STRATEGY FOR DETECTING COMBUSTION GAS LEAKS

Abstract

Working machine (10) with a remote diagnostic system (200), the working machine (10) comprising: an internal combustion engine (24); a pump (108) driven by the internal combustion engine (24) with an inlet (124) and an outlet (122); a coolant temperature sensor (140) designed to monitor and transmit the temperature of the coolant fluid; a pressure sensor (128) coupled to the inlet (124) of the pump (108), wherein the pressure sensor (128) is designed to monitor and transmit a pressure of the coolant fluid at the inlet (124) of the pump (108); and a control unit (136) comprising a processor, in operative connection with the internal combustion engine (24), the coolant temperature sensor (140), the pressure sensor (128) and the remote diagnostic system (200), wherein the remote diagnostic system (200) comprises a device maintenance advisor module (202) and a display module (204), wherein the device maintenance advisor module (202) comprises a processor (208) and is designed for: Monitoring the temperature of the coolant fluid during a start-up of the working machine (10), Monitoring the coolant pressure during a start-up of the working machine (10), Calculating an expected coolant pressure based on the monitored coolant temperature and coolant pressure, and Generating a fault code indicating a combustion gas leak into a cooling system (100) of the internal combustion engine (24) when the monitored coolant pressure exceeds the expected coolant pressure.

Description

Technical area

[0001] The present disclosure relates generally to engine system diagnostics, and more particularly to systems and methods for detecting combustion gas leaks in a work machine. State of the art

[0002] Internal combustion engines rely on the ignition and combustion of fuel and air within a cylinder to generate pressure and kinetic energy, ultimately driving the rotation of a crankshaft. The gases produced during combustion are typically sealed within the engine's combustion chamber via a head gasket. Various types of gaskets and cylinder liners also help contain combustion gases within engine cylinders. A defective cylinder head gasket, a cracked cylinder liner, or even an eroded gasket can easily allow combustion gases to enter the engine cooling system and cause engine damage.

[0003] Detecting a combustion gas leak is time-consuming and often requires expensive test kits. This is because combustion gas leaks typically manifest as engine cooling system failures. For example, when combustion gases enter a working machine's engine cooling system, the gas can aerate the coolant fluid, causing a common diagnostic system for the working machine to generate a trouble code indicating a reduction in coolant flow. Air absorption can also cause disproportionate coolant overflow, causing the diagnostic system to generate a trouble code simply indicating that the coolant level is too low. In both examples, the damage to the engine or engine cooling system may appear harmless based on the trouble codes generated by the diagnostic systems.However, if the underlying combustion gas leak is not detected and corrected, it can ultimately lead to failure of the engine and its associated systems.

[0004] Previous attempts at diagnosing combustion gas leaks in internal combustion engines have focused on methods for confirming a combustion gas leak after the leak has already been suspected. For example, US 4,667,507 A discloses a method for testing the seal integrity of the engine by operating the engine until it reaches a normal operating temperature, venting the pressure within the coolant system to atmospheric pressure by opening a valve fluidly connected between the coolant system and the atmosphere, closing the valve, and then operating the engine again for a predetermined test duration while measuring the pressure within the coolant system.

[0005] The systems and methods described above for confirming suspected combustion gas leaks are both time-consuming and costly, and require the working machine to be out of service during testing. Consequently, there remains a need for an improved strategy for combustion leak detection and diagnostics of working machines.

[0006] US 2019 / 0 040 815 A1 discloses a cooling device for an engine, wherein a cylinder head has a head-side jacket through which coolant flows. A main circulation path and a secondary circulation path are formed through which the coolant supplied by a coolant pump circulates.

[0007] US 2020 / 0 063 653 A1 teaches an engine device having an engine and a carburetor that vaporizes a liquefied fuel gas from a fuel gas source for storing a liquefied fuel gas, wherein a portion of the coolant in the engine is distributed to the carburetor. The engine device includes a water-cooled exhaust manifold with a coolant passage for cooling an exhaust passage and a switching mechanism for connecting a coolant inlet of the carburetor to a carburetor coolant outlet of the engine or to a coolant outlet of the water-cooled exhaust manifold.

[0008] US 2020 / 0 362 800 A1 discloses a system and method for controlling variable speed coolant pumps for vehicle cooling systems using a controller that incorporates measured heat dissipation and hydraulic system performance data of the cooling system.

[0009] US 5 868 105 A teaches an engine cooling system with a temperature-controlled expansion chamber for maintaining a substantially water-free coolant and a corresponding cooling method.

[0010] KR 10 1 427 955 B1 discloses a method and a system for controlling a water pump in a vehicle.

[0011] DE 10 2005 052 615 A1 shows a metal gasket for an internal combustion engine with a cylinder head with inlet and exhaust sections and a cylinder block with a cylinder bore.

[0012] DE 11 2009 001 675 T5 relates to diagnosing a cooling subsystem of an engine system in response to a dynamic pressure sensed in the subsystem.

[0013] GB 964 429 A relates to a liquid circulation cooling device for internal combustion engines.

[0014] The present invention is directed to overcoming one or more of the problems or disadvantages associated with the prior art. Brief description

[0015] The object of the present invention is achieved by a work machine with a remote diagnostic system and by a method for detecting a combustion gas leak in an internal combustion engine of a work machine according to the main claims. The subclaims relate to preferred embodiments of the invention.

[0016] The aspects and features of the present disclosure will be better understood when the following detailed description is read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. Short description of the drawings Fig. 1 is a side perspective view of a work machine according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Fig. 2 is a schematic illustration of an engine cooling system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Fig. 3 is a schematic diagram of a remote diagnostic system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Fig. 4 is a flowchart illustrating a method for managing engine power of a work machine according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Detailed description

[0017] Reference will now be made in detail to specific embodiments or features, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Wherever possible, corresponding or similar reference numerals are used throughout the drawings to designate like or corresponding parts.

[0018] Fig. 1 illustrates a side perspective view of a work machine 10 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The exemplary work machine 10, as depicted herein, may be a stationary or mobile machine, such as a tracked tractor, although the features disclosed herein may be used with other types of machines, such as backhoes, compactors, excavators, dozers, loaders, motor graders, and other earthmoving machines. The illustrated work machine 10 includes a chassis 12 having one or more ground engaging mechanisms 14 configured to engage a ground surface 16 of a jobsite and move the work machine along the ground surface. While the present work machine 10 is illustrated with a pair of endless track assemblies, the ground engaging mechanisms 14 may be of any suitable type, including wheels.

[0019] The chassis 12 may support a main frame 18. The main frame 18 may support various components of the work machine 10, including a work tool system 20, an operator's cab 22, and an internal combustion engine 24 (hereinafter referred to as engine 24). The work tool system 20 may include a work tool 26, one or more reach arms 28, one or more hydraulic lift cylinders 30, and one or more hydraulic tilt cylinders 32. While the present work tool 26 is illustrated as a blade, the work tool may include any suitable tool or attachment, such as a bucket, ripper, compactor, forks, plow, trencher, or any other known work tool designed to grasp, hold, and transport material and / or heavy objects on the jobsite.The work tool 26 may be connected to the main frame 18 and / or the chassis 12 via at least one of the push arms 28, the lift cylinders 30, and / or the tilt cylinders 32. Alternatively, the work tool 26 may be connected to the main frame 18 by a power angle tilt (PAT) assembly (not shown). The push arms 28 may be coupled at one end to a roller frame 34 of the chassis 12 and at an opposite end to the work tool 26 to stabilize the work tool as the work machine 10 travels in the X direction. The hydraulic lift cylinders 30 may be configured to move the work tool in the Z direction, and the hydraulic tilt cylinders 32 may be configured to move the work tool in the Y direction.The push arms 28, lift cylinders 30, and tilt cylinders 32 may be configured to effect movement of the work implement 26 based on operator commands received via various input devices (not shown) located within the operator cab 22. Furthermore, the engine 24 may drive the ground engaging mechanisms 14, the work implement system 20, a cooling system 100 (Fig. Fig. 2), a hydraulic system (not shown) and various other components of the work machine 10.

[0020] The engine may, for example, be a diesel engine, a gasoline engine, a gaseous fuel engine, or any other type of internal combustion engine. The engine may be enclosed and protected by an engine hood 36 of the work machine 10. The engine 24 may also be connected to the cooling system 100 ( Fig. 2), which may also be at least partially housed within the hood 36. The cooling system may be configured to cool the engine and various other components (e.g., the transmission system (not shown)) of the work machine 10.

