[0001] The present disclosure, in general, relates to a service due indication for fuel injectors for an internal combustion engine having dual fuel source, and, more particularly, to systems and methods for indicating service due for fuel injectors of a bi-fuel vehicle.
BACKGROUND
[0002] Background description includes information that may be useful in understanding the present disclosure. It is not an admission that any of the information provided herein is prior art or relevant to the presently claimed subject matter, or that any publication specifically or implicitly referenced is prior art.
[0003] As is well known to those skilled in the art, a bi-fuel vehicle is used for overall better fuel efficiency, low emission of hazardous substances in exhaust gas, and so on. For example, the bi-fuel vehicle may use both compressed natural gas (CNG) and gasoline.
[0004] The bi-fuel vehicle may drive on either gasoline or CNG according to a driver's selection. When the bi-fuel vehicle drives on gasoline, it is referred to as a gasoline mode, while when the bi-fuel vehicle drives on CNG, it is referred to as a CNG mode.
[0005] In the bi-fuel vehicle, two electronic control units (ECUs) are used. One ECU is an engine control module (ECM) which acts as a master ECU for performing engine management system (EMS) related functions. Second ECU is a bi-fuel (BF) ECU which acts as a slave ECU for performing EMS related functions including actuation of fuel injectors of both fuel sources.

[0006] Both the fuels have different fuel injectors which are controlled by the Bi-fuel ECU. Further, the improper functioning of fuel injectors has impact on fuel efficiency, emissions and drivability of the vehicle.
[0007] In the existing indication system, fuel injector replacement is dependent on time not on running of the vehicle. Therefore, there is need in the art to monitor the functioning of the fuel injectors and indicating replacement of the fuel injectors based on the working of the fuel injectors.
OBJECTS OF THE DISCLOSURE
[0008] Some of the objects of the present disclosure, which at least one embodiment herein satisfy, are listed herein below.
[0009] It is a general object of the present disclosure to provide systems and methods for indicating service due of fuel injectors of a bi-fuel vehicle.
[0010] It is another object of the present disclosure to increase safety of Bi-fuel vehicle by inhibiting gaseous fuel injection when fuel injector of the gaseous fuel is required to be replaced.
[0011] It is another object of the present disclosure to provide indication of fuel injector replacement in Instrument Panel.
[0012] It is another object of the present disclosure to improve fuel efficiency by replacing fuel injectors by accurately calculating parameters of injector operation during running of the vehicle.
[0013] It is another object of the present disclosure to improve emissions by changing faulty fuel injectors.
[0014] It is another object of the present subject matter to ensure better drivability by replacing faulty fuel injectors.
[0015] It is another object of the present subject matter to disable running of bi-fuel vehicle on gaseous fuel till gaseous fuel injectors are replaced with correct fuel injectors.

[0016] These and other objects and advantages of the present invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art after a consideration of the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which a preferred form of the present invention is illustrated.
SUMMARY
[0017] This summary is provided to introduce concepts related to systems and methods for indicating service due of fuel injectors of a bi-fuel vehicle. The concepts are further described below in the detailed description. This summary is not intended to identify key features or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used to limit the scope of the claimed subject matter.
[0018] The present disclosure relates to a Bi-fuel Electronic Control Unit (ECU) to provide service due indication to improve fuel efficiency of a bi-fuel vehicle. The Bi-fuel Electronic Control Unit (ECU) includes a service due indication system having a counting module coupled to the processor to count fuel injection pulses (Pi, P2) for a plurality of gaseous fuel injectors and a plurality of liquid fuel injectors and compare the counted fuel injection pulses with predefined threshold counter values (Thi, TI12). The system transmits a fuel inhibition signal to the plurality of gaseous fuel injectors of a gaseous fuel source when the counted fuel injection pulses for the plurality of gaseous fuel injectors exceed above the predefined threshold counter value (Thi).
