Patent US5365910A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US5365910A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Misfire detector for use in internal combustion engine
Assignee: Honda Motor Co Ltd
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Filing: 1992-04-09
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Granted: 1994-11-22
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Expires: 2012-04-09
Abstract
Abstract A misfire detector for use in an internal combustion engine has an ignition coil including a primary coil and a secondary coil. An interrupter circuit is provided for on-off actuation of primary current flowing through a primary circuit of the ignition coil. A distributor has a series gap provided in a secondary circuit of the ignition coil, and a spark plug is adapted to be energized from the ignition coil through the series gap of the distributor. A voltage charging circuit works to electrically charge a stray capacity inherent in the spark plug immediately after an end of a spark action of the spark plug. A spark plug voltage detector circuit distinguishes the voltage waveform of more than a predetermined reference voltage level so as to deform the voltage waveform into output signals. On the basis of the width of the output signals, a distinction circuit determines whether or not the spark action ignites an air-fuel mixture in a cylinder of the internal combustion engine.
Inventors
- 👤 Shigeru Miyata
- 👤 Hideji Yoshida
- 👤 Yoshihiro Matsubara
- 👤 Yasuo Ito
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-03 09:06
CPC Classifications
F; F02; F02P; F02P11/00; F02P11/06; F02P17/00; F02P17/12; F02P2017/006; F02P2017/123; F02P2017/125
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 5
Claim 1
Independent Claim
188 words
A misfire detector for use in an internal combustion engine comprising: an ignition coil having a primary coil and a secondary coil; an interrupter means which on-off actuates primary current flowing through a primary circuit of the ignition coil; a current flow-back prevention means provided in a secondary circuit of the ignition coil so as to prevent a current flow back to the ignition coil; a spark plug provided for an internal combustion engine and adapted to be energized from the coil through the current flow-back prevention means; a voltage charging means which reenergizes the primary coil to induce an electromotive voltage in the secondary coil so as to electrically charge a stray capacity inherent in the spark plug immediately after an end of a spark action of the spark plug; a spark plug voltage characteristic detector means which detects an attenuation time period of a voltage waveform derived from a spark plug voltage applied across the spark plug by the voltage charging means; and a distinction means provided to determine a misfire on the basis of the attenuation time period length of the spark plug voltage waveform.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
188 words
A misfire detector for use in an internal combustion engine comprising: an ignition coil having a primary coil and a secondary coil; an interrupter means which on-off actuates primary current flowing through a primary circuit of the ignition coil; a current flow-back prevention means provided in a secondary circuit of the ignition coil so as to prevent a current flow back to the ignition coil; a spark plug provided for an internal combustion engine and adapted to be energized from the coil through the current flow-back prevention means; a voltage charging means which reenergizes the primary coil to induce an electromotive voltage in the secondary coil so as to electrically charge a stray capacity inherent in the spark plug immediately after an end of a spark action of the spark plug; a spark plug voltage characteristic detector means which detects an attenuation time period of a voltage waveform derived from a spark plug voltage applied across the spark plug by the voltage charging means; and a distinction means provided to determine a misfire on the basis of the attenuation time period length of the spark plug voltage waveform.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
58 words
A misfire detector for use in an internal combustion engine as recited in claim 1, wherein the current flow-back is selected from the group consisting of a check diode and a series gap, the check diode being connected between the ignition coil and a distributor, and the series gap being formed as a rotor gap of a distributor.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
54 words
A misfire detector for use in an internal combustion engine as recited in claim 1, wherein the spark plug voltage characteristic detector means distinguishes the voltage waveform of more than a predetermined reference voltage level (Vo) to deform the voltage waveform into output signals, each of which is proportional to the attenuation time period.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
56 words
A misfire detector for use in an internal combustion engine as recited in claim 1, wherein the spark plug voltage characteristic detector means is adapted to determine a reference voltage from a peak value of a charged voltage in the stray capacity so as to detect an attenuation time period of the spark plug voltage waveform.
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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) | 1997-11-21 | 1998-05-23 | 1998-11-22 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2001-11-21 | 2002-05-23 | 2002-11-22 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2005-11-21 | 2006-05-23 | 2006-11-22 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |