Thermocouple data acquisition system

Abstract

An internal combustion engine analysis system is provided, the system having: a spark plug having a thermocouple sensor coupled thereto, the thermocouple sensor being configured to generate a first signal according to a combustion temperature proximate to the spark plug; a current sensor configured to monitor electrical current provided to the spark plug and generate a second signal based upon current the monitored electrical current; one or more signal conditioners configured to generate a first and a second optical signals based upon the first and second signal respectively; a receiver electrically connected to the one or more signal conditioners, the receiver being configured to generate a first and a second digital signal based upon the first and second optical signals respectively; and an analysis device in signal communication with the receiver, the analysis device configured to receive the first and second digital signal and being configured to generate a visual display of the combustion temperature as it relates to an engine speed of the engine at a first time in response to the receipt of the first and second digital signal.

1 . An internal combustion engine analysis system, comprising:
 a spark plug having a thermocouple sensor coupled thereto, the thermocouple sensor being configured to generate a first signal according to a combustion temperature proximate to the spark plug;   a current sensor configured to monitor electrical current provided to the spark plug and generate a second signal based upon current the monitored electrical current;   one or more signal conditioners configured to generate a first and a second optical signals based upon the first and second signal respectively;   a receiver electrically connected to the one or more signal conditioners, the receiver being configured to generate a first and a second digital signal based upon the first and second optical signals respectively; and   an analysis device in signal communication with the receiver, the analysis device configured to receive the first and second digital signal and being configured to generate a visual display of the combustion temperature as it relates to an engine speed of the engine at a first time in response to the receipt of the first and second digital signal.   
     
     
         2 . The system as in  claim 1 , wherein the one or signal conditioners are each in signal communication with the receiver through a fiber optic cable. 
     
     
         3 . The system as in  claim 1 , wherein the receiver is further configured to generate a first and second analog signal based upon the first and second optical signal respectively. 
     
     
         4 . The system as in  claim 3 , wherein the receiver includes a first connector and a second connector, the first and second digital signals are transmitted to the analysis device through the first connector and the first and second analog signals are transmitted to an analog device through the second connector. 
     
     
         5 . The system as in  claim 1 , wherein the receiver is further configured to correct the combustion temperature of the first digital signal with a predetermined correction factor that is based upon an expected combustion temperature, the analysis device is configured to display the corrected combustion temperature as it relates with the engine speed at the first time through the visual display.