Method of providing notification of an air intake restriction

• US 7,098,779 B2
• Filed: 02/27/2003
• Issued: 08/29/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 02/27/2003
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: International Engine Intellectual Property Company, LLC (Volkswagen AG)
• Original Assignee: International Engine Intellectual Property Company, LLC (Volkswagen AG)
• Inventors: Pontius, Stephen M.
• Primary Examiner(s): NGUYEN, TAI T
• Application Number:
  US10/376,012
• Publication Number:
  US 20040178895A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,279 Days
• Field of Search: 340/439, 340/438, 340/606, 340/607, 340/608, 340/611, 340/425.5, 731/16, 731/181, 731/182, 123/339.15, 123/406.13, 123/479, 123/568, 123/571, 123/339.16
• US Class Current: 340/439
• CPC Class Codes: F02B 29/04 Cooling of air intake supply
• CPC Class Codes: F02B 77/04 Cleaning of, preventing corrosion or erosion in, or preventing unwanted deposits in, combustion engines
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 2200/0406 Intake manifold pressure
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 2200/703 Atmospheric pressure
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 23/00 Controlling engines characterised by their being supercharged
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 41/0007 for control of turbo-charged or super-charged engines control of the pumps per se F02B37/12
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 41/22 Safety or indicating devices for abnormal conditions in air/fuel ratio feedback systems F02D41/1495, in electric control linkage F02D11/107, in purge control systems F02M25/0809
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/12 Improving ICE efficiencies

Abstract

Notification of an air intake restriction is provided for an internal combustion engine (101). Readings from one or more air pressure sensors (117, 119) utilized with an internal combustion engine (101) are processed to determine whether an air intake restriction is present. A notification is provided, for example, by displaying (209) a message on a display (123) in a driver'"'"'s station of a vehicle housing the engine. Various data, including detection of an air intake restriction, may be transmitted (215) for use by personnel, for example, to provide maintenance.

Claims

1. A method comprising the steps of:

determining an external air pressure that is external to an internal combustion engine;

determining a manifold air pressure that is present in an intake manifold of the internal combustion engine;

comparing the external air pressure to the manifold air pressure;

when the manifold air pressure differs from the external air pressure by an amount greater that a predetermined value, and when en air filter of the internal combustion engine is not clogged,

determining that damage in an intake path exists; and

,

providing a notification that damage in the intake path is present.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of determining the external air pressure comprises the step of receiving a barometric air pressure signal from barometric air pressure sensor to determine the external air pressure.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the barometric air pressure sensor is electronically connected to an engine control module for the internal combustion engine.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of determining the manifold air pressure comprises the step of receiving a manifold air pressure signal from a manifold air pressure sensor to determine the manifold air pressure.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein the manifold air pressure sensor is electronically connected to an engine control module for the internal combustion engine.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein damage in the intake path is at least one of a leak and damage due to a collision.

8. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of transmitting via a wireless device at least one of the external air pressure and the manifold air pressure.

9. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of transmitting a notification of air intake restriction when the manifold air pressure differs from the external air pressure by an amount greater than a predetermined value.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein the intake path includes at least one of a pipe, an intercooler, and a joint.

11. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of providing comprises sending an electronic signal to a display in a driver'"'"'s station of the vehicle through an internal electrical system of the vehicle.

7. A method comprising the steps of:

determining a manifold air pressure that is present in an intake manifold of an internal combustion engine;

comparing the manifold air pressure to a predetermined value;

when the manifold air pressure is below the predetermined value and an air filter of the internal combustion engine is not clogged,

providing a notification that damage in an intake path exists, wherein the intake path includes at least one of a pipe, an intercooler, and a joint; and

automatically sending the notification through an electronic system of the vehicle.

12. A method comprising the steps of:

determining a manifold air pressure that is present in an intake manifold of an internal combustion engine;

processing the manifold air pressure into a desired pressure reading;

comparing the manifold air pressure to the desired pressure reading;

when the manifold air pressure is below the desired pressure reading and when an air filter of the internal combustion engine is not clogged, providing a notification that damage in an intake path exists by automatically sending the notification through an electronic system of a vehicle.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein the step of determining the manifold air pressure comprises the step of receiving a manifold air pressure signal from a manifold air pressure sensor to determine the manifold air pressure.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein the manifold air pressure sensor is electronically connected to an engine control module for the internal combustion engine.

15. The method of claim 13, wherein the manifold air pressure sensor is disposed entirety within the intake manifold.

16. The method of claim 12, wherein the steps of the method are performed by an engine control module for the internal combustion engine.

17. The method of claim 12, further comprising the step of transmitting via a wireless device at least the manifold air pressure.

18. The method of claim 12, further comprising the step of transmitting a notification of air intake restriction when the manifold air pressure differs from a predetermined value.

19. The method of claim 12, wherein the step of providing comprises displaying the notification to an operator of a vehicle housing the internal combustion engine and transmitting via a wireless device the notification to a receiver remote from the vehicle.

20. The method of claim 12, wherein the step of providing comprises sending an electronic signal to a display in a driver'"'"'s station of the vehicle.