WIRELESS PRESSURE TESTING SYSTEM AND METHOD OF USE

Description

Background of the Invention

[0001] Pressure measuring tools, particularly pressure measuring tools for automotive use, are known in the art. Generally, individual pressure measuring devices are needed for measuring each of cylinder pressure, fuel pressure, transmission oil pressure, and engine oil pressure. Additionally, each of these pressure measuring devices are integral, inter-connected devices. Accordingly, the art of pressure measuring devices would benefit from a pressure measuring device / system that is capable of measuring the pressures of multiple systems in an automobile (or in other environments, such as an industrial or manufacturing environment) and one that is capable of displaying and / or recording the measured pressure values in a device remote from the situs where the pressure values are desired to be read.

[0002] US 2005 / 0150282 discloses a compression gauge assembly for diagnosing pressure variances of an engine cylinder. The assembly comprises a gauge sensor that is placed in communication with the engine cylinder and a gauge controller that is in communication with the gauge sensor. A gauge display is in communication with the gauge controller for displaying the derived pressure variances.

[0003] CN 101894458 A discloses an automobile fuel pressure wireless detection device. The device comprises a pressure test module and a host computer that can be placed in wireless communication. The pressure test module comprises a pressure sensor that is adapted to be connected to the fuel system pipeline. A pressure measurement taken by the pressure sensor is converted into a digital signal by an analogue to digital (A / D) conversion unit and sent wirelessly to the host computer via paired wireless communication modules where it is analyzed.Summary of the Invention

[0004] According to the present invention there is provided a wireless testing system for measuring target operational parameters of a motor vehicle whilst the motor vehicle is being driven according to claim 1. The present invention also provides a method of measuring target operational parameters of a motor vehicle whilst the motor vehicle is in moving operation according to claim 4.

[0005] The pressure measuring system may comprise a remote user interface such as a smartphone. An interface may be configured to be included within a pressure measuring sensor purpose built for displaying and interacting with the readings of the remote sensor. Additionally or alternatively, an interface may be configured to be downloaded as a mobile application "app" on a smartphone or other similar device.

[0006] By using the systems and methods of the present invention, an advantage is that a technician can employ a remote sensor without requiring hard wiring. Data signals can be sent to a handheld wireless device, without requiring a solid connection between a sensor and a data recorder etc. In this manner, a technician can record data from real time operating conditions as a vehicle is driven down the road. This is advantageous because oftentimes operating conditions cannot be duplicated in a bay of a service center. A sensor is deployed, and using couplings to an engine, the engine can be monitored on the fly.Brief Description of the Drawings

[0007] Figure 1 is a perspective view of a pressure measuring sensor. Figure 2 is a top plan view of the pressure measuring sensor shown in Figure 1. Figure 3 is a side elevation view of the pressure measuring sensor shown in Figure 1. Figure 4 is a bottom plan view of the pressure measuring sensor shown in Figure 1. Figure 5 is a top view of a pressure measuring sensor, coupled to a representative hose assembly and coupling. Figure 6 illustrates a system comprising the pressure measuring sensor coupled to and monitoring an engine, and communicating with a remote interface device. Description of the Preferred Embodiment

[0008] Although the disclosure hereof is detailed and exact to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention, the physical embodiments herein disclosed merely exemplify the invention which may be embodied in other specific structures. While the preferred embodiment has been described, the details may be changed without departing from the invention, which is defined by the claims.

[0009] Referring now to Fig. 1, a user interface 110 is shown within a device such as pressure measuring sensor 120 which preferably has a digital display 132. The device 130 may be a device constructed to be primarily used to house the interface 110 and communicate with the at least one sensor 120 (shown in Fig. 5), having at least one of a physical button 134 and a virtual button 136 (virtual buttons used, for instance, in a touchscreen environment) provided on the display 132. The at least one physical button 134 and / or virtual button 136 may be configured to turn the interface 110 on and off (i.e., a power button), to actively synchronize the at least one remote sensor 120 and the smartphone 242 (i.e., a "sync" button), to clear the current readings (i.e., a "zero" button), and / or to select the units in which the readings will be supplied (i.e., a "units" button). Smartphone 242 can also duplicate the readout of interface 110, if desired.

[0010] The device 130 carries a magnet 138. The magnet 138 is configured to retain the device 130 in the engine compartment (Fig. 6) while readings are taken (e.g., pressures are being measured), because it is contemplated that some measuring will be performed while the vehicle (the interior of which is shown in Fig. 6) is being driven.

[0011] It is also contemplated that the interface 110 be downloadable as an "Application" or "App" on a Smartphone 242 (Figure 6). Referring now to the app itself, with the power on, there is a sync button on the red unit, which then engages the phone. The phone confirms the connection.

[0012] Logs are taken, in which recorded information as readings are taken, is saved and charted. Several logs can be recorded. From a list of sequential logs, each log can be opened and analyzed by a technician, and notes can be added to each log. From the log list, the logs can be exported from the app, for instance by an email in formats such as jpg, png, csv, and provided with a summary.

[0013] Referring to buttons 134, these can be for: 1) Units - to switch measurement units; 2) Mode - to switch from positive to negative (vacuum) pressure readings; 3) Cylinder - to allow a user to select how many cylinders the engine has; for instance, in a four cylinder engine, all four cylinders could be contained in one log file. In an app, or on the unit as buttons 134 could also be a 4) Menu, to disconnect Bluetooth, or reconnect; 5) Settings, in which the unit can be set to continuous record, logging interval (how many minutes and seconds each sample should be), sound alerts, vibration alerts, and refresh rate between sampling intervals. A Record button can be set to begin a test. A Zero button can zero out the pressure reading. A Graph button can bring up a test result graphical reading in real time. This data can ultimately be saved as the log.

