Engine temperature control system
First Claim
1. An exhaust temperature control system for an engine having an exhaust system that is cooled by an exhaust cooling system, the control system comprising a coolant sensor adapted to sense an operational condition of the exhaust cooling system, a controller being electrically connected to said coolant temperature sensor, said controller receiving an input signal from said coolant temperature sensor indicative of an operating condition of said exhaust cooling system, said controller also being controllably connected to a switchable relay, said relay being adapted to interrupt a power supply to a starter motor, said controller interrupting said power supply to said starter motor when said input signal indicates a malfunction in the exhaust cooling system.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A control system for an engine or exhaust system includes a sensor that detects an exhaust gas temperature and a sensor that detects an exhaust coolant temperature. The sensors communicate with a controller. Based upon the output from the sensors, the controller determines whether each sensor is functioning properly and whether the cooling system is functioning properly. In the event of a malfunction of a sensor or the cooling system, an alarm is issued and the speed or operation of the engine is altered. In addition, if the controller detects a problem with the coolant system based upon coolant temperature or with the coolant temperature sensor, then the controller disables a starter motor such that the engine cannot be restarted without resetting the starter motor. The start motor can be disabled through a relay and the relay can be reset manually or automatically after a preset period of time.
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Citations
35 Claims
- 1. An exhaust temperature control system for an engine having an exhaust system that is cooled by an exhaust cooling system, the control system comprising a coolant sensor adapted to sense an operational condition of the exhaust cooling system, a controller being electrically connected to said coolant temperature sensor, said controller receiving an input signal from said coolant temperature sensor indicative of an operating condition of said exhaust cooling system, said controller also being controllably connected to a switchable relay, said relay being adapted to interrupt a power supply to a starter motor, said controller interrupting said power supply to said starter motor when said input signal indicates a malfunction in the exhaust cooling system.
- 11. A method of alerting an operator of a water vehicle to a malfunction in an exhaust cooling system, the method comprising sensing a temperature of coolant cooling an exhaust system, comparing said sensed temperature to a preset temperature, activating an alarm if said sensed temperature is less than said preset temperature and disabling a starter motor if said sensed temperature is less than said preset temperature.
- 17. A method of alerting an operator of a water vehicle to a malfunction in an exhaust cooling system, the method comprising sensing a temperature of coolant cooling an exhaust system, comparing said sensed temperature to a preset temperature, and activating an alarm if said sensed temperature is less than said preset temperature and gradually stopping said engine.
- 19. A method of alerting an operator of a water vehicle to a malfunction in an exhaust cooling system, the method comprising sensing a temperature of exhaust gases passing through an exhaust system, comparing said sensed temperature to a preset temperature, activating an alarm if said sensed temperature is less than said preset temperature, and delaying any alarm until said engine speed has exceed a preset speed for a predetermined period of time.
- 21. A method of alerting an operator of a water vehicle to a malfunction in an exhaust cooling system, the method comprising sensing a coolant temperature of an exhaust cooling system before ignition of an engine, comparing said sensed temperature to a first preset temperature, activating an alarm if said sensed temperature is more than said first preset temperature and disabling a starter motor if said sensed temperature is more than said first preset temperature.
- 29. A method of alerting an operator of a water vehicle to a malfunction in an exhaust cooling system, the method comprising sensing a coolant temperature of an exhaust cooling system before ignition of an engine, comparing said sensed temperature to a first preset temperature, activating an alarm if said sensed temperature is more than said first preset temperature and continuing to sense a coolant temperature if said sensed temperature is less than said first preset temperature, sensing an engine speed, comparing said sensed engine speed to a preset engine speed and waiting until said sensed engine speed has exceeded said preset engine speed for a first preset period of time then comparing said sensed temperature to said first preset temperature, and activating said alarm if said sensed temperature is more than said first preset temperature.
Specification