Apparatus for electronically measuring the speed of internal combustion engines and method of operating such apparatus in monitoring an internal combustion engine
US5305220A · kind A · utility
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | May 17, 1991 |
| Grant date | Apr 19, 1994 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | May 17, 2011 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG01P3/489
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
An apparatus and process for electronically measuring rotational characteristics of a rotating part that rotates with a crankshaft of an internal combustion engine. The rotating part has reference marks and measuring scale marks thereon. The apparatus includes a first pick up for detecting the passage of reference marks and a second pick up for detecting the passage of measuring scale marks. A counter connected to the second pick up counts the detected measuring scale marks. A timer controls the stage of the counter. A load sensor detects the load on the engine. A computer is connected to the first pick up, the counter, the timer, and the load sensor. The computer calculates the instantaneous rotational speed of the rotating part by differentiating the counts obtained during instantaneous counter stages. The computer includes decision logic with a predetermined threshold value. When the engine load is less than the predetermined threshold value, the computer measures the speed during at least several rotations of the rotating part. When the engine load is greater than the predetermined value or when the engine load is changing, the computer measures the number of rotations, the rot…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.