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Method and apparatus for detecting abnormal combustion conditions in lean burn reciprocating engines

  • US 6,742,499 B2
  • Filed: 11/01/2002
  • Issued: 06/01/2004
  • Est. Priority Date: 11/01/2002
  • Status: Expired due to Term
First Claim
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1. A method for detecting an abnormal combustion condition in a spark ignited combustion chamber of a lean burn reciprocating engine, the abnormal combustion condition comprising one of a misfire and a knock, the method comprising the steps of:

  • detecting the variation of an ionization signal that changes with respect to an engine parameter over a combustion event of the lean burn reciprocating engine operating with an air to fuel ratio corresponding to a λ

    greater than 1.4;

    associating a floating bounded space with the ionization signal;

    determining if a portion of the ionization signal is within the floating bounded space; and

    providing an indication that the abnormal combustion condition has been detected if the portion of the ionization signal is within the floating bounded space.

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