[0021] Fig. 2 illustrates a schematic diagram of an exemplary engine cooling system 100 that may be used to maintain stable engine temperatures of work machine 10 under varying operating conditions. The engine 24 may be an internal combustion engine including a plurality of cylinders 102, and each cylinder 102 may define a combustion chamber 104 therein. The cylinders 102 may be arranged in series, in a V-shape, or in another configuration as known in the art. Each combustion chamber 104 may receive a fuel or air-fuel mixture that is ignited to execute a power stroke and produce a desired power output for the work machine 10.

[0022] The combustion of the fuel or the air-fuel mixture generates heat within the engine 24. Consequently, the engine cooling system 100 may be configured to dissipate the heat generated within the engine 24 by circulating a coolant fluid within the engine 24. The coolant may be a liquid including, for example, water, ethylene glycol, and other suitable solutions. To enable coolant flow within the engine 24, the engine 24 may include an engine cooling jacket 106 having a plurality of fluid passages. While in Fig. 2 as surrounding an outer periphery of the engine 24, in a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the engine cooling jacket 106 may also or alternatively surround an exterior of each individual cylinder 102. By positioning the engine cooling jacket 106 proximate the combustion chambers 104 and maximizing the area of ​​the cylinder 102 in contact with the engine cooling jacket, the temperature of the engine 24 can be more precisely regulated.

[0023] The engine cooling system 100 may also include a coolant pump 108, a thermostatic valve 110, and a radiator 112. The coolant pump 108 may be driven by the engine 24 to circulate the coolant through the engine cooling system 100. Generally, the coolant may flow from the pump 108 through the engine cooling jacket 106 of the engine 24 and then through various lines that circulate the coolant back to the pump. The direction of the coolant flow is Fig. 2 by arrows 142. More specifically, the pump 108 may include a pump outlet 122 and a pump outlet conduit 114 fluidly coupled to the engine cooling jacket 106 and configured to facilitate the flow of coolant from the pump to the engine cooling jacket. After circulating through the engine 24 via the engine cooling jacket 106, the coolant may exit the engine via an engine outlet conduit 116, which may be fluidly coupled to the thermostatic valve 110. The coolant may then be routed back to the pump 108 via a bypass flowpath 118 and / or a radiator flowpath 120, as discussed in more detail below. Regardless of the flowpath, upon returning to the pump 108, the coolant may enter the pump at a pump inlet 124 via a pump inlet conduit 126.

[0024] The pump 108 may further include an inlet pressure sensor 128 connected to the pump inlet 124 and configured to monitor the pressure P1 of the coolant as it enters the pump via the pump inlet line 126. An outlet pressure sensor 130 may be connected to the pump outlet 122 and configured to monitor a pressure P2 of the coolant as it exits the pump via the pump outlet line 114. The inlet pressure sensor 128 and the outlet pressure sensor 130 may consist of any conventionally known pressure sensors suitable for measuring fluid pressure.

[0025] Both the intake pressure sensor 128 and the exhaust pressure sensor 130 may be in electronic communication with a controller 136 and electronically transmit data signals, readings, and / or sensed measurements to the controller for processing. The controller 136 may also be in electronic communication with an engine speed sensor 138 connected to the engine 24 and configured to measure a speed of the engine, a coolant temperature sensor 140 disposed in the engine outlet conduit 116 and configured to measure a temperature of the coolant, and the thermostatic valve 110. Like the intake pressure sensor 128 and the outlet pressure sensor 130, the engine speed sensor 138 and the coolant temperature sensor 140 may electronically transmit data signals, readings, and / or sensed measurements to the controller for processing.In particular, the coolant temperature sensor 140 may include any type of device(s) or any type of component(s) that can sense (or detect) a temperature of the coolant. While in . Fig. While a single coolant temperature sensor 140 is illustrated in Figure 2, multiple temperature sensors may also be used. In the illustrated embodiment, the coolant temperature sensor 140 is located downstream of the engine 24 and upstream of the thermostatic valve 110. Preferably, the coolant temperature sensor 140 may come into direct contact with the flowing coolant. However, it will be appreciated that in an alternative embodiment, the temperature of the coolant may be measured without direct contact between the coolant temperature sensor 140 and the coolant fluid.

