US 4,418,388 A · Engine waveform pattern analyzer

Abstract

An apparatus which permits the automated diagnosis of automobile engine electrical system waveform patterns is disclosed. Employed in conjunction with an addressable random access memory which stores digitized information concerning the waveform are further means which logarithmically reduce input amplitude values of the waveform and coordinates sampling times for the waveform with engine RPM so that the memory capacity is fully utilized. Input conversion of the waveform is accomplished by a tracking analog-to-digital converter using comparator means which also provides a waveform peak detector. Upon an address command, the memory output is input into a read only memory which provides an anti-log conversion of the logarithmic value stored in the memory, thereby providing an output corresponding to an actual value signal.

Claims42

Dependent claims

Apparatus for electrically storing substantially a time-varying operating parameter of an internal combustion engine comprising:

electrical signal means adapted to be coupled to the engine for providing a time-varying electrical signal related to the time-varying operating parameter,
converting means coupled to the electrical signal means for converting the time-varying electrical signal to a series of digital signals representing discrete magnitudes of the time-varying electrical signal at temporally spaced intervals,
storing means coupled to the converting means for storing digital signals, and
control means coupled to the storing means for causing digital signals from the converting means representing discrete magnitudes of the time-varying electrical signal at temporally spaced intervals which are determined by the control means in accordance with an operating parameter of the internal combustion engine other than said time-varying operating parameter being electrically stored;
to be stored in said storing means, and for causing reading of the stored digital signals out of the storing means.

2 more elements

In a microprocessor-controlled diagnostic apparatus for analyzing at least one system of an internal combustion engine comprising electrical signal means adapted to be coupled to the engine for providing electrical signals related to operating parameters of the engine, converting means coupled to the electrical signal means for converting the electrical signals to digital signals, storing means coupled to the converting means for storing digital signals, and processing means including means for controlling at least the storage of digital signals into and reading of digital signals out of the storing means and for processing the digital signals to analyze the engine system, the improvement comprising:

the electrical signal means further providing a time-varying electrical signal related to a time-varying operating parameter of the engine;
the converting means further converting the time-varying electrical signal to a series of digital magnitude signals representing discrete magnitudes of the time-varying electrical signal at temporally spaced intervals;
and
the processing means further causing digital magnitude signals from the converting means representing discrete magnitudes of the time-varying electrical signal at temporally spaced intervals which are determined by the processing means in accordance with an operating parameter of the internal combustion engine other than said time-varying operating parameter being electrically stored to be stored in said storing means, and causing reading of the stored digital magnitude signals out of the storing means for at least one of use by the processing means and display by a means for displaying.

1 more element

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Engine waveform pattern analyzer

Life of this patent

Engine waveform pattern analyzer

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims42