Measuring electrical parameters of an internal combustion engine during cranking
First Claim
1. Apparatus for recording the magnitudes of electrical parameters of a reciprocating internal combustion engine having an electric starter motor, during cranking of the engine, comprising:
- sensing means adapted to be disposed for response to the magnitude of an engine parameter which varies in conjunction with the power required to crank the engine, said magnitude having maxima and minima associated with each cylinder thereof, said sensing means providing a corresponding cranking signal;
a plurality of electrical probes disposed for response to various portions of the electric system associated with the engine, each providing an electric signal manifestation of the magnitude of the related electrical parameter; and
processing means responsive to said cranking signal for determining the time of an extreme magnitude in the excursions of magnitude of said cranking signal and for recording each of said electrical magnitude signals in timed relationship with said extreme magnitude of said cranking signal.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Diagnostic apparatus, connected to probes for sensing conditions or parameters of an internal combustion engine during non-combustion cranking of the engine, reads electrical conditions at times related to the crank angle of the engine. Electrical tests are made at times indicated by peaks and valleys in the starter current or voltage waveform, the average of these providing load-compensated indications of true electrical parameters, to eliminate effects of battery loading variations due to compression-induced variations in cranking power required.
21 Citations
9 Claims
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1. Apparatus for recording the magnitudes of electrical parameters of a reciprocating internal combustion engine having an electric starter motor, during cranking of the engine, comprising:
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sensing means adapted to be disposed for response to the magnitude of an engine parameter which varies in conjunction with the power required to crank the engine, said magnitude having maxima and minima associated with each cylinder thereof, said sensing means providing a corresponding cranking signal; a plurality of electrical probes disposed for response to various portions of the electric system associated with the engine, each providing an electric signal manifestation of the magnitude of the related electrical parameter; and processing means responsive to said cranking signal for determining the time of an extreme magnitude in the excursions of magnitude of said cranking signal and for recording each of said electrical magnitude signals in timed relationship with said extreme magnitude of said cranking signal. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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7. In a method of recording the magnitudes of electrical parameters of a reciprocating internal combustion engine having an electric starter motor, during cranking of the engine, the steps of:
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determining the time of an extreme magnitude in the excursions of magnitude of an engine parameter which varies in conjunction with the power required to crank the engine, said magnitude having maxima and minima associated with each cylinder thereof; and recording in timed relationship with said extreme magnitude of said engine parameter the magnitude of each of a plurality of electrical parameters of various portions of the electric system associated with the engine. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9)
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Specification