Patent · US Expired

Apparatus for controlling an internal combustion engine

US5115778A · kind A · utility

23Cited by
5References
14Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventor

Key dates

Filing dateFeb 5, 1991
Grant dateMay 26, 1992
Priority date
Expiry dateFeb 5, 2011

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
  • CPC primaryY02T10/40
  • WIPO fieldMeasurement
  • WIPO sectorInstruments

Abstract

An apparatus for controlling an internal combustion engine comprises a transducer which detects acoustic emissions generated by the operation of the engine, and produces an output signal. The output signal is amplified, rectified and enveloped to produce an electrical signal. The electrical signal has its direct current component removed to leave the alternating current component of the electrical signal. The AC component of the electrical signal is rectified by a rectifier and the mean level of the AC component of the electrical signal is measured by a measurer. An analyzer monitors the mean level of the AC component of the electrical signal and sends a feedback signal to an ignition timing device of the internal combustion engine. The analyzer sends feedback signals such that the mean value of the AC component of the electrical signal lies in the region of a positive peak prior to the occurrence of preignition.

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