DESC:TECHNICAL FIELD
[001] Embodiments herein relate to vehicles and more particularly to detecting engine failure in vehicles.

BACKGROUND
[002] One of the most common reasons for engine failure in a vehicle is due to sudden increase in crankcase pressure. If the pressure in the crankcase exceeds a critical value, it can lead to an insufficient supply of oil to the engine, further leading to an engine seizure. Further the engine oil from the crankcase can enter the combustion chamber and exhaust systems. This can result in further damage to these components and other related components.

OBJECTS
[003] The principal object of embodiments disclosed herein is to disclose methods and systems for detecting engine failure in a vehicle by comparing the crankcase pressure to a pre-defined threshold pressure and taking at least one action in response to the detected engine failure.
[004] Another object of embodiments disclosed herein is to disclose methods and systems for limiting the torque/power provided by an engine in the vehicle on detecting a potential engine failure, thereby enabling the operation of the vehicle during an engine failure.
[005] Another object of embodiments disclosed herein is to disclose methods and systems for providing an indication to a user of the vehicle on detecting a potential engine failure.
[006] These and other aspects of the embodiments herein will be better appreciated and understood when considered in conjunction with the following description and the accompanying drawings. It should be understood, however, that the following descriptions, while indicating embodiments and numerous specific details thereof, are given by way of illustration and not of limitation. Many changes and modifications may be made within the scope of the embodiments herein without departing from the spirit thereof, and the embodiments herein include all such modifications.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF FIGURES
[007] Embodiments herein are illustrated in the accompanying drawings, through out which like reference letters indicate corresponding parts in the various figures. The embodiments herein will be better understood from the following description with reference to the drawings, in which:
[008] FIGs. 1a, 1b, 1c and 1d depict systems for detecting engine failure in a vehicle and taking at least one action in response to the detected engine failure, according to embodiments as disclosed herein; and
[009] FIG. 2 is a flowchart depicting the method for detecting engine failure in a vehicle and taking at least one action in response to the detected engine failure, according to embodiments as disclosed herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0010] The embodiments herein and the various features and advantageous details thereof are explained more fully with reference to the non-limiting embodiments that are illustrated in the accompanying drawings and detailed in the following description. Descriptions of well-known components and processing techniques are omitted so as to not unnecessarily obscure the embodiments herein. The examples used herein are intended merely to facilitate an understanding of ways in which the embodiments herein may be practiced and to further enable those of skill in the art to practice the embodiments herein. Accordingly, the examples should not be construed as limiting the scope of the embodiments herein.
[0011] The embodiments herein disclose methods and systems for detecting engine failure in a vehicle and taking at least one action in response to the detected engine failure. Referring now to the drawings, and more particularly to FIGS. 1 through 2, where similar reference characters denote corresponding features consistently throughout the figures, there are shown preferred embodiments.
[0012] Examples of vehicle as referred herein can be at least one of a car, a motorbike, a scooter, a van, a bus, truck or any other vehicle, which comprises of an internal combustion engine.
[0013] FIGs. 1a, 1b, 1c and 1d depict systems for detecting engine failure in a vehicle and taking at least one action in response to the detected engine failure. The system, as depicted, comprises of an engine 101 connected to an ECU (Engine Control Unit) 103. A pressure sensor 102 can be integrated with the engine 101. In an embodiment, a pressure monitor 104 can be integrated with the ECU 103 (as depicted in FIG. 1a). In an embodiment, the pressure monitor 104 can be a separate module and can receive pressure sensed by the pressure sensor 102 and can communicate with the ECU 103 (as depicted in FIG. 1b). In an embodiment, the pressure sensor 102 can be mounted on a breather. In an embodiment, the pressure sensor 102 can use an electric diaphragm for measuring the pressure.
[0014] The pressure sensor 102 can measure the pressure in the crankcase of the engine 101. The pressure sensor 102 can provide the measured pressure values to the pressure monitor 104. The pressure monitor 104 can compare the measured pressure values received from the pressure sensor 102 with a first pre-defined threshold pressure. The first threshold pressure can depend on factors such as the engine type, the engine characteristics, and so on. For example, for a naturally aspirated engine, the first threshold pressure can be defined as 1.2 bars. In another example, for a turbocharged engine, the first threshold pressure can be defined as 4 bars. On detecting that the pressure is greater than or equal to the first pre-defined threshold pressure, the pressure monitor 104 can provide an indication to the ECU 103.
[0015] On receiving the indication from the pressure monitor 104, the ECU 103 can provide an indication to a user. The indication can comprise at least one of an auditory indication (such as a pre-defined audio clip/tone), and at least one visual indication (such as warning light(s) on the dashboard (such as the check engine light, service due light, a dedicated light, or any other equivalent means), messages/pop-ups on at least one display (such as a multi-function display on the instrument cluster, the entertainment/navigation system, a heads-up display), and so on).
[0016] The ECU 103 can further reduce the allowed torque and/or power of the vehicle to a pre-defined threshold level. The threshold level can depend on factors such as the engine type, engine characteristics, the measured pressure in the crankcase, and so on. The allowed torque and/or power can be altered by at least one of controlling air fuel ratio, reducing rail pressure, and reducing injection quantity. In an example herein, the threshold level can be 60% of the original torque value. In an example herein, the threshold level can be 60% of the original power value.
[0017] In an embodiment herein, the pressure monitor 104 can compare the measured pressure values received from the pressure sensor 102 with a second pre-defined threshold pressure. The second threshold pressure can depend on factors such as the engine type, the engine characteristics, and so on. On detecting that the pressure is greater than or equal to the second pre-defined threshold pressure, the pressure monitor 104 can provide an indication to the ECU 103. On receiving the indication from the pressure monitor 104 that the pressure is greater than or equal to the second pre-defined threshold pressure, the ECU 103 can perform an action such as turning the vehicle off.
[0018] In an embodiment herein, the pressure sensor 102 and the pressure monitor 104 can be integrated into a single unit, wherein the integrated unit performs the functions of the pressure sensor 102 and the pressure monitor 104 (as depicted in FIG. 1c).
[0019] In an embodiment herein, the pressure sensor 102 can perform the functions of the pressure monitor 104 (as depicted in FIG. 1d).
[0020] FIG. 2 is a flowchart depicting the method for detecting engine failure in a vehicle and taking at least one action in response to the detected engine failure. The pressure sensor 102 measures (201) the pressure in the crankcase of the engine 101 and provides (202) the measured pressure values to the pressure monitor 104. The pressure monitor 104 checks (203) if the measured pressure value is greater than or equal to the first pre-defined threshold pressure. If the measured pressure values greater than or equal to the first pre-defined threshold pressure, the pressure monitor 104 provides (204) an indication to the ECU 103. On receiving the indication from the pressure monitor 104, the ECU 103 provides (205) an indication to the user. The ECU 103 further reduces (206) the allowed torque and/or power of the vehicle to the pre-defined threshold level. If the measured pressure value is not greater than or equal to the pre-defined threshold pressure, the engine 101 continues (207) to perform in a normal manner. The various actions in method 200 may be performed in the order presented, in a different order or simultaneously. Further, in some embodiments, some actions listed in FIG. 2 may be omitted.
[0021] The foregoing description of the specific embodiments will so fully reveal the general nature of the embodiments herein that others can, by applying current knowledge, readily modify and/or adapt for various applications such specific embodiments without departing from the generic concept, and, therefore, such adaptations and modifications should and are intended to be comprehended within the meaning and range of equivalents of the disclosed embodiments. It is to be understood that the phraseology or terminology employed herein is for the purpose of description and not of limitation. Therefore, while the embodiments herein have been described in terms of preferred embodiments, those skilled in the art will recognize that the embodiments herein can be practiced with modification within the spirit and scope of the embodiments as described herein.
,CLAIMS:STATEMENT OF CLAIMS
I/we claim:
1. A method for monitoring an engine (101) in a vehicle, the method comprising
checking, by a pressure monitor (104), if a measured value of pressure in a crankcase of the engine (101) is greater than or equal to a first pre-defined threshold pressure; and
performing, by an Electronic Control Unit (ECU) (103) present in the vehicle, if the measured value of pressure in the crankcase of the engine (101) is greater than or equal to the first pre-defined threshold pressure, at least one of
reducing at least one of available torque, and power to a pre-defined threshold level; and
providing an indication to a user.
2. The method, as claimed in claim 1, wherein a pressure sensor (102) measures the pressure in the crankcase of the engine.
3. The method, as claimed in claim 1, wherein the ECU (103) reduces at least one of available torque, and power to the pre-defined threshold level by at least one of controlling air fuel ratio, reducing rail pressure, and reducing injection quantity.
4. The method, as claimed in claim 1, wherein the method further comprises of the ECU (103) turning off the vehicle, if the measured value of pressure in the crankcase of the engine (101) is greater than or equal to a second pre-defined threshold pressure.
5. A system for monitoring an engine (101) in a vehicle, the system comprising of
a pressure monitor (104) configured for checking if a measured value of pressure in a crankcase of the engine (101) is greater than or equal to a first pre-defined threshold pressure; and
an Electronic Control Unit (ECU) 103 present in the vehicle if the measured value of pressure in the crankcase of the engine (101) is greater than or equal to the first pre-defined threshold pressure, configured for performing at least one of
reducing at least one of available torque, and power to a pre-defined threshold level; and
providing an indication to a user.
6. The system, as claimed in claim 5, wherein the system further comprises a pressure sensor (102) configured for measuring the pressure in the crankcase of the engine.
7. The system, as claimed in claim 6, wherein the pressure sensor (102) is mounted on a breather.
8. The system, as claimed in claim 5, wherein the ECU (103) is configured for reducing at least one of available torque, and power to the pre-defined threshold level by at least one of controlling air fuel ratio, reducing rail pressure, and reducing injection quantity.
9. The system, as claimed in claim 5, wherein the ECU (103) is configured for turning off the vehicle, if the measured value of pressure in the crankcase of the engine (101) is greater than or equal to a second pre-defined threshold pressure.