[0026] The controller 136 may include any type of device or component that can interpret and / or execute information and / or instructions stored in memory to perform one or more functions. The memory may include random access memory ("RAM"), read-only memory ("ROM"), and / or another type of dynamic or static storage device (e.g., flash, magnetic, or optical memory) that stores information and / or instructions for use by the controller 136. Additionally or alternatively, the memory may include a non-transitory computer-readable medium or memory, such as a floppy disk drive, flash drive, optical storage, read-only memory (ROM), or the like.The memory may store the information and / or instructions in one or more data structures, such as one or more databases, tables, lists, trees, etc. The controller 136 may include a processor (e.g., a central processing unit, a graphics processing unit, an accelerated processing unit), a microprocessor, and / or any processing logic (e.g., a field-programmable gate array ("FPGA"), an application-specific integrated circuit ("ASIC"), etc.) and / or any other hardware and / or software. The controller 136 may transmit data over a network (not shown).For example, the controller 136 may be configured to provide outputs to one or more display units (not shown) that may be visible to the operator of the work machine 10, but it may also be configured to provide outputs to an external system, such as a remote diagnostic system 200, which may be electronically coupled to a plurality of controllers connected to a plurality of machines and other vehicles. In this context, the data associated with each work machine may be stored in a central location and accessible as needed by machine operators, technicians, data analysts, and others.

[0027] As mentioned above, the engine cooling system 100 may include a thermostatic valve 110 disposed at a junction between the engine outlet line 116, a bypass line 132, and a radiator inlet line 134. The thermostatic valve 110 may be configured to regulate the flow of coolant from the engine 24 to one or both of the bypass flowpath 118 and the radiator flowpath 120 based on one or more engine parameters. The engine parameters may include, for example, the speed of the engine 24, measured by the engine speed sensor 138, and the coolant temperature, measured by the coolant temperature sensor 140. The thermostatic valve 110 may be any conventionally known thermostat that includes an electrically assisted valve element (not shown) with a heat-sensitive element, such as wax.Controller 136 may therefore cause the valve element of thermostatic valve 110 to open or close based on one or more engine parameters. The valve position of thermostatic valve 110 may vary between a fully open position, a fully closed position, and a plurality of intermediate partially open or partially closed positions to fine-tune the distribution of coolant to bypass flowpath 118 and radiator flowpath 120, as explained in more detail below.

[0028] At low coolant temperatures, such as when starting the working machine 10, the thermostat valve 110 can direct the coolant through the bypass flow path 118, which, as shown in Fig. 2, defined by the bypass line 132 and the pump inlet line 126. In this example, the thermostat valve 110 may be in a first thermostat position, such as a fully closed position. The thermostat valve 110, in the fully closed position, may block coolant flow to the radiator 112 and instead direct coolant flow along the bypass line 132 and back to the pump 108. In one embodiment, the thermostat valve 110 may be operated in the fully closed position when the controller 136 determines that the temperature of the coolant measured by the coolant temperature sensor 140 is below a first threshold temperature T1.

[0029] Conversely, at higher coolant temperatures, the thermostat valve 110 may, for example, direct the coolant through the radiator flow path 120, which, as shown in Fig. 2, is defined by the radiator inlet conduit 134, a radiator outlet conduit 144, and the pump inlet conduit 126. In this example, the thermostat valve 110 may be in a second thermostat position, such as a fully open position. The thermostat valve 110, in the fully open position, may block coolant flow along the bypass conduit 132 and instead direct coolant along the radiator inlet conduit 134 to the radiator 112. In one embodiment, the thermostat valve 110 may be operated in the fully open position when the controller 136 determines that the temperature of the coolant measured by the coolant temperature sensor 140 is above a second threshold temperature T2. It is contemplated that the second threshold temperature value T2 is greater than the first threshold temperature T1.

[0030] Furthermore, the controller 136 is configured to adjust the thermostat valve 110 to various partially open or partially closed positions when the controller determines that the coolant temperature measured by the coolant temperature sensor 140 is higher than or equal to the first threshold temperature T1 and lower than or equal to the second threshold temperature T2. In this situation, for example, the coolant may flow through both the bypass flow path 118 and the radiator flow path 120, creating a parallel flow path, as shown in Fig. 2 illustrates.

