ENGINE PERFORMANCE ANALYZER

• US 3,789,658 A
• Filed: 01/28/1972
• Issued: 02/05/1974
• Est. Priority Date: 01/28/1972
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Dick Merlin Olsen
• Original Assignee: Dick Merlin Olsen
• Inventors: Olsen, Dick Merlin
• Primary Examiner(s): Myracle, Jerry W.
• Application Number:
  US05/221,613
• Time in Patent Office: 739 Days
• Field of Search: 73/117.3,116,117.2,117 324/115,16S
• US Class Current: 73/114.64
• CPC Class Codes: F02P 17/02 Checking or adjusting ignition timing
• CPC Class Codes: F02P 17/08 using a cathode-ray oscilloscope F02P17/06 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G01D 13/10 with adjustable scales; with auxiliary scales, e.g. vernier
• CPC Class Codes: G01D 7/00 Indicating measured values
• CPC Class Codes: G01M 15/05 by combined monitoring of two or more different engine parameters
• CPC Class Codes: G01M 15/102 by monitoring exhaust gases
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 31/007 using microprocessors or computers

Abstract

An internal combustion engine performance analyzer is described for simultaneously displaying certain operating characteristics, such as ignition waveform, horsepower output, etc., under controlled operating conditions. A plurality of probes are coupled to the engine to provide output signals representative of engine performance characteristics such as cylinder ignition, generator output, starter current, etc.. To provide output signals representative of additional operating characteristics, a dynamometer and an exhaust analyzer may also be coupled to the engine. The analyzer includes an oscilloscope and at least one selectable scale test meter in which a rotatable drum positions one of six possible scales adjacent the meter indicator or pointer at a time. A multiple position program switch controls the drum position to provide the proper scale and couples selected output signals from the engine, dynamometer or exhaust analyzer to the meters and the oscilloscope for a selected test procedure. The program switch also couples one of several sweep signals to the oscilloscope so that signals, for example, representing the spark plug voltages of the cylinders may be displayed in a superimposed pattern or separated in a vertical or horizontal pattern on the oscilloscope. The program switch enables the operator to diagnosis an engine by simply rotating the switch through each of its positions and reading the values of the parameters under test on the scales positioned adjacent the meter indicators. The waveforms of a selected parameter such as ignition voltages, starter current, etc., are simultaneously displayed on the oscilloscope for each switch position.

Claims

1. In an apparatus for analyzing the operation of a multiple cylinder internal combustion engine, the combination which comprises:

a plurality of probe pickup leads adapted to be coupled to the engine to provide output signals representative of engine performance characteristics;

an oscilloscope having a signal input circuit and a sweep input circuit;

sweep signal generating means for selectively generating one of a plurality of sweep voltages;

at least one selectable scale test meter having a test signal input circuit, an indicator movable between two points in response to the signal applied to the input circuit to provide a measure of said input signal, a rotatable drum having a plurality of individual scales spaced around the periphery thereof with one scale positioned adjacent the indicator and between the two points at a time, a scale selection circuit and means responsive to signals applied to the scale selection circuit for rotating the drum to position a selected scale adjacent the indicator;

a multiple position program switch having at least first, second and third contact means, the first contact means being coupled between selected probe pickup leads and the test input circuit of the meter for applying input signals to the meter representative of predetermined engine characteristics at selected switch positions, the second contact means being coupled between selected probes and the signal input circuit of the oscilloscope to provide a display of signals representative of the selected probe pickup output signals for selected switch positions;

means including the third contact means for connecting the sweep generating means to the sweep input circuit of the oscilloscope and controlling the sweep output voltage to provide a selected sweep raster on the oscilloscope for each switch position, the program switch being arranged to provide simultaneous operation of the first, second and third contact means; and

scale selector means responsive to each position of the program switch for applying signals to the meTer scale selection circuit for causing the drum to position a selected scale adjacent the indicator for each switch position.

2. The combination as defined in claim 1 wherein the indicator is a reference mark on a flexible member and the test meter includes means for moving the flexible member across one side of the drum in response to the signal applied to the input circuit of the meter.

