LASER IGNITION SYSTEM BASED DIAGNOSTICS
First Claim
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1. A method for an engine, comprising:
- over an engine cycle,operating a laser ignition device in each engine cylinder;
identifying a piston position in each cylinder based on the operating; and
indicating degradation of a crankshaft based on a piston position of each cylinder.
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Abstract
Methods and systems are provided for using an engine laser ignition system to perform a visual inspection of an engine and diagnose various cylinder components and conditions based on engine positional measurements. Laser pulses may be emitted at a lower power level during an intake and/or exhaust stroke to illuminate a cylinder interior while a photodetector captures images of the cylinder interior. Additionally, laser pulses may be emitted at a higher power level to initiate cylinder combustion while the photodetector captures images of the cylinder interior using the light generated during cylinder combustion.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A method for an engine, comprising:
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over an engine cycle, operating a laser ignition device in each engine cylinder; identifying a piston position in each cylinder based on the operating; and indicating degradation of a crankshaft based on a piston position of each cylinder. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A method for an engine, comprising:
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over an engine cycle, operating a laser ignition device in each engine cylinder; identifying a cylinder valve position in each cylinder based on the operating; and indicating degradation of a camshaft based on a valve position of each cylinder. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. A method, comprising:
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operating a laser ignition device in an engine cylinder; identifying each of a cylinder piston position and a cylinder valve position based on the operating; and indicating misalignment of a crankshaft relative to a camshaft based on a deviation of the identified cylinder valve position from an expected valve position, the expected valve position based on the identified cylinder piston position. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification