Back to results
US 10,323,618 B1Granted
Systems and methods for engine knock sensor rationality check
AssigneeFord Global Technologies, LLC
InventorAed Dudar
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Methods and systems are provided for rationalizing an engine knock sensor. In one example, a method may include, responsive to an indication of an engine knock event, correlating an output of the engine knock sensor with an output of an on-board microphone to determine degradation of the engine knock sensor. By rationalizing the engine knock sensor against another on-board sensor (e.g., the on-board microphone), diagnostic fidelity may be increased.
Claims20
A method, comprising:
- via a controller,
- responsive to an indication of a knock event from a knock sensor coupled to an engine propelling a vehicle, correlating output of the knock sensor with output of a microphone on-board the vehicle to determine degradation of the knock sensor;
- and
- providing an alert to a vehicle operator responsive to determining degradation of the knock sensor.
1 more element
A method for a spark ignition engine, comprising:
- via a controller,
- adjusting a spark timing responsive to each of an output of a knock sensor coupled to the engine and an output of a microphone configured to measure sound produced by the engine, wherein the output of the microphone is used to determine a condition of the knock sensor.
A vehicle system, comprising:
- an engine including a plurality of cylinders, each cylinder including a spark plug coupled thereto;
- a knock sensor coupled to the engine;
- a microphone coupled in the vehicle;
- a controller holding instructions in non-transitory memory that, when executed, cause the controller to:
- determine a condition of the knock sensor based on an output of the knock sensor and an output of the microphone obtained during a detection of knock by the knock sensor;
- adjust a timing of a spark provided by the spark plug during a subsequent detection of knock by the knock sensor based on the determined condition.
3 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.