Engine Coolant Pump Diagnosis Across Variable Speeds Before Startup
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Solution Overview
Problem
Electrically driven engine coolant pumps in internal combustion engines face challenges in diagnosing their high and low speed functionality without affecting engine operation, as over or under cooling can lead to higher emissions and engine degradation.
Innovation Solution
A method involving a controller that rotates the engine coolant pump at specific speeds when the engine is not running, monitors temperature sensor output, and compares it to predetermined responses to diagnose pump operation without impacting engine operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the engine coolant pump is operated at high speed to diagnose high speed functionality, then the pump's high speed performance can be evaluated, but the engine may be overcooled or undercooled leading to higher emissions and engine degradation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by performing the coolant pump diagnostic test before the engine is started. The controller commands the electrically driven coolant pump to operate at different speeds (including high speed) while the engine remains stationary, allowing temperature sensor readings to be taken and compared against predetermined responses. This enables complete pump functionality evaluation without the engine running, thus avoiding any potential engine overcooling or undercooling that would occur if the pump were tested during engine operation.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the engine coolant pump is operated at variable speeds to assess its range of operation, then comprehensive pump performance can be verified, but engine operation may be impacted
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs the comprehensive pump performance verification as a preliminary action before engine start-up. The controller sequences the coolant pump through multiple operating speeds (low speed, high speed, and intermediate speeds) while the engine remains off, taking temperature sensor readings at each speed level. By completing the entire variable speed sweep before engine operation begins, the system achieves full adaptability evaluation of the pump's operating range without any risk of impacting engine reliability or causing engine overcooling/undercooling.
3Loss of energy
If an electrically driven coolant pump is used instead of a mechanically driven pump, then pump efficiency is improved, but diagnostic capability without engine operation is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs feedback by using temperature sensors positioned in the coolant system to monitor coolant temperature changes in response to coolant pump operation. The controller commands the electrically driven coolant pump to operate at specific speeds and continuously monitors the temperature sensor output. These readings are then compared against predetermined temperature responses that represent expected pump performance. This feedback mechanism enables comprehensive diagnostic capability of the electrically driven pump across its full operating range, while maintaining the pump's efficiency advantages over mechanically driven alternatives.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables evaluation of the engine coolant pump over its operating range without affecting engine emissions or drivability, allowing for timely mitigation of pump degradation issues.
Implementation Method 1
monitoring output of a temperature sensor while operating the engine coolant pump at the first speed
Data Source
AI summary
Methods and systems to diagnose operation of an engine coolant pump are presented. In one example, the engine coolant pump is operated while an engine is stopped so that operation of the coolant pump may not effect engine operation. The engine coolant pump may be operated at different speeds to assess engine coolant pump operation.