Aftermarket wireless gateway adaptation for internal combustion engine control module connection
AssigneeInpro/Seal LLC
InventorTrevor Harper
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A compact wireless Internet of Things (IOT) gateway for use with industrial internal combustion engines having an engine control module (ECM). The IOT gateway incorporates components, such as a cellular modem and cellular antenna, that enable the IOT gateway to receive, process, and transmit data, particularly performance data related to the engine on which the IOT gateway is mounted. The IOT gateway includes both male and female connectors for connecting to both an ECM and a wire harness assembly on the internal combustion engine. Features of the IOT gateway enable remote monitoring of electronic performance data of the internal combustion engine, as well as updating and reconfiguring control software of the internal combustion engine.
Claims15
An Internet of Things (IOT) gateway for use with an engine control module (ECM) and a wire harness assembly connector (WHAC), the ECM being operatively mounted on an internal combustion industrial engine, the IOT gateway comprising:
- an enclosure;
- an IOT female connector configured for first operative connection to a corresponding ECM male connector of the ECM, wherein the IOT female connector is the same as a WHAC female connector of the WHAC such that each of the IOT female connector and the WHAC female connector are configured for operative connection with the ECM male connector;
- an IOT male connector configured for second operative connection to the corresponding WHAC female connector, wherein the IOT male connector is the same as the ECM male connector such that each of the IOT male connector and the ECM male connector are configured for operative connection with the WHAC female connector, wherein the IOT female connector and the IOT male connector are disposed on different sides of the enclosure such that the IOT gateway is configured to be disposed between and operatively connect the ECM and the WHAC, wherein the WHAC is configured for connection with one or more other components of the internal combustion industrial engine;
- a printed circuit board (PCB) positioned within the enclosure;
- an electromagnetic (EM) shield positioned inside the enclosure of the IOT gateway, wherein the EM shield is disposed between the ECM and the PCB and is configured to direct EM radiation from the ECM away from the PCB;
- and
- a cellular modem, wherein the cellular modem enables the IOT gateway to receive, process, and transmit performance data received by the IOT gateway from the ECM mounted on the internal combustion industrial engine.
A system comprising:
- an internal combustion industrial engine;
- an engine control module (ECM) operatively mounted on the internal combustion industrial engine;
- a wire harness assembly connector (WHAC) coupled to one or more other components of the internal combustion industrial engine;
- and
- an Internet of Things (IOT) gateway for use with the ECM, the IOT gateway comprising:
- an enclosure;
- an IOT female connector configured for first operative connection to a corresponding ECM male connector of the ECM, wherein the IOT female connector is the same as a WHAC female connector of the WHAC such that each of the IOT female connector and the WHAC female connector are configured for operative connection with the ECM male connector;
- an IOT male connector configured for second operative connection to the corresponding WHAC female connector, wherein the IOT male connector is the same as the ECM male connector such that each of the IOT male connector and the ECM male connector are configured for operative connection with the WHAC female connector, wherein the IOT female connector and the IOT male connector are disposed on different sides of the enclosure such that the IOT gateway is configured to be disposed between and operatively connect the ECM and the WHAC, wherein the WHAC is coupled with one or more other components of the internal combustion industrial engine;
- a printed circuit board (PCB) positioned within the enclosure;
- an electromagnetic (EM) shield positioned inside the enclosure of the IOT gateway, wherein the EM shield is disposed between the ECM and the PCB and is configured to direct EM radiation from the ECM away from the PCB;
- and
- a cellular modem, wherein the cellular modem enables the IOT gateway to receive, process, and transmit performance data received by the IOT gateway from the ECM mounted on the internal combustion industrial engine.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.