Method and apparatus for testing vehicle engine sensors
First Claim
1. A multi-test, integral, hand-held instrument for testing both manifold absolute pressure and mass air flow sensors, comprising:
- a housing enclosing a battery and an electrical circuit, said electrical circuit including a first circuit means for testing manifold absolute pressure and mass air flow sensors having a frequency output signal and for converting the frequency output signal to a corresponding voltage output signal, and a second circuit means for testing mass air flow and manifold absolute pressure sensors having a dc voltage output signal, said electrical circuit also including a pair of light indicators for visually displaying an indication of sensor operativeness, the intensity of illumination of said pair of light indicators varying when the sensor being tested provides a varying output signal,at least one switch device for selecting said first or second circuit means, andlead means for electrically connecting said electrical circuit to the sensor being tested.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A multi-test, hand-held instrument and method for testing manifold absolute pressure (MAP) and mass air flow (MAF) sensors includes a housing enclosing a battery and an electrical circuit. The electrical circuit can test d.c. voltage output signals and frequency output signals from MAP/MAF sensors and can test continuity and battery strength. Electrical leads extend outwardly from the housing and are connectable to the sensor being tested. A pair of light indicators, comprising LEDs and resistors connected in parallel, are selectively illuminated to allow the test instrument to be used to test both MAP and MAF sensors, and to test these components on different makes and models of vehicles.
139 Citations
9 Claims
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1. A multi-test, integral, hand-held instrument for testing both manifold absolute pressure and mass air flow sensors, comprising:
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a housing enclosing a battery and an electrical circuit, said electrical circuit including a first circuit means for testing manifold absolute pressure and mass air flow sensors having a frequency output signal and for converting the frequency output signal to a corresponding voltage output signal, and a second circuit means for testing mass air flow and manifold absolute pressure sensors having a dc voltage output signal, said electrical circuit also including a pair of light indicators for visually displaying an indication of sensor operativeness, the intensity of illumination of said pair of light indicators varying when the sensor being tested provides a varying output signal, at least one switch device for selecting said first or second circuit means, and lead means for electrically connecting said electrical circuit to the sensor being tested. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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7. A method for testing mass air flow and manifold absolute pressure sensors, comprising the steps of:
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supplying a hand-held testing device electrically connectable to the sensor, said hand-held testing device including; i) a housing enclosing a battery and an electrical circuit, said electrical circuit including circuit means electrically interconnected with said battery for testing mass air flow and manifold absolute pressure sensors, and at least two LED/resistor pairs having distinct voltage illumination levels for visually indicating the operability of a mass air flow or manifold absolute pressure sensor across a broad output signal range, and ii) lead means for electrically connecting said electrical circuit to the sensor being tested, connecting the lead means to a sensor, and exercising the sensor, and observing said LEDs in the LED/resistor pairs to determine whether the sensor is operating properly, said LEDs selectively illuminating depending upon the output signal level from the sensor undergoing the test. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9)
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Specification