Method and device for detection of ignition failures in an internal combustion engine cylinder
AssigneeSiemens Automotive Corporation
InventorsAlain A. Atanasyan, Serge C. Guipaud
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A second spark is triggered, after a first ignition spark. The initiation overvoltage of the second spark is detected. The overvoltage and the occurrence or the non-occurrence of a failure of ignition of the air/fuel mixture prior to the second spark is deduced, according to whether the overvoltage is greater or less than a predetermined threshold voltage. Application to the protection of a chamber containing an oxidation, reduction catalyst for the exhaust gases of the engine.
Claims12
A method of detecting an ignition failure in an internal combustion engine cylinder into which an air/fuel mixture is introduced and a spark is electrically generated for igniting the air/fuel mixture, which comprises:
- triggering a first spark in a cylinder for igniting an air/fuel mixture in the cylinder;
- subsequently triggering a second spark in the cylinder during a combustion stroke initiated with the first spark;
- measuring a breakdown overvoltage of the second spark;
- comparing the measured breakdown overvoltage to a predetermined threshold voltage and determining whether the measured breakdown overvoltage is greater or less than the predetermined threshold voltage;
- and
- deducing, from a result obtained in the comparing step, whether or not an ignition failure has occurred prior to the second spark.
The method according to claim 11, which comprises determining the threshold voltage as a function of at least one of a rotational speed of the internal combustion engine and a load on the internal combustion engine.
An apparatus for detecting an ignition failure in an internal combustion engine cylinder into which an air/fuel mixture is introduced and a spark is electrically generated for igniting the air/fuel mixture in the cylinder, comprising:
- a) means for triggering a second spark in an ignition spark plug in a cylinder of an internal combustion engine during a combustion stroke directly following a first spark for igniting an air/fuel mixture in the cylinder;
- b) means for detecting an amplitude of a breakdown overvoltage of the second spark;
- and
- c) means for comparing the breakdown overvoltage with a predetermined threshold voltage.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.