[0031] The radiator 112 includes a radiator inlet 146 configured for fluid communication with the engine outlet line 116 and the thermostatic valve 110 via the radiator inlet line 134. The radiator 112 further includes a radiator outlet 148 configured for fluid communication with the pump inlet line 126 via the radiator outlet line 144. During operation, heated coolant exits the engine 24 and is directed through the thermostatic valve 110 toward the radiator 112. As the coolant flows through the radiator, the temperature of the coolant is lowered, or cooled. The cooled coolant exits the radiator through the radiator outlet 148 and is directed back to the pump 108 via the radiator outlet line 144 and the pump inlet line 126. As mentioned above, the controller 136 is configured to determine one or more engine parameters, such as engine speed and coolant temperature.In this regard, the measurements taken by the engine speed sensor 138 and the coolant temperature sensor 140 may be transmitted to and received by the electronic controller 136. Further, the controller 136 may be configured to determine a pressure differential between the pump inlet pressure P1 and the pump outlet pressure P2. In this regard, the values ​​measured by the pump inlet pressure sensor 128 and the pump outlet pressure sensor 130 may be transmitted to and received by the electronic controller 136. Upon receiving the pressure values ​​P1 and P2, the controller 136 may calculate the pressure differential between P1 and P2 to determine the pressure differential. Furthermore, the controller 136 may be configured to determine a change in the pump inlet pressure over a certain period of time (ΔPin).

[0032] Monitoring engine parameters and coolant fluid pressure is critical not only for maintaining optimal performance of engine 24, but also for diagnosing a combustion gas leak and preventing damage to the engine or work machine 10. If improperly monitored, an undetected combustion gas leak can cause serious damage to the engine 24 and other associated components of work machine 10. To prevent such damage, controller 136 of work machine 10 may be in electronic communication via a network (not shown) with a remote diagnostic system 200 that may be configured to monitor, at a minimum, the coolant temperature, pump inlet pressure P1, pump outlet pressure P2, pump inlet pressure differential ΔPin, and engine 24 speed to determine whether combustion gases may be leaking into cooling system 100 before damage occurs.

[0033] As in Fig. 3, with continued reference to the Fig. 1 and Fig. 2, the remote diagnostic system 200 and the components included therein and / or connected thereto are configured to continuously monitor, process, and partially determine the performance and operating condition of the work machine 10 to determine in real time whether a combustion gas leak is occurring and to generate a fault code indicative of the combustion gas leak. More specifically, the remote diagnostic system 200 includes an equipment care advisor module 202 and a display module 204. The equipment care advisor module 202 may be in electronic communication with both the controller 136 connected to the work machine 10 and the display module 204 and may include at least a memory 206 and a processor 208, similarly described above with respect to the controller 136.More specifically, the equipment care advisor module 202 may include any type of device or component that can interpret and / or execute information and / or instructions stored in the memory 206 to perform one or more functions. For example, the equipment care advisor module 202 may use the data received from the coolant temperature sensor 140, the engine speed sensor 138, the pump inlet pressure sensor 128, and the pump outlet pressure sensor 130 of the work machine 10 to determine whether a combustion gas leak is present by calculating a rate of change in the pump pressure over a predetermined period of time, calculating a rate of change in the coolant temperature over the same predetermined period of time, and comparing the rate of change in the pump pressure and the rate of change in the coolant temperature to predetermined thresholds.

[0034] The display module 204 may include at least one display (not shown) and at least one input device (not shown), such as a keyboard and a mouse. Other types of displays are also contemplated, such as a handheld computing device, voice recognition means, a touchscreen, or the like. Accordingly, the equipment care advisor module 202 may also transmit received data as well as calculated values ​​(such as the rate of change of pump pressure and coolant temperature) to the display module 204 for viewing by persons with access to the remote diagnostic system 200. Although not shown, the remote diagnostic system 200 may also include at least one data storage device (e.g.,a database) and be electronically coupled to a variety of controls connected to a variety of work machines and other vehicles so that the data associated with each work machine can be stored in a central location and accessed on demand by machine operators, technicians, data analysts, and others.

