System and method for generating a knock determination window for an ion current sensing system
AssigneeDelphi Technologies, Inc.
InventorsRaymond O. Butler, Jr., Ronald J. Kiess, Daniel J. O'Connor, Max W Ellis
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Abstract
An ignition apparatus including a primary and a secondary winding for producing a spark voltage, an ion current detection circuit for producing an ion current signal, a slope detector and a knock detector. The slope detector determines when the ion current signal exhibits a slope indicative of a time period when knock is likely to occur, and de-asserts a knock reset signal. The knock reset signal holds the knock detector in reset, thus disallowing or masking the processing of signals by the knock detector that may be mistaken for knock.
Claims13
A method for detecting knock in a cylinder of an internal combustion engine comprising the step of determining knock when an ion current exhibits a predetermined slope indicative of a time period for knock to occur.
An apparatus for detecting knock in a cylinder of an internal combustion engine comprising:
- an ion current detection circuit for producing an ion current signal indicative of a level of combustion in the cylinder;
- a knock detector for generating a knock signal indicative of knock in the cylinder based on said ion current signal;
- and
- a slope detector configured to enable said knock detector when said ion current signal exhibits a predetermined slope indicative of a time period for knock to occur.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.