Engine misfire protection system

• US 3,999,383 A
• Filed: 08/29/1974
• Issued: 12/28/1976
• Est. Priority Date: 12/04/1972
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha (Toyota Motor Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha (Toyota Motor Corporation)
• Inventors: Hanaoka, Masanori
• Primary Examiner(s): Hart, Douglas
• Application Number:
  US05/501,811
• Time in Patent Office: 852 Days
• Field of Search: 60/277, 60/289, 73/346, 73/341, 73/342, 73/343 R
• US Class Current: 60/277
• CPC Class Codes: F02B 77/08 Safety, indicating, or supervising devices thermal insulation F02B77/11; monitoring or diagnostic devices for exhaust-gas treatment apparatus F01N11/00
• CPC Class Codes: F02P 17/00 Testing of ignition installations, e.g. in combination with adjusting testing fuel injection apparatus F02M65/00; testing ignition installations in general F23Q23/00; Testing of ignition timing in compression-ignition engines
• CPC Class Codes: G01M 15/048 by monitoring temperature
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 411/947 Elastic-gripping action

Abstract

In the engine misfire detection system disclosed, a heat responsive device, such as a thermocouple or a thermoresponsive resistor, at the exhaust port of each cylinder of an internal combustion engine exhibits an electromotive force that changes in response to the temperature difference between a normal firing and a misfire. The heat responsive devices are connected in pairs in series opposition and coupled to an electric meter. All the devices are integrally incorporated in an electrically insulated sealing arrangement used when mounting the exhaust manifold to the cylinder head.

Claims

1. A drive apparatus for a vehicle, comprising an engine having an engine block forming a plurality of cylinders, said block forming gas exhaust ports for said cylinders, said engine including manifold means mounted on said block, said engine including a sealing member sealing said manifold means to said block near said exhaust ports, a plurality of temperature-responsive electrical means each mounted in the exhaust ports and each having responsive variable electrical characteristics for changing their electrical characteristics in response to the temperatures at the gas exhaust ports, circuit means connecting said electrical means for comparing the electrical characteristic of one with the electrical characteristics of another at any one time, and for producing a balance when the two electrical means are subject to the same temperatures and for producing an unbalance when the electrical means are subject to two different temperatures and indicator means coupled to said circuit means for indicating the condition of balance, said electrical means being mounted in said sealing member, and said engine including gas recombustion means coupled to said manifold means and control means in said gas recombustion means responsive to said indicating means for varying the operation of said gas recombustion means in response to indications of said indicating means.