Manifold absolute pressure sensor emulator
First Claim
1. A manifold absolute pressure (MAP) sensor emulator for diagnosing the condition of a MAP sensor by emulating the operation of the MAP sensor when normally functioning, for use with a vacuum probe coupled to an intake manifold of an internal combustion engine and generating electrical signals in response to vacuum pressure at the intake manifold, said emulator comprising:
- a user interface for inputting data representative of the MAP sensor to be emulated; and
an emulation circuit, responsive to the electrical signals and to the data for automatically generating a sensor substitution signal representative of the normal operating output of the emulated MAP sensor, wherein said emulation circuit includes means for varying a voltage level of the sensor substitution signal proportional to a change in the vacuum pressure sensed by the vacuum probe.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A manifold absolute pressure (MAP) sensor emulator is used to emulate the operation of a properly functioning MAP sensor of the type under test. The test involves breaking the pneumatic connection between the vacuum hose from the intake manifold and the MAP sensor input, and breaking the electrical connection between the MAP sensor output and the vehicle on-board computer. The vacuum hose is instead connected to a vacuum probe input of the emulator and the electrical connection to the on-board computer is also connected to the emulator. Thus, the emulator is connected in place of the MAP sensor, and software in the emulator is programmed to provide a voltage or frequency output corresponding to various vacuum levels of a particular MAP sensor. Thus, the emulator can emulate the sensor and, if the engine operates properly in this mode, it indicates that the MAP sensor was bad, and, if not, it indicates that the problem may be elsewhere. The emulator can be programmed to emulate the MAP sensors of different automobiles.
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Citations
18 Claims
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1. A manifold absolute pressure (MAP) sensor emulator for diagnosing the condition of a MAP sensor by emulating the operation of the MAP sensor when normally functioning, for use with a vacuum probe coupled to an intake manifold of an internal combustion engine and generating electrical signals in response to vacuum pressure at the intake manifold, said emulator comprising:
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a user interface for inputting data representative of the MAP sensor to be emulated; and an emulation circuit, responsive to the electrical signals and to the data for automatically generating a sensor substitution signal representative of the normal operating output of the emulated MAP sensor, wherein said emulation circuit includes means for varying a voltage level of the sensor substitution signal proportional to a change in the vacuum pressure sensed by the vacuum probe. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A manifold absolute pressure (MAP) sensor emulator for diagnosing the condition of a MAP sensor by emulating the operation of the MAP sensor when normally functioning, for use with a vacuum probe coupled to an intake manifold of an internal combustion engine and generating electrical signals in response to vacuum pressure at the intake manifold, said emulator comprising:
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a user interface for inputting data representative of the MAP sensor to be emulated; and an emulation circuit, responsive to the electrical signals and to the data, for automatically generating a sensor substitution signal representative of the normal operating output of the emulated MAP sensor, wherein said emulation circuit includes means for varying a frequency level of the sensor substitution signal proportional to a change in the vacuum pressure to the vacuum probe. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A manifold absolute pressure (MAP) sensor emulator for diagnosing the condition of a MAP sensor by emulating the operation of the MAP sensor when normally functioning, for use with a vacuum probe coupled to an intake manifold of an internal combustion engine and generating electrical signals in response to vacuum pressure at the intake manifold, said emulator comprising:
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a user interface for inputting data representative of the MAP sensor to be emulated; and an emulation circuit, responsive to the electrical signals and to the data, for automatically generating a sensor substitution signal representative of the normal operating output of the emulated MAP sensor, wherein said emulation circuit includes; signal generating means for selectively varying either a voltage level or a frequency level of the sensor substitution signal in response to a change in the vacuum pressure to the vacuum probe. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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Specification