User interface for electronic controller and timing sensor

• US 20010056323A1
• Filed: 06/14/2001
• Published: 12/27/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 11/02/1999
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: ACCEL Performance Group, LLC (High Performance Industries, Inc.), MSD, LLC, Powerteq LLC
• Original Assignee: Autotronic Controls Corporation (Valueact Holdings II LP)
• Inventors: Masters, Stephen C., Waits, Douglas B.
• Granted Patent: US 6,741,925 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 701/115
• CPC Class Codes: B25J 9/16 Programme controls programme controls in general G05B19/00, e.g. numerical pogramme controls G05B19/18; recording or playback systems G05B19/42
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 37/02 one of the functions being ignition
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 41/2422 Selective use of one or more tables
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 41/26 using computer, e.g. microprocessor

Abstract

A programmable electronic ignition system is provided including a hand-held programmer, or in the alternative a computer, for controlling engine control parameters including revolutions per minutes limiters, ignition timing retards, gear shift controls and revolutions per minute switching. The hand-held programmer or computer provides a menu driven interface which directs the user through the engine control parameters using easy to recognize terms. The programmable electronic ignition system can employ a cylinder location sensor to identify a predetermined cylinder for controlling individual cylinder ignition timing retards.

Claims

1. A spark sensing device for an electronic engine controller of an ignition system, the spark sensing device comprising:

a sensor for detecting a spark generating current;

a high voltage noise filtering circuit associated with the sensor for isolating the spark generating current from electromagnetic interference created by other spark plug wires in the ignition system; and

an indicator for receiving a signal from the sensor to provide an indication that the spark generation current has been detected.

2. The spark sensing device of

claim 1

, wherein the indicator includes a link to the controller to communicate the detection of a spark generating current thereto.

3. The spark sensing device of

claim 1

, wherein the indicator is a light and the link is a fiber optic cable for transmitting the light generated by the indicator upon detecting the spark generating current to the electronic controller.

4. The system of

claim 3

in combination with the electronic controller which includes a light sensor for converting the light transmitted by the cable to the controller to a current signal for further processing.

5. The spark sensing device of

claim 3

, wherein the sensor is a coil mounted about the spark plug wire, and

a sleeve about the sensor coil and mounting the light and cable thereto.