Abstract: A capacitive sensing device is provided including a flexible base sheet and a plurality of capacitive sensors arranged on an exterior surface of the flexible base sheet. Each capacitive sensor includes a top conductor layer, a middle dielectric layer, and a bottom conductive layer, the top conductor layer and bottom conductive layers having an electrical lead connected thereto.

Abstract: A capacitive sensor for a coil-on plug ignition testing apparatus includes a first portion of the capacitive sensor and a second portion of the capacitive sensor, at least one of which has a substantially planar base, and each of which has one or more engagement members projecting downwardly therefrom. One of or both of the first portion and the second portion may be a capacitive element forming a part of the capacitive sensor. The second portion is connected, and is configured to slide relative, to the first portion. A biasing element is disposed between the first and second portions to bias the first portion toward the second portion and to maintain the first portion and second portion in a compressed state. The first portion may be translated relative to the second portion against a bias of the biasing element, to an extended state for securing to a coil-on plug housing.

Abstract: A capacitive sensor for a coil-on plug ignition testing apparatus includes a first portion of the capacitive sensor and a second portion of the capacitive sensor, at least one of which has a substantially planar base, and each of which has one or more engagement members projecting downwardly therefrom. One of or both of the first portion and the second portion may be a capacitive element forming a part of the capacitive sensor. The second portion is connected, and is configured to slide relative, to the first portion. A biasing element is disposed between the first and second portions to bias the first portion toward the second portion and to maintain the first portion and second portion in a compressed state. The first portion may be translated relative to the second portion against a bias of the biasing element, to an extended state for securing to a coil-on plug housing.

Abstract: Engine cylinder contribution analysis is provided. An engine cylinder contribution tester includes a displacement measurement device and a signal analyzer. The displacement measurement device detects engine block movements or displacement relative to a fixed position caused by a poorly contributing cylinder. The displacement measurement device provides a displacement signal to the signal analyzer. The signal analyzer includes a cylinder contribution module for evaluating the displacement signal. If a particular cylinder is contributing less than the average of the other cylinders, the displacement signal indicates engine block movement associated with a lack of contribution from that cylinder.

Abstract: A method for efficiently determining whether a distributorless or hybrid ignition system is the origin of engine problems by consecutively disconnecting and reconnecting the primary connector from each coil of the ignition system. Once a single primary connector is disconnected from a coil and engine misfiring or roughness declines, the problem cylinder pair has been located. The method further includes measuring the firing line voltage of accessible spark plug wires for each cylinder to identify a single faulty cylinder, that may now be serviced.

Abstract: An apparatus for testing a waste-power ignition coil includes an igniter simulator having a switching device, a high voltage switch, and a spark gap connected to the high voltage switch. The switching device is electrically connected to an output of the primary side of the waste-power ignition coil and a triggering element for changing a state of the first switching device at a predetermined interval. The high voltage switch includes a first pair of contacts electrically connected to one of a positive going and negative going outputs of a secondary winding of the waste-power ignition coil, and a second pair of contacts electrically connected to another of a positive going and negative going outputs of the secondary winding of the waste-power ignition coil.

Abstract: A testing apparatus for testing a waste-power ignition coil is provided and includes an igniter simulator having a first switching device electrically connected to an output of the primary side of a waste-power ignition coil under test and a triggering means for changing a state of the first switching device at a predetermined interval. A second switching device bears a first pair of contacts being electrically connected to one of a positive going and negative going output of a secondary winding of the waste-power ignition coil under test and a second pair of contacts being electrically connected to another of a positive going and negative going output of the secondary winding of the waste-power ignition coil under test. The second switching device acts substantially synchronously with the igniter simulator actuator to ground a respective one of the positive going and negative going output of the secondary winding of the waste-power ignition coil under test to simulate a waste-stroke phase.

Abstract: A diagnostic system for analyzing the operation of an engine is provided including a capacitive probe for simultaneously detecting an amplitude of a first and a second electric near field present proximate a hybrid or DIS ignition coil housing. The capacitive probe includes a fastening device configured to removably attach the capacitive probe to the ignition coil housing and a body bearing a first signal detector and a second signal detector. Each of the first signal detector and a second signal detector are arranged adjacent a location of a respective one of the first and second electric near fields for detecting an amplitude of the respective electric near field. Each signal detector outputs a signal representative of a respective electric near field.