Optically controlled IPCS circuitry

• US 6,772,733 B2
• Filed: 10/15/2002
• Issued: 08/10/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 10/19/2001
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Visteon Global Technologies Incorporated (Visteon Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Visteon Global Technologies Incorporated (Visteon Corporation)
• Inventors: Singh, Harvinder, Baker, Jay DeAvis, Kneisel, Lawrence Leroy, Shi, Zhong-You, McMillan, Richard Keith, Meyer, Bernard A., Steinert, David James
• Primary Examiner(s): MOHANTY, BIBHU R
• Application Number:
  US10/271,205
• Publication Number:
  US 20030089335A1
• Time in Patent Office: 665 Days
• Field of Search: 123/406.12, 123/477, 123/143.C, 123/470
• US Class Current: 123/406.12
• CPC Class Codes: F02B 75/22 with cylinders in V, fan, or star arrangement
• CPC Class Codes: F02B 77/085 with sensors measuring combustion processes, e.g. knocking, pressure, ionization, combustion flame
• CPC Class Codes: F02B 77/089 relating to engine temperature concerning coolant temperature F01P11/16
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 2400/18 Packaging of the electronic circuit in a casing
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 41/26 using computer, e.g. microprocessor
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 41/28 Interface circuits
• CPC Class Codes: F02M 51/005 Arrangement of electrical wires and connections, e.g. wire harness, sockets, plugs; Arrangement of electronic control circuits in or on fuel injection apparatus
• CPC Class Codes: F05C 2225/08 Thermoplastics
• CPC Class Codes: G01F 23/2925 using electrical detecting means
• CPC Class Codes: G01L 11/02 by optical means
• CPC Class Codes: G01L 23/16 by photoelectric means
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 2006/12104 Mirror; Reflectors or the like
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 2006/12109 Filter
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/12004 Combinations of two or more optical elements
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/12007 forming wavelength selective elements, e.g. multiplexer, demultiplexer
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/122 Basic optical elements, e.g. light-guiding paths
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/4298 coupling with non-coherent light sources and/or radiation detectors, e.g. lamps, incandescent bulbs, scintillation chambers
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/43 Arrangements comprising a plurality of opto-electronic elements and associated optical interconnections
• CPC Class Codes: G08C 2201/31 Voice input
• CPC Class Codes: G08C 2201/41 Remote control of gateways
• CPC Class Codes: G08C 23/02 : using infrasonic, sonic or ultrasonic waves

Abstract

An integrated control system comprising an integrated circuit that controls at least one component or subsystem of an engine and a first light source that generates a first light signal when triggered through the integrated circuit. The first light signal propagates from the first light source through an LCC that may also serve as a substrate, wherein the signal that actuates the component of the engine can be the first light signal or a signal generated after the first light signal is produced. The component or subsystem of the engine may be an ignition system or a fuel injection system. The present invention is also directed to a method of controlling a component or subsystem of an engine.

Claims

1. An integrated control system comprising:

an integrated circuit that controls at least one component of an engine;

a first light source that generates a first light signal when triggered through the integrated circuit; and

an LCC through which the first light signal propagates from the first light source;

wherein the first light source is operable to communicate simultaneously with a plurality of signal receivers through the LCC and wherein a signal that activates the component of the engine is selected from a group consisting of the first light signal and a signal generated after the first light signal is produced.

2. The integrated control system of claim 1, wherein the integrated circuit is an optoelectronic chip.

3. The integrated control system of claim 1 further comprising a molded cover that can serve as a signal medium.

4. The integrated control system of claim 1, wherein a light signal propagates through an LCC along an edge of a substrate.

5. The integrated control system of claim 1, wherein a light signal propagates at a location on a surface of an LCC where physical scratches or indentations are made to allow the light signal to exit and reach a signal receiver.

6. The integrated control system of claim 1, wherein a coded light signal is used for communication between at least one signal source and at least one signal receiver.

7. The integrated control system of claim 6, wherein the coded light signal comprises a light signal with a single wavelength.

8. The integrated control system of claim 1, wherein communication between a signal source and a plurality of signal receivers occurs through a shared LCC.

9. The integrated control system of claim 1, wherein communication among a plurality of signal sources and a plurality of signal receivers occurs through a shared LCC.

10. The integrated control system of claim 1, wherein a substrate also acts as a signal carrier.

11. The integrated control system of claim 1, wherein a signal source for an ignition system and a signal source for a fuel injection system transmit a signal through a shared LCC.

12. The integrated control system of claim 1, wherein a light signal propagates through an optical fiber molded in a substrate.

13. The integrated control system of claim 1, wherein a signal source is selected from a group consisting of an optoelectronic transmitter and an optoelectronic transceiver.

14. An integrated control system comprising:

an integrated circuit that controls an ignition system of an engine;

a first light source that generates a first light signal when triggered through the integrated circuit; and

an LCC through which the first light signal propagates from the first light source;

wherein the first light source is operable to communicate simultaneously with a plurality of signal receivers through the LCC and wherein a signal that activates the ignition system of the engine is selected from a group consisting of the first light signal and a signal generated after the first light signal is produced.

15. An integrated control system comprising:

an integrated circuit that controls a fuel injection system of an engine;

a first light source that generates a first light signal when triggered through the integrated circuit; and

an LCC through which the first light signal propagates from the first light source;

wherein the first light source is operable to communicate simultaneously with a plurality of signal receivers through the LCC and wherein a signal that activates the fuel injection system of the engine is selected from a group consisting of the first light signal and a signal generated after the first light signal is produced.

16. A method of controlling a combustion process in an engine comprising:

using an integrated circuit in an integrated control system to control a light source;

using the light source to generate a first light signal;

transmitting the first light signal through an LCC to communicate simultaneously with a plurality of signal receivers;

activating a component of a combustion system of the engine using a signal selected from a group consisting of the first light signal and a signal generated after the first light signal is produced.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein the component of the combustion system of the engine comprises an ignition system.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein the component of the combustion system of the engine comprises a fuel injection system.