Apparatus for testing ignition systems

• US 4,942,362 A
• Filed: 04/03/1989
• Issued: 07/17/1990
• Est. Priority Date: 04/03/1989
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Jeffrey Lance
• Original Assignee: Jeffrey Lance
• Inventors: Lance, Jeffrey
• Primary Examiner(s): Eisenzopf, Reinhard J.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Harvey, Jack B.
• Application Number:
  US07/332,485
• Time in Patent Office: 470 Days
• Field of Search: 324/96, 324/122, 324/390, 324/395, 324/399, 324/402, 324/392, 324/391, 340/753, 340/754, 313/500, 33/783
• US Class Current: 324/402
• 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 2017/003 using an inductive sensor, e.g. trigger tongs

Abstract

An analyzation apparatus for ignition systems that has a pulse detector circuit that generates and converts an AC signal into a DC signal, filters unwanted signals and allows the user to adjust the amplitude of the signal to accommodate differing ignition systems. A pulse stretching circuit is included to increase the duration of the signal and an analog driver circuit is included to convert the signal received by it to a linear voltage suitable for driving two LED display circuits. The LED circuits are connected in parallel with the driver circuit and the visual display of the LED circuits show a display proportional to the amplitude of the signal received from the driver circuit. The LED displays show the amplitude of the signal. The LED circuits have diodes the prevent current flow between adjacent LED'"'"'s of the adjacent LED circuits. The apparatus includes a function switch to select the LED circuit desired and to interrupt power to the apparatus. A portion of the elements are enclosed in a case. There are power leads to provide power to the apparatus. The apparatus may include a timing light circuit, a triggering switch and a strobe.

Claims

1. An analyzation apparatus for ignition systems comprising:

a. a first circuit having a pulse detector circuit with a non-intrusive induction type pick-up pulse detector generating an AC signal proportional to magnetic field variations caused by pulsating current flowing through an ignition circuit wire;

b. a first diode rectifier in the pulse detector circuit to convert the AC signal to a pulsating DC signal;

c. a first capacitor across a first lead and a second lead of the pulse detector circuit to eliminate unwanted signal noise;

d. an attenuator in the pulse detector circuit across the second lead and a ground lead to control an amplitude of the signal from the first diode rectifier;

e. a pulse stretching circuit in the first circuit having a second diode, a third diode and a second capacitor connected to the first lead and to the ground lead to increase the duration of the signal from the first diode rectifier;

f. an LED analog driver circuit in the first circuit that senses the signal from the pulse stretching circuit and converts the signal into a linear voltage;

g. two LED display circuits in the first circuit to provide a visual display proportional to the amplitude of the signal received from the driver circuit and connected in parallel to the driver circuit;

h. a plurality of fourth diodes placed between the LED circuits to prevent current flow from passing from an LED of one of the LED circuits to an adjacent LED of another LED circuit and illuminating the LED of the adjacent LED circuit;

i. a function selector switch in the first circuit connected between the LED analog driver circuit and selectively to one of the LED circuits to selectively direct current to one of the LED circuits and to interrupt current flow to the LED circuits; and

j. power leads connected to the first circuit to provide power to the first circuit from a power source.

2. An analyzation apparatus as defined in claim 1 further comprising an enclosure means to house portions of the first circuit.

3. An analyzation apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein the first circuit further comprises:

a. a timing light circuit;

b. a triggering switch connected to the timing light circuit; and

c. a strobe connected to the timing light circuit.