Claims
- 1. A coil-on plug testing apparatus for generating an output signal representing an ignition signal, comprising:
an inductive sensor attachable to a coil-on-plug device for detecting an electromagnetic flux generated by the coil-on plug device during a firing event and generating and outputting a voltage in response thereto; a signal processing circuit electrically coupled to the inductive sensor for generating an output signal in response to variations in the voltage output by the inductive sensor in response to a detected electromagnetic flux.
- 2. The coil-on plug testing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the inductive sensor comprises at least one of an open core inductor and an air core inductor.
- 3. The coil-on plug testing apparatus according to claim 1, including a housing bearing at least one of a clamp and a magnetic member for attaching the inductive sensor to the coil-on plug device.
- 4. The coil-on plug testing apparatus according to claim 1, including a housing bearing a biasing member for attaching the inductive sensor to the coil-on plug.
- 5. The coil-on plug testing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the signal processing circuit comprises a RC circuit attached in shunt to the inductive sensor.
- 6. The coil-on plug testing apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the signal processing circuit comprises a Schottky diode attached in shunt to the inductive sensor.
- 7. The coil-on plug testing apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the signal processing circuit comprises a variable resistor.
- 8. The coil-on plug testing apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the inductive sensor comprises a variable inductor.
- 9. The coil-on plug testing apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the inductive sensor comprises a variable inductor.
- 10. The coil-on plug testing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the signal processing circuit comprises a plurality of RC circuits bearing different combinations of resistor and capacitor, the plurality of RC circuits attached in shunt to the inductive sensor through a switching element.
- 11. The coil-on plug testing apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the switching element is a multi-position switch.
- 12. The coil-on plug testing apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the switching element is a digital switch.
- 13. A method for determining burn time for a coil-on plug ignition, comprising the steps of:
disposing an inductive sensor adjacent a coil-on plug ignition housing; using the inductive sensor to detect an electromagnetic flux output by the coil-on plug ignition during a period encompassing at least one firing section; and determining a burn time, wherein the step of determining a burn time comprises identifying a firing line equivalent and identifying an endpoint of a spark line and determining the time between the firing line and the endpoint of the spark line.
- 14. A method for determining burn time for a coil-on plug ignition according to claim 13, further comprising conditioning a voltage corresponding to the detected electromagnetic flux..
- 15. A method for determining burn time for a coil-on plug ignition according to claim 13, wherein the disposing step comprises removably attaching the inductive sensor to an exterior of the coil-on plug ignition housing.
- 16. A method for determining burn time for a coil-on plug ignition according to claim 13, wherein the disposing step comprises clamping at least one of the inductive sensor and an inductive sensor housing to the coil-on plug ignition housing.
- 17. A method for determining burn time for a coil-on plug ignition according to claim 13, wherein the disposing step comprises clamping at least one of the inductive sensor and an inductive sensor housing to an engine compartment component.
- 18. A method for determining burn time for a coil-on plug ignition according to claim 13, further comprising outputting the determined burn time to at least one of a display device, a printing device, and an indicating device.
- 19. A method for determining burn time for a coil-on plug ignition according to claim 13, further comprising the step of disposing a plurality of inductive sensors adjacent to a corresponding plurality of coil-on plug ignition housings.
- 20. A method for detecting problems associated with a coil-on plug ignition, comprising the steps of:
a) disposing an inductive sensor adjacent a first coil-on plug housing; b) using the inductive sensor to detect an electromagnetic flux output by the coil-on plug ignition during a period encompassing at least one firing section; c) identifying at least one of a firing line, spark line, and burn time; d) repeating steps a)-c) for a second coil-on plug; and e) comparing at least one of a corresponding firing line, spark line, and burn time identified with respect to the first and second coil-on plugs to determine a relative difference therebetween.
- 21. A method for detecting problems associated with a coil-on plug ignition according to claim 20, wherein step e) comprises comparing a burn time identified with respect to the first and second coil-on plugs to determine a relative difference therebetween.
- 22. A method for detecting problems associated with a coil-on plug ignition, comprising the steps of:
a) disposing a sensor adjacent a first coil-on plug housing; b) using the sensor to detect electromagnetic radiation emitted by the coil-on plug ignition during a period encompassing at least one firing section; c) identifying at least one of a firing line, spark line, and burn time; d) repeating steps a)-c) for a second coil-on plug; and e) comparing at least one of a corresponding firing line, spark line, and burn time identified with respect to the first and second coil-on plugs to determine a relative difference therebetween.
- 23. A method for detecting problems with a coil-on plug ignition according to claim 22, wherein step e) comprises comparing a burn time identified with respect to the first and second coil-on plugs to determine a relative difference therebetween.
CROSS-REFERENCE TO PROVISIONAL APPLICATION
[0001] This application claims priority from U.S. Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 60/308,562 filed Jul. 31, 2001, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.
Provisional Applications (1)
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Number |
Date |
Country |
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60308562 |
Jul 2001 |
US |