US5815828A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method of measuring temperature of a catalytic converter
Assignee: FCA US LLC
•
Filing: 1997-07-08
•
Granted: 1998-09-29
•
Expires: 2017-07-08
Abstract
Abstract A method of measuring temperature of a catalytic converter in a motor vehicle includes the step of determining a first oxygen sensing mechanism output, determining if it is time to determine a second oxygen sensing mechanism output, and determining the second oxygen sensing mechanism output if it is time to determine the second oxygen sensing mechanism output. The method also includes the step of determining a change in oxygen sensing mechanism output by taking a difference between the first oxygen sensing mechanism output and the second oxygen sensing mechanism output. The method further includes the step of finding a catalytic converter temperature in a look-up table using the change in oxygen sensing mechanism output, and using the catalytic converter temperature as needed by an electronic control mechanism to operate an engine of the motor vehicle.
Inventors
- 👤 II Robert J. Nankee
- 👤 George C. Mitchell
- 👤 Mark E. McMackin
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 18:17
CPC Classifications
F; F01; F01N; F01N9/00; F01N9/005; F02; F02D; F02D41/00; F02D41/02; F02D41/14; F02D41/1438; F02D41/1439; F02D41/1441; F02D41/24; F02D41/26; F02D41/28; Y; Y02; Y02T; Y02T10/00; Y02T10/10; Y02T10/40
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 22
Claim 1
Independent Claim
114 words
A method of measuring temperature of a catalytic converter in a motor vehicle, said method comprising the steps of: measuring a first oxygen sensor output; determining if it is time to determine a second oxygen sensor output using a timer; determining the second oxygen sensor output if it is time to determine the second oxygen sensor output; determining a change in oxygen sensor output by taking a difference between the first oxygen sensor output and the second oxygen sensor output; finding a catalytic converter temperature in a look-up table using the change in oxygen sensor output; and sending the catalytic converter temperature to an electronic controller to operate an engine of the motor vehicle.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
114 words
A method of measuring temperature of a catalytic converter in a motor vehicle, said method comprising the steps of: measuring a first oxygen sensor output; determining if it is time to determine a second oxygen sensor output using a timer; determining the second oxygen sensor output if it is time to determine the second oxygen sensor output; determining a change in oxygen sensor output by taking a difference between the first oxygen sensor output and the second oxygen sensor output; finding a catalytic converter temperature in a look-up table using the change in oxygen sensor output; and sending the catalytic converter temperature to an electronic controller to operate an engine of the motor vehicle.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
31 words
A method as set forth in claim 1 including the step of determining if a first predetermined condition is met prior to the step of determining the first oxygen sensor output.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
37 words
A method as set forth in claim 1 including the step of determining if a second predetermined condition is met prior to the step of determining if it is time to determine a second oxygen sensor output.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
24 words
A method as set forth in claim 1 wherein the oxygen sensor is an oxygen sensor having an output signal measured as a voltage.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
60 words
A method as set forth in claim 1 wherein the step of determining if it is time using a timer comprises: determining if the timer is greater than a predetermined value; incrementing the timer if the timer is not greater than the predetermined value; and determining the second oxygen sensor output if the timer is greater than the predetermined value.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
144 words
A method of measuring temperature of a catalytic converter in a motor vehicle, said method comprising the steps of: determining if a first predetermined condition is met; measuring a first oxygen sensor output if the first predetermined condition is met; determining if a second predetermined condition is met; determining if it is time to measure a second oxygen sensor output using a timer if the second predetermined condition is met; measuring the second oxygen sensor output if it is time to measure the second oxygen sensor output; determining a change in oxygen sensor output by taking a difference between the first oxygen sensor output and the second oxygen sensor output; finding a catalytic converter temperature in a look-up table using the change in oxygen sensor output; and sending the catalytic converter temperature to an electronic controller to operate an engine of the motor vehicle.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
144 words
A method of measuring temperature of a catalytic converter in a motor vehicle, said method comprising the steps of: determining if a first predetermined condition is met; measuring a first oxygen sensor output if the first predetermined condition is met; determining if a second predetermined condition is met; determining if it is time to measure a second oxygen sensor output using a timer if the second predetermined condition is met; measuring the second oxygen sensor output if it is time to measure the second oxygen sensor output; determining a change in oxygen sensor output by taking a difference between the first oxygen sensor output and the second oxygen sensor output; finding a catalytic converter temperature in a look-up table using the change in oxygen sensor output; and sending the catalytic converter temperature to an electronic controller to operate an engine of the motor vehicle.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
22 words
A method as set forth in claim 6 wherein the first predetermined condition is if the engine is undergoing a cold start.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
24 words
A method as set forth in claim 6 wherein the oxygen sensor is an oxygen sensor having an output signal measured as a voltage.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
19 words
A method as set forth in claim 8 wherein the oxygen sensor is positioned downstream of the catalytic converter.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
28 words
A method as set forth in claim 6 wherein the second predetermined condition is if the engine speed is between an idle and a wide open throttle speed.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
24 words
A method as set forth in claim 6 wherein the second predetermined condition is if a manifold absolute pressure is within a predetermined range.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
60 words
A method as set forth in claim 6 wherein the step of determining if it is time using a timer comprises: determining if the timer is greater than a predetermined value; incrementing the timer if the timer is not greater than the predetermined value; and determining the second oxygen sensor output if the timer is greater than the predetermined value.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
37 words
A method as set forth in claim 6 wherein the look-up table includes a first array of values corresponding to a change in oxygen sensor output and a second array of values corresponding to catalytic converter temperature.
Claim 16
Independent Claim
203 words
A method of measuring temperature of a catalytic converter in a motor vehicle having an electronic controller, said method comprising the steps of: determining if a first predetermined condition is met; measuring a first oxygen sensor output if the first predetermined condition is met; initializing a timer; determining if a second predetermined condition is met; determining if it is time to measure a second oxygen sensor output if a second predetermined condition is met; incrementing the timer if it is time to measure the second oxygen sensor output; determining if the timer is greater than a predetermined value; returning to the step of incrementing the timer if the timer is not greater than the predetermined value; measuring the second oxygen sensor output if the timer is greater than the predetermined value; determining a change in oxygen sensor output by taking a difference between the first oxygen sensor output and the second oxygen sensor output; using the change in oxygen sensor output to look up a catalytic converter temperature from a look-up table of the change in oxygen sensor output corresponding to the catalytic converter temperature; and sending the catalytic converter temperature to an electronic controller to operate an engine of the motor vehicle.
Claim 17
Independent Claim
203 words
A method of measuring temperature of a catalytic converter in a motor vehicle having an electronic controller, said method comprising the steps of: determining if a first predetermined condition is met; measuring a first oxygen sensor output if the first predetermined condition is met; initializing a timer; determining if a second predetermined condition is met; determining if it is time to measure a second oxygen sensor output if a second predetermined condition is met; incrementing the timer if it is time to measure the second oxygen sensor output; determining if the timer is greater than a predetermined value; returning to the step of incrementing the timer if the timer is not greater than the predetermined value; measuring the second oxygen sensor output if the timer is greater than the predetermined value; determining a change in oxygen sensor output by taking a difference between the first oxygen sensor output and the second oxygen sensor output; using the change in oxygen sensor output to look up a catalytic converter temperature from a look-up table of the change in oxygen sensor output corresponding to the catalytic converter temperature; and sending the catalytic converter temperature to an electronic controller to operate an engine of the motor vehicle.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
22 words
A method as set forth in claim 14 wherein the first predetermined condition is if the engine is undergoing a cold start.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
23 words
A method as set forth in claim 14 wherein the oxygen sensor is an oxygen sensor having an output measured as a voltage.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
19 words
A method as set forth in claim 16 wherein the oxygen sensor is positioned downstream of the catalytic converter.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
28 words
A method as set forth in claim 14 wherein the second predetermined condition is if the engine speed is between an idle and a wide open throttle speed.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
24 words
A method as set forth in claim 14 wherein the second predetermined condition is if a manifold absolute pressure is within a predetermined range.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US5216880A
Cited
US5365216A
Cited
US5517848A
Cited
US5693877A
Cited
US5431043A
Cited
US5427070A
Cited
US5431044A
Cited
US5509267A
Cited
US5497655A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2001-09-28 | 2002-03-30 | 2002-09-29 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2005-09-28 | 2006-03-30 | 2006-09-29 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2009-09-28 | 2010-03-30 | 2010-09-29 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |