Portable mass airflow training module
An apparatus and methods are provided for a portable mass airflow (MAF) training module configured to simulate an air intake into an internal combustion engine. An in-line blower draws an airflow through an air filter by way of a first air duct and a second air duct. A throttle assembly is coupled between the first air duct and the second air duct. The throttle assembly includes a throttle plate that may be rotated to regulate the airflow. The power output of the in-line blower is variable to simulate the air intake of various sizes of the internal combustion engine. A MAF sensor and a duct velocity sensor are configured to provide airflow information. The portable MAF training module enables a practitioner to select a desired throttle setting and observe a resultant mass airflow through the portable MAF training module that is measured by the MAF sensor.
1. A MAF control appliance for simulating an engine control module of a motor vehicle, comprising:
a throttle control for positioning a throttle control valve comprising a throttle assembly;
a sensor logic for interpreting data received from a MAF sensor;
one or more hardware processors for processing signals received from the throttle control and the sensor logic;
a user interface logic for displaying received signals on an electronic device by way of a communication link; and
a memory.
2. The MAF control appliance of claim 1 , wherein the sensor logic comprises one or more modules and logic for receiving electronic signals from the MAF sensor.
3. The MAF control appliance of claim 2 , wherein the sensor logic is configured for interpreting the electronic signals in terms of physical quantities.
4. The MAF control appliance of claim 3 , wherein the physical quantities comprise any one or more of mass airflow, throttle position, air velocity, differential air pressure, and filter air velocity.
5. The MAF control appliance of claim 1 , wherein the throttle control includes any one more of a frequency generator, a duty cycle modulator, a throttle controller, a position feedback, and a PID controller.
6. The MAF control appliance of claim 5 , wherein the PID controller is configured for generating an input signal to the duty cycle modulator based on a difference between an actual throttle position and a desired throttle position.
7. The MAF control appliance of claim 6 , wherein the throttle control is configured for supplying electric power to a motor for moving a throttle control valve to the desired throttle position.
8. A throttle control for positioning a throttle control valve comprising a throttle assembly, comprising: a frequency generator; a duty cycle modulator; a throttle controller; a position feedback; and a PID controller.
9. The throttle control of claim 8 , wherein the PID controller indicates a difference between an actual throttle position and a desired throttle position to the duty cycle modulator.
10. The throttle control of claim 9 , wherein the throttle control causes a motor to move the throttle control valve to the desired throttle position.
11. The throttle control of claim 10 , wherein the throttle control includes a drive circuit that generates a PWM drive signal to operate the motor.
12. The throttle control of claim 11 , wherein the drive circuit comprises a transistor and a relay.
13. The throttle control of claim 12 , wherein the duty cycle modulator includes one or more processors for regulating an electric current directed to the motor.
14. The throttle control of claim 8 , wherein the throttle assembly comprises: a throttle valve; a plenum chamber; a throttle housing; and a throttle position sensor.
15. The throttle control of claim 14 , wherein the throttle position sensor configured to monitor the actual position of the throttle valve.
16. The throttle control of claim 15 , wherein the throttle position sensor is coupled with a butterfly spindle/shaft comprising the throttle valve.
17. The throttle control of claim 16 , wherein a closed-throttle position sensor is included to indicate that the throttle valve is completely closed.
18. An apparatus for simulating an air intake of an internal combustion engine, comprising:
a filter-housing for receiving an airflow;
an in-line blower for drawing the airflow through an air filter;
a throttle valve for regulating the airflow;
a differential pressure sensor coupled with the filter-housing; and
an air velocity sensor coupled with the filter-housing.
19. The apparatus of claim 18 , wherein the differential pressure sensor is configured to measure a difference between ambient air pressure and an air pressure within the filter-housing.
20. The apparatus of claim 18 , wherein the air velocity sensor is configured to measure a speed of the airflow through the air filter.