Kenneth G Gould

US Patent:

6883509, Apr 26, 2005

Filed:

Jun 11, 2003

Appl. No.:

10/458632

Inventors:

David L. Porter - Westland MI, US
Garlan J. Huberts - Milford MI, US
Constantine Panagos - Saint Clair Shores MI, US
Guoming G. Zhu - Novi MI, US
Michael T. Nation - Ypsilanti MI, US
Bruce Wang - Troy MI, US
Kenneth L. Gould - Fayetteville GA, US
Kevin D. Moran - Trenton MI, US

Assignee:

Visteon Global Technologies, Inc. - Van Buren Township MI

International Classification:

F02P003/06

US Classification:

123647, 123635, 123143 C, 324382

Abstract:

Internal combustion engine (ICE) on-plug ignition coils with transistor drivers located in powertrain control modules (PCM) or other remote locations are prone to high electrical and magnetic interference (EMI) emissions and are subject to interference from other components due to long connecting wires. Ionization detection circuits have even greater sensitivity to EMI because of their very low signal current levels (mioroampere). The present feature of the invention integrates both the coil driver transistor and ionization detection circuits into the on-plug ignition coil. By placing the circuit on top or on the side of the coil, the connection distance from the circuit to the secondary winding is minimized. Thus, the circuit is less susceptible to electrical and electromagnetic noise.