Engine starter predictive maintenance system
First Claim
Patent Images
1. An engine starter system for an engine, the engine starter system comprising:
- an engine starter operable to engage the engine and rotate at a crank speed;
a battery in electrical communication with the engine starter,a crank speed sensor operable to measure the crank speed of the engine starter;
a voltage sensor operable to measure the voltage of the battery;
a temperature sensor operable to measure the ambient air temperature; and
a controller in electrical communication with the engine starter, the crank speed sensor, the voltage sensor, and the temperature sensor, wherein the controller is programmed with predicted engine crank speed values based on battery voltage and ambient air temperature, wherein the controller compares the measured crank speed of the engine starter to the predicted crank speed value for the measured battery voltage and measured ambient air temperature.
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Abstract
An engine starter system that predicts when starter failure is imminent. The engine starter system monitors engine starter crank speed, battery voltage and ambient air temperature. The crank speed, battery voltage and ambient air temperature are communicated to a controller which compares the crank speed for the measured battery voltage and air temperature to a predicted crank speed for the measured battery voltage and air temperature. If the crank speed is lower than the predicted crank speed, a signal is sent to an alarm.
38 Citations
20 Claims
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1. An engine starter system for an engine, the engine starter system comprising:
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an engine starter operable to engage the engine and rotate at a crank speed; a battery in electrical communication with the engine starter, a crank speed sensor operable to measure the crank speed of the engine starter; a voltage sensor operable to measure the voltage of the battery; a temperature sensor operable to measure the ambient air temperature; and a controller in electrical communication with the engine starter, the crank speed sensor, the voltage sensor, and the temperature sensor, wherein the controller is programmed with predicted engine crank speed values based on battery voltage and ambient air temperature, wherein the controller compares the measured crank speed of the engine starter to the predicted crank speed value for the measured battery voltage and measured ambient air temperature. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5)
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6. A method of operating an engine starter comprising:
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engaging an engine with an engine starter; rotating the engine starter at a crank speed; measuring the crank speed of the engine starter; measuring the voltage of a battery in electrical communication with the engine starter; measuring the ambient air temperature; and comparing the measured crank speed to a programmed predicted crank speed value for the measured battery voltage and ambient air temperature. - View Dependent Claims (7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. A transport refrigeration system comprising:
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an engine; a refrigeration system including a compressor driven by the engine; an engine starter engageable with the engine and rotateable at a crank speed; a battery in electrical communication with the engine starter, a crank speed sensor operable to measure the crank speed of the engine starter; a voltage sensor operable to measure the voltage of the battery; a temperature sensor operable to measure the ambient air temperature; and a controller in electrical communication with the engine starter, the crank speed sensor, the voltage sensor, and the temperature sensor, wherein the controller is programmed with predicted engine crank speed values based on battery voltage and ambient air temperature, wherein the controller compares the measured crank speed of the engine starter to the predicted crank speed value for the measured battery voltage and measured ambient air temperature. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification