/09/2015
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Ai Alpine Us Bidco LLC
• Original Assignee: General Electric Company
• Inventors: Bizub, Jeffrey Jacob
• Granted Patent: US 9,903,778 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 2041/1432 the system including a filter, e.g. a low pass or high pass filter
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 2041/286 comprising means for signal processing
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 35/027 using knock sensors
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 41/009 using means for generating position or synchronisation signals
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 41/222 relating to the failure of sensors or parameter detection devices
• CPC Class Codes: F02P 5/1526 with means for taking into account incorrect functioning of the pinking sensor or of the electrical means
• CPC Class Codes: G01L 23/225 circuit arrangements therefor
• CPC Class Codes: G01M 15/12 by monitoring vibrations
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/30 Use of alternative fuels, e.g. biofuels
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/40 Engine management systems

Abstract

A method of diagnosing a knock sensor includes steps of receiving data from the knock sensor, the knock sensor configured to be coupled to an engine, processing the data to derive one or more events from the data, and determining whether the one or more events took place at a known time or a known crank position.

Claims

1. A method of diagnosing a knock sensor comprising:

receiving data from the knock sensor, wherein the knock sensor is configured to be coupled to an engine;

processing the data to derive one or more events from the data; and

determining whether the one or more events took place at one or both of a known time and a known crank angle position.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein processing the data to derive the one or more events comprises deriving a combustion signature and a valve signature from the data.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the combustion signature is derived using a low pass filter.

4. The method of claim 2, wherein the combustion signature, the valve signature, or both, are derived using a band pass filter.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein determining whether the one or more events took place at one or both of a known time and a known crank angle position comprises:

using a lookup table to determine which of the one or more events should be occurring during operation of the engine at the known time or at the known crankshaft angle position;

wherein the lookup table comprises a first column and a first row, wherein the first column corresponds to the time or the crank angle, and the first row comprises a table event or an amplitude.

6. The method of claim 5, comprising deriving that the knock sensor is properly wired and working if the one or more events derived from the data match the table events stored in the lookup table.

7. The method of claim 5, comprising:

phase shifting the data received from the knock sensor if the one or more events derived from the data do not match the table events stored in the lookup table;

deriving that the knock sensor is miswired if phase shifting the data results in the events derived from the data matching table events stored in the lookup table; and

deriving that the knock sensor is not functioning if phase shifting the data does not result in the events derived from the data matching the table events stored in the lookup table.

8. The method of claim 5, wherein table events stored in the lookup table comprise a peak firing pressure event, an intake valve closure event, or an exhaust valve closure event.

9. The method of claim 1 further comprising receiving crankshaft angle data from a crankshaft sensor.

10. A system comprising:

an engine control unit (ECU) configured to control an engine, wherein the ECU comprises a processor configured to;

receive a noise signal sensed by a knock sensor, wherein the knock sensor is configured to be coupled to an engine;

process the noise signal to derive a combustion signature, a valve signature, and one or more events from the noise signal; and

determine whether the one or more events took place at one or both of a known time and a known crank angle position.

11. The system of claim 10, wherein the ECU is configured to apply a low pass filter in order to derive a combustion signature.

12. The system of claim 10 wherein the ECU is configured to apply a band pass filter in order to derive the combustion signature, the valve signature, or both.

13. The system of claim 10, wherein the ECU is configured to:

use a lookup table to determine which of the one or more events should be occurring during operation of the engine at the known time or at the known crankshaft angle; and

wherein the lookup table comprises a first column and a first row, wherein the first column corresponds to the time or the crank angle, and the first row comprises a table event or an amplitude.

14. The system of claim 13, wherein the table events stored in the lookup table comprise a peak firing pressure event, an intake valve closure event, or exhaust valve closure event.

15. The system of claim 10 wherein the ECU is further configured to receive crankshaft angle data from a crankshaft sensor.

16. A non-transitory computer readable medium comprising executable instructions that when executed cause a processor to:

receive engine noise data from a knock sensor, wherein the knock sensor is configured to be coupled to an engine;

process the engine noise data to derive a combustion signature, derive a valve signature, and derive one or more events from the data; and

use a lookup table to determine which of the one or more events should be occurring during operation of the engine at the known time or at the known crankshaft angle; and

wherein the lookup table comprises a first column and a first row, wherein the first column corresponds to the time or the crank angle, and the first row corresponds to a table event or an amplitude.

17. The non-transitory computer readable medium comprising executable instructions of claim 16 that when executed cause a processor to apply a low pass filter in order to derive the combustion signature.

18. The non-transitory computer readable medium comprising executable instructions of claim 16 that when executed cause a processor to apply a band pass filter in order to derive the combustion signature, the valve signature, or both.

19. The non-transitory computer readable medium comprising executable instructions of claim 16 that when executed cause a processor to derive that the knock sensor is properly wired and working if the one or more events derived from the engine noise data match the table events stored in the lookup table.

20. The non-transitory computer readable medium comprising executable instructions of claim 16 that when executed cause a processor to:

shift the engine noise data if the one or more events derived from the engine noise data do not match the events predicted by the lookup table;

derive that the knock sensor is miswired if phase shifting the data results in the events derived from the engine noise data matching the table events stored in the lookup table; and

deriving that the knock sensor is not functioning if phase shifting the data does not result in the events derived from the engine noise data matching the table events stored in the lookup table.