EP1164284A2 - Device and method for ion current sensing - Google Patents
Device and method for ion current sensing Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- EP1164284A2 EP1164284A2 EP00124689A EP00124689A EP1164284A2 EP 1164284 A2 EP1164284 A2 EP 1164284A2 EP 00124689 A EP00124689 A EP 00124689A EP 00124689 A EP00124689 A EP 00124689A EP 1164284 A2 EP1164284 A2 EP 1164284A2
- Authority
- EP
- European Patent Office
- Prior art keywords
- ion
- sensing
- supply voltage
- combustion chamber
- ion current
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Withdrawn
Links
Classifications
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F02—COMBUSTION ENGINES; HOT-GAS OR COMBUSTION-PRODUCT ENGINE PLANTS
- F02P—IGNITION, OTHER THAN COMPRESSION IGNITION, FOR INTERNAL-COMBUSTION ENGINES; TESTING OF IGNITION TIMING IN COMPRESSION-IGNITION ENGINES
- F02P17/00—Testing of ignition installations, e.g. in combination with adjusting; Testing of ignition timing in compression-ignition engines
- F02P17/12—Testing characteristics of the spark, ignition voltage or current
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F02—COMBUSTION ENGINES; HOT-GAS OR COMBUSTION-PRODUCT ENGINE PLANTS
- F02P—IGNITION, OTHER THAN COMPRESSION IGNITION, FOR INTERNAL-COMBUSTION ENGINES; TESTING OF IGNITION TIMING IN COMPRESSION-IGNITION ENGINES
- F02P19/00—Incandescent ignition, e.g. during starting of internal combustion engines; Combination of incandescent and spark ignition
- F02P19/02—Incandescent ignition, e.g. during starting of internal combustion engines; Combination of incandescent and spark ignition electric, e.g. layout of circuits of apparatus having glowing plugs
- F02P19/028—Incandescent ignition, e.g. during starting of internal combustion engines; Combination of incandescent and spark ignition electric, e.g. layout of circuits of apparatus having glowing plugs the glow plug being combined with or used as a sensor
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F02—COMBUSTION ENGINES; HOT-GAS OR COMBUSTION-PRODUCT ENGINE PLANTS
- F02P—IGNITION, OTHER THAN COMPRESSION IGNITION, FOR INTERNAL-COMBUSTION ENGINES; TESTING OF IGNITION TIMING IN COMPRESSION-IGNITION ENGINES
- F02P17/00—Testing of ignition installations, e.g. in combination with adjusting; Testing of ignition timing in compression-ignition engines
- F02P17/12—Testing characteristics of the spark, ignition voltage or current
- F02P2017/125—Measuring ionisation of combustion gas, e.g. by using ignition circuits
Definitions
- the present invention relates to a device and a method for ion current sensing in an internal combustion engine.
- a more effective emission control can be achieved through an improved burning control system.
- Such a burning control system requires the detection of conditions of the burning of an air-fuel mixture in a combustion chamber of an engine. Many physical parameters, such as the pressure in the combustion chamber, the light generated by the burning of the air-fuel mixture, the ion current in the combustion chamber, and others can be detected as an indication of conditions of the burning of the air-fuel mixture. It is thought that particularly the ion current detection is very useful.
- Ions are generated during the combustion of the air-fuel mixture, the ion concentration directly depending on the burning conditions inside the combustion chamber. Accordingly, the detection of the ion concentration in the combustion chamber means a direct observation of a chemical reaction caused during the burning of an air-fuel mixture.
- an ion-sensing device e.g. an ion-sensing electrode
- Said ion-sensing device can be independently arranged inside the combustion chamber or integrated in an ignition device, e.g. a glow plug device or a sparking plug device.
- said ion-sensing device is supplied with a supply voltage so that the ion sensing means and the walls of the combustion chamber form opposite electrodes for capturing the generated ions.
- An ion current is generated by the migrating ions, the value of which can be easily measured. The information on the ion current can then be used to control the burning conditions inside said combustion chamber.
- a positive supply voltage is applied to the ion-sensing electrode. Accordingly, the ion-sensing electrode is positively charged with respect to the combustion chamber wall so that the negatively charged ions are attracted by the ion-sensing electrode while the positively charged ions are attracted by the combustion chamber wall.
- the value of the ion current induced by this migration of the ions can be easily measured by measuring the current flowing through the ion sensing supply voltage source.
- a disadvantage of such a device is that the signal obtained by the described method is subject to high variations even during stable burning conditions. It follows that the determination of the actual combustion conditions is not always accurate.
- the object of the present invention is to provide an improved ion current sensing device and method.
