Patent US4235101A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4235101A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Adjustable engine crankshaft position sensor with preadvance timing signal capability and method of varying engine timing
Assignee: Bendix Corp
•
Filing: 1978-11-29
•
Granted: 1980-11-25
•
Expires: 1998-11-29
Abstract
Abstract A crankshaft position sensing system for sensing the motion of an engine crankshaft and a method of generating an output signal having an adjustable special phasing relationship with respect to the motion of a plurality of pistons disposed within the block of an automotive engine. The crankshaft position sensing system includes a pickoff disposed within a mounting bracket that is mounted to the underside of an engine block such that the face of the pickoff is maintained in spaced relationship to a sense wheel. The sense wheel contains a plurality of sense features and rotates with the engine crankshaft to coact with the pickoff to generate an output signal indicative of the motion of the crankshaft. In addition, the phasing between the output signal and the engine motion is fixed by the pickoff mounting geometries and fixed by the orientation of the sense wheel relative to an index feature on the flange of the crankshaft. Adjustment of this phasing relationship is accomplished by interposing calibrated spacers or shims between the bracket and an engine mounting surface.
Inventors
- 👤 Joachim P. Stadelmann
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 14:23
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01M; G01M15/00; G01M15/04; G01M15/06
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 28
Claim 1
Independent Claim
343 words
A timing signal generator, adapted to be mounted to an engine, the engine having at least one combustion chamber with a first member moveably disposed therein and a second member, including a second member rotatably disposed within the engine, wherein the motion of said first member can be inferred from the motion of said second member, said timing signal generator comprising: a signal path generator means for generating a signal path comprising: a magnetic pickoff means, having a central axis, for generating a magnetic flux path along said central axis and adapted to fit within said means for receiving of a bracket so that its central axis is maintained co-linear to the central axis of said means for receiving, said magnetic pickoff further having an output coil for generating a signal in response to interruption in said magnetic flux path; interrupter means, for interrupting said signal path in timed relationship with the motion of said first moveable member, including: an index feature located on said second member; a disk-like member having an array of apertures thereon wherein one of said apertures is designated as an index aperture and located on said disk-like member so that when said index feature is at a first determinable location relative to said engine said index aperture intercepts said signal path; output signal generator means for generating an output signal in response to the interruption of said signal path; bracket means adapted to be attached to the engine for holding said signal path generator means in a determinable orientation with respect to said interrupter means and including: a structure having means for receiving said signal path generator means having a central axis therethrough and; a mounting plate having on one side a mounting surface adapted to mate with said engine and further adapted on its other side to receive said structure so that the plane of said mounting surface has a determinable relationship to said central axis of said structure; timing means for adjusting said timed relationship by varying the distance between said bracket means and said engine.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
343 words
A timing signal generator, adapted to be mounted to an engine, the engine having at least one combustion chamber with a first member moveably disposed therein and a second member, including a second member rotatably disposed within the engine, wherein the motion of said first member can be inferred from the motion of said second member, said timing signal generator comprising: a signal path generator means for generating a signal path comprising: a magnetic pickoff means, having a central axis, for generating a magnetic flux path along said central axis and adapted to fit within said means for receiving of a bracket so that its central axis is maintained co-linear to the central axis of said means for receiving, said magnetic pickoff further having an output coil for generating a signal in response to interruption in said magnetic flux path; interrupter means, for interrupting said signal path in timed relationship with the motion of said first moveable member, including: an index feature located on said second member; a disk-like member having an array of apertures thereon wherein one of said apertures is designated as an index aperture and located on said disk-like member so that when said index feature is at a first determinable location relative to said engine said index aperture intercepts said signal path; output signal generator means for generating an output signal in response to the interruption of said signal path; bracket means adapted to be attached to the engine for holding said signal path generator means in a determinable orientation with respect to said interrupter means and including: a structure having means for receiving said signal path generator means having a central axis therethrough and; a mounting plate having on one side a mounting surface adapted to mate with said engine and further adapted on its other side to receive said structure so that the plane of said mounting surface has a determinable relationship to said central axis of said structure; timing means for adjusting said timed relationship by varying the distance between said bracket means and said engine.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
18 words
The signal generator as recited in claim 1 wherein said disk-like structure of said interrupter means is ferromagnetic.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
20 words
The signal generator as recited in claim 2 wherein said interrupter means is a flywheel driven by said second member.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
244 words
A timing signal generator adapted to be mounted to an engine, the engine having at least one combustion chamber with a first member moveably disposed therein, wherein the motion of the first member has a determinable relationship with respect to the combustion process within the combustion chamber, and the engine further contains a second member rotatably disposed within the engine such that the rotation of the second member is indicative of the motion of said first member, said timing signal generator comprising: a signal path generator means for generating a signal path; interrupter means for interrupting said signal path in timed relationship with the motion of said first member; output signal generator means for generating an output signal indicative of the interruption of said signal path; bracket means adapted to be attached to the engine for orienting said signal path generator means and for maintaining said signal path a determinable distance from the axis of rotation of said second member and including: first means for maintaining said signal path in parallel relationship with the axis of rotation of said second member so that said signal path is initially maintained at vector distances r 1 and d 1 from the axis of rotation of said second member such that the distances r 1 and d 1 form the hypotenuse and opposite leg of a right triangle subtending a sensor angle φ s ; timing means for adjusting said timed relationship by varying said determinable distance.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
244 words
A timing signal generator adapted to be mounted to an engine, the engine having at least one combustion chamber with a first member moveably disposed therein, wherein the motion of the first member has a determinable relationship with respect to the combustion process within the combustion chamber, and the engine further contains a second member rotatably disposed within the engine such that the rotation of the second member is indicative of the motion of said first member, said timing signal generator comprising: a signal path generator means for generating a signal path; interrupter means for interrupting said signal path in timed relationship with the motion of said first member; output signal generator means for generating an output signal indicative of the interruption of said signal path; bracket means adapted to be attached to the engine for orienting said signal path generator means and for maintaining said signal path a determinable distance from the axis of rotation of said second member and including: first means for maintaining said signal path in parallel relationship with the axis of rotation of said second member so that said signal path is initially maintained at vector distances r 1 and d 1 from the axis of rotation of said second member such that the distances r 1 and d 1 form the hypotenuse and opposite leg of a right triangle subtending a sensor angle φ s ; timing means for adjusting said timed relationship by varying said determinable distance.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
29 words
The signal generator as recited in claim 4 wherein said timing means is a spacer disposed between said bracket means and said engine to calibratably change said sensor angle.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
90 words
The signal generator as recited in claim 4 wherein said interrupter means comprises: an index feature located on said second member wherein the motion of said first member is determinable from the motion of said index feature, in relation to said engine; a disk-like member having an array of apertures, including at least one aperture designated as an index aperture, thereon and located on said disk-like member so that when said index feature is at a first determinable location relative to said engine said index aperture intercepts said signal path.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
121 words
The system as recited in claim 6 wherein said first means of said bracket means further comprises: a structure having a first and a second end and a central axis and inner surface coaxial to the central axis, wherein said inner surface includes a tapered interference ribbing extending from said first end to said second end so that the degree of taper increases as measured from said first end to said second end; a mounting plate having on one side a planar mounting surface adapted to mate with said spacer means and further adapted on its other side to receive said structure so that the plane of said mounting surface has a determinable relationship to said central axis of said structure.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
82 words
The signal generator as recited in claim 7 wherein said signal path generator comprises: a magnetic pickoff means having a central axis for generating a magnetic flux path along said central axis and adapted to fit within said cylindrical inner surface of said bracket so that its central axis is maintained co-linear to the central axis of said cylindrical inner surface, said magnetic pickoff further having an output coil for generating a signal in response to interruptions in said magnetic flux path.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
18 words
The signal generator as recited in claim 8 wherein said disk-like structure of said interrupter means is ferromagnetic.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
20 words
The signal generator as recited in claim 9 wherein said interrupter means is a flywheel driven by said second member.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
265 words
A timing signal generator in combination with an engine having a plurality of cylinders, each having one piston disposed therein wherein one piston, such as the No. 1 piston, is further designated as an index piston, the engine further having a crankshaft rotably disposed therein and including a crankshaft having an index feature thereon such that the reciprocating motion of the index piston can be inferred from the rotational motion of the index feature relative to the engine about the axis of rotation of the crankshaft, said timing signal generator comprising: a signal path generator means for generating a signal path; interrupter means located in spaced relationship to said signal path generator means for interrupting said signal path in timed relationship with the motion of said first member; output signal generator means for generating an output signal indicative of the interruption of said signal path; bracket means adapted to be attached to the engine for orienting said signal path generator means and for maintaining said signal path a determinable distance from the axis of rotation of said second member; said bracket means containing: first means for maintaining said signal path in parallel relationship with the axis of rotation of said second member so that said signal path is initially maintained at vector distances r 1 and d 1 from the axis of rotation of said second member such that the distances r 1 and d 1 form the hypotenuse and opposite leg of a right triangle subtending a sensor angle φ s . timing means for adjusting said timed relationship by varying said determinable distance.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
265 words
A timing signal generator in combination with an engine having a plurality of cylinders, each having one piston disposed therein wherein one piston, such as the No. 1 piston, is further designated as an index piston, the engine further having a crankshaft rotably disposed therein and including a crankshaft having an index feature thereon such that the reciprocating motion of the index piston can be inferred from the rotational motion of the index feature relative to the engine about the axis of rotation of the crankshaft, said timing signal generator comprising: a signal path generator means for generating a signal path; interrupter means located in spaced relationship to said signal path generator means for interrupting said signal path in timed relationship with the motion of said first member; output signal generator means for generating an output signal indicative of the interruption of said signal path; bracket means adapted to be attached to the engine for orienting said signal path generator means and for maintaining said signal path a determinable distance from the axis of rotation of said second member; said bracket means containing: first means for maintaining said signal path in parallel relationship with the axis of rotation of said second member so that said signal path is initially maintained at vector distances r 1 and d 1 from the axis of rotation of said second member such that the distances r 1 and d 1 form the hypotenuse and opposite leg of a right triangle subtending a sensor angle φ s . timing means for adjusting said timed relationship by varying said determinable distance.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
29 words
The signal generator as recited in claim 11 wherein said timing means is a spacer disposed between said bracket means and said engine to calibratably change said sensor angle.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
112 words
The signal generator as recited in claim 12 wherein said interrupter means comprises: an index feature located on said second member, wherein the motion of said first member is determinable from the motion of said index feature in relation to said engine; a disk-like member having an array of apertures, said array comprising at least one aperture designated as an index aperture, though not greater than n/2 apertures placed at 360/n° apart wherein n is the number of combustion chambers within said engine, said array located on said disk-like member so that when said index feature is at a first determinable location relative to said engine said aperture intercepts said signal path.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
117 words
The system as recited in claim 13 wherein said bracket means further comprises: a structure having a first and a second end and a central axis and inner surface coaxial to the central axis, wherein said inner surface includes a tapered interference ribbing extending from said first end to said second end so that the degree of taper increases as measured from said first end to said second end; a mounting plate having on one side a planar mounting surface adapted to mate with said spacer means and further adapted on its other side to receive said structure so that the plane of said mounting surface has a determinable relationship to said central axis of said structure.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
82 words
The signal generator as recited in claim 14 wherein said signal path generator comprises: a magnetic pickoff means having a central axis for generating a magnetic flux path along said central axis and adapted to fit within said cylindrical inner surface of said bracket so that its central axis is maintained co-linear to the central axis of said cylindrical inner surface, said magnetic pickoff further having an output coil for generating a signal in response to interruptions in said magnetic flux path.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
18 words
The signal generator as recited in claim 15 wherein said disk-like structure of said interrupter means is ferromagnetic.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
20 words
The signal generator as recited in claim 16 wherein said interrupter means is a flywheel driven by said second member.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
34 words
The signal generator as recited in claim 11 wherein said interrupter means comprises an array of apertures including grooves, teeth, holes and the like, located in spaced relationship on a flange of said crankshaft.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
263 words
A timing signal generator adapted to be mounted to an engine, the engine having at least one combustion chamber with a first member moveably disposed therein, wherein the motion of the first member has a determinable relationship with respect to the combustion process within the combustion chamber, and the engine further contains a second member rotatably disposed within the engine such that the rotation of the second member is indicative of the motion of said first member, said timing signal generator comprising: a signal path generator means for generating a signal path; interrupter means for interrupting said signal path in timed relationship with the motion of said first member; output signal generator means for generating an output signal indicative of the interruption of said signal path; bracket means adapted to be attached to the engine for orienting said signal path generator means and for maintaining said signal path a determinable distance from the axis of rotation of said second member and including: first means for maintaining said signal path in intersecting relationship with the axis of rotation of said second member so that the extension of said signal path initially intersects said axis and wherein said signal path generating means is initially maintained at a radial distance r 1 from the axis of rotation of said second member and at a distance d 1 from said axis such that the distances r 1 and d 1 form the hypotenuse and opposite leg of a right triangle subtending a sensor angle φs; timing means for adjusting said timed relationship by varying said determinable distance.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
263 words
A timing signal generator adapted to be mounted to an engine, the engine having at least one combustion chamber with a first member moveably disposed therein, wherein the motion of the first member has a determinable relationship with respect to the combustion process within the combustion chamber, and the engine further contains a second member rotatably disposed within the engine such that the rotation of the second member is indicative of the motion of said first member, said timing signal generator comprising: a signal path generator means for generating a signal path; interrupter means for interrupting said signal path in timed relationship with the motion of said first member; output signal generator means for generating an output signal indicative of the interruption of said signal path; bracket means adapted to be attached to the engine for orienting said signal path generator means and for maintaining said signal path a determinable distance from the axis of rotation of said second member and including: first means for maintaining said signal path in intersecting relationship with the axis of rotation of said second member so that the extension of said signal path initially intersects said axis and wherein said signal path generating means is initially maintained at a radial distance r 1 from the axis of rotation of said second member and at a distance d 1 from said axis such that the distances r 1 and d 1 form the hypotenuse and opposite leg of a right triangle subtending a sensor angle φs; timing means for adjusting said timed relationship by varying said determinable distance.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
21 words
The signal generator as recited in claim 19 wherein said timing means includes means for varying the distance d 1 .
Claim 25
Independent Claim
107 words
A method of varying an ignition timing signal to vary the initiation of ignition of fuel within the combustion chambers of an internal combustion engine, the method comprising: generating a signal path; orienting said signal path in a determinable relationship relative to the axis of rotation of the crankshaft of the engine; interrupting said signal path in timed relationship to the combustion process within each cylinder of the engine; generating a timing signal in response to the interruption of said signal path; and adjusting the ignition timing signal by introducing mechanical advance or retard thereto by varying the distance between said signal path and the engine crankshaft.
Claim 26
Independent Claim
107 words
A method of varying an ignition timing signal to vary the initiation of ignition of fuel within the combustion chambers of an internal combustion engine, the method comprising: generating a signal path; orienting said signal path in a determinable relationship relative to the axis of rotation of the crankshaft of the engine; interrupting said signal path in timed relationship to the combustion process within each cylinder of the engine; generating a timing signal in response to the interruption of said signal path; and adjusting the ignition timing signal by introducing mechanical advance or retard thereto by varying the distance between said signal path and the engine crankshaft.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
71 words
The method as recited in claim 21 wherein the step of orienting further includes orienting said signal path so that said signal path is initially maintained at a radial distance r 1 from said axis of rotation and at a distance d 1 from the axis such that the distances r 1 and d 1 form the hypotenuse and opposite leg of a right triangle subtending an angle φ s .
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method as recited in claim 21 wherein the step of adjusting the ignition timing signal includes varying the distance d 1 .
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US2437283A
Cited
US2520071A
Cited
US3503256A
Cited
US3562741A
Cited
US3490567A
Cited
US3548300A
Cited
US3781655A
Cited
US3999383A
Cited
US3944025A
Cited
US3982112A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1983-11-25 | 1984-05-26 | 1984-11-25 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1987-11-25 | 1988-05-26 | 1988-11-25 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1991-11-25 | 1992-05-26 | 1992-11-25 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |