Automatic control of leak test unit during testing and analysis of an engine
First Claim
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1. A leak tester development system for automatically developing and optimizing leak test programs for vehicle engines, comprising:
- a leak tester that pressurizes the engine and measures a pressure change in the engine;
a digital valve that provides an adjustable leak orifice for the engine;
a digital valve controller that controls the digital valve;
a computer for inputting data into the system and providing instructions to the leak tester and the digital valve controller, wherein said computer also records the pressure change and the inputted data; and
a main control unit that transmits and receives data to and from the leak tester, the digital valve controller, and the computer.
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Abstract
A method and apparatus for developing a test for determining if an engine has oil seal leaks. The engine is charged with a predetermined pressure of air and monitored by a leak tester. A digital valve is set to provide a certain leak rate based upon signals received from a digital valve controller. Thereafter, based upon signals received from a PC and a main control unit, a variety of trials are completed. The results and programs are stored in the PC. Results of the trials allow an optimized testing program to be selected that would be best suited for use on a manufacturing assembly line.
15 Citations
10 Claims
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1. A leak tester development system for automatically developing and optimizing leak test programs for vehicle engines, comprising:
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a leak tester that pressurizes the engine and measures a pressure change in the engine; a digital valve that provides an adjustable leak orifice for the engine; a digital valve controller that controls the digital valve; a computer for inputting data into the system and providing instructions to the leak tester and the digital valve controller, wherein said computer also records the pressure change and the inputted data; and a main control unit that transmits and receives data to and from the leak tester, the digital valve controller, and the computer. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3)
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4. A method for developing and optimizing leak test programs for vehicle engines by using a digital valve, a digital valve controller, a main control unit, and a computer, comprising the steps of:
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engaging the engine with the leak tester and the digital valve; supplying power to the digital valve, the digital valve controller, computer, and the main control unit; setting operating parameters with the computer; charging the engine with pressurized air until a desired pressure is reached and then turning off the pressurized air; setting the digital valve to allow an inputted leak rate from the engine; measuring engine air pressure; calculating a leak rate of the engine; and sending the leak rate and operating parameters to the computer to be recorded. - View Dependent Claims (5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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Specification