[0035] As discussed above and further explained herein, the remote diagnostic system 200 and the components included therein and / or connected thereto, including, in part, the equipment care advisor module 202, are configured to continuously monitor, process, and determine the performance, operating condition, and / or failure of components of the work machine 10. The remote diagnostic system 200 is therefore configured to provide a real-time error code to a user of the remote diagnostic system when a combustion gas leak is detected, as determined by the equipment care advisor module 202. By providing such an error code, the remote diagnostic system 200 and its equipment care advisor module 202 may provide an operator and / or technicians accessing the work machine 10 with the opportunity to take appropriate corrective action, including, but not limited to, actions related to the operation of the work machine.Corrective action may be necessary to prevent damage to the engine 24, as well as to the associated components of the cooling system 100 and the work machine 10. Providing such an error code from the remote diagnostic system 200 may further provide the operator and / or user of the remote diagnostic system with the ability to coordinate, plan, and / or schedule the timely procurement and deployment of maintenance services and / or personnel to ensure the replacement of defective or damaged components, if necessary to prevent machine downtime or loss of productivity. Industrial applicability

[0036] In practice, the present disclosure finds application in various industrial applications, including, but not limited to, construction, paving, transportation, mining, industrial, earthmoving, agricultural, and forestry machinery and equipment. For example, the present disclosure may be applied to compaction machines, paving machines, dump trucks, mining vehicles, on-road vehicles, off-road vehicles, earthmoving vehicles, agricultural equipment, material handling equipment, and / or any work machine that includes an electronically controlled internal combustion engine. In particular, the present disclosure provides a remote diagnostic system 200 with an equipment care advisor module 202 for ultimately detecting a combustion gas leak in a cooling system.

[0037] Fig. 4 illustrates in flowchart form a series of steps 300 involved in detecting a combustion gas leak in the cooling system 100 of the work machine 10. Reference is further made to the Fig. 1-3. As in Fig. As shown in Figure 5, in a first step 302, the engine 24 of the work machine 10 can be started and operated at idle for a predetermined period of time. The predetermined period of time can correspond to a starting or warm-up phase of the engine, for example, approximately 10 minutes. The predetermined period of time can vary depending on the outside or ambient temperature. In this context, the starting phase of the engine of the work machine can be longer at colder ambient temperatures and shorter at warmer ambient temperatures.

[0038] In step 304, while the work machine 10 remains idling, the coolant temperature, the speed of the engine 24, the pump inlet pressure P1, and the pump outlet pressure P2 may be monitored by the remote diagnostic system 200. More specifically, the coolant temperature sensor 140, the engine speed sensor 138, the pump inlet pressure sensor 128, and the pump outlet pressure sensor 130 may transmit the sensed data to the controller 136 connected to the work machine 10. The controller 136 may then transmit the data to the remote diagnostic system 200. While the present disclosure utilizes coolant pressures and temperatures, as well as engine speed, it should be noted and appreciated that additional data such as air temperature, engine load, fuel temperatures, and other data may also be monitored and analyzed in the manner described herein.The coolant temperature, the speed of the engine 24, the pump inlet pressure P1, and the pump outlet pressure P2 may ultimately be received by the equipment care advisor module 202 and stored in the associated memory 206. Alternatively, this data may also be stored in a memory not included in . Fig. 3 shown storage unit, such as in a database or a cloud-based storage unit.

[0039] If the equipment care advisor module 202 determines in a next step 306 that insufficient time has elapsed relative to the predetermined period for starting the engine, steps 304 and 306 are repeatedly executed until the equipment care advisor module determines that the start-up phase has elapsed. Once the predetermined period for starting the engine has completely elapsed, a step 308 may be executed.

[0040] In step 308, a change in the coolant temperature during the engine start-up phase, hereinafter ΔT, may be calculated. Specifically, the equipment care advisor module 202 may retrieve from its memory 206 both the coolant temperature T1, as sensed by the coolant temperature sensor 140 at the end of the start-up phase, and the coolant temperature T0, as sensed by the coolant temperature sensor at the time the engine 24 is started. The final coolant temperature T1 may be subtracted from the initial coolant temperature T0 to calculate the ΔT value, which indicates how many degrees the coolant temperature increased or decreased during the engine start-up phase.

[0041] In step 310, a change in pump inlet pressure, hereinafter ΔPin, may be calculated. Specifically, the equipment care advisor module 202 may retrieve from its memory 206 both the pump inlet pressure P11, as sensed by the pump inlet pressure sensor 128 at the end of the start-up phase, and the pump inlet pressure P10, as sensed by the pump inlet pressure sensor at the time the engine 24 is started. The equipment care advisor module 202 may subtract the final pump inlet pressure P11 from the initial pump inlet pressure P10 to determine the ΔPin value, which indicates how many kilopascals (kPa) the pump inlet pressure increased or decreased during the engine start-up phase.

[0042] Using the change in coolant temperature ΔT calculated in step 308, the equipment care advisor module 202 may then (in step 312) calculate an expected change in the coolant pressure value, hereinafter E[ΔPin]. The equipment care advisor module 202 may calculate E[ΔPin] using the known principles of volumetric thermal expansion, using the initial pump inlet pressure P10, the initial coolant temperature T0, the final coolant temperature T1, and the predetermined time period for the start-up phase.

[0043] In step 314, the equipment care advisor module 202 may compare the actual change in pump inlet pressure ΔPin with the calculated expected change in pump inlet pressure E[ΔPin] to determine whether the coolant pressure is increasing too rapidly relative to the change in coolant temperature. For example, assume the initial coolant temperature T0 is approximately 83°C, the final coolant temperature T1 is approximately 93°C, the initial pump inlet pressure P10 is approximately 20 kPa, the final pump inlet pressure P11 is approximately 120 kPa, and the predetermined engine start phase is approximately 6 minutes. The change in coolant temperature ΔT would be approximately 10°C, while the change in pump inlet pressure ΔPin would be approximately 100 kPa. The expected change in pump inlet pressure E[ΔPin] during the specified 6-minute engine start-up phase with a 10 °C increase in coolant temperature should have been approximately 20 kPa.In this example, the working machine should be parked immediately because the expected change in pump inlet pressure E[ΔPin] is far less than the actual change in pump inlet pressure ΔPin, indicating a combustion gas leak in the engine cooling system.

[0044] If the equipment care advisor module 202 determines that the actual change in pump inlet pressure ΔPin is greater than the expected change in pump inlet pressure E[ΔPin], then the work machine 10 may be operating with an active combustion gas leak. Following this determination, the equipment care advisor module 202 may transmit a fault code to the display module 204 (step 316). More specifically, the equipment care advisor module 202 may command the display module 204 to notify a user of the remote diagnostic system 200 via a prominent visual and / or audible indicator that the work machine 10 has a combustion gas leak in its engine cooling system 100. An audible indicator or warning may include an alarm, a buzzer, and similar sounds optimized to attract the attention of the user of the remote diagnostic system 200.Visual warnings may include simply illuminating a light on the display of the display module 204 or may include displaying icons, graphics, or text that not only inform the user of the warning but also instruct the user to take specific actions.

[0045] In an alternative embodiment, the equipment care advisor module 202 may only transmit the error code to the display module 204 if the actual change in pump inlet pressure ΔPin exceeds the expected change in pump inlet pressure E[ΔPin] by a predetermined threshold amount, for example, 50 kPa. Returning to the example provided above, the actual change in pump inlet pressure ΔPin exceeded the expected change in pump inlet pressure E[ΔPin] by approximately 100 kPa. Therefore, in this case, an error code would still be transmitted to the display module 204 because the predetermined threshold amount of 50 kPa is exceeded. If the equipment care advisor module 202 determines that the actual change in pump inlet pressure ΔPin is less than or equal to the expected change in pump inlet pressure E[ΔPin], then the work machine 10 may continue to operate normally.Therefore, in step 318, the equipment care advisor module 202 may take no action and allow the work machine 10 to continue operating under its normal operating conditions.

[0046] Although a number of steps and operations have been described herein, those skilled in the art will recognize that these steps and operations may be rearranged, substituted, eliminated, performed concurrently and / or continuously without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure as set forth in the claims.

[0047] With the implementation of the present disclosure, service technicians and operators of work machines can be warned of a combustion gas leak before a catastrophic failure occurs, rather than in response to it. With early warning and an automated system to protect the engine and other components of the work machine, service technicians and operators of a particular work machine can use this warning to schedule maintenance, overhaul, and / or other service routines on the engine or work machine in a timely manner without disrupting ongoing work at a jobsite.

