Patent US4940033A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4940033A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Method of operating an engine and measuring certain operating parameters
Assignee: Barrack Technology Ltd
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Filing: 1988-11-03
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Granted: 1990-07-10
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Expires: 2008-11-03
Abstract
Abstract An internal combustion engine having a luminosity probe and an arrangement for measuring certain parameters such as IMEP, combustion chamber pressure, heat release and the like by measuring luminosity in the chamber and adjusting the running parameters of the engine to obtain the desired luminosity. Also disclosed is an arrangement for maintaining uniformity from cycle to cycle in a given combustion chamber and uniformity combustion in the combustion chambers of a multi-chamber engine.
Inventors
- 👤 Steven L. Plee
- 👤 Peter Hartman
- 👤 Jay K. Martin
- 👤 J. Paul Nolan
- 👤 Donald J. Remboski, Jr.
- 👤 Richard R. Ross
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 09:57
CPC Classifications
F; F02; F02D; F02D41/00; F02D41/02; F02D41/14; F02D35/00; F02D35/02; F02D35/022; F02D35/023; F02D35/024; F02D41/1497; F02D41/1498; G; G01; G01M; G01M15/00; G01M15/04; G01M15/10; F02D2200/00; F02D2200/02; F02D2200/10; F02D2200/1015; F02D35/028
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 32
Claim 1
Independent Claim
80 words
The method of operating an internal combustion engine having a combustion chamber, means for forming a combustible fuel/air mixture within the combustion chamber and means for detecting the luminosity within the combustion chamber in the range of wave lengths about 300 nm to about 947 nm during each cycle of operating of the engine from prior to the initiation of combustion until after the completion of the combustion process, and adjusting the fuel/air ratio to maintain the desired luminosity characteristic.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
80 words
The method of operating an internal combustion engine having a combustion chamber, means for forming a combustible fuel/air mixture within the combustion chamber and means for detecting the luminosity within the combustion chamber in the range of wave lengths about 300 nm to about 947 nm during each cycle of operating of the engine from prior to the initiation of combustion until after the completion of the combustion process, and adjusting the fuel/air ratio to maintain the desired luminosity characteristic.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method of operating an internal combustion engine as set forth in claim 1 wherein the fuel/air ratio is adjusted to maintain the desired luminosity during the burning cycle.
Claim 4
Independent Claim
103 words
The method of operating an internal combustion engine having a combustion chamber, means for providing a fuel/air mixture within said combustion chamber, means for igniting the fuel/air mixture and means for sensing the luminosity within the combustion chamber, measuring the luminosity of the gases in the combustion chamber in the range of wave lengths about 300 nm to about 947 nm during each cycle of operating of the engine from prior to the initiation of combustion until after the completion of the combustion process and adjusting the engine running condition so as to maintain the desired luminosity in relation to output shaft angle.
Claim 5
Independent Claim
103 words
The method of operating an internal combustion engine having a combustion chamber, means for providing a fuel/air mixture within said combustion chamber, means for igniting the fuel/air mixture and means for sensing the luminosity within the combustion chamber, measuring the luminosity of the gases in the combustion chamber in the range of wave lengths about 300 nm to about 947 nm during each cycle of operating of the engine from prior to the initiation of combustion until after the completion of the combustion process and adjusting the engine running condition so as to maintain the desired luminosity in relation to output shaft angle.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
32 words
The method of operating an internal combustion engine as set forth in claim 3 wherein the desired luminosity is maintained at a maximum during the burn cycle at the desired crank angle.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
61 words
The method of operating an internal combustion engine having a combustion chamber and means for delivering and firing a charge within the combustion chamber, said method comprising the steps of measuring the instantaneous pressure within the cylinder by sensing the luminosity of the gases within the combustion chamber within the range of wave lengths about 300 nm to about 947 nm.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
61 words
The method of operating an internal combustion engine having a combustion chamber and means for delivering and firing a charge within the combustion chamber, said method comprising the steps of measuring the instantaneous pressure within the cylinder by sensing the luminosity of the gases within the combustion chamber within the range of wave lengths about 300 nm to about 947 nm.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of operating an internal combustion engine as set forth in claim 5 wherein the luminosity sensed in about 927 nm.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
104 words
The method of operating an internal combustion engine having a combustion chamber and means for introducing and firing a charge within the combustion chamber, comprising the steps of measuring the heat release in the combustion chamber in relation to crank angle by measuring the luminosity of the gases in the combustion chamber in the range of wave lengths about 300 nm to about 947 nm during each cycle of operation of the engine from prior to the initiation of combustion until after the completion of the combustion process and adjusting the engine parameters to maintain the desired relationship between heat release and crank angle.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
104 words
The method of operating an internal combustion engine having a combustion chamber and means for introducing and firing a charge within the combustion chamber, comprising the steps of measuring the heat release in the combustion chamber in relation to crank angle by measuring the luminosity of the gases in the combustion chamber in the range of wave lengths about 300 nm to about 947 nm during each cycle of operation of the engine from prior to the initiation of combustion until after the completion of the combustion process and adjusting the engine parameters to maintain the desired relationship between heat release and crank angle.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of operating an internal combustion engine as set forth in claim 7 wherein the luminosity measure is about 927 nm.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
87 words
The method of operating an internal combustion engine having a combustion chamber and means for introducing and firing a charge within the combustion chamber, said method comprising the steps of measuring the indicated means effective pressure within the combustion chamber by sensing the luminosity of the gases within the combustion chamber in the range of wave lengths about 300 nm to about 947 nm during each cycle of operation of the engine from prior to the initiation of combustion until after the completion of the combustion process.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
87 words
The method of operating an internal combustion engine having a combustion chamber and means for introducing and firing a charge within the combustion chamber, said method comprising the steps of measuring the indicated means effective pressure within the combustion chamber by sensing the luminosity of the gases within the combustion chamber in the range of wave lengths about 300 nm to about 947 nm during each cycle of operation of the engine from prior to the initiation of combustion until after the completion of the combustion process.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of operating an internal combustion engine as set forth in claim 9 wherein the luminosity sensed is about 927 mn.
Claim 16
Independent Claim
85 words
The method of operating an internal combustion engine having combustion chamber, means for causing combustion to occur in said combustion chamber and means for sensing the luminosity in the combustion chamber in the range of wave lengths about 300 nm to about 947 nm during each cycle of operation of the engine from prior to the initiation of combustion until after the completion of the combustion process, adjusting the running of the engine to maintain uniform luminosity during successive cycles of operation of the engine.
Claim 17
Independent Claim
85 words
The method of operating an internal combustion engine having combustion chamber, means for causing combustion to occur in said combustion chamber and means for sensing the luminosity in the combustion chamber in the range of wave lengths about 300 nm to about 947 nm during each cycle of operation of the engine from prior to the initiation of combustion until after the completion of the combustion process, adjusting the running of the engine to maintain uniform luminosity during successive cycles of operation of the engine.
Claim 18
Independent Claim
90 words
The method of operating an internal combustion engine having multiple combustion chambers, means for effecting combustion within said combustion chambers, and means for sensing the luminosity in a plurality of the combustion chambers in the range of wave lengths about 300 nm to about 947 nm during each cycle of operation of the engine from prior to the initiation of combustion until after the completion of the combustion process, comprising the steps of adjusting the running of the engine to maintain uniform luminosity in the plurality of the combustion chambers.
Claim 19
Independent Claim
90 words
The method of operating an internal combustion engine having multiple combustion chambers, means for effecting combustion within said combustion chambers, and means for sensing the luminosity in a plurality of the combustion chambers in the range of wave lengths about 300 nm to about 947 nm during each cycle of operation of the engine from prior to the initiation of combustion until after the completion of the combustion process, comprising the steps of adjusting the running of the engine to maintain uniform luminosity in the plurality of the combustion chambers.
Claim 20
Independent Claim
77 words
The method of measuring combustion chamber pressure in an internal combustion engine comprising the steps of measuring the luminosity within the combustion chamber in the range of wave lengths about 300 nm to about 947 nm during each cycle of operation of the engine from prior to the initiation of combustion until after the completion of the combustion process, and modifying the luminosity signal in response to a predetermined relationship in order to obtain combustion chamber pressure.
Claim 21
Independent Claim
77 words
The method of measuring combustion chamber pressure in an internal combustion engine comprising the steps of measuring the luminosity within the combustion chamber in the range of wave lengths about 300 nm to about 947 nm during each cycle of operation of the engine from prior to the initiation of combustion until after the completion of the combustion process, and modifying the luminosity signal in response to a predetermined relationship in order to obtain combustion chamber pressure.
