Method of and apparatus for distinguishing engine idling and working hours

• US 6,735,150 B2
• Filed: 03/28/2002
• Issued: 05/11/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 03/28/2002
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Startrak Information Technologies LLC (ORBCOMM Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Micrologic, Inc. (ORBCOMM Incorporated)
• Inventors: Rothman, Steven
• Primary Examiner(s): Miska, Vit W.
• Application Number:
  US10/117,548
• Publication Number:
  US 20030185103A1
• Time in Patent Office: 775 Days
• Field of Search: 368/1, 368/5-10
• US Class Current: 368/5
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 5/04 using counting means or digital clocks

Abstract

A novel technique for distinguishing fuel-operated engine idling and working periods by monitoring the different values of the engine alternating-current alternator frequencies for distinguishing engine idling and working, and, where desired, total engine operating run time.

Claims

1. A method of measuring fuel-operated engine running hours, that comprises, monitoring the values of the frequencies corresponding to the engine speed over time, and processing the same to distinguish frequencies representative of either the engine idling periods or of the total period of engine operation, and frequencies representative of engine-working periods, thereby to enable the measurement of engine-working hours.

2. The method of claim 1 in which the frequency monitor monitors an alternating-current alternator provided for the engine.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein the total period of engine operation is processed by monitoring a frequency common to both engine working and idling.

4. The method of claim 3 wherein said common frequency is of the order of 50 Hertz.

5. The method of claim 1 wherein the engine idling period frequencies including from about 300—

300 Hertz and the engine working period frequencies include about 500-600 Hertz.

6. A method of distinguishing fuel-operated engine idling and working periods, that comprises, monitoring the different values of the frequencies corresponding to engine idling and working speeds, and distinguishing such periods by such different frequency values, and communicating the distinguishment.

7. Apparatus for measuring fuel-operated engine running hours, having, in combination, a frequency monitor for monitoring the values of frequencies corresponding to engine speed over time, and means for processing the monitored values to distinguish frequencies representative of idling periods and frequencies representative of engine-working periods, thereby to enable the determination of engine-working hours.

8. The apparatus of claim 7 in which the frequency monitor monitors an alternating-current alternator provided for the engine.

9. The apparatus of claim 7 wherein the processing means monitors a frequency common to both engine working and idling, thereby to measure the total period of engine operation, and further monitors the frequencies representative of the engine-working periods wherein the total engine run hours equals the sum of the engine working and idling periods.