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US 7,740,009 B2Granted
Spark control for improved engine operation
AssigneeFord Global Technologies, LLC
InventorsMichael Shelby, Thomas G. Leone
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A system for controlling spark of an engine is disclosed. In one embodiment, a number of sparks produced by a spark plug is varied. The system may improve engine operation, at least during some conditions.
Claims6
A system for an engine of a vehicle, comprising:
- a combustion chamber located in the engine;
- a delivery system configured to deliver a fuel and a substance to at least the combustion chamber, said substance including at least an alcohol;
- a spark plug configured to ignite at least one of the fuel and the substance within the combustion chamber;
- and
- a control system for varying at least a resulting ratio of an amount of the fuel and an amount of the substance delivered to the combustion chamber responsive to a first condition, said control system further configured to vary a number of sparks performed by the spark plug during a cycle of the combustion chamber responsive to a second condition.
2 more elements
A system for an engine of a vehicle, comprising:
- a combustion chamber;
- a delivery system configured to deliver at least gasoline and ethanol to the combustion chamber;
- a spark plug configured to ignite at least one of the gasoline and the ethanol within the combustion chamber;
- and
- a control system configured to:
- during a first condition, control the spark plug and the delivery system to deliver a first amount of the gasoline and a first amount of the ethanol to the combustion chamber, and perform a first number of sparks during a cycle of the combustion chamber;
- and
- during a second condition, control the spark plug and the delivery system to deliver a second amount of the gasoline and a second amount of the ethanol to the combustion chamber and perform a second number of sparks during a cycle of the combustion chamber.
5 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.