James Melvin Slicker

Knock and misfire detection system

The invention relates to a system for detection of combustion anomalies in an internal combustion engine, and includes a crank angle indicator, a vibration sensor, and a signal processor, wherein the signal processor receives signals from the indicator and the sensor, performs a wavelet transform analysis of the signals from the sensor to develop a vibration frequency signature on a time scale, compares the vibration frequency signature to a predetermined value to determine the existence of anomalies in the combustion process, and compares the time scale of the vibration frequency signature to the signal from the indicator to determine which of a plurality of cylinders of the internal combustion engine is exhibiting the combustion anomaly.

Advanced Ac powertrain for electric vehicles

The design of an ac propulsion system for an electric vehicle includes a three-phase induction motor, transistorized PWM inverter/battery charger, microprocessor-based controller, and two-speed automatic transaxle. This system was built and installed in a Mercury Lynx test bed vehicle as part of a Department of Energy propulsion system development program. An integral part of the inverter is a 4-kw battery charger which utilizes one of the bridge transistors. The overall inverter strategy for this configuration is discussed. The function of the microprocessor-based controller is described. Typical test results of the total vehicle and each of its major components are given, including system efficiencies and test track performance results.