US5205253A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Engine operation interrupt using engine operating parameters
Assignee: Ford Global Technologies LLC
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Filing: 1992-08-24
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Granted: 1993-04-27
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Expires: 2012-08-24
Abstract
Abstract This invention teaches a system for interrupting operation of the internal combustion engine of a vehicle so as to prevent an undesirably high level of carbon monoxide in the ambient by using the voltage output signal from an engine oxygen sensor placed in the exhaust stream. Engine operation is interrupted when there are simultaneous signals indicating both an EGO sensor signal level above a predetermined value and idling condition of the engine.
Inventors
- 👤 Mordecai Shelef
- 👤 Eleftherios M. Logothetis
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-28 17:38
CPC Classifications
F; F02; F02D; F02D41/00; F02D41/22; F02D17/00; F02D17/04; F02P; F02P11/00; F02P9/00; F02P9/002
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 16
Claim 1
Independent Claim
95 words
A system for the interruption of the operation of a motor vehicle equipped with an internal combustion engine, including the steps of: means for sensing when the exhaust gas oxygen (EGO) sensor signal level of the vehicle exhaust gas rises above a predetermined value and providing a first output signal; means for recognizing an idling condition of the engine and providing a second output signal; and means for interrupting engine operation when the first output signal indicates an EGO sensor signal level above the predetermined value and the second output signal indicates an idling engine.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
95 words
A system for the interruption of the operation of a motor vehicle equipped with an internal combustion engine, including the steps of: means for sensing when the exhaust gas oxygen (EGO) sensor signal level of the vehicle exhaust gas rises above a predetermined value and providing a first output signal; means for recognizing an idling condition of the engine and providing a second output signal; and means for interrupting engine operation when the first output signal indicates an EGO sensor signal level above the predetermined value and the second output signal indicates an idling engine.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
33 words
A system as recited in claim 1 in which said means for sensing the EGO sensor signal level concentration is an electrochemical solid-state sensor positioned in the exhaust gas path of the vehicle.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
36 words
A system as recited in claim 2 in which said means for sensing the EGO sensor signal level concentration is a resistive type exhaust gas oxygen sensor positioned in the exhaust gas path of the vehicle.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
38 words
A system as recited in claim 1 in which said means for interrupting engine operation provides for permitting the resumption of engine operation when the EGO sensor signal level of the exhaust gas falls below the predetermined value.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
17 words
A system as recited in claim 1 where the predetermined level is set at about 600 millivolts.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
20 words
A system as recited in claim 1 wherein said means for recognizing an idling condition includes an electronic engine control.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
43 words
A system as recited in claim 1 further comprising means for sensing engine transmission position in neutral and park, and said means for interrupting engine operation further includes an input to receive an additional signal indicating engine transmission position in neutral or park.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
91 words
A method for interrupting operation of a motor vehicle equipped with an internal combustion engine, including the steps of: sensing when the EGO sensor signal level in the vehicle exhaust gas rises above a predetermined value and providing a first output signal to indicate such level; recognizing an idling condition of the engine and providing a second output signal to indicate such condition; and interrupting engine operation when the first output signal indicates an EGO sensor signal level above the predetermined value and the second output signal indicates an idling engine.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
91 words
A method for interrupting operation of a motor vehicle equipped with an internal combustion engine, including the steps of: sensing when the EGO sensor signal level in the vehicle exhaust gas rises above a predetermined value and providing a first output signal to indicate such level; recognizing an idling condition of the engine and providing a second output signal to indicate such condition; and interrupting engine operation when the first output signal indicates an EGO sensor signal level above the predetermined value and the second output signal indicates an idling engine.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
28 words
A method as recited in claim 8 in which said step of sensing the EGO sensor signal level concentration uses an electrochemical solid-state sensor in the exhaust gas.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
31 words
A method as recited in claim 9 in which said step of sensing the EGO sensor signal level concentration uses a resistive type exhaust gas oxygen sensor in the exhaust gas.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
39 words
A method as recited in claim 8 in which said step of interrupting engine operation provides for permitting the resumption of engine operation when the EGO sensor voltage signal level in the surrounding ambient falls below the predetermined value.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
17 words
A method as recited in claim 8 where the predetermined level is set at about 600 millivolts.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
21 words
A method as recited in claim 8 wherein said step of recognizing an idling condition includes using an electronic engine control.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
50 words
A method as recited in claim 8 further comprising the step of sensing engine transmission position in a neutral position and a park position, and said step of interrupting engine operation requires sensing an additional signal indicating engine transmission position in one of the neutral position or the park position.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1996-04-26 | 1996-10-26 | 1997-04-27 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2000-04-26 | 2000-10-26 | 2001-04-27 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2004-04-26 | 2004-10-26 | 2005-04-27 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |