Method and related system of using crankcase pressure to to detect pre-ignition in spark ignition engine

A method of mitigating the occurrence of a low-speed pre-ignition event in a spark ignition engine, the engine having a computerized engine management control system and a high speed high resolution pressure transducer coupled to the engine crankcase, the method comprising the steps of:

• the pressure transducer providing a plurality of crankcase pressure measurements to the engine management system;
• the engine management system analyzing the crankcase pressure measurements to determine if pressure fluctuations within the engine crankcase exist;
• and
• if pressure fluctuations within the crankcase exist, the engine management control system adjusting one or more engine control parameters in order to mitigate a low-speed pre-ignition event.

A system for mitigating a low-speed pre-ignition event in a spark ignition engine comprising:

• a high speed high resolution pressure transducer coupled to the crankcase of said spark ignition engine;
• a engine management control module comprising hardware and software for adjusting various control parameters that affect the performance of the spark ignition engine;
• a signal pathway coupling the pressure transducer to the control module;
• and
• a first set of software coded instructions for analyzing pressure measurements received from the pressure transducer via the signal pathway and for determining if pressure fluctuations within the engine crankcase exist and if pressure fluctuations within the crankcase exist, for adjusting one or more engine control parameters in order to mitigate a low-speed pre-ignition event.