Control apparatus for an internal combustion engine
US9797363B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Nov 26, 2014 |
| Grant date | Oct 24, 2017 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Nov 11, 2035 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC F)Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
- CPC primaryF02P17/00
- WIPO fieldEngines, pumps, turbines
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A control apparatus, which is for an internal combustion engine with a spark plug having a center electrode and a ground electrode disposed so as to form a spark discharge gap therebetween, includes a voltage applying section for applying a voltage to the spark discharge gap, a constant-voltage path including a constant-voltage element parallel-connected to the spark discharge gap of the spark plug for preventing the spark discharge gap from being applied with a voltage higher than a set voltage, and an operation control circuit for controlling an operating condition of the internal combustion engine. The operation control circuit is configured to measure a current-flowing time during which a current flows through the constant-voltage path when a voltage higher than the set voltage is applied to the constant-voltage path, and change the operating condition of the internal combustion engine in accordance with the measured current-flowing time.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.