Abstract: A capillary and capillary retaining system including a capillary assembly having first and second end holders. The first and second end holders are adapted to be received by first and second retainers. The first end holder may include protruding portions and the first end retainer includes clips to receive the protruding portions. The second end holder may include opposite recesses and the second retainer is adapted to receive optical cables that are received within the recesses to retain the second end holder. Locks retained by the second end retainer cooperate with grooves in the optical cables to retain the optical cables.

Abstract: An improved automotive ignition analyzer is provided for use with electronic ignition systems. A quadrature field magnetic pickup is utilized to detect signals in the secondary circuit of the ignition system. An adaptor including a voltage clamp is connected to the tachometer lead of the electronic ignition system so that a power balance test may be performed in the conventional manner without harming the electronic ignition system.

Abstract: A solid state simulator of an automobile ignition system is disclosed whereby an automotive engine scope tester can be tested and calibrated. Pulse rate logic is made responsive to means for selecting the number of cylinders and the revolutions per minute of the simulated engine. Variable pulse generation means is made responsive to the pulse rate logic. The output of the pulse generation means is used to trigger a driver connected to a conventional coil and single spark plug simulating the firing of all the spark plugs in the engine. Additionally, the output of the pulse generation means is divided and used to drive an adjustable delay which in turn triggers a one shot high voltage pulse to simulate the firing of the spark plug associated with the number one cylinder. Signal output terminals are provided at the input to the coil to indicate the time of each firing signal and allow feedback control by the engine scope tester.

Abstract: Method and apparatus is disclosed for calibrating a timing light used in conjunction with an engine scope tester. The timing light is fired by an offset circuit in an engine scope tester having a meter indicating the offset amount. The engine scope tester is synchronized to the firing of a simulated No. 1 cylinder spark plug. The light from the timing light is detected by a phototransistor connected to a voltage reference source which amplifies the signal from the phototransistor to a usable level. The output of the voltage reference source is connected back to a vertical deflection circuit of the oscilloscope on the engine scope tester. The calibration marks on the oscilloscope of the engine scope tester are used to calibrate the meter on the engine scope tester indicating the offset to the timing light.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for generating a sweep signal for the oscilloscope of an engine ignition analyzer, employing a lock loop with phase detector, integrator and voltage controlled oscillator. The oscillator provides a ramp voltage for use as a sweep signal. A feedback circuit provides a feedback signal to the input of the phase detector when the ramp voltage reaches a predetermined value for phase comparison with a reference signal related in time to an engine ignition event. The intetrator output controls the slope of the ramp voltage. When the two input signals to the phase detector are out of phase, the slope of the ramp voltage is changed via the integrator to reduce the phase difference. The ramp voltage provides a sweep signal of substantially constant length while the engine speed varies over the range of idling to full speed.

Abstract: A timing control circuit for a strobe lamp for use in adjusting the timing of an internal combustion engine. A circuit which provides for retarding lamp triggering for setting ignition advance and for advancing lamp triggering for setting ignition retard. A circuit providing for advance and retard selection, the amount of advance or retard, and zero degree triggering for engines with various numbers of cylinders. A circuit with a ramp voltage synchronized with engine timing, a reference voltage for setting the amount of advance or retard, and a comparator which provides a triggering signal for the lamp when the ramp and reference voltages match.

Abstract: An automobile engine ignition analyzer with engine performance displayed on an oscilloscope. Circuitry for providing timing indicia on the oscilloscope trace in the form of high intensity spots or gaps, with the time intervals between indicia maintained constant as engine speed varies. A pickup for coupling the engine ignition pulse to a pulse shaping circuit which provides an output pulse related in time to the ignition pulse, and an oscillator started by the output pulse and providing a train of pulses at predetermined intervals, typically one millisecond, with the pulse train connected to the oscilloscope beam intensity control for blanking or intensifying the beam as desired.

Abstract: An automotive ignition analyzer is disclosed with cylinder of interest of display capabilities which allows one or more cylinders to be individually selected and displayed in a stacked mode while the remaining unselected cylinders are simultaneously displayed on the same oscilloscope in a parade mode. The cylinder select mechanism may also be used for power balance purposes to prevent the ignition of the cylinder selected.

Abstract: An improved automotive ignition analyzer is provided for use with electronic ignition systems. A quadrature field magnetic pickup is utilized to detect signals in the secondary circuit of the ignition system. An adaptor including a voltage clamp is connected to the tachometer lead of the electronic ignition system so that a power balance test may be performed in the conventional manner without harming the electronic ignition system.