PROCESS AND APPARATUS FOR PRODUCING TRIGGER PULSES

• US 3,696,303 A
• Filed: 04/02/1970
• Issued: 10/03/1972
• Est. Priority Date: 04/03/1969
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Pierburg GmbH & Company KG Neuss West Germany
• Original Assignee: Gunter Hartig
• Inventors: Hartig, Gunter
• Primary Examiner(s): Heyman, John S.
• Application Number:
  US05/025,002
• Time in Patent Office: 915 Days
• Field of Search: 328/55,63,72,73,74,140,141 340/268T 307/215,247,273
• US Class Current: 327/286
• CPC Class Codes: F02P 5/15 Digital data processing
• CPC Class Codes: F02P 7/061 pick-up devices without mechanical contacts F02P7/067 - F02P7/077 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F02P 7/0675 with variable reluctance, e.g. depending on the shape of a tooth
• CPC Class Codes: F02P 7/0775 Electronical verniers
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/40 Engine management systems

Abstract

Apparatus for producing a trigger pulse at a preselected point which is off-set from a reference point in the movement of a cyclically moving mechanical device which includes a pulse generator adapted to be connected to the device which produces a series of pulses during each cycle of the device. A counter counts the pulses. A gate connects the pulse generator with the counter and control means enables the gate for a time period corresponding to the interval of time between movement of the mechanical device between the preselected and reference points. Trigger means is provided which increments the count in the counter to produce a trigger pulse after a desired count has been reached. A novel method of producing the trigger is also disclosed.

Claims

1. A method for producing a trigger pulse at a preselected point which is off-set from a reference point in the movement of a cyclically moving mechanical device comprising:

a. producing a series of pulses during each cycle of movement of the device wherein corresponding pulses in successive series are produced at the same point in the movement of the device, b. counting a predetermined number of the pulses in at least a first series in which said predetermined number corresponds to the difference in time between said preselected and reference points, c. incrementing said count by respective succeeding pulses until a desired count is reached, d. and producing said trigger pulse when the next succeeding pulse after said desired count is produced;

e. said method comprising the further steps of setting to zero prior to initiating a count therein a first, second and third counter;

counting said predetermined number of pulses in said first series in a first counter;

counting said predetermined number of pulses in a second series in said second counter;

counting all of the pulses in a series in said third counter; and

alternately incrementing said first and second counters with said third counter to produce said trigger pulse.

2. The method of claim 1, in which said count is incremented by a number of pulses equal to said predetermined number to reach said desired count.

3. The method of claim 1, in which said first pulse series is an odd pulse series, and said incrementing comprises counting pulses in a second pulse series wherein said second pulse series is an even pulse series.

4. Apparatus for producing a trigger pulse at a preselected point which is off-set from a reference point in the movement of a cyclically moving mechanical device comprising:

a. a pulse generator adapted to be connected to said device for producing a series of pulses during each cycle related to said movement wherein corresponding pulses in successive series are produced at the same point in the movement of the device, b. at least a first counter for counting said pulses, c. gate means connecting said pulse generator with said first counter for passing said pulses to said first counter in response to a control signal, d. control signal means connected to said gate means for producing a control signal for a predetermined interval of time corresponding to the time for movement of said mechanical device between said preselected and reference points, e. and trigger means for incrementing the pulses counted by said first counter to produce a trigger pulse after a desired count has been reached, f. said trigger means including means for applying an additional control signal to said gate means after said predetermined interval of time to permit succeeding pulses to be counted by said counter until said desired count is reached.

5. Apparatus for producing a trigger pulse at a preselected point which is off-set from a reference point in the movement of a cyclically moving mechanical device comprising:

a. a pulse generator adapted to be connected to said device for producing a series of pulses during each cycle related to said movement wherein corresponding pulses in successive series are produced at the same point in the movement of the device, b. at least a first counter for counting said pulses, c. gate means connecting said pulse generator with said first counter for passing said pulses to said first counter in response to a control signal, d. control signal means connected to said gate means for producing a control signal for a predetermined interval of time corresponding to the time for movement of said mechanical device between said preselected and reference points, e. and trIgger means for incrementing the pulses counted by said first counter to produce a trigger pulse after a desired count has been reached, f. a second counter, g. said gate means interconnecting said first, and second counters and said pulse generator for applying said series of pulses to said first and second counters alternately whereby said first and second counters count pulses when said control signal is present, h. a third counter connected to said pulse generator for counting the pulses produced thereby, i. and adding means connected to said first, second and third counters for alternately adding the contents of said second and first counter with said third counter to produce said trigger pulse after said desired count is reached.

6. Apparatus as in claim 5, in which said gate means includes switch means responsive to a switch signal for alternately switching the output of said pulse generator from said first counter to said second counter, and a switch signal generator for producing said switch signal when the time interval between pulses exceeds a preselected value.

7. Apparatus as in claim 6, in which said first, second and third counters are adapted to be set to zero when a signal is applied to an erase terminal, and lead means for connecting said switch signal generator with said erase terminals for setting said counters to zero.

8. Apparatus as in claim 5, in which said control signal means includes pulse lengthing means for maintaining a control signal for a sufficient interval of time so said gate means passes full width pulses.

9. Apparatus as in claim 6, in which said control signal means includes means responsive to said switch signal for initiating said control signal in response to said switch signal.

10. Apparatus as in claim 6, and disabling means connected to said trigger means and said switch signal generator for disabling said switch signal generator when said switch and trigger pulses fail to alternate.

11. Apparatus as in claim 6, and detection means for detecting the number of pulses in said first or second counter in a predetermined time interval and for delaying the operation of said switch signal generator if the number of pulses in said first and second counters is below a preselected amount.

12. Apparatus as in claim 4, in which said pulse generator includes a main pulse generator for generating said series of pulses and an auxiliary pulse generator for generating at least an auxiliary pulse for each cycle of operation of said mechanical device, lead means for connecting said auxiliary pulse generator to said control signal means to produce said control signal, said trigger means including means for connecting said main pulse generator to said first counter after said control signal has been removed, whereby said first counter counts additional pulses in said series.

13. Apparatus as in claim 12, in which said first counter has a clear terminal whereby said counter is set to zero when a signal is applied to said clear terminal, and lead means connecting said auxiliary pulse generator with said clear terminal to set said counter to zero.

14. Apparatus as in claim 12, in which said control signal generator comprises a monostable multivibrator.