Abstract: A device and a method for processing data, in particular measuring data of a knock sensor of an internal combustion engine, are provided, the data being obtained by sampling an analog signal. The sampled values are combined to form data blocks and then processed as data block by a computing device.

Abstract: A method and a device for detecting knocking, in which a measurement signal of a knock sensor is evaluated during combustion in a cylinder of a combustion engine to determine whether the combustion occurred with knocking. The measurement signal is subdivided into a plurality of windows, and in each window an examination is performed to determine whether the combustion occurred with knocking. For a final assessment of whether the combustion occurred with knocking, the events of windows are compared to each other.

Abstract: A failed manifold pressure sensor is identified in a control apparatus having two manifold pressure detecting systems as a failsafe. A first comparing unit outputs an abnormal signal when a difference ?P between manifold pressures PMa and PMb detected respectively by two sensors is larger than a threshold value DP. A manifold pressure estimating unit estimates the manifold pressure from the engine revolution Ne, a throttle opening PLP, and an atmospheric pressure PAa. The difference calculating unit calculates a difference ?PMb between the detected manifold pressure PMb and the estimated manifold pressure PMcal. The difference calculating unit calculates a difference ?PMa between the detected manifold pressure PMa and the estimated manifold pressure PMcal. A second comparing unit compares the difference ?PMa and the difference ?PMb in response to the aforementioned abnormal signal. The failed manifold pressure sensor is specified according to which one of the difference ?PMa and the difference ?PMb is larger.

Abstract: A knocking sensor comprises: a cylindrical body including a cylindrical portion and a supporting flange provided at an outer circumference of a lower end of the cylindrical portion; parts including an insulating member, an electrode plate and an annular piezoelectric element; and a fixing member including a tubular portion which comprises a holding portion protruding from an outer circumference of the tubular portion and is formed to insert into the cylindrical portion from an upper end of the cylindrical portion, the holding portion being elastically deformable to hold the parts, wherein the fixing member is fixed in the cylindrical portion by inserting the tubular portion into the cylindrical portion from the upper end of the cylindrical portion and wherein the parts are clamped and fixed between the supporting flange and the holding portion by holding the parts elastically with the holding portion, while the fixing member is fixed in the cylindrical portion.

Abstract: Devices and methods for knock detection and knock control are described, in which, in addition to the customary component parts, the knock-detection circuit has a filter with switchable filter characteristic. The switchover of the filter characteristic, i.e. the shift, for example, of the mid-frequency of the filter, is carried out taking into consideration specifiable quantities or parameters, for instance, as a function of rotational speed. During the switchover of the filter characteristic, i.e. the shift of the mid-frequency, problems could occur in the knock detection; that is why measures are proposed which carry out the knock detection according to a special knock-detection algorithm during a switchover phase lasting a specifiable time.

Abstract: A control device for an internal combustion engine comprising: a knocking sensor for detecting a knocking signal of the internal combustion engine; a band pass filter for extracting a knocking signal of a predetermined frequency band from the output signal of the knocking sensor; a high pass filter comprising a capacitor and a resistor for extracting an AC component from the output of the band pass filter; a rectifying circuit having a one-way conducting element and a resistor for achieving positive half waves from the AC output of the high pass filter; and a peak hold circuit for detecting a peak value from positive half wave pulses output from the rectifying circuit, holding the peak value for a predetermined time and outputting the peak value to ignition timing control, wherein the one-way conducting element of the rectifying circuit is constructed as a negative voltage clipping mechanism for achieving positive half waves by short-circuiting negative half waves, and also with respect to each of the circuit

Abstract: Engine cylinder contribution analysis is provided. An engine cylinder contribution tester includes a displacement measurement device and a signal analyzer. The displacement measurement device detects engine block movements or displacement relative to a fixed position caused by a poorly contributing cylinder. The displacement measurement device provides a displacement signal to the signal analyzer. The signal analyzer includes a cylinder contribution module for evaluating the displacement signal. If a particular cylinder is contributing less than the average of the other cylinders, the displacement signal indicates engine block movement associated with a lack of contribution from that cylinder.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for detecting an occurrence of knocking of an engine from a signal sensed by a knocking sensor for the engine. The apparatus comprises plural filters extracting, from the signal, plural signal components whose frequency bands mutually differ and a unit determining whether or not there is the occurrence of knocking, based on results outputted from the plural filters. The plural filters include first and second types of filters. The first type of filter has a pass band set to a specific frequency band including a specific frequency of the signal. This specific frequency indicates the occurrence of knocking. The second type of filter has a pass band set to another specific frequency band. An inclination of a filtering characteristic of the second type of filter at a cut-off frequency thereof is steeper than that the first type of filter.

Abstract: The present invention includes an engine diagnostic method and routine, wherein a method of using an ionization signal to perform an engine diagnostic routine includes the steps of detecting the ionization signal; integrating the ionization signal over a first sampling window to generate a first integration ionization value; detecting a peak of the ionization signal over said first sampling window to generate a first peak ionization value; integrating the ionization over a second sampling window to generate a second integration ionization value; detecting a peak of the ionization signal over a second sampling window to generate a second peak ionization value; and diagnosing the engine using said ionization signal.

Abstract: The method for knock detection includes establishing that knock is occurring in the internal combustion engine when the amplified knock signal exceeds a predetermined reference level in a predetermined manner. The reference level is determined on the basis of individual cylinders and the increase in the reference level is limited when a new reference level leaves a predetermined reference level range or the gradient of the sound increase exceeds a predetermined threshold value. For determination of the reference level range and/or the threshold for the gradient average values of the signals originating from the sound of other cylinders are considered.

Abstract: A method of operating a knock detection system of a multi-cylinder piston engine in which the knock detection system comprises a sensor arranged in connection with each cylinder and a measurement circuit connected to the sensor includes running the engine at a load being less than full load and setting the output signal of each separate sensor between certain preset limits by adjusting one or more adjustment variables of the measurement circuit. The values of the adjustment variables for each separate cylinder are stored in the detection system. During normal use, the engine is run and the previously stored values of the adjustment values for each cylinder are used in the knock detection system.

Abstract: Method for processing a sensor signal of a knocking sensor for an internal combustion engine, having the following steps: a time window is defined for the evaluation of the sensor signal as a function of the operating state and/or the operating behavior of the internal combustion engine, a plurality of sampled values of the sensor signal are sampled within the predefined time window with a predefined sampling frequency, and an output signal which represents the knocking behavior of the internal combustion engine is determined from the sampled values, the Fourier transform of the sampled values being calculated in order to determine the output signal.

Abstract: The measuring sensor, particularly a lambda probe, has a ceramic sensor member retained at a high temperature during measuring operation. It is shielded from water droplets, carried along in the gas to be analyzed, by a heated protective housing, permeable for the gas to be analyzed, by which water droplets carried along in the direction of the sensor member are evaporated before reaching the sensor member. In this way, the water droplets are unable to cause any shock-like temperature drops at spots on the surface of the sensor member or material flaking.

Abstract: The present invention creates a method and an apparatus for blanking out interfering noise in connection with detecting knocking in an internal combustion engine. The following functions are performed: Forming a sensor signal integral value (KI) during a measurement time slot (MF) of the sensor signal of a knocking sensor; forming a correction value (DKI) for the sensor signal integral value (KI) corresponding to an interfering noise during the measurement time slot (MF); and subtracting the correction value (DKI) from the sensor signal integral value (KI) for forming a corrected sensor signal integral value (KI′) with the interfering noise blanked out.

Abstract: A sensing assembly identifies detonations in a plurality of cylinders of an internal combustion engine. The internal combustion engine includes an engine block. The sensing assembly includes a base that is fixedly secured to the engine block of the internal combustion engine. The sensing assembly also includes a sleeve that is fixedly secured to the base and extends outwardly therefrom. A sensor element extends around a portion of the sleeve. The sensor element receives vibrations generated by the detonations of the internal combustion engine and converts those vibrations into an electrical current. The sensing assembly includes a first terminal abutting the sensor element. The first terminal includes a first terminal pad directed in a first direction. The sensing assembly also includes a second terminal abutting the sensor element.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for detecting an occurrence of knocking of an engine from a signal sensed by a knocking sensor for the engine. The apparatus comprises plural filters extracting, from the signal, plural signal components whose frequency bands mutually differ and a unit determining whether or not there is the occurrence of knocking, based on results outputted from the plural filters. The plural filters include first and second types of filters. The first type of filter has a pass band set to a specific frequency band including a specific frequency of the signal. This specific frequency indicates the occurrence of knocking. The second type of filter has a pass band set to another specific frequency band. An inclination of a filtering characteristic of the second type of filter at a cut-off frequency thereof is steeper than that the first type of filter.

Abstract: In a system for detecting misfire for an internal combustion engine wherein ionization current that flows following the discharge current is detected and integrated during a period (gate) and occurrence of misfire of the engine is detected based on the integrated value, a processing delay circuit is provided which inputs at least one of the discharge current or the ionization current and based on the inputted current, delays starting of the period by a time point which is not earlier than termination of the discharge current. With this, the system is unaffected by fluctuation in ignition coil discharge period, various kinds of noise and the like, and can therefore ensure accurate misfire detection by preventing erroneous detection owing to such causes.

Abstract: A knocking detecting device executes A/D conversion of a knock sensor signal every constant time ts and executes filter processing of the converted digital signal. The knocking detecting device determines whether the knocking arises or not according to the filter processed data. The device measures a TDC signal falling period T every 120° CA. The period indicating of 5° CA is divided by a constant period ts to obtain a value which is rounded off to derive an integer N. At a timing in which the crankshaft rotates to 10° CA from the TDC signal falling, the filter processed data which are derived every A/D timing ts are integrated every N pieces of data. When the number of integrated value reaches 12, knocking determining process is executed based on the 12 integrated values.

Abstract: Structure for mounting a knock sensor (41) on an engine includes the sensor (41) comprised of an annular main body (1) and an external connecting portion (2). The knock sensor (41) is secured onto a mounting seat (52) formed on the engine for detecting vibration thereof transmitted to a piezoelectric element (10) from the mounting seat (52) through the main cylindrical metal member (3). The mounting structure includes a clamping member (91) extending through a through-hole (5) for fixing the main body (1) on the seat (52), an engine-side engaging portion (53) radially distanced from the axis of the clamping member (91) and a bearing portion (2) provided on the sensor (41) and adapted to engage with the engine-side engaging portion (53). The knock sensor can be mounted easily with harness layout design being facilitated because the knock sensor is prevented from rotation upon mounting thereof.

Abstract: A sensing assembly identifies detonations in a plurality of cylinders of an internal combustion engine. The internal combustion engine includes an engine block. The sensing assembly includes a base that is fixedly secured to the engine block of the internal combustion engine. The sensing assembly also includes a sleeve that is fixedly secured to the base and extends outwardly therefrom. A sensor element extends around a portion of the sleeve. The sensor element receives vibrations generated by the detonations of the internal combustion engine and converts those vibrations into an electrical current. The sensing assembly includes a first terminal abutting the sensor element. The first terminal includes a first terminal pad directed in a first direction. The sensing assembly also includes a second terminal abutting the sensor element.

Abstract: A controller (31) of a knocking index value calculation device in a spark ignition engine (1) determines operating conditions of the engine (1), estimates an in-cylinder pressure at a reference crank angle, which is set at a predetermined crank position after compression top dead center, using these operating conditions, estimates a temperature of unburned gas in the cylinder at the reference crank angle using these operating conditions, and calculates a knocking index value using the in-cylinder pressure and unburned gas temperature.

Abstract: A method and a device for fault detection or diagnosis may be used on a multi-cylinder internal combustion engine with a knock sensor. For diagnostic purposes an instantaneous reference value formed from the sensor signal may be compared with predefinable upper or lower reference threshold levels. If the instantaneous reference value exceeds or falls below the thresholds to a predefinable extent, a malfunction is detected. The reference levels correspond, for example, to the background noise present in knock-free operation. The fault detection or diagnosis may be performed only for the cylinder which emits the loudest noise or from which the loudest noise is recorded.

Abstract: A mounting fixture for an engine knock sensor is provided. The fixture includes a base and a support member. The support member is joined to the base with a press fit joint. The base includes an aperture and the support member is inserted in the aperture. The support member can be a bolt or a sleeve. The invention can also include a lip, associated with the support member for retaining a spring washer. The spring washer can be deflected between the support member and a knock sensor component for pressing the knock sensor component against the base.

Abstract: A cylinder head gasket interposed between a cylinder head and a cylinder block in an engine comprising a metal thin plate having a thickness between 0.1 and 2.0 mm, and elastic insulating sheets placed on both surfaces of the metal thin plate and having a thickness between 0.01 and 0.5 mm, in which a portion at which the metal thin plate is exposed is created on the inner edge side extending from the inner side of the cylinder block, and an extension portion extending from the cylinder block is created on the outer edge side extending from the outer side of the cylinder block. A combustion state detector for detecting a combustion state of an engine, wherein the before described cylinder head gasket is interposed between the cylinder head and the cylinder block in an engine, the portion at which the metal thin plate is exposed is created on the extension portion of the cylinder head gasket, and the signal detecting means is connected thereto.

Abstract: A misfire detecting device for an internal combustion engine including an ion current detecting means for detecting ion currents generated between electrodes of spark plugs; an ion current judging means for judging whether or not the ion current exists at each ignition cycle based on the ion current signal; a misfire judging means judging when no ion current is judged to exist based on an ion current judgment signal; an ignition coil; an ignition coil signal judging means for judging whether or not the ignition coil signal generated in synchronism with an ignition timing exists; and a failure judging means for judging whether or not an failure of the ion current detecting means occurs based on a result from the ignition coil signal judging means when the ion current signal is not detected.

Abstract: The detection output of a knock sensor, which detects knock of an internal combustion engine, is filtered by a filter in which the filtering frequency band is variable. The output of the filter is discriminated by a level discriminating unit with respect to a given determination level. A counter counts number c of times at which the detection output of the knock sensor is equal to or higher than the determination level. A determining unit determines whether knock occurs or not on the basis of the number c. In response to the output of the determining unit, when determination of occurrence of knock is impossible, a correcting unit conducts correction of shifting the filtering frequency band of the filter. Therefore, determination of occurrence of knock is enabled, and the accuracy of knock detection is improved.

Abstract: A spectral method, and corresponding system, for knock detection includes acquiring (603) spectral energy associated with vibration caused by a knocking condition from a running engine. Preferably, a sampled data system (105) acquires the spectral energy by converting an output from an accelerometer (101) into data samples (103) in a digital form. Then from the acquired spectral energy, a knock variable is derived from magnitudes of spectral components, representing a characteristic of a combustion chamber located within the running engine. In a preferred embodiment the knock variable is derived from magnitudes of spectral components related by ratios corresponding to Bessel function coefficients. The preferred embodiment includes a Digital Signal Processor (109) applying a Fast Fourier Transform method (503) to estimate a spectral content used to determine the knock variable. Then, a knock indication is provided (509) when the knock variable exceeds a magnitude of a predetermined threshold (507).

Abstract: A method for knock control during KC emergency operation with which, given low application expenditure, a torque gain can be attained, while the application reliability increases. The method for knock control of multi-cylinder internal combustion engines having 2n cylinders, a cylinder counter, at least one knock sensor and an evaluation unit for evaluating the knock-sensor signal with the aid of an individual knock-recognition characteristic for each cylinder, is characterized in that during KC emergency operation, cylinder pairs are formed from the cylinders operating offset in each case by 360°, and the minimal value of the two knock-recognition characteristics of the cylinder pair is assumed in each case as the knock-recognition threshold for the cylinders of the cylinder pair affected by the malfunction of the phase recognition.

Abstract: A misfiring detection apparatus including a comparison unit 22 and a time counting unit 24 which accumulates periods of time during which the ion current flowing between the center electrode 10a and the ground electrode 10b of a spark plug 10 exceeds a predetermined current value; and an ECU 26 which judges that misfiring has occurred when a total of the accumulated periods is not greater than a predetermined value. The ion current is thus determined as a cumulative value of ion current generation periods. Therefore, even when the ion current contains a discharge noise component, the discharge noise component having a short duration accounts for only a small portion of the cumulative value, so that the influence of the discharge noise component on misfiring detection can be reduced. As a result, misfiring detection can be performed with improved accuracy.

Abstract: The method for knock detection includes establishing that knock is occurring in the internal combustion engine when the amplified knock signal exceeds a predetermined reference level in a predetermined manner. The reference level is determined on the basis of individual cylinders and the increase in the reference level is limited when a new reference level leaves a predetermined reference level range or the gradient of the sound increase exceeds a predetermined threshold value. For determination of the reference level range and/or the threshold for the gradient average values of the signals originating from the sound of other cylinders are considered.

Abstract: A circuit arrangement for the interference-free evaluation of signals is disclosed, with which output signals of sensors can be evaluated; two inputs are needed for each sensor. If a ground-referred signal evaluation is to be done, then only one input is needed for each sensor. The evaluation is done using differential circuitry; in the operating mode with ground reference, the differential signal processing is done by employing an internally generated reference voltage. The choice of operating mode of the circuit arrangement can be made from outside freely via its own control pin.

Abstract: A method for controlling knocking of an internal combustion engine in which a knocking signal and a combustion signal are formed by directing vibrations detected by a vibration sensor through a primary filter circuit including a combustion filter circuit and a knocking filter circuit. The combustion filter circuit and knocking filter circuit each include a time gate and a filter. A ratio of a representative value of the knocking signal to a representative value of the combustion signal is obtained and used to decide whether knocking is occurring. The output voltage of control signals generated based on the decision that knocking is occurring may be varied as a function of the strength of the knocking and/or the frequency of the knocking.

Abstract: The present invention provides an peak chamber pressure measuring apparatus 1 for use with a regular firearm 2 using a given ammunition. The apparatus comprises: a piezoelectric accelerometer 3 for generating a recoil acceleration electrical output signal from recoil acceleration of the firearm upon discharge thereof, and provided with releasable mounting means 6 for rigidly securing the accelerometer 3 to the firearm 2 in proximity to its chamber 11. The accelerometer 3 has signal output means 12 coupled to a signal processing means 13. The signal processing means 13 converts said recoil acceleration electrical output signal which is representative of the peak chamber pressure, using a conversion relationship based on the mass of each of the firearm, and the projectile and the propellant components of the ammunition, and the firearm bore diameter, the signal processing means 13 having signal output means for connection to output signal display means 16.

Abstract: A device for suppressing knocks in internal combustion engines, in which the ignition firing point is adjusted after knocking has occurred, and this knock control is only activated in response to specifiable thermal conditions in the internal combustion engine. The gas-inlet temperature in the combustion chamber of the internal combustion engine is ascertained for the valuation of the thermal conditions of the internal combustion engine and for switching the knock control into the active state.