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:
Oct. 18, 2016
Filed:
Dec. 05, 2013
Stmicroelectronics S.r.l., Agrate Brianza (MB), IT;
GiovanniLuca Torrisi, Aci Catena / Catania, IT;
CalogeroAndrea Trecarichi, Aci Catena (CT), IT;
STMICROELECTRONICS S.R.L., Agrate Brianza (MB), IT;
Abstract
A control apparatus of an engine ignition spark plug includes a switch having a control terminal and an output terminal connected to an external transformer. The switch assumes a closed state for supplying energy to the transformer, and an open state for the transformer to supply energy to the spark plug. A measuring module measures a time duration where, in the open state, a voltage at the output terminal of the switch decreases from a first value to a second value. A detecting module detects an operating condition of the spark plug based on comparing the measured time duration to a time threshold, and to generate a detecting signal based on the comparing.