Ford Global Technolgoies, LLC

Ben Allen Strayer

Daniel Lawrence Meyer

Chris Paul Glugla

Michael Damian Czekala

Donald James Lewis

Michael John Cullen

Garlan J Huberts

Garth Michael Meyer

Frank Gonzales, Jr

Michael Smokovitz

Michelle M Hutchison

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.

Ignition energy management with ion current feedback to correct spark plug fouling

A system and method for operating a multiple cylinder internal combustion engine having at least two spark plugs per cylinder include selectively isolating all but one spark plug associated with the cylinder at least during an ionization current sensing period to reduce or eliminate interference among ionization current signals flowing through more than one spark plug.

Internal combustion engine with multiple spark plugs per cylinder and ion current sensing

A method to deliver fuel during a start for an internal combustion engine is described. The method provides individual cylinder fuel control based on the number of fueled cylinder events. The method offers improved engine emissions while maintaining engine run-up performance.

Cylinder event based fuel control

Growing community of inventors

Belleville, MI, United States of America

Ben Allen Strayer