Abstract: A system and method for testing a battery having an internal impedance by generating digital battery parameter values corresponding to the battery parameters at different points in time by means of current, voltage and temperature measurement circuits and an analog-to-digital converter. An electrical load is periodically placed on the battery and the battery is also charged between loadings in order to provide battery parameter values during different battery conditions. A microprocessor coordinates the testing of the battery and the measuring of the battery parameter values, as well as the calculation of test criteria based on those values in order to quickly and accurately analyze the condition of the battery.

Abstract: Gas analyzing techniques for monitoring the amount of oxygen in the exhaust of motor vehicles. An oxygen sensor produces a sensor signal having a sensor value proportional to the partial pressure of the oxygen produced by the motor vehicle. Processing circuitry generates a resulting signal proportional to the sum of the sensor value, another value proportional to the first derivative of the sensor value and a third value proportional to the second derivative of the sensor value. The resulting signal can be used to predict the final sensor value at a point in time earlier than would be otherwise possible.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for detecting the presence and quantity of fuel in a fuel/air mixture to the cylinders of a fuel injection engine is disclosed. A portion of the fuel/air mixture injected to the engine is diverted through a solid state sensor which, when included in a detection circuit, provides a resistance which is proportional to the amount of fuel in the mixture. The sensor reacts to the presence of the fuel vapors by providing a change in the voltage across the sensor.

Abstract: An automobile timing light for use with an internal combustion engine. The timing light includes a skip circuitry for regulating the time between flashes of a flash circuitry for permitting a sufficient charge to develop across a flash powering capacitor between successive flashes. The timing light thus provides a uniformly bright light flash irrespective of engine r.p.m.

Abstract: An apparatus and corresponding method for detecting steering or front-end alignment defects in a vehicle, such as an automobile, having a steering wheel steerably connected to dirigible front wheels. Each side of the vehicle being tested is restrained from sideward motion by a retaining brace having a force transducer mounted therein. A roller mounted in a support floor rotates or allows the rotation of each of the front wheels of the vehicle. While the front wheels are rotated, the steering wheel of the vehicle is turned from center position through a relatively small angle of rotational to the right and then to the left (or vice versa). An angle indicating device measures the angles of steering wheel rotation.

Abstract: A processing unit for normalizing the output data of a gas analyzer in view of zero adjustment data and gain adjustment data formulated by the processing unit controlling air input and span reference simulation of a reference gas. A voltage reference generator is manually variable for calibrating the system while passing a known reference gas through the analyzer, in order to provide a scaling factor for use during output data adjustment. A hold switch is manually actuable by the operator for storing in memory the value of a gas analyzation voltage for permitting adjustment to the output data after the gas is removed from the cell of the analyzer.

Abstract: A voltage divider network comprising three series connected resistors serve to reference a test signal lead connectable to an internal combustion engine, with respect to ground for providing a voltage test signal on an output conductor representative of test data to be retrieved from the engine. Whenever the test signal lead is disconnected from the engine, the voltage divider network provides a non-zero voltage level on the output conductor, having a magnitude lying without a predetermined voltage range of possible test signals. A signal processing circuitry analyzes the test signals for providing a visual analysis display for the operator of the analyzer, and further is responsive to the aforesaid non-zero voltage level for blanking the portion of the visual display which is reserved for displaying analysis data.

Abstract: An improved method for determining the gasoline mileage of a vehicle is disclosed, wherein various test horsepower values, related to the vehicle and the specific test speeds, are determined and the vehicle is operated so as to deliver a horsepower substantially equal to the determined horsepower values during the test.

Abstract: An improved automated engine diagnosing device employing a digital data processor and a cathode ray tube monitor for displaying individual engine cylinder numbers in separate association with correlated values of exhaust gas emissions pollutants. Engine timing data associated with the time of firing of individual cylinders of the engine being tested synchronizes select cylinder firing inhibition for orderly accumulating gas emissions data generated from an exhaust probe placed in the tail pipe of the automobile under test. An automatic sequential firing inhibition and a manually selectable firing inhibition permits dual modes of data acquisition for developing pollutant data to be utilized by the processor for generating the analysis display on the cathode ray tube monitor.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for simulation testing of an anti-block system, as utilized in automobiles.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for detecting a defective distributor is shown. The apparatus includes an input system providing the time of each cylinder firing after an initial firing of cylinder #1. A processor then determines the deviation between the actual time of firing and an optimum time thereof.

Abstract: An engine tester for determining relative compression by cylinder is disclosed. The tester includes a processor which samples starter current in response to input signals based upon engine cylinder firings. The processor correlates the starter current data and the input signals to identify the current by cylinder.

Abstract: A preferred embodiment of the system for hot testing automobile engines includes a hot test station and an indexing mechanism, or conveyor, for advancing engines to the hot test station. The engines are operated during advancement such that normalization is achieved prior to reaching the hot test station.

Abstract: Digital condition data corresponding to a plurality of engine operating conditions of an internal combustion engine are generated and stored in a memory system for visual display to an operator mechanic. Particular data from the memory are converted from a parallel digital format to a serial digital format for transmission to a remote site computer across telephone lines. The remote site computer analyzes the data and returns the diagnostic results for visual display to the operator mechanic.

Abstract: An automatic apparatus and method for charging a storage battery from a source of electrical current. The charger includes a current control circuit for conducting regulated charging current through the battery in steps. A voltage monitoring circuit determines when the steps occur by monitoring battery voltage conditions. The steps are sequenced by a ring counter that varies the bias conditions on the current control circuit and voltage monitoring circuit as the steps occur.

Abstract: The disclosure describes an improved apparatus for measuring the flow of current through a conductor by means of a Hall generator. The Hall generator is biased by a constant current source employing feedback. In order to increase the accuracy of the current measurement, operational amplifiers having inputs which float in relationship to the power supply operating the amplifiers are used to amplify the Hall generator output voltage and to drive a meter. The current measuring apparatus can be used to detect defects in a vehicular alternator by measuring the fluctuating components of the alternator output current. The magnetic field generated by the current to be measured is concentrated in the area of the Hall generator by means of a unique hollow, cylindrical, coiled strip of metal made from nickel, molybdenum and iron. The apparatus includes a regulator in which the voltage drop is so low that a 3.25 volt regulated supply can be maintained from a poorly-charged 6-volt battery.

Abstract: A circuit for measuring the dwell angle of an engine ignition system having contact points which close to conduct current through a coil, i.e., dwell, and which open to generate an ignition signal. The primary ignition signal is monitored and shaped to form an output voltage level for comparison against a reference voltage level of a selected percentage of car battery voltage. During the time of dwell, the ignition signal's output voltage level is less than the reference voltage level causing a voltage comparator circuit to direct a relatively constant and independent current to a meter for visual display of the dwell time in terms of dwell angle. The extent of dwell angle displayed is determined by the ratio of the time period over which current is delivered to the metering circuit to the total time between spark plug firings, properly calibrated for the type of engine being tested.

Abstract: A cathode-ray oscilloscope controlled by a circuitry receiving four (4) voltage inputs representative of the Cartesian coordinates of endpoints of two (2) vectors, for visually displaying the vectors in the form of a dashed line segment and a solid line segment. The circuity responds to operator input for generating display signals to rotate the two displayed vectors with respect to the CRT screen and responds to internal control for blinking the display of either of the vectors according to a preset vector magnitude limit.