Methods and systems are provided for enabling engine diagnostics, including visual inspections of an engine cylinder, using existing hardware from a laser ignition system. Light pulses from a laser ignition device are received at a photodetector during non-combusting conditions and used to generate images of an inside of the cylinder that can be assessed by a service technician. An electric motor of the vehicle system can be used during a service mode of the vehicle to rotate the engine to, and hold the engine at, specified engine positions that enable the technician to perform selected diagnostic tests.
Laser ignition system based diagnostics
2016-03-01
Patent
Electronic Resource
English
IPC: | B60W CONJOINT CONTROL OF VEHICLE SUB-UNITS OF DIFFERENT TYPE OR DIFFERENT FUNCTION , Gemeinsame Steuerung oder Regelung von Fahrzeug-Unteraggregaten verschiedenen Typs oder verschiedener Funktion / F02D CONTROLLING COMBUSTION ENGINES , Steuern oder Regeln von Brennkraftmaschinen / F02N STARTING OF COMBUSTION ENGINES , Anlassen von Brennkraftmaschinen / F02P IGNITION, OTHER THAN COMPRESSION IGNITION, FOR INTERNAL-COMBUSTION ENGINES , Zündung von Brennkraftmaschinen mit innerer Verbrennung, ausgenommen Kompressionszündung |