US3864964A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method for diagnosing malfunctions in internal combustion engines
Assignee: Atlantic Richfield Co
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Filing: 1970-11-23
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Granted: 1975-02-11
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Expires: 1990-11-23
Abstract
Abstract A method for diagnosing mechanical malfunctions of internal combustion engines resulting in unnecessarily high emissions of carbon monoxide and/or hydrocarbon is disclosed. The method comprises analyzing engine exhaust gases for carbon monoxide and hydrocarbon content while the engine is operated at both the idle and power carburetion circuits and comparing the analytical results obtained.
Inventors
- 👤 Frederick L Voelz
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-28 15:53
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01M; G01M15/00; G01M15/04; G01M15/10; G01M15/102; G01M15/108; F; F02; F02B; F02B75/00; F02B75/02; F02B2075/022; F02B2075/027
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 15
Claim 1
Independent Claim
190 words
A method for diagnosing malfunctions of internal combustion engines which result in exhaust gases having unnecessarily high concentrations of carbon monoxide and hydrocarbons comprising: 1. analyzing for the carbon monoxide and hydrocarbon concentrations of the exhaust gases from said engine, said gases being sampled while said engine is being operated in modes (A) and (B), said engine operational modes being at essentially constant no load conditions at normal operating temperatures and (A) on the idle carburetion circuit and (B) on the main carburetion circuit, the engine being operated in modes (A) and (B) in any chronological sequence; and 2. comparing said carbon monoxide and hydrocarbon concentrations, wherein engine malfunctions resulting in an overly-rich air-fuel mixture to said engine are indicated when the carbon monoxide concentration obtained from operational mode (B) exceeds that from operational mode (A) and engine malfunctions resulting in improper fuel combustion are indicated when the hydrocarbon concentration obtained from operational mode (B) exceeds that from operational mode (A); and 3. correcting at least one of said indicated engine malfunctions and thereby reducing at least one of said carbon monoxide and hydrocarbon concentrations in said engine exhaust gases.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
190 words
A method for diagnosing malfunctions of internal combustion engines which result in exhaust gases having unnecessarily high concentrations of carbon monoxide and hydrocarbons comprising: 1. analyzing for the carbon monoxide and hydrocarbon concentrations of the exhaust gases from said engine, said gases being sampled while said engine is being operated in modes (A) and (B), said engine operational modes being at essentially constant no load conditions at normal operating temperatures and (A) on the idle carburetion circuit and (B) on the main carburetion circuit, the engine being operated in modes (A) and (B) in any chronological sequence; and 2. comparing said carbon monoxide and hydrocarbon concentrations, wherein engine malfunctions resulting in an overly-rich air-fuel mixture to said engine are indicated when the carbon monoxide concentration obtained from operational mode (B) exceeds that from operational mode (A) and engine malfunctions resulting in improper fuel combustion are indicated when the hydrocarbon concentration obtained from operational mode (B) exceeds that from operational mode (A); and 3. correcting at least one of said indicated engine malfunctions and thereby reducing at least one of said carbon monoxide and hydrocarbon concentrations in said engine exhaust gases.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
63 words
comparing said carbon monoxide and hydrocarbon concentrations, wherein engine malfunctions resulting in an overly-rich air-fuel mixture to said engine are indicated when the carbon monoxide concentration obtained from operational mode (B) exceeds that from operational mode (A) and engine malfunctions resulting in improper fuel combustion are indicated when the hydrocarbon concentration obtained from operational mode (B) exceeds that from operational mode (A); and
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
63 words
comparing said carbon monoxide and hydrocarbon concentrations, wherein engine malfunctions resulting in an overly-rich air-fuel mixture to said engine are indicated when the carbon monoxide concentration obtained from operational mode (B) exceeds that from operational mode (A) and engine malfunctions resulting in improper fuel combustion are indicated when the hydrocarbon concentration obtained from operational mode (B) exceeds that from operational mode (A); and
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 1, wherein said engine operated on the main carburetion circuit is operated at a speed of at least about 1200 rpm.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 2, wherein said carbon monoxide and hydrocarbon concentrations are obtained by means of infra-red spectrometry.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
27 words
correcting at least one of said indicated engine malfunctions and thereby reducing at least one of said carbon monoxide and hydrocarbon concentrations in said engine exhaust gases.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
27 words
correcting at least one of said indicated engine malfunctions and thereby reducing at least one of said carbon monoxide and hydrocarbon concentrations in said engine exhaust gases.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method of claim 1, wherein said engine operated on the main carburetion circuit is operated at a speed from about 1,200 rpm. to about 4,000 rpm.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 4, wherein said carbon monoxide and hydrocarbon concentrations are obtained by means of infra-red spectrometry.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method of claim 5, wherein said engine is operated in association with a motor vehicle and the exhaust gases for analysis are sampled from the exhaust system effluent.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method of claim 1, wherein said engine operated on the main carburetion circuit is operated at a speed from about 2,000 rpm. to about 3,000 rpm.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 7, wherein said carbon monoxide and hydrocarbon concentrations are obtained by means of infra-red spectrometry.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method of claim 8, wherein said engine is operated in association with a motor vehicle and the exhaust gases for analysis are sampled from the exhaust system effluent.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 1, wherein said carbon monoxide and hydrocarbon concentrations are obtained by means of infra-red spectrometry.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1978-02-10 | 1978-08-12 | 1979-02-11 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-02-10 | 1982-08-12 | 1983-02-11 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-02-10 | 1986-08-12 | 1987-02-11 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |