Method and apparatus for remote communication of vehicle combustion performance parameters

• US 6,845,314 B2
• Filed: 12/12/2002
• Issued: 01/18/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 12/12/2002
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Mirenco, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Mirenco, Inc.
• Inventors: Fosseen, Dwayne
• Primary Examiner(s): Wolfe, Willis R.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Hoang, Johnny H.
• Application Number:
  US10/317,924
• Publication Number:
  US 20040133336A1
• Time in Patent Office: 768 Days
• Field of Search: 701/113, 701/2, 701/114, 701/29, 701/115, 701/36, 701/104, 701/111, 701/213, 701/216, 123/361, 123/339.23, 123/399, 340/438, 340/439, 340/445, 340/447, 731/15, 731/173, 731/18
• US Class Current: 701/114
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 11/10 of the electric type
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 41/1444 characterised by the characteristics of the combustion gases
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 41/1466 the characteristics being a soot concentration or content
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 41/26 using computer, e.g. microprocessor
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 5/008 communicating information to a remotely located station transmission systems for measured values G08C

Abstract

An apparatus for remote identification of the combustion performance of a vehicle is provided. The apparatus comprises a throttle device for control of fuel into an engine of a vehicle. A combustion sensor is in operative communication with the vehicle for the purpose of analyzing a vehicle combustion performance parameter. A remote communication device is in operative communication with the combustion sensor for communicating the combustion performance parameter. A remote monitoring network is included for receiving the combustion performance parameter from the remote communication device over a network to enable remote monitoring of vehicle performance.

Claims

1. An apparatus for remote identification of combustion performance of a vehicle, said apparatus comprising:

a vehicle with a throttle device for control of fuel into an engine of said vehicle;

a combustion sensor in operative communication with said vehicle for the purpose of analyzing a vehicle combustion parameter;

a remote communication device in operative communication with said combustion sensor for communicating said combustion parameter;

a remote monitoring network for receiving said combustion parameter from said remote communication device over a network to enable remote monitoring of vehicle performance.

2. The invention in accordance with claim 1 further comprising a computer control device for controlling the position of said throttle in response to one or more sensors that indicate performance of said engine.

3. The invention in accordance with claim 2 wherein said computer is in operative communication with said combustion sensor, and said remote communication device is in operative communication with said combustion sensor through said computer.

4. The invention in accordance with claim 1 wherein said remote communication utilizes cellular communications.

5. The invention in accordance with claim 1 wherein said remote communication utilizes satellite communication.

6. The invention in accordance with claim 1 wherein said remote communication utilizes a radio transmitter and receiver.

7. The invention in accordance with claim 1 wherein said remote communication utilizes a wireless modem.

8. The invention in accordance with claim 1 further providing a global positioning satellite receiver located on said vehicle for receiving satellite signals that allow for locating a position of said vehicle, and said remote communication includes said vehicle position.

9. The invention in accordance with claim 1 wherein said combustion sensor comprises an exhaust analyzer.

10. The invention in accordance with claim 1 wherein said combustion sensor comprises a temperature sensor located in a catalytic converter of said vehicle.

11. The invention in accordance with claim 1 wherein said combustion sensor senses temperature differential of said vehicle exhaust before and after said exhausts enters a catalytic converter.

12. The invention in accordance with claim 1 wherein said combustion sensor senses carbon dioxide differential of said vehicle exhaust before and after said exhausts enters a catalytic converter.

13. The invention in accordance with claim 1 wherein said combustion sensor senses oxygen differential of said vehicle exhaust before and after said exhausts enters a catalytic converter.

14. The invention in accordance with claim 1 wherein said combustion sensor comprises an opacity sensor that measures the opacity of said vehicle exhaust.

15. The invention in accordance with claim 1 wherein said combustion sensor comprises an accelerometer that measures the acceleration of said vehicle to detect irregularities in combustion.