MAGNETO IGNITION SYSTEM AND IGNITION CONTROL SYSTEM

• US 20200132035A1
• Filed: 06/21/2018
• Published: 04/30/2020
• Est. Priority Date: 06/21/2017
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Walbro LLC
• Original Assignee: Walbro LLC
• Inventors: Dolane, Justin T., Roche, Bradley J.
• Granted Patent: US 10,995,723 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• CPC Class Codes: F02P 1/086 for generating sparks by discharging a capacitor into a coil circuit
• CPC Class Codes: F02P 5/1502 using one central computing unit

Abstract

In at least some implementations, an ignition system for a combustion engine includes a controller, an ignition circuit, and a wire providing two-way communication between the ignition circuit and the controller. The ignition circuit may include a charge capacitor that is discharged to cause an ignition event. The ignition circuit may be an inductive discharge ignition circuit including a coil and may then also include a second wire that provides electrical power to the coil.

Claims

1. An ignition system for a combustion engine, comprising:

a controller;

an ignition circuit; and

a wire providing two-way communication between the ignition circuit and the controller.

2. The ignition system of claim 1 wherein the ignition circuit includes a charge capacitor that is discharged to cause an ignition event.

3. The ignition system of claim 1 wherein the ignition circuit is an inductive discharge ignition circuit including a coil and which includes a second wire that provides electrical power to the coil.

4. The ignition system of claim 1 wherein one or more than one of the following is communicated via the wire that provides two-way communication:

a signal indicative of a temperature;

a signal indicative of the position of an engine component and a signal to cause an ignition event.

5. The ignition system of claim 1 wherein a signal indicative of the position of an engine component is provided from the ignition circuit to the controller via the wire that provides two-way communication and a signal to cause an ignition event is provided from the controller to the ignition circuit via the wire that provides two-way communication.

6. The ignition system of claim 5 wherein a signal indicative of a temperature is also provided from the ignition circuit to the controller via the wire that provides two-way communication.

7. The ignition system of claim 4 wherein an analog voltage on the wire that provides two-way communication is indicative of a temperature.

8. The ignition system of claim 4 wherein the voltage on the wire is pulled either up or down to a reference voltage when the engine component reaches a certain position during a revolution of the engine.

9. The ignition system of claim 4 wherein the voltage on the wire is pulled either up or down to a reference voltage by the controller to cause an ignition event.

10. The ignition system of claim 8 wherein the voltage on the wire is pulled to ground when the engine component reaches a certain position during a revolution of the engine.

11. The ignition system of claim 8 wherein the voltage on the wire is pulled up to a reference voltage by the controller to send a signal to a controller that causes an ignition event.

12. An ignition system for a combustion engine having a movable engine component, comprising:

a controller;

an ignition circuit; and

a wire coupled to both the controller and the ignition circuit and providing at least two of a signal indicative of a position of an engine component, a signal indicative of engine temperature, and a signal to cause an ignition event.

13. The system of claim 12 wherein the voltage on the wire is pulled one of up or down to a reference voltage when the engine component reaches a certain position, and wherein the voltage on the wire is pulled the other of up or down to a reference voltage by the controller to cause an ignition event.

14. The system of claim 13 wherein the voltage on the wire is pulled to ground when the engine component reaches a certain position, and the voltage on the wire is pulled up to cause an ignition event.

15. The system of claim 12 wherein a signal indicative of a temperature is also provided from the ignition circuit to the controller via the wire.

16. The ignition system of claim 15 wherein an analog voltage on the wire is indicative of a temperature.

17. An ignition system for a combustion engine having a movable engine component, comprising:

a controller;

an ignition circuit including an ignition coil; and

multiple wires coupled to both the controller and the ignition coil, wherein the wires transmit to or from the ignition coil a signal indicative of engine temperature as a function of ignition coil temperature, a signal indicative of the position of an engine component, and a signal to cause an ignition event.

18. The system of claim 17 wherein three wires are provided and each wire is used to provide a separate one of the three signals.

19. The system of claim 17 wherein two wires are provided and one wire is used to provide two of the three signals and the other wire is used to provide the third or the three signals.

20. The system of claim 17 wherein the voltage on one of the multiple wires is pulled one of up or down to a reference voltage when the engine component reaches a certain position, and wherein the voltage on one of the multiple wires is pulled the other of up or down to a reference voltage by the controller to cause an ignition event.