US3767902A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Engine member position predictor
Assignee: Lear Corp EEDS and Interiors
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Filing: 1972-12-12
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Granted: 1973-10-23
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Expires: 1992-12-12
Abstract
Abstract The disclosure describes a system for predicting the position of a moving member of an automobile engine, such as the crankshaft. The system includes means for generating reference pulses at discrete positions of the member, such as every 90* of rotation. The system is operated by a clock generator that generates clock pulses at a high rate compared to the rate at which the reference pulses are produced. In response to a reference pulse, the clock pulses are transmitted to a first counter. The first counter successively counts the pulses to its maximum capacity, at which time an output pulse is transmitted to a second counter. When the next reference pulse is received, the number held in the first counter, the correction number, is loaded into a first storage register and the number held in the second counter, the position number, is loaded into a second storage register. The position number is loaded repeatedly into a down counter that is counted down by the clock pulses to produce a series of location pulses which predict the position of the rotating member. In response to each location pulse, the correction number is added to itself and the sum is stored in an accumulator. If the sum produced by an addition is equal to or greater than the capacity of the first counter at which an output pulse is produced, the transmission of the location signal is delayed for one clock pulse, thereby increasing the accuracy with which the location pulse predicts the position of the rotating member.
Inventors
- 👤 B Estes
- 👤 R Anderson
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 08:40
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06F; G06F7/00; G06F7/60; G06F7/62; F; F02; F02P; F02P7/00; F02P7/06; F02P7/061; F02P7/077; F02P7/0775
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
304 words
In a system for predicting the location of a moving member, improved apparatus for reducing the frequency at which the system must be operated for a predetermined degree of accuracy comprising: generating means for generating a first reference signal and a second reference signal in at least one position of the moving member; first counter means for counting clock pulses and for producing an output pulse in response to the receipt of a first predetermined number of clock pulses; second counter means operatively connected to the output of the first counter means for counting output pulses received from the first counter means; clock means for generating clock pulses at a rate sufficiently great so that the first predetermined number is exceeded between the occurrence of the first reference signal and the second reference signal; control means for enabling the first and second counter means to count in response to the first reference signal and to terminate counting in response to the second reference signal; first store means for storing a correction number proportional to the number counted by the first counter means in response to the first and second reference signals; second store means for storing a position number proportional to the number counted by the second counter means in response to the first and the second reference signals; processing means for generating a series of location signals having a period proportional to the magnitude of the position number; means for successively adding the correction number to itself and storing the sum of Each successive addition in response to each location signal; means for delaying the production of a location signal when the sum is at least equal to a second predetermined number, whereby the location signals predict the location of the moving member between the occurrence of the first and second reference signals.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
304 words
In a system for predicting the location of a moving member, improved apparatus for reducing the frequency at which the system must be operated for a predetermined degree of accuracy comprising: generating means for generating a first reference signal and a second reference signal in at least one position of the moving member; first counter means for counting clock pulses and for producing an output pulse in response to the receipt of a first predetermined number of clock pulses; second counter means operatively connected to the output of the first counter means for counting output pulses received from the first counter means; clock means for generating clock pulses at a rate sufficiently great so that the first predetermined number is exceeded between the occurrence of the first reference signal and the second reference signal; control means for enabling the first and second counter means to count in response to the first reference signal and to terminate counting in response to the second reference signal; first store means for storing a correction number proportional to the number counted by the first counter means in response to the first and second reference signals; second store means for storing a position number proportional to the number counted by the second counter means in response to the first and the second reference signals; processing means for generating a series of location signals having a period proportional to the magnitude of the position number; means for successively adding the correction number to itself and storing the sum of Each successive addition in response to each location signal; means for delaying the production of a location signal when the sum is at least equal to a second predetermined number, whereby the location signals predict the location of the moving member between the occurrence of the first and second reference signals.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
41 words
Apparatus, as claimed in claim 1, wherein the generating means comprises means for generating the first reference signal at a first position of the moving member and for generating the second reference signal at a second position of the moving member.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
32 words
Apparatus, as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first and the second counter means each comprise a binary digital counter capable of representing a number having a predetermined maximum number of bits.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
92 words
Apparatus, as claimed in claim 1, wherein the control means comprises: means for preventing the transmission of clock pulses to the first counter means in response to each reference signal; means for loading the number represented by the first counter means into the first store means and for loading the number represented by the second counter means into the second store means; means for resetting the first and the second counter means; and means for transmitting clock pulses to the first counter means after the first and second counter means are reset.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
38 words
Apparatus, as claimed in claim 4, wherein the control means further comprises means for setting the first counter means to a number equal to the number of clock pulses skipped during the operation of the means for preventing.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
19 words
Apparatus, as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first and the second store means each comprise a digital register.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
80 words
Apparatus, as claimed in claim 1, wherein the processing means comprises: third counter means; means for entering the position number in the third counter means; means for transmitting clock pulses to the third counter means; means for producing a location signal in response to the receipt by the third counter means of clock pulses substantially equal in number to the position number; and means for re-entering the position number in the third counter means in response to a location signal.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
75 words
Apparatus, as claimed in claim 1, wherein the means for successively adding comprises: a digital adder; a digital accumulator; means for transmitting the correction number held in the first store means to the adder; means for transmitting the number held in the accumulator to the adder, whereby the correction number and the number held in the accumulator are added to produce a sum; and means for transmitting the sum to the accumulator for temporary storage.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
63 words
Apparatus, as claimed in claim 8, wherein the means for delaying comprises: means for producing a delay signal when the number stored in the accumulator is substantially equal to the first predetermined number; and means for delaying the transmission of a location signal for the duration of one clock pulse in response to simultaneous production of a location signal and a delay signal.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
22 words
Apparatus, as claimed in claim 1, wherein the second predetermined number comprises a number at least equal to the first predetermined number.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
33 words
Apparatus, as claimed in claim 1, wherein the correction number equals the number counted by the first counter means and wherein the position number equals the number counted by the second counter means.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-10-22 | 1977-04-23 | 1977-10-23 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-10-22 | 1981-04-23 | 1981-10-23 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-10-22 | 1985-04-23 | 1985-10-23 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |