Patent US4836016A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4836016A
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US
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Method and apparatus for detecting abnormal state in pulse train generating sensor
Assignee: Toyota Motor Corp
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Filing: 1988-04-14
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Granted: 1989-06-06
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Expires: 2008-04-14
Abstract
Abstract In an internal combustion engine having a sensor which generates a pulse signal, a time period is measured during which the engine rotational speed is larger than a reference speed, and the time period is reset at every rise or fall of the pulse signal. As a result, when the measured time period is larger than a predetermined time period, an abnormal state signal is generated, thereby detecting an abnormal state of the sensor.
Inventors
- 👤 Jiro Nakano
- 👤 Yoshizo Ito
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 18:44
CPC Classifications
F; F02; F02D; F02D41/00; F02D41/22; F02D41/222; F02D41/02; F02D41/18; F02D41/185; G; G01; G01F; G01F1/00; G01F1/05; G01F1/20; G01F1/32; G01F1/325; G01F1/3282; G01F25/00; G01F25/10; Y; Y02; Y02T; Y02T10/00; Y02T10/10; Y02T10/40
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 30
Claim 1
Independent Claim
88 words
A method for detecting an abnormal state of an airflow sensor which generates a pulse signal according to a flow rate of intake air in an internal combustion engine, comprising the steps of: detecting a rotational speed of said engine; measuring a first time period during which said engine rotational speed is larger than a reference speed; resetting said first time period at every rise or fall of said pulse signal; and generating an abnormal state signal when first time period is larger than a predetermined time period.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
88 words
A method for detecting an abnormal state of an airflow sensor which generates a pulse signal according to a flow rate of intake air in an internal combustion engine, comprising the steps of: detecting a rotational speed of said engine; measuring a first time period during which said engine rotational speed is larger than a reference speed; resetting said first time period at every rise or fall of said pulse signal; and generating an abnormal state signal when first time period is larger than a predetermined time period.
Claim 3
Independent Claim
144 words
A method for detecting an abnormal state of an air flow sensor which generates a pulse signal according to a detection of a flow rate of engine intake air in an internal combustion engine, comprising the steps of: detecting a rotational speed of said engine; measuring a first time period during which said engine rotational speed is larger than a reference speed; resetting said first time period at every rise or fall of said pulse signal; generating an abnormal state signal when said first time period is larger than a predetermined time period; calculating a differential value of said engine rotational speed; measuring a second time period after the generation of said abnormal state signal; and generating an abnormal state determination signal when said second time period is smaller than a predetermined time period and said differential value is larger than a predetermined value.
Claim 4
Independent Claim
144 words
A method for detecting an abnormal state of an air flow sensor which generates a pulse signal according to a detection of a flow rate of engine intake air in an internal combustion engine, comprising the steps of: detecting a rotational speed of said engine; measuring a first time period during which said engine rotational speed is larger than a reference speed; resetting said first time period at every rise or fall of said pulse signal; generating an abnormal state signal when said first time period is larger than a predetermined time period; calculating a differential value of said engine rotational speed; measuring a second time period after the generation of said abnormal state signal; and generating an abnormal state determination signal when said second time period is smaller than a predetermined time period and said differential value is larger than a predetermined value.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
49 words
A method as set forth in claim 2, further comprising the steps of: detecting a supply voltage supplied to said sensor; and generating said abnormal state signal when said detected voltage is larger than a predetermined voltage and said first time period is larger than said predetermined time period.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
48 words
A method as set forth in claim 2, further comprising the steps of: detecting a supply voltage of a battery; and generating said abnormal state signal when said detected voltage is larger than a predetermined voltage and said first time period is larger than said predetermined time period.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
94 words
A method as set forth in claim 2, further comprising the steps of: determining whether or not said engine rotational speed is smaller than a first predetermined speed; determining whether or not said engine rotational speed is larger than a second predetermined speed which is larger than said first predetermined speed; setting said second predetermined speed to a reference speed when said engine rotational speed is smaller than said first predetermined speed; and setting said first predetermined speed to said reference speed with said engine rotational speed is larger than said second predetermined speed.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
49 words
A method as set forth in claim 2, further comprising a step of prohibiting the generation of said abnormal state determination signal when said second time period is smaller than a predetermined time period and the differential value of said engine rotational speed is smaller than said predetermined value.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
50 words
A method as set forth in claim 2, further comprising the step of detecting an engine stall condition; and wherein said generating an abnormal state determination signal step determines said signal when a second time period is smaller than said predetermined time period and said engine stall condition is detected.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
38 words
A method as set forth in claim 7, wherein said engine stall condition detecting step comprises a step of detecting said engine stall condition by determining whether or not a crank angle signal is generated from said engine.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
134 words
A method for detecting an abnormal state of an air flow sensor which generates a pulse signal according to a detection of a flow rate of engine intake air in an internal combustion engine, comprising the steps of: detecting a rotational speed of said engine; measuring a first time period during which said engine rotational speed it larger than a reference speed; resetting said first time period at every rise or fall of said pulse signal; generating an abnormal state signal when said first time period is larger than a predetermined time period; counting the number of pulses from said sensor; resetting said counted number of said pulses at every predetermined time period; and prohibiting the generation of said abnormal state signal when said counted number of pulses is larger than a predetermined number.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
134 words
A method for detecting an abnormal state of an air flow sensor which generates a pulse signal according to a detection of a flow rate of engine intake air in an internal combustion engine, comprising the steps of: detecting a rotational speed of said engine; measuring a first time period during which said engine rotational speed it larger than a reference speed; resetting said first time period at every rise or fall of said pulse signal; generating an abnormal state signal when said first time period is larger than a predetermined time period; counting the number of pulses from said sensor; resetting said counted number of said pulses at every predetermined time period; and prohibiting the generation of said abnormal state signal when said counted number of pulses is larger than a predetermined number.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
49 words
A method as set forth in claim 9, further comprising the steps of: detecting a supply voltage supplied to said sensor; and generating said abnormal state signal when said detected voltage is larger than a predetermined voltage and said first time period is larger than said predetermined time period.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
48 words
A method as set forth in claim 9, further comprising the steps of: detecting a supply voltage of a battery; and generating said abnormal state signal when said detected voltage is larger than a predetermined voltage and said first time period is larger than said predetermined time period.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
94 words
A method as set forth in claim 9, further comprising the steps of: determining whether or not said engine rotational speed is smaller than a first predetermined speed; determining whether or not said engine rotational speed is larger than a second predetermined speed which is larger than said first predetermined speed; setting said second predetermined speed to a reference speed when said engine rotational speed is smaller than said first predetermined speed; and setting said first predetermined speed to said reference speed when said engine rotational speed is larger than said second predetermined speed.
Claim 16
Independent Claim
95 words
An apparatus for detecting an abnormal state of an airflow sensor which generates a pulse signal according to a flow rate of engine intake air in an internal combustion engine, comprising: means for detecting a rotational speed of said engine; means for measuring a first time period during which said engine rotational speed is larger than a reference speed; means for resetting said first time period at every rise or fall of said pulse signal; and means for generating an abnormal state signal when said first time period is larger than a predetermined time period.
Claim 17
Independent Claim
95 words
An apparatus for detecting an abnormal state of an airflow sensor which generates a pulse signal according to a flow rate of engine intake air in an internal combustion engine, comprising: means for detecting a rotational speed of said engine; means for measuring a first time period during which said engine rotational speed is larger than a reference speed; means for resetting said first time period at every rise or fall of said pulse signal; and means for generating an abnormal state signal when said first time period is larger than a predetermined time period.
Claim 18
Independent Claim
154 words
An apparatus for detecting an abnormal state of an airflow sensor which generates a pulse signal according to a detection of a flow rate of engine intake air in an internal combustion engine, comprising: means for detecting a rotational speed of said engine; means for measuring a first time period during which said engine rotational speed is larger than a reference speed; means for resetting said first time period at every rise or fall of said pulse signal; means for generating an abnormal state signal when said first time period is larger than a predetermined time period; means for calculating a differential value of said engine rotational speed; means for measuring a second time period after the generation of said abnormal state signal; and means for generating an abnormal state determination signal when said second time period is smaller than a predetermined time period and said differential value is larger than a predetermined value.
