Capacitive sensing apparatus for sensing a plurality of operating parameters associated with an engine
US5528928A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jan 30, 1995 |
| Grant date | Jun 25, 1996 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jan 30, 2015 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG01M15/06
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
In one aspect of the invention, an apparatus for sensing a plurality of operating parameters of an internal combustion engine is disclosed. An energy source supplies electrical energy to the pistons, whereby each piston forms a variable capacitor with the engine housing. The capacitance value of each variable capacitor changes as a function of the relative position of the piston to the housing. An oscillator circuit produces a capacitive signal that is indicative of the capacitance value of each variable capacitor. A microprocessor receives the capacitive signal and responsively determines one of a plurality of operating parameters of the engine.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.