Abstract: A method for tracking time in use of a generating set includes furnishing at least one piece of information characteristic of an operating time of said generator set. An autonomous device for measurement is solidly attached to a chassis of said generator set and has at least two sensors. One sensor is for measurement of a first physical magnitude. Another sensor is for measurement of a second physical magnitude. The anonymous device performs analysis of said first and second physical magnitudes provides for delivering a piece of information representative of an operating state of said generator set, determination of a piece of information representative of a global operating time of said generator set by cumulative time during which said representative information of an operating state is furnished, and storage of said piece of information representative of a global operating time of said generator set.

Abstract: Embodiments relate to a method of monitoring an asset including an independent component, the method including: receiving at an electronic device data related to operation of an asset, the data including utilization data of an independent component of the asset; interpreting, using a processor, the utilization to determine an utilization or operational characteristic of the asset; performing, using a processor, analysis of the utilization or operational characteristic in view of a stored target to produce a performance output; filtering, using a processor, to improve accuracy; and providing a report that includes the operational characteristic and/or utilization output; wherein utilization data of the independent component is generated by detecting the engine status of a prime mover of the asset; detecting a position of the independent component; wherein the independent component provides work functionality independent of the engine status.

Abstract: Operation management apparatus includes a control section for controlling operation of an internal combustion engine, a storage section for storing data of an integrated operating time of the engine monitored by the control section, and a display section capable of displaying not only operating states of the engine but also an integrated operating time of the internal combustion engine. The control section controls the display section to make a blinking display with a predetermined number of blinks, corresponding to the integrated operating time, at predetermined timing.

Abstract: Aspects of the present invention are directed at allowing a vehicle to idle for a predetermined amount of time before shutdown. In accordance with one embodiment, a method is provided that accepts input from the vehicle operator to initiate a countdown to vehicle shutdown. When the input is received, a countdown is initiated that is regularly updated to reflect the passage of time. During the countdown, a vehicle ignition bus is maintained in an active state and a countdown value that reflects the time remaining before shutdown is presented on a graphical display. Then, in response to expiration of the countdown, the method allows the vehicle ignition bus to transition into an inactive state.

Abstract: Aspects of the present invention are directed at allowing a vehicle to idle for a predetermined amount of time before shutdown. In accordance with one embodiment, a method is provided that accepts input from the vehicle operator to initiate a countdown to vehicle shutdown. When the input is received, a countdown is initiated that is regularly updated to reflect the passage of time. During the countdown, a vehicle ignition bus is maintained in an active state and a countdown value that reflects the time remaining before shutdown is presented on a graphical display. Then, in response to expiration of the countdown, the method allows the vehicle ignition bus to transition into an inactive state.

Abstract: A tamper resistant hourmeter is provided for an engine powered lawn mower. The hourmeter has a first pin connected to a positive voltage from a battery through a key actuated switch, a second pin to ground, a third pin to a magneto ignition, and a fourth pin to a fuel shutoff solenoid. The tamper resistant hourmeter connects the positive voltage from the battery to the fuel shutoff solenoid. The fuel shutoff solenoid opens a fuel line to the engine only if the key actuated switch is in either of the run or start positions.

Abstract: A digital engine operating time measuring apparatus for an internal combustion engine. The apparatus is powered by a magneto of the engine and accumulates engine operating time only when the engine is operating. The apparatus includes power regulation circuitry including a pair of terminals coupled to the engine magneto. The power regulation circuitry converts a time varying electrical signal generated by the magneto when the engine is operating to a low voltage DC signal. The apparatus further includes digital circuitry coupled to an output of the power regulation circuitry for calculating accumulated engine operating time. The digital circuitry is powered by the low voltage DC signal of the power regulation circuitry and only accumulates engine operating time upon sensing the low voltage DC signal. The apparatus further includes a display coupled to the digital circuitry for displaying accumulated engine operating time as calculated by the digital circuitry.

Abstract: A timer is enclosed in a pressure tight enclosure which is attached to or is part of the motor rotor. Rotation of the rotor is sensed and the timer is turned on when the rotor is turning and is turned off when the rotor is idle. The version usable in motors of the progressing cavity type can power the timer, and provide timer control.

Abstract: A novel technique for distinguishing fuel-operated engine idling and working periods by monitoring the different values of the engine alternating-current alternator frequencies for distinguishing engine idling and working, and, where desired, total engine operating run time.

Abstract: The present invention provides a gas heat pump-type air conditioner that can reliably notify a user that the time for changing the engine oil of the gas engine that drives the compressor has arrived without stopping the operation of the gas engine. In a gas heat pump-type air conditioner that forms a cooling cycle by circulating refrigerant using a compressor having a gas engine as a drive source, when the cumulative hours of operation t of the gas engine reaches a second predetermined time T2 (S3), a warning display A is displayed while the operation of the gas engine continues, and thereby the user is notified that the time for changing the engine oil has arrived (S4), and at the same time, after the initial stop procedure is carried out subsequent to reaching the predetermined time T2 (S5), a warning display B is displayed (S6), and the warning restoration operation procedure (S7) is carried out.

Abstract: A novel technique for distinguishing fuel-operated engine idling and working periods by monitoring the different values of the engine alternating-current alternator frequencies for distinguishing engine idling and working, and, where desired, total engine operating run time.

Abstract: A timer is enclosed in a pressure tight enclosure which is attached to or is part of the motor rotor. Rotation of the rotor is sensed and the timer is turned on when the rotor is turning and is turned off when the rotor is idle. The version usable in motors of the progressing cavity type can power the timer, and provide timer control.

Abstract: A daily log device for recording the daily activities of a driver. The daily log device includes a clock indicating a time and date, a first signal generator for generating a signal representative of the driver being on duty and a second signal generator for generating a signal representative of the driver being off duty. A microprocessor is connected to the clock, the first signal generator and the second signal generator and includes a memory. A printer is connected to the microprocessor for printing the daily log. The microprocessor stores a time and date at which the first signal generator is activated and a time and date at which second signal generator is activated in the memory and calculates a time period between activation of the first and second signal generators. The daily log indicates the time the first signal generator is activated, the time the second signal generator is activated and the calculated time between activation of the first and second signal generators.

Abstract: An electronic control device for controlling a fuel injection starting time and an injection duration in an internal combustion engine has an event device (E) which generates an event signal (ES) as a function of a prescribed occurrence of an event and a device for controlling or setting the injection duration including a first register (R1), a loading device (L) and a counter (Z). The event device (E) includes a second register (R2), a clock device (TE) and a comparator (K) which compares a stored register value in the second register (R2) with clock data from the clock device (TE) to produce a comparator signal for generation of the event signal (ES) when the stored register value corresponds to the clock data from the clock device.

Abstract: An adaptable engine usage meter includes engine monitoring circuitry arranged within a front housing. Three different rear housings can be interchangeably attached to the front housing. A first rear housing includes a concave back portion, so that in conjunction with a complementary concave mounting bracket, it allows the meter to be attached to a round handlebar, such as that on a push mower. A second rear housing is slightly narrower than the front housing, so that a shoulder is formed when they are attached together. The second rear housing allows the meter to be mounted on an instrument panel by fitting it through a cutout until the shoulder engages the panel. When either the first or second rear housing is used, the circuitry in the front housing is connected to the ignition wire and the ground of an engine via a cable extended through the rear housing.

Abstract: A time totaling meter and an unit thereof for internal combustion engines comprising a part of an ignition device to lead ignition pulses toward outside of the ignition device, pulse induction means to electromagnetically induce said ignition pulses, waveform shaping means to shape this electro-magnetically induced pulses, and judging means to determine whether this waveform shaped output pulses are derived from operation of the internal combustion engine or not, and capable of counting and storing total operation time of the internal combustion engine from initial operation thereof to said count memory means based on said output pulses selected by said judging means and displaying this counted operation time on display means.

Abstract: A mechanism for measuring the running time of an internal combustion engine includes a numerical display of the engine running hours, such that the owner of the engine can better determine the appropriate time for changing the engine lubrication oil. A chronometer is controlled by a switch responding sensitively to engine temperature or vibration, so that the chronometer is actuated only while the engine is working. The mechanism is incorporated into the handle of an oil dipstick, which enables the engine owner to check the chronometer at the same time as he/she is checking the engine oil level.

Abstract: A compact and inexpensive meter for measuring and recording the time an engine driven apparatus has been running. The apparatus includes a signal generator such as a piezoelectric transducer which produces an electrical current when the engine driven apparatus is operating, a rectifier for converting the electrical current produced by said signal generator to direct current, a transistor for receiving the electrical current from the rectifier and switching on a stopwatch timing unit when the voltage received from the rectifier reaches a predetermined level.

Abstract: An engine operating time measuring apparatus is provided for use with an engine having an internal magneto-type electrical generator providing an ignition voltage. The engine operating time measuring apparatus includes power supply circuitry coupled to the electrical generator of the monitored engine for supplying operating power to the apparatus in response to generated ignition voltage. Timing circuitry is responsive to the operating power supplying circuitry for generating a clock signal. A counter is responsive to the clock signal for counting the generated clock signal to identify the engine operating time.

Abstract: A completely electronic programmable hour meter is disclosed. The hour meter accumulates and displays run time of the device being measured. The hour meter can also count pulses. The meter can be preprogrammed with a maintenance timer limit which is compared to the accumulated run time. If the accumulated run time equals or exceeds the preprogrammed time limit an alarm display flashes. The hour meter will store the accumulated run time for up to 5 years if power is interrupted. This memory retention occurs without use of a battery. The elapsed time is stored in a plurality of registers such that no register is written to more than a preselected number of times, nominally ten thousand, until all the registers have been updated the preselected number of times.

Abstract: A system for recording the total time that a motor vehicle is running, the time that the motor is running while the vehicle is stationary, and the time that the vehicle is running while the vehicle is moving. The system includes three electrically driven timers, one of which is connected in series with the oil pressure switch of the motor so that the timer is energized while the motor is running. The remaining two timers are alternately energized when the output of a speedometer generator is above or below a predetermined value. These timers are also connected in series with the oil pressure switch so that the timers may be not energized unless the engine is running. The record generated by the system can be used to obtain a rebate of road taxes for fuel used while the vehicle is stationary.

Abstract: A device for indicating required vehicle maintainence at predetermined elapsed mileage intervals includes a clock generator which is driven by the vehicle engine ignition pulse. The clock output is fed to a frequency divider, which in turn drives four counters. Each counter includes AND logic connected to selected outputs thereof to be switched on after a pre-determined count is obtained by the counter. The AND logic of each counter drives a flip-flop which actuates an LED warning lamp. Each counter circuit includes a reset button which resets the counter and its associated flip-flop. The LEDs may be labelled with a service function which should be performed after the time interval indicated by the respective LED.

Abstract: A truck safety recorder is utilized by the driver of a truck for recording the amounts of time that the driver has spent actually driving, the amount of time that the driver has been on duty, and the amount of off duty time that the driver has had for sleeping in accordance with Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations. The recorded information is displayed for inspection by highway officials. The truck safety recorder is removably secured to a holder mounted to the vehicle and may be carried on the person of the driver when the truck is not being driven. A clock subsystem within the truck safety recorder generates a periodic timing signal and includes a chronograph, stopwatch, and an alarm for the convenience of the user. A microprocessor subsystem responds to the periodic timing signal by incrementing amounts of time recorded by the truck safety recorder.

Abstract: Apparatus having a plurality of signal channels, a plurality of stopwatch circuits and a plurality of time lapse displays interconnected so that the relative time lapses in a series of related occurrences can be displayed.