US 4,302,724 AGranted

Pickup probe for engine timing

AssigneeSnap-on Tools Corporation

InventorsDonald D. Grover, Norbert C. Neumann

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Abstract

A pickup probe for engine timing which is responsive electrically to an indicator on a rotating engine part. The free end of the probe is adapted to extend through an access opening in an engine member into proximity with the indicator on the rotating engine part. A sensor is contained within the free end portion of the probe. The probe includes a mounting means adapted to be detachably secured to the engine member adjacent the aforesaid access opening. The free end of the probe has limited longitudinal movement with respect to the mounting means so as to accommodate dimensional irregularities in the engine and enable the free end of the probe to be moved in adjusting manner to a selected longitudinal position with respect to the rotating part indicator to establish an effective air gap, and means are provided to maintain the free end of the probe in the selected position, thereby insuring continued proper spacing of the sensor and indicator by the effective air gap and the generation of timing signals of high quality for processing in associated equipment.

Claims9

Dependent claims

A pickup probe for engine timing adapted to extend through an access opening in an engine member into proximity with a projecting indicator on a rotating engine part comprising:

a tubular member having a free end, the periphery thereof having an annular chamfer providing a tapered cam surface which may engage without damage the projecting indicator and cooperate in adjusting the probe to establish an effective air gap;
a sensor mounted within said tubular member in recessed relation with the free end thereof, said sensor being responsive to the indicator when spaced therefrom by an effective air gap;
mounting means on said tubular member adapted to be detachably secured to the engine member with said tubular member extending through the access opening;
cooperating first means on said tubular member and said mounting means permitting limited longitudinal adjusting movement of said member with respect to said mounting means which enables said tubular member to be moved to a selected position establishing an effective air gap;
and
cooperating second means in effective relation with said tubular member and said mounting means enabling said tubular member to maintain said selected position;
whereby said tubular member may be positioned without damage in effective relation with the indicator on the rotating engine part despite dimensional irregularities in the engine and said sensor will be spaced from the indicator by the effective air gap.

4 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.