Device for testing a solid state glow plug controller

• US 6,407,551 B1
• Filed: 11/11/1999
• Issued: 06/18/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 11/11/1998
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Delphi International Operations Luxembourg SARL (Aptiv PLC)
• Original Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc. (BorgWarner Incorporated)
• Inventors: Carlson, Joseph R.
• Primary Examiner(s): Sherry, Michael J.
• Assistant Examiner(s): PATEL, PARESH H
• Application Number:
  US09/438,760
• Time in Patent Office: 950 Days
• Field of Search: 324/395, 324/300-400, 324/66, 324/158.1, 123/145.A, 219/497, 701/99
• US Class Current: 324/395
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 2041/228 Warning displays
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 2400/11 After-sales modification devices designed to be used to modify an engine afterwards
• CPC Class Codes: F02P 17/00 Testing of ignition installations, e.g. in combination with adjusting testing fuel injection apparatus F02M65/00; testing ignition installations in general F23Q23/00; Testing of ignition timing in compression-ignition engines
• CPC Class Codes: F02P 19/027 Safety devices, e.g. for diagnosing the glow plugs or the related circuits
• 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

A glow plug controller test device including an electrical connector which can be electrically connected to the vehicle wiring harness connector of the glow plug controller. The test device also includes a pair of leads which are connected to the vehicle power supply and ground, respectively. The test device further includes a light emitting diode which flashes as an indication that the glow plug controller is operational.

Claims

1. A test device for a glow plug controller which is mounted upon a vehicle engine, the glow plug controller including a female electrical connector, the test device comprising:

a female connector having a plurality of sockets;

a first lead connected to a first socket and a second socket of said female connector, said first lead extending from said female connector and being adapted to be connected to a vehicle power supply;

a second lead connected to a third socket of said female adapter, said second lead extending from said female connector and being adapted to be connected to a vehicle ground;

a light emitting diode having an anode and a cathode, said anode connected to a fourth socket of said female connector;

a tester load resistor having a first end connected to said cathode of said light emitting diode and a second end connected to said second lead;

an adapter that includes a male connector having a plurality of pins which are received by said sockets in said female connector, said adapter also including a plurality of leads, each of said leads from said adapter terminating in a stud connector, said stud connectors being adapted to be inserted into corresponding sockets in the glow plug female electrical connector; and

an adapter load resistor having a first end that is adapted to be connected to a voltage output socket of the glow plug controller and a second end connected to ground, said light emitting diode being electrically connected through said adapter and the glow plug controller when the test device is connected thereto and flashing to indicate the condition of the glow plug controller.

2. A test device according to claim 1 wherein said adapter male connector is a first male connector and further wherein said stud connectors are included upon a second male connector, said second male connector adapted to be connected to said glow plug female connector.

3. A test device according to claim 1 further including a thermister connected between said adapter load resistor and ground.

4. A test device according to claim 1 wherein a flashing light emitting diode while the tester remains connected to the glow plug controller and the vehicle power supply and ground indicates that the glow plug controller is operative.