What is claimed is:
1. A deterioration detection apparatus for an oxygen sensor, comprising:
a first judgment value acquirer that calculates an element impedance real value from a value related to an electric power supplied to the oxygen sensor, and that acquires the calculated value as a first judgment value;
a second judgment value acquirer which calculates an element temperature estimated value of the oxygen sensor from a factor that affects a temperature of the oxygen sensor, and which acquires the calculated value as a second judgment value; and
an abnormality determiner that determines whether the oxygen sensor has an abnormality based on the first judgment value and the second judgment value.
2. The deterioration detection apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the abnormality determiner determines that the oxygen sensor has an abnormality if a relationship between the first judgment value and the second judgment value does not agree with a normal temperature characteristic that is exhibited by an element impedance of the oxygen sensor.
3. The deterioration detection apparatus according to claim 2,
wherein the oxygen sensor comprises a sensor element that exhibits the temperature characteristic, and a heater for heating the sensor element, and
wherein the factor that affects the temperature of the oxygen sensor includes at least a factor related to a state of operation of the heater, and
wherein the abnormality determiner comprises a heater electrification state detector that detects a state of electrification of the heater, and a sensor element abnormality identifier that, if it is determined that the oxygen sensor has an abnormality in a situation where the heater is not electrified, identifies the abnormality as an abnormality of the sensor element.
4. The deterioration detection apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the abnormality determiner comprises an electrification stopper that stops electrification of the heater if it is determined that the oxygen sensor has an abnormality in a situation where the heater is electrified.
5. The deterioration detection apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the abnormality determiner comprises a heater abnormality determiner that determines that the heater has an abnormality if determination of an abnormality of the oxygen sensor is overturned after the electrification of the heater is stopped by the electrification stopper.
6. The deterioration detection apparatus according to claim 1,
wherein the abnormality determiner comprises a first change amount detector that detects an amount of change in the first judgment value, and a second change amount detector that detects an amount of change in the second judgment value, and
wherein the abnormality determiner determines that the oxygen sensor has an abnormality if the amount of change in the first judgment value and the amount of change in the second judgment value do not exhibit a normal correlation.
7. A deterioration detection apparatus for an oxygen sensor, comprising:
a first judgment value acquirer that calculates an element impedance real value from a value related to an electric power supplied to the oxygen sensor, and that acquires the calculated value as a first judgment value;
a second judgment value acquirer which calculates an element impedance estimated value from a factor that affects a temperature of the oxygen sensor, and which acquires the calculated value as a second judgment value; and
an abnormality determiner that determines whether the oxygen sensor has an abnormality based on the first judgment value and the second judgment value.
8. The deterioration detection apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the abnormality determiner determines that the oxygen sensor has an abnormality if a difference between the first judgment value and the second judgment value exceeds a predetermined criterion.
9. The deterioration detection apparatus according to claim 8,
wherein the oxygen sensor comprises a sensor element that exhibits a temperature characteristic, and a heater for heating the sensor element, and
wherein the factor that affects the temperature of the oxygen sensor includes at least a factor related to a state of operation of the heater, and
wherein the abnormality determiner comprises a heater electrification state detector that detects a state of electrification of the heater, and a sensor element abnormality identifier that, if it is determined that the oxygen sensor has an abnormality in a situation where the heater is not electrified, identifies the abnormality as an abnormality of the sensor element.
10. The deterioration detection apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the abnormality determiner comprises an electrification stopper that stops electrification of the heater if it is determined that the oxygen sensor has an abnormality in a situation where the heater is electrified.
11. The deterioration detection apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the abnormality determiner comprises a heater abnormality determiner that determines that the heater has an abnormality if determination of an abnormality of the oxygen sensor is overturned after the electrification of the heater is stopped by the electrification stopper.
12. The deterioration detection apparatus according to claim 7,
wherein the abnormality determiner comprises a first change amount detector that detects an amount of change in the first judgment value, and a second change amount detector that detects an amount of change in the second judgment value, and
wherein the abnormality determiner determines that the oxygen sensor has an abnormality if the amount of change in the first judgment value and the amount of change in the second judgment value do not exhibit a normal correlation.
