Abstract: The disclosed invention is an inexpensive, simple and reusable device to aid in setting the spark plug timing of an internal combustion engine by allowing one person to detect a piston's top dead center. In function, the detector is sealably inserted into a spark plug port and is forcibly expelled by the pressure maximum that occurs at top dead center. The detector's expulsion is accompanied by a "pop" sound similar to when a champagne cork is expelled from its bottle, and which can be remotely perceived by the user.

Abstract: A measurement platform assembly for degreeing a camshaft of an internal combustion engine having at least one piston reciprocable within a cylinder formed in a block, an intake valve and an exhaust valve and respective intake lifter and exhaust lifter associated with the cylinder, the tool comprising a plate having plural holes sized and arranged to permit fastening of the plate to the engine block via bolt holes in the block; the plate mounting three gauges, one of which is adapted to engage the piston and two of which are adapted to engage respective substitute exhaust and inlet lifters, the gauges adapted to measure movement of the piston and substitute exhaust and inlet lifters as the camshaft rotates.

Abstract: A device and a method for determining big end bearing and wrist pin bearing wear in a piston engine without complete disassembly of the engine. The device includes a probe rod which moves in response to the movements of the piston in a cylinder being tested. The position of the probe rod is transduced to an electrical signal which is inputted to a microcomputer. The method uses the piston position obtained via the probe rod and the crank throw angle to calculate the total amount of wear in the big end bearing and the wrist pin bearing. The results of the calculation are then sent to a display which forms part of the bearing inspection device of the present invention.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of, and apparatus for, determining the clearance between wear surfaces of a reciprocating piston engine and the surrounding cylindrical bore of the engine block, without need for physical contact with the piston. As particularly distinguished from the prior art, the present invention employs an energy wave source, collimated to impinge against selectable portions of the piston head either during its reciprocation, or at rest, in the so-called combustion or compression chamber between the moving piston and the engine cylinder. The energy source may be optical, electro-optical, acoustico-optical, or electromagnetic, generating continuous waves or high frequency pulses, or which are capable of reflecting such energy back to a plurality of detectors Such detectors are capable of measuring exceptionally high frequency (short wave lengths) signals to measure time (and hence distance) from the source to the piston head back to the detector.

Abstract: An apparatus and process which can be used to determine the top dead center position of a piston. The apparatus includes an actuator plunger which engages the rocker lever of an engine cylinder, and a gauge indicator to measure movement in the rocker lever when it is engaged by the piston. The process includes measuring the position of the piston on the upswing of the power cycle and in a corresponding position on the downswing of the piston during the exhaust cycle. The center point between these two measurements is the top dead center point of the piston.

Abstract: A fluid injection system is disclosed. The fluid injection system incorporates an injection pump comprising an adjustable restriction device that is used to control the extent of the movement of the pumping mechanism in the injection pump. An adjustable gauge and an adjustable marker are used to accurately calibrate and accurately position the adjustable restriction device. When the adjustable restriction device is accurately calibrated and correctly positioned, a precise amount of additive is injected into the pipeline.

Abstract: A relatively simple device for measuring such variables as piston wrist pin and connecting rod big end clearances in internal combustion engines includes a cylindrical casing with a threaded front end for mounting in a spark plug hole; an elongated, arcuate wire probe slidable in a sleeve on such front end for engaging the top end of a piston; a plunger slidably mounted in the casing and extending beyond the other end of the casing to a micrometer for measuring piston movement; and air and oil lines extending through the casing to such front end for introducing a vacuum, air or oil to the cylinder for various measuring procedures.

Abstract: A method or system for measuring the top dead center for a reciprocating crank mechanism, in which a reversible counter performs the additive counting operation from an amount H of shift of the piston of the reciprocating crank mechanism to another amount H of the shift of the piston in a reverse driving direction of the crankshaft of the reciprocating crank mechanism at both sides of a minimum shift of the piston, for each predetermined unit rotational angle deviation of the crankshaft. The reversible counter performs the subtractive counting operation from said another amount H of the shift of the piston in one driving direction of the crankshaft for each one half the predetermined unit rotational angle deviation of the crankshaft. A position of the piston is decided as the top dead center when the counting state of the reversible counter reached zero in said one driving direction of the crankshaft.

Abstract: In a disclosed displacement detecting apparatus, a nut member retains a plurality of balls to circulate therein while in engagement with a helical groove of a screw shaft. The nut member is unrotatable and linearly movable, and the screw shaft is rotatable and linearly immovable. A rotation detector and a brake are attached to the screw shaft. The nut member may act as a piston of a cylinder in which the nut member is mounted, or may be connected to a separately provided piston of the cylinder.

Abstract: A variable point position determining arrangement includes a housing having a stationary portion secured to a fixed member as, for example working cylinder, and an extendable portion secured to a member movable in relation to the fixed member, as for example piston rod. An elastic element, such as a tension spring, is connected between the stationary portion and an extendable portion of the housing. Such elastic element is stretched or relaxed an amount proportionate to the travel of the movable member. The displacement transducer having an actuator rod and a projecting pin connected to the elastic element at approximately a middle point, follows movement of the elastic element and outputs a distance signal which is a function of the movement of the actuator rod and elastic element. The distance signal can be fed to a control circuit to derive the position value of the movable member therefrom.

Abstract: The timing tool (10) includes a piston follower (12) slidingly mounted in the base (14) with its lower end (90) in contact with the top (76) of the piston (68) and its upper flat cap end (56) engaging the lock block (16). The lock block (16) slides on rods (18, 20) until top dead center of the piston is located. Thumb screw (30) is then rotated to lock the block in position. The piston (68) is then moved downwardly to form a gap (92) into which a feeler gauge is inserted. The piston is then moved upwardly into position at which the points open and the points are secured into position.

Abstract: A centering device for locating and aligning the center of a workpiece with the center axis of the spindle of a manufacturing machine such as a drill press and the like, comprising a centering pointer and a centering block; the centering pointer having a needle slidably disposed therein and an indicator lamp and being adapted to be detachably mounted to the spindle of the manufacturing machine, the centering block having a cylindrical surface and an L-shaped cut away to be mounted onto an edge of the workpiece, the L-shaped cut away having one surface passing through the center axis of the centering block.

Abstract: A piston overtravel indicator for indicating overtravel of a piston from a rest position adjacent one end of a cylinder to working positions displaced from the rest position toward the other end of the cylinder. The indicator includes an elongated indicator rod slidably extending through a hole in the other end of the cylinder and having an inner rod end located within the cylinder adjacent the working positions of the piston. Overtravel of the piston beyond working positions causes engagement of same with the inner rod end for moving the rod outwardly through the hole. The indicator rod has a circumferential groove adjacent the inner end thereof for cooperation with a yieldable abutment extending into the hole for preventing complete outward displacement of the indicator rod through the hole.

Abstract: An overtravel indicator for a piston received in a cylinder having an end wall toward which the piston moves includes an elongated indicator rod slidably mounted through a dielectric bushing in the end wall. A conductive garter spring is compressed between the indicator rod and a groove in the cylinder end wall. An electric circuit including an electrically operated indicator is connected for completion through the indicator rod, end wall and garter spring. In an inward armed position of the indicator rod, dielectric material carried by the rod is interposed between the rod and garter spring for opening the electric circuit. In an outward operated position of the rod, a conductive surface on the rod engages the garter spring to complete the circuit and operate the indicator.

Abstract: An overtravel indicator for a piston received in a cylinder having an end wall toward which the piston moves includes an elongated indicator rod slidably extending through the end wall. The rod has an armed position extending inwardly of the end wall and an operated position extending outwardly of the end wall. An electrically operated indicator is positioned in a circuit connected for completion through the indicator rod and end wall when the rod is in its operated position. In the armed position of the rod, dielectric material surrounds that portion of the rod extending through the end wall for opening the electric circuit. In the operated position of the rod, its outer surface engages the end wall for completing the electric circuit.

Abstract: A modular linear transducer assembly is mounted between relatively displaceable piston and cylinder members of a hydraulic roll gap control arrangement in a four-high rolling mill stand. The piston and cylinder members have coaxial openings centrally therethrough which receive the modular transducer assembly. The transducer assembly includes axially displaceable sleeve and plunger members, one of which is attached to the piston member and the other to the cylinder member for displacement therewith. The plunger supports a low voltage differential transformer coil having an axial passageway therethrough, and the sleeve member supports a core rod which extends into the coil passageway. Relative displacement between the piston and cylinder members imparts corresponding relative displacement between the coil and core rod to produce a signal indicative of roll gap change.

Abstract: This invention relates to new and improved methods and apparatus to locate nd indicate visually the position of a floating piston while inside its cylinder without the aid of movable means exterior of the cylinder and is especially usable in locating the floating piston separating the compressible gas from the hydraulic fluid in the recuperator cylinder assembly of the recoil-counterrecoil mechanism in a large caliber weapons system, such as the howitzer.

Abstract: A pressure converter for converting and intensifying pneumatic pressure to hydraulic pressure includes a pneumatic piston movable in a cylinder and connected by a rod with a smaller hydraulic piston. The pneumatic piston is movable from a rest position to normal working positions. Indicator means includes a first electrically operated signal and a second visual signal for respectively indicating overtravel and degree of overtravel of the pneumatic piston beyond the normal working positions. The pneumatic piston is engageable with the indicator means upon movement of such piston beyond its normal working positions for actuating the electrically operated signal and the visual signal.