Process and apparatus for recognizing ignition failures in an internal-combustion engine having two spark plugs per cylinder

An apparatus for recognizing ignition failures in an internal-combustion engine;

• comprising:
• a first sensor operatively coupled to a first spark plug for measuring a first ionic signal of the first spark plug;
• a second sensor operatively coupled to a second park plug for measuring a second ionic signal of the second spark plug;
• a first integrator operatively coupled to the first sensor for integrating the first ionic signal;
• a second integrator operatively coupled to the second sensor for integrating the second ionic signal;
• and
• a comparator operatively coupled to the first integrator and the second integrator;
• wherein the comparator compares the first integrated ionic signal with the second integrated ionic signal and outputs a signal representing an ignition failure in one of the first and second spark plugs based on said comparison.

An apparatus for recognizing ignition failures in an internal-combustion engine;

• comprising:
• a first sensor operatively coupled to a first spark plug for measuring a first ionic signal of the first spark plug;
• a second sensor operatively coupled to a second park plug for measuring a second ionic signal of the second spark plug;
• a first integrator operatively coupled to the first sensor for integrating the first ionic signal;
• a second integrator operatively coupled to the second sensor for integrating the second ionic signal;
• a comparator operatively coupled to the first integrator and the second integrator;
• and
• a memory operatively coupled to the comparator for storing predetermined values characteristic of said first and second spark plugs;
• wherein the comparator compares at least one of the first integrated ionic signal and the second integrated ionic signal with the predetermined values and outputs a signal representing an ignition failure in one of the first and second spark plugs based on said comparison.