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US 9,243,755 B2Granted
Methods for an exhaust fluid level sensor
AssigneeFord Global Technologies, LLC
InventorsDon M. Lawrence, Scott Donald Cooper, Dwayne Pollitt, Jimmy Zhu, David T. Zultowski, Scott J. Szymusiak
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Various methods are provided for notifying a vehicle operator of various parameters based on an exhaust fluid level sensor of an exhaust fluid storage tank. In one example, the parameter is a consumption rate of the exhaust fluid. In another example, the parameter is an amount of fluid to be added to the exhaust fluid storage tank.
Claims17
A method for a vehicle system, comprising:
- filling a second exhaust fluid storage tank with exhaust fluid from a first exhaust fluid storage tank based on an exhaust fluid level in the second exhaust fluid storage tank, the exhaust fluid level in the second exhaust fluid storage tank is based on a flow of exhaust fluid out of the second exhaust fluid storage tank to an injector and a last reading from a discrete level sensor arranged in the second exhaust fluid storage tank;
- sensing, throughout a range, an exhaust fluid level in the first exhaust fluid storage tank with a continuous level sensor arranged therein;
- determining, based on the sensed exhaust fluid level in the first exhaust fluid storage tank, a maximum fill amount of the first exhaust fluid storage tank;
- adjusting the maximum fill amount, when the ambient temperature is less than a threshold temperature;
- and
- notifying a vehicle operator of the maximum fill amount.
3 more elements
A method for a vehicle system, comprising:
- filling a second exhaust fluid storage tank with exhaust fluid from a first exhaust fluid storage tank;
- receiving an indication of an exhaust fluid level in the first exhaust fluid storage tank throughout a range from a level sensor disposed therein;
- responsive to the indication of the exhaust fluid level and an amount of exhaust fluid supplied from the first exhaust fluid storage tank to the second exhaust fluid storage tank, estimating a consumption rate of the exhaust fluid;
- notifying a vehicle operator of the consumption rate of the exhaust fluid via a wireless communications system;
- determining, based on the indication of the exhaust fluid level in the first exhaust fluid storage tank, a maximum fill amount of the first exhaust fluid storage tank;
- decreasing the maximum fill amount responsive to an ambient temperature less than a threshold temperature, the threshold temperature determined based on a freezing point of the exhaust fluid;
- and
- notifying the vehicle operator of the maximum fill amount.
5 more elements
A method for a vehicle system, comprising:
- filling a second exhaust fluid storage tank with exhaust fluid from a first exhaust fluid storage tank based on an exhaust fluid level in the second exhaust fluid storage tank, the exhaust fluid level in the second exhaust fluid storage tank is based on a flow of exhaust fluid out of the second exhaust fluid storage tank to an injector and a last reading from a discrete level sensor disposed in the second exhaust fluid storage tank;
- receiving an indication of an exhaust fluid level in the first exhaust fluid storage tank throughout a range from a continuous level sensor disposed in the first exhaust fluid storage tank;
- and
- responsive to the indication of the exhaust fluid level, displaying an amount of exhaust fluid to be added to the first exhaust fluid storage tank to a vehicle operator.
1 more element
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.