An internal combustion engine, an engine crankcase gas blow-by sensor and a method of evaluating performance of an internal combustion engine

(19)

(11)

EP 0 777 041 A3

(12)	EUROPEAN PATENT APPLICATION

(88)	Date of publication A3:
	01.04.1998 Bulletin 1998/14

(43)	Date of publication A2:
	04.06.1997 Bulletin 1997/23

(21)	Application number: 96308618.6

(22)	Date of filing: 28.11.1996

(51)	International Patent Classification (IPC)⁶: F02B 77/08, F01M 11/10, F01M 13/00

(84)	Designated Contracting States:
	DE FR GB

(30)

Priority:

29.11.1995 US 564419

(71)	Applicant: CUMMINS ENGINE COMPANY, INC.
	Columbus Indiana 47201 (US)

(72)	Inventors:
	Schneider, Matthew L. Seymour, Indiana 47274 (US) Bhagwat, Abhay P. Seymour, Indiana 47274 (US) Schuppe, Alfred Columbus, Indiana 47203 (US) Kuhns, George M. Columbus, Indiana 47201 (US)

(74)	Representative: Everitt, Christopher James Wilders et al
	F.J. CLEVELAND & COMPANY 40/43 Chancery Lane London WC2A 1JQ London WC2A 1JQ (GB)


	Remarks:
	The application is published incomplete as filed (Article 93 (2) EPC). The point in the description or the claim(s) at which the omission obviously occurs has been left blank.

(54)	An internal combustion engine, an engine crankcase gas blow-by sensor and a method of evaluating performance of an internal combustion engine

(57) In a closed crankcase ventilation system, crankcase gases are allowed to flow through a venturi (10) which includes high pressure and low pressure taps (24 and 28). The high and low pressure taps (24) and (28) are coupled to a differential pressure transducer (30) which produces an output that is proportional to the volumetric flow of crankcase gases through the venturi (10). The use of a venturi (10) in conjunction with a differential pressure sensor (30) offers a low resistance path for the flow of crankcase gases and allows continuous monitoring of blow-by without exceeding the operating pressure limitations of various oil seals. Such a sensor (30) is particularly suited for closed crankcase ventilation (ccv) systems, as it doesn't require venting of crankcase gases to the atmosphere, but works well in open crankcase ventilation systems also.

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