Voltage monitoring glow plug controller
First Claim
1. A glow plug controller for a motor vehicle diesel engine comprising:
- a) an electric power source mounted to the motor vehicle for providing a power supply signal;
b) glow plug controller circuitry powered by the power source for determining a glow plug pre-combustion preglow energization cycle for heating one or more glow plugs;
c) a monitor coupled to the glow plug controller for providing a signal indicative of a voltage output of the electric power source;
d) a switching device coupled to the glow plug controller and the electric power source for energizing the one or more glow plugs for the preglow energization cycle prior to initiating combustion in the diesel engine; and
e) said glow plug controller including an adaptive control program for adjusting the preglow energization cycle during which the one or more glow plugs are energized prior to combustion, the preglow energization cycle being adjusted based on the voltage output of the electric power source.
2 Assignments
1 Petition
Accused Products
Abstract
An electronic control system and a device is disclosed proving improved control and diagnostics of glow plugs as are typically energized in diesel engines prior to and during cold start and also during engine warmup, especially for motor vehicles under human operator control. These improved control functions result in: Increased life of the glow plugs, longer service life, greater reliability, a simplified maintainence diagnostic interface, greater diagnostic capability, reduced emission of undesirable hydrocarbons, reduced unburned fuel as white smoke, more complete fuel combusion, reduced lubricating oil contamination, quiter and smoother operation, increased engine power, reduced fuel consumption, and quicker engine warmup all by controlling power applied to the glow plugs based upon electronically controlled fixed and/or adaptive functional algorithms based upon input variables such as battery voltage, glow plug voltages, glow plug currents, engine temperature based upon algorithms which can correct for sensing system hysteresis and time lag, ambient air termperature ambient air density, ambient air humidity, fuel injector duration and timing, intake mass air flow, exhaust gas composition, exhaust gas temperature, alternator output, engine speed, engine torque, engine power, engine compression, engine age, fuel type, and the like for affecting an on and off cycling using open loop control and/or closed loop feedback control of glow plug power so as to maintine glow plugs more closely within an optimal temperature range specific to engine system operational conditions and consistent with improved glow plug life.
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Citations
34 Claims
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1. A glow plug controller for a motor vehicle diesel engine comprising:
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a) an electric power source mounted to the motor vehicle for providing a power supply signal; b) glow plug controller circuitry powered by the power source for determining a glow plug pre-combustion preglow energization cycle for heating one or more glow plugs; c) a monitor coupled to the glow plug controller for providing a signal indicative of a voltage output of the electric power source; d) a switching device coupled to the glow plug controller and the electric power source for energizing the one or more glow plugs for the preglow energization cycle prior to initiating combustion in the diesel engine; and e) said glow plug controller including an adaptive control program for adjusting the preglow energization cycle during which the one or more glow plugs are energized prior to combustion, the preglow energization cycle being adjusted based on the voltage output of the electric power source. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. A method for controlling a glow plug controller for a diesel engine that provides motive power to a motor vehicle, the steps of the method comprising:
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a) providing a power supply source mounted to the motor vehicle, the power supply source generating a signal for energizing one or more glow plugs of a diesel engine; b) monitoring an energization signal for energizing one or more glow plugs prior to engine combustion and providing an indication of said energization signal; and c) activating one or more glow plugs with a timing signal derived from the energization signal for a controlled preglow cycle time before starting the diesel engine, wherein the controlled preglow cycle time is adjusted based on an output voltage of the power supply source. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26)
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27. Apparatus for use with a motor vehicle diesel engine comprising:
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a) an electric power source mounted to the motor vehicle for providing a power supply signal by means of an ignition signal; b) controller circuitry powered by the power source for determining a glow plug pre-combustion preglow energization cycle during which one or more glow plugs are energized prior to initiating combustion of the diesel engine, the preglow energization cycle being adjusted based on power applied to the one or more glow plugs by the electric power source; c) a monitor coupled to the controller circuitry for providing a signal indicative of power applied to the one or more glow plugs; d) a switching device coupled to the glow plug controller and the electric power source for energizing the one or more glow plugs for the preglow energization cycle prior to initiating combustion in the diesel engine; and e) circuitry for maintaining power to current drawing loads of the motor vehicle after removal of the ignition signal. - View Dependent Claims (28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34)
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Specification