3. The combination as defined in claim 2 wherein the means for moving the flexible member is a servo mechanism.

4. The combination as defined in claim 1 including a second selectable scale test meter having a test signal input circuit, an indicator movable between two points in response to the signal applied to the input circuit to provide a measure of said input signal, a rotatable drum having a plurality of individual scales spaced around the periphery thereof with one scale positioned adjacent the indicator and between the two points at a time, a scale selection circuit and means responsive to signals applied to the scale selection circuit for rotating the drum to position a selected scale adjacent the indicator, and wherein the program switch includes fourth contact means, the fourth contact means being coupled between selected probes and the test input circuit of the second meter for applying input signals to the meter representative of the output signals from individual probes at selected switch positions and further including means responsive to each position of the program switch for applying signals to the meter scale selector circuit of the second meter for causing the drum to position a selected scale adjacent the indicator for each switch position.

5. The combination as defined in claim 1 wherein the scale selector means comprises a source of potential and an additional contact means of the program switch, the additional contact means being connected between the source of potential and the scale selection circuit for applying predetermined signals to the scale selection circuit for each switch position.

6. The combination as defined in claim 5 wherein each contact means comprises a stationary contact associated with each switch position and a rotatable contact which engages one stationary contact for each switch position.

7. The combination as defined in claim 6 wherein the meter scale selection circuit comprises a motor and a solenoid actuated indexing member for rotating the drum to position the selected scale.

8. The combination as defined in claim 7 including a dynamometer coupled to the engine and having at least two output circuits for providing signals representative of speed and engine performance characteristic and wherein the third and fourth contact means couples the output signals from the dynamometer to the signal input circuits of the first and second meters at selected positions of the program switch.

9. The combination as defined in claim 6 including a gas analyzer coupled to the engine exhaust for providing output signals representative of the quantities of selected gases and wherein the first and fourth contact means couple the output signals of the gas analyzer to the test signal input circuits of the first and second meters for a selected switch position.

10. The combination as defined in claim 6 including a cylinder select switch having a switch position for each cylinder of the engine under test and means responsive to the position of the cylinder select switch for opening the ignition in the selected cylinder.

11. In an apparatus for analyzing the operation of a multiple cylinder combustion engine provided with an ignition coil having a primary and secondary winding, a starter, a battery, and a generating system, the combination which comprises:

an ignition probe pickup means adapted to be coupled to the primary and/or secondary winding for providing signals representative of the ignition firing pulses, a battery voltage probe pickup for providing a signal representative of the battery terminal voltage, A battery current pickup for providing a signal representative of battery current, a cylinder number one pickup probe for providing a signal representative of the ignition time of the number one cylinder, an oscilloscope having a signal input circuit and a sweep input circuit, sweep signal generating means for selectively generating one of a plurality of sweep voltages, first and second selectable scale test meters, each meter having a test signal input circuit, an indicator movable between two points in response to the signal applied to the input circuit to provide a measure of the input signal, a rotatable drum having a plurality of individual scales spaced around the periphery thereof with one scale positioned adjacent the indicator and between the two points at a time, a scale selection circuit and means responsive to signals applied to the scale selection circuit for rotating the drum to position a selected scale adjacent the indicator, a multiple position program switch having first, second, third, fourth, fifth and sixth contact means, the first and second contact means being coupled between the test input circuits of the first and second meters and selected ones of the probe pickups for applying input signals to the meters representative of predetermined engine characteristics at selected switching positions, means including the third and fourth contact means for applying signals to the scale selection circuits of the first and second meters to rotate the drums thereof to position a selected scale adjacent the respective indicators for each switch position, means connecting the fifth contact means in series relationship between selected probe pickups and the signal input circuit of the oscilloscope to provide a display of signals representative of the selected probe output signals for selected switch positions, means including the sixth contact means for connecting the sweep input circuit of the oscilloscope to the sweep input circuit of the oscilloscope and for applying a selected sweep voltage thereto for each switch position.

12. The combination as defined in claim 11 wherein each of the first, second, third, fourth, fifth and sixth contact means comprise a plurality of fixed contacts and a rotating contact which sequentially engages one stationary contact for each switch position.

13. The combination as defined in claim 12 including a dynamometer coupled to the engine and having at least two output circuits for providing signals representative of speed and performance characteristic and wherein the first and second contact means couple the output signals from the dynamometer to the signal input circuits of the first and second meters at a selected switch position of the program switch.

14. The combination as defined in claim 13 including a gas analyzer coupled to the engine exhaust and having three output signals representative of the hydrocarbon, carbon monoxide and nitric oxide content of the exhaust gas and wherein the first and second contact means couple the output signals from the exhaust gas analyzer to the signal input circuits of the first and second meters at selected positions of the program switch.

15. The combination as defined in claim 13 wherein the first and second contact means couple the battery voltage and current probes to the signal input circuits of the first and second test meters at one switch position.

16. The combination as defined in claim 15 including pulse shaping and integrating means for providing a dwell signal proportional to the dwell time of the points and wherein the first or second contact means couples said dwell signal to the test input circuit of one of the first and second test meters at a selected switch position.

17. The combination as defined in claim 16 including means for providing a signal representative of the ignition advance and wherein the first or second contact means couples the advance signal to the test input circuit of the first or second meter at a selected switch position.

18. The combination as defined in claim 12 wherein the engine includes a distributor with points which close and open to provide the ignition pulses and wherein the sweep signal generating means selectively generates a first sweep voltage synchronized with each cylinder ignition, a second sweep voltage synchronized with each ignition in cylinder number one and a third sweep voltage synchronized with the point opening transition for each cylinder.

19. The combination as defined in claim 12 including a gas analyzer coupled to the engine exhaust and having three output signals representative of the hydrocarbon, carbon monoxide and nitric oxide content of the exhaust gas and wherein the first and second contact means couple the output signals from the exhaust gas analyzer to the signal input circuits of the first and second meters at selected positions of the program switch.

20. The combination as defined in claim 12 wherein the first and second contact means couple the battery voltage and current probes to the signal input circuits of the first and second test meters at one switch position.

21. The combination as defined in claim 11 wherein the indicator is a reference mark on a flexible member and the test meter includes means for moving the flexible member across one side of the drum in response to the signal applied to the input circuit of the meter.

22. The combination as defined in claim 21 wherein the flexible member is a tape having a transparent portion and a colored portion with the transition between the two portions forming the indicator.

23. The combination as defined in claim 22 wherein the means for moving the tape past the drum includes a motor and a reel connected to the motor for winding or unwinding one end of the tape thereon, means responsive to the shaft position of the motor for providing a shaft position signal representative of the motor shaft position and means responsive to the difference signal between the test signal and the shaft position signal of a respective test meter for controlling the motor.

24. In an apparatus for analyzing the operation of a multiple cylinder internal combustion engine, the combination which comprises:

a plurality of probe pickup leads adapted to be coupled to the engine to provide output signals representative of engine performance characteristics;

an oscilloscope having a signal input circuit and a sweep input circuit;

sweep signal generating means for selectively generating one of a plurality of sweep voltages;

at least one selectable scale test meter having a test signal input circuit, an indicator movable between two points in response to the signal applied to the input circuit to provide a measure of said input signal, a moveable scale member carrying a plurality of individual spaced scales thereon with one scale positioned adjacent the indicator and between the two points at a time, a scale selection circuit and means responsive to signals applied to the scale selection circuit for moving the scale member to position a selected scale adjacent the indicator;

a multiple position program switch having at least first, second and third contact means, the first contact means being coupled between selected probe pickup leads and the test input circuit of the meter for applying input signals to the meter representative of predetermined engine characteristics at selected switch positions, the second contact means being coupled between selected probes and the signal input circuit of the oscilloscope to provide a display of signals representative of the selected probe pickup output signals for selected switch positions;

means including the third contact means for connecting the sweep generating means to the sweep input circuit of the oscilloscope and controlling the sweep output voltage to provide a selected sweep raster on the oscilloscope for each switch position; and

scale selector means responsive to each position of the program switch for applying siGnals to the meter scale selection circuit for causing the scale member to position a selected scale adjacent the indicator for each switch position.

25. The combination as defined in claim 24 including a second selectable scale test meter and wherein the program switch includes fourth contact means, the fourth contact means being coupled between selected probes and the test input circuit of the second meter for applying input signals to the meter representative of the output signals from individual probes at selected switch positions and further including means responsive to each position of the program switch for applying signals to the meter scale selector circuit of the second meter for causing the scale member to position a selected scale adjacent the indicator for each switch position.

26. The combination as defined in claim 25 including a third selectable scale test meter and wherein the program switch includes fifth contact means, the fifth contact means being coupled between selected probes and the test input circuit of the third meter for applying input signals to the meter representative of the output signals from individual probes at selected switch positions and further including means responsive to each position of the program switch for applying signals to the meter scale selector circuit of the third meter for causing the scale member to position a selected scale adjacent the indicator for each switch position.

27. The combination as defined in claim 25 wherein the movable scale member of each meter is a drum having a plurality of scales positioned around the periphery thereof.

28. The combination as defined in claim 27 wherein each contact means comprises a stationary contact associated with each switch position and a rotatable contact which engages one stationary contact for each switch position.