IP Library › Granted Patent US 7,686,000
Granted Patent B2
US 7,686,000 · App. 12/067,590 · Granted Mar 30, 2010

Controller and method for controlling an ignition coil

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 7,686,000
App. No.
12/067,590
Granted
Mar 30, 2010
Kind
B2
Abstract

A controller for an ignition coil, the controller comprising means for determining a rate of change of current flow through a primary winding of the ignition coil; and means for switching off current flow through the primary winding of the ignition coil as a function of the rate of change of current.

Claims (23)

1. A controller for an ignition coil, the controller comprising:

means for determining a rate of change of current flow through a primary winding of the ignition coil; and

means for switching off current flow through the primary winding of the ignition coil as a function of an increase in the rate of change of current.

2. A controller according to claim 1 , wherein the means for switching is responsive to the increase in rate of change of current for an increase in current exceeding a threshold.

3. A controller according to claim 1 , wherein the function of the increase in the rate of change of current includes a target dwell time determined from at least a previous rate of change of current.

4. A controller according to claim 3 , wherein the function of the rate of change of current includes an increase in the rate of change of current exceeding a threshold value.

5. A controller according to claim 3 , wherein the means for switching is responsive to the increase in rate of change of current for an increase in current exceeding a threshold.

6. A controller according to claim 1 , wherein the function of the rate of change of current includes an increase in the rate of change of current exceeding a threshold value.

7. A controller according to claim 6 , wherein the threshold value is based on a predetermine percentage increase in current flow through the primary winding of the ignition coil.

8. A controller according to claim 6 , wherein the means for switching is responsive to the increase in rate of change of current for an increase in current exceeding a threshold.

9. A controller according to claim 1 , wherein the means for switching includes a switch coupled between the primary winding of the ignition coil and a reference voltage.

10. A controller according to claim 9 , wherein the analogue to digital converter is arranged to be coupled to a voltage sensing point located between the switch and the primary winding, whereby the impedance of the switch produces the voltage sensed by the analogue to digital converter in response to the current through the primary winding.

11. A controller according to claim 9 , wherein the analogue to digital converter is arranged to be coupled to a voltage sensing point located between the switch and a resistor, wherein the resistor is placed between the switch and the reference voltage.

12. A controller according to claim 1 , further comprising means for determining the current flow through the primary winding of the ignition coil.

13. A controller according to claim 12 , wherein the means for determining a rate of change of current includes a processor for determining the rate of change of current based on current flow information provided by the means for determining the current flow.

14. A controller according to claim 12 , wherein the means for determining the current flow includes an analogue to digital converter arranged to be coupled to a voltage sensing point located between the primary winding of the ignition coil and a reference voltage.

15. A controller according to claim 14 , wherein the analogue to digital converter is arranged to convert analogue voltage information into corresponding digital information to allow the voltage information to be processed by the processor for the determination of current flow through the primary winding of the ignition coil.

16. A controller according to claim 14 , wherein the information from the analogue to digital converter is examined for diagnosis of primary circuit faults.

17. A method for controlling an ignition coil, the method comprising:

determining a rate of change of current flow through a primary winding of the ignition coil; and

switching off current flow through the primary winding of the ignition coil in response to a function of an increase in the rate of change of current.

18. A method according to claim 17 , wherein the function of the rate of change of current is an increase in the rate of change of current exceeding a threshold value.

19. A controller according to claim 17 , wherein the function of the rate of change of current includes a target dwell time determined from at least a previous rate of change of current.

Assignments (40)
CORRECTIVE ASSIGNMENT TO CORRECT THE CONVEYING PARTY'S NAME PREVIOUSLY RECORDED AT REEL: 057857 FRAME: 0193. ASSIGNOR(S) HEREBY CONFIRMS THE CHANGE OF NAME. Recorded Aug 28, 2023
From: CONVERSANT INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT INC.
To: MOSAID TECHNOLOGIES INCORPORATED
Reel/Frame 064741/0939 →
CHANGE OF NAME Recorded Oct 19, 2021
From: CONVERSANT INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY INC.
To: MOSAID TECHNOLOGIES INCORPORATED
Reel/Frame 057857/0193 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Nov 6, 2020
From: CPPIB CREDIT INVESTMENTS INC.
To: CONVERSANT INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT INC.
Reel/Frame 054445/0503 →
CORRECTIVE ASSIGNMENT TO CORRECT THE REMOVE APPLICATION 12298143 PREVIOUSLY RECORDED ON REEL 042985 FRAME 0001. ASSIGNOR(S) HEREBY CONFIRMS THE SECURITY AGREEMENT SUPPLEMENT. Recorded Oct 22, 2019
From: NXP B.V.
To: MORGAN STANLEY SENIOR FUNDING, INC.
Reel/Frame 051029/0001 →
CORRECTIVE ASSIGNMENT TO CORRECT THE REMOVE APPLICATION 12298143 PREVIOUSLY RECORDED ON REEL 039361 FRAME 0212. ASSIGNOR(S) HEREBY CONFIRMS THE SECURITY AGREEMENT SUPPLEMENT. Recorded Oct 22, 2019
From: NXP B.V.
To: MORGAN STANLEY SENIOR FUNDING, INC.
Reel/Frame 051029/0387 →
CORRECTIVE ASSIGNMENT TO CORRECT THE REMOVE APPLICATION 12298143 PREVIOUSLY RECORDED ON REEL 038017 FRAME 0058. ASSIGNOR(S) HEREBY CONFIRMS THE SECURITY AGREEMENT SUPPLEMENT. Recorded Oct 22, 2019
From: NXP B.V.
To: MORGAN STANLEY SENIOR FUNDING, INC.
Reel/Frame 051030/0001 →
CORRECTIVE ASSIGNMENT TO CORRECT THE REMOVE APPLICATION 12298143 PREVIOUSLY RECORDED ON REEL 042762 FRAME 0145. ASSIGNOR(S) HEREBY CONFIRMS THE SECURITY AGREEMENT SUPPLEMENT. Recorded Oct 22, 2019
From: NXP B.V.
To: MORGAN STANLEY SENIOR FUNDING, INC.
Reel/Frame 051145/0184 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Sep 10, 2019
From: MORGAN STANLEY SENIOR FUNDING, INC.
To: NXP B.V.
Reel/Frame 050745/0001 →
RELEASE OF U.S. PATENT AGREEMENT (FOR NON-U.S. GRANTORS) Recorded Oct 12, 2018
From: ROYAL BANK OF CANADA, AS LENDER
To: CONVERSANT INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT INC.
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AMENDED AND RESTATED U.S. PATENT SECURITY AGREEMENT (FOR NON-U.S. GRANTORS) Recorded Aug 22, 2018
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To: CPPIB CREDIT INVESTMENTS, INC.
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CORRECTIVE ASSIGNMENT TO CORRECT THE REMOVE APPLICATION 12681366 PREVIOUSLY RECORDED ON REEL 038017 FRAME 0058. ASSIGNOR(S) HEREBY CONFIRMS THE SECURITY AGREEMENT SUPPLEMENT. Recorded May 9, 2017
From: NXP B.V.
To: MORGAN STANLEY SENIOR FUNDING, INC.
Reel/Frame 042985/0001 →
CORRECTIVE ASSIGNMENT TO CORRECT THE REMOVE APPLICATION 12681366 PREVIOUSLY RECORDED ON REEL 039361 FRAME 0212. ASSIGNOR(S) HEREBY CONFIRMS THE SECURITY AGREEMENT SUPPLEMENT. Recorded May 9, 2017
From: NXP B.V.
To: MORGAN STANLEY SENIOR FUNDING, INC.
Reel/Frame 042762/0145 →
PATENT RELEASE Recorded Aug 17, 2016
From: MORGAN STANLEY SENIOR FUNDING, INC.
To: NXP B.V.
Reel/Frame 039707/0471 →
CORRECTIVE ASSIGNMENT TO CORRECT THE REMOVE APPLICATION 12092129 PREVIOUSLY RECORDED ON REEL 038017 FRAME 0058. ASSIGNOR(S) HEREBY CONFIRMS THE SECURITY AGREEMENT SUPPLEMENT. Recorded Jul 14, 2016
From: NXP B.V.
To: MORGAN STANLEY SENIOR FUNDING, INC.
Reel/Frame 039361/0212 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT SUPPLEMENT Recorded Mar 7, 2016
From: NXP B.V.
To: MORGAN STANLEY SENIOR FUNDING, INC.
Reel/Frame 038017/0058 →
PATENT RELEASE Recorded Dec 21, 2015
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To: FREESCALE SEMICONDUCTOR, INC.
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PATENT RELEASE Recorded Dec 21, 2015
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To: FREESCALE SEMICONDUCTOR, INC.
Reel/Frame 037356/0027 →
PATENT RELEASE Recorded Dec 21, 2015
From: CITIBANK, N.A., AS COLLATERAL AGENT
To: FREESCALE SEMICONDUCTOR, INC.
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PATENT RELEASE Recorded Dec 21, 2015
From: CITIBANK, N.A., AS COLLATERAL AGENT
To: FREESCALE SEMICONDUCTOR, INC.
Reel/Frame 037357/0120 →
PATENT RELEASE Recorded Dec 21, 2015
From: CITIBANK, N.A., AS COLLATERAL AGENT
To: FREESCALE SEMICONDUCTOR, INC.
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PATENT RELEASE Recorded Dec 21, 2015
From: CITIBANK, N.A., AS COLLATERAL AGENT
To: FREESCALE SEMICONDUCTOR, INC.
Reel/Frame 037356/0143 →
PATENT RELEASE Recorded Dec 21, 2015
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To: FREESCALE SEMICONDUCTOR, INC.
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U.S. PATENT SECURITY AGREEMENT (FOR NON-U.S. GRANTORS) Recorded Sep 9, 2014
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CHANGE OF ADDRESS Recorded Sep 3, 2014
From: CONVERSANT INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT INC.
To: CONVERSANT INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT INC.
Reel/Frame 033678/0096 →
CHANGE OF NAME Recorded Mar 13, 2014
From: MOSAID TECHNOLOGIES INCORPORATED
To: CONVERSANT INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT INC.
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ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Aug 16, 2013
From: FREESCALE SEMICONDUCTOR INC.
To: MOSAID TECHNOLOGIES INCORPORATED
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RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Jul 25, 2013
From: CITIBANK, N.A.
To: FREESCALE SEMICONDUCTOR, INC.
Reel/Frame 030879/0141 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Jul 25, 2013
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Reel/Frame 030879/0222 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Jul 25, 2013
From: CITIBANK, N.A.
To: FREESCALE SEMICONDUCTOR, INC.
Reel/Frame 030879/0090 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Jul 2, 2013
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Reel/Frame 030726/0338 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Jul 2, 2013
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SECURITY AGREEMENT RELEASE Recorded Jul 1, 2013
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SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Sep 3, 2010
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To: CITIBANK, N.A., AS NOTES COLLATERAL AGENT
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SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Sep 3, 2010
From: FREESCALE SEMICONDUCTOR, INC.
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From: FREESCALE SEMICONDUCTOR, INC.
To: CITIBANK, N.A., AS NOTES COLLATERAL AGENT
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SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded May 13, 2010
From: FREESCALE SEMICONDUCTOR, INC.
To: CITIBANK, N.A., AS COLLATERAL AGENT
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SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Mar 15, 2010
From: FREESCALE SEMICONDUCTOR, INC.
To: CITIBANK, N.A.
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SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Jul 7, 2008
From: FREESCALE SEMICONDUCTOR, INC.
To: CITIBANK, N.A.
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ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Mar 24, 2008
From: GARRARD, MICHAEL
To: FREESCALE SEMICONDUCTOR, INC.
Reel/Frame 020689/0766 →