13. A deterioration detection apparatus for an oxygen sensor, comprising:
a first judgment value acquirer that calculates an element temperature theoretical value from a value related to an electric power supplied to the oxygen sensor, and that acquires the calculated value as a first judgment value;
a second judgment value acquirer which calculates an element impedance estimated value from a factor that affects a temperature of the oxygen sensor, and which acquires the calculated value as a second judgment value; and
an abnormality determiner that determines whether the oxygen sensor has an abnormality based on the first judgment value and the second judgment value.
14. The deterioration detection apparatus according to claim 13, wherein the abnormality determiner determines that the oxygen sensor has an abnormality if a relationship between the first judgment value and the second judgment value does not agree with a normal temperature characteristic that is exhibited by an element impedance of the oxygen sensor.
15. The deterioration detection apparatus according to claim 14,
wherein the oxygen sensor comprises a sensor element that exhibits the temperature characteristic, and a heater for heating the sensor element, and
wherein the factor that affects the temperature of the oxygen sensor includes at least a factor related to a state of operation of the heater, and
wherein the abnormality determiner comprises a heater electrification state detector that detects a state of electrification of the heater, and a sensor element abnormality identifier that, if it is determined that the oxygen sensor has an abnormality in a situation where the heater is not electrified, identifies the abnormality as an abnormality of the sensor element.
16. The deterioration detection apparatus according to claim 15, wherein the abnormality determiner comprises an electrification stopper that stops electrification of the heater if it is determined that the oxygen sensor has an abnormality in a situation where the heater is electrified.
17. The deterioration detection apparatus according to claim 16, wherein the abnormality determiner comprises a heater abnormality determiner that determines that the heater has an abnormality if determination of an abnormality of the oxygen sensor is overturned after the electrification of the heater is stopped by the electrification stopper.
18. The deterioration detection apparatus according to claim 13,
wherein the abnormality determiner comprises a first change amount detector that detects an amount of change in the first judgment value, and a second change amount detector that detects an amount of change in the second judgment value, and
wherein the abnormality determiner determines that the oxygen sensor has an abnormality if the amount of change in the first judgment value and the amount of change in the second judgment value do not exhibit a normal correlation.
19. A deterioration detection apparatus for an oxygen sensor, comprising:
a first judgment value acquirer that calculates an element temperature theoretical value from a value related to an electric power supplied to the oxygen sensor, and that acquires the calculated value as a first judgment value;
a second judgment value acquirer which calculates an element temperature estimated value from a factor that affects a temperature of the oxygen sensor, and which acquires the calculated value as a second judgment value; and
an abnormality determiner that determines whether the oxygen sensor has an abnormality based on the first judgment value and the second judgment value.
20. The deterioration detection apparatus according to claim 19, wherein the abnormality determiner determines that the oxygen sensor has an abnormality if a difference between the first judgment value and the second judgment value exceeds a predetermined criterion.
21. The deterioration detection apparatus according to claim 20,
wherein the oxygen sensor comprises a sensor element that exhibits a temperature characteristic, and a heater for heating the sensor element, and
wherein the factor that affects the temperature of the oxygen sensor includes at least a factor related to a state of operation of the heater, and
wherein the abnormality determiner comprises a heater electrification state detector that detects a state of electrification of the heater, and a sensor element abnormality identifier that, if it is determined that the oxygen sensor has an abnormality in a situation where the heater is not electrified, identifies the abnormality as an abnormality of the sensor element.
22. The deterioration detection apparatus according to claim 21, wherein the abnormality determiner comprises an electrification stopper that stops electrification of the heater if it is determined that the oxygen sensor has an abnormality in a situation where the heater is electrified.
23. The deterioration detection apparatus according to claim 22, wherein the abnormality determiner comprises a heater abnormality determiner that determines that the heater has an abnormality if determination of an abnormality of the oxygen sensor is overturned after the electrification of the heater is stopped by the electrification stopper.
24. The deterioration detection apparatus according to claim 19,
wherein the abnormality determiner comprises a first change amount detector that detects an amount of change in the first judgment value, and a second change amount detector that detects an amount of change in the second judgment value, and
wherein the abnormality determiner determines that the oxygen sensor has an abnormality if the amount of change in the first judgment value and the amount of change in the second judgment value do not exhibit a normal correlation.
25. A deterioration detection method for an oxygen sensor, comprising the steps of:
calculating an element impedance real value from a value related to an electric power supplied to the oxygen sensor, and acquiring the calculated value as a first judgment value;
calculating an element temperature estimated value of the oxygen sensor from a factor that affects a temperature of the oxygen sensor, and acquiring the calculated value as a second judgment value; and
determining whether the oxygen sensor has an abnormality based on the first judgment value and the second judgment value.
26. The deterioration detection method according to claim 25, wherein, in the abnormality determining step, it is determined that the oxygen sensor has an abnormality if a relationship between the first judgment value and the second judgment value does not agree with a normal temperature characteristic that is exhibited by an element impedance of the oxygen sensor.
27. The deterioration detection method according to claim 26,
wherein the oxygen sensor comprises a sensor element that exhibits the temperature characteristic, and a heater for heating the sensor element, and
wherein the factor that affects the temperature of the oxygen sensor includes at least a factor related to a state of operation of the heater, and
wherein the abnormality determining step comprises the step of detecting a state of electrification of the heater, and the step of, if it is determined that the oxygen sensor has an abnormality in a situation where the heater is not electrified, identifying the abnormality as an abnormality of the sensor element.
28. The deterioration detection method according to claim 27, wherein the abnormality determining step comprises the step of stopping electrification of the heater if it is determined that the oxygen sensor has an abnormality in a situation where the heater is electrified.
29. The deterioration detection method according to claim 28, wherein the abnormality determining step comprises the step of determining that the heater has an abnormality if determination of an abnormality of the oxygen sensor is overturned after the electrification of the heater is stopped in the stopping step.
30. The deterioration detection method according to claim 25,
wherein the abnormality determining step comprises the step of detecting an amount of change in the first judgment value, and the step of detecting an amount of change in the second judgment value, and
wherein it is determined that the oxygen sensor has an abnormality if the amount of change in the first judgment value and the amount of change in the second judgment value do not exhibit a normal correlation.
31. A deterioration detection method for an oxygen sensor, comprising the steps of:
calculating an element impedance real value from a value related to an electric power supplied to the oxygen sensor, and acquiring the calculated value as a first judgment value;
calculating an element impedance estimated value from a factor that affects a temperature of the oxygen sensor, and acquiring the calculated value as a second judgment value; and
determining whether the oxygen sensor has an abnormality based on the first judgment value and the second judgment value.
32. The deterioration detection method according to claim 31, wherein in the abnormality determining step, it is determined that the oxygen sensor has an abnormality if a difference between the first judgment value and the second judgment value exceeds a predetermined criterion.
33. The deterioration detection method according to claim 32,
wherein the oxygen sensor comprises a sensor element that exhibits a temperature characteristic, and a heater for heating the sensor element, and
wherein the factor that affects the temperature of the oxygen sensor includes at least a factor related to a state of operation of the heater, and
wherein the abnormality determining step comprises the step of detecting a state of electrification of the heater, and the step of, if it is determined that the oxygen sensor has an abnormality in a situation where the heater is not electrified, identifying the abnormality as an abnormality of the sensor element.
34. The deterioration detection method according to claim 33, wherein the abnormality determining step comprises the step of stopping electrification of the heater if it is determined that the oxygen sensor has an abnormality in a situation where the heater is electrified.
35. The deterioration detection method according to claim 34, wherein the abnormality determining step comprises the step of determining that the heater has an abnormality if determination of an abnormality of the oxygen sensor is overturned after the electrification of the heater is stopped in the stopping step.
36. The deterioration detection method according to claim 31,
wherein the abnormality determining step comprises the step of detecting an amount of change in the first judgment value, and the step of detecting an amount of change in the second judgment value, and
wherein it is determined that the oxygen sensor has an abnormality if the amount of change in the first judgment value and the amount of change in the second judgment value do not exhibit a normal correlation.
37. A deterioration detection method for an oxygen sensor, comprising the steps of:
calculating an element temperature theoretical value from a value related to an electric power supplied to the oxygen sensor, and acquiring the calculated value as a first judgment value;
calculating an element impedance estimated value from a factor that affects a temperature of the oxygen sensor, and acquiring the calculated value as a second judgment value; and
determining whether the oxygen sensor has an abnormality based on the first judgment value and the second judgment value.
38. The deterioration detection method according to claim 37, wherein in the abnormality determining step, it is determined that the oxygen sensor has an abnormality if a relationship between the first judgment value and the second judgment value does not agree with a normal temperature characteristic that is exhibited by an element impedance of the oxygen sensor.
39. The deterioration detection method according to claim 38,
wherein the oxygen sensor comprises a sensor element that exhibits the temperature characteristic, and a heater for heating the sensor element, and
wherein the factor that affects the temperature of the oxygen sensor includes at least a factor related to a state of operation of the heater, and
wherein the abnormality determining step comprises the step of detecting a state of electrification of the heater, and the step of, if it is determined that the oxygen sensor has an abnormality in a situation where the heater is not electrified, identifying the abnormality as an abnormality of the sensor element.
40. The deterioration detection method according to claim 39, wherein the abnormality determining step comprises the step of stopping electrification of the heater if it is determined that the oxygen sensor has an abnormality in a situation where the heater is electrified.
41. The deterioration detection method according to claim 40, wherein the abnormality determining step comprises the step of determining that the heater has an abnormality if determination of an abnormality of the oxygen sensor is overturned after the electrification of the heater is stopped in the stopping step.
42. The deterioration detection method according to claim 37,
wherein the abnormality determining step comprises the step of detecting an amount of change in the first judgment value, and the step of detecting an amount of change in the second judgment value, and
wherein it is determined that the oxygen sensor has an abnormality if the amount of change in the first judgment value and the amount of change in the second judgment value do not exhibit a normal correlation.
43. A deterioration detection method for an oxygen sensor, comprising the steps of:
calculating an element temperature theoretical value from a value related to an electric power supplied to the oxygen sensor, and acquiring the calculated value as a first judgment value;
calculating an element temperature estimated value from a factor that affects a temperature of the oxygen sensor, and acquiring the calculated value as a second judgment value; and
determining whether the oxygen sensor has an abnormality based on the first judgment value and the second judgment value.
44. The deterioration detection method according to claim 43, wherein in the abnormality determining step, it is determined that the oxygen sensor has an abnormality if a difference between the first judgment value and the second judgment value exceeds a predetermined criterion.
45. The deterioration detection method according to claim 44,
wherein the oxygen sensor comprises a sensor element that exhibits a temperature characteristic, and a heater for heating the sensor element, and
wherein the factor that affects the temperature of the oxygen sensor includes at least a factor related to a state of operation of the heater, and
wherein the abnormality determining step comprises the step of detecting a state of electrification of the heater, and the step of, if it is determined that the oxygen sensor has an abnormality in a situation where the heater is not electrified, identifying the abnormality as an abnormality of the sensor element.
46. The deterioration detection method according to claim 45, wherein the abnormality determining step comprises the step of stopping electrification of the heater if it is determined that the oxygen sensor has an abnormality in a situation where the heater is electrified.
47. The deterioration detection method according to claim 46, wherein the abnormality determining step comprises the step of determining that the heater has an abnormality if determination of an abnormality of the oxygen sensor is overturned after the electrification of the heater is stopped in the stopping step.
48. The deterioration detection method according to claim 43,
wherein the abnormality determining step comprises the step of detecting an amount of change in the first judgment value, and the step of detecting an amount of change in the second judgment value, and
wherein it is determined that the oxygen sensor has an abnormality if the amount of change in the first judgment value and the amount of change in the second judgment value do not exhibit a normal correlation.
The claims below are in addition to those above.
All refrences to claim(s) which appear below refer to the numbering after this setence.
1. A guardrail safety system, comprising:
a guardrail beam operable to contain and redirect an errant vehicle to prevent the vehicle from leaving a roadway, the guardrail beam comprising a thrie beam; and
a support post coupled to the guardrail beam, the support post comprising:
a lower portion for installing below grade adjacent the roadway;
a mid portion that lies substantially adjacent the grade, the mid portion including a weakened section operable to weaken the support post about a first axis without substantially weakening the support member about a second axis that is generally perpendicular to the first axis; and
an upper portion releasably coupled to the guardrail beam such that the upper portion is uncoupled from the guardrail beam when the mid portion yields about the first axis.
2. The guardrail safety system of claim 1, wherein the weakened section comprises at least one aperture selected from the group consisting of a square, rectangle, circle, oval, ellipse, and trapezoid.
3. The guardrail safety system of claim 1, wherein the weakened section comprises at least one cutout selected from the group consisting of a notch, a diamond-shaped notch, a semi-circle opening, and a sawcut.
4. The guardrail safety system of claim 1, wherein the support post is comprised of material selected from the group consisting of steel, wood, and plastic.
5. The guardrail safety system of claim 1, wherein the support post is comprised of steel and is selected from the group consisting of an I-beam, an H-beam, a C-channel, an S-beam, a W-beam, an M-beam, a square tube, a rectangular tube, or a round tube.
6. The guardrail safety system of claim 5, wherein the support post is comprised of steel and is selected from the group consisting of a W6\xd79 Wide flange, a W8\xd710 Wide flange, and a W6\xd78.5 Wide flange.
7. The guardrail safety system of claim 1, further comprising a flange protector coupled between the support post and the guardrail beam, the flange protector selected from the group consisting of a corrugated guardrail member having two corrugations, a corrugated guardrail member having three corrugations, a flat plate, a block, or a channel.
8. The guardrail safety system of claim 1, further comprising a flange protector coupled between the support post and the guardrail beam, and wherein:
the support post comprises first and second flanges and a web forming a coupling between the first and second flanges, the web extending generally perpendicular to a midpoint of the first and second flanges;
the flange protector comprises a substantially rectangular body portion that includes an indentation in a surface of the flange protector that is proximate to the support post when the support post and the guardrail beam are coupled with the flange protector therebetween; and
the second flange of the support post rests inside the indentation of the flange protector when the second flange of the support post and the guardrail beam are coupled with the flange protector therebetween.
9. The guardrail safety system of claim 1, further comprising a connector for coupling the support post to the guardrail beam, the connector including a head portion that is configured to provide a sufficiently strong connection between the guardrail beam and the support post to support the guardrail beam and a sufficiently weak connection between the guardrail beam and the support post to enable the support post to detach from the guardrail beam when struck by the errant vehicle.
10. The guardrail safety system of claim 1, further comprising a connector for coupling the support post to the guardrail beam, the connector comprising a bolt having a countersunk head defined by a first surface and a second surface, the countersunk head having a tapered side between the first and second surfaces.
11. The guardrail safety system of claim 10, the countersunk head includes a shoulder proximate a threaded shaft of the bolt.
12. The guardrail safety system of claim 1, further comprising a connector for coupling the support post to the guardrail beam, the connector comprising:
a threaded shaft;
a head portion coupled to the threaded shaft; and
a shoulder portion proximate the threaded shaft and configured to prevent the connector from rotating relative to the guardrail beam.
13. A guardrail safety system, comprising:
a guardrail beam operable to contain and redirect an errant vehicle to prevent the vehicle from leaving a roadway, the guardrail beam comprising:
a terminal portion comprising a corrugated guardrail member having two corrugations;
a length-of-need (LON) portion comprising a corrugated guardrail member having three corrugations; and
a transition portion comprising a steel member that transitions from a corrugated guardrail member having two corrugations to a corrugated guardrail member having three corrugations; and
a plurality of guardrail support posts in spaced apart relation to one another, at least a portion of the plurality of support posts comprising:
a lower portion for installing below grade adjacent the roadway;
a mid portion that lies substantially adjacent the grade, the mid portion including a weakened section operable to weaken the support post about a first axis without substantially weakening the support member about a second axis that is generally perpendicular to the first axis; and
an upper portion releasably coupled to the guardrail beam such that the upper portion is uncoupled from the guardrail beam when the mid portion yields about the first axis.
14. The guardrail safety system of claim 13, wherein the weakened section comprises at least one aperture selected from the group consisting of a square, rectangle, circle, oval, ellipse, and trapezoid.