[0048] While aspects of the present disclosure have been particularly shown and described with reference to the foregoing embodiments, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various additional embodiments may be contemplated by modifying the disclosed machines, systems, and arrangements without departing from the scope of the claims.

Claims

[1] Work machine (10) with a remote diagnostic system (200), the work machine (10) comprising: an internal combustion engine (24); a pump (108) driven by the internal combustion engine (24) and having an inlet (124) and an outlet (122); a coolant temperature sensor (140) configured to monitor and transmit a temperature of the coolant fluid; a pressure sensor (128) coupled to the inlet (124) of the pump (108), the pressure sensor (128) being configured to monitor and transmit a pressure of the coolant fluid at the inlet (124) of the pump (108); and a controller (136) including a processor in operative connection with the internal combustion engine (24), the coolant temperature sensor (140), the pressure sensor (128) and the remote diagnostic system (200), wherein the remote diagnostic system (200) includes a device care advisor module (202) and a display module (204), wherein the device care advisor module (202) includes a processor (208) and is configured to: Monitoring the temperature of the coolant liquid during start-up of the working machine (10), Monitoring the pressure of the coolant fluid during start-up of the working machine (10), Calculating an expected coolant fluid pressure based on the monitored coolant fluid temperature and the monitored coolant fluid pressure, and Generating a fault code indicating a combustion gas leak into a cooling system (100) of the internal combustion engine (24) when the monitored coolant fluid pressure exceeds the expected coolant fluid pressure. [2] The work machine (10) of claim 1, wherein the work machine (10) is operated under normal operating conditions when the monitored coolant fluid pressure is less than or equal to the expected coolant fluid pressure. [3] The work machine (10) of claim 1, wherein the coolant temperature sensor (140) is attached to an engine outlet line (116) configured to discharge coolant fluid from the internal combustion engine (24), the coolant temperature sensor (140) being at least partially immersed in the coolant fluid. [4] The work machine (10) of claim 1, wherein the equipment care advisor module (202) is further configured to generate the error code when the monitored coolant fluid pressure exceeds the expected coolant fluid pressure by a predetermined pressure threshold. [5] The work machine (10) of claim 1, wherein the display module (204) comprises at least one display device and at least one user input device, wherein the display module (204) is configured to communicate the error code via the at least one display device to a user of the remote diagnostic system (200) via at least one visual indication or an acoustic indication. [6] A method for detecting a combustion gas leak in an internal combustion engine (24) of a work machine (10), the work machine (10) comprising the internal combustion engine (24) and a coolant pump (108), the method comprising: Starting (302) the internal combustion engine (24), wherein the internal combustion engine (24) has a starting phase corresponding to a predetermined period of time; Monitoring (304) a temperature of the coolant liquid for the duration of the start-up phase; Monitoring (304) a pressure of the coolant liquid for the duration of the start-up phase; Calculating (312) an expected coolant fluid pressure based on the monitored coolant fluid temperature and the monitored coolant fluid pressure; Comparing (314) the monitored coolant fluid pressure with the expected coolant fluid pressure; and Generating (316) an error code when the monitored coolant fluid pressure exceeds the expected coolant fluid pressure, the error code indicating that combustion gas generated in the internal combustion engine (24) is leaking from the internal combustion engine (24). [7] The method of claim 6, further comprising monitoring (304) an engine speed, an engine load, a second pressure of the coolant fluid of the work machine (10), and an ambient temperature for the duration of the start-up phase, wherein the second pressure of the coolant fluid is measured by a second pressure sensor (130) disposed proximate an outlet (122) of the coolant pump (108). [8] The method of claim 7, wherein calculating (312) the expected coolant fluid pressure is further based on the monitored engine speed, the monitored engine load, the monitored second coolant fluid pressure, and the monitored ambient temperature. [9] The method of claim 6, further comprising generating (316) the error code when the monitored coolant fluid pressure exceeds the expected coolant fluid pressure by a predetermined pressure threshold. [10] The method of claim 6, further comprising transmitting the error code to a display device; and displaying the error code via at least one of a visual indicator and an audible indicator on the display device.

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