Method and device for testing of a combustion engine or an associated structure and a rig

• US 8,387,449 B2
• Filed: 04/11/2008
• Issued: 03/05/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 04/13/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Rototest International AB (Toyo Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Christian Engstrom, Jonny Farnlund
• Inventors: Engstrm, Christian, Frnlund, Jonny
• Primary Examiner(s): Kirkland, III, Freddie
• Application Number:
  US12/595,361
• Publication Number:
  US 20100107750A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,789 Days
• Field of Search: 731/141.5, 731/160.5, 731/160.6
• US Class Current: 73/116.05
• CPC Class Codes: G01M 15/044 by monitoring power, e.g. by operating the engine with one of the ignitions interrupted; by using acceleration tests
• CPC Class Codes: G01M 17/0072 the wheels of the vehicle co-operating with rotatable rolls G01M17/022, G01M17/045, G01M17/065 take precedence

Abstract

A method and a device for performing tests on an internal combustion engine or a structure which is associated with the engine by measuring output parameter values on at least one output shaft (3_LF, 3_RF) which is connected to the engine, is distinguished by producing a representation of variations in said output parameter values during operation of the engine, and evaluating the representation for determining an operating parameter value for the engine or the structure. The invention also concerns a dynamometer testing rig.

Claims

1. Method for performing tests on an internal combustion engine or a structure which is associated with the engine by measuring output parameter values on at least one output shaft (3_LF, 3_RF) which is connected to the engine, characterized by

producing a representation of variations in said output parameter values during operation of the engine,

said variations in said output parameter values during operation of the engine being variations during a single engine cycle,

evaluating the representation for determining an operating parameter value for the engine or the structure, wherein the said test is performed by measuring the said output parameter values after a transmission, and

the measuring of the output parameter values after the transmission being a measuring of the output parameter values on at least one wheel shaft (3LF, 3RF) of a vehicle.

2. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that the said test is performed on a motor vehicle (1) or a motor vehicle component.

3. Method according to claim 2, characterized in that an operating parameter value for the motor vehicle or the motor vehicle component is determined.

4. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that the said representation of variations in said output parameter values during operation of the engine are being produced for a plurality of, consecutive or non-consecutive, engine cycles.

5. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that torque contribution from an individual cylinder or cylinders of the engine is identified and evaluated and related to torque delivered by one or more other active cylinders of the engine.

6. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that the representation of variations is frequency analyzed and that a frequency value is created.

7. Method according to claim 6, characterized in that the frequency value is related to a speed signal for creating a total transmission ratio value for the vehicle.

8. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that the representation is related to an engine speed signal for creating a momentary torque contribution value for the engine.

9. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that the representation is in real time for allowing feed-back from real time adjustments on the engine or the structure.

10. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that torque is applied in a dynamometer testing rig.

11. Method according to claim 10, characterized in that the said dynamometer testing rig comprises a load absorbing means or brake in the form of a hydrostatic pump assembly with engagement means for engagement with one or more drive shafts of the vehicle.

12. Method according to claim 10, characterized in that the said measuring of output parameters is performed by the dynamometer testing rig.

13. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that the output parameter is one from the group:

torque, rotational speed, acceleration.

14. Method according to claim 1, characterized in applying a counter-acting braking torque on each drive shaft corresponding to a simulated gear selection.

15. Method according to claim 14, characterized in that an operating cycle with at least one simulated gear shift is made.

16. Device for performing tests on an internal combustion engine or a structure which is associated with the engine including means for measuring output parameter values on at least one output shaft (3_LF, 3_RF) which is connected to the engine, characterized by

means for producing a representation of variations in said output parameter values during operation of the engine,

the said representation of variations in said output parameter values during operation of the engine are being produced during one engine cycle,

means for evaluating the representation for determining an operating parameter value for the engine or the structure, and means for measuring the said output parameter values after a transmission, and

wherein the measuring of the output parameter values after a transmission is a measuring of the output parameter values on at least one drive shaft (3LF, 3RF) of the vehicle.

17. Device according to claim 16, characterized in that the said test is arranged to be performed on a motor vehicle (1) or a motor vehicle component.

18. Device according to claim 16, characterized in that the said representation of variations in said output parameter values during operation of the engine are being produced for a plurality of, consecutive or non-consecutive, engine cycles.

19. Device according to claim 16, characterized by means for identifying and evaluating torque contribution from an individual cylinder or cylinders of the engine and for relating it to torque delivered by other active cylinders of the engine.

20. Dynamometer testing rig for rigidly applying torque to drive shafts of a motor vehicle, characterized in that it includes a device according to claim 16.