Engine ready signal using peak engine cylinder pressure detection
First Claim
1. A method of determining whether an internal combustion engine is on, comprising:
- calibrating a controller with a threshold ion current/breakdown value;
measuring peak engine cylinder pressure by measuring an ion current/breakdown voltage across a spark plug of the engine, and sending an ion current/breakdown signal to the controller; and
comparing the ion current/breakdown signal to the threshold ion current/breakdown value by the controller to determine if engine combustion is occurring.
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Accused Products
Abstract
The present invention provides a method and system for determining “engine on” status in a Hybrid Electric Vehicle. A controller determines that the engine is necessary and then checks the current “engine on” status. If the engine is not currently running, the controller proceeds to start the engine by commanding the generator to spin or “motor” the engine. The controller then starts fuel and spark within the engine to create combustion. Measuring devices are then used to determine the ion current/breakdown voltage across a spark gap in the engine. The controller receives this measurement and determines whether the measured ion current/breakdown voltage exceeds a calibratable threshold. If the calibratable threshold is exceeded, combustion is occurring and the engine is on. The controller then turns on the “engine on” status flag.
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Citations
13 Claims
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1. A method of determining whether an internal combustion engine is on, comprising:
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calibrating a controller with a threshold ion current/breakdown value;
measuring peak engine cylinder pressure by measuring an ion current/breakdown voltage across a spark plug of the engine, and sending an ion current/breakdown signal to the controller; and
comparing the ion current/breakdown signal to the threshold ion current/breakdown value by the controller to determine if engine combustion is occurring. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4)
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5. A system for determining whether a vehicle'"'"'s internal combustion engine is on in a hybrid electric vehicle having a generator, comprising:
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a controller for managing operation of the engine and the generator;
a measuring device for determining whether cylinder pressure has reached a peak level; and
wherein the controller determines if the engine needs to be turned on based upon the determination by the measuring device as to whether the cylinder pressure has reached the peak level. - View Dependent Claims (6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A system for determining whether a vehicle'"'"'s internal combustion engine is on in a hybrid electric vehicle having a generator, comprising:
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a controller for managing operation of the engine and the generator; and
a measuring device for determining whether cylinder pressure has reached a peak level by measuring ion current/breakdown voltage from the measuring device and comparing the measured ion current/breakdown voltage to a calibrated threshold to determine if engine combustion is occurring.
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13. A method of determining in a hybrid electric vehicle having an internal combustion engine and a generator whether the internal combustion engine is operational, comprising:
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calibrating a controller with a threshold value;
measuring peak engine cylinder pressure by measuring a voltage across a spark plug of the engine, and sending a signal representative of the voltage to the controller; and
comparing the signal to the threshold value by the controller to determine if engine combustion is occurring.
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Specification