Internal-combustion engines – Charge forming device – Auxiliary air or oxygen added to combustible mixture
Reexamination Certificate
1999-09-24
2001-05-22
Kamen, Noah P. (Department: 3747)
Internal-combustion engines
Charge forming device
Auxiliary air or oxygen added to combustible mixture
Reexamination Certificate
active
06234155
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to an adjustable trigger switch for use in conjunction with an accessory for an internal combustion engine, and in particular to an adjustable trigger switch for triggering nitrous oxide flow or other accelerator or other engine related variable output triggered accessory for an internal combustion engine.
BACKGROUND
Some accessories for internal combustion engines, especially such accessories as nitrous oxide injection systems and other engine performance enhancing devices, typically require triggering or operation of these systems only at certain engine speeds or fuel feed conditions, such as at full throttle. It is known in the art to provide triggering via mechanical attachments, such as mechanical attachment of a switch or other activation device to a throttle lever or accelerator pedal.
Many modern cars also provide for control of various engine and other functions using computer and electronic systems and devices. These systems typically include various sensing or output connections for providing such output as variable voltages or currents corresponding to driven functions.
One problem with using such outputs as the throttle position sensor (TPS) for an internal combustion engined vehicle or other sensed voltage locations for vehicles is that such locations are typically sensitive to current loading. For example, the TPS has an output voltage that reflects the voltage of the system used to control vehicle engine operation, which occurs through relatively sensitive electronic and computer control components. As a result, placing a high load, such as a low resistance resistor or other component, between the TPS and ground may cause a high current draw from this voltage source, potentially affecting computer or other circuit operation by reducing effective current or voltage available to those components. In addition, depending on the particular computer or circuit layout for the engine, it is possible that the high current may be drawn through the computer or circuit for the engine, potentially producing a failure of those components.
Further, by altering the current or voltage level available to the computer or other circuit for the engine, other engine components or engine performance may be significantly altered, producing such unwanted results as overrevving of the engine or producing an engine speed much below the expected speed for a given output voltage, potentially resulting in engine damage or failure.
Another problem with using such output as the sensed TPS voltage for triggering, for example, a nitrous oxide system is that variation exists between car models in the output voltage at the TPS for full throttle. Typically, in an application such as a trigger for a nitrous oxide kit, nitrous oxide must be fed via a switch mechanism only at full throttle conditions. However, some cars have full throttle at a high voltage condition, while others have full throttle at a low voltage. For example, in some cars, throttle position sensor voltage varies from a low of about 0 volts at idle to about 5 volts at full throttle, while other cars have an idle voltage of 5 volts with a full throttle voltage of 0 volts. Further, the range of voltage levels is variable. The high voltage may be 4 volts, 5 volts, 6 volts, or 10 volts, for example.
Accordingly, there is a need for a simple, reliable, and relatively current insensitive device, method, and system for allowing simple installation and trigger setting for an engine performance accessory item, such as a nitrous oxide injection system. There is a further need for a device, method, and system that allows flexible setting for both high and low voltage full throttle conditions and for a range of voltages or other electrical output at full throttle or at other selected engine conditions. There is a further need for such a device, method, and system that requires little current or power draw from the sensed source for the trigger. There is yet a further need for a device, method, and system that is easily installed and adjusted by a single user.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is an advantage of the present invention to meet these needs, and others, by providing an adjustable trigger switch that is usable in conjunction with a range of engine system outputs and requires a low current or power draw.
It is a further advantage of the present invention to provide an adjustable trigger switch that utilizes a voltage or other electrical output comparison device. It is another advantage of the present invention to provide an adjustable trigger switch that incorporates an operational amplifier. It is another advantage of the present invention to provide an adjustable trigger switch that incorporates at least one logic gate. It is yet another advantage of the present invention to provide an adjustable trigger switch that incorporates a series of transistors. It is a further advantage of the present invention to provide an adjustable trigger switch that incorporates a Schmitt trigger.
It is a further advantage of the present invention to provide an adjustable trigger switch that is adjustable to both high and low voltage conditions and to a range of voltages.
It is yet a further advantage of the present invention to provide an adjustable trigger device that is easily installed and adjusted by the user.
The present invention includes a low current or power draw adjustable trigger switch and method and system for using the adjustable trigger switch in conjunction with a triggered accessory for an internal combustion engine, such as an accelerator output triggered feed from a source of compressed oxygen enhancer, such as nitrous oxide. The adjustable trigger switch of the present invention is not intended to be limited to the nitrous oxide injection application disclosed, but is usable with other devices or systems for use with internal combustion engines that are capable of utilizing variably set trigger points, nor is it intended to be limited to use of an accelerator output as the variable trigger reference.
The adjustable trigger switch, in operation in conjunction with the triggered accessory, allows selective activation of the accessory to, for example, improve engine performance. In an embodiment of the present invention, the triggering occurs via an engine electrical output, such as a TPS. The trigger, which includes, for example, an operational amplifier circuit, logic gates, or a series of transistors (e.g., a Schmitt trigger) operated in conjunction with a user variable setting, such as a potentiometer, and an indicator for proper setting, such as a light emitting diode (LED), allows variable tailoring of the trigger to the sensed output at a selected output setting without incurring significant power or current draw from the sensed output. Another aspect of an embodiment of the present invention is use of a low power or current draw switch, such as a metal-oxide-semiconductor field-effect transistor (MOSFET) that further allows triggered accessory operation at high current draw without producing high current through the sensing circuit.
One embodiment of the present invention is particularly designed for use in conjunction with the nitrous oxide fuel injection kit that is the subject of applicant's copending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/096,342 titled “SYSTEM, METHOD AND DEVICE FOR NITROUS OXIDE INJECTION” filed Jun. 12, 1998, and continuation thereof, U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/325,840 filed Jun. 4, 1999, both of which are hereby incorporated by reference. The present invention is not intended to be limited to use with the nitrous oxide fuel injector kit of applicant's prior application.
To achieve the stated and other advantages of the present invention, as embodied and described below, the invention includes an adjustable trigger switch for use with a switch activated accessory for an internal combustion engine, the engine having a variable electrical output, wherein the variable electrical output includes a set point output, the adjustable trigger switch comp
Brothers Paul
Godbold William
Patrick Matthew R.
Chesser, Esq. Wilburn L.
Competition Cams, Inc.
Kamen Noah P.
Piper Marbury Rudnick & Wolfe LLP
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