Method and system to detect spark loss in a multiple spark plug per cylinder internal combustion engine

The invention is a strategy to detect spark plug misfires in a multiple spark plug per cylinder internal combustion engine (ICE). The present invention monitors spark plug misfires for each plug within each cylinder and initiates diagnostic fault code setting and failure mode actions such as modifyi...

Ausführliche Beschreibung

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Bibliographische Detailangaben
Hauptverfasser: KACEWICZ JOHN MICHAEL, VARADY ARTHUR JOSEPH, DAVISON LYNN EDWARD
Format: Patent
Sprache:eng
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Beschreibung
Zusammenfassung:The invention is a strategy to detect spark plug misfires in a multiple spark plug per cylinder internal combustion engine (ICE). The present invention monitors spark plug misfires for each plug within each cylinder and initiates diagnostic fault code setting and failure mode actions such as modifying spark timing and the air/fuel ratio for the cylinder with the misfiring plug to optimize emissions and performance. The strategy modifies spark timing (such as spark retard) of a spark plug not under test but within the same cylinder of the tested spark plug and tests the tested spark plug for misfire (such as changes in crankshaft velocity or acceleration). The amount of spark retard invoked can be a calibrated value such as 30 or 50 degrees off Maximum Brake Torque (MBT) timing. The invention provides improvement over the prior art in that the strategy does not require the complete disabling of a spark plug within the same cylinder as the tested spark plug.