Patent · US Expired

Method for controlling ignition energy in an internal combustion engine

US4303977A · kind A · utility

16Cited by
12References
5Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateOct 12, 1979
Grant dateDec 1, 1981
Priority date
Expiry dateOct 12, 1999

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC F)Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
  • CPC primaryF02P3/0554
  • WIPO fieldEngines, pumps, turbines
  • WIPO sectorMechanical engineering

Abstract

A time period during which current is conducted through a primary winding of an ignition coil of an internal combustion engine is calculated in response to signals corresponding to an actual rotational speed of the engine and the magnitude of a power supply voltage which is applied to the primary winding, respectively. A time for initiating the primary winding current is controlled in accordance with the calculated time period. Such current is conducted for a maximum period of time, which is determined in response to the magnitude of the power supply voltage, so as to avoid excessive heat build-up in the ignition coil. The rotational speed of the engine is determined by counting clock signals during time intervals which correspond to predetermined angular segments of rotation.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.