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:
Apr. 10, 2001
Filed:
May. 21, 1999
James Alva Boyer, Anderson, IN (US);
Norman H. Bracken, Anderson, IN (US);
Raymond O. Butler, Jr., Anderson, IN (US);
Delphi Technologies, Inc., Troy, MI (US);
Abstract
A system and method of providing multicharge ignition are provided. The method and system preferably are adapted to trigger at least some of the multicharge events of the system and method in a current-dependent manner. Preferably, existing power train control units (PTCUs) can be used with the system and method, without the need for signals other than the timing signal (e.g., EST pulse) from the PTCU. The method comprises the steps of charging an inductive energy storage device by flowing electrical current through a primary side of the inductive energy storage device until a predetermined amount of energy is stored therein, discharging a portion of the predetermined amount of energy through a secondary side of the inductive energy storage device by opening a path of the electrical current through the primary side upon achieving the predetermined amount of energy in the inductive energy storage device, and repetitively closing and reopening the path to recharge and partially discharge, respectively, the inductive energy storage device, wherein reopening of the path is triggered based on the amount of energy stored in the inductive energy storage device. The multicharge ignition system comprises an inductive energy storage device and electronic ignition circuitry. The inductive energy storage device has primary and secondary sides inductively coupled to one another. The electronic ignition circuitry is connected to the primary side and is adapted to implement the aforementioned method.