[0019] In an aspect, the Bi-fuel ECU transmits a service due indication signal for the plurality of gaseous fuel injectors to display device on an instrument panel.
[0020] In an aspect, the Bi-fuel ECU transmits a service due indication signal for the plurality of liquid fuel injectors when the counted fuel injection pulses for the plurality of liquid fuel injectors exceed above the predefined threshold counter value (TI12).

[0021] The present disclosure further relates to a service due indication system for fuel injectors in vehicle. The service due indication system includes a counting module to count fuel injection pulses (Pi, P2) for a plurality of gaseous fuel injectors and a plurality of liquid fuel injectors and compare counted fuel injection pulses with a predefined threshold counter value (Thi, TI12). Further, the service due indication system transmits a fuel inhibition signal to the plurality of gaseous fuel injectors of a gaseous fuel source when the counted fuel injection pulses for the plurality of gaseous fuel injectors exceed above the predefined threshold counter value (Thi).
[0022] In an aspect, the system transmits a service due indication signal for the plurality of gaseous fuel injectors to display device on an instrument panel.
[0023] In an aspect, the system transmits a service due indication signal for the plurality of liquid fuel injectors when the counted fuel injection pulses for the plurality of liquid fuel injectors exceed above the predefined threshold counter value (TI12).
[0024] The present disclosure further relates to a method for indicating service due of a plurality of fuel injectors of a bi-fuel (BF) vehicle. The method includes counting, by counting module having a counter, fuel injection pulses (Pi, P2) for a plurality of gaseous fuel injectors and a plurality of liquid fuel injectors; comparing, by the counting module, the counted fuel injection pulses (Pi, P2) with a predefined threshold counter value (Thi, TI12); and transmitting, by the counting module, a fuel inhibition signal to the plurality of gaseous fuel injectors of a gaseous fuel source when the counted fuel injection pulses for the plurality of gaseous fuel injectors exceed above the predefined threshold counter value (Thi).
[0025] In an aspect, the method includes transmitting, by the counting module, a service due indication signal for the plurality of gaseous fuel injectors to display device on an instrument panel.
[0026] In an aspect, the method further includes transmitting, by the counting module, a service due indication signal for the plurality of liquid fuel injectors

when the counted fuel injection pulses for the plurality of liquid fuel injectors exceed above the predefined threshold counter value (Th2).
[0027] Various objects, features, aspects, and advantages of the inventive
subject matter will become more apparent from the following detailed description of preferred embodiments, along with the accompanying drawing figures in which like numerals represent like components.
[0028] It is to be understood that the aspects and embodiments of the
disclosure described above may be used in any combination with each other. Several of the aspects and embodiments may be combined to form a further embodiment of the disclosure.
[0029] The foregoing summary is illustrative only and is not intended to be in
any way limiting. In addition to the illustrative aspects, embodiments, and features described above, further aspects, embodiments, and features will become apparent by reference to the drawings and the following detailed description.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0030] The illustrated embodiments of the subject matter will be best
understood by reference to the drawings, wherein like parts are designated by like numerals throughout. The following description is intended only by way of example, and simply illustrates certain selected embodiments of devices, systems, and methods that are consistent with the subject matter as claimed herein, wherein:
[0031] FIG. 1 illustrates an architecture of a fuel supply control system with
Bi-fuel electronic control unit for indicating service due of fuel injectors, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure;
[0032] FIG. 2 illustrates a service due indication system for indicating service
due of fuel injectors of a bi-fuel vehicle, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure; and
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[0033] FIG. 3 illustrates a method for Bi-fuel ECU to indicate service due of
fuel injectors of the bi-fuel vehicle, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0034] The figures depict embodiments of the disclosure for purposes of
illustration only. One skilled in the art will readily recognize from the following description that alternative embodiments of the structures and methods illustrated herein may be employed without departing from the principles of the disclosure described herein.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0035] The detailed description of various exemplary embodiments of the
disclosure is described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings. It should be noted that the embodiments are described herein in such details as to clearly communicate the disclosure. However, the amount of details provided herein is not intended to limit the anticipated variations of embodiments; on the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the present disclosure as defined by the appended claims.
[0036] It is also to be understood that various arrangements may be devised
that, although not explicitly described or shown herein, embody the principles of the present disclosure. Moreover, all statements herein reciting principles, aspects, and embodiments of the present disclosure, as well as specific examples, are intended to encompass equivalents thereof.
[0037] The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular
embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of example embodiments. As used herein, the singular forms “a”, “an” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “comprises”, “comprising”, “includes” and/or “including,” when used herein, specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements and/or components, but do not preclude the presence
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or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components and/or groups thereof.
[0038] It should also be noted that in some alternative implementations, the
functions/acts noted may occur out of the order noted in the figures. For example, two figures shown in succession may, in fact, be executed concurrently or may sometimes be executed in the reverse order, depending upon the functionality/acts involved.
[0039] Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientific
terms) used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which example embodiments belong. It will be further understood that terms, e.g., those defined in commonly used dictionaries, should be interpreted as having a meaning that is consistent with their meaning in the context of the relevant art and will not be interpreted in an idealized or overly formal sense unless expressly so defined herein.
[0040] Embodiments explained herein pertain to systems and methods for
indicating service due of fuel injectors of a bi-fuel vehicle. FIG. 1 illustrates an architecture of a fuel supply control system. In FIG. 1, the fuel supply control system includes an engine control module (ECM) 100 and a bi-fuel (BF) ECU 103, where both of them are connected through controller area network (CAN) communication bus 101 or a hardwired line 102.
[0041] In the bi-fuel vehicle, fuel injectors are driven by Bi-fuel ECU 103. In
the Bi-fuel vehicles, there are two type of fuel injectors, such as liquid fuel injectors and gaseous fuel injectors to inject fuel in the internal combustion engine. Further, proper functioning of fuel injectors contribute to the fuel efficiency and overall vehicle performance. It is, therefore, required to indicate user accurately when to change the fuel injectors. Based on the information provided, the user can plan for changing the fuel injectors in advance.
[0042] As shown in the FIG.1, the Bi-Fuel ECU 103 controls both the gaseous
fuel injection and liquid fuel Injection. The Bi-Fuel ECU 103 controls the opening
and closing of the fuel injectors by providing them injection pulses P1, P2. The
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injection pulses P1 are provided to a plurality of gaseous fuel injectors ‘I1’ to inject gaseous fuel, such as CNG or LPG into the internal combustion engine. The injection pulses ‘P2’ are provided to a plurality of liquid fuel injectors ‘I2’ to inject liquid fuel, such as petrol into the internal combustion engine.
[0043] FIG. 1 also illustrates functional components of the Bi-fuel ECU 103
proposed herein. The Bi-fuel ECU 103 includes a processor(s) 104, an interface(s) 105, and a memory 106. The processor(s) 104 may be implemented as one or more microprocessors, microcomputers, microcontrollers, digital signal processors, central processing units, logic circuitries, and/or any devices that manipulate data based on operational instructions. Among other capabilities, the one or more processor(s) 104 are configured to fetch and execute computer-readable instructions and one or more routines stored in the memory 106. The memory 106 may store one or more computer-readable instructions or routines, which may be fetched and executed. The memory 106 may include any non-transitory storage device including, for example, volatile memory such as RAM, or non-volatile memory such as EPROM, flash memory, and the like.
[0044] The interface(s) 105 may include a variety of interfaces, for example,
interfaces for data input and output devices referred to as I/O devices, storage devices, and the like. The interface(s) 105 may facilitate communication of the Bi-fuel ECU 103 with various devices coupled to the Bi- fuel ECU 103. The interface(s) 105 may also provide a communication pathway for one or more components of the bi-fuel ECU 103. Examples of such components include, but are not limited to, service due indication system having a counter 107 (as shown in FIG. 2) and a service due indication module 108, and data 109. The data 109 may include data that is either stored or generated as a result of functionalities implemented by any of the components of the counter 107.
[0045] The service due indication module 108 may be implemented as a
combination of hardware and programming (for example, programmable
instructions) to implement one or more functionalities of the service due
indication module 108. In examples described herein, such combinations of
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hardware and programming may be implemented in several different ways. For example, the programming for the service due indication module 108 may be processor executable instructions stored on a non-transitory machine-readable storage medium and the hardware for the service due indication module 108 may include a processing resource (for example, one or more processors), to execute such instructions. In the present examples, the machine-readable storage medium may store instructions that, when executed by the processing resource, implement the service due indication module 108. In such examples, the Bi-fuel ECU 103 may include the machine-readable storage medium storing the instructions and the processing resource to execute the instructions or the machine-readable storage medium may be separate but accessible to the Bi-fuel ECU 103 and the processing resource. In other examples, the service due indication module 108 may be implemented by electronic circuitry.
[0046] The service due indication system 200 has counter 107 that counts
each of the injection pulses, either of gaseous fuel injection pulse ‘P1’ or liquid fuel injection pulse ‘P2’ continuously and stores the counted value in the data 109. Once the ignition is off, the counter 107 stores the counted value in the data 109 and restarts from the stored value after ignition is turned ON. The service due indication module 108 compares the counted injection pulses ‘P1’ and ‘P2’ with their respective threshold counter values ‘Th1’ and ‘Th2’ stored in the data 109.
[0047] The service due indication module 108 transmits a fuel inhibition
signal to the plurality of gaseous fuel injectors of a gas fuel source when the counted fuel injection pulses ‘P1’ for the plurality of gaseous fuel injectors exceeds above the predefined threshold counter value ‘Th1’. Based on the fuel inhibition signal, the bi-fuel ECU 103 temporarily disables the supply of gaseous fuel and disables the gaseous fuel running mode till gaseous fuel injectors are replaced with new or repaired gaseous fuel injectors. When the gaseous fuel injectors are disabled, the bi-fuel ECU 103 switches to liquid fuel running mode from gaseous fuel running mode. This ensures that the vehicle is not stalled when the gaseous fuel injectors are disabled.
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[0048] The service due indication module 108 transmits a service due
indication signal ‘S1’ for the plurality of gaseous fuel injectors to display device on an instrument panel to indicate that the plurality of gaseous fuel injectors are required to be replaced.
[0049] The service due indication module 108 transmits a service due
indication signal ‘S2’ for the plurality of liquid fuel injectors when the counted fuel injection pulses ‘P2’ for the plurality of liquid fuel injectors exceed above the predefined threshold counter value (Th2) to display device on the instrument panel to indicate that plurality of liquid fuel injectors are required to be replaced.
[0050] In an embodiment, both the service due indication can be displayed in
same display device or display area. When the vehicle is disabled to run in gaseous fuel mode and service due indication is indicated in defined display area, it means that the plurality of gaseous fuel injectors are to be replaced. In other embodiment, if display device or display area indicates service due indication and vehicle can run in gaseous mode, it means that plurality of liquid fuel injectors are to be replaced. Further, the personnel at service station can figure out which fuel injectors are to be replaced by diagnosis.
[0051] FIG. 2 illustrating components of the service due indication system
200 (herein after referred as system 200) that can be implemented or embedded in the Bi-fuel ECU 103. The service due indication system 200 may have a separate processor 201, memory 203 and interface 202 from the Bi-fuel ECU 103. However, it is preferred to use processor, memory and interface of Bi-fuel ECU 103 when it is embedded in the Bi-fuel ECU 103.
[0052] FIG. 3 illustrates a method 300 for indicating service due of fuel
injectors of a bi-fuel (BF) vehicle, according to an implementation of the present disclosure. The order in which the method 300 is described is not intended to be construed as a limitation, and any number of the described method blocks can be combined in any appropriate order to carry out the method 300 or an alternative method. Additionally, individual blocks may be deleted from the method 300 without departing from the scope of the subject matter described herein.
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[0053] At block 302, the method 300 includes counting, by counter, fuel
injection pulses (P1, P2) for a plurality of gaseous fuel injectors and a plurality of liquid fuel injectors of bi-fuel vehicle.
[0054] At block 304, the method 300 includes comparing, by service due
indication module 305, the counted fuel injection pulses (P1, P2) with predefined threshold counter values (Th1, Th2).
[0055] At block 306, the method 300 includes transmitting, by the service due
indication module, a fuel inhibition signal to the plurality of gaseous fuel injectors when the counted fuel injection pulses (P1) for the plurality of gaseous fuel injectors exceed above the predefined threshold counter value (Th1). Based on the fuel inhibition signal, the bi-fuel ECU 103 temporarily disables the supply of gaseous fuel and disables the gaseous fuel running mode till gaseous fuel injectors are replaced with new or repaired gaseous fuel injectors. The service due indication module 108 also transmits a service due indication signal ‘S1’ for the plurality of gaseous fuel injectors to display device on an instrument panel to indicate that the plurality of gaseous fuel injectors are required to be replaced.
[0056] At block 308, the method 300 includes transmitting, by the service due
indication module, a service due indication signal ‘S2’ for the plurality of liquid fuel injectors when the counted fuel injection pulses ‘P2’ for the plurality of liquid fuel injectors exceed above the predefined threshold counter value (Th2) to display device on the instrument panel to indicate that plurality of liquid fuel injectors are required to be replaced.
[0057] Upon replacement of faulty fuel injectors with new or repaired fuel
injectors, the counter value in the counter is re-set to zero for further processing.
[0058] Technical advantages:
[0059] Service reminder on due date: the vehicle operator will be reminded
of fuel injector replacement after recommended use or based on running of vehicle.
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[0060] Fuel Saving: Fuel efficiency tends to rise with good functioning fuel
injectors, which translates to fuel and cost savings. With the present disclosure, fuel efficiency can be increased by providing effective fuel injection.
[0061] Emission: Faulty fuel injectors affect the emission of the vehicle, so
reminder to the vehicle operators for changing the faulty fuel injector will prevent emission to turn bad.
[0062] Drivability: The proper functioning of correct/ non-faulty fuel
injectors also ensures better drivability.
[0063] The above description does not provide specific details of the
manufacture or design of the various components. Those of skill in the art are familiar with such details, and unless departures from those techniques are set out, techniques, known, related art or later developed designs and materials should be employed. Those in the art can choose suitable manufacturing and design details.
[0064] It should be understood, however, that all of these and similar terms
are to be associated with the appropriate physical quantities and are merely convenient labels applied to these quantities. Unless specifically stated otherwise, as apparent from the discussion herein, it is appreciated that throughout the description, discussions utilizing terms such as “receiving,” or “transmitting,” or the like, refer to the action and processes of an electronic control unit, or similar electronic computing device, that manipulates and transforms data represented as physical (electronic) quantities within the control unit’s registers and memories into other data similarly represented as physical quantities within the control unit memories or registers or other such information storage, transmission or display devices.
[0065] Further, the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing
particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the disclosure. It will be appreciated that several of the above-disclosed and other features and functions, or alternatives thereof, may be combined into other systems or applications. Various presently unforeseen or unanticipated alternatives,
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modifications, variations, or improvements therein may subsequently be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the present disclosure as encompassed by the following claims.
[0066] The claims, as originally presented and as they may be amended, encompass variations, alternatives, modifications, improvements, equivalents, and substantial equivalents of the embodiments and teachings disclosed herein, including those that are presently unforeseen or unappreciated, and that, for example, may arise from applicants/patentees and others.
[0067] It will be appreciated that variants of the above-disclosed and other features and functions, or alternatives thereof, may be combined into many other different systems or applications. Various presently unforeseen or unanticipated alternatives, modifications, variations, or improvements therein may be subsequently made by those skilled in the art which are also intended to be encompassed by the following claims.

We claim:

A Bi-fuel Electronic Control Unit (ECU) (103) having a processor (104) and memory (106) to provide service due indication to improve fuel efficiency of bi-fuel vehicle, the Bi-fuel Electronic Control Unit (ECU) (103) comprising:
a service due indication system (200) having a service due indication module (108) coupled to the processor (104), to:
count fuel injection pulses (Pi, P2) for a plurality of gaseous fuel injectors and a plurality of liquid fuel injectors;
compare counted fuel injection pulses (Pi, P2) with predefined threshold counter values (Thi, TI12); and
transmit a fuel inhibition signal to the plurality of gaseous fuel injectors of a gaseous fuel source when the counted fuel injection pulses (Pi) for the plurality of gaseous fuel injectors exceed above the predefined threshold counter value (Thi).
The Bi-fuel Electronic Control Unit (ECU) (103) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the service due indication system (200) further transmits a service due indication signal (Si) for the plurality of gaseous fuel injectors to a display device on an instrument panel.
The Bi-fuel Electronic Control Unit (ECU) (103) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the service due indication system (200) further transmits a service due indication signal (S2) for the plurality of liquid fuel injectors when the counted fuel injection pulses for the plurality of liquid fuel injectors exceed above the predefined threshold counter value (TI12).
A service due indication system (200) for fuel injectors in Bi-fuel vehicle, the service due indication system (200) comprising:
a processor (201, 104) coupled to a memory (106, 203) and a service due indication module (108) to:

count fuel injection pulses (Pi, P2) for a plurality of gaseous fuel injectors and a plurality of liquid fuel injectors;
compare counted fuel injection pulses (Pi, P2) with predefined threshold counter values (Thi, TI12); and
transmit a fuel inhibition signal to the plurality of gaseous fuel injectors of a gaseous fuel source when the counted fuel injection pulses (Pi) for the plurality of gaseous fuel injectors exceed above the predefined threshold counter value (Thi).
The service due indication system (200) as claimed in claim 4, wherein the service due indication system (200) further transmit a service due indication signal (Si) for the plurality of gaseous fuel injector to display device on an instrument panel.
The service due indication system (200) as claimed in claim 4, wherein the service due indication system (200) further transmits a service due indication signal (S2) for the plurality of liquid fuel injectors when the counted fuel injection pulses for the plurality of liquid fuel injectors exceed above the predefined threshold counter value (TI12).
A method (300) for indicating service due of a plurality of fuel injectors of a bi-fuel (BF) vehicle, the method comprising:
counting, by counter (107), fuel injection pulses (Pi, P2) for a plurality of gaseous fuel injectors and a plurality of liquid fuel injectors;
comparing, by the service due indication module (108), the counted fuel injection pulses (Pi, P2) with predefined threshold counter values (Thi, TI12); and
transmitting, by the service due indication module (108), a fuel inhibition signal to the plurality of gaseous fuel injectors of a gaseous fuel source when the counted fuel injection pulses (Pi) for the plurality of gaseous fuel injectors exceed above the predefined threshold counter value (Thi).

The method (300) as claimed in claim 7, further comprising transmitting, by the service due indication module (108), a service due indication signal (Si) for the plurality of gaseous fuel injectors to display device on an instrument panel.
The method (300) as claimed in claim 7, further comprising transmitting, by the service due indication module (108), a service due indication signal (S2) for the plurality of liquid fuel injectors when the counted fuel injection pulses (P2) for the plurality of liquid fuel injectors exceed above the predefined threshold counter value (TI12).
The method (300) as claimed in claim 7, further comprising disabling the plurality of gaseous fuel injectors based upon fuel inhibition signal.