US 10,119,511 B1 · Engine pre-overheat sensor and warning system

Abstract

A pre-overheat system for minimizing engine damage due to overheating includes a temperature sensor and a warning system that alerts the vehicle's operator (using light, sound, vibration, etc.) if temperatures exceed steady-state temperatures and/or reach higher pre-overheat temperatures. Steady-state temperatures are measurable when the vehicle is functioning normally (especially its cooling system) and is running in normal environmental conditions, but is lower than a redzone overheat temperature for the particular vehicle. When the redzone overheat temperature is reached, the vehicle has gotten too hot and is likely to sustain irreparable damage. The operator can reduce or prevent damage to the vehicle by taking corrective action (such as stopping and checking coolant level and clearing debris from clogged vents and screens) before the vehicle is overheated. A shutdown mechanism can shut off the vehicle before the redzone overheat temperatures are reached.

Claims20

Dependent claims

A pre-overheat system for preventing damage to an engine of a vehicle resulting from overheating, the system including:

a. a temperature sensor configured to provide a temperature reading in a running vehicle, the temperature reading being dependent on the vehicle engine temperature;
b. a warning alarm configured to provide one or more of:
(1) a visible warning signal,
(2) an audible warning signal, and
(3) a tactile warning signal,
when the warning alarm is engaged;
c. a controller configured to engage the warning alarm if the temperature reading exceeds a vehicle pre-overheat temperature, wherein the vehicle pre-overheat temperature is:
(1) greater than a vehicle steady-state temperature, the vehicle steady-state temperature being the temperature reading arising while the vehicle is:
(a) functioning normally, and
(b) running in normal environmental conditions, and
(2) less than a vehicle redzone temperature, the vehicle redzone temperature being the temperature reading arising when the vehicle engine is experiencing damage from overheating.

8 more elements

A pre-overheat system for preventing damage to an engine of a vehicle resulting from overheating, the system including:

a. a temperature sensor configured to provide a temperature reading in a running vehicle, the temperature reading being dependent on the vehicle engine temperature;
b. a warning alarm including one or more of:
(1) a light,
(2) a sound emitter, and
(3) a vibration mechanism,
the warning alarm emitting a warning signal when the warning alarm is engaged;
c. a controller configured to engage the warning alarm if the temperature reading exceeds a vehicle pre-overheat temperature, wherein the vehicle pre-overheat temperature is:
(1) at least 5° F. greater than a vehicle steady-state temperature, the vehicle steady-state temperature being the temperature reading arising while the vehicle is:
(a) functioning normally, and
(b) running in normal environmental conditions, and
(2) less than a vehicle redzone temperature, the vehicle redzone temperature being at least 50° F. greater than the vehicle steady-state temperature.

8 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Engine pre-overheat sensor and warning system

Life of this patent

Engine pre-overheat sensor and warning system

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims20