US4711227A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Apparatus and method for electronic ignition control
Assignee: Motorola Solutions Inc
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Filing: 1986-08-15
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Granted: 1987-12-08
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Expires: 2006-08-15
Abstract
Abstract Disclosed is an ignition signal control apparatus and method for a distributorless ignition system of the type having a sensing circuit which generates at least one reference signal which may be used to periodically indicate when ignition spark plugs should be fired, and at least one identifier signal determinative of the engine's crank angle position to identify the spark plug firing sequence. One aspect of the invention includes detecting that a transition in the identifier signal has not occurred, and generating a replacement signal independent of the crank angle position, to select one or more of the spark plugs to fire.
Inventors
- 👤 Edward Li
- 👤 Leonard Foss
- 👤 David Cousins
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-06 03:13
CPC Classifications
F; F02; F02P; F02P7/00; F02P7/02; F02P7/03; F02P7/035; F02P15/00; F02P15/008; F02P15/08; F02P5/00; F02P5/04; F02P5/145; F02P5/155; F02P5/1551; Y; Y02; Y02T; Y02T10/00; Y02T10/10; Y02T10/40
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 38
Claim 1
Independent Claim
103 words
In an ignition system employing a crankshaft and spark plugs, wherein at least one identifier signal is generated which is indicative of a crankshaft angle position and which may be used to identify a spark plug firing sequence, a method for selecting ones of the spark plugs to fire, comprising the steps of: (a) determining whether or not a transition in the identifier signal has occurred; (b) generating, in response to the absence of the identifier signal, a replacement signal independent of the crankshaft angle position; and (c) selecting at least one of the spark plugs to fire from said generating replacement signal.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
103 words
In an ignition system employing a crankshaft and spark plugs, wherein at least one identifier signal is generated which is indicative of a crankshaft angle position and which may be used to identify a spark plug firing sequence, a method for selecting ones of the spark plugs to fire, comprising the steps of: (a) determining whether or not a transition in the identifier signal has occurred; (b) generating, in response to the absence of the identifier signal, a replacement signal independent of the crankshaft angle position; and (c) selecting at least one of the spark plugs to fire from said generating replacement signal.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method of claim 1, wherein step (a) further includes the step of determining a time window during which a transition in the identifier signal should occur.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 1, wherein step (a) further includes the step of determining that power has recently been provided to the system.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 1, wherein step (c) further includes the step of providing a counter to select which spark plugs to fire.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of claim 4, wherein step (c) further includes the step of initializing said counter to begin firing the spark plugs in the appropriate sequence.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
130 words
In an ignition system, wherein at least one reference signal is generated which may be used to periodically indiate when spark plugs should be fired along with at least one identifier signal which may be used to identify a spark plug firing sequence, a method for selecting ones of the spark plugs to fire, comprising the steps of: detecting ignition system start up; in response to the detection of ignition system start up, determining a time window during which a transition in the identifier signal should occur; determining whether or not a transition in the identifier signal has occurred during the window; and generating a replacement signal, in response to the absence of the identifier signal during the window, to select at least one of the spark plugs to fire.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
130 words
In an ignition system, wherein at least one reference signal is generated which may be used to periodically indiate when spark plugs should be fired along with at least one identifier signal which may be used to identify a spark plug firing sequence, a method for selecting ones of the spark plugs to fire, comprising the steps of: detecting ignition system start up; in response to the detection of ignition system start up, determining a time window during which a transition in the identifier signal should occur; determining whether or not a transition in the identifier signal has occurred during the window; and generating a replacement signal, in response to the absence of the identifier signal during the window, to select at least one of the spark plugs to fire.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 6, wherein the window is intialized in response to the detection of ignition system startup.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 6, wherein the window is initialized at a transition in the reference signal.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 6, wherein the length of the window is equal to one cycle of the reference signal.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 6, wherein the window is terminated at a transition in the reference signal.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 6, further including the step of providing a counter to sequentially select which spark plugs to fire.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method of claim 11, wherein generating said replacement signal includes the step of initializing said counter to begin firing the spark plugs in the appropriate sequence.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
156 words
In an ignition system, wherein at least one reference signal is generated which may be used to periodically indicate when spark plugs should be fired along with at least one identifier signal which may be used to identify a spark plug firing sequence, a method for selecting ones of the spark plugs to fire, comprising the steps of: sensing the reference signal and the identifier signal after power has been provided to the system to determine a time window during which a transition in identifier signal should occur; determining whether or not a third signal should be generated in place of the identifier signal, including the step of disabling said step of sensing in response to the presence of a transition in the identifier signal during the window; and generating said third signal, only if the step of sensing has not been disabled during the window, to select particular ones of the spark plugs to fire.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
156 words
In an ignition system, wherein at least one reference signal is generated which may be used to periodically indicate when spark plugs should be fired along with at least one identifier signal which may be used to identify a spark plug firing sequence, a method for selecting ones of the spark plugs to fire, comprising the steps of: sensing the reference signal and the identifier signal after power has been provided to the system to determine a time window during which a transition in identifier signal should occur; determining whether or not a third signal should be generated in place of the identifier signal, including the step of disabling said step of sensing in response to the presence of a transition in the identifier signal during the window; and generating said third signal, only if the step of sensing has not been disabled during the window, to select particular ones of the spark plugs to fire.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 13, wherein the window is initialized when power is provided to the ignition system.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 13, wherein the window is defined between two transitions in the reference signal.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 13, wherein the length of the window is equal to one cycle of the reference signal.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 13, further including the step of initializing and terminating the window at respective transitions in the reference signal.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
