Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
106 words
A diagnostic method for an internal combustion engine having at least two control inputs which affect an engine output, said method comprising: (a) establishing a base value for one of said control inputs as a function of engine operating conditions; (b) periodically perturbing said one control input about its base value; (c) monitoring said engine output; (d) determining the actual slope of said engine output with respect to perturbation of said one control input; (e) establishing a desired value for said slope; (f) determining any difference between said actual slope and said desired value; and (g) storing in a storage means information relating to said difference.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
106 words
A diagnostic method for an internal combustion engine having at least two control inputs which affect an engine output, said method comprising: (a) establishing a base value for one of said control inputs as a function of engine operating conditions; (b) periodically perturbing said one control input about its base value; (c) monitoring said engine output; (d) determining the actual slope of said engine output with respect to perturbation of said one control input; (e) establishing a desired value for said slope; (f) determining any difference between said actual slope and said desired value; and (g) storing in a storage means information relating to said difference.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method as in claim 1, further comprising interrogating said storage means at periodic intervals.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method as in claim 2, further comprising providing a warning signal when said difference exceeds a predetermined magnitude.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method as in claim 1, further comprising storing said difference in a drift storage means as a function of the age of said engine.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method as in claim 4, further comprising providing a correction to said one control input responsive to said drift storage means.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
142 words
A diagnostic apparatus for an internal combustion engine having at least two control inputs which affect an engine output, said system comprising: means for establishing a base value for one of said control inputs as a function of engine operating conditions; perturbation means for periodically perturbing said one control input about its base value; monitoring means for monitoring said engine output; slope detection means, responsive to said monitoring means, for determining the actual slope of said engine output with respect to perturbations of said one control input; means for establishing a desired value for said slope; comparison means, responsive to said slope detection means and said means for establishing a desired value for said slope, for determining any difference between said actual slope and said desired value; and storage means, responsive to said comparison means, for storing information relating to said difference.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
142 words
A diagnostic apparatus for an internal combustion engine having at least two control inputs which affect an engine output, said system comprising: means for establishing a base value for one of said control inputs as a function of engine operating conditions; perturbation means for periodically perturbing said one control input about its base value; monitoring means for monitoring said engine output; slope detection means, responsive to said monitoring means, for determining the actual slope of said engine output with respect to perturbations of said one control input; means for establishing a desired value for said slope; comparison means, responsive to said slope detection means and said means for establishing a desired value for said slope, for determining any difference between said actual slope and said desired value; and storage means, responsive to said comparison means, for storing information relating to said difference.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
18 words
The apparatus as in claim 6, further comprising interrogation means for interrogating said storage means at periodic intervals.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
24 words
The apparatus as in claim 7, wherein said interrogation means comprises means for providing a warning signal when said difference exceeds a predetermined magnitude.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
28 words
The apparatus as in claim 6, wherein said storage means comprises a drift storage means for storing said difference as a function of the age of said engine.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
24 words
The apparatus as in claim 9, further comprising means, responsive to said drift storage means, for providing a correction to said one control input.