US3757571A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Simulated load for internal combustion engines
Assignee: RCA Corp
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Filing: 1971-10-06
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Granted: 1973-09-11
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Expires: 1991-10-06
Abstract
Abstract Apparatus and process for testing and analyzing the overall performance of an internal combustion engine by providing a simulated load to the engine. The simulated load is effected by periodically interrupting the engine ignition to reduce the total developed power of the engine to a value equal to the frictional horsepower at a desired speed. The period of the interruption cycle is controlled in response to the desired speed.
Inventors
- 👤 G Chamberas
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 11:42
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01M; G01M15/00; G01M15/04; G01M15/042; G01M15/044
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 24
Claim 1
Independent Claim
463 words
In apparatus for providing a simulated load to an internal combustion engine, said engine having a throttle which normally controls the speed of said engine between minimum and maximum speed values and having an ignition system which normally provides ignition at a rate related to the speed of said engine, said apparatus being of the type including first means for inhibiting said ignition, second means for providing a predetermined inhibit period and means coupling said first means to said second means for inhibiting said ignition during said period to maintain a substantially constant engine speed at any given throttle setting, the improvement: wherein said second means includes means for producing synchronized pulses in response to engine and cylinder cycles and counting means coupled to said pulse producing means for counting said pulses, said counting means providing an output signal when a predetermined number of said pulses have been counted, said counting means having a reset input for clearing said counting means upon the occurrence of a reset pulse; and wherein said first means comprises ignition control means coupled to said counting means, said ignition control means having a first state of operation and being operable to a second state of operation when said synchronized pulses and said output signal simultaneously occur, said ignition control means being coupled to said ignition system for inhibiting said ignition during said first state and for enabling said ignition during said second state, said ignition control means further providing said reset pulse for said counting means, said ignition control means including means for maintaining said second state in response to the continued presence of said simultaneously occurring synchronized pulses, and for returning said ignition control means to said first state upon the cessation of said simultaneously occurring synchronized pulses, so that the normal ignition timing of said engine is preserved with respect to said engine and cylinder cycles; said ignition control means comprising: a bistable means, a differentiating circuit, a logic gate and switching means; said bistable means having a set input responsive to said output signal, a reset input coupled to said differentiating circuit and an output coupled to a first input of said logic gate; said differentiating circuit being coupled to saId pulse producing means for providing an output pulse to reset said bistable means; said logic gate having a second input coupled to said pulse producing means, said logic gate having an output coupled to said switching means and said logic gate output being further coupled to said reset input of said counting means to provide said reset pulse; and said switching means being responsive to said output of said logic gate to inhibit said ignition during said first state, said switching means being further adapted to render said ignition operable during said second state.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
463 words
In apparatus for providing a simulated load to an internal combustion engine, said engine having a throttle which normally controls the speed of said engine between minimum and maximum speed values and having an ignition system which normally provides ignition at a rate related to the speed of said engine, said apparatus being of the type including first means for inhibiting said ignition, second means for providing a predetermined inhibit period and means coupling said first means to said second means for inhibiting said ignition during said period to maintain a substantially constant engine speed at any given throttle setting, the improvement: wherein said second means includes means for producing synchronized pulses in response to engine and cylinder cycles and counting means coupled to said pulse producing means for counting said pulses, said counting means providing an output signal when a predetermined number of said pulses have been counted, said counting means having a reset input for clearing said counting means upon the occurrence of a reset pulse; and wherein said first means comprises ignition control means coupled to said counting means, said ignition control means having a first state of operation and being operable to a second state of operation when said synchronized pulses and said output signal simultaneously occur, said ignition control means being coupled to said ignition system for inhibiting said ignition during said first state and for enabling said ignition during said second state, said ignition control means further providing said reset pulse for said counting means, said ignition control means including means for maintaining said second state in response to the continued presence of said simultaneously occurring synchronized pulses, and for returning said ignition control means to said first state upon the cessation of said simultaneously occurring synchronized pulses, so that the normal ignition timing of said engine is preserved with respect to said engine and cylinder cycles; said ignition control means comprising: a bistable means, a differentiating circuit, a logic gate and switching means; said bistable means having a set input responsive to said output signal, a reset input coupled to said differentiating circuit and an output coupled to a first input of said logic gate; said differentiating circuit being coupled to saId pulse producing means for providing an output pulse to reset said bistable means; said logic gate having a second input coupled to said pulse producing means, said logic gate having an output coupled to said switching means and said logic gate output being further coupled to said reset input of said counting means to provide said reset pulse; and said switching means being responsive to said output of said logic gate to inhibit said ignition during said first state, said switching means being further adapted to render said ignition operable during said second state.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
63 words
The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said ignition system includes a battery, an ignition coil, a capacitor and breaker points, and wherein said switching means comprises an impedance means coupled between said ignition coil and said battery, said impedance means exhibiting a substantially low impedance in response to said first state and a substantially high impedance in response to said second state.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
14 words
The apparatus according to claim 2 wherein said impedance means includes a semiconductor switch.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
305 words
In apparatus for providing a simulated load to an internal combustion engine, having an ignition system to produce ignition, of the type including first means for inhibiting said ignition, second means for providing a variable inhibit period, third means for detecting the speed of said engine, said second means including comparison means coupled to said third means, said comparison means including reference means for comparing said speed to said reference means, said comparison means being operatively coupled with said second means for adjusting said period in response to variations of said speed about the reference means, and fourth means coupling said first means to said second means for inhibiting said ignition during said period, the improvement: wherein said third means comprises detection means coupled to said engine for producing an output voltage proportional to the speed of said engine; wherein said reference means comprises reference voltage means for providing a reference voltage level corresponding to a desired speed of said engine; wherein said comparison means comprises means having a first input coupled to said detection means and a second input coupled to said reference voltage for comparing said output voltage to said reference voltage, said comparison means producing a first output when said output voltage equals or exceeds said reference voltage and a second output when said reference voltage exceeds said output voltage; and wherein said first means comprises ignition control means coupled to said ignition system and said comparison means, said ignition control means being responsive to said first output and said second output for inhibiting said ignition when said comparison means produces said first output, and rendering said ignition system operable when said comparison means produces said second output, said ignition control means including means for synchronizing the operation of said ignition control means to the engine and cylinder cycles of said engine.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
305 words
In apparatus for providing a simulated load to an internal combustion engine, having an ignition system to produce ignition, of the type including first means for inhibiting said ignition, second means for providing a variable inhibit period, third means for detecting the speed of said engine, said second means including comparison means coupled to said third means, said comparison means including reference means for comparing said speed to said reference means, said comparison means being operatively coupled with said second means for adjusting said period in response to variations of said speed about the reference means, and fourth means coupling said first means to said second means for inhibiting said ignition during said period, the improvement: wherein said third means comprises detection means coupled to said engine for producing an output voltage proportional to the speed of said engine; wherein said reference means comprises reference voltage means for providing a reference voltage level corresponding to a desired speed of said engine; wherein said comparison means comprises means having a first input coupled to said detection means and a second input coupled to said reference voltage for comparing said output voltage to said reference voltage, said comparison means producing a first output when said output voltage equals or exceeds said reference voltage and a second output when said reference voltage exceeds said output voltage; and wherein said first means comprises ignition control means coupled to said ignition system and said comparison means, said ignition control means being responsive to said first output and said second output for inhibiting said ignition when said comparison means produces said first output, and rendering said ignition system operable when said comparison means produces said second output, said ignition control means including means for synchronizing the operation of said ignition control means to the engine and cylinder cycles of said engine.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
39 words
The apparatus according to claim 4 wherein said apparatus includes counter means coupled to said engine and said ignition control means, said counter means providing said second output in response to a predetermined number of engine and cylinder cycles.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
340 words
In apparatus for providing a simulated load to an internal combustion engine, having an ignition system to produce ignition, of the type including first means for inhibiting said ignition, second means for providing a variable inhibit period, third means for detecting the speed of said engine, said second means including comparison means coupled to said third means, said comparison means including reference means for comparing said speed to said reference means, said comparison means being further coupled to said second means for adjusting said period in response to variations of said speed about the reference means, and fourtH means coupling said first means to said second means for inhibiting said ignition during said period, the improvement: wherein said third means includes means for producing pulses having a pulse repetition rate proportional to the speed of said engine, monostable means coupled to said third means for translating said pulses into squarewave signals, integrator means coupled to said monostable means for integrating said squarewave signals and providing an output voltage proportional to the repetition rate of said squarewave signals; wherein said reference means comprises reference voltage means for providing a reference voltage level corresponding to a particular speed of said engine; wherein said comparison means comprises means having a first input coupled to said integrator means and a second input coupled to said reference voltage for comparing said output voltage to said reference voltage, said comparison means producing a first output when said output voltage equals or exceeds said reference voltage and a second output when said reference voltage exceeds said output voltage; and wherein said first means comprises ignition control means coupled to said ignition system and said comparison means, said ignition control means being responsive to said first output and said second output for inhibiting said ignition when said comparison means produces said first output, and rendering said ignition system operable when said comparison means produces said second output, said ignition control means including means for synchronizing the operation of said ignition control means to the engine and cylinder cycles.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
340 words
In apparatus for providing a simulated load to an internal combustion engine, having an ignition system to produce ignition, of the type including first means for inhibiting said ignition, second means for providing a variable inhibit period, third means for detecting the speed of said engine, said second means including comparison means coupled to said third means, said comparison means including reference means for comparing said speed to said reference means, said comparison means being further coupled to said second means for adjusting said period in response to variations of said speed about the reference means, and fourtH means coupling said first means to said second means for inhibiting said ignition during said period, the improvement: wherein said third means includes means for producing pulses having a pulse repetition rate proportional to the speed of said engine, monostable means coupled to said third means for translating said pulses into squarewave signals, integrator means coupled to said monostable means for integrating said squarewave signals and providing an output voltage proportional to the repetition rate of said squarewave signals; wherein said reference means comprises reference voltage means for providing a reference voltage level corresponding to a particular speed of said engine; wherein said comparison means comprises means having a first input coupled to said integrator means and a second input coupled to said reference voltage for comparing said output voltage to said reference voltage, said comparison means producing a first output when said output voltage equals or exceeds said reference voltage and a second output when said reference voltage exceeds said output voltage; and wherein said first means comprises ignition control means coupled to said ignition system and said comparison means, said ignition control means being responsive to said first output and said second output for inhibiting said ignition when said comparison means produces said first output, and rendering said ignition system operable when said comparison means produces said second output, said ignition control means including means for synchronizing the operation of said ignition control means to the engine and cylinder cycles.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
20 words
The apparatus according to claim 6 wherein said reference voltage means includes means for providing an adjustable reference voltage level.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
282 words
In apparatus for providing a simulated load to an internal combustion engine having a battery, an ignition coil, a condensor and breaker points, comprising: first means for producing pulses synchronized with the opening and closing of said breaker points; ramp generator means coupled to said first means for producing a ramp voltage output, said ramp generator means being reset in response to signals as derived from said first means corresponding to the opening of said breaker points; adjustable reference voltage means for providing a reference voltage at an adjustable level corresponding to a particular speed of said engine; comparison means having a first input coupled to said ramp generator means and a second input coupled to said reference voltage for comparing said ramp voltage output and said reference voltage, said comparison means providing an output signal when said ramp voltage output exceeds said reference voltage; bistable means coupled to said first means and said comparison means, said bistable means being set to a first output in response to said output signal, said bistable means being reset to a second output in response to signals as derived from said first means corresponding to the closing of said breaker points; a logic gate having a first input coupled to said bistable means and a second input coupled to said first means, said logic gate providing an output in response to said first output and signals as derived from said first means corresponding to the opening of said breaker points; and switching means coupled to said breaker points and said logic gate, said switching means being operable in response to said logic gate output for inhibiting said ignition system until said logic gate output occurs.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
282 words
