Precision timing light for internal combustion engine and method of use

• US 20060113999A1
• Filed: 11/30/2004
• Published: 06/01/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 11/30/2004
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Competition Cams Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Competition Cams Incorporated
• Inventors: Brothers, Paul, Turnpaugh, Ron
• Application Number:
  US10/998,642
• Publication Number:
  US 20060113999A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 324/391
• CPC Class Codes: F02P 17/06 using a stroboscopic lamp

Abstract

An ignition timing device for measuring ignition timing that includes a focused light source, a securing member, an ignition indication sensor, and a control box. The focused light source permanently or removably attaches to an engine or engine compartment in close proximity to a rotating portion of the engine having marks that, when aligned with fixed timing marks or a reflection point, indicate ignition timing. The ignition timing device flashes the focused light source in response to receiving ignition detection signals from the ignition indication sensor. The control box has a capability to advance or retard the flashing of the focused light source in response to the ignition signal to allow advance or retard of engine ignition timing through, for example, adjustment to the distributor of the engine.

Claims

1. A device for precisely measuring ignition timing, the device comprising:

a focused light source;

a securing member to fixedly locate the focused light source;

an ignition indication sensor;

a moving indicator visible relative to the focused light source; and

a control box for variably outputting a timing output to the focused light source.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein the focused light source comprises laser light.

3. The device of claim 1, wherein the focused light source, the ignition indicator sensor, and the control box communicate via a coupling.

4. The device of claim 3, wherein the coupling is selected from a group consisting of a wire, a wireless signal, and a fiber optic link.

5. The device of claim 1, wherein the securing member is attached to an engine.

6. The device of claim 1, wherein the securing member is attached within an engine compartment of a vehicle.

7. The device of claim 1, wherein the control box includes at least one input feature for varying the timing output of the focused light source.

8. The device of claim 1, wherein the control box is fixedly located within an engine compartment of a vehicle.

9. The device of claim 1, wherein the control box is a hand-held device.

10. The device of claim 1, further comprising:

a secondary light source for illuminating the moving indicator.

11. A device for precisely measuring ignition timing, the device comprising:

a focused light source comprising a laser directable at a rotating engine member, the rotating engine member having an indicator;

a secondary illuminating light source comprising an ultra bright white light emitting diode;

a securing member to fixedly locate the focused light source and the illuminating light source from a fixed engine or engine compartment location;

an ignition indication sensor; and

a control box that includes a readout for indicating the timing advance or retard of an internal combustion engine and an advance/retard functionality to advance or retard when the focused light source flashes relative to the indicator.

12. The device of claim 11 wherein the focused light source, the secondary illuminating light source, the ignition indicator sensor, and the control box communicate via a coupling.

13. The device of claim 12 wherein the coupling is selected from a group consisting of a wire, a wireless signal, and a fiber optic link.

14. A timing light device for a combustion engine, the device comprising:

means for receiving an ignition signal for a cylinder of the combustion engine;

means for transmitting an output signal based on the received ignition signal;

means for variably providing a focused light output corresponding to the output signal from a fixed location relative to the combustion engine; and

means for determining ignition timing for the combustion engine using the focused light output.

15. The device of claim 14, wherein the means for determining ignition timing includes at least one moving indicator for the combustion engine.

16. A method for measuring ignition timing, the method comprising:

sensing ignition for an internal combustion engine;

upon sensing the ignition, transmitting an ignition detection signal to a control box;

transmitting a light signal to a fixed position focused light source, the light signal corresponding to the sensed ignition; and

the fixed position light source directing a light output corresponding to the light signal to a rotating engine member, the rotating engine member including an indicator for determining the ignition timing via comparison with a reflected image for the light signal.

17. The method of claim 16, further comprising:

receiving an advance or retard input;

wherein the received input is variable, the received variable input producing variation in the light signal, the variation in the light signal thereby varying the light output.

18. A timing device, comprising:

a sensor for sensing ignition for an internal combustion engine;

a control box coupled to the sensor, the control box receiving the sensed ignition and outputting a signal corresponding to the sensed ignition;

a fixed position focused light source coupled to the control box, the light source receiving the control box output signal and outputting a focused light beam in response to the received control box output signal;

wherein the focused light beam is directed at a rotating engine member to produce a reflected image at a location on the rotating engine member, wherein the rotating engine member includes an indicator, the indicator position being comparable to the location of the reflected image so as to indicate ignition timing.

19. The timing device of claim 18, further comprising:

a secondary light source for providing illumination of the rotating engine member and the indicator.

20. The timing device of claim 19, wherein the control box includes a switch for enabling and disabling the secondary light source.