System and method for calibration and fault detection of non-contact position sensor

• US 8,635,003 B2
• Filed: 04/13/2011
• Issued: 01/21/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 04/13/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC (General Motors Company)
• Original Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC (General Motors Company)
• Inventors: Bauerle, Paul A., Stockbridge, John Norman, Aparicio, J. Oscar Jr.
• Primary Examiner(s): To, Tuan C.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Kan, Yuri
• Application Number:
  US13/085,749
• Publication Number:
  US 20120265420A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,014 Days
• Field of Search: 701/33.7, 701/103, 701/110, 701/300, 701/99, 324/207.2, 324/207.17, 123/396, 123/399, 123/436, 123/525, 370/295, 320/150, 607/90, 477/125, 327/512, 313/506, 250/307, 340/439, 731/143.6, 73/215.9, 73/41.7, 702/45, 280/432
• US Class Current: 701/99
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 11/107 Safety-related aspects
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 2200/0404 Throttle position
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 2400/08 Redundant elements, e.g. two sensors for measuring the same parameter
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 41/222 relating to the failure of sensors or parameter detection devices
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/40 Engine management systems

Abstract

A control system for an engine includes a control module and a resistor. The resistor is connected in series between the control module and a non-contact position sensor. The control module selectively detects a fault of the non-contact position sensor based on a voltage drop across the resistor. A method for controlling an engine includes providing a resistor connected in series between a control module and a non-contact position sensor, and selectively detecting a fault of the non-contact position sensor based on a voltage drop across the resistor.

Claims

1. A control system for an engine, the control system comprising:

a control module;

a resistor connected in series between the control module and a non-contact position sensor,

wherein the control module selectively detects a fault of the non-contact position sensor based on a voltage drop across the resistor; and

a bypass module connected in parallel across the resistor, wherein;

the bypass module selectively bypasses the resistor,

the bypass module bypasses the resistor during calibration of the non-contact position sensor; and

the bypass module is disabled after calibration of the non-contact position sensor.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the bypass module includes a fuse and a diode connected in series with the fuse, wherein the bypass module is disabled by driving the diode to a predetermined voltage to break the fuse, and wherein the predetermined voltage is greater than a supply voltage.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the bypass module includes a fuse, and wherein the bypass module is disabled by applying a laser beam to the fuse through a window thereby breaking the fuse.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the bypass module includes a transistor, and wherein the bypass module is disabled by removing a threshold voltage from a gate of the transistor.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein the non-contact position sensor is a non-contact throttle position sensor.

6. The system of claim 5, wherein the control module commands a throttle of the engine to a predetermined position when a fault of the non-contact throttle position sensor is detected.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein the non-contact position sensor is a non-contact accelerator pedal position sensor.

8. The system of claim 7, wherein the control module disables the accelerator pedal when a fault of the non-contact accelerator pedal position sensor is detected.

9. A method for controlling an engine, the method comprising:

providing a resistor connected in series between a control module and a non-contact position sensor;

selectively detecting a fault of the non-contact position sensor based on a voltage drop across the resistor; and

providing a bypass module connected in parallel across the resistor, wherein;

the bypass module selectively bypasses the resistor;

the bypass module bypasses the resistor during calibration of the non-contact position sensor; and

the bypass module is disabled after calibration of the non-contact position sensor.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein the bypass module includes a fuse and a diode connected in series with the fuse, wherein the bypass module is disabled by driving the diode to a predetermined voltage to break the fuse, and wherein the predetermined voltage is greater than a supply voltage.

11. The method of claim 9, wherein the bypass module includes a fuse, and wherein the bypass module is disabled by applying a laser beam to the fuse through a window thereby breaking the fuse.

12. The method of claim 9, wherein the bypass module includes a transistor, and wherein the bypass module is disabled by removing a threshold voltage from a gate of the transistor.

13. The method of claim 9, wherein the non-contact position sensor is a non-contact throttle position sensor.

14. The method of claim 13, further comprising commanding a throttle of the engine to a predetermined position when a fault of the non-contact throttle position sensor is detected.

15. The method of claim 9, wherein the non-contact position sensor is a non-contact accelerator pedal position sensor.

16. The method of claim 15, further comprising disabling the accelerator pedal when a fault of the non-contact accelerator pedal position sensor is detected.