Claim 22
Independent Claim
81 words
The method of measuring combustion chamber pressure in an internal combustion engine comprising the steps of measuring the luminosity within the combustion chamber in the range of wave lengths about 300 nm to about 947 nm during each cycle of operation of the engine from prior to the initiation of combustion until after the completion of the combustion process, and modifying the luminosity signal in response to a predetermined relationship in order to obtain maximum heat release within the combustion chamber.
Claim 23
Independent Claim
81 words
The method of measuring combustion chamber pressure in an internal combustion engine comprising the steps of measuring the luminosity within the combustion chamber in the range of wave lengths about 300 nm to about 947 nm during each cycle of operation of the engine from prior to the initiation of combustion until after the completion of the combustion process, and modifying the luminosity signal in response to a predetermined relationship in order to obtain maximum heat release within the combustion chamber.
Claim 24
Independent Claim
80 words
The method of measuring combustion chamber pressure in an internal combustion engine comprising the steps of measuring the luminosity within the combustion chamber in the range of wave lengths about 300 nm to about 947 nm during each cycle of operation of the engine from prior to the initiation of combustion until after the completion of the combustion process, and modifying the luminosity signal in response to a predetermined relationship in order to obtain air/fuel ratio within the combustion chamber.
Claim 25
Independent Claim
80 words
The method of measuring combustion chamber pressure in an internal combustion engine comprising the steps of measuring the luminosity within the combustion chamber in the range of wave lengths about 300 nm to about 947 nm during each cycle of operation of the engine from prior to the initiation of combustion until after the completion of the combustion process, and modifying the luminosity signal in response to a predetermined relationship in order to obtain air/fuel ratio within the combustion chamber.
Claim 26
Independent Claim
81 words
The method of measuring means effective pressure in an internal combustion engine comprising the steps of measuring the luminosity within the combustion chamber in the range of wave lengths about 300 nm to about 947 nm during each cycle of operation of the engine from prior to the initiation of combustion until after the completion of the combustion process, and modifying the luminosity signal in response to a predetermined relationship in order to obtain means effective pressure within the combustion chamber.
Claim 27
Independent Claim
81 words
The method of measuring means effective pressure in an internal combustion engine comprising the steps of measuring the luminosity within the combustion chamber in the range of wave lengths about 300 nm to about 947 nm during each cycle of operation of the engine from prior to the initiation of combustion until after the completion of the combustion process, and modifying the luminosity signal in response to a predetermined relationship in order to obtain means effective pressure within the combustion chamber.
Claim 28
Independent Claim
88 words
The method of measuring the start of combustion in the combustion chamber of an internal combustion engine during a single cycle comprising the steps for sensing the luminosity within the combustion chamber in the range of wave lengths about 300 nm to about 947 nm during each cycle of operation of the engine from prior to the initiation of combustion until after the completion of the combustion process, and determining that combustion has begun when the luminosity of the gases in the combustion chamber exceeds a predetermined value.
Claim 29
Independent Claim
88 words
The method of measuring the start of combustion in the combustion chamber of an internal combustion engine during a single cycle comprising the steps for sensing the luminosity within the combustion chamber in the range of wave lengths about 300 nm to about 947 nm during each cycle of operation of the engine from prior to the initiation of combustion until after the completion of the combustion process, and determining that combustion has begun when the luminosity of the gases in the combustion chamber exceeds a predetermined value.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
32 words
The method of measuring combustion in an internal combustion engine as set forth in claim 17 wherein the duration when the luminosity exceeds a predetermined value is measured during the single cycle.
Claim 31
Independent Claim
85 words
The method of determining the existence of the misfires in the combustion chamber of an internal combustion engine during a signal cycle comprising the steps of measuring the luminosity in the combustion chamber in the range of wave lengths about 300 nm to about 947 nm during each cycle of operation of the engine from prior to the initiation of combustion until after the completion of the combustion process, and deterring that a misfire has occurred if the luminosity signal is below a predetermined value.
Claim 32
Independent Claim
85 words
The method of determining the existence of the misfires in the combustion chamber of an internal combustion engine during a signal cycle comprising the steps of measuring the luminosity in the combustion chamber in the range of wave lengths about 300 nm to about 947 nm during each cycle of operation of the engine from prior to the initiation of combustion until after the completion of the combustion process, and deterring that a misfire has occurred if the luminosity signal is below a predetermined value.
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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) | 1993-07-09 | 1994-01-08 | 1994-07-10 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1997-07-09 | 1998-01-08 | 1998-07-10 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2001-07-09 | 2002-01-08 | 2002-07-10 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |