Distributorless ignition test device including input port connected directly to the engine block establishing electrical contact therewith

• US 5,614,828 A
• Filed: 04/26/1994
• Issued: 03/25/1997
• Est. Priority Date: 04/26/1994
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: California State Automobile Association (The American Automobile Association Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: California State Automobile Association (The American Automobile Association Incorporated)
• Inventors: Sims, Benny L.
• Primary Examiner(s): O'Shea, Sandra L.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Phillips, Roger
• Application Number:
  US08/233,510
• Time in Patent Office: 1,064 Days
• Field of Search: 324/379, 324/380, 324/378, 324/391, 324/393, 324/394, 324/402
• US Class Current: 324/402
• CPC Class Codes: F02P 17/08 using a cathode-ray oscilloscope F02P17/06 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F02P 17/12 Testing characteristics of the spark, ignition voltage or current testing of sparking plugs H01T13/60
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 31/006 on road vehicles, e.g. automobiles or trucks testing of ignition installations peculiar to internal combustion engines F02P17/00

Abstract

An adapter that enables the testing of secondary ignition signals of vehicle engines equipped with wireless secondary ignition systems is disclosed. The adapter detects secondary ignition voltage pulses generated by such an ignition system. It includes an input port coupled to an engine ground for receiving an electrical signal comprising a secondary ignition signal; an output port; and a filter coupled between said input port and said output port, said filter passing an electrical representation of said secondary ignition signal to said output port. In a preferred embodiment, the adapter includes a preamplifier coupled between the input port and the filter to amplify the electrical signal and an amplifier coupled between the filter and the output port to amplify the secondary ignition signal. The output port preferably is coupled to an oscilloscope allowing a technician to visually inspect the secondary ignition system waveform.

Claims

1. An adapter for testing a wireless secondary ignition system of an internal combustion engine, comprising:

an input port mechanically connected to said ground of the engine, said mechanical connection establishing a direct electrical conducting path between said input port and said ground for receiving an electrical signal, said electrical signal including a secondary ignition signal;

an output port;

a filter, coupled between said input port and said output port, for filtering out signals other than said secondary ignition signal from said electrical signal and for coupling said secondary ignition signal to said output port; and

amplifier means coupled to said filter for amplifying said secondary ignition signal.

2. The adapter of claim 1, wherein said amplifier means comprises a preamplifier coupled between said input port and said filter for amplifying said electrical signal.

3. The adapter of claim 1, wherein said amplifier means comprises an amplifier coupled between said filter and said output port for amplifying said secondary ignition signal.

4. The adapter of claim 1, wherein said filter comprises a band pass filter tuned to pass signals of a frequency matching a frequency of said secondary ignition signal.

5. The adapter of claim 1, wherein said filter comprises two band pass filters, each of said band pass filters being tuned to pass signals of a frequency matching a frequency of said secondary ignition signal.

6. The adapter of claim 1, wherein said output port is coupled to an engine analyzer.

7. The adapter of claim 1, wherein said secondary ignition signal comprises signals in two frequency ranges, and wherein said filter passes signals within said two frequency ranges and substantially rejects signals within other frequency ranges.

8. An adapter for testing a wireless ignition system for an internal combustion engine, comprising:

an input port mechanically connected to said ground of the engine, said mechanical connection establishing a direct electrical conducting path between said input port and said ground for receiving an electrical signal, said electrical signal including a secondary ignition signal;

an output port;

a preamplifier coupled to said input port for amplifying said electrical signal to produce an amplified electrical signal that is substantially proportional to said electrical signal;

a filter coupled to said preamplifier for filtering said amplified electrical signal such that said secondary ignition signal passes through said filter; and

an amplifier coupled between said filter and said output port for amplifying said secondary ignition signal.