Engine misfire detection probe

• US 7,694,554 B1
• Filed: 07/17/2007
• Issued: 04/13/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 07/17/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Automotive Test Solutions, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Bernie C. Thompson
• Inventors: Thompson, Bernie C.
• Primary Examiner(s): MCCALL, ERIC SCOTT
• Application Number:
  US11/879,565
• Time in Patent Office: 1,001 Days
• Field of Search: 731/140.2, 731/140.3, 731/140.4, 731/140.5, 731/140.6, 731/140.7, 731/140.9
• US Class Current: 73/114.06
• CPC Class Codes: G01M 15/11 by detecting misfire

Abstract

A probe and method for sensing pressure variations in the exhaust stream of an engine for detecting cylinder misfires. The probe includes a Venturi tube placed in the exhaust stream. The Venturi tube has a sensing tube with an aperture, and the sensing tube is coupled to a pressure sensor for monitoring the pressure of the exhaust stream within the Venturi tube at the point of the aperture. The pressure sensor then generates a voltage signal based on the pressure, and this voltage signal is viewed on an oscilloscope or processed by a microprocessor to generate a waveform readable by a technician. The waveform will indicate the presence of a misfiring cylinder(s), and more specifically, which cylinder(s) is misfiring.

Claims

1. An engine misfire detection probe comprising:

(a) a first Venturi tube having a first end and a second end, at least a portion of said first Venturi tube seated on a base along the length of said first Venturi tube, said base comprising a sensing chamber, said base adapted to be removably affixed to an exhaust pipe of an engine such that at least said first end of said first Venturi tube is placed in the exhaust stream of said exhaust pipe;

(b) a sensing tube, at least a portion of said sensing tube located within said first Venturi tube, said sensing tube adapted to be coupled to an exhaust sensor;

(c) wherein said base further comprises a sensing chamber, said sensing tube comprising a first end located outside of said first Venturi tube and a second end located within said sensing chamber, said first end closed and said second end open; and

(d) further comprising a tubular fitting having a first end connected to said sensing chamber and a second end connected to a sensor connection hose, said sensor connection hose connected to said exhaust sensor.

2. An engine misfire detection probe comprising:

(a) a first Venturi tube having a first end and a second end, at least a portion of said first Venturi tube seated on a base along the length of said first Venturi tube, said base comprising a sensing chamber, said base adapted to be removably affixed to an exhaust pipe of an engine such that at least said first end of said first Venturi tube is placed in the exhaust stream of said exhaust pipe;

(b) a sensing tube, at least a portion of said sensing tube located within said first Venturi tube, said sensing tube adapted to be coupled to an exhaust sensor;

(c) wherein said base further comprises a U-shaped cavity and a lock bolt, said U-shaped cavity designed to receive a portion of said tailpipe and said lock bolt positioned within a threaded aperture of said base extending from a bottom side of said base to said U-shaped cavity, said lock bolt rotatably positioned with said threaded aperture.

3. An engine misfire detection probe comprising:

(a) a first Venturi tube having a first end and a second end, at least a portion of said first Venturi tube seated on a base along the length of said first Venturi tube, said base comprising a sensing chamber, said base adapted to be removably affixed to an exhaust pipe of an engine such that at least said first end of said first Venturi tube is placed in the exhaust stream of said exhaust pipe;

(b) a sensing tube, at least a portion of said sensing tube located within said first Venturi tube, said sensing tube adapted to be coupled to an exhaust sensor;

(c) further comprising a second Venturi tube positioned within said first Venturi tube, said second Venturi tube comprising a first end and a second end.

4. The engine misfire detection probe of claim 3 wherein said second Venturi tube is held in place within said first Venturi tube by set screws seated in said first Venturi tube and pressing against said second Venturi tube.

5. The engine misfire detection probe of claim 3 wherein said first Venturi tube and said second Venturi tube are partially offset such that said second end of said first Venturi tube extends beyond said second end of said second Venturi tube.

6. An engine misfire detection probe comprising:

(a) a first Venturi tube having a first end and a second end, at least a portion of said first Venturi tube seated on a base along the length of said first Venturi tube, said base comprising a sensing chamber, said base adapted to be removably affixed to an exhaust pipe of an engine such that at least said first end of said first Venturi tube is placed in the exhaust stream of said exhaust pipe;

(b) a sensing tube, at least a portion of said sensing tube located within said first Venturi tube, said sensing tube adapted to be coupled to an exhaust sensor;

(c) wherein said exhaust sensor is coupled to a processing system, said processing system capable of generating a waveform from said voltage signal;

(d) wherein said processing system subjects said waveform to at least one statistical filter to create a filtered waveform.

7. An engine misfire detection probe comprising:

(a) a first Venturi tube having a first end and a second end, at least a portion of said first Venturi tube seated on a base along the length of said first Venturi tube, said base comprising a sensing chamber, said base adapted to be removably affixed to an exhaust pipe of an engine such that at least said first end of said first Venturi tube is placed in the exhaust stream of said exhaust pipe;

(b) a sensing tube, at least a portion of said sensing tube located within said first Venturi tube, said sensing tube adapted to be coupled to an exhaust sensor;

(c) wherein said exhaust sensor is coupled to a processing system, said processing system capable of generating a waveform from said voltage signal;

(d) further comprising a device capable of displaying said waveform.

8. An engine misfire detection probe comprising:

(a) a first tube adapted to accelerate an exhaust stream from said engine as said exhaust stream flows through said first tube, wherein said first tube comprises a Venturi tube;

(b) a pressure sensing system coupled to said first tube; and

(c) a second Venturi tube located within said first Venturi tube, said second Venturi tube coupled to said pressure sensing system.