Apparatus for determining the ignition characteristic of an internal combustion engine
US5510715A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Feb 2, 1993 |
| Grant date | Apr 23, 1996 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Feb 2, 2013 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC F)Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
- CPC primaryF02P2017/128
- WIPO fieldEngines, pumps, turbines
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
An apparatus for determining the ignition characteristic of combustion in an internal combustion engine having an ignition coil including an ionic current computing circuit which analyzes ionic current enabled as a result of combustion. Ionic current flow is facilitated by establishing a voltage potential across the gap of a spark plug the instant after an ignition spark across the gap has occurred. The flow of ionic current enabled by the combustion process is provided to an ionic current computing circuit effecting the creation of a signal reflecting the flow of ionic current. The output signal from the computing circuit is integrated to determine the quality (length and magnitude of ionic current flow. This quality of flow is compared against predetermined high and low values for the integrated value and the ignition characteristic or state of combustion, ie, whether a spark and/or complete combustion has occurred, of the cylinder can be understood.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.