Ignition system with multiplexed combustion signals
AssigneeDelphi Technologies, Inc.
InventorRaymond O. Butler, Jr.
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A plurality of ignition coils having a combustion detection capability, such as an ion sense capability or cylinder pressure detection capability, are connected to a common communication line. The combustion signals for the plurality of ignition coils is multiplexed on the common communication line. The combustion signal for each ignition coil/cylinder is applied to the common line combined with a respective sync signal such as a current flag signal or a respective electronic spark timing (EST) signal. The sync signals allow each ignition coil to determine when it can transmit its combustion signal.
Claims12
A method of operating a plurality of ignition coils in a multi-cylinder internal combustion engine comprising the steps of:
- (A) initiating combustion in a first cylinder using a first one of the ignition coils;
- (B) generating on a common communication line combined with a first sync signal a first combustion signal indicative of combustion in the first cylinder;
- (C) initiating combustion in a second cylinder using a second one of the ignition coils;
- (D) generating on said common communication line a second combustion signal associated with said second cylinder combined with a second sync signal to thereby multiplex said first and second combustion signals on said common communication line.
A method of operating a plurality of ignition coils in a multi-cylinder internal combustion engine comprising the steps of:
- (A) initiating combustion in a first cylinder using a first one of the ignition coils;
- (B) generating a first current flag signal when a primary current through the first one of the ignition coils meets predetermined criteria;
- (C) producing a first sync signal in accordance with said first current flag signal;
- (D) generating, on a common communication line, a first combustion signal indicative of combustion in the first cylinder combined with the first sync signal;
- (E) initiating combustion in a second cylinder using a second one of the ignition coils;
- (F) generating a second current flag signal when a primary current through the second one of the ignition coils meets predetermined criteria;
- (G) producing a second sync signal in accordance with said second current flag signal;
- (H) generating, on said communication line, a second combustion signal associated with said second cylinder combined with a second sync signal to thereby multiplex said first and second combustions signals on said common communication line;
- and
- (I) processing the first and second combustion signals in sequence.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.