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Glow plug controller

  • US 5,570,666 A
  • Filed: 04/01/1993
  • Issued: 11/05/1996
  • Est. Priority Date: 10/31/1991
  • Status: Expired due to Term
First Claim
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1. Apparatus for governing application of electrical power to a plurality of glow plugs in a diesel engine that applies motive power to a motor vehicle, said apparatus comprising:

  • a) a temperature sensor for producing a temperature signal corresponding to a temperature at a region of said diesel engine;

    b) a programmable controller for controlling application of electrical power to the glow plugs of said diesel engine;

    said programmable controller including i) a power input coupled to a motor vehicle battery;

    ii) a temperature input coupled to the temperature sensor for monitoring said temperature signal iii) a stored program for determining a glow plug pre-glow period as a function of sensed temperature from the temperature sensor;

    iv) an enable input to signal the stored program to determine a pre-glow time period and v) an output for producing a glow plug control signal during a pre-glow time period determined by the stored program in response to receipt of the enable input, said stored program distinguishing between two different signals at the enable input to allow the motor vehicle operator to manually override the pre-glow energization time period;

    c) output circuitry coupled to the programmable controller for responding to the glow plug control signal from the programmable controller and applying electrical power to the glow plugs;

    d) a waterproof housing for the programmable controller that is attached to the diesel engine for enclosing the programmable controller; and

    e) structure for supporting the glow plug controller and the temperature sensor within the waterproof housing.

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