The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Apr. 10, 2001
Filed:
Feb. 28, 1997
Hegeon Kwun, San Antonio, TX (US);
Cecil M. Teller, San Antonio, TX (US);
Roy C. Meyer, San Antonio, TX (US);
Kendall R. Swenson, San Antonio, TX (US);
Southwest Research Institute, San Antonio, TX (US);
Abstract
A method and apparatus is provided for the sensing, collection, and analysis of information on combustive and mechanical events occurring within an operating internal combustion engine through the measurement of mechanical stress waves present within the engine. The system includes a magnetostrictive sensor placed in mechanical compliance with the engine, preferably the engine block, which detects and translates stress waves into an electrical signal that is filtered and amplified for recording and/or for analysis. Information regarding the frequency, amplitude, and timing changes within the signal is utilized to characterize the ordinary operation of the engine and to identify anomalous events. The system includes a means for maintaining a signal record and comparing signal features with past records for a particular engine or with standard signal features associated generally with certain engine events. The system apparatus can be implemented in a laboratory or technical setting or may be configured as an on-board monitoring system with correctional feedback capabilities.