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An engine ignition and control system for an internal combustion engine. The system includes an ignition transformer mounted to a spark plug and adapted to rapidly re-fire the spark plug during a combustion cycle enabling the performance of various engine diagnostic procedures. A controller provides

An engine ignition and control system for an internal combustion engine. The system includes an ignition transformer mounted to a spark plug and adapted to rapidly re-fire the spark plug during a combustion cycle enabling the performance of various engine diagnostic procedures. A controller provides a signal to an ignition circuit which causes the transformer to charge for ignition and subsequently charge for performing diagnostics. The system also includes a diagnostic circuit, connected to the transformer, which can detect the occurrence of an electrical discharge across the spark plug electrodes as a result of one of the diagnostic charges. The detections circuit either outputs a signal to the controller or omits the signal to the controller. This allows the controller to diagnose conditions within the combustion cylinder.

대표청구항 ▼

A method for detecting auto-ignition in a combustion cylinder of a spark ignition internal combustion engine, said method comprising the charging an ignition transformer to an ignition charge of a predetermined ignition voltage, said ignition transformer including a primary having a high side connec

A method for detecting auto-ignition in a combustion cylinder of a spark ignition internal combustion engine, said method comprising the charging an ignition transformer to an ignition charge of a predetermined ignition voltage, said ignition transformer including a primary having a high side connected to a switching element; initiating an ignition discharge between electrodes of a spark plug positioned within said combustion cylinder, said ignition discharge occurring at a predetermined ignition timing being a number of degrees of engine rotation before piston top-dead-center; charging said ignition transformer to produce a series of diagnostic charges each having a predetermined diagnostic voltage, said predetermined diagnostic voltage being less than said predetermined ignition voltage; applying said series of said diagnostic charges to said electrodes of said spark plug during a period of the combustion cycle where pressure and temperature fluctuations resulting from auto-ignition are most likely to occur, said predetermined diagnostic voltage being of a magnitude enabling said diagnostic charges to discharge when corresponding to said temperature and pressure fluctuations within the combustion cylinder, said magnitude of said predetermined diagnostic voltage preventing said diagnostic charges from discharging when not corresponding to said temperature and pressure fluctuations within the combustion cylinder; and monitoring said high side of said primary in said ignition transformer to detect an indicia of auto-ignition occurring within the combustion cylinder thereby utilizing the spark plug as a feedback element in performing an engine diagnostic procedure.