US5742920A — Display for a temperature control system

Claim 1

Independent Claim 178 words

A system for displaying engine temperature information for a temperature control system in an internal combustion engine, the system comprising: a first temperature sensor for sensing an ambient air temperature and providing a signal indicative thereof; a second temperature sensor for sensing an engine oil temperature and providing a signal indicative thereof; a third temperature sensor for sensing a temperature of the temperature control fluid and providing a signal indicative thereof; an engine computer for receiving the sensed temperature signals of the ambient air, the engine oil and the temperature control fluid, the engine computer comparing the sensed ambient air temperature to a first set of predetermined values having an ambient air temperature component and an engine oil temperature component, the engine computer determining a desired engine oil temperature based on the comparison of the sensed ambient air temperature to the set of predetermined values, the engine computer providing a signal indicative of the desired engine oil temperature; a display system for receiving and displaying the desired engine oil temperature signal and the sensed engine oil temperature signal.

Claim 2

Independent Claim 178 words

A system for displaying engine temperature information for a temperature control system in an internal combustion engine, the system comprising: a first temperature sensor for sensing an ambient air temperature and providing a signal indicative thereof; a second temperature sensor for sensing an engine oil temperature and providing a signal indicative thereof; a third temperature sensor for sensing a temperature of the temperature control fluid and providing a signal indicative thereof; an engine computer for receiving the sensed temperature signals of the ambient air, the engine oil and the temperature control fluid, the engine computer comparing the sensed ambient air temperature to a first set of predetermined values having an ambient air temperature component and an engine oil temperature component, the engine computer determining a desired engine oil temperature based on the comparison of the sensed ambient air temperature to the set of predetermined values, the engine computer providing a signal indicative of the desired engine oil temperature; a display system for receiving and displaying the desired engine oil temperature signal and the sensed engine oil temperature signal.

Claim 3

Dependent Claim 24 words

A system for displaying engine temperature information according to claim 1 wherein the display system is in a dashboard instrument panel of an automobile.

Claim 4

Dependent Claim 36 words

A system for displaying engine temperature information according to claim 2 wherein the display system is an analog display and wherein the desired engine oil temperature signal and the sensed oil temperature signal are analog signals.

Claim 5

Dependent Claim 36 words

A system for displaying engine temperature information according to claim 2 wherein the display system is a digital display and wherein the desired engine oil temperature signal and the sensed oil temperature signal are digital signals.

Claim 6

Dependent Claim 55 words

A system for displaying engine temperature information according to claim 1, the display further comprising: a temperature mark indicative of a temperature value, the temperature mark being a function of the desired engine oil temperature; and an indicator for indicating the sensed engine oil temperature, the indicator being movable with respect to the temperature mark.

Claim 7

Dependent Claim 34 words

A system for displaying engine temperature information according to claim 5 wherein the temperature mark is movable with respect to the display, and wherein the engine computer positions the mark in a predetermined location.

Claim 8

Dependent Claim 22 words

A system for displaying engine temperature information according to claim 6 wherein the predetermined location is always in approximately the same location.

Claim 9

Dependent Claim 58 words

A system for displaying engine temperature information according to claim 1, the display further comprising: a plurality of temperature zones, each zone being indicative of a range of temperature values and being visually differentiable from the other zones; and an indicator for indicating the sensed engine oil temperature, the indicator being movable with respect to the temperature zones.

Claim 10

Dependent Claim 39 words

A system for displaying engine temperature information according to claim 1 wherein the desired engine oil temperature is displayed as an alphanumeric value on the display, and wherein the sensed engine oil temperature is displayed in a comparative manner.

Claim 11

Dependent Claim 23 words

A system for displaying engine temperature information according to claim 9 wherein the sensed engine oil temperature is displayed as an alphanumeric value.

Claim 12

Dependent Claim 69 words

A system for displaying engine temperature information according to claim 9, the display further comprising a plurality of indicator lights, each indicator light representing a range of temperature values and being visually distinguishable from the other indicator lights, the sensed engine oil temperature being displayed by illuminating at least one indicator when the sensed engine oil temperature falls within the range of temperature values associated with the indicator light.

Claim 13

Dependent Claim 67 words

A system for displaying engine temperature information according to claim 1, the display further comprising: a series of temperature marks representing various temperature values, a desired engine oil indicator movable with respect to the temperature marks, the desired engine oil indicator displaying the desired engine oil temperature, and a sensed engine oil indicator movable with respect to the temperature marks for displaying the sensed engine oil temperature.

Claim 14

Dependent Claim 76 words

A system for displaying engine temperature information according to claim 1, the display further comprises a bar graph with a reference block indicative of the overall range of engine oil temperatures, a temperature indicator block movable with respect to the reference block for providing a visual indication of the sensed engine oil temperature, and a desired engine oil temperature indicator positioned adjacent to the reference block at a location indicative of the desired engine oil temperature.

Claim 15

Dependent Claim 282 words

A system for displaying engine temperature information according to claim 1 wherein the engine computer compares the sensed ambient air temperature to a second set of predetermined values, the second set of predetermined values having a temperature control fluid temperature component and an ambient air temperature component, the engine computer determining a desired temperature control fluid temperature based on the comparison; and wherein the display receives a signal indicative of the engine oil pressure, the display further comprising a plurality of indicator lights, each indicator light being visually distinguishable from the others, the indicator lights including a first indicator light representing engine oil temperature and engine oil pressure threshold values, the first indicator light being illuminated when the sensed engine oil temperature and sensed engine oil pressure are each above respective threshold values, said light representing an engine operational condition wherein the engine is sufficiently warmed, a second indicator light representing a range of temperature control fluid temperature values below the desired temperature control fluid temperature, the second indicator light being illuminated when the sensed temperature control fluid temperature lies within the range, a third indicator light representing a first range of engine oil temperature values above and below the desired engine oil temperature, the third indicator light being illuminated when the sensed engine oil temperature falls within the first range, a fourth indicator light representing a second range of engine oil temperature values, the fourth indicator light being illuminated when the sensed engine oil temperature is within the second range, and a fifth indicator light representing a third range of engine oil temperature values, the fifth indicator light being illuminated when the sensed engine oil temperature lies within the third range.

Claim 16

Dependent Claim 25 words

A system for displaying engine temperature information according to claim 14 wherein the first range of engine oil temperature values varies with ambient air temperature.

Claim 17

Dependent Claim 68 words

A system for displaying engine temperature information according to claim 15 wherein the first range extends about 10° F. above and about 10° F. below the desired engine oil temperature when the ambient air temperature is above 20° F., and wherein the first range extends about 20° F. above and about 20° F. below the desired engine oil temperature when the ambient air temperature is below 20° F.

Claim 18

Dependent Claim 68 words

A system for displaying engine temperature information according to claim 1 further comprising a viscosity detector located within the engine oil for sensing viscosity of the engine oil, the detector providing a signal indicative of the oil viscosity, and wherein the display receives the oil viscosity signal, the display including an oil viscosity indicator light which is illuminated when the oil viscosity signal falls below a threshold value.

Claim 19

Dependent Claim 35 words

A system for displaying engine temperature information according to claim 1 wherein the display system is part of an engine operation test system, the engine operation test system monitoring performance of the temperature control system.

Claim 20

Dependent Claim 85 words

A system for displaying engine temperature information according to claim 18 wherein the engine operation test system provides an ambient air temperature to the engine computer representing the sensed ambient air signal, the engine computer determines a desired engine oil temperature based on the signal and sends the desired engine oil temperature to the engine operation test system, the engine operation test system compares the desired engine oil temperature against a predetermined engine oil temperature signal and provides an output signal based on the comparison.

Claim 21

Dependent Claim 35 words

A system for displaying engine temperature information according to claim 18 wherein the engine operation test system receives signals from the engine computer indicative of past sensed engine oil temperature and desired engine oil temperatures.

Claim 22

Independent Claim 182 words

A system for displaying temperature information for a temperature control system in an internal combustion engine, the system comprising: a first temperature sensor for sensing an ambient air temperature and providing a signal indicative thereof; a second temperature sensor for sensing an actual engine oil temperature and providing a signal indicative thereof; a third temperature sensor for sensing a temperature of the temperature control fluid and providing a signal indicative thereof; an engine computer for receiving the sensed temperature signals of the ambient air, the engine oil and the temperature control fluid, the engine computer comparing the sensed ambient air temperature to a set of predetermined values having an ambient air temperature component and a temperature control fluid temperature component, the engine computer determining a desired temperature control fluid temperature based on the comparison of the sensed ambient air temperature to the set of predetermined values, the engine computer providing a signal indicative of the desired temperature control fluid temperature; a display system for receiving and displaying the desired temperature control fluid temperature signal and the sensed temperature control fluid temperature signal.

Claim 23

Independent Claim 182 words

A system for displaying temperature information for a temperature control system in an internal combustion engine, the system comprising: a first temperature sensor for sensing an ambient air temperature and providing a signal indicative thereof; a second temperature sensor for sensing an actual engine oil temperature and providing a signal indicative thereof; a third temperature sensor for sensing a temperature of the temperature control fluid and providing a signal indicative thereof; an engine computer for receiving the sensed temperature signals of the ambient air, the engine oil and the temperature control fluid, the engine computer comparing the sensed ambient air temperature to a set of predetermined values having an ambient air temperature component and a temperature control fluid temperature component, the engine computer determining a desired temperature control fluid temperature based on the comparison of the sensed ambient air temperature to the set of predetermined values, the engine computer providing a signal indicative of the desired temperature control fluid temperature; a display system for receiving and displaying the desired temperature control fluid temperature signal and the sensed temperature control fluid temperature signal.

Claim 24

Dependent Claim 23 words

A system for displaying temperature information according to claim 21 wherein the display system is in a dashboard instrument panel of an automobile.

Claim 25

Dependent Claim 38 words

A system for displaying temperature information according to claim 22 wherein the display system is an analog display and wherein the desired temperature control fluid temperature signal and the sensed temperature control fluid temperature signal are analog signals.

Claim 26

Dependent Claim 38 words

A system for displaying temperature information according to claim 22, wherein the display system is a digital display and wherein the desired temperature control fluid temperature signal and the sensed temperature control fluid temperature signal are digital signals.

Claim 27

Dependent Claim 56 words

A system for displaying temperature information according to claim 21, the display further comprising: a temperature mark indicative of a temperature value, the temperature mark being a function of the desired temperature control fluid temperature; and an indicator for indicating the sensed temperature control fluid temperature, the indicator being movable with respect to the temperature mark.

Claim 28

Dependent Claim 33 words

A system for displaying temperature information according to claim 25 wherein the temperature mark is movable with respect to the display, and wherein the engine computer positions the mark in a predetermined location.

Claim 29

Dependent Claim 21 words

A system for displaying temperature information according to claim 26 wherein the predetermined location is always in approximately the same location.

Claim 30

Dependent Claim 58 words

A system for displaying temperature information according to claim 21, the display further comprising: a plurality of temperature zones, each zone being indicative of a range of temperature values and being visually differentiable from the other zones; and an indicator for indicating the sensed temperature control fluid temperature, the indicator being movable with respect to the temperature zones.

Claim 31

Dependent Claim 40 words

A system for displaying temperature information according to claim 21 wherein the desired temperature control fluid temperature is displayed as an alphanumeric value on the display, and wherein the sensed temperature control fluid temperature is displayed in a comparative manner.

Claim 32

Dependent Claim 23 words

A system for displaying temperature information according to claim 29 wherein the sensed temperature control fluid temperature is displayed as an alphanumeric value.

Claim 33

Dependent Claim 71 words

A system for displaying temperature information according to claim 29, the display further comprising a plurality of indicator lights, each indicator light representing a range of temperature values and being visually distinguishable from the other indicator lights, the sensed temperature control fluid temperature being displayed by illuminating at least one indicator light when the sensed temperature control fluid temperature falls within the range of temperature values associated with the indicator light.

Claim 34

Dependent Claim 66 words

A system for displaying temperature information according to claim 21, the display further comprising a series of temperature marks representing various temperature values, a desired temperature control fluid indicator movable with respect to the temperature marks for displaying the desired temperature control fluid temperature, and a sensed temperature control fluid indicator movable with respect to the temperature marks for displaying the sensed temperature control fluid temperature.

Claim 35

Dependent Claim 79 words

A system for displaying temperature information according to claim 21, the display further comprises a bar graph with a reference block indicative of the overall range of temperature control fluid temperatures, a temperature indicator block movable with respect to the reference block for providing a visual indication of the sensed temperature control fluid temperature, and a desired temperature control fluid temperature indicator positioned adjacent to the reference block at a location indicative of the desired temperature control fluid temperature.

Claim 36

Dependent Claim 67 words

A system for displaying temperature information according to claim 21 further comprising a viscosity detector located within the engine oil for sensing viscosity of the engine oil, the detector providing a signal indicative of the oil viscosity, and wherein the display receives the oil viscosity signal, the display including an oil viscosity indicator light which is illuminated when the oil viscosity signal falls below a threshold value.

Claim 37

Independent Claim 276 words

A system for determining the operational state of a temperature control system in an internal combustion engine, the system comprising: a first temperature sensor for sensing an ambient air temperature and providing a signal indicative thereof; a second temperature sensor for sensing an engine oil temperature and providing a signal indicative thereof; a third temperature sensor for sensing a temperature of the temperature control fluid and providing a signal indicative thereof; a flow control valve actuatable between a first and second position for controlling the flow of temperature control fluid; an engine computer for receiving the sensed temperature signals of the ambient air, the engine oil and the temperature control fluid, the engine computer comparing the sensed ambient air temperature to a first set of predetermined values having an ambient air temperature component and an engine oil temperature component, the engine computer determining a desired engine oil temperature based on the comparison of the sensed ambient air temperature to the set of predetermined values, the engine computer providing a signal indicative of the desired engine oil temperature, the engine computer determining the position of the flow control valve as a function of the ambient temperature; an engine operation test system for receiving the desired temperature signals, the test system comprising a display for displaying the desired temperature signals, and a test system computer for sending a plurality of test signals to the engine computer, the engine computer using the test signals to determine the position of the flow control valve, the engine computer providing a signal to the engine operation test system indicative of the position of the flow control valve for displaying on the display.

Claim 38

Independent Claim 276 words

A system for determining the operational state of a temperature control system in an internal combustion engine, the system comprising: a first temperature sensor for sensing an ambient air temperature and providing a signal indicative thereof; a second temperature sensor for sensing an engine oil temperature and providing a signal indicative thereof; a third temperature sensor for sensing a temperature of the temperature control fluid and providing a signal indicative thereof; a flow control valve actuatable between a first and second position for controlling the flow of temperature control fluid; an engine computer for receiving the sensed temperature signals of the ambient air, the engine oil and the temperature control fluid, the engine computer comparing the sensed ambient air temperature to a first set of predetermined values having an ambient air temperature component and an engine oil temperature component, the engine computer determining a desired engine oil temperature based on the comparison of the sensed ambient air temperature to the set of predetermined values, the engine computer providing a signal indicative of the desired engine oil temperature, the engine computer determining the position of the flow control valve as a function of the ambient temperature; an engine operation test system for receiving the desired temperature signals, the test system comprising a display for displaying the desired temperature signals, and a test system computer for sending a plurality of test signals to the engine computer, the engine computer using the test signals to determine the position of the flow control valve, the engine computer providing a signal to the engine operation test system indicative of the position of the flow control valve for displaying on the display.

Annuity Stage	Window Opens	Payment Deadline	Surcharge Period Until	Estimated Fee	Status
3.5 Years (Year 4)	2001-04-20	2001-10-20	2002-04-21	$2000.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8)	2005-04-20	2005-10-20	2006-04-21	$3760.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12)	2009-04-20	2009-10-20	2010-04-21	$7700.00	Window Closed / Lapsed

Display for a temperature control system

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