Abstract: Method for detecting misfires of a mixture between a fuel oxidizing agent, in any one of the cylinders of an and an internal combustion engine, by the following steps: a) during at least some of the phases of combustion in at least one of the cylinders, a current value, at an instant (t) of operation of the engine, of an index I(t) representative of operational irregularities in the engine stroke is calculated, b) while the engine is operating, and on the basis of the current value, at the instant (t) of the index I(t), the current value at the same instant (t) of an observation function E(t) is calculated, such that: E(t)=I(t)??(t±?t) where ?(t±?t) is an estimated value of the index I (t) at an instant (t±?t) different from (t), c) the current value of E(t) is compared with a predetermined threshold (S) dependent on the engine load (C) and/or speed (N), and d) a misfire is diagnosed when the value of E(t) exceeds the threshold (S).

Abstract: Method for detecting misfires of a mixture between a fuel and an oxidizing agent, in a cylinder of an internal combustion engine, by: a) calculating a current value, at an instant (t) of operation of the engine, of an index I(t) representative of operational irregularities in the engine stroke, b) calculating while the engine is operating, and on the basis of the current value, at the instant (t) of the index I(t), the current value at the same instant (t) of an observation function E(t), such that: E(t)=I(t)?{overscore (I)}(t±?t) where {overscore (I)}(t±?t) is an estimated value of the index I(t) at an instant (t±?t) different from (t), c) comprising the current value of E(t) with a predetermined threshold (S) dependent on the engine load (C) and/or speed (N), and d) diagnosing a misfire when the value of E(t) exceeds the threshold (S).

Abstract: A method for detecting combustion failure in an internal combustion engine, by calculating an index ln(t) representing engine irregularities at a moment (t) during certain combustion phases in one cylinder; calculating an observation function G(t), which is a function between index ln(t) and an estimated reference value In+/?i(t) at a different moment during engine operation comparing G(t) to a threshold (S), which is a function of engine load (C) and/or rpm (N); and diagnosing a combustion failure when G(t) exceeds (S) or: G(t)=In(t)?ln(t), wherein In(t) is a function of ln(t) and In+/?i(t) represents the index ln(t) after weighting of the values of said index outside an acceptable predefined differential.

Abstract: A method for detecting combustion failure in an internal combustion engine, by calculating an index ln (t) representing engine irregularities at a moment (t) during certain combustion phases in one cylinder; calculating an observation function G (t), which is a function between index ln (t) and an estimated reference value In +/?i (t) at a different moment during engine operation comparing G (t) to a threshold (S), which is a function of engine load (C) and/or rpm (N); and diagnosing a combustion failure when G (t) exceeds (S) or: G (t)=In (t)?ln (t), wherein In (t) is a function of ln (t) and In +/?i (t) represents the index ln (t) after weighting of the values of said index outside an acceptable predefined differential.

Abstract: According to this process, a) it defines, for each phase for the combustion of the fuel/air mixture, an observation window delimited by predetermined angular positions of the crankshaft, b) it measures in each window a series of time gaps (.DELTA.T.sub.i), dividing the movements of the crankshaft into predetermined angular positions, c) it calculates two linear combinations (.SIGMA.a.sub.i .DELTA.T.sub.i) and (.SIGMA.b.sub.i .DELTA.T.sub.i), of the time gaps (.DELTA.T.sub.i), each of the coefficients (a.sub.i) and (b.sub.i) of these combinations being chosen so as to amplify the variations, in observation window, of the alternating component of the angular speed (.OMEGA..sub.1, .OMEGA..sub.2) of the crankshaft during the measurement of the corresponding time gap (.DELTA.T.sub.i), in first and second operating modes of the engine, respectively, for which the alternating components observed (.OMEGA..sub.0, .OMEGA..sub.90) are phase-shifted relative to one another by a predetermined angle (.PHI..sub.

Abstract: A method for sensing faulty combustion in an internal combustion engine by calculating, for each cylinder, a critical parameter (S) representing instantaneous engine speed changes on the basis of a linear combination of time intervals between predetermined angular positions of a target secured to the crankshaft, determining whether the engine is in a combustion-free operating range and in at least one rpm range centered on a predetermined rpm value, calculating, if such is the case, a critical parameter correction coefficient (Kg(n); Kg(n+1)) relative to a reference engine on the basis of the current value of the critical parameter (S) and a reference value (S.sub.ref) obtained under substantially identical conditions in said reference engine, and comparing the later values of the critical parameter, as corrected by the correction coefficient (Kg(n); Kg(n+1)), with a fault threshold (S.sub.threshold) obtained experimentally in the reference engine.

Abstract: The process and device are for detecting combustion irregularities in an internal combustion engine. The process consists in measuring the time intervals between the angular positions of the crankshaft, in grouping these time differences in sets of samples corresponding to each combustion phase, in calculating from each set a critical parameter that is representative of the variation in the instantaneous speed at the moment of combustion, and in comparing this parameter with a fault threshold in order to make a combustion diagnosis. Diagnosis at medium and high speeds is thus possible.

Abstract: The dynamic behaviour of the engine (1) is monitored and the existence of misfires is deduced from the detection of irregularities in this behaviour induced by these misses. According to the invention, forces transmitted between the engine (1) and the chassis (2) of the vehicle in which it is installed are sensed, the amplitude of these forces is compared to a predetermined threshold value, from the exceeding of this threshold the application to the engine of external forces is deduced and the detection (8) of possible misfires is inhibited when these external forces are applied to the engine (1) when the load of the latter is lower than a predetermined load value. Application is to the protection of a catalytic converter.

Abstract: Apparatus for lifting electric line poles is disclosed which also enables a ground rod or stake to be driven into the ground next to such a pole. There is provided a telescopic mast having a hoist with a rope run over pulleys to a lifting hook and attached at the upper end of the mast. For driving in ground rods or stakes a carriage mounted for movement along the mast is used which can be attached to the lifting hook and can secure an air hammer.