Abstract: A method for self-diagnosing an ignition coil of an engine of a vehicle, which self-diagnoses an error of the ignition coil supplying voltage to a spark plug includes generating, by a self-diagnosis signal generating device included in the ignition coil, a fault flag signal by monitoring a discharge time of secondary current which flows on a secondary coil of the ignition coil, and generating, by a controller, a diagnostic trouble code (DTC) according to a duration of the fault flag signal.

Abstract: This invention relates to an imaging system and more particularly to imaging system operational property monitoring and describes an approach that makes key parameters available remotely from a collection of imaging systems for trending, ranking, analysis and further service telemetry. A method includes obtaining a set of operational properties of an imaging system. The method further includes identifying an operational property of the set of operational properties that intermittently falls outside of a predetermined operational range and does not require immediate service of the imaging system. The method further includes generating a trend for the identified operational property. The method further includes comparing the generated trend with at least one reference trend. The method further includes determining the imaging system should be serviced based on the comparison.

Abstract: This invention provides an electric fuel pump tester that allows a technician to simulate the real-life operation of the electrical system of the vehicle, i.e., when the fuel pump is installed. The present invention provides a tester that includes a load that is similar to that of an installed fuel pump. In this manner, a technician may monitor simulated real-life operation of the vehicle's electrical system.

Abstract: An adaptive array wireless communication apparatus able to suitably select antenna elements, small in amount of processing, fast in convergence speed, and suitable for transmission/reception, and a method of the same, which controls the directionalities of array antenna elements based on array weights, controls an antenna element selecting unit 23 so that the antenna elements are intermittently determined, and adjusts a period of determination of the antenna elements based on information of the antenna elements determined at a controlling unit 26.

Abstract: A method and system for evaluating the durability of spark plugs. A test system simulates the pressure, temperature, and exhaust flow of an internal combustion engine, and has a test chamber in which these simulated conditions exist. A number of spark plugs are installed in the test chamber and are cycled through a desired ignition cycle. The test chamber temperature and pressure may be precisely controlled, as well as the duty cycle of spark events.

Abstract: Stabilizers to be disposed on a surface of a semiconductor device or test substrate and methods of fabricating and disposing the stabilizers on semiconductor devices and test substrates. Semiconductor devices and test substrates including the stabilizers are also disclosed, as well as assemblies wherein the stabilizers are disposed between a semiconductor device and a test substrate. One or more of the stabilizers are disposed on the surface of a semiconductor device or test substrate prior to bonding the semiconductor device face-down upon the test substrate. Upon assembly of the semiconductor device face-down upon a test substrate and establishing electrical communication between contact pads of the semiconductor device and test pads of the test substrate, such as with conductive structures, the stabilizers prevent the semiconductor device from tipping or tilting relative to the test substrate.

Abstract: A technique is provided for determining service intervals for devices, such as medical equipment. Data related to a device is collected and compared to data from a population of like devices. A service interval may be calculated based on the comparison. The data regarding the population of like devices may be raw quantitative or qualitative data or may be processed data, such as may be used to graph the reliability of the device as a function of some variable such as usage or age, i.e. a reliability curve. The data may representative of the device as a whole or one or more components of the device. Multiple service intervals may be generated for a single device by calculating a service interval for each data source, such as a component or subset of components, of the device. An optimal service interval may then be selected. In addition, the technique may be applied for selection of a service interval for more than one device.

Abstract: A portable apparatus is provided for testing an engine control system of a reciprocating engine. The apparatus includes a processor for generating a simulated waveform of an at least one engine position sensor and a connector for operably coupling the selected waveform to the engine control system.

Abstract: An ignition system test instrument used on spark ignited engines includes a housing having a spark chamber. A sleeve with an open and a closed end is slidably mounted over the housing. A compression chamber is formed between the sleeve closed end and the housing. An air passage connecting the spark and compression chambers extends through the housing. The sleeve can be moved relative to the housing, from a lower to an upper position to compress the air in the compression chamber and the spark chamber. A pair of electrodes is mounted to the housing and extend into the spark chamber to form a spark gap. The electrodes are connected in circuit to an engine ignition voltage source. With the spark gap under pressure, the engine can be turned over and the arc (if any) between the electrodes can be observed. A pressure gauge is carried by the housing for sensing and indicating the air pressure in the spark chamber.

Abstract: A metal plate is mounted on the engine head in electrical conductive relation. An electrode test unit is mounted on the metal plate, having a pair of electrodes forming a spark gap, one contacting the plate and the others adapted for securement thereto of the spark plug wire. Each spark plug can be removed individually from the engine and mounted in the plate in electrical conductivity therewith. The spark wire can then be selectively secured to the electrode unit or the spark plug, and the operator's hands are free to turn the engine. The plate is left mounted on the engine permanently.