Method for the control of a switchable water pump in an internal combustion engine

Abstract

A method is provided for the control of a switchable water pump for a water cooling circuit in an internal combustion engine. The method includes, but is not limited to monitoring a parameter representative of the cylinder head temperature and, in case the temperature is below a predetermined value, perform at least an on-off cycle for the switchable water pump. The on-off cycle, includes, but is not limited to at least a first phase in which the water pump is switched OFF for a time period T 1 and a second phase in which the water pump is switched ON for a time period T 2.

1 . A method for control of a switchable water pump for a water cooling circuit in an internal combustion engine, comprising the steps of:
 monitoring a parameter representative of a cylinder head temperature with a sensor; and   performing at least an on-off cycle for the switchable water pump with a control apparatus if said cylinder head temperature is below a predetermined value, said on-off cycle comprising at least a first phase in which the switchable water pump is switched OFF for a time period T 1  and a second phase in which the switchable water pump is switched ON for a time period T 2 .   
     
     
         2 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the time period T 1  is greater than the time period T 2 . 
     
     
         3 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein a ratio between a first length of the time period T 2  and a second length of the time period T 1  less then or equal to approximately 1/30. 
     
     
         4 . The method according to  claim 1 , maintaining the switchable water pump in an ON state if the cylinder head temperature is above the predetermined value. 
     
     
         5 . The method according to  claim 4 , wherein the predetermined value is at least approximately 80° C. 
     
     
         6 . An internal combustion engine, comprising:
 a sensor adapted to measure a cylinder head temperature; and   a control unit adapted to:   receive a parameter representative of the cylinder head temperature measured by the sensor; and   initiate at least an on-off cycle for a switchable water pump if said cylinder head temperature is below a predetermined value, said on-off cycle comprising at least a first phase in which the switchable water pump is switched OFF for a time period T 1  and a second phase in which the switchable water pump is switched ON for a time period T 2 .   
     
     
         7 . The internal combustion engine according to  claim 6 , wherein the time period T 1  is greater than the time period T 2 . 
     
     
         8 . The internal combustion engine according to  claim 6 , wherein a ratio between a first length of the time period T 2  and a second length of the time period T 1  less then or equal to approximately 1/30. 
     
     
         9 . The internal combustion engine according to  claim 6 , maintaining the switchable water pump in an ON state if the cylinder head temperature is above the predetermined value. 
     
     
         10 . The internal combustion engine according to  claim 9 , wherein the predetermined value is at least approximately 80° C. 
     
     
         11 . The internal combustion engine according to  claim 6 , wherein the internal combustion engine is a diesel engine. 
     
     
         12 . A computer readable medium embodying a computer program product, said computer program product comprising:
 a program for control of a switchable water pump for a water cooling circuit in an internal combustion engine, the program configured to:   monitor a parameter representative of a cylinder head temperature measured with a sensor; and   performing at least an on-off cycle for the switchable water pump if said cylinder head temperature is below a predetermined value, said on-off cycle comprising at least a first phase in which the switchable water pump is switched OFF for a time period T 1  and a second phase in which the switchable water pump is switched ON for a time period T 2 .   
     
     
         13 . The computer readable medium according to  claim 12 , wherein the time period T 1  is greater than the time period T 2 . 
     
     
         14 . The computer readable medium according to  claim 12 , wherein a ratio between a first length of the time period T 2  and a second length of the time period T 1  less then or equal to approximately 1/30. 
     
     
         15 . The computer readable medium according to  claim 12 , the program further configured to maintain the switchable water pump in an ON state if the cylinder head temperature is above the predetermined value. 
     
     
         16 . The computer readable medium according to  claim 15 , wherein the predetermined value is at least approximately 80° C.