Measuring device for recording a gas mass flow
View Patent ↗Presented is a measuring device for recording a gas mass flow of an internal combustion engine. The measuring device includes a sensor element for recording the gas mass flow. The sensor element includes an evaluation circuit connected downstream of the sensor element. The evaluation circuit includes an adder for determining a total mass flow over a multiplicity of engine cycles.
1. A measuring device for recording a gas mass flow of an internal combustion engine, comprising:
a sensor element configured to sense the gas mass flow and output a gas mass flow signal; and
an evaluation circuit connected downstream of the sensor element, the evaluation circuit comprising an adder determining a value indicative of a total gas mass flow over a multiplicity of engine cycles of the internal combustion engine wherein the value is a measure of an age of the sensor element.
2. The measuring device as claimed in claim 1 , further comprising an integrator determining an integrated partial mass flow based on a rational position of the internal combustion engine, the integrator being connected upstream of the adder.
3. The measuring device as claimed in claim 2 , wherein the adder adds values of the integrated partial mass flow provided by the integrator.
4. The measuring device as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the adder determines a value indicative of the total mass flow over an operation life of the measuring device.
5. The measuring device as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the adder is disposed in a unit with the sensor element.
6. The measuring device as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the adder is resettable.
7. The measuring device as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the adder is disposed in an engine controller.
8. The measuring device as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the adder is disposed in a central computation unit of a vehicle.
9. The measuring device as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the sensor element comprises a heating resistor and a measuring resistor configured to thermally determine the air mass flow.
10. The measuring device as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the sensor element comprises at least one ultrasound transducer.
11. The measuring device as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the measuring device measures the air mass flow in the intake section of an internal combustion engine.
12. The measuring device according to claim 1 , wherein the evaluation circuit is configured to compare the value to a limit, the evaluation circuit outputting a signal indicative of a status of the sensor based in part on the comparison.
13. The measuring device according to claim 12 , wherein the signal indicates a replacement sensor is required.