{
  "$type": "site.standard.document",
  "description": "The present invention relates to a method and system for detecting a presence of a block heater in an automobile. In one embodiment, an automobile includes an engine, a radiator, an engine coolant temperature (\"ECT\") sensor, and/or an engine control unit (\"ECU\"). The radiator delivers coolant to…",
  "path": "/patents/1003060",
  "publishedAt": "2012-04-25T00:00:00.000Z",
  "site": "at://did:plc:oql6ds5vnff4ugar6rruliwd/site.standard.publication/3mn3ohu7oxx5w",
  "tags": [
    "F01P11/16",
    "TOYOTA ENG & MFG NORTH AMERICA [US]"
  ],
  "textContent": "The present invention relates to a method and system for detecting a presence of a block heater in an automobile. In one embodiment, an automobile includes an engine, a radiator, an engine coolant temperature (\"ECT\") sensor, and/or an engine control unit (\"ECU\"). The radiator delivers coolant to the engine to cool the engine. The ECT sensor is located in a path of the coolant and determines ECT data. The ECU determines a temperature difference between a current maximum temperature of the engine coolant temperature data at a first time period and a current minimum temperature of the engine coolant temperature data at a second time period after the first time period. When the temperature difference is greater than a predetermined temperature threshold, the ECU determines that the block heater is present When the block heater is present, the ECU masks any engine malfunction detections.",
  "title": "Method and system for detecting a presence of a block heater in an automobile"
}