Combustion detection
AssigneeGeneral Motors Corporation
InventorDaniel F. Kabasin
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A combustion detection method and apparatus for an automotive internal combustion engine exhaust burner having a spark means with spaced electrodes for burner ignition, wherein the voltage drop across the spaced electrodes is compared to a predetermined voltage level, and combustion is assumed to be present if the voltage drop does not exceed the predetermined voltage level for a predetermined number of ignition events, and combustion is assumed to not be present if the voltage drop exceeds the predetermined voltage level for a predetermined number of ignition events.
Claims8
An apparatus for detecting the presence of flame in a burner for an automotive catalytic converter, the burner having spark means with spaced electrodes, a supply of air and fuel, and energizing voltage providing means for providing an energizing voltage across the spaced electrodes of the spark means at a level to induce a current between the spaced electrodes, comprising:
- estimating means for estimating the level of the energizing voltage provided across the spaced electrodes of the spark means;
- means for comparing the estimated level of the energizing voltage to a predetermined reference voltage;
- and
- flame detecting means for detecting flame in the burner when the estimated level of the energizing voltage does not exceed the predetermined reference voltage.
A method for detecting the presence of flame in a burner for an automotive catalytic converter, the burner having spark means with spaced electrodes, a supply of air and fuel, and energizing voltage providing means for providing an energizing voltage across the spaced electrodes of the spark means at a level to induce a current between the spaced electrodes, comprising the steps of:
- estimating the level of the energizing voltage provided across the spaced electrodes of the spark means;
- comparing the estimated level of the energizing voltage to a predetermined reference voltage;
- and
- detecting flame in the burner when the estimated level of the energizing voltage does not exceed the predetermined reference voltage.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.