Visteon Global Technolgoies, Inc.

Michigan State University

Kevin David Moran

Guoming Zhu

Michael T Nation

Garlan J Huberts

Bruce Wang

Kenneth L Gould

David Lee Porter

Chao Fu Daniels

Harold J Schock

Edward J Timm

Trevor Ruckle

Constantine Panagos

Guoming G Zhu

A control circuit is provided for a field-effect transistor with a floating source node. The control circuit includes: a charge storage device electrically connected between a gate of the field-effect transistor and a DC power supply; a gate control circuit electrically connected between the charge storage device and the gate of the field-effect transistor; and a charge control circuit electrically connected between the DC power supply and the charge storage device. The gate control circuit is configured to receive a gate control signal and operates to turn on the field-effect transistor during on time of the gate control signal and turn off the field-effect transistor during off time of the gate control signal. The charge control circuit is also configured to receive the gate control signal and operates to charge the charge storage device with power from the DC power supply during off time of the gate control signal.

Control circuit for transistor with floating source node

A thermoelectric device () and a method for manufacturing and using the same are disclosed. The thermoelectric device () includes a hot shoe () and a cold shoe () disposed about the hot shoe. A heat conducting member () formed of a thermoelectric material extends between the hot shoe () and the cold shoe () and generates electricity in response to a temperature difference therebetween. The hot shoe () is heated and expands at a greater rate than the cold shoe () does during operation. The structural and spatial relationship of the hot shoe () and the cold shoe () maintains the thermoelectric material of the heat conducting member () in compression during operation of the thermoelectric device ().

Thermoelectric device and methods for manufacture and use

An ionization detector that reduces the filtering effects of the ignition coil inductances by shorting an inductance of a primary winding of the ignition coil. The ionization detector includes a bias voltage source and an inductance control switch. The bias voltage source supplies electric voltage across an electric gap of a spark plug for detecting ionization within the combustion chamber. The inductance control switch is electrically parallel with a primary winding of an ignition coil and is operable to short an inductance of the primary winding.

Ionization detector with ignition coil inductance shorting

A device to control the charging rate of an ignition coil for an internal combustion spark ignition engine. The device controls the turn-on rate of the primary coil by slew-rate limiting using switching devices and a Miller-effect capacitor in order to reduce secondary oscillation magnitudes originated by a sharp transition of the controlling switch.

Ignition coil driver device with slew-rate limited dwell turn-on

A robust multi-criteria minimum timing for the best torque (MBT) timing estimation method and apparatus utilizes different ionization signal waveforms that are generated under different engine operating conditions. The MBT timing criteria is calculated based upon both ionization and analog derivative ionization. Multiple MBT timing criteria are determined and combined to increase the reliability and robustness of MBT timing estimation based upon spark plug ionization signal waveforms. In a preferred embodiment, a combination of the MBT timing estimation criteria comprises a maximum flame acceleration location, a 50% burn location, and a second peak location.

Method and system of estimating MBT timing using in-cylinder ionization signal

In a first embodiment, the present invention is a method of detecting an open secondary winding, including the steps of enabling an integrator, resetting the integrator, detecting an ionization current, integrating the ionization current over a spark window, comparing the integrated ionization current with a threshold, and setting an open secondary flag if the integrated ionization current is below the threshold. In another preferred embodiment, the invention is a method of detecting an open secondary winding by measuring spark duration including the steps of comparing an ionization signal with a first threshold, measuring the spark duration when the ionization signal is greater than the first threshold, comparing said spark duration with a second threshold, and setting an open secondary flag.

Methods of diagnosing open-secondary winding of an ignition coil using the ionization current signal

This feature of the present invention comprises a method, apparatus, and system for detecting and conditioning an ionization current signal. In one embodiment of the invention, an analog signal conditioning circuit detects and processes the ionization signal. The analog signal conditioning circuit uses a signal isolator having an input and an output, an amplifier having a first and a second input, and a first and a second output, wherein the first input operably connected to the signal isolator output, a peak detector having a first and a second input, and an output, wherein the first input is operably connected to the first output of the amplifier, and an integrator having a first and a second input, and an output, wherein the first input is operably connected to the second output of the amplifier.

Low cost circuit for IC engine diagnostics using ionization current signal

Two embodiments of an integrated ionization detection circuit and ignition coil driver, an ASIC and a single electronic package, are disclosed. The apparatuses reduce the cost and complexity of an in-cylinder ionization detection system by combining like functionality into one ASIC or electronic module easing packaging constraints. In both embodiments, a current sink is used. The current sink removes noise in the form of voltage splices. The voltage spikes are high voltage, but of short duration. The current sink prevents these spikes from turning on the IGBT. However, the current sink allows the IGBT command signal to pass. This device also comprises a switch whereby ionization current and coil primary current are multiplexed.

Device for reducing the part count and package size of an in-cylinder ionization detection system by integrating the ionization detection circuit and ignition coil driver into a single package

The present invention is directed to a dual charge rate power supply circuit and method for ionization detection. The circuit includes a first diode, first and second capacitors, and first and second current paths. The first diode includes an anode operably connected to a first end of a primary winding. The first capacitor has a second end operably connected to ground and the second capacitor has a first end operably connected to the cathode of the first diode as well as a second end operably connected to ground. The first and second current paths are operably connected between the first and second capacitors and include a second diode, a parallel combination of a first resistor and a third diode, and a second resistor. The first diode is operably connected in parallel with the first capacitor. The second resistor has a first end operably connected to the cathode of the first diode and the parallel combination is operably connected between a second end of the second resistor and the first end of the first capacitor.

Device to provide a regulated power supply for in-cylinder ionization detection by using the ignition coil fly back energy and two-stage regulation

In a first preferred embodiment, the present feature of the invention multiplexes both the ionization and driver current feedback signals into one signal, thus reducing cost and making coil packaging easier. The multiplexed signal first outputs the ionization detection signal and then replaces the ionization signal with the charge current feedback signal when the charge command Vis enabled. In other words, the multiplexed feedback signal outputs the ionization feedback signal and switches to the charge current feedback signal when the charge command Vis active. In a second preferred embodiment, the present feature of the invention comprises a method and apparatus to multiplex the ignition driver gate signal with both the ignition coil charge current feedback signal and the ionization signal, thus reducing the package pin count by two.

Method for reducing pin count of an integrated coil with driver and ionization detection circuit by multiplexing ionization and coil charge current feedback signals

A charge pump is used to supply current to the ionization detection circuit. To detect in-cylinder ions generated during the combustion process, a DC bias voltage needs to be applied. There are two ways to generate the DC bias: conventional DC power supply (large electronics) and capacitor charges by primary or secondary flyback voltage (high voltage capacitor). Typically, flyback voltage is used to charge the capacitor which supplies current to the ionization detection circuit. This necessitates the use of high voltage capacitors. Generally, ceramic capacitors are used. However, as temperature fluctuates, the board that the capacitor is mounted on can flex, causing the ceramic capacitor to crack. This invention proposes to use a high voltage charge pump to provide enough DC bias voltage for measuring ionization current. In a preferred embodiment, a model number M1C4827 EL driver is used in the charge pump circuit. The charge pump circuit will convert the 12 Volt DC at the B+ terminal to a 90 to 100 volt pulse train with a pulse repetition frequency of 500 kHz at the charge pump output.

Device to provide a regulated power supply for in-cylinder ionization detection by using a charge pump

Internal combustion engine (ICE) on-plug ignition coils with transistor drivers located in powertrain control modules (PCM) or other remote locations are prone to high electrical and magnetic interference (EMI) emissions and are subject to interference from other components due to long connecting wires. Ionization detection circuits have even greater sensitivity to EMI because of their very low signal current levels (mioroampere). The present feature of the invention integrates both the coil driver transistor and ionization detection circuits into the on-plug ignition coil. By placing the circuit on top or on the side of the coil, the connection distance from the circuit to the secondary winding is minimized. Thus, the circuit is less susceptible to electrical and electromagnetic noise.

Ignition coil with integrated coil driver and ionization detection circuitry

A method of controlling a fuel injector valve solenoid includes generating a set-point signal which models a desired current profile flowing through the valve solenoid, providing a current controller which is adapted to regulate the current flowing through the valve solenoid, and regulating the current flowing through the valve solenoid such that the current flowing through the valve solenoid closely matches the set point signal. Regulating the current includes measuring the current flowing through the valve solenoid, comparing the current flowing through the valve solenoid to the current profile of the set-point signal, and adjusting the current flowing through the valve solenoid to more closely match the current profile of the set-point signal.

Method for controlling fuel injector valve solenoid current

A method of controlling the fuel pressure within a fuel delivery system having a fuel pump that delivers fuel to a fuel rail of an internal combustion engine includes providing a set-point fuel pressure, generating a feed forward signal having a set of fuel pump motor control parameters based upon the set-point fuel pressure and the desired fuel flow rate, providing a pressure sensor to measure the fuel rail pressure, comparing the fuel rail pressure to the set-point fuel pressure and generating an error value based upon the difference between the fuel rail pressure and the set-point fuel pressure, providing a feed back controller adapted to receive the error value and to generate a feed back control signal, combining the feedback control signal and the feed forward control signal to generate a motor controller signal.

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Trenton, MI, United States of America

Kevin David Moran