Intermittent cooling fan control
AssigneeCaterpillar Inc.
InventorsDavid L. Dickrell, Kyle W. Scholl, Scott G. Sinn
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An electronic engine control is disclosed having an electronic cooling fan control. The cooling fan is turned on or off according to a predetermined strategy and inputs from several engine parameter sensors. By disengaging the cooling fan when it is not needed for engine cooling, the fan control reduces the power that is unnecessarily drawn from the engine to drive the fan.
Claims33
A control for use in connection with an internal combustion engine having a plurality of combustion cylinders, an intake manifold, and a radiator, said control comprising:
- a microprocessor;
- a memory device electrically connected to said microprocessor;
- engine cooling means for drawing air through said radiator, said engine cooling means being electrically connected to said microprocessor;
- an engine brake associated with at least one of said combustion cylinders and electrically connected to said microprocessor;
- a coolant temperature sensor attached to said radiator and electrically connected to said microprocessor;
- an intake manifold pressure sensor connected to said intake manifold and electrically connected to said microprocessor;
- an engine speed sensor electrically connected to said microprocessor;
- and
- wherein said microprocessor engages said engine cooling means as a function of inputs from said coolant temperature sensor, said intake manifold pressure sensor, and said engine speed sensor and as a function of an output from said microprocessor to said engine brake.
The control according to claim 17, wherein said microprocessor produces said second signal in response to said engine speed signal corresponding to an engine speed of less than a second predetermined engine speed value, and said microprocessor producing a coolant temperature sensor fault signal.
A method of operating an electronic fan control for use with an internal combustion engine having a plurality of combustion cylinders, an intake manifold, a radiator, a microprocessor, a memory device, engine cooling means for drawing air through said radiator, said engine cooling means electrically connected to said microprocessor, an engine brake associated with at least one of said combustion cylinders and electrically connected to said microprocessor, a coolant temperature sensor attached to said radiator and electrically connected to said microprocessor, an intake manifold pressure sensor connected to said intake manifold and electrically connected to said microprocessor, and an engine speed sensor electrically connected to said microprocessor. said method comprising the steps of:
- comparing said engine speed signal to a value corresponding to a first predetermined engine speed value;
- and
- disengaging said engine cooling means in response to said engine speed signal exceeding said value corresponding to the first predetermined engine speed value.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.