System for detecting engine ignition failures in an internal combustion engine
First Claim
1. Apparatus for detecting ignition failures in an internal combustion engine having a plurality of cylinders for internal combustion, exhaust valves for each of said cylinders and an exhaust manifold having a collecting tube and connections thereof to each of said exhaust valves, said apparatus comprising:
- a pressure gradient sensor means (10), exposed to pressure prevailing inside said exhaust manifold and to pressure gradients passing downstream of said exhaust valves, for sensing pressure shock waves generated by opening of said exhaust valves without regard to slower fluctuations of pressure in said manifold; and
an evaluation stage (12) electrically connected to said pressure gradient sensor means and having means for detecting and reporting a pressure wave deficiency relating to the opening of any of said exhaust valves.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A microphone serving as a pressure gradient sensor is connected by a pressure transmission tube to the collecting duct of the exhaust manifold of an internal combustion engine for detecting the pressure shock waves released by the opening of the exhaust valves of the engine when combustion occurs in the respective cylinders. An evaluation circuit connected to the sensor detects when such a pressure wave is missing, indicating a failure of ignition in the cylinder and reports the cylinder in which such failure occurs. The system has the advantage that failure of the fuel to ignite is detected and when there is a normal spark. The counter in the evaluation system identifies the cylinder when a failure has occured. The sensor can be disconnected under control of the crankshaft or the camshaft from the evaluation circuit except during brief intervals beginning just before an exhaust valve opens, in order to improve reliability.
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Citations
18 Claims
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1. Apparatus for detecting ignition failures in an internal combustion engine having a plurality of cylinders for internal combustion, exhaust valves for each of said cylinders and an exhaust manifold having a collecting tube and connections thereof to each of said exhaust valves, said apparatus comprising:
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a pressure gradient sensor means (10), exposed to pressure prevailing inside said exhaust manifold and to pressure gradients passing downstream of said exhaust valves, for sensing pressure shock waves generated by opening of said exhaust valves without regard to slower fluctuations of pressure in said manifold; and an evaluation stage (12) electrically connected to said pressure gradient sensor means and having means for detecting and reporting a pressure wave deficiency relating to the opening of any of said exhaust valves. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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8. Apparatus for detecting ignition failures in an internal combustion engine having a cylinder containing a combustion chamber, an exhaust valve and an exhaust piping system connected to said exhaust valve, said apparatus comprising:
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pressure gradient sensor means (10) located downstream of said exhaust valve, in a manner exposed to pressure gradients of pressure waves passing from said exhaust valve and downstream therefrom in said exhaust piping system, for sensing pressure shock waves generated by opening of said exhaust valve, and an evaluation stage (12) electrically connected to said pressure gradient sensor means and having means for detecting and reporting pressure wave deficiency relating to the opening of said exhaust valve. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10)
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16. Apparatus for detecting ignition failures in an internal combustion engine having a cylinder containing a combustion chamber, an exhaust valve and an exhaust piping system connected to said exhaust valve, said apparatus comprising:
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a acoustic wave sensor, constructed as a microphone (10), located downstream of said exhaust valve in a manner exposed to pressure gradients of acoustic waves passing from said exhaust valve and downstream therefrom in said exhaust piping system, for sensing pressure shock waves generated by opening of said exhaust valve, and an evaluation stage (12) electrically connected to said acoustic wave sensor and having means for detecting and reporting an acoustic wave deficiency relating to the opening of said exhaust valve. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18)
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Specification