System and method for engine data trending and analysis

• US 6,339,742 B2
• Filed: 04/23/2001
• Issued: 01/15/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 05/15/1995
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Detroit Diesel Corporation (Mercedes-Benz Group AG)
• Original Assignee: Detroit Diesel Corporation (Mercedes-Benz Group AG)
• Inventors: Weisman, S. Miller II
• Primary Examiner(s): Kwon, John
• Assistant Examiner(s): Vo, Hieu T.
• Application Number:
  US09/840,719
• Publication Number:
  US 20010021893A1
• Time in Patent Office: 267 Days
• Field of Search: 701/114, 701/115, 701/101, 701/102, 701/35, 123/436
• US Class Current: 701/114
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 31/04 and means for comparing one electrical quantity, e.g. voltage, pulse, waveform, flux, or the like, with another quantity of a like kind, which comparison means is involved in the development of an electrical signal which is fed into the controlling means
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 31/045 in a memory, e.g. a capacitor
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 31/047 the memory being digital
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 10/06 including control of combustion engines
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 10/10 including control of change-speed gearings
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2050/0022 Gains, weighting coefficients or weighting functions
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2050/0042 Transfer function lag; delays
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2050/0052 Filtering, filters
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2510/0638 Engine speed
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2510/0676 Engine temperature
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2555/20 Ambient conditions, e.g. wind or rain
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2710/0616 Position of fuel or air injector
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2710/0666 Engine torque
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 30/146 Speed limiting
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 30/18054 at stand still, e.g. engine in idling state hill holding B60W30/18118
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 30/192 Mitigating problems related to power-up or power-down of the driveline, e.g. start-up of a cold engine
• CPC Class Codes: F01P 2023/00 Signal processing; Details thereof
• CPC Class Codes: F01P 2023/08 Microprocessor; Microcomputer
• CPC Class Codes: F01P 2025/08 Temperature
• CPC Class Codes: F01P 2025/13 Ambient temperature
• CPC Class Codes: F01P 2025/40 : Oil temperature
• CPC Class Codes: F01P 2025/46 : Engine parts temperature
• CPC Class Codes: F01P 2031/00 : Fail safe
• CPC Class Codes: F01P 2060/06 : Retarder
• CPC Class Codes: F01P 7/04 : by varying pump speed, e.g. by changing pump-drive gear ratio
• CPC Class Codes: F01P 7/048 : using electrical drives
• CPC Class Codes: F01P 7/08 : by cutting in or out of pumps
• CPC Class Codes: F02B 3/06 : with compression ignition compression ignition engines using air or gas for blowing fuel into compressed air in cylinder F02B13/02
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 17/04 : rendering engines inoperative or idling, e.g. caused by abnormal conditions dependent on lubricating conditions F01M1/22; dependent on cooling F01P5/14
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 2041/1432 : the system including a filter, e.g. a low pass or high pass filter
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 2200/0414 : Air temperature
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 2200/1002 : Output torque
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 2200/501 : Vehicle speed
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 2250/16 : End position calibration, i.e. calculation or measurement of actuator end positions, e.g. for throttle or its driving actuator
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 2250/18 : Control of the engine output torque
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 2250/26 : by applying a torque limit
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 41/0225 : in relation with the gear ratio or shift lever position
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 41/042 : for stopping the engine
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 41/086 : taking into account the temperature of the engine
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 41/222 : relating to the failure of sensors or parameter detection devices
• CPC Class Codes: F16H 63/40 : comprising signals other than signals for actuating the final output mechanisms
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/40 : Engine management systems
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/84 : Data processing systems or methods, management, administration

Abstract

A system and method for monitoring engine operating data include monitoring various engine operating parameters and periodically storing engine data when corresponding criteria are met. In one embodiment, enigne operating parameters may include engine speed, powertrain demand, or a fluid temperature, for example. Engine operating data such as oil pressure, turbo boost pressure, battery voltage, fuel economy, oil temperature, coolant temperature, maximum RPM, maximum vehicle speed, and throttle position sensor voltage, for example may be stored for trending and analysis. In addition, engine components may be monitored to determine service or replacement.

Claims

1. A method for collecting operating data from a multi-cylinder internal combustion engine having an engine control module, the method comprising:

monitoring engine operating conditions to determine when to store selected engine operating data; and

periodically storing engine operating data in the engine control module in response to the step of monitoring.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein the step of monitoring includes monitoring engine rotational speed and wherein engine operating data is stored only when the engine rotational speed is within a predetermined range.

3. The method of claim 2 further comprising:

storing an indication of cumulative engine use corresponding to the engine operating data.

4. The method of claim 3 wherein the indication corresponds to hours of engine operation.

5. The method of claim 1 wherein the step of monitoring includes monitoring oil temperature and wherein the step of periodically storing includes storing oil pressure when the oil temperature is above a corresponding threshold.

6. The method of claim 5 further comprising:

determining an average oil pressure; and

monitoring the stored oil pressure data to detect a large drop in pressure.

7. The method of claim 1 wherein the step of monitoring includes monitoring powertrain demand and engine speed and wherein the step of periodically storing includes storing turbo boost pressure.

8. The method of claim 7 further comprising calculating an average turbo boost pressure based on the stored turbo boost pressure.

9. The method of claim 7 further comprising monitoring the turbo boost pressure to detect an air leak based on a reduction in the turbo boost pressure.

10. The method of claim 1 wherein the step of periodically storing includes storing battery voltage samples when engine rotational speed is within a predetermined range, the method further comprising calculating and storing an average battery voltage.

11. The method of claim 10 further comprising:

monitoring the average battery voltage to detect an increase which exceeds a corresponding threshold to providing an indication of a voltage regulator fault.

12. The method of claim 11 further comprising storing an indication of cumulative engine use corresponding to a first one of the battery voltage samples.

13. The method of claim 1 wherein the step of periodically storing includes periodically storing an indication of fuel economy, the method further comprising determining an average fuel economy based on a current and previously stored indication of fuel economy.

14. The method of claim 1 wherein the step of periodically storing includes storing a maximum fluid temperature and an indication of cumulative engine use corresponding to the maximum fluid temperature.