초록

A closed loop electronic system and method is disclosed for controlling the spark timing and knock condition in each cylinder separately of a spark ignition, multicylinder internal combustion engine.

대표청구항 ▼

A closed loop electronic system for separately controlling the knock condition in an individual cylinder of a spark ignition multicylinder internal combustion engine automatically and continuously during normal engine operation, comprising: means for detecting during an engine cycle engine vibration

A closed loop electronic system for separately controlling the knock condition in an individual cylinder of a spark ignition multicylinder internal combustion engine automatically and continuously during normal engine operation, comprising: means for detecting during an engine cycle engine vibrations resulting from engine knock and from normal engine operation and for producing a composite signal which is proportional to the intensity of a portion of said detected engine vibrations having frequencies which include at least one frequency of said knock vibrations, said composite signal having an engine knock component and a normal engine operation component; means for generating a background signal which corresponds to said normal engine operation component of said composite signal; means for measuring the difference between said composite signal and its corresponding said background signal to obtain said knock component of said composite signal and for generating a knock signal in direct relation to said knock component of said composite signal; means for generating a reference knock signal of a predetermined level and separate and apart from said background signal; means for measuring the difference between said knock signal and said reference knock signal; means for identifying the cylinder in which spark ignition last occurred before said vibrations were detected; and means for adjusting, if said knock signal is different from said reference knock signal, the spark ignition timing in said identified cylinder during at least one engine cycle following said cycle, the adjustment being such as to reduce the difference between said knock signal and said reference knock signal; each such means performing its function automatically and continuously during normal engine operation.