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A method and apparatus for determining the balanced condition of an engine having a balancer is provided. An engine balancer tester includes a sensor coupled to the engine. The engine generates first- and second-order vibrations that have vibration levels and the sensor generates a signal correspond

A method and apparatus for determining the balanced condition of an engine having a balancer is provided. An engine balancer tester includes a sensor coupled to the engine. The engine generates first- and second-order vibrations that have vibration levels and the sensor generates a signal corresponding to the vibrations. A meter coupled to the sensor receives the signal and calculates a ratio between the vibration level of the first-order vibrations and the vibration level of the second-order vibrations. A comparator compares the ratio to a predetermined value to assess the balanced condition of the engine.

대표청구항 ▼

1. A balancer tester for an internal combustion engine equipped with a balancer and having a rotating crankshaft, the balancer tester comprising: a sensor coupled to the engine, wherein the engine generates first-order vibrations having a frequency substantially equal to the rotational frequency

1. A balancer tester for an internal combustion engine equipped with a balancer and having a rotating crankshaft, the balancer tester comprising: a sensor coupled to the engine, wherein the engine generates first-order vibrations having a frequency substantially equal to the rotational frequency of the crankshaft, and second-order vibrations, the first- and second-order vibrations having vibration levels, and wherein the sensor generates a signal corresponding to the vibrations; a meter coupled to the sensor for receiving the signal, the meter calculating a ratio between the vibration level of the first-order vibrations and the vibration level of the second-order vibrations; and a comparator that compares the ratio to a predetermined value to assess whether the engine is properly balanced. 2. The tester of claim 1, wherein the engine is mounted in a motorcycle. 3. The tester of claim 1, wherein the engine is mounted on a test stand. 4. The tester of claim 1, wherein the engine is properly balanced if the ratio is less than the predetermined value. 5. The tester of claim 1, wherein the engine is not properly balanced if the ratio is greater than the predetermined value. 6. The tester of claim 1, wherein the predetermined value is between about 0.4 and about 0.5. 7. A method for determining whether an internal combustion engine equipped with a balancer and having a rotating crankshaft is properly balanced, the method comprising the acts of: coupling a sensor to the engine such that the sensor generates a signal corresponding with vibration of the engine; operating the engine to rotate the crankshaft at a rotational frequency; generating engine vibrations in response to rotation of the crankshaft, the engine vibrations having vibration frequencies and vibration levels; receiving and interpreting the signal; determining the vibration level of first-order engine vibrations having a vibration frequency substantially equal to the rotational frequency; determining the vibration level of second-order engine vibrations; calculating a ratio between the vibration level of the first-order vibrations and the vibration level of the second-order vibrations; and comparing the ratio to a predetermined value to assess whether the engine is properly balanced. 8. The method of claim 7, further comprising mounting the engine in a motorcycle. 9. The method of claim 7, further comprising mounting the engine on a test stand. 10. The method of claim 7, wherein the comparing act indicates that the engine is properly balanced if the ratio is less than the predetermined value. 11. The method of claim 7, wherein the comparing act indicates that the engine is not properly balanced if the ratio is greater than the predetermined value. 12. The method of claim 7, wherein the receiving act uses two 1/1-octave band filters to receive the vibration levels. 13. The method of claim 7, wherein the predetermined value is between about 0.4 and about 0.5.