Internal-combustion engines – With heating means
Reexamination Certificate
1999-03-22
2001-03-06
Dolinar, Andrew M. (Department: 3747)
Internal-combustion engines
With heating means
C123S1960AB, C219S202000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06196177
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an improved electrical system for an internal combustion engine.
The present invention further relates to an improved electrical system for an internal combustion engine having an alternator or similar electrical energy generating electrical device, a battery, and electronic control unit (ECU) with a memory, and fluids for cooling and lubricating the engine.
The present invention further relates to a method to control the operation of an internal combustion engine and alternator in response to sensor input from engine fluids to raise said fluids to a desired temperature.
The present invention further relates to an improved electrical system for an internal combustion engine whereby the temperature of the engine fluids is sensed and electrical current is supplied from the alternator to a heat transfer means to heat the engine fluids to a desired temperature.
2. Description of the Related Art
Letang et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,483,927 is directed to a method for engine control. The method integrates the use of a plurality of sensors to sense engine operating parameters and then modifying the fuel delivery to the engine in response to the sensor input. Coolant temperature and oil temperature, are two parameters which are sensed. There is no showing in Letang et al to supply current to a resistance in heat transfer relationship to an engine fluid to raise the fluid to a desired temperature or to control the fuel delivery based upon the temperature of the engine fluids.
Weisman II et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,615,654 is directed to a method for comprehensive integrated control of a compression ignition engine. The control strategy integrates various functions of engine control, including fuel delivery strategy, cooling fan strategy, engine speed governing and overspeed protection. There is no showing in Weisman II et al to supply current to a resistance in heat transfer relationship to an engine fluid to raise the fluid to a desired temperature or to control the fuel delivery based upon maintaining the temperature of the engine fluids.
Weisman II et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,647,317 is directed to an engine control strategy comprehensive integrated control of a compression ignition engine. The control strategy integrates various functions of engine control, including fuel delivery strategy, cooling fan strategy, engine speed governing and overspeed protection. There is no showing in Weisman II et al to supply current to a resistance in heat transfer relationship to an engine fluid to raise the fluid to a desired temperature or to control the fuel delivery based upon the temperature of the engine fluids.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is an improved electrical system for an internal combustion engine having an electronic control unit (ECU), said electrical system comprising a battery power source; an alternator connected to said battery for recharging said battery; a starter motor powered by said battery source; an ignition switch controlling current flow from said battery power source to said starter motor, said ECU having memory and connected to said power source and sensors. The improvement comprises at least one sensor connected to said ECU for sensing the temperature of at least one engine fluid, and a resistance in a current supply line from the alternator or other power generating apparatus, in heat transfer relation with an engine fluid; said current supply line having a relay controlled by the ECU to control the supply of current from the alternator to the resistance in response to sensor input to the ECU.
The present invention further relates to a control strategy to control the fuel delivery to the internal combustion engine in response to sensed temperature of engine fluids to control the current supply to the resistance means to raise the temperature of at least one of the engine fluids to a predetermined operating temperature.
These and other objects and advantages will become apparent upon a reading of the specification and claims of the present invention.
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Detroit Diesel Corporation
Dolinar Andrew M.
Huynh Hai
Panagos Bill C
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