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US 2013/0255604 A1Published application
Engine cooling system control
AssigneeFord Global Technologies, LLC
InventorsJohn Eric Rollinger, Robert Roy Jentz, Ross Dykstra Pursifull
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Methods and systems are provided for diagnosing each of a plurality of engine cooling system components including various valves and grill shutters. Each valve may be individually closed and opened for a specified duration, and corresponding changes in coolant temperature may be monitored. If all the components are functional, the various valves may be adjusted to stagnate coolant at the engine and expedite engine warm-up during a cold-start.
Claims20
A method, comprising,
- during an engine cold start,
- individually closing and opening each of a plurality of cooling system valves to stagnate a volume of coolant in a section of the cooling system while exposing a cooling system thermostat to a remaining volume of coolant;
- and
- diagnosing each of the plurality of valves based on a change in the coolant temperature sensed at the thermostat during the individual closing and opening.
1 more element
A method for a vehicle, comprising:
- during an engine cold start,
- sequentially diagnosing each of a plurality of engine cooling system valves by,
- selectively closing one of the plurality of valves, at a time, to stagnate a volume of coolant at the engine for a specified duration;
- monitoring a change in at least a coolant temperature over the specified duration;
- and
- indicating degradation of the one of the plurality of valves based on the monitored change.
3 more elements
A vehicle system, comprising:
- an engine;
- a transmission coupled to a transmission oil cooler;
- a grill shutter system coupled to a front end of the vehicle;
- a heater core configured to provide heat to a vehicle passenger cabin;
- a radiator including a fan;
- an engine cooling system configured to circulate coolant, via a plurality of coolant loops and valves, around each of the engine, the transmission oil cooler, the heater core, and the radiator based on a coolant temperature sensed at a thermostat of the cooling system;
- and
- a controller with computer readable instructions for,
- during an engine cold start,
- diagnosing each of the plurality of valves and the grill shutter system by selectively closing one of the plurality of valves and grill shutter system, at a time, for a specified duration and monitoring a change in at least a coolant temperature over the specified duration;
- indicating degradation of one of the plurality of valves and the grill shutter system based on the monitored change;
- and
- in response to no indication of degradation, adjusting each of the plurality of valves to stagnate hotter coolant at the engine while exposing the thermostat to a cooler coolant.
10 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.