Knock sensor-triggered timing light with visible laser retro-reflecting control
First Claim
1. In a timing light, which includes a flash circuit for producing a flash of illumination in response to an ignition event of interest in of an internal combustion engine, the improvement comprising:
- a trigger circuit coupled to the flash circuit for enabling the flash circuit only in the presence of an enable signal, and a sensing circuit adapted to be coupled to the engine for sensing a predetermined position of the engine other than its position at the ignition event of interest to indicate that the ignition event of interest is about to occur and responsive to such sensing for generating the enable signal.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A diesel timing light includes a flash circuit for flashing a xenon lamp in response to ignition events sensed by a knock sensor. A trigger circuit enables the flash circuit only in the presence of an enable signal, which is generated by a sensing circuit immediately before the ignition of the no. 1 cylinder. The sensing circuit includes a visible laser source which illuminates a patch of reflective tape on the engine flywheel just ahead of a timing mark corresponding to engine top dead center. The tape reflects the visible laser light to a sensor which generates the enable signal. The trigger disables the flash circuit immediately after the flash triggered by the first ignition event after the enable signal. LED indicators indicate when the photosensor is detecting the reflected beam and when the knock sensor is detecting ignition events.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. In a timing light, which includes a flash circuit for producing a flash of illumination in response to an ignition event of interest in of an internal combustion engine, the improvement comprising:
- a trigger circuit coupled to the flash circuit for enabling the flash circuit only in the presence of an enable signal, and a sensing circuit adapted to be coupled to the engine for sensing a predetermined position of the engine other than its position at the ignition event of interest to indicate that the ignition event of interest is about to occur and responsive to such sensing for generating the enable signal.
- View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A timing light comprising:
- an ignition sensor adapted to be coupled to an associated engine for sensing ignition events, a first light source, a flash circuit coupled to said ignition sensor and to said first light source for producing a flash of illumination in response to an ignition event, a trigger circuit coupled to said flash circuit for enabling said flash circuit only in the presence of an enable signal, a second light source emitting a beam of light, and a photosensing circuit coupled to said trigger circuit and responsive to a reflected beam of light for generating the enable signal.
- View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. Apparatus for controlling a timing light for use with an internal combustion engine which has periodic ignition events and which includes an accessible member rotatable through an integer number of revolutions during each engine operating cycle and bearing a first indicium which aligns with a fixed second indicium on the engine once during each revolution of the member, said apparatus comprising:
- an ignition sensor coupled to the engine for sensing ignition events, a first light source, a flash circuit coupled to said ignition sensor and to said first light source for producing a flash of illumination in response to an ignition event, a trigger circuit coupled to said flash circuit for enabling said flash circuit only in the presence of an enable signal, a second light source adapted for directing an incident beam of light onto the accessible member, a reflective portion on the accessible member disposed so as to be illuminated by the incident beam of light once during each revolution of the member to produce a reflected beam of light, said reflective portion being so positioned on the member that the reflective portion aligns with the second indicium just prior to alignment of the first indicium with the second indicium, and a photosensing circuit coupled to said trigger circuit and disposed in the path of said reflected beam of light for generating the enable signal in response to the reflected beam of light.
- View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
Specification