Detection of vehicle operation under adverse conditions
First Claim
1. A system, comprising:
- an air diverter is installed on a vehicle that activates at predetermined intervals to sample incoming air upstream from and entering into an air filter installed on the vehicle; and
a contaminant detection sensor installed on the vehicle that;
measures an amount of particulate contamination in the upstream air sampled by the air diverter at the predetermined intervals;
monitors the measured amount of particulate contamination in the upstream air for a high level of particulate matter outside of an acceptable range; and
signals an occurrence of an adverse condition relating to operation of the vehicle in response to determining that the monitored measured amount of particulate contamination in the upstream air has a high level of particulate matter outside of an acceptable range.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Details relating to the operation of a vehicle under adverse conditions are recorded and collected. This data is particularly useful to forestall catastrophic failures, and to provide valuable information for potential buyers of used vehicles. Among the operating conditions that are considered are high levels of air contaminants, operation in extreme hot or cold temperatures, hauling heavy loads, as well as hard braking, turning and acceleration. In addition to the detection and recording of data, prorated maintenance schedules are recalculated and adjusted to accommodate for the operation of the vehicle under these adverse or less than ideal conditions. Typically, the data is stored in the on-board computers present in most vehicles. Periodic off loading of the data to the dealer and service providers is also provided.
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Citations
14 Claims
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1. A system, comprising:
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an air diverter is installed on a vehicle that activates at predetermined intervals to sample incoming air upstream from and entering into an air filter installed on the vehicle; and a contaminant detection sensor installed on the vehicle that; measures an amount of particulate contamination in the upstream air sampled by the air diverter at the predetermined intervals; monitors the measured amount of particulate contamination in the upstream air for a high level of particulate matter outside of an acceptable range; and signals an occurrence of an adverse condition relating to operation of the vehicle in response to determining that the monitored measured amount of particulate contamination in the upstream air has a high level of particulate matter outside of an acceptable range. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A system, comprising:
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a processing unit in communication with a computer readable memory and a tangible computer-readable storage device; wherein the processing unit, when executing program instructions stored on the tangible computer-readable storage device via the computer readable memory; causes an air diverter installed on a vehicle to activate at predetermined intervals to sample incoming air upstream from and entering into an air filter installed on the vehicle; and causes a contaminant detection sensor installed on the vehicle to; measure an amount of particulate contamination in the upstream air sampled by the air diverter at the predetermined intervals; monitor the measured amount of particulate contamination in the upstream air for a high level of particulate matter outside of an acceptable range; and signal an occurrence of an adverse condition relating to operation of the vehicle in response to determining that the monitored measured amount of particulate contamination in the upstream air has a high level of particulate matter outside of an acceptable range. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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Specification