Engine performance instrument

Claim 2

An engine performance indicator comprising a speed-responsive device, a timing device having starting and stopping means, and control means whereby said speed responsive device is operative at a first predetermined speed to start the timing device and the speed-responsive means is operative at a second predetermined speed to stop the said timing device whereby the timing device indicates the elapsed time for a predetermined change of speed to occur.

Claim 3

An engine performance indicating instrument comprising an assembly including a tachometer having an indicating dial and a timing device for indicating time, means actuatable by the tachometer to start the timing device in operation at a predetermined speed and means actuatable by the tachometer to stop the timing device at a second predetermined speed whereby to indicate the elapsed time for a predetermined change in speed to take place.

Claim 4

An engine performance indicating instrument comprising an assembly including a tachometer having an indicating dial and a timing device for indicating time, means actuatable by the tachometer to start the timing device in operation at a predetermined speed and means actuatable by the tachometer to stop the timing device at a second predetermined speed whereby to indicate the elapsed time for a predetermined change in speed to take place.

Claim 5

An engine performance indicator as in claim 2, wherein the means responsive to predetermined speeds comprises a control element carried by the shaft of the tachometer and a second control element positionable about the circumference of the tachometer.

Claim 6

An engine performance measurement instrument, comprising in combination: means connectable to an engine for monitoring the speed at which the engine is operating; a first pickoff means operatively coupled to said speed-monitoring means for providing a first triggering output signal when the speed of said engine reaches a predetermined low value; a second pickoff means operatively coupled to said speed-monitoring means for providing a second triggering output signal when the speed of said engine reaches a predetermined high value; and a timing component coupled to each of said pickoff means to receive their respective output signals; said timing component being triggered on and off by said first and second signals and measuring the time which elapses between receipt of such two signals, so that by comparing repeated elapsed time measurements an engine may be precisely tuned to provide maximum acceleration between a pair of known engine speeds.

Claim 7

An engine performance measurement instrument, comprising in combination: means connectable to an engine for monitoring the speed at which the engine is operating; a first pickoff means operatively coupled to said speed-monitoring means for providing a first triggering output signal when the speed of said engine reaches a predetermined low value; a second pickoff means operatively coupled to said speed-monitoring means for providing a second triggering output signal when the speed of said engine reaches a predetermined high value; and a timing component coupled to each of said pickoff means to receive their respective output signals; said timing component being triggered on and off by said first and second signals and measuring the time which elapses between receipt of such two signals, so that by comparing repeated elapsed time measurements an engine may be precisely tuned to provide maximum acceleration between a pair of known engine speeds.

Claim 8

An engine performance measurement instrument, comprising in combination: means connectable to an engine for continuously monitoring the speed at which the engine is operating; a first pickoff means operatively coupled to said speed-monitoring means for providing a first triggering electrical output signal when the speed of said engine reaches a predetermined low value; a second pickoff means operatively coupled to said speed-monitoring means for providing a second triggering electrical output signal when the speed of said engine reaches a predetermined high value; and a manually resettable electrically actuated timing component coupled to each of said pickoff means to receive their respective output signals; said timing component upon being reset being triggered on and off by said first and second electrical signals to measure the time which elapses between receipt of such two signals, so that by comparing repeated elapsed time measurements an engine may be precisely tuned to provide maximum acceleration between a pair of known engine speeds.

Claim 9

An engine performance measurement instrument, comprising in combination: means connectable to an engine for continuously monitoring the speed at which the engine is operating; a first pickoff means operatively coupled to said speed-monitoring means for providing a first triggering electrical output signal when the speed of said engine reaches a predetermined low value; a second pickoff means operatively coupled to said speed-monitoring means for providing a second triggering electrical output signal when the speed of said engine reaches a predetermined high value; and a manually resettable electrically actuated timing component coupled to each of said pickoff means to receive their respective output signals; said timing component upon being reset being triggered on and off by said first and second electrical signals to measure the time which elapses between receipt of such two signals, so that by comparing repeated elapsed time measurements an engine may be precisely tuned to provide maximum acceleration between a pair of known engine speeds.

Claim 10

An engine performance measurement instrument, comprising in combination: tachometer means connectable to an engine for continuously monitoring the speed at which the engine is operating and having a meter movement including an instrument face for visually indicating the said operating speed; a first pickoff means operatively coupled to said tachometer for providing a first triggering electrical output signal when said meter movement indicates a predetermined low value of engine operating speed; a second pickoff means operatively coupled to said tachometer for providing a second triggering electrical output signal when said meter movement indicates a predetermined high value of engine operating speed; and a manually resettable electrically actuated timing component coupled to each of said pickoff means to receive their respective output signals; said timing component upon being reset being triggered on and off by said first and second electrical signals to measure the time which elapses between receipt of such two signals, so that by comparing repeated elapsed time measurements an engine may be precisely tuned to provide maximum acceleration between a pair of known engine speeds.

Claim 11

An engine performance measurement instrument, comprising in combination: tachometer means connectable to an engine for continuously monitoring the speed at which the engine is operating and having a meter movement including an instrument face for visually indicating the said operating speed; a first pickoff means operatively coupled to said tachometer for providing a first triggering electrical output signal when said meter movement indicates a predetermined low value of engine operating speed; a second pickoff means operatively coupled to said tachometer for providing a second triggering electrical output signal when said meter movement indicates a predetermined high value of engine operating speed; and a manually resettable electrically actuated timing component coupled to each of said pickoff means to receive their respective output signals; said timing component upon being reset being triggered on and off by said first and second electrical signals to measure the time which elapses between receipt of such two signals, so that by comparing repeated elapsed time measurements an engine may be precisely tuned to provide maximum acceleration between a pair of known engine speeds.

Claim 12

An engine performance measurement instrument, comprising in combination: tachometer means connectable to an engine for continuously monitoring the speed at which the engine is operating and having a meter movement including an instrument face and an indicating needle for visually indicating the said operating speed; a first proximity switch means positioned to be actuated by a portion of said indicating needle and arranged to provide a first triggering electrical output signal when said needle indicates a predetermined low engine speed; a second proximity switch means positioned to be actuated by a portion of said indicating needle and arranged to provide a second triggering electrical output signal when said needle indicates a predetermined high engine speed; and a manually resettable electrically actuated timing component coupled to each of said proximity switches to receive their respective output signals; said timing component upon being reset being triggered on and off by said first and second electrical signals to measure the time which elapses between receipt of such two signals, so that by comparing repeated elapsed time measurements an engine may be precisely tuned to provide maximum acceleration between a pair of known engine speeds.

Claim 13

An engine performance measurement instrument, comprising in combination: tachometer means connectable to an engine for continuously monitoring the speed at which the engine is operating and having a meter movement including an instrument face and an indicating needle for visually indicating the said operating speed; a first proximity switch means positioned to be actuated by a portion of said indicating needle and arranged to provide a first triggering electrical output signal when said needle indicates a predetermined low engine speed; a second proximity switch means positioned to be actuated by a portion of said indicating needle and arranged to provide a second triggering electrical output signal when said needle indicates a predetermined high engine speed; and a manually resettable electrically actuated timing component coupled to each of said proximity switches to receive their respective output signals; said timing component upon being reset being triggered on and off by said first and second electrical signals to measure the time which elapses between receipt of such two signals, so that by comparing repeated elapsed time measurements an engine may be precisely tuned to provide maximum acceleration between a pair of known engine speeds.

Claim 14

The instrument defined in claim 7, wherein at least one of said proximity switch means is adjustably mounted relative to said instrument face and indicating needle, such that the engine speed at which such switch means actuates said timing component may be varied as desired.

Claim 15

The instrument defined in claim 7, wherein both of said proximity switch means are adjustably mounted relative to said instrument face and indicating needle, such that both engine speeds at which such switch means actuate said timing component may be varied as desired.