System and method implementing air shutoff position detection strategy
First Claim
Patent Images
1. An air shutoff valve system, comprising:
- a housing that defines an airflow passage;
a shutoff valve disposed in the airflow passage, the shutoff valve moveable between an open position configured to permit airflow through the passage and a closed position configured to substantially stop airflow through the passage;
an indicator operatively coupled to the shutoff valve, the indicator being movable between a normal state and a tripped state in respective correspondence with the open and closed positions of the shutoff valve, the indicator including a body having a disruptive portion, the disruptive portion extending radially outward from the body; and
a rotatable lever including a lever body having a first edge, the first edge protruding from the lever body and engaged with the disruptive portion of the indicator when the indicator is in the normal state;
a spring attached to the lever below the first edge, the spring compressed when the indicator is in the tripped state;
at least one solid-state proximity sensor disposed in the airflow passage and configured to detect when the indicator is in the tripped state.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
An engine air shutoff valve system with an improved sensor that facilitates a position detection of the shutoff valve is disclosed. The air shutoff valve system may include a shutoff valve, an indicator, and at least one solid-state proximity sensor. The shutoff valve is moveable between an open and closed position. The indicator is operatively coupled to the shutoff valve. The indicator is movable between a normal state and a tripped state in respective correspondence with the open and closed positions of the shutoff valve. At least one solid-state proximity sensor can be configured to detect when the indicator is in the tripped state.
18 Citations
20 Claims
-
1. An air shutoff valve system, comprising:
-
a housing that defines an airflow passage; a shutoff valve disposed in the airflow passage, the shutoff valve moveable between an open position configured to permit airflow through the passage and a closed position configured to substantially stop airflow through the passage; an indicator operatively coupled to the shutoff valve, the indicator being movable between a normal state and a tripped state in respective correspondence with the open and closed positions of the shutoff valve, the indicator including a body having a disruptive portion, the disruptive portion extending radially outward from the body; and a rotatable lever including a lever body having a first edge, the first edge protruding from the lever body and engaged with the disruptive portion of the indicator when the indicator is in the normal state; a spring attached to the lever below the first edge, the spring compressed when the indicator is in the tripped state; at least one solid-state proximity sensor disposed in the airflow passage and configured to detect when the indicator is in the tripped state. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
-
-
8. A method of controlling an air shutoff valve in an internal combustion engine, comprising:
-
monitoring an indicator operatively coupled to the air shutoff valve, the indicator being movable between a normal state and a tripped state in respective correspondence with open and closed positions of the air shutoff valve; detecting, via at least one solid-state proximity sensor disposed in the airflow passage, an interruption in amplitude of an electromagnetic field when the indicator moves to the tripped state; and sending a signal to an electronic control module indicative of the detected interruption in the amplitude of the electromagnetic field, wherein the indicator has a disruptive portion that, when the indicator is in a normal state, selectively catches on a first edge protruding from a lever body of a rotatable lever, and does not catch on the first edge when the indicator is in the tripped state, wherein further a spring attached to the lever below the first edge is compressed when the indicator is in the tripped state. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
-
-
14. An air shutoff valve assembly for selectively stopping flow of intake air in an internal combustion engine, comprising:
-
a housing defining an airflow passage; an air shutoff valve disposed in the airflow passage, the air shutoff valve being movable between an open position that permits airflow through the passage and a closed position that stops airflow through the passage; and at least one solid-state proximity sensor disposed in the airflow passage and mounted proximate to an indicator coupled to the air shutoff valve, the indicator configured to detect a change in the movable position of the air shutoff valve, wherein the solid-state proximity sensor includes a radio frequency oscillator circuit, a trigger circuit, and a solid-state output-switching device. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17)
-
-
18. An air shutoff valve system having an air intake to regulate intake airflow to an internal combustion engine, the air shutoff valve system comprising:
-
a housing defining an airflow passage; a shutoff valve disposed in the airflow passage, the shutoff valve being movable between an open position that permits the intake airflow through the passage and a closed position that stops the intake airflow from flowing through the passage; an indicator operatively coupled to the shutoff valve, the indicator movable between a normal state and a tripped state in respective correspondence with the open and closed positions of the shutoff valve, the indicator including a body having a disruptive portion, the disruptive portion extending radially outward from the body, the indicator biased toward the tripped state; a rotatable lever including an elongated lever body having a first edge, the first edge protruding from the lever body and engaged with the disruptive portion of the indicator when the indicator is in the normal state; an actuator operatively connected to the lever above the first edge, the actuator configured to rotate the lever; a spring attached to the lever below the first edge, the spring compressed when the indicator is in the tripped state; a solid-state inductive proximity sensor disposed in the airflow passage in the housing, the solid-state inductive proximity sensor configured to detect when the indicator is in tripped state; and an electronic control module in communication with the solid-state inductive proximity sensor, the electronic control module configured to receive a first signal associated with the detection of the indicator. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20)
-
Specification