Patent US4078531A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4078531A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Exhaust temperature monitoring system
Assignee: Individual
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Filing: 1976-11-01
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Granted: 1978-03-14
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Expires: 1996-11-01
Abstract
Abstract An exhaust temperature monitoring unit is provided with a thermocouple connected in opposition to a reference signal across the differential inputs of an operational amplifier. Both the thermocouple and the reference signal are connected to a common ground which is isolated from the vehicle chassis. This provides a floating reference point which is insensitive to variations in ground potential and eddy current in the vehicle chassis. The operational amplifier drives an optical coupling unit which in turn controls various alarms and vehicle controls.
Inventors
- 👤 John T. Hewitt
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 05:50
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01K; G01K7/00; G01K7/02; G01K7/021; G01K1/00; G01K1/02; G01K1/024; G01M; G01M15/00; G01M15/04; G01M15/042; G01M15/048; G01M15/10; G01M15/102; G01M15/104; F; F02; F02B; F02B3/00; F02B3/06
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
218 words
An exhaust temperature monitoring system for use in a vehicle having an exhaust manifold comprising: a voltage transformer having inputs from the electrical system of said vehicle including a coupling to vehicle ground and having an output lead isolated from vehicle ground and serving as a common floating ground and having other output leads carrying a power output and a voltage reference signal; variable voltage dividing means connected to said output lead of said voltage transformer serving as said floating ground and to another output lead from said voltage transformer to receive said voltage reference signal and having a voltage tap therefrom; differential summing amplifier means connected to receive said power output from said voltage transformer and having one signal input from said voltage tap of said variable voltage dividing means; thermocouple means adapted for thermal contact with said manifold and having one electrical lead connected to said floating ground and having another electrical lead connected as a signal input to said differential summing amplifier means; optical coupling means connected to receive the output of said differential summing amplifier means and to generate an output signal at a potential with respect to said floating ground; and alarm means operatively connected to said optical coupling means for producing an alarm responsive to the output of said optical coupling means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
218 words
An exhaust temperature monitoring system for use in a vehicle having an exhaust manifold comprising: a voltage transformer having inputs from the electrical system of said vehicle including a coupling to vehicle ground and having an output lead isolated from vehicle ground and serving as a common floating ground and having other output leads carrying a power output and a voltage reference signal; variable voltage dividing means connected to said output lead of said voltage transformer serving as said floating ground and to another output lead from said voltage transformer to receive said voltage reference signal and having a voltage tap therefrom; differential summing amplifier means connected to receive said power output from said voltage transformer and having one signal input from said voltage tap of said variable voltage dividing means; thermocouple means adapted for thermal contact with said manifold and having one electrical lead connected to said floating ground and having another electrical lead connected as a signal input to said differential summing amplifier means; optical coupling means connected to receive the output of said differential summing amplifier means and to generate an output signal at a potential with respect to said floating ground; and alarm means operatively connected to said optical coupling means for producing an alarm responsive to the output of said optical coupling means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
45 words
The exhaust temperature monitoring system of claim 1 further characterized in that a plurality of variable voltage dividers, differential amplifiers, optical coupling means and alarm means are provided, and said thermocouple means is connected to said floating ground and to each of said differential amplifiers.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
42 words
The exhaust temperature monitoring system of claim 1 further characterized in that a plurality of alarm means are provided each connected to the aforesaid optical coupling means and each responsive to the output of said optical coupling means at a unique threshold.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
18 words
The exhaust temperature monitoring system of claim 1 wherein said differential summing amplifier means is an operational amplifier.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
17 words
The exhaust temperature monitoring system of claim 1 wherein said alarm means is an audible alarm mechanism.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
26 words
The exhaust temperature monitoring system of claim 1 wherein a delay means is interposed between the output of said optical coupling means and said alarm means.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
203 words
An exhaust temperature monitoring system for use in a vehicle employing an internal combustion engine and having an exhaust manifold comprising; a voltage transformer having inputs from the electrical system of said vehicle including a coupling to vehicle ground and having an output lead isolated from vehicle ground and serving as a common floating ground and having other output leads carrying a power output and a voltage reference signal, variable voltage dividing means connected to said floating ground and connected to receive said voltage reference signal and having a voltage tap therefrom, differential summing amplifier means connected to receive said power output from said voltage transformer and having one signal input from said voltage tap of said variable voltage dividing means; thermocouple means adapted for thermal contact with said manifold and having one electrical lead connected to said common voltage ground and having another electrical lead connected as a signal input to said differential summing amplifier means; optical coupling means connected to receive the output of said differential summing amplifier means and to generate an output signal at a potential with respect to said floating ground; and control means operatively connected to said optical coupling means for adjusting operating parameters of said vehicle.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
203 words
An exhaust temperature monitoring system for use in a vehicle employing an internal combustion engine and having an exhaust manifold comprising; a voltage transformer having inputs from the electrical system of said vehicle including a coupling to vehicle ground and having an output lead isolated from vehicle ground and serving as a common floating ground and having other output leads carrying a power output and a voltage reference signal, variable voltage dividing means connected to said floating ground and connected to receive said voltage reference signal and having a voltage tap therefrom, differential summing amplifier means connected to receive said power output from said voltage transformer and having one signal input from said voltage tap of said variable voltage dividing means; thermocouple means adapted for thermal contact with said manifold and having one electrical lead connected to said common voltage ground and having another electrical lead connected as a signal input to said differential summing amplifier means; optical coupling means connected to receive the output of said differential summing amplifier means and to generate an output signal at a potential with respect to said floating ground; and control means operatively connected to said optical coupling means for adjusting operating parameters of said vehicle.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
23 words
The exhaust temperature monitoring system of claim 7 wherein said control means regulates fuel flow to the internal combustion engine of the vehicle.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1981-03-13 | 1981-09-12 | 1982-03-14 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1985-03-13 | 1985-09-12 | 1986-03-14 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1989-03-13 | 1989-09-12 | 1990-03-14 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |