Rotational sensor and controller
AssigneeMcAlister Technologies, LLC
InventorRoy Edward McAlister
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Engine control systems having rotational sensors and controllers, and associated methods and systems, are disclosed herein. An engine control system in accordance with a particular embodiment can include a drum operably coupled to a rotating shaft of an engine. The drum can include a pattern positioned on its surface and a sensor can be positioned proximate to the drum to read the pattern and/or write a new pattern. A rod can operably couple the drum to an engine input mechanism and operate to axially move the drum. The axial movement of the drum can shift the pattern to different portions, resulting in a change in the timing for an engine event.
Claims20
An engine control system comprising:
- a drum operably coupled to a rotating shaft of an engine, the drum having a surface, wherein the surface includes a pattern having a first portion and a second portion, and wherein the first portion corresponds to a first engine event and the second portion corresponds to a second engine event;
- a spring positioned to bias the drum in a first direction;
- a rod operably coupled to an engine input mechanism and positioned to urge the drum in a second direction, opposite to the first direction;
- and
- a sensor positioned proximate to the drum and configured to detect the pattern, wherein movement of the drum moves the pattern between a first position with the first portion of the pattern adjacent to the sensor and a second position with the second portion of the pattern adjacent to the sensor.
An engine control system comprising:
- a disk operably coupled to a rotating shaft of an engine, the disk having a center and an outer edge, wherein the disk includes a map having a plurality of portions, and wherein the map corresponds to at least one engine event;
- a rotatable arm operably coupled to an engine input mechanism and positioned proximate to the disk, wherein operation of the engine input mechanism rotates the arm between a first position proximate to the center of the disk and a second position proximate to the outer edge;
- and
- a sensor fixedly attached to the arm and configured to read the map, wherein movement of the arm between the first position and the second position moves the sensor between different portions of the pattern.
A method for controlling an engine, the method comprising:
- operably coupling a drum to a rotational component of an engine, wherein the drum includes a surface having a pattern, wherein the pattern includes a first portion and a second portion, and wherein the drum is linearly moveable between a first position and a second position;
- positioning a sensor adjacent to the drum, wherein the sensor is adjacent to the first portion of the pattern when the drum is in the first position, and the sensor is adjacent to the second portion of the pattern when the drum is in the second position;
- coupling the sensor to a controller;
- detecting the pattern with the sensor;
- sending signals to the controller from the sensor;
- and
- adjusting the operation of an engine component based on the signals.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.