131 words
In an ignition system, wherein at least one reference signal is generated which may be used to periodically indicate when spark plugs should be fired along with at least one identifier signal which may be used to identify spark plug firing sequence, an apparatus for selecting ones of the spark plugs to fire, comprising: means for detecting ignition system start up; means, responsive to said means for detecting, for determining a time window during which a transition in the identifier signal should occur; means for determining whether or not a transition in the identifier signal has occurred during the window; and generating means for generating a replacement signal, in response to the absence of the identifier signal during the window, to select at least one of the spark plugs to fire.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
131 words
In an ignition system, wherein at least one reference signal is generated which may be used to periodically indicate when spark plugs should be fired along with at least one identifier signal which may be used to identify spark plug firing sequence, an apparatus for selecting ones of the spark plugs to fire, comprising: means for detecting ignition system start up; means, responsive to said means for detecting, for determining a time window during which a transition in the identifier signal should occur; means for determining whether or not a transition in the identifier signal has occurred during the window; and generating means for generating a replacement signal, in response to the absence of the identifier signal during the window, to select at least one of the spark plugs to fire.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
20 words
The apparatus of claim 18, wherein the window is initialized in response to the detection of ignition system start up.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
17 words
The apparatus of claim 18, wherein the window is initialized at a transition in the reference signal.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
20 words
The apparatus of claim 18, wherein the length of the window is equal to one cycle of the reference signal.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
17 words
The apparatus of claim 18, wherein the window is terminated at a transition in the reference signal.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
22 words
The apparatus of claim 18, further including a counter coupled to said generating means to sequentially select which spark plugs to fire.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
28 words
The apparatus of claim 23, wherein means for generating the replacement signal includes means for initializing said counter to begin firing the spark plugs in the appropriate sequence.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
104 words
In an ignition system employing a crankshaft and spark plugs, wherein at least one identifier signal is generated which is indicative of a crankshaft angle position and which may be used to identify a spark plug firing sequence, an apparatus for selecting ones of the park plugs to fire, comprising: means for determining whether or not a transition in the identifier signal has occurred; means for generating, in response to the absence of the identifier signal, a replacement signal independent of the crankshaft angle position; and selection means for selecting at least one of the spark plugs to fire from said generated replacement signal.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
104 words
In an ignition system employing a crankshaft and spark plugs, wherein at least one identifier signal is generated which is indicative of a crankshaft angle position and which may be used to identify a spark plug firing sequence, an apparatus for selecting ones of the park plugs to fire, comprising: means for determining whether or not a transition in the identifier signal has occurred; means for generating, in response to the absence of the identifier signal, a replacement signal independent of the crankshaft angle position; and selection means for selecting at least one of the spark plugs to fire from said generated replacement signal.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
23 words
The apparatus of claim 25, further including means for determining a time window during which a transition in the identifier signal should occur.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
19 words
The apparatus of claim 25, further including means for determining that power has recently been provided to the system.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
22 words
The apparatus of claim 25, further including a counter coupled to said selection means to sequentially select which spark plugs to fire.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
32 words
The apparatus of claim 27, wherein means for selecting at least one of said spark plugs includes means for initializing said counter to begin firing the spark plugs in the appropriate sequence.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
108 words
In an ignition system employing a crankshaft and spark plugs, wherein at least one identifier signal is generated which is indicative of a crankshaft angle position which may be used to identify a spark plug firing sequence, a method for selecting one of the spark plugs to fire, comprising the steps of: (a) detecting ignition system start-up; (b) determining whether or not a transition in the identifier signal has occurred; (c) generating, in response to the absence of the identifier signal and the detection of ignition system start-up, a replacement signal; and (d) selecting at least one of the spark plugs to fire from said generated replacement signal.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
108 words
In an ignition system employing a crankshaft and spark plugs, wherein at least one identifier signal is generated which is indicative of a crankshaft angle position which may be used to identify a spark plug firing sequence, a method for selecting one of the spark plugs to fire, comprising the steps of: (a) detecting ignition system start-up; (b) determining whether or not a transition in the identifier signal has occurred; (c) generating, in response to the absence of the identifier signal and the detection of ignition system start-up, a replacement signal; and (d) selecting at least one of the spark plugs to fire from said generated replacement signal.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
113 words
In an ignition system employing a crankshaft and spark plugs, wherein at least one identifier signal is generated which is indicative of a crankshaft angle position which may be used to identify a spark plug firing sequence, an apparatus for selecting one of the spark plugs to fire, comprising: (a) means for detecting ignition system start-up; (b) means for determining whether or not a transition in the identifier signal has occurred; (c) means for generating, in response to the absence of the identifier signal and the detection of ignition system start-up, a replacement signal; and (d) means for selecting at least one of the spark plugs to fire from said generated replacement signal.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
113 words
In an ignition system employing a crankshaft and spark plugs, wherein at least one identifier signal is generated which is indicative of a crankshaft angle position which may be used to identify a spark plug firing sequence, an apparatus for selecting one of the spark plugs to fire, comprising: (a) means for detecting ignition system start-up; (b) means for determining whether or not a transition in the identifier signal has occurred; (c) means for generating, in response to the absence of the identifier signal and the detection of ignition system start-up, a replacement signal; and (d) means for selecting at least one of the spark plugs to fire from said generated replacement signal.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1990-12-07 | 1991-06-08 | 1991-12-08 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1994-12-07 | 1995-06-08 | 1995-12-08 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1998-12-07 | 1999-06-08 | 1999-12-08 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |