DISTRIBUTED ARCHITECTURE IGNITION SYSTEM
A system and method for controlling an ignition system. An ignition coil assembly has an ignition transformer with primary and secondary windings and a local control unit. A spark apparatus is connected with the secondary winding of the ignition transformer. The local control unit is adapted to regulate ignition timing of the ignition transformer for generating a spark at the spark apparatus to ignite a fuel-air mixture in an engine cylinder. A central control unit is in electronic communication with the local control unit for monitoring the ignition transformer.
1 . An ignition system, comprising:
an ignition coil assembly having:
an ignition transformer with primary and secondary windings;
a local control unit adapted to regulate ignition timing of the ignition transformer for generating a spark at a spark apparatus to ignite a fuel-air mixture in an engine cylinder;
a central control unit in electronic communication with the local control unit for monitoring the ignition transformer.
2 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the ignition coil assembly steps up a final primary drive within the ignition coil assembly, such that a higher primary drive voltage is provided while using low-voltage cabling with the central control unit.
3 . The system of claim 2 , wherein the ignition coil assembly includes a power supply to step up the final primary drive.
4 . The system of claim 2 , wherein the central control unit provides 50V or less to the ignition coil assembly, which steps up the final primary drive to 400V or more.
5 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the central control unit is in electronic communication with the local control unit over a twisted pair cable.
6 . The system of claim 5 , wherein the twisted pair cable comprises Ethernet cable.
7 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the spark apparatus comprises a spark plug.
8 . The system of claim 1 , further comprising:
one or more additional ignition coil assemblies;
each of the one or more additional ignition coil assemblies having a local control unit adapted to regulate ignition timing of an associated ignition transformer.
9 . An engine system, comprising:
an engine;
the ignition system of claim 8 ;
such that each ignition coil assembly regulates ignition timing of an associated ignition transformer for generating a spark at a spark apparatus to ignite a fuel-air mixture in a cylinder of the engine.
10 . The system of claim 1 , wherein:
the ignition coil assembly includes at least one measured value, such that the local control unit regulates ignition timing based on the at least one measured value;
the central control unit is in electronic communication with the local control unit over a twisted pair cable.
11 . A method for controlling an ignition system, comprising:
providing an ignition coil assembly having:
an ignition transformer with primary and secondary windings;
a local control unit;
regulating ignition timing of the ignition transformer with the local control unit to generate a spark at a spark apparatus to ignite a fuel-air mixture in an engine cylinder;
monitoring the ignition transformer with a central control unit.
12 . The method of claim 11 , wherein:
the ignition coil assembly includes at least one measured value, such that the local control unit regulates ignition timing based on the at least one measured value;
the central control unit is in electronic communication with the local control unit over a twisted pair cable.
13 . An ignition coil assembly, comprising:
an ignition transformer with primary and secondary windings;
a local control unit adapted to regulate ignition timing of the ignition transformer for generating a spark at a spark apparatus for igniting a fuel-air mixture in an engine cylinder;
the local control unit adapted to be in electronic communication with a central control unit that monitors the ignition transformer.
14 . The assembly of claim 13 , wherein:
the ignition coil assembly includes a power supply to step up the final primary drive in the ignition coil assembly, such that a higher primary drive voltage is provided while using low-voltage cabling with the central control unit.
15 . The assembly of claim 13 , wherein:
the ignition coil assembly includes at least one measured value, such that the local control unit regulates ignition timing based on the at least one measured value.
16 . The assembly of claim 15 , wherein:
the ignition coil assembly includes at least one sensor for sensing the at least one measured value.
17 . The assembly of claim 15 , wherein the at least one measured value comprises position data of an engine crank shaft.
18 . An engine ignition system, comprising:
an engine having a plurality of cylinders;
each of the plurality of cylinders having an associated assembly of claim 13 ;
a central control unit in electronic communication with each associated assembly over a twisted pair cable.
19 . The system of claim 18 , wherein the central control unit receives a diagnostic measurement of a first of the associated assemblies and modifies operation of at least a second of the associated assemblies based at least in part on the diagnostic measurement.
20 . The system of claim 18 , wherein:
a local control unit increases voltage of a primary drive within one of the associated assemblies;
the central control unit is in electronic communication with the local control unit over a twisted pair cable.