Timing device for internal combustion engine
AssigneeSpecialty Auto Parts U.S.A., Inc.
InventorsRichard Booth Platt, Rick Anthony Hobbs
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A stroboscopic timing device for an internal combustion engine includes a switchable light source having a light emitter and a base for mounting the light source on an exterior surface of an engine adjacent to a rotating shaft such as a camshaft or a crankshaft. A power source and trigger circuit are operatively associated with the light source, and at least the trigger circuit is enclosed within a housing mounted to the base. A sensor, which is removeably cabled to the switchable light source, triggers energization of the light source when a predetermined engine operating condition, such as a spark voltage, is detected.
Claims20
A timing device for an internal combustion engine, comprising:
- a switchable light source having a light emitter for mounting to an exterior surface of an engine;
- an inductive sensor for sensing a firing pulse within a spark plug lead and for providing a switching signal to said switchable light source;
- and
- a light guide, mounted to said base, for directing light emanating from said switchable light source.
A timing device for an internal combustion engine, comprising:
- a switchable light source having a light emitter and a base for mounting the light source on an exterior surface of an engine adjacent to a rotating shaft;
- a power source and trigger circuit operatively associated with said light source;
- and
- an inductive sensor, operatively connected with the trigger circuit, for sensing a firing pulse within a spark plug lead, and for energizing the switchable light source when a predetermined engine operating condition is detected.
An ignition timing device for an internal combustion engine, comprising:
- a switchable light source having a light emitter located within a housing, and a base for mounting the housing upon an exterior surface of an engine such that the light emitter is adjacent a crankshaft damper;
- a power source and trigger circuit operatively associated with said light emitter, with said power source and trigger circuit being mounted within said housing;
- and
- a sensor, connected with the trigger circuit, for energizing the light emitter when a sparkplug firing pulse is detected within a selected sparkplug lead, such that said crankshaft damper will be illuminated stroboscopically by said light emitter, thereby permitting the spark timing of the engine to be determined.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.