Patent ID: 6389889
Filing Date: 2002-05-21
Classification: F01P,G01M

Abstract:
A method for analyzing a cooling system of an internal combustion engine wherein the engine includes a radiator, a thermostat coupled to the engine, and inlet and outlet hoses connecting an inlet and an outlet of the radiator to the engine wherein the inlet and outlet hoses each have a heat level due to heated coolant flowing therethrough, the method comprising:monitoring the heat level of the inlet radiator hose with a first sensor and the outlet radiator hose with a second sensor to produce separate temperature signals; monitoring the first and second temperature signals to provide a series of discrete temperature outputs; applying the discrete Temperature outputs to logic circuits; applying timing signals for temperature outputs to the logic circuits; determining in the logic circuits if the first and second temperature level signals have occurred during selected time intervals between delayed-on and delayed-off time signals indicative of particular faults in the cooling system, and, if so, providing outputs from the logic circuits indicative of a temperature/time condition of the cooling system of the engine; and applying the outputs of the logic circuits to an indicator which indicates a fault if the selected temperature level signals occur during the selected lime period.