Integrated spark plug ignition coil with pressure sensor for an internal combustion engine

A spark plug shell in combination with a pressure sensor for sensing pressure in a cylinder of an internal combustion engine, said spark plug shell comprising:

• a magnetostrictive portion formed on said spark plug shell and adapted to be connected to a spark plug hole of said cylinder of said internal combustion engine, said magnetostrictive portion having a substantially cylindrical portion extending from said plug hole of said internal combustion engine when connected thereto;
• said pressure sensor comprising;
• a sensing winding wrapped about said substantially cylindrical portion of said magnetostrictive portion;
• and
• a substantially annular biasing magnet disposed about said substantially cylindrical portion of said magnetostrictive portion adjacent said sensing winding;
• wherein, said biasing magnet is radially polarized to induce an initial flux through said sensing winding, and said sensing winding produces a signal voltage in response to flux changes induced by pressure changes within said cylinder.

An integrated spark plug coil and pressure sensor assembly for providing a spark to a cylinder of an internal combustion engine and measuring pressure characteristics within said cylinder, said assembly comprising:

• an outer housing formed as a longitudinally extending round tube;
• a control circuit interface portion connected to a first end of said outer housing;
• at least one coil disposed within said round tube, said at least one coil adapted to be connected to a voltage source through said interface to selectively energize said at least one coil;
• a spark plug shell connected to a second end of said outer housing and having a magnetostrictive portion disposed within said round tube, said spark plug shell being electrically connected to said at least one coil, said spark plug shell adapted to provide a spark when said at least one coil is energized;
• a pressure sensor assembly disposed within said round tube adjacent said magnetostrictive portion of said spark plug shell, said pressure sensor adapted to sense pressure changes in said cylinder, wherein,
• said round tube, said control circuit interface portion, said at least one coil, said spark plug shell and said pressure assembly are formed as an integrated assembly.