Claim 19
Independent Claim
154 words
An apparatus for detecting an abnormal state of an airflow sensor which generates a pulse signal according to a detection of a flow rate of engine intake air in an internal combustion engine, comprising: means for detecting a rotational speed of said engine; means for measuring a first time period during which said engine rotational speed is larger than a reference speed; means for resetting said first time period at every rise or fall of said pulse signal; means for generating an abnormal state signal when said first time period is larger than a predetermined time period; means for calculating a differential value of said engine rotational speed; means for measuring a second time period after the generation of said abnormal state signal; and means for generating an abnormal state determination signal when said second time period is smaller than a predetermined time period and said differential value is larger than a predetermined value.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
51 words
An apparatus as set forth in claim 14, further comprising: means for detecting a supply a voltage supplied to said sensor; and means for generating said abnormal state signal when said detected voltage is larger than a predetermined voltage and said first time period is larger than said predetermined time period.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
49 words
An apparatus as set forth in claim 14, further comprising: means for detecting a supply voltage of a battery; and means for generating said abnormal state signal when said detected voltage is larger than a predetermined voltage and said first time period is larger than said predetermined time period.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
99 words
An apparatus as set forth in claim 14, further comprising: means for determining whether or not said engine rotational speed is smaller than a first predetermined speed; means for determining whether or not said engine rotational speed is larger than a second predetermined speed which is larger than said first predetermined speed; means for setting said second predetermined speed to a reference speed when said engine rotational speed is smaller than said first predetermined speed; and means for setting said first predetermined speed to said reference speed when said engine rotational speed is larger than said second predetermined speed.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
47 words
An apparatus as set forth in claim 14, further comprising means for prohibiting the generation of said abnormal state determination when said second time period is smaller than a predetermined time period and the differential value of said engine rotational speed is smaller than said predetermined value.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
47 words
An apparatus as set forth in claim 14, further comprising: means for detecting an engine stall; and said means for generating an abnormal state determination signal generates said signal when a second time period is smaller than said predetermined time period and said engine stall is detected.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
36 words
An apparatus as set forth in claim 19, wherein said engine stall detecting means comprises a means for detecting said engine stall by determining whether or not a crank angle signal is generated form said engine.
Claim 26
Independent Claim
144 words
An apparatus for detecting an abnormal state of an airflow sensor which generates a pulse signal according to a detection of a flow rate of engine intake air in an internal combustion engine, comprising: means for detecting a rotational speed of said engine; means for measuring a first time period during which said engine rotational speed is larger than a reference speed; means for resetting said first time period at every rise or fall of said pulse signal; means for generating an abnormal state signal when said first time period is larger than a predetermined time period; means for counting the number of pulses from said sensor; means for resetting said counted number of said pulses at every predetermined time period; and means for prohibiting the generation of said abnormal state signal when said counted number of pulses is larger than a predetermined number.
Claim 27
Independent Claim
144 words
An apparatus for detecting an abnormal state of an airflow sensor which generates a pulse signal according to a detection of a flow rate of engine intake air in an internal combustion engine, comprising: means for detecting a rotational speed of said engine; means for measuring a first time period during which said engine rotational speed is larger than a reference speed; means for resetting said first time period at every rise or fall of said pulse signal; means for generating an abnormal state signal when said first time period is larger than a predetermined time period; means for counting the number of pulses from said sensor; means for resetting said counted number of said pulses at every predetermined time period; and means for prohibiting the generation of said abnormal state signal when said counted number of pulses is larger than a predetermined number.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
50 words
An apparatus as set forth in claim 21, further comprising: means for detecting a supply voltage supplied to said sensor; and means for generating said abnormal state signal when said detector voltage is larger than a predetermined voltage and said first time period is larger than said predetermined time period.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
49 words
An apparatus as set forth in claim 21, further comprising: means for detecting a supply voltage of a battery; and means for generating said abnormal state signal when said detector voltage is larger than a predetermined voltage and said first time period is larger than said predetermined time period.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
99 words
An apparatus as set forth in claim 21, further comprising: means for determining whether or not said engine rotational speed is smaller than a first predetermined speed; means for determining whether or not said engine rotational speed is larger than a second predetermined speed which is larger than said first predetermined speed; means for setting said second predetermined speed to a reference speed when said engine rotational speed is smaller than said first predetermined speed; and means for setting said first predetermined speed to said reference speed when said engine rotational speed is larger than said second predetermined speed.
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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) | 1992-06-05 | 1992-12-05 | 1993-06-06 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1996-06-05 | 1996-12-05 | 1997-06-06 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2000-06-05 | 2000-12-05 | 2001-06-06 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |