US4295364A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Transducer device for monitoring of fuel injection
Assignee: CREATIVE TOOL Co
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Filing: 1979-09-07
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Granted: 1981-10-20
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Expires: 1999-09-07
Abstract
Abstract A transducer device is provided which is arranged to be mounted on flow path-defining structure of a fuel injection system, preferably on the outside of a delivery valve housing including a chamber in which a surge of pressure is built up during operation of the injection pump to cause a transducer of the device to develop a high amplitude and high rate of change electrical signal. The device is readily clamped in place and is light in weight with a center of gravity close to the axis of the chamber, the effect of engine vibrations being minimized. The signal from the device and a signal developed at a predetermined rotational position of the engine crankshaft are applied to an instrument which indicates the relative timing of the signals and the RPM.
Inventors
- 👤 Joseph L. Dooley
- 👤 Daniel J. Dooley
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 21:53
CPC Classifications
F; F02; F02M; F02M65/00; F02M65/003; F02B; F02B77/00; F02B77/08; G; G01; G01L; G01L9/00; G01L9/0001
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
213 words
A transducer device for use in a fuel injection system including a nozzle assembly for injection of fuel into an engine, a fuel line having one end connected to the nozzle assembly and an injection pump assembly connected to the opposite end of the fuel line and having a plunger movable in a plunger chamber therewithin, wherein the nozzle assembly, fuel line and pump assembly together provide a flow path-defining structure including a thick-walled section providing an internal chamber and an outlet passage from said internal chamber, the outlet passage having a cross-sectional area substantially less than that of said internal chamber to produce in response to injection pump operation a pulse of pressure in said internal chamber and to thereby produce a momentary peripheral expansion and contraction of said thick-walled section, said transducer device comprising: engagement means arranged for engagement with surface portions on the outside of said thick-walled section, transducer means, and mounting means for removably mounting said transducer and engagement means on said thick-walled section without modification thereof and without disassembly of said flow path-defining structure, said transducer means being responsive to relative movement of said engagement means in response to said momentary peripheral expansion and contraction of said thick-walled section to generate an electrical output pulse of short duration.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
213 words
A transducer device for use in a fuel injection system including a nozzle assembly for injection of fuel into an engine, a fuel line having one end connected to the nozzle assembly and an injection pump assembly connected to the opposite end of the fuel line and having a plunger movable in a plunger chamber therewithin, wherein the nozzle assembly, fuel line and pump assembly together provide a flow path-defining structure including a thick-walled section providing an internal chamber and an outlet passage from said internal chamber, the outlet passage having a cross-sectional area substantially less than that of said internal chamber to produce in response to injection pump operation a pulse of pressure in said internal chamber and to thereby produce a momentary peripheral expansion and contraction of said thick-walled section, said transducer device comprising: engagement means arranged for engagement with surface portions on the outside of said thick-walled section, transducer means, and mounting means for removably mounting said transducer and engagement means on said thick-walled section without modification thereof and without disassembly of said flow path-defining structure, said transducer means being responsive to relative movement of said engagement means in response to said momentary peripheral expansion and contraction of said thick-walled section to generate an electrical output pulse of short duration.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
56 words
In a transducer device as defined in claim 1, at least one of said external surface portions of said thick-walled section being a flat surface, and said transducer means comprising a piezoelectric plate having a flat surface in facing relation to said flat surface of said thick-walled section for direct coupling thereto through said engagement means.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
49 words
In a transducer device as defined in claim 2, said thick-walled section having an outer surface of polygonal shape defining a plurality of flat surfaces useable in assembly of said flow path-defining structure, one of said flat surfaces being directly coupled through said engagement means to said piezoelectric plate.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
26 words
In a transducer device as defined in claim 1, wherein said thick-walled section is provided by a fitting at the outlet end of said pump assembly.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
35 words
In a system as defined in claim 4, said fitting being part of a delivery valve assembly wherein said internal chamber communicates through a spring-biased valve element with a plunger chamber of said pump assembly.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
51 words
In a system as defined in claim 5, said mounting means comprising a clamp structure having an opening for installation on said fitting without disassembly of said flow path-defining structure and having a configuration such as to provide a center of mass close to the axis of said delivery valve assembly.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
132 words
A method for monitoring the injection of fuel into a fuel line of a fuel injection system from an injection pump assembly including a delivery valve assembly of the type wherein the fuel is forced past a spring-valve element into a delivery chamber which has a cross-sectional area substantially larger than that of an outlet passage therefrom, said delivery valve assembly including a thick-walled section having a polygonal shape with a plurality of flat surfaces for facilitating installation of said delivery valve assembly, said method comprising: providing a transducer including a piezoelectric plate element and clamping said plate element against one of said flat surfaces to produce a short-duration electrical output pulse in response to each injection operation of said pump assembly, and monitoring electrical output pulses developed by said transducer means.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
132 words
A method for monitoring the injection of fuel into a fuel line of a fuel injection system from an injection pump assembly including a delivery valve assembly of the type wherein the fuel is forced past a spring-valve element into a delivery chamber which has a cross-sectional area substantially larger than that of an outlet passage therefrom, said delivery valve assembly including a thick-walled section having a polygonal shape with a plurality of flat surfaces for facilitating installation of said delivery valve assembly, said method comprising: providing a transducer including a piezoelectric plate element and clamping said plate element against one of said flat surfaces to produce a short-duration electrical output pulse in response to each injection operation of said pump assembly, and monitoring electrical output pulses developed by said transducer means.
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) | 1984-10-19 | 1985-04-20 | 1985-10-20 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1988-10-19 | 1989-04-20 | 1989-10-20 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1992-10-19 | 1993-04-20 | 1993-10-20 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |