US 5,445,026 A · Electronic instrument for locating and diagnosing engine sounds

Abstract

An acoustic signal and sound diagnostic instrument, for use by a professional automotive engine or industrial machinery maintenance operator, which is capable of locating and discriminating automotive engine and industrial machinery abnormalities. The instrument includes an acoustic transducer microphone, located at the forward end of an elongated deformable, semi-rigid probe arm, for detecting and converting acoustic signals and sounds into electromagnetic signals and an electronics housing conformed to be held in the hand of the maintenance operator with the housing mechanically supporting the probe arm at its rearward end. Pre-amplifier circuitry within the housing is electrically coupled to the transducer microphone and to range selector circuitry for selecting sound level ranges respecting the electromagnetic signals. A decibel meter, mounted to the exterior of the housing, is electrically interconnected to the pre-amplifier for visually indicating changes and peaks in the sound levels detected by the transducer microphone. Operational audio amplifier circuitry within the housing is electrically interconnected to the pre-amplifier circuitry for converting the electromagnetic signals into secondary acoustic signals that may be listened to by the operator through an earphone headset electrically interconnected to the audio amplifier. The instrument is energized by a battery power supply contained within the housing.

Claims11

Dependent claims

An acoustic signal and sound diagnostic instrument for discriminating audible automotive engine and industrial machinery abnormalities for use by a professional maintenance operator comprising:

a) an elongated deformable, semi-rigid probe arm bearing an acoustic transducer microphone at the forward end thereof for detecting and converting audible acoustic signals and sounds having a frequency in the range of from about 500 to about 10,000 Hz into electromagnetic signals;
b) an electronics housing conformed to be held in the hand of said maintenance operator, said housing mechanically connected to and supporting said probe arm at the rearward end thereof;
c) pre-amplifier circuitry within said housing electrically coupled to said transducer microphone for receiving said electromagnetic signals from said microphone;
d) range selector circuitry within said housing for selecting sound level ranges respecting said electromagnetic signals;
e) a decibel meter mounted to the exterior of said housing and electrically interconnected to said pre-amplifier circuitry for visually indicating changes and peaks in the sound levels detected by said transducer microphone;
f) operational audio amplifier circuitry within said housing electrically interconnected to said pre-amplifier circuitry for converting said electromagnetic signals into secondary audible acoustic signals;
g) a battery power supply electrically interconnected to said range selector circuitry and said pre-amplifier circuitry for energizing said instrument;
and
h) an earphone headset electrically interconnected to said audio amplifier circuitry for use by said operator whereby said secondary audible acoustic signals are available to said operator for audible discrimination of engine and machinery abnormalities.

6 more elements

An acoustic signal and sound diagnostic instrument for use by professional automotive engine and industrial machinery maintenance operators for locating and discriminating audible automotive engine and industrial machinery abnormalities comprising:

a) an elongated deformable, semi-rigid probe arm bearing an acoustic transducer microphone at the forward end thereof for detecting and converting audible acoustic signals and sounds having a frequency in the range of from about 500 to about 10,000 Hz into electromagnetic signals;
b) an electronics housing conformed to be held in the hand of said maintenance operator, said housing mechanically connected to and supporting said probe arm at the rearward end thereof;
c) pre-amplifier circuitry within said housing and electrically interconnected via leads extending through said probe arm to said transducer microphone for receiving said electromagnetic signals from said microphone;
d) range selector circuitry within said housing electrically interconnected to said pre-amplifier circuitry and operable by a rotatable control switch having a thumb operated selector dial mounted to the outside of said housing, said rotatable control switch of the range selector circuitry having an "off" position for terminating operation of the instrument, a battery "on" and check position for indicating operation of the instrument, and a multiplicity of center-point decibel value range setting positions;
e) a decibel meter mounted to the exterior of said housing and electrically interconnected to said pre-amplifier circuitry for visually indicating changes and peaks in the sound levels detected by said transducer microphone;
f) operational audio amplifier circuitry within said housing electrically interconnected to said pre-amplifier circuitry for converting said electromagnetic signals into secondary audible acoustic signals;
g) a battery power supply electrically interconnected to said range selector circuitry and said pre-amplifier circuitry for energizing said instrument when the rotatable control switch of said range selector circuitry is turned to said battery "on" position;
and
h) an earphone headset electrically interconnected to said audio amplifier circuitry for use by the operators of said instrument for audible discrimination of engine and machinery abnormalities,

6 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Electronic instrument for locating and diagnosing engine sounds

Life of this patent

Electronic instrument for locating and diagnosing engine sounds

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims11