IC engine cylinder output power measurement apparatus by monitoring the output of an alternator driven by the engine
First Claim
1. Power measurement apparatus for measuring the comparative output power of each cylinder of an internal combustion engine of the kind having at least two cylinders, the apparatus comprising first pick-up means for detecting current flow in an output lead of an electrical generator driven by the engine, second pick-up means for detecting engine timing pulses and comparison means to compare the levels of current flows from said first pick-up means in respect of each power stroke of the engine whereby the comparative output of each cylinder of the engine may be determined.
0 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
The apparatus for measuring the comparative output power of each cylinder of a multi-cylinder engine comprises a digital signal processor 1 and a phase locked loop detector 2. By inputting instantaneous current measurements from (e.g.) a current transformer attached to an alternator output of an engine under test and analysing same in the processor 1, instantaneous engine speed may be measured. This measurement may be processed to determine comparative measurements of compression and power output of each of the cylinders.
276 Citations
11 Claims
- 1. Power measurement apparatus for measuring the comparative output power of each cylinder of an internal combustion engine of the kind having at least two cylinders, the apparatus comprising first pick-up means for detecting current flow in an output lead of an electrical generator driven by the engine, second pick-up means for detecting engine timing pulses and comparison means to compare the levels of current flows from said first pick-up means in respect of each power stroke of the engine whereby the comparative output of each cylinder of the engine may be determined.
- 7. A method of measuring the comparative output power of each cylinder of an internal combustion engine having at least two cylinders comprising the steps of detecting with a first pick-up means, current flowing in an output lead of an electrical generator driven by the engine, detecting with a second pick-up means engine timing pulses, and comprising the level of current flows from said first pick-up means in respect of each power stroke of the engine to determine the comparative power output of each cylinder of the engine.
-
9. Power measurement apparatus for measuring the comparative output power of each cylinder of an internal combustion engine of the kind having at least two cylinders, the apparatus comprising:
- first pick-up means for detecting current flow in an output lead of an electrical generator driven by the engine;
second pick-up means for detecting engine timing pulses; and
comparison means for comparing the levels of current flows from said first pick-up means in respect of each power stroke of the engine, whereby the comparative output of each cylinder of the engine may be determined, said comparison means including a microprocessor responsive to the outputs of said first and second pick-up means to provide an output signal representing power output between timing pulses averaged over a multiplicity of engine cycles, said output of the first pick-up means driving a phase locked loop detector which converts alternator output signals to a corresponding analog voltage output. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11)
- first pick-up means for detecting current flow in an output lead of an electrical generator driven by the engine;
Specification