The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Jun. 21, 1994
Filed:
Apr. 05, 1993
Arnold W Brandt, Livonia, MI (US);
Daniel V Orzel, Westland, MI (US);
Jeffrey Koncsol, Westland, MI (US);
Ford Motor Company, Dearborn, MI (US);
Abstract
Provided is a method and circuit for detecting cylinder misfire in an internal combustion engine having an ignition system including an ignition device, an ignition coil having a primary and a secondary winding, and a pair of spark plugs having respective gaps. As disclosed, the circuit is operative to separate spark current and ionization current to improve detection of cylinder misfire. The circuit includes power supply means for supplying voltage to the circuit to generate ion current across the spark plug gaps and voltage limiting means for isolating said power supply means from said ignition coil. There is also included negative voltage clamping means in electrical contact with the ignition coil secondary winding for clamping selected negative voltages generated during ignition.