Thermocouple data acquisition system

A method of real-time analysis of an engine in operation, comprising:

• sensing a combustion temperature within a chamber of the engine with a thermocouple sensor disposed on a spark plug operating within the chamber, the thermocouple sensor generating a first signal based upon the combustion temperature within the chamber;
• detecting current on an electrical power connection to the spark plug with a current sensor, the current sensor generating a second signal based upon current detected on the electrical power connection;
• converting the first and second signal into a first and a second optical signal respectively utilizing one or more signal conditioners;
• generating a first and a second digital signal based upon the first and second optical signal respectively by a receiver, the receiver configured to correct the combustion temperature of the first digital signal with a predetermined correction factor;
• and
• transmitting the first and second digital signal to an analysis device, the analysis device is configured to generate a visual display of the corrected combustion temperature as it relates to an engine speed of the engine at a first time in response to the receipt of the first and second digital signal.

A real-time engine analysis system, comprising:

• a thermocouple sensor disposed on a spark plug operating within a combustion chamber of the engine, the thermocouple sensor is configured to generate a first signal based upon a combustion temperature within the chamber;
• a current sensor disposed proximate to an electrical power connection of the spark plug, the current sensor is configured to monitor electrical current on the electrical power connection and generate a second signal based upon current detected on the electrical power connection;
• one or more signal conditioners configured to generate a first and a second optical signal based upon the first and second signal respectively;
• a receiver electrically connected to the first signal conditioner and the second signal conditioner, the receiver is configured to generate a first and a second digital signal based upon the first and second optical signal respectively;
• and
• an analysis device in signal communication with the receiver, the analysis device configured to receive the first and second digital signal and configured to generate a visual display of the combustion temperature as it relates to an engine speed of the engine at a first time in response to the receipt of the first and second digital signal.