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:
May. 06, 2003
Filed:
Nov. 02, 2001
Applicant:
Inventors:
David Karl Bidner, Livonia, MI (US);
Lynn Edward Davison, Saline, MI (US);
William Najib Mansur, Sterling Heights, MI (US);
Assignee:
Ford Global Technologies, LLC, Dearborn, MI (US);
Attorney:
Primary Examiner:
Assistant Examiner:
Int. Cl.
CPC ...
F02P 1/700 ; F02P 1/502 ;
U.S. Cl.
CPC ...
F02P 1/700 ; F02P 1/502 ;
Abstract
The present invention related generally to a method for determining spark plug malfunction and more particularly to a method for determining spark plug malfunction in an internal combustion engine in which at least two spark plugs are disposed in each cylinder. In a dual plug configuration, a spark plug malfunction is detected by disabling one of the spark plugs during a test period in a particular cylinder. A misfire provides an indication of malfunction of the other spark plug.