# US 2014/0150756 A1 · Charge air cooler component diagnostics > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2014/0150756 A1 - Document ID: US20140150756A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 13/706,090 - Filed: 2012-12-05 - Published: 2014-06-05 - Earliest claimed: 2012-12-05 - Assignees: Ford Global Technologies, LLC - Applicants: Ford Global Technologies, LLC - Inventors: Craig Alan Smith; Joseph Patrick Whitehead; Chris Paul Glugla; Charles Allen Cockerill - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20140150756A1 ## CPC - F02M 31/205: {Control} - F02B 29/0418: {the intake air cooler having a bypass or multiple flow paths within the heat exchanger to vary the effective heat transfer surface} - F02B 29/0431: {Details or means to guide the ambient air to the heat exchanger, e.g. having a fan, flaps, a bypass or a special location in the engine compartment} - F02B 29/0493: {Controlling the air charge temperature} - F02M 35/1038: {for temperature or pressure} - F02B 29/0437: {Liquid cooled heat exchangers} - F02M 26/06: Low pressure loops, i.e. wherein recirculated exhaust gas is taken out from the exhaust downstream of the turbocharger turbine and reintroduced into the intake system upstream of the compressor - F02M 26/23: Layout, e.g. schematics - Y02T 10/12: Improving ICE efficiencies - F02M: SUPPLYING COMBUSTION ENGINES IN GENERAL WITH COMBUSTIBLE MIXTURES OR CONSTITUENTS THEREOF - F02B: INTERNAL-COMBUSTION PISTON ENGINES; COMBUSTION ENGINES IN GENERAL (gas-turbine plants F02C; hot-gas or combustion-product positive-displacement engine plants F02G) - Y02T: CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION TECHNOLOGIES RELATED TO TRANSPORTATION ## Abstract Embodiments for a charge air cooler are provided. In one example, a method comprises adjusting an operating parameter in response to a degraded grille shutter, the degraded grille shutter determined based on a temperature difference across a charge air cooler. In this way, degradation of the charge air cooler or engine may be reduced. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A method, comprising: adjusting an operating parameter in response to a degraded grille shutter, the degraded grille shutter determined based on a temperature difference across a charge air cooler. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the temperature difference comprises a difference between ambient temperature and throttle inlet temperature. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, further comprising if the temperature difference is different than an expected temperature difference, indicating the grille shutter is in a non-commanded position. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The method of claim 3, further comprising: if the grille shutter is the non-commanded position, then commanding a change in grill shutter position; determining if the grille shutter is still in the non-commanded position based on a second temperature difference across the charge air cooler; and if grill shutter is still in the non-commanded position, indicating a degraded grill shutter. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, further comprising if the degraded grill shutter is indicated, reducing engine torque. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, further comprising if the degraded grill shutter is indicated, increasing engine cooling fan speed. ### Claim 7 A method, comprising: adjusting an operating parameter in response to a degraded variable volume charge air cooler valve, the degraded variable volume charge air cooler valve determined based on a pressure difference across a charge air cooler. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The method of claim 7, wherein the pressure difference comprises a difference between charge air cooler inlet pressure and throttle inlet pressure. ### Claim 9 (depends on 7) The method of claim 7, further comprising if the pressure difference is different than an expected pressure difference, indicating the variable volume charge air cooler valve is in a non-commanded position. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The method of claim 9, further comprising: if the variable volume charge air cooler valve is the non-commanded position, then commanding a change in variable volume charge air cooler valve position; determining if the variable volume charge air cooler valve is still in the non-commanded position based on a second pressure difference across the charge air cooler; and if the variable volume charge air cooler valve is still in the non-commanded position, indicating a degraded variable volume charge air cooler valve. ### Claim 11 (depends on 7) The method of claim 7, further comprising if the degraded variable volume charge air cooler valve is indicated, reducing engine torque. ### Claim 12 (depends on 7) The method of claim 7, further comprising if the degraded variable volume charge air cooler valve is indicated, increasing engine cooling fan speed. ### Claim 13 (depends on 7) The method of claim 7, wherein the degraded variable volume charge air cooler valve if further determined based on a temperature difference across the charge air cooler. ### Claim 14 A method, comprising: indicating degradation of either a grille shutter or a variable volume charge air cooler valve based on a temperature drop across a charge air cooler during a first condition; if a pressure drop across the charge air cooler during a second condition is different than expected, then indicating degradation of the variable volume charge air cooler valve; if the pressure drop is not different than expected, then indicating degradation of the grille shutter; and adjusting an operating parameter based on the indicated degradation. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) The method of claim 14, wherein if degradation of the variable volume charge air cooler valve is indicated, then adjusting the operating parameter based on the indicated degradation further comprises adjusting engine torque. ### Claim 16 (depends on 14) The method of claim 14, wherein if degradation of the grille shutter is indicated, then adjusting the operating parameter based on the indicated degradation further comprises adjusting a speed of an engine cooling fan. ### Claim 17 (depends on 14) The method of claim 14, further comprising adjusting a position of the variable volume charge air cooler valve based on engine load. ### Claim 18 (depends on 14) The method of claim 14, further comprising adjusting a position of the grill shutter based on charge air cooler temperature. ### Claim 19 (depends on 14) The method of claim 14, wherein the first condition comprises steady state engine operation above a threshold vehicle speed. ### Claim 20 (depends on 14) The method of claim 14, wherein the second condition comprises known throttle angle and wastegate position.