- an ion current sensing device comprises an ion sensing means and a voltage source for generating an ion sensing supply voltage to be applied to said ion sensing means, wherein said ion sensing supply voltage is of negative polarity.
- the ion-sensing electrode is negatively charged with respect to the combustion chamber.
- the ion sensing means e.g. an ion-sensing electrode, then only attracts positively charged ions, which are present in the combustion chamber.
- the present invention provides a further advantage over state of the art devices.
- the negative ion sensing supply voltage in contrast to the generally glow plug supply voltage simplifies the electrical isolation between the ion current sensing function and the heating function of said glow plug device.
- the polarity of the applied voltage can now be used as switching criterion between both functions.
Landscapes
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
- Combustion & Propulsion (AREA)
- Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
- General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Combined Controls Of Internal Combustion Engines (AREA)
- Other Investigation Or Analysis Of Materials By Electrical Means (AREA)
- Electrical Control Of Air Or Fuel Supplied To Internal-Combustion Engine (AREA)
- Ignition Installations For Internal Combustion Engines (AREA)
Abstract
Ion current sensing device comprising an ion sensing means and a voltage source for generating an ion sensing supply voltage to be applied to said ion sensing means. According to the invention said ion sensing supply voltage is of negative polarity.
Description
The present invention relates to a device and a method for ion current sensing
in an internal combustion engine.
In recent years, more effective emission control has been demanded in internal
combustion engines for the protection of the environment. A more effective
emission control can be achieved through an improved burning control system.
Such a burning control system requires the detection of conditions of the
burning of an air-fuel mixture in a combustion chamber of an engine. Many
physical parameters, such as the pressure in the combustion chamber, the light
generated by the burning of the air-fuel mixture, the ion current in the combustion
chamber, and others can be detected as an indication of conditions of the
burning of the air-fuel mixture. It is thought that particularly the ion current
detection is very useful.
Ions are generated during the combustion of the air-fuel mixture, the ion
concentration directly depending on the burning conditions inside the combustion
chamber. Accordingly, the detection of the ion concentration in the combustion
chamber means a direct observation of a chemical reaction caused during
the burning of an air-fuel mixture.
In order to measure the concentration of the ions present in the combustion
chamber an ion-sensing device, e.g. an ion-sensing electrode, is located inside
the combustion chamber. Said ion-sensing device can be independently
arranged inside the combustion chamber or integrated in an ignition device, e.g.
a glow plug device or a sparking plug device. During an ion sensing function,
said ion-sensing device is supplied with a supply voltage so that the ion sensing
means and the walls of the combustion chamber form opposite electrodes for
capturing the generated ions. An ion current is generated by the migrating ions,
the value of which can be easily measured. The information on the ion current
can then be used to control the burning conditions inside said combustion
chamber.
In known ion sensing devices, a positive supply voltage is applied to the ion-sensing
electrode. Accordingly, the ion-sensing electrode is positively charged
with respect to the combustion chamber wall so that the negatively charged ions
are attracted by the ion-sensing electrode while the positively charged ions are
attracted by the combustion chamber wall. The value of the ion current induced
by this migration of the ions can be easily measured by measuring the current
flowing through the ion sensing supply voltage source.
A disadvantage of such a device is that the signal obtained by the described
method is subject to high variations even during stable burning conditions. It
follows that the determination of the actual combustion conditions is not always
accurate.
The object of the present invention is to provide an improved ion current
sensing device and method.
This object is achieved by a method for ion current sensing, wherein an ion
sensing supply voltage is applied to an ion sensing means, and wherein said
ion sensing supply voltage is of negative polarity. Accordingly, an ion current
sensing device according to the present invention comprises an ion sensing
means and a voltage source for generating an ion sensing supply voltage to be
applied to said ion sensing means, wherein said ion sensing supply voltage is of
negative polarity.
In an ion-sensing device operated with positive supply voltage, the presence of
negatively charged ions and of free electrons is detected. Hence free electrons
contained in the air fuel mixture before the burning thereof contribute to the
measured current thus leading to inaccuracies in the determination of combustion
generated ions. This effect is worsened due to the fact that the free electrons
have a higher mobility than the much heavier negative ions and therefore
are attracted from a wider area of the combustion chamber than the negatively
charged ions. It follows that the measured concentration of negatively charged
particles is higher than the actual concentration in the considered area of the
combustion chamber between the electrode and the chamber wall. Furthermore,
the obtained signal is subject to fluctuations due to a temporary depletion
of free electrons in the considered area.
