Patent · US Active

Method for operating an ignition device for an internal combustion engine

US9709016B2 · kind B2 · utility

0Cited by

7References

4Claims

0Family size

Assignee

CONTINENTAL AUTOMOTIVE GMBH · DE

Inventors

Achim Reuther · Donaustauf, DE
Harald Schmauss · Donaustauf, DE
Sven-Michael Eisen · Regensburg, DE
Martin Goetzenberger · Ingolstadt, DE

Key dates

Filing date	Dec 17, 2012
Grant date	Jul 18, 2017
Priority date	—
Expiry date	Sep 16, 2033

Classification

Technology area (CPC F)Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
CPC primaryF02P2017/121
WIPO fieldEngines, pumps, turbines
WIPO sectorMechanical engineering

Abstract

An ignition device for an internal combustion engine has an ignition coil disposed as a transformer, a spark plug connected to the secondary winding of the ignition coil, an actuatable switching element connected in series with the primary winding of the ignition coil, and a control unit connected to the primary winding and to the control input of the switching element. After charging the ignition coil, building up an ignition spark through non-conductive switching of the switching element, and after renewed conductive switching of the switching element for operating the ignition coil in transformer operation, the supply voltage of the control unit is detected and if a pre-determined value, representing the presence of a surface gap, is exceeded, the switching element is once more switched non-conductive.

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