Diagnostic method and apparatus for monitoring the wear of at least an engine timing chain
US5689067A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jan 25, 1996 |
| Grant date | Nov 18, 1997 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jan 25, 2016 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC F)Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
- CPC primaryF16H7/06
- WIPO fieldEngines, pumps, turbines
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
The invention relates to a method and apparatus for monitoring wear of an engine timing chain. During engine operation, the relative phase relation of the signals of two engine-integrated on-board sensors which detect the angular position of different chain sprockets with respect to one another and are situated on different chain sprockets of the timing chain drive, is determined, and is then compared with a predetermined desired value. If the current actual phase relation differs from the desired value, a signal is emitted which reports an unacceptable lengthening of the timing chain. In addition to the sensors, the diagnostic device contains a signal processing unit which, detects the phase relation of the received sensor signals with respect to one another and performs a desired value comparison with respect to the phase relation. If the phase relation deviates from the predetermined desired value, a signal generator emits a signal reporting a lengthening of the timing chain.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.