If according to the invention a negative supply voltage is applied to the ion
sensing means, the ion-sensing electrode is negatively charged with respect to
the combustion chamber. The ion sensing means, e.g. an ion-sensing electrode,
then only attracts positively charged ions, which are present in the
combustion chamber. The positively charged ions having a lower mobility than
free electrons, only those ions are attracted which are present in the immediate
surrounding area of the ion sensing means. It follows that with the method and
the device according to the present invention, the considered area in the
combustion chamber is much more localised than in the know device operating
with positive ion sensing supply voltages.
Furthermore, free electrons contained in the fuel-air mixture are not attracted by
the ion sensing means and thus do not contribute to the measured ion current.
This results in a very stable ion current during stable burning conditions and
accordingly to a better signal to noise ratio. Hence, the actual burning conditions
in the combustion chamber can be more accurately determined and the
combustion more effectively controlled.
If the ion-sensing electrode is integrated in an ignition device, e.g. a glow plug
device, the present invention provides a further advantage over state of the art
devices. In this case, the negative ion sensing supply voltage in contrast to the
generally glow plug supply voltage simplifies the electrical isolation between the
ion current sensing function and the heating function of said glow plug device.
In fact, the polarity of the applied voltage can now be used as switching criterion
between both functions.
Claims (2)
- Method for ion current sensing, wherein an ion sensing supply voltage is applied to an ion sensing means, characterised in that said ion sensing supply voltage is of negative polarity.
- Ion current sensing device comprising an ion sensing means and a voltage source for generating an ion sensing supply voltage to be applied to said ion sensing means, characterised in that said ion sensing supply voltage is of negative polarity.
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| LU90495A LU90495B1 (en) | 1999-12-24 | 1999-12-24 | Device and method for ion current sensing |
| LU90495 | 1999-12-24 |
Publications (2)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| EP1164284A2 true EP1164284A2 (en) | 2001-12-19 |
| EP1164284A3 EP1164284A3 (en) | 2002-07-24 |
Family
ID=19731855
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| EP00124689A Withdrawn EP1164284A3 (en) | 1999-12-24 | 2000-11-11 | Device and method for ion current sensing |
Country Status (3)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| EP (1) | EP1164284A3 (en) |
| DE (3) | DE10011620A1 (en) |
| LU (1) | LU90495B1 (en) |
Families Citing this family (1)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DE10221001A1 (en) * | 2002-05-11 | 2003-11-27 | Daimler Chrysler Ag | Method and device for determining a pilot injection quantity |
Family Cites Families (8)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US2564764A (en) * | 1949-12-06 | 1951-08-21 | Kovac John | Device to indicate operation of ignition coil and defective spark plugs and wiring of an automobile engine |
| US4456883A (en) * | 1982-10-04 | 1984-06-26 | Ambac Industries, Incorporated | Method and apparatus for indicating an operating characteristic of an internal combustion engine |
| CH680238A5 (en) * | 1989-12-04 | 1992-07-15 | Matter & Siegmann Ag | |
| US5337716A (en) * | 1992-02-04 | 1994-08-16 | Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki Kaisha | Control apparatus for internal combustion engine |
| DE19614287C1 (en) * | 1996-04-11 | 1997-06-26 | Telefunken Microelectron | Ion-current-measuring circuit for knock detection in combustion chamber of IC engine |
| DE19614288C1 (en) * | 1996-04-11 | 1997-08-07 | Telefunken Microelectron | Ion-current measurement circuit e.g. for motor vehicle IC engine combustion chamber |
| DE19614388C1 (en) * | 1996-04-12 | 1997-07-03 | Stiebel Eltron Gmbh & Co Kg | Evaluation of quality of mixture of fuel and air in combustion engine |
| US6089077A (en) * | 1997-06-26 | 2000-07-18 | Cooper Automotive Products, Inc. | Mass fraction burned and pressure estimation through spark plug ion sensing |
-
1999
- 1999-12-24 LU LU90495A patent/LU90495B1/en active
-
2000
- 2000-03-10 DE DE10011620A patent/DE10011620A1/en not_active Withdrawn
- 2000-03-10 DE DE10011631A patent/DE10011631A1/en not_active Withdrawn
- 2000-11-11 EP EP00124689A patent/EP1164284A3/en not_active Withdrawn
- 2000-12-12 DE DE50009720T patent/DE50009720D1/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| DE10011631A1 (en) | 2001-06-28 |
| LU90495B1 (en) | 2001-06-25 |
| DE10011620A1 (en) | 2001-07-12 |
| EP1164284A3 (en) | 2002-07-24 |
| DE50009720D1 (en) | 2005-04-14 |
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