Patents by Inventor Gerard Darryl Nichols

Gerard Darryl Nichols has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Compression sense ignition system with fault mode detection and having improved capacitive sensing
    Patent number: 6359439
    Abstract: A compression sense ignition system includes a sensing capacitor having a conductive sensing element disposed in proximity to the secondary winding leads of a first and a second ignition coil for developing a compression sense ignition signal. Epoxy potting material encapsulates the leads and the sensing element to reduce variation of the effective capacitance of the sensing capacitor. The compression sense ignition signal is processed to generate a cylinder identification signal which is used to determine absolute engine position. A fault mode detection and correction scheme is implemented wherein a controller responsive to the cylinder identification signal can determine correct absolute engine position notwithstanding the occurrence of one or more engine or ignition system faults which may impair the cylinder identification signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2002
    Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: David Ross Crecelius, Gerard Darryl Nichols, Royland Anthony Walker, Steven Mark Bezdek, Joel Franklin Downey