In apparatus for providing a simulated load to an internal combustion engine having a battery, an ignition coil, a condensor and breaker points, comprising: first means for producing pulses synchronized with the opening and closing of said breaker points; ramp generator means coupled to said first means for producing a ramp voltage output, said ramp generator means being reset in response to signals as derived from said first means corresponding to the opening of said breaker points; adjustable reference voltage means for providing a reference voltage at an adjustable level corresponding to a particular speed of said engine; comparison means having a first input coupled to said ramp generator means and a second input coupled to said reference voltage for comparing said ramp voltage output and said reference voltage, said comparison means providing an output signal when said ramp voltage output exceeds said reference voltage; bistable means coupled to said first means and said comparison means, said bistable means being set to a first output in response to said output signal, said bistable means being reset to a second output in response to signals as derived from said first means corresponding to the closing of said breaker points; a logic gate having a first input coupled to said bistable means and a second input coupled to said first means, said logic gate providing an output in response to said first output and signals as derived from said first means corresponding to the opening of said breaker points; and switching means coupled to said breaker points and said logic gate, said switching means being operable in response to said logic gate output for inhibiting said ignition system until said logic gate output occurs.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
25 words
The apparatus according to claim 8 including means to inhibit said ignition system for substantially one pulse period following the operation of said switching means.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
60 words
The apparatus according to claim 9 wherein said means to inhibit includes monostable means coupled to said logic gate, said ramp generator means and said reference voltage, said monostable means being responsive to said logic gate output for providing a square-wave reseT signal to said ramp generator means, said square-wave reset signal having a duration responsive to said reference voltage.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
22 words
The apparatus according to claim 10 further including means to disable said square-wave reset signal during the starting period of said engine.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
15 words
The apparatus according to claim 8 including engine speed indicating means common to said apparatus.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
39 words
The apparatus according to claim 8 including counter means coupled to said first means and said bistable means, said counter means providing said output signal to said bistable means after a predetermined number of said pulses have been counted.
Claim 18
Independent Claim
79 words
A method of providing a simulated load to an operating internal combustion engine having means for producing ignition signals in synchronized relation to the speed of the engine and having means for inhibiting the cylinder ignition comprising the steps of: deriving synchronized signals representative of the engine and cylinder cycles; counting said synchronized signals; inhibiting said cylinder ignition until a predetermined number of said synchronized signals have been counted; and thereafter enabling the ignition during a predetermined signal period.
Claim 19
Independent Claim
79 words
A method of providing a simulated load to an operating internal combustion engine having means for producing ignition signals in synchronized relation to the speed of the engine and having means for inhibiting the cylinder ignition comprising the steps of: deriving synchronized signals representative of the engine and cylinder cycles; counting said synchronized signals; inhibiting said cylinder ignition until a predetermined number of said synchronized signals have been counted; and thereafter enabling the ignition during a predetermined signal period.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method according to claim 14 including the step of deriving a further signal which is employed to reset said counter.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method according to claim 14 including the step of synchronizing said predetermined signal period with said engine and cylinder cycles.
Claim 22
Independent Claim
88 words
A method of providing a simulated load to an operating internal combustion engine having means for producing ignition signals in synchronized relation to the speed of the engine and having means for inhibiting the cylinder ignition comprising the steps of: inhibiting the ignition of said engine; detecting the speed of said engine; comparing said detected speed to a reference speed; and enabling ignition operation for a first predetermined period, synchronized with said speed of said engine, when said reference speed equals or exceeds said speed of said engine.
Claim 23
Independent Claim
88 words
A method of providing a simulated load to an operating internal combustion engine having means for producing ignition signals in synchronized relation to the speed of the engine and having means for inhibiting the cylinder ignition comprising the steps of: inhibiting the ignition of said engine; detecting the speed of said engine; comparing said detected speed to a reference speed; and enabling ignition operation for a first predetermined period, synchronized with said speed of said engine, when said reference speed equals or exceeds said speed of said engine.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method according to claim 17 including the step of inhibiting the ignition of said engine for a second predetermined period following each occurrence of said first predetermined period.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-09-10 | 1977-03-12 | 1977-09-11 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-09-10 | 1981-03-12 | 1981-09-11 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-09-10 | 1985-03-12 | 1985-09-11 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |