Engine protection system
First Claim
1. An engine protection system for an internal combustion engine associated with a vehicle, the system comprising;
- an electronic engine control module for monitoring at least one engine parameter during operation of the engine and determining whether a fault condition exists as to said at least one parameter;
one of said parameters comprises engine idle duration wherein a timer is actuated when the vehicle is stationary and said engine is running;
said fault condition results after said idle duration timer exceeds a predeterminable time period; and
,said electronic control module initiating a fail safe mode when said one of said parameters is in said fault condition, said fail safe mode including an engine shut down sequence for disabling the engine.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An engine protection system and protocol is implemented within an electronic control module. Various engine parameters, such as engine coolant level, coolant temperature, transmission fluid temperature, and engine oil pressure are monitored and compared to limit values to determine if a fault condition exists as to one or more of the parameters. The engine protection system includes visual and audible signals responsive to the parameters. An engine disabling mechanism is operative when any of the aforementioned parameters exceed predetermined limits for a predeterminable period. The electronic control module contains a memory function for recording the fault parameters as well as other identifying information. The electronic control module also includes an engine idle limiter feature. The engine disabling means is operative when the vehicle idling duration exceeds a second predeterminable period. The electronic control module further includes a battery voltage monitor with latching relay including a circuit interrupter operative when the battery voltage falls below a predetermined limit.
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Citations
26 Claims
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1. An engine protection system for an internal combustion engine associated with a vehicle, the system comprising;
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an electronic engine control module for monitoring at least one engine parameter during operation of the engine and determining whether a fault condition exists as to said at least one parameter; one of said parameters comprises engine idle duration wherein a timer is actuated when the vehicle is stationary and said engine is running; said fault condition results after said idle duration timer exceeds a predeterminable time period; and
,said electronic control module initiating a fail safe mode when said one of said parameters is in said fault condition, said fail safe mode including an engine shut down sequence for disabling the engine. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. An engine protection system for an internal combustion engine associated with a vehicle, the system comprising:
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an electronic engine control module; an engine idling sensor for monitoring engine idling and a timer for monitoring duration of the engine idling of a stationary vehicle; said electronic control module for determining whether a fault condition exists as to said engine idling by comparing said duration of said engine idling to a predeterminable number limit value; and
,said electronic control module including an engine shutdown connection, said shutdown connection disables the engine when said duration of said engine idling exceeds said predeterminable number limit value. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. An engine protection system for an internal combustion engine associated with a vehicle, the system comprising:
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an engine control module including an engine idling sensor detecting vehicle movement and a timer monitoring duration of engine idling when said sensor detects lack of said movement; said engine control module determines whether a fault condition exists as to said engine idling by comparing said duration of said engine idling, while said sensor detects lack of said movement, to a predeterminable number limit value; and
,said control module including an engine shutdown connection disabling the engine when said duration of said engine idling exceeds said predeterminable number limit. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20)
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21. A method for protecting an internal combustion engine associated with a vehicle, the method comprising:
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monitoring at least one engine parameter during operation of the engine; determining whether a fault condition exists as to said at least one parameter, said fault condition comprises engine idle duration wherein a timer is actuated when the vehicle is stationary and said engine is running; and
,initiating a shutdown sequence when the vehicle remains idling and stationary for a period longer than a pre-programmed time. - View Dependent Claims (22, 23, 24, 25)
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26. An engine protection system for an internal combustion engine associated with a vehicle, the system comprising:
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an engine control module including an engine idling sensor detecting vehicle movement and a timer monitoring duration of engine idling when said sensor detects lack of said movement; said engine control module determines whether a fault condition exists as to said engine idling by comparing said duration of said engine idling, while said sensor detects lack of said movement, to a predeterminable number limit value; said engine control module further includes an initial start-up override for suspending said timer at initial start-up for a predeterminable time delay; and
,said control module including an engine shutdown connection disabling the engine when said duration of said engine idling exceeds the sum of said predeterminable time delay and said predeterminable number limit value.
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Specification