Engine Knock Detection System and Method

• US 20080271519A1
• Filed: 05/02/2007
• Published: 11/06/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 05/02/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: FCA US LLC (Stellantis NV)
• Original Assignee: Chrysler Group LLC (Stellantis NV)
• Inventors: Lyon, Kim M.
• Granted Patent: US 7,571,635 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 73/35.01
• CPC Class Codes: G01L 23/221 for detecting or indicating knocks in internal combustion engines

Abstract

An engine knock detection system for a vehicle engine includes a controller receiving an input indicative of strain applied to an engine component and an output for providing a signal indicative of engine knock. A sensor may be associated with the engine that measures operating parameters of the engine (i.e., strain, for example) to allow the controller to detect and identify engine knock. The sensor may include a Surface-Acoustic Wave (SAW) sensor, such as, for example, a double-SAW sensor that concurrently detects engine torque.

Claims

1. A method comprising:

mounting a sensor on an engine drive plate;

generating a signal indicative of a micro-strain imparted on said engine drive plate; and

determining an engine-knock condition based on said generated signal.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising generating an engine torque based on said generated signal.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein said determining said engine-knock condition includes identifying an engine-knock signature on an engine-torque waveform.