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:
Mar. 21, 2006
Filed:
Aug. 26, 2003
Jerral A. Long, Kokomo, IN (US);
Scott B. Kesler, Kokomo, IN (US);
Raymond O. Butler, Jr., Anderson, IN (US);
Jerral A. Long, Kokomo, IN (US);
Scott B. Kesler, Kokomo, IN (US);
Raymond O. Butler, Jr., Anderson, IN (US);
Delphi Technologies, Inc., Troy, MI (US);
Abstract
An ignition control circuit () is responsive to a control signal (ESTC) to apply a drive signal (GD) to a power switching device () to conduct ignition coil current (I) therethrough. A resistor (R) included within the circuit () receives, and dissipates heat generated by, the coil current (I). The circuit () includes a first transistor (Q) positioned adjacent to the resistor (R) such that an operating temperature thereof is near that of the resistor (R), and a second transistor (Q) positioned remote from the resistor (R) and having an operating temperature defining a reference temperature. The first and second transistors (Q, Q) are configured to produce an output voltage (V) proportional to a difference in operating temperatures thereof, and a latch circuit (L) disables the control signal (ESTC) to thereby turn off the power switching device () when the output voltage (V) difference exceeds a reference voltage (V).