Noncontact Techniques for Diesel Engine Diagnostics Using Exhaust Waveform Analyses

RCA Corporation's continuing efforts to develop noncontact test techniques for diesel engines have led to recent advancements in deep engine diagnostics. The U.S. Army Tank-Automotive Command (TACOM) has been working with RCA for the development of new noncontact sensors and test techniques which use these sensors in conjunction with their family of Simplified Test Equipment (STE) to perform vehicle diagnostics. The STE systems are microprocessor-based maintenance tools that assist the Army mechanic in diagnosing malfunctions in both tactical and combat vehicles. The test systems support the mechanic by providing the sophisticated signal processing capabilities necessary for a wide range of diagnostic testing including exhaust waveform analysis. This paper discusses the diagnostic significance of the exhaust gas waveforms and then shows how they can be used to identify and quantify a particular fault and isolate that fault to the cylinder(s) involved.