Methods and apparatus for engine diagnostics

• US 20030195720A1
• Filed: 05/13/2003
• Published: 10/16/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 11/24/1998
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Bombardier Recreational Products Incorporated (Bombardier Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Bombardier Recreational Products Incorporated (Bombardier Incorporated)
• Inventors: Quinnett, Wilbur V., Koerner, Scott A., Bylsma, Phillip J., Szukala, Lester M.
• Application Number:
  US10/436,792
• Publication Number:
  US 20030195720A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 702/185
• CPC Class Codes: F01P 2050/30 Circuit boards
• CPC Class Codes: F01P 3/12 Arrangements for cooling other engine or machine parts
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 2400/18 Packaging of the electronic circuit in a casing
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 41/00 Electrical control of supply of combustible mixture or its constituents F02D43/00 takes precedence ; control of engine starters F02N11/08, electrical control of engine ignition timing F02P5/145
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 41/22 Safety or indicating devices for abnormal conditions in air/fuel ratio feedback systems F02D41/1495, in electric control linkage F02D11/107, in purge control systems F02M25/0809
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 41/266 the computer being backed-up or assisted by another circuit, e.g. analogue
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 5/0026 provided with connectors and printed circuit boards [PCB], e.g. automotive electronic control units

Abstract

Methods and apparatus for testing operation and diagnosing faults in an engine including an electronic control unit. A diagnostic computer is coupled to the electronic control unit and displays engine testing and diagnostic text messages in any one of a plurality of selectable languages, energize ignition circuits on demand, display menu screen displays associated with engine testing, diagnostics and service, and generate summary screen displays and reports for later use.

Claims

1. Apparatus for diagnosing a fault in an engine including an electronic control unit, said apparatus comprising:

a processor configured to be coupled to the engine electronic control unit;

a first memory coupled to said processor, at least one text file stored in said first memory, said text file comprising text in a first language; and

a second memory coupled to said processor, at least one text file stored in said second memory, said text file comprising text in a second language different than the first language.

2. Apparatus in accordance with claim 1 wherein a plurality of text files comprising text in at least two languages are stored in said second memory.

3. Apparatus in accordance with claim 1 wherein said processor is programmed to display text messages stored in said first memory.

4. Apparatus in accordance with claim 1 wherein said processor is programmed to:

upon receipt of a first command, copy text messages in the second language from said second memory to said first memory; and

display text messages in said second language.

5. Apparatus in accordance with claim 1 wherein said first memory comprises a random access memory.

6. Apparatus in accordance with claim 1 wherein said second memory comprises a non-volatile memory.

7. Apparatus for testing operation of an ignition in an outboard engine including an electronic control unit and plurality of cylinders, said apparatus comprising:

a processor configured to be coupled to the outboard engine electronic control unit, and

programmed to energize said ignition, upon receipt of a predetermined command from an operator.

8. Apparatus in accordance with claim 7 wherein the engine includes at least two cylinders, and said processor is programmed to prompt an operator to select an ignition circuit associated with one of the cylinders.

9. Apparatus in accordance with claim 7 wherein said processor is programmed to warn an operator to not test ignition operation when the engine is running.

10. A computer programmed to display text messages, said computer comprising a processor, a first memory, and a second memory, said first and second memories coupled to said processor, said computer programmed to:

store text messages in a first language in said first memory and display text messages in a first language; and

copy text messages in a second language from said second language from said second memory to said first memory, and display text messages in said second language.

11. A computer in accordance with claim 10 wherein said first memory comprises a random access memory.

12. A computer in accordance with claim 10 wherein said second memory comprises a read only memory.

13. A computer in accordance with claim 10 wherein upon receipt of a first command, said processor copies said text messages in said second languages into said first memory.

14. A method for operating a computer to display text messages, the computer comprising a processor, a first memory, and a second memory, the first and second memories coupled to the processor, said method comprising the steps of:

storing text messages in a first language in the first memory;

displaying text messages in a first language; and

if messages are to be displayed in a second language, then;

copying the messages in the second language from the second memory to said first memory; and

displaying text messages in the second language.

15. A computer comprising:

a processor;

a first memory coupled to said processor, at least one text file stored in said first memory, said text file comprising text in a first language; and

a second memory coupled to said processor, at least one text file stored in said second memory, said text file comprising text in a second language.

16. A computer in accordance with claim 15 wherein a plurality of text files comprising text in at least two languages are stored in said second memory.

17. A computer in accordance with claim 15 wherein said processor is programmed to display text messages stored in said first memory.

18. A computer in accordance with claim 15 wherein said processor is programmed to:

upon receipt of a first command, copy text messages in the second language from said second memory to said first memory; and

display text messages in said second language.

19. A computer in accordance with claim 15 wherein said first memory comprises a random access memory.

20. A computer in accordance with claim 15 wherein said second memory comprises a read only memory.

21. Apparatus for testing operation of an ignition in an engine including an electronic control unit, said apparatus comprising a processor configured to be coupled to the engine electronic control unit and programmed to energize said ignition upon receipt of a predetermined command from an operator.

22. Apparatus in accordance with claim 21 wherein the engine includes at least two cylinders, and said processor is programmed to prompt an operator to select an ignition circuit associated with one of the cylinders.

23. Apparatus in accordance with claim 21 wherein said processor is programmed to warn an operator to not test ignition operation when the engine is running.

24. A method for testing operation of an ignition in an engine including an electronic control unit and plurality of cylinders, said method comprising the steps of:

receiving an input identifying an ignition circuit associated with one of the cylinders for testing; and

energizing the identified ignition circuit.

25. A method in accordance with claim 24 wherein the engine includes at least two cylinders, and said method comprising the step of prompting an operator to select an ignition circuit associated with one of the cylinders.

26. A method in accordance with claim 24 comprising the step of warning an operator to not test ignition operation when the engine is running.

27. Apparatus for diagnosing a fault in an outboard engine including an ECU, said apparatus comprising:

a processor configured to be coupled to the outboard engine electronic control unit;

a monitor screen coupled to said processor;

said processor adapted to cause a single display on said monitor screen, said display having a sensor section, a switch section, a voltage section and an engine results section.

28. Apparatus in accordance with claim 27 wherein the sensor section comprises an electronic control unit temperature display.

29. Apparatus in accordance with claim 27 wherein the sensor section comprises an air temperature display.

30. Apparatus in accordance with claim 27 wherein the sensor section comprises a water temperature display.

31. Apparatus in accordance with claim 27 wherein the sensor section comprises a calculated TPS display.

32. Apparatus in accordance with claim 27 wherein the sensor section comprises an actual TPS display.

33. Apparatus in accordance with claim 27 wherein the switch section includes a yes-no display of engine operation being in an automatic reduced speed mode.

34. Apparatus in accordance with claim 27 wherein the switch section includes a yes-no display of whether or not a water temperature switch or water temperature sensor is indicating the engine is overheating.

35. Apparatus in accordance with claim 27 wherein the switch section includes a yes-no display whether or not oil pressure is being sensed by an oil pressure switch.

36. Apparatus in accordance with claim 27 wherein the switch section includes a yes-no display of whether a shift interrupter switch is in an interrupted condition.

37. Apparatus in accordance with claim 27 wherein the switch section includes a yes-no display of whether or not the ECU indicates detection of water in an engine-mounted fuel canister.

38. Apparatus in accordance with claim 27 wherein the voltage section includes a display of alternator voltage output.

39. Apparatus in accordance with claim 27 wherein the results section includes a display of engine speed in RPM.

40. Apparatus in accordance with claim 27 wherein the results section includes a display of ignition timing.

41. Apparatus in accordance with claim 27 wherein the results section includes a display of spark duration.

42. Apparatus in accordance with claim 27 wherein the results section includes a display of fuel timing.

43. Apparatus in accordance with claim 27 wherein the results section includes a display of fuel pulse width.

44. Apparatus in accordance with claim 27 wherein the results section includes a display of barometric pressure.

45. Apparatus for servicing an engine including an ECU, said apparatus comprising:

a processor configured to be coupled to the engine ECU;

a monitor screen coupled to said processor;

said processor is programmed to cause a display on said monitor screen to require selection between

(a) provision of service reports,

(b) provision of an item of engine component information, and

(c) return to a prior display.

46. Apparatus in accordance with claim 45 wherein said processor is further programmed to cause, in response to a selection of provision of service reports, a display allowing selection between a saved service report and a current service report.

47. Apparatus in accordance with claim 45 wherein said processor is further programmed to cause, in response to a selection of provision of service reports, a display allowing selection between printing a saved service report, viewing a saved service report, viewing a current service report, printing a current service report and saving a current service report.

48. Apparatus in accordance with claim 45 wherein said processor is programmed to cause, in response to selection of provision of service reports from said display to provide one or more displays allowing printing of a service report that includes a print of a name of an owner of the engine.

49. Apparatus in accordance with claim 45 wherein said processor is programmed to cause, in response to selection of provision of service reports from said display to provide one or more displays allowing printing of a service report that includes a print of a model number of the engine.

50. Apparatus in accordance with claim 45 wherein said processor is programmed to cause, in response to selection of provision of service reports from said display to provide one or more displays allowing printing of a service report that includes a print of a serial number of the engine.

51. Apparatus in accordance with claim 45 wherein said processor is programmed to cause, in response to selection of provision of service reports from said display to provide one or more displays allowing printing of a service report that includes a print of an ECU program number of the engine.

52. Apparatus in accordance with claim 45 wherein said processor is programmed to cause, in response to selection of provision of service reports from said display to provide one or more displays allowing printing of a service report that includes a print of ECU version number of the engine.

53. Apparatus in accordance with claim 45 wherein said processor is programmed to cause, in response to selection of provision of service reports from said display to provide one or more displays allowing printing of a service report that includes a printed record of a plurality of switch positions of the engine.

54. Apparatus in accordance with claim 45 wherein said processor is also programmed to conduct a diagnostic test and provide a display screen showing switch positions and said plurality of switch positions in said service report includes at least one switch positions from said display screen.

55. Apparatus in accordance with claim 45 wherein said processor is also programmed to conduct a diagnostic test and provide a display screen showing switch positions and said plurality of switch positions in said service report includes all switch positions from said display screen.

56. Apparatus in accordance with claim 45 wherein said processor is programmed to cause, in response to selection of provision of service reports from said display to provide one or more displays allowing printing of a service report that includes a printed record of a plurality of sensor values.

57. Apparatus in accordance with claim 45 wherein said processor is also programmed to conduct a diagnostic test and provide a display screen showing sensor positions and said plurality of sensor positions in said service report includes at least one sensor position from said display screen.

58. Apparatus in accordance with claim 45 wherein said processor is also programmed to conduct a diagnostic test and provide a display screen showing sensor positions and said plurality of sensor positions in said service report includes all sensor positions from said display screen.

59. Apparatus in accordance with claim 45 wherein said processor is also programmed to conduct a diagnostic test and provide a display screen showing an engine speed profile and said service report includes said engine speed profile.

60. Apparatus in accordance with claim 45 wherein said processor is also programmed to conduct a diagnostic test and provide a display screen showing an engine speed and said service report includes a profile which includes said engine speed.

61. Apparatus in accordance with claim 45 wherein said processor is also programmed to conduct a diagnostic test and provide a display screen showing an engine speed and said service report includes said engine speed profile showing various engine speed ranges in RPM and the percentage of time during the test that the engine speed was in each engine speed range.

62. Apparatus in accordance with claim 45 wherein said processor is also programmed to conduct a diagnostic test and provide a display screen showing an service fault code and said service report includes said service fault code.

63. Apparatus in accordance with claim 45 wherein said processor is also programmed to conduct a diagnostic test and provide a display screen showing a plurality of service fault codes and said service report includes said all of said plurality of service fault codes.

64. Apparatus in accordance with claim 45 wherein said processor is also programmed to allow saving the service report to a memory unit operatively connected to said processor.

65. Apparatus in accordance with claim 45 wherein said processor is also programmed to conduct a diagnostic test and provide a display screen showing a plurality of service fault codes and said service report includes said all of said plurality of service fault codes.

66. Apparatus in accordance with claim 45 wherein said engine is a marine engine.

67. Apparatus in accordance with claim 66 wherein said engine is an outboard engine.

68. Apparatus in accordance with claim 45 wherein said first item of engine component information includes fuel injector serial numbers and said processor is programmed to cause a display of said injector serial numbers on said monitor in response to selection of provision of engine information.

69. Apparatus in accordance with claim 68 wherein said processor is programmed to cause storage of nominal service replacement injector settings in said ECU in response to operator entry of data indicative of replacement of an injector.

70. Apparatus in accordance with claim 45 wherein said item of engine component information includes assistance with replacement of a current ECU with a replacement ECU and said processor is programmed to extract at least one engine specific piece of information from a memory of the current ECU, to store such extracted piece of information in memory associated with said processor and to subsequently transfer such stored piece of information to a memory of a replacement ECU.

71. Apparatus in accordance with claim 45 wherein said engine assistance includes assistance with replacement of a current ECU with a replacement ECU and said processor is programmed to extract multiple engine specific pieces of information from a memory of the current ECU, to store such extracted pieces of information in memory associated with said processor and to subsequently transfer such stored pieces of information to a memory of a replacement ECU.

72. Apparatus in accordance with claim 45 wherein said engine assistance includes assistance with replacement of a current ECU with a replacement ECU and said processor is programmed to extract all engine specific information from a memory of the current ECU, to store all such extracted engine specific information in memory associated with said processor and to subsequently transfer all such stored engine specific information to a memory of a replacement ECU.

75. Apparatus in accordance with claim 46 wherein said processor is further programmed to cause a display allowing selection between printing a saved service report, viewing a saved service report, viewing a current service report, printing a current service report and saving a current service report.

73. A method of servicing an engine including an ECU, said method comprising the steps of:

coupling a processor to the engine ECU;

coupling a monitor screen to said processor;

operating said processor so as to cause a display on said monitor screen requiring selection between

(a) provision of service reports and

(b) provision of an item of engine component information, or

(c) return to a prior display.

74. A method in accordance with claim 73 further comprising the step of:

causing, responsive to selection of provision of service reports in response to said display requiring selection, a second display allowing selection between one or more saved service reports and a current service report.

76. A method in accordance with claim 73 further comprising causing, in response to selection of provision of service reports from said display, the processor to provide one or more displays on the monitor allowing printing of a service report including a print of a name of an owner of the engine.

77. A method in accordance with claim 73 further comprising causing, in response to selection of provision of service reports from said display, the processor to provide one or more displays on the monitor allowing printing of a service report including a print of a model number of the engine.

78. A method in accordance with claim 73 further comprising causing, in response to selection of provision of service reports from said display, the processor to provide one or more displays on the monitor allowing printing of a service report including a print of a serial number of the engine.

79. A method in accordance with claim 73 further comprising causing, in response to selection of provision of service reports from said display, the processor to provide one or more displays on the monitor allowing printing of a service report including a print of an ECU program number of the engine.

80. A method in accordance with claim 73 further comprising causing, in response to selection of provision of service reports from said display, the processor to provide one or more displays on the monitor allowing printing of a service report including a print of ECU version number of the engine.

81. A method in accordance with claim 73 further comprising causing, in response to selection of provision of service reports from said display, the processor to provide one or more displays on the monitor allowing printing of a service report including a printed record of a plurality of switch positions of the engine.

82. A method in accordance with claim 81 wherein said method further comprises conducting a diagnostic test producing a display screen showing a plurality of switch positions, and said plurality of switch positions in said service report includes at least one switch position from said display screen.

83. A method in accordance with claim 81 wherein said method further comprises conducting a diagnostic test producing a display screen showing switch positions and said plurality of switch positions in said service report all switch positions from said display screen.

84. A method in accordance with claim 73 wherein said method further comprises conducting a diagnostic test producing a display screen showing a plurality of sensor positions and said service report includes a plurality of sensor positions from said display screen.

85. A method in accordance with claim 73 wherein said method further comprises conducting a diagnostic test producing a display screen showing sensor positions and said service report includes at least one sensor position from said display screen.

86. A method in accordance with claim 73 wherein said method further comprises conducting a diagnostic test producing a display screen showing sensor positions and said plurality of sensor positions in said service report includes all sensor positions from said display screen.

87. A method in accordance with claim 73 wherein said method further comprises conducting a diagnostic test producing a display screen showing an engine speed profile and said service report includes said engine speed profile.

88. A method in accordance with claim 73 wherein said method further comprises conducting a diagnostic test producing a display screen showing an engine speed and said service report includes a profile which includes said engine speed.

89. A method in accordance with claim 73 wherein said method further comprises conducting a diagnostic test involving various engine speeds producing a display screen showing an engine speed and said service report includes an engine speed profile showing various engine speed ranges in RPM and the percentage of time during the test that the engine speed was in each engine speed range.

90. A method in accordance with claim 73 wherein said method further comprises conducting a diagnostic test producing a display screen showing a service fault code and said service report includes said service fault code.

91. A method in accordance with claim 73 wherein said method further comprises conducting a diagnostic test producing a display screen showing a plurality of service fault codes and said service report includes said all of said plurality of service fault codes.

92. A method in accordance with claim 73 further comprising saving the service report to a memory unit operatively connected to said processor.

94. A method in accordance with claim 73 wherein said engine is a marine engine.

98. A method in accordance with claim 73 further comprising providing, in response to selection of engine assistance in response to said display, assistance with replacement of a current ECU.

99. A method in accordance with claim 98 wherein such assistance includes extracting at least one engine specific piece of information from a memory of the current ECU, storing such extracted piece of information in memory associated with said processor and subsequently transferring such stored piece of information to a memory of a replacement ECU.

100. A method in accordance with claim 98 wherein such assistance includes extracting multiple engine specific pieces of information from a memory of the current ECU, storing all extracted pieces of information in memory associated with said processor and subsequently transferring all stored pieces of information to a memory of a replacement ECU.

101. A method in accordance with claim 98 wherein such assistance includes extracting all engine specific pieces of information from a memory of the current ECU, storing all extracted pieces of information in memory associated with said processor and subsequently transferring all stored pieces of information to a memory of a replacement ECU.

102. The method of claim 73 further comprising the step of causing, responsive to selection of provision of engine component information in response to said display requiring selection, a second display method of injector serial number display.

103. The method of claim 73 further comprising the step of providing, responsive to selection of engine component information in response to said display requiring selection, assistance with replacement of a current ECU with a replacement ECU.

104. Apparatus in accordance with claim 103 wherein said assistance includes extracting multiple engine specific pieces of information from a memory of the current ECU, storing such extracted pieces of information in memory associated with said processor and subsequently transferring such stored pieces of information to a memory of a replacement ECU.

105. Apparatus in accordance with claim 103 wherein said engine assistance includes extracting all engine specific information from a memory of the current ECU, storing all such extracted engine specific information in memory associated with said processor and subsequently transferring all such stored engine specific information to a memory of a replacement ECU.

93. A method in accordance with claim further comprising conducting a diagnostic test and providing a display screen showing a plurality of service fault codes and including all of said plurality of service fault codes in said service report.

95. A method in accordance with claim 93 wherein said engine is an outboard engine.

96. A method in accordance with claim 93 wherein said item of engine component information includes fuel injector serial numbers and said processor is programmed to cause a display of said injector serial numbers on said monitor in response to selection of provision of an item of engine component information.

97. A method in accordance with claim 96 wherein said processor is programmed to cause a display of said injector serial numbers on said monitor in response to selection of provision of engine information.

106. A method of servicing an engine including an ECU, said method comprising the steps of:

coupling a processor to the engine ECU;

coupling a monitor screen to said processor;

operating said processor so as to cause a display on said monitor screen requiring selection between

(a) provision of service report,

(b) provision of a first item of engine component information, (c) provision of a second item of engine component information, and

(d) return to a prior display

107. The method of claim 106 wherein said first item is information relating to a fuel injector and said second item of information is information relating to an ECU.