[0014] The interface 110 and the at least one remote sensor 120 are preferably configured to wirelessly interact via BLUETOOTH ®< , Wi-Fi, ZIGBEE ®< , with smartphone 242 and / or any other wireless technology now known.

[0015] As shown in Figures 5 and 6, the system 100 comprises a user interface 110 and at least one remote pressure measuring sensor 120 carried by the device 130.

[0016] The sensor 120 is contained within unit 100. This sensor is preferably fuel pressure, compression and / or vacuum, but other sensors can be carried by the unit 100 such as temperature, humidity or electrical readouts. Measurement outputs can be in psi, in / Hg, kpA, mm / hg, or bars, for instance. Unit 100 carries couplings and hose 240, for attachment to an area of inquiry in the vehicle. For instance, a fuel line, spark plug hole, or anywhere else in the vehicle of interest can receive the couplings and hose 240. A plurality of couplings 240 can be provided; for instance, a standard fuel setup with pressure bleed off, which can work with different fuel adaptors: Fuel injection; inline or direct port adaptors; or a Universal interchange connector. For compression, compression adaptors can be used, such as hose style, DOHC cam, or units available from Lang Tools with SKU numbers 73106, 73109, 73110 for example.

[0017] Because the unit 100 can be carried (magnetically by magnet 138 as shown in Fig. 4) inside the vehicle as shown in Fig. 6, the unit can transmit data to unit 242, 110 (e.g., a smart phone) while the vehicle is running and / or underway. In this manner, a dual readout 132 of the unit 100 is simultaneously displayed at unit 242, and can be logged or monitored. One advantage of the present invention is the ability to remotely read measurements from an interior of the vehicle engine compartment, and record measurements on an additional device, all while the vehicle is underway.

[0018] The pressure measurements taken by the at least one remote sensor 120 are as an exemple, taken in one second intervals; however, smaller or larger intervals are also possible. The pressure measurements taken by the at least one sensor 120 are provided on the display 132 of the device 130.

[0019] Synchronization of the remote sensor 120 to the interface 110 preferably occurs at the same rate the remote sensor 120 measures the pressures and substantially simultaneously.

[0020] Figures 5 and 6 show a remote sensor 120 used for measuring cylinder pressure, for example. A coupling system 240, such as a hose, couples the unit 130 with the portion of the vehicle to be analyzed, such as in Fig. 6. The sensor 120 is coupled, by way of coupling system 240, for example a spark plug hole 14 in a cylinder head 12 of an engine 10. The following example of the system 100 in use is described as it pertains to a method for measuring cylinder pressure. A fuel delivery system may be disengaged and the coil (not shown) is disconnected. Remove all spark plugs (not shown) from their respective spark plug hole 14 in the cylinder head 12 and couple the remote sensor 120 (via coupling system 240) with the spark plug hole 14. Sensors 120 are then synchronized with the smart phone 242. The engine 10 is turned over and the pressure transducer 120 measures the pressure formed within the engine cylinder (not shown) for at least a complete intake-compression-ignition-exhaust cycle, possibly more than one complete cycle. The pressure measurements are transmitted to the interface 242 wirelessly. It is contemplated that the cylinder pressure for the at least one intake-compression-ignition-exhaust cycle may be measured, transmitted, viewed on the display 132, and recorded for each cylinder. The measured pressure values for each cylinder are preferably saved for reference by an application on the smart phone 242.

[0021] Sensor 120 carried by unit 130 according to the present invention can be used for measuring fuel pressure for instance. The remote sensor 120 may be equipped to interface with a fuel system via a Schrader valve test port (not shown).

[0022] An additional remote sensor 120 can be used for measuring transmission oil pressure, for measuring engine oil pressure, compression, vacuum and the like.

Claims

1. A wireless testing system (100) for measuring target operational parameters of a motor vehicle whilst the motor vehicle is being driven, the wireless testing system comprising: a device (100, 130) comprising: a housing; a coupling (138) between said housing and said motor vehicle in the form of a magnet for retaining the device in the engine compartment; a sensor (120) carried by said housing; a communicative coupling (240) carried by said housing for coupling the housing with a portion of the vehicle to be analyzed to allow said sensor to measure a target operational parameter of said motor vehicle whilst the motor vehicle is being driven; a local user interface (110) carried by said housing and coupled to said sensor and comprising a readout (132); a control panel carried by said housing, said control panel operatively coupled with said sensor; and a remote user interface (242) wirelessly coupled to said sensor; wherein said sensor is configured to sense a signal from said motor vehicle comprising at least one of cylinder pressure, fuel pressure, transmission oil pressure, and engine oil pressure; and said remote user interface (242) is configured to receive said signal , wherein a dual readout (132) of the device (100) is simultaneously displayed at the remote user interface (242), and can be logged or monitored.

2. A wireless testing system according to claim 1, said remote user interface (242) comprising a mobile phone.

3. A wireless testing system according to claim 1, said local user interface (110) comprising a plurality of controls (136) comprising switches for varying at least one of settings, units, modes, and cylinders.

4. A method of measuring target operational parameters of a motor vehicle whilst the motor vehicle is in moving operation, wherein said method is performed using a wireless testing system as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 3.