Automobile electronic circuit analyzer for detecting shorted ECM loads, including a pulsating power supply and load sensing cell
US5640093A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | May 23, 1994 |
| Grant date | Jun 17, 1997 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | May 23, 2014 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC F)Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
- CPC primaryF02P17/00
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
An automotive electronic circuit analyzer that plugs into an automobile's electronic control module is disclosed. The disclosed analyzer includes positive and negative load sensing cells each having a series resistor coupled to an ECM load via the ECM connector and having an LED transistor for conducting current when the ratio between the load and the series resistor exceeds a predetermined value. A regulated power circuit for sinking current from the positive load sensing cells and for supplying current to the negative load sensing cells includes a timing circuit for controlling the active power pulse width so that the LEDs are illuminated with high frequency, short duration power pulses to indicate a shorted load.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.