Patent · US Expired

Ignition coil dwell time control system

US5913302A · kind A · utility

15Cited by
8References
10Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateSep 19, 1997
Grant dateJun 22, 1999
Priority date
Expiry dateSep 19, 2017

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
  • CPC primaryY02T10/12
  • WIPO fieldEngines, pumps, turbines
  • WIPO sectorMechanical engineering

Abstract

A two-stroke direct fuel injected internal combustion engine has an ignition coil dwell time control system. An electronic control unit controls switching of electronic ignition coil drivers in a manner to minimize ignition coil dwell times at medium and high engine speeds where low ignition coil dwell times can be used without sacrificing engine performance. The electronic control unit also implements an intermittent spark plug cleaning strategy to remove carbon deposits from fouled spark plugs. Intermittent cleaning is accomplished during engine operation by periodically raising the ignition coil dwell time to an exaggerated cleaning level for a relatively short period of time (e.g. one minute) after it is determined the spark plug cleaning should occur (e.g. 10 to 20 engine operating hours since previous cleaning).

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