Appeal No. 2000-2000
Application No. 09/105,124
and low pressure taps therein. A differential pressure sensor is
then attached to the high and low pressure taps in order to
measure the pressure differential between the taps. This
differential pressure is related to the volumetric flow of blow-
by gases through the venturi, and hence the volumetric flow of
blow-by gases around the engine pistons. Both the instantaneous
measurement of this volumetric flow, as well as the historical
trend analysis, provide useful information in determining the
health of the engine as well as to predict future needs for
service of the engine. The sensor will therefore yield data
suitable for trend analysis to aid diagnostics and prognostics,
and can be used to avoid catastrophic failure. The following
claim is further illustrative of the invention.
1. An internal combustion engine, comprising:
at least one cylinder;
at least one piston slidingly disposed within the at least
one cylinder in order to define a combustion chamber above the
piston;
an air intake system operable to supply air to the
combustion chamber;
a crankcase coupled to the at least one cylinder, wherein an
interior of the crankcase is in fluid communication with an
interior of the at least one cylinder below the at least one
piston, wherein combustion gases which blow-by the at least one
piston may enter the crankcase;
a venturi having an inlet port and an outlet port, wherein
2
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