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Ion current detection apparatus for an internal combustion engine

  • US 6,075,366 A
  • Filed: 05/01/1998
  • Issued: 06/13/2000
  • Est. Priority Date: 11/26/1997
  • Status: Expired due to Fees
First Claim
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1. An ion current detection apparatus for detecting an ion current occurring during combustion in an internal combustion engine, wherein said internal combustion engine comprises an ignition coil for generating a high voltage charge on a secondary coil thereof by means of a voltage applied to a primary coil thereof, and a spark plug for igniting fuel inside an engine cylinder as a result of the high voltage generated in the ignition coil, said ion current detection apparatus comprising:

  • a voltage limiting device isolated from said secondary coil and adapted to limit an amount of a counterelectromotive force of said primary coil applied to a switching element used for controlling a current supply to the primary coil;

    a capacitor for applying an ion current detection voltage to the spark plug via the secondary coil;

    an ion current detection means for detecting an ion current based on a voltage applied from said capacitor to the spark plug; and

    a connecting means for connecting said capacitor to the voltage limiting device;

    wherein the voltage limiting device is used for capacitor voltage limiting.

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