Humidity sensor diagnostics

• US 9,482,172 B2
• Filed: 02/22/2013
• Issued: 11/01/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 02/22/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC (Ford Motor Company)
• Original Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC (Ford Motor Company)
• Inventors: Pursifull, Ross Dykstra, Makki, Imad Hassan, Clark, Timothy Joseph, Uhrich, Michael James, Kumar, Pankaj
• Primary Examiner(s): VILAKAZI, SIZO BINDA
• Application Number:
  US13/774,282
• Publication Number:
  US 20140238370A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,348 Days
• Field of Search: 12356812-56832
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 2200/0418 Air humidity
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 2200/0611 Fuel type, fuel composition or fuel quality
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 41/005 according to engine operating conditions
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 41/222 relating to the failure of sensors or parameter detection devices
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 33/0006 Calibrating gas analysers
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/40 Engine management systems

Abstract

Embodiments for diagnosing a humidity sensor are provided. One example method comprises adjusting an engine operating parameter based on humidity of a first gas flow measured by a humidity sensor, and indicating degradation of the humidity sensor if a humidity of a second gas flow measured by the humidity sensor is different than an expected humidity. In this way, degradation of the humidity sensor may be indicated if the humidity of the second gas flow measured by the humidity sensor is different than expected.

Claims

1. A method, comprising:

adjusting an engine operating parameter based on humidity of a first gas flow measured by a humidity sensor; and

indicating degradation of the humidity sensor if a humidity of a second, different, gas flow measured by the humidity sensor does not change by an expected amount from the humidity measured of the first gas flow, the second gas flow determined to have a known different humidity from the first gas flow,

wherein the first gas flow comprises air from an engine air intake system, wherein a composition of the second gas flow is different from the first gas flow, wherein the second gas flow comprises crankcase gas from a crankcase vent tube, and wherein an expected humidity is at or near maximum humidity.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein adjusting an engine operating parameter comprises adjusting an amount of exhaust gas recirculated from an engine exhaust to an engine intake.

3. A system comprising:

an engine coupled to an intake system and an exhaust system;

a humidity sensor; and

a controller including instructions to;

during a first condition when the humidity sensor is exposed to a first gas flow, adjust an engine operating parameter based on output of the humidity sensor; and

during a second condition when the humidity sensor is exposed to a second, different, gas flow with a different composition than the first gas flow, indicate degradation of the humidity sensor if output of the humidity sensor does not change by an expected output when a composition of measured gas flowing past the sensor changes from a composition of the first gas to the composition of the second gas, wherein;

the humidity sensor is positioned in the intake system downstream of an air intake system throttle,

the first condition comprises the air intake system throttle being in a fully open position,

the first gas flow comprises intake air at barometric pressure,

the second condition comprises the air intake system throttle being in a closed or partially closed position, and

the second gas flow comprises intake air at less than barometric pressure.

4. A method, comprising:

adjusting an engine operating parameter based on humidity of a first gas flow measured by a humidity sensor; and

indicating degradation of the humidity sensor if a humidity of a second, different, gas flow measured by the humidity sensor does not change by an expected amount from the humidity measured of the first gas flow, the second gas flow determined to have a known different humidity from the first gas flow,

wherein the first gas flow comprises air from an air intake system, exhaust gas recirculation system, and crankcase ventilation system, wherein the second gas flow comprises crankcase gas and air from the air intake system, and wherein the expected humidity change is determined to change to at or near maximum humidity, wherein a composition of the second gas flow is different from the first gas flow, wherein degradation of the humidity sensor is determined if output of the humidity sensor does not change by an expected amount when a composition of the gas flowing past the humidity sensor changes.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein adjusting an engine operating parameter comprises adjusting an amount of exhaust gas recirculated from an engine exhaust to an engine intake.

6. A system comprising:

an engine coupled to an intake system and an exhaust system;

a humidity sensor; and

a controller including instructions to;

during a first condition when the humidity sensor is exposed to a first gas flow, adjust an engine operating parameter based on output of the humidity sensor; and

during a second condition when the humidity sensor is exposed to a second, different, gas flow with a different composition than the first gas flow, indicate degradation of the humidity sensor if output of the humidity sensor does not change by an expected output when composition of measured gas flowing past the sensor changes from a composition of the first gas to the composition of the second gas, wherein;

the humidity sensor is positioned in a passage fluidically coupled to an intake passage upstream of an air intake system throttle and the intake passage downstream of a compressor outlet,

the first condition comprises intake manifold pressure less than barometric pressure,

the first gas flow comprises intake air,

the second condition comprises intake manifold pressure greater than barometric pressure, and

the second gas flow comprises intake air and exhaust gas.

7. The system of claim 6, wherein the second gas flow further comprises crankcase gas.

8. A system comprising:

an engine coupled to an intake system and an exhaust system;

a humidity sensor; and

a controller including instructions to;

during a first condition when the humidity sensor is exposed to a first gas flow, adjust an engine operating parameter based on output of the humidity sensor; and

during a second condition when the humidity sensor is exposed to a second, different, gas flow with a different composition than the first gas flow, indicate degradation of the humidity sensor if output of the humidity sensor does not change by an expected output when composition of measured gas flowing past the sensor changes from a composition of the first gas to the composition of the second gas, wherein;

the humidity sensor is positioned in a passage fluidically coupled to an intake passage downstream of a compressor outlet and an exhaust passage downstream of a turbine outlet,

the first condition comprises intake manifold pressure greater than barometric pressure,

the first gas flow comprises intake air and exhaust gas,

the second condition comprises intake manifold pressure less than barometric pressure, and

the second gas flow comprises exhaust gas.