Engine monitoring and control apparatus

• US 4,890,088 A
• Filed: 02/16/1988
• Issued: 12/26/1989
• Est. Priority Date: 02/16/1988
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Arthur Woodell
• Original Assignee: Arthur Woodell
• Inventors: Woodell, Arthur
• Primary Examiner(s): Orsino, Joseph A.
• Assistant Examiner(s): TUMM, BRIAN
• Application Number:
  US07/155,757
• Time in Patent Office: 679 Days
• Field of Search: 340/52 F, 340/53, 340/753, 340/754, 340/782, 340/701, 340/815.1, 123/198 DC
• US Class Current: 340/459
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 28/10 responsive to conditions relating to the vehicle

Abstract

A mechanism for monitoring multiple engine and drive-line conditions wherein annunciators are associated with a selectively engageable engine kill means. Illuminated light emitting diode (LED) gauges are arrayed to visually indicate various engine and other driveline conditions. Audio signal generating apparatus is selectively operative by a switching means to provide an audio signal responsive to an alert condition indicated by one or more of the visual display gauges. A flashing light also indicates a danger or alert condition indicated by the LED gauges. Complementing the audio and visual monitoring apparatus is an engine kill device that upon activation and after a preset delay will cut off power to the engine to limit potential engine damage.

Claims

1. A vehicle component monitoring and alarm system to indicate individual vehicle component condition comprising in combination:

gauge means having a display for continuously visually indicating monitored conditions of vehicle components, said gauge means including analog sensors responsive to said vehicle components'"'"' condition and analog to digital converter circuitry to relay a digital signal for visual indication of said component condition and said display comprising a plurality of bars, each bar formed of plural spaced color coded light emitting diodes and associated with each monitored vehicle component, and

alarm means operatively associated with said gauge means for actuation when said gauge means receive and relay to said alarm means a signal caused by an undesirable monitored condition of an automotive component so monitored, said alarm means including a visual alarm and an audio alarm having switching means electrically associating said audio alarm to said gauge means for selective operation of said audio alarm.

2. A vehicle component monitoring and alarm system as set forth in claim 1 further including an engine kill means operatively associated with said gauge means,

said engine kill means including switching means to discontinue ignition current to a vehicle engine when said engine kill means is activated by an undesirable condition monitored by said gauge means and relayed to said engine kill means.