Diagnostic system for engine
First Claim
1. A method for the diagnosing an operation of an oxygen sensor used within an engine that defines a combustion chamber for combusting air/fuel mixtures, the engine also including an electronic controller configured to control at least one operational characteristic of the engine and to store at least one output value from the oxygen sensor, the method comprising connecting a computer having a display to the electronic controller, loading the stored output value from the electronic controller to the computer, comparing the output value to a predetermined value and determining whether the sensor has malfunctioned based on the comparison.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A diagnostic system is provided for aiding a technician or engineer in verifying that a combustion condition sensor provided with an engine is operating properly. The diagnostic system can be used to diagnose the operation of an oxygen sensor included with such an engine. The diagnostic system is configured to sample output voltages of the combustion condition sensor and compare such voltages with predetermined reference voltages.
13 Citations
31 Claims
- 1. A method for the diagnosing an operation of an oxygen sensor used within an engine that defines a combustion chamber for combusting air/fuel mixtures, the engine also including an electronic controller configured to control at least one operational characteristic of the engine and to store at least one output value from the oxygen sensor, the method comprising connecting a computer having a display to the electronic controller, loading the stored output value from the electronic controller to the computer, comparing the output value to a predetermined value and determining whether the sensor has malfunctioned based on the comparison.
- 13. A method for diagnosing an operation of an oxygen sensor used within an engine that defines a combustion chamber for combusting air/fuel mixtures and a fuel supply system for supplying fuel for the air/fuel mixtures, the engine also including an electronic controller configured to control at least one operational characteristic of the engine and to store at least one output value from the oxygen sensor, the method comprising setting a first fuel amount of fuel supplied to the combustion chamber, adjusting the fuel amount, storing an output value of the oxygen sensor in the electronic controller, connecting a computer having a display to the electronic controller, loading the stored value from the controller to the computer, and determining whether the sensor malfunctioned based on the stored output value.
- 18. A diagnostic system for diagnosing an oxygen sensor, comprising a controller configured to control at least one operational characteristic of an engine which defines at least one combustion chamber configured for combustion of an air/fuel mixture therein and to store an output value of the oxygen sensor, and a computer configured to be connected to the controller and to load the stored output value from the controller for comparison to a predetermined value to determine if the oxygen sensor has malfunctioned.
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27. A diagnostic system for diagnosing an oxygen sensor, comprising a controller configured to control a fuel supply system of an engine which defines at least one combustion chamber configured for combustion of an air/fuel mixture therein, the controller being configured to control the fuel supply system so as to create at least one of a lean air/fuel mixture and a rich air/fuel mixture in the combustion chamber, adjust the air/fuel mixture, and determine a time required for the combustion condition sensor to switch from a first output value corresponding to the detection of the combustion of a lean air/fuel mixture, to a second output value corresponding to the detection of the combustion of a rich air/fuel mixture.
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28. A diagnostic system for diagnosing an oxygen sensor, comprising a controller configured to control at least one operational characteristic of an engine which defines at least one combustion chamber configured for combustion of an air fuel mixture therein, the controller being configured to determine an output value of the oxygen sensor and including means for loading the output value to a computer having a display for comparison of the output value to a predetermined value and means for determining whether the oxygen sensor has malfunctioned based on the comparison.
Specification