Engine operation interrupt using engine operating parameters
AssigneeFord Motor Company
InventorsMordecai Shelef, Eleftherios M. Logothetis
Life of this patent
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Abstract
This invention teaches a system for interrupting operation of the internal combustion engine of a vehicle so as to prevent an undesirably high level of carbon monoxide in the ambient by using the voltage output signal from an engine oxygen sensor placed in the exhaust stream. Engine operation is interrupted when there are simultaneous signals indicating both an EGO sensor signal level above a predetermined value and idling condition of the engine.
Claims14
A system for the interruption of the operation of a motor vehicle equipped with an internal combustion engine, including the steps of:
- means for sensing when the exhaust gas oxygen (EGO) sensor signal level of the vehicle exhaust gas rises above a predetermined value and providing a first output signal;
- means for recognizing an idling condition of the engine and providing a second output signal;
- and
- means for interrupting engine operation when the first output signal indicates an EGO sensor signal level above the predetermined value and the second output signal indicates an idling engine.
A method for interrupting operation of a motor vehicle equipped with an internal combustion engine, including the steps of:
- sensing when the EGO sensor signal level in the vehicle exhaust gas rises above a predetermined value and providing a first output signal to indicate such level;
- recognizing an idling condition of the engine and providing a second output signal to indicate such condition;
- and
- interrupting engine operation when the first output signal indicates an EGO sensor signal level above the predetermined value and the second output signal indicates an idling engine.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.