Method for monitoring functional components of a motor vehicle

• US 7,522,988 B2
• Filed: 12/20/2007
• Issued: 04/21/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 12/20/2006
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Heinrich Gillet GmbH (Apollo Global Management, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Heinrich Gillet GmbH (Apollo Global Management, Inc.)
• Inventors: Garcia, Patrick
• Primary Examiner(s): Vo; Hieu T
• Application Number:
  US11/962,032
• Publication Number:
  US 20080154482A1
• Time in Patent Office: 488 Days
• Field of Search: 701/111, 701/115, 731/173
• US Class Current: 701/111
• CPC Class Codes: G01M 15/05 by combined monitoring of two or more different engine parameters
• CPC Class Codes: G01M 15/12 by monitoring vibrations

Abstract

A method for monitoring functional components of a motor vehicle is provided. To this end, microphones, pulsation sensors, strain gauges and a speed sensor are positioned on or next to one of the functional components to be monitored. The electrical signals of the microphones, pulsation sensors, strain gauges, and speed sensor are measured, analyzed by means of Fourier analysis and compared with an acoustic signature.

Claims

1. A control unit for monitoring a motor vehicle, the control unit comprising:

a plurality of inputs for receiving signals from a plurality of sensors provided on an intake system, an engine, or an exhaust system, the sensors being microphones, pulsation sensors, or strain gauges; and

an analysis unit for analyzing the received signals, which are subjected to a Fourier transform, with a predetermined acoustic signature to determine an acoustic behavior of the intake system, the engine, or the exhaust system.

2. A method of monitoring a motor vehicle, the method comprising:

providing a plurality of sensors on an intake system, an engine, or an exhaust system, the sensors being microphones, pulsation sensors, or strain gauges;

receiving signals from the plurality of sensors by a control unit;

analyzing the received signals via Fourier analysis;

analyzing an acoustic behavior of the intake system, the engine, or the exhaust system by comparing the analyzed signals with a predetermined acoustic signature to monitor the motor vehicle.

3. A method for monitoring functional components of a motor vehicle, the functional units including an internal combustion engine, an exhaust system, a manifold, a catalytic converter, an exhaust particulate filter, a front muffler, a mid muffler, a rear muffler, an exhaust pipe or tailpipe, and an intake system the includes an intake muffler and/or intake pipes, the method comprising:

placing at least one microphone next to one of the functional components to be monitored;

placing at least one pulsation sensor on one of the functional components to be monitored;

placing at least one strain gauge on one of the functional components to be monitored;

placing a speed sensor on the engine;

measuring the electrical signals at the outputs of the microphones, pulsation sensors, strain gauges, and speed sensor on the engine;

analyzing the signals via Fourier analysis; and

comparing the analyzed signals with an acoustic signature.

4. The method according to claim 3, further comprising:

placing at least one thermocouple on one of the functional components to be monitored.

5. The method according to claim 3, further comprising:

placing a microphone on the generator.

6. The method according to claim 3, further comprising:

placing a microphone on the air conditioning system.

7. The method according to claim 3, further comprising:

placing a microphone on the timing chain.

8. The method according to claim 3, further comprising:

placing a microphone on the V-belt.

9. The method according to claim 3, wherein the microphones are piezoelectric transducers.

10. The method according to claim 3, wherein the microphones are electret microphones.