Patent application number | Description | Published |
20100057324 | Ignition Energy Management With Ion Current Feedback To Correct Spark Plug Fouling - A system and method for operating an engine having ionization signal sensing include detecting plug fouling and controlling the engine using progressively more aggressive control strategies if the fouling condition persists. A first control strategy may be used when the number of engine starts or running time are below corresponding thresholds and a second strategy otherwise. The first strategy may employ progressively more aggressive control procedures to eliminate spark plug deposits that may include repetitive sparking, exhaust cycle sparking, increasing engine loading, advancing spark timing, increasing air/fuel ratio, and increasing idle speed, for example. The second strategy may include similar corrective actions employed in a different order and/or to a lesser degree in an attempt to eliminate plug fouling without any noticeable change in engine operation or performance as perceived by the vehicle operator. The control strategies may be applied to individual cylinders, cylinder banks, or all cylinders. | 03-04-2010 |
20100206267 | Combustion Control Using Ion Sense Feedback And Multi-Strike Spark To Manage High Dilution And Lean AFR - A system and method for operating a multiple cylinder internal combustion engine having at least one actuator for controlling charge dilution of at least one cylinder and at least one spark plug per cylinder include attempting to improve combustion quality by modifying ignition energy of the at least one spark plug before modifying charge dilution of the cylinder, and modifying both ignition energy and charge dilution substantially simultaneously to establish combustion if an ionization sense signal associated with the cylinder indicates a misfire. | 08-19-2010 |
20110041803 | Ignition Coil With Ionization And Digital Feedback For An Internal Combustion Engine - Systems and methods for controlling an internal combustion engine include an ignition coil that generates a pre-discharge ionization signal during charging of the ignition coil after reaching a first threshold charge level and prior to spark discharge and a controller that determines an engine operating condition, such as pre-ignition or plug fouling, in response to the pre-discharge ionization signal. The ignition coil may also generate digital feedback and ionization signals used to by the controller for to control ignition coil dwell and repetitive sparking, as well as providing various combustion diagnostics. | 02-24-2011 |
20110144881 | ENGINE CONTROL USING SPARK RESTRIKE/MULTI-STRIKE - Systems and methods for controlling an internal combustion engine include determining presence of charge dilution and selecting a spark restrike mode to provide multiple spark events during a single combustion cycle. Charge dilution may be determined based on commanded air/fuel ratio and exhaust gas recirculation, for example. Multiple spark events may be controlled using time-based restrike or current-based restrike in response to one or more operating parameters or conditions. | 06-16-2011 |
20120150415 | Ion Sense and Control for Ignition Energy Management - A system and method for operating an engine having ionization signal sensing include detecting plug fouling and controlling the engine using progressively more aggressive control strategies if the fouling condition persists. A first control strategy may be used when the number of engine starts or running time are below corresponding thresholds and a second strategy otherwise. The first strategy may employ progressively more aggressive control procedures to eliminate spark plug deposits that may include repetitive sparking, exhaust cycle sparking, increasing engine loading, advancing spark timing, increasing air/fuel ratio, and increasing idle speed, for example. The second strategy may include similar corrective actions employed in a different order and/or to a lesser degree in an attempt to eliminate plug fouling without any noticeable change in engine operation or performance as perceived by the vehicle operator. The control strategies may be applied to individual cylinders, cylinder banks, or all cylinders. | 06-14-2012 |
20130206106 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR MONITORING AN IGNITION SYSTEM - A system for monitoring and cleaning a spark plug is disclosed. In one example, an amount of carbonaceous soot at the center electrode ceramic of the spark plug is determined in response to a voltage of a sense resistor that is in electrical communication with the spark plug. The system may institute spark plug cleaning after carbonaceous soot is detected so that the possibility of engine misfire may be reduced. | 08-15-2013 |
20130284148 | IGNITION COIL WITH IONIZATION AND DIGITAL FEEDBACK FOR AN INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINE - Systems and methods for controlling an internal combustion engine include an ignition coil that generates a pre-discharge ionization signal during charging of the ignition coil after reaching a first threshold charge level and prior to spark discharge and a controller that determines an engine operating condition, such as pre-ignition or plug fouling, in response to the pre-discharge ionization signal. The ignition coil may also generate digital feedback and ionization signals used to by the controller to control ignition coil dwell and repetitive sparking, as well as providing various combustion diagnostics. | 10-31-2013 |
20140000552 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR PRE-IGNITION CONTROL | 01-02-2014 |
20140000557 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR PRE-IGNITION CONTROL | 01-02-2014 |
20140075976 | CHARGE AIR COOLER CONDENSATION CONTROL - Embodiments for controlling condensate in a charge air cooler are provided. One example method for an engine comprises cooling intake air through a charge air cooler and adjusting a vibration device of the charge air cooler based on charge air cooler condensation conditions. | 03-20-2014 |
20140102412 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR DELIVERING SPARK TO AN ENGINE - A system and method for delivering spark to an engine is disclosed. In one example, a single conductor carries a spark signal that is indicative of a desired spark advance for a plurality of ignition coils. The system and method may reduce wiring complexity for spark plugs that are supplied energy via two ignition coils. | 04-17-2014 |
20140109871 | ENGINE CONTROL SYSTEM AND METHOD - Methods and systems are provided for purging condensate from a charge air cooler to an engine intake while reducing misfire events related to the water ingestion. During the purging, a spark timing is adjusted based on the amount of condensate purged per cycle. The spark timing is adjusted differently when the condensate is purged during a tip-in versus a pro-active clean-out routine. | 04-24-2014 |
20140120820 | CONDENSATION CONTROL IN A CHARGE AIR COOLER BY CONTROLLING CHARGE AIR COOLER TEMPERATURE - Methods and systems are provided for reducing corrosion of a charge air cooler and reducing engine misfire due to condensate formation. In response to charge air cooler outlet temperature, electric fan operation and grille shutter opening is adjusted. Electric fan operation and grille shutter opening may also be controlled in response to vehicle operating conditions. | 05-01-2014 |
20140343827 | VARIABLE DISPLACEMENT ENGINE CONTROL SYSTEM AND METHOD - Methods and systems are provided for adjusting an ignition energy provided to an engine cylinder upon reactivation from a VDE mode of operation. Ignition energy is increased by increasing an ignition coil dwell time and/or an ignition coil strike frequency. The increased ignition energy improves combustion stability during the transition out of the VDE mode of operation. | 11-20-2014 |
20140360476 | DUAL COIL IGNITION SYSTEM - A dual coil ignition system is provided. The dual coil ignition system includes a first inductive ignition coil including a first primary winding and a first secondary winding, and a second inductive ignition coil including a second primary winding and a second secondary winding, the second secondary winding connected in series to the first secondary winding. The dual coil ignition system further includes a diode network including a first diode and a second diode connected between the first secondary winding and the second secondary winding. | 12-11-2014 |