Patents by Inventor Adrian L. Trace

Adrian L. Trace has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Misfire detection
    Patent number: 5125381
    Abstract: An engine misfire detector comprises an opto-electric sensor for monitoring light produced by combustion inside a cylinder. The sensor is connected to a variable gain amplifier having a gain control circuit for controlling the amplifier gain. The output of the gain control circuit is compared with a threshold in a comparator to provide a misfire detection signal. The transfer function of the gain control circuit includes an integral term.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 1991
    Date of Patent: June 30, 1992
    Assignee: Lucas Industries public limited company
    Inventors: David Nutton, Brian G. Nicholson, Adrian L. Trace
  • Processing circuit for optical combustion monitor
    Patent number: 5063287
    Abstract: A processing circuit is provided for use in an optical combustion monitor for an internal combustion engine. The circuit includes a variable gain amplifier for amplifying a signal from one or more opto-electric transducers sensitive to combustion light in the engine cylinders. A gain control circuit including a peak detector controls the variable gain amplifier so that the peak amplitude of the amplifier output signal is substantially constant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 1990
    Date of Patent: November 5, 1991
    Assignee: Lucas Industries
    Inventors: Adrian L. Trace, Mark J. Basten