Data processing: vehicles – navigation – and relative location – Vehicle control – guidance – operation – or indication – With indicator or control of power plant
Utility Patent
1997-09-08
2001-01-02
Louis-Jacques, Jacques H. (Department: 3661)
Data processing: vehicles, navigation, and relative location
Vehicle control, guidance, operation, or indication
With indicator or control of power plant
C123S041120, C123S041150, C123S1980DA, C340S438000, C340S449000, C165S011100, C165S287000, C165S042000
Utility Patent
active
06169953
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for protecting an engine from overheating. In particular, the present invention relates to a method and apparatus for protecting the engine from overheating by disengaging or deactivating a load driven by the engine when the temperature of the engine reaches an operating temperature greater than a predetermined threshold temperature.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
In the design and use of work or agricultural vehicles, it is desirable to obtain from the engine or power plant as much output power as is reasonably available to drive the vehicle and associated equipment driven by the engine (e.g. loads). However, under normal operating conditions, operating the engine under heavy load will result in higher engine temperatures.
It is known that operating the engine under heavy load enhances the risk of overheating the engine, which in time may cause damage to or reduce the useful life of the engine. Operating the engine at high temperature also poses the risk of breakdown, serious malfunction and damage, such as the seizing or locking of certain moving engine parts. For work or agricultural vehicles, which often operate in adverse environmental conditions, such as high ambient temperatures, for extended durations, often while driving substantial loads (such as harvesting equipment), the risk of overheating the engine may be substantial.
Accordingly, it would be advantageous to provide information relating to the temperature of the engine to the operator of the vehicle using a warning lamp, an audible alarm and a display associated with the instrumentation system of the vehicle. It would also be advantageous to have a method and apparatus to monitor the temperature of the engine of a vehicle and to disengage or deactivate a load from the engine when the engine begins to overheat.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention provides an apparatus for protecting an engine of a vehicle driving a load from overheating. The apparatus comprises a sensor configured to provide a temperature signal representative of a temperature of the engine of the vehicle, a controller responsive to the temperature signal, configured to provide a control signal and further configured to disengage the load when the temperature of the engine is within a danger range and an instrumentation system responsive to the control signal and configured to provide at least one warning signal. The warning signal is provided when the temperature of the engine is within a warning range, and the load is disengaged when the temperature of the engine is within the danger range.
The present invention also provides a method of protecting an engine of a vehicle driving a load from overheating. The method comprises the steps of detecting a temperature signal indicative of a temperature of the engine, determining from the temperature signal whether the temperature of the engine is within a warning range, providing a warning signal if the temperature of the engine is within the warning range, determining from the temperature signal whether the temperature of the engine is within an overheat range, and disengaging the load if the temperature of the engine is within an overheat range.
The present invention further provides an apparatus which comprises means for detecting a temperature signal indicative of a temperature of the engine, means for determining from the temperature signal whether the temperature of the engine is within a warning range, means for providing a warning signal if the temperature of the engine is within the warning range, means for determining from the temperature signal whether the temperature of the engine is within an overheat range, and means for disengaging the load if the temperature of the engine is within an overheat range.
The present invention further provides an apparatus for protecting an engine driving a load from being damaged. The apparatus comprises a sensor configured to provide a signal representative of an engine parameter and a controller responsive to the sensor signal and configured to disengage the load from the engine if the engine parameter is within a danger range.
REFERENCES:
patent: 4325330 (1982-04-01), Kugler et al.
patent: 4422354 (1983-12-01), Bandy
patent: 4695822 (1987-09-01), Furukawa
patent: 4733540 (1988-03-01), Sakurai
patent: 4768484 (1988-09-01), Scarselletta
patent: 4944260 (1990-07-01), Shea et al.
patent: 4953110 (1990-08-01), Chartrand
patent: 5038743 (1991-08-01), Remmers
patent: 5117898 (1992-06-01), Light et al.
patent: 5133303 (1992-07-01), Umehara
patent: 5201284 (1993-04-01), Umehara
patent: 5331560 (1994-07-01), Tamura
patent: 5422517 (1995-06-01), Verney et al.
patent: 5455769 (1995-10-01), Panoushek et al.
patent: 5507251 (1996-04-01), Hollis
patent: 5522219 (1996-06-01), Orzel et al.
patent: 5526871 (1996-06-01), Musser et al.
patent: 5529028 (1996-06-01), Weikert
patent: 5538472 (1996-07-01), Panoushek et al.
patent: 5656771 (1997-08-01), Beswick et al.
Brochure from Case Corporation entitled 2100 Series Axial-Flow® Combines, © 1994 Best Copy Available.
Brochure from Case Corporation entitled 2155 Cotton Express, © 1994.
Brochure from Case Corporation entitled 8800/8200 Series Windrowers, © 1995.
Brochure from Case Corporation entitled Buyer's Guide, © 1996.
Brochure from Case Corporation entitled 2300 Series Combines, © 1997.
Cross Jon Robert
Panoushek Dale William
Case Corporation
Foley & Lardner
Louis-Jacques Jacques H.
LandOfFree
Method and apparatus for protecting an engine from overheating does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Method and apparatus for protecting an engine from overheating, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Method and apparatus for protecting an engine from overheating will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2459044