15. The guardrail safety system of claim 13, wherein the weakened section comprises at least one cutout selected from the group consisting of a notch, a diamond-shaped notch, a semi-circle opening, and a sawcut.
16. The guardrail safety system of claim 13, wherein at least a portion of the plurality of support posts are comprised of material selected from the group consisting of steel, wood, and plastic.
17. The guardrail safety system of claim 13, wherein at least a portion of the plurality of support posts are comprised of steel and are selected from the group consisting of an I-beam, an H-beam, a C-channel, an S-beam, a W-beam, an M-beam, a square tube, a rectangular tube, or a round tube.
18. The guardrail safety system of claim 17, wherein at least a portion of the plurality of support posts are comprised of steel and are selected from the group consisting of a W6\xd79 Wide flange, a W8\xd710 Wide flange, and a W6\xd78.5 Wide flange.
19. The guardrail safety system of claim 13, further comprising a flange protector coupled between a selected one of the plurality of support posts and the guardrail beam, the flange protector selected from the group consisting of a corrugated guardrail member having two corrugations, a corrugated guardrail member having three corrugations, a flat plate, a block, or a channel.
20. The guardrail safety system of claim 13, further comprising a flange protector coupled between a selected one of the plurality of support posts and the guardrail beam, and wherein:
the selected support post comprises first and second flanges and a web forming a coupling between the first and second flanges, the web extending generally perpendicular to a midpoint of the first and second flanges;
the flange protector comprises a substantially rectangular body portion that includes an indentation in a surface of the flange protector that is proximate to the selected support post when the selected support post and the guardrail beam are coupled with the flange protector therebetween; and
the second flange of the selected support post rests inside the indentation of the flange protector when the second flange of the selected support post and the guardrail beam are coupled with the flange protector therebetween.
21. The guardrail safety system of claim 13, further comprising a connector for coupling a selected one of the plurality of support posts to the guardrail beam, the connector including a head portion that is configured to provide a sufficiently strong connection between the guardrail beam and the selected support post to support the guardrail beam and a sufficiently weak connection between the guardrail beam and the selected support post to enable the selected support post to detach from the guardrail beam when struck by the errant vehicle.
22. The guardrail safety system of claim 13, further comprising a connector for coupling a selected one of the plurality of support posts to the guardrail beam, the connector comprising a bolt having a countersunk head defined by a first surface and a second surface, the countersunk head having a tapered side between the first and second surfaces.
23. The guardrail safety system of claim 13, further comprising a connector for coupling the support post to the guardrail beam, the connector comprising:
a threaded shaft;
a head portion coupled to the threaded shaft; and
a shoulder portion proximate the threaded shaft and configured to prevent the connector from rotating relative to the guardrail beam.
24. A guardrail safety system, comprising:
a guardrail beam operable to contain and redirect an errant vehicle to prevent the vehicle from leaving a roadway, the guardrail beam comprising:
a terminal portion comprising a corrugated guardrail member having two corrugations;
a length-of-need (LON) portion comprising a corrugated guardrail member having three corrugations; and
a transition portion comprising a steel member that transitions from a corrugated guardrail member having two corrugations to a corrugated guardrail member having three corrugations;
a plurality of guardrail support posts in spaced apart relation to one another, at least a portion of the plurality of support posts comprising:
a lower portion for installing below grade adjacent the roadway;
a mid portion that lies substantially adjacent the grade, the mid portion including a weakened section operable to weaken the support post about a first axis without substantially weakening the support member about a second axis that is generally perpendicular to the first axis, the weakened section selected from the group consisting of at least one aperture, at least one notch, and at least one sawcut; and
an upper portion releasably coupled to the guardrail beam such that the upper portion is uncoupled from the guardrail beam when the mid portion yields about the first axis;
a flange protector coupled between a selected one of the plurality of support posts and the guardrail beam, the flange protector comprising a portion of a corrugated guardrail beam; and
a connector for coupling the selected one of the plurality of support posts to the guardrail beam, the connector comprising a bolt having a countersunk head defined by a first surface and a second surface, the countersunk head having a tapered side between the first and second surfaces.