The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Aug. 28, 2018
Filed:
May. 20, 2016
Denso International America, Inc., Southfield, MI (US);
Dallas J. Smolarek, Northville, MI (US);
Blaise D. Friery, Farmington Hills, MI (US);
DENSO International America, Inc., Southfield, MI (US);
Abstract
A sensor circuit for a positive crankcase ventilation (PCV) valve includes an electrical source, a measuring circuit, a position calculator, and a transmitter. The electrical source is configured to apply an electrical bias across a spring of the PCV valve. The electrical bias is applied between a first end of the spring and an opposite end of the spring. The measuring circuit is configured to measure a value of an electrical parameter of the spring while the electrical bias is applied. The electrical parameter indicates at least one of a voltage across the spring and a current through the spring. The position calculator is configured to calculate an inductance of the spring based on the value of the electrical parameter and calculate a position of the PCV valve based on the inductance. The transmitter is configured to output a signal that indicates the position of the PCV valve.