A method for monitoring an aircraft turboshaft engine including a vibration sensor capable of outputting a vibration signal and a spark plug. The method includes, based on the vibration signal output by the vibration sensor, a step of determining a level of vibration of the turboshaft engine as well as a step of determining an indicator of spark plug wear.

An ignition device for an internal combustion engine includes a switching circuit and a control circuit. The control circuit monitors a voltage level inputted to a switching device which is installed in the switching circuit and connected to a primary winding of an ignition coil. The control circuit includes an overvoltage protection circuit which outputs an energization inhibit signal to inhibit energization of the switching device when the monitored voltage level is higher than an overvoltage threshold level. When the monitored voltage level exceeds the overvoltage threshold level in an output duration in which the energization control signal is outputted, the overvoltage protection circuit stops output of the energization inhibit signal until the output duration expires. This enables the switching device to be protected from damage and an ignition operation to be executed at a correct timing to eliminate a risk of damage to the internal combustion engine.

An ignition device for an internal combustion engine includes a switching circuit and a control circuit. The control circuit monitors a voltage level inputted to a switching device which is installed in the switching circuit and connected to a primary winding of an ignition coil. The control circuit includes an overvoltage protection circuit which outputs an energization inhibit signal to inhibit energization of the switching device when the monitored voltage level is higher than an overvoltage threshold level. When the monitored voltage level exceeds the overvoltage threshold level in an output duration in which the energization control signal is outputted, the overvoltage protection circuit stops output of the energization inhibit signal until the output duration expires. This enables the switching device to be protected from damage and an ignition operation to be executed at a correct timing to eliminate a risk of damage to the internal combustion engine.

An ignition system and a method for operating an ignition system for an internal combustion engine are provided, including a primary voltage generator and a boost converter for generating an ignition spark. An ascertainment of a voltage requirement for the ignition spark is followed by a modification of a switch-on time of the boost converter relative to a switch-off time of the primary voltage generator.

An ignition system and a method for operating an ignition system for an internal combustion engine are provided, including a primary voltage generator and a boost converter for generating an ignition spark. An ascertainment of a voltage requirement for the ignition spark is followed by a modification of a switch-on time of the boost converter relative to a switch-off time of the primary voltage generator.

It is disclosed an electronic device to control an ignition coil of an internal combustion engine, comprising a high-voltage switch, a driving unit, a bias circuit and an integrating circuit. The high-voltage switch is connected in series with a primary winding of a coil. The driving unit is configured to control the closing and opening of the high-voltage switch. The integrating circuit is interposed between the bias circuit and a reference voltage. The integrating circuit comprises an integrating capacitor. The integrating capacitor is configured, in the case wherein a pre-ignition of the comburent-combustible mixture in the combustion chamber during the phase of charging occurs, to pre-charge during the phase of charging energy in the primary winding and it is configured, in the case wherein the pre-ignition of the comburent-combustible mixture does not occur, to maintain the charge state substantially constant during the phase of charging energy.

It is disclosed an electronic device to control an ignition coil of an internal combustion engine, comprising a high-voltage switch, a driving unit, a bias circuit and an integrating circuit. The high-voltage switch is connected in series with a primary winding of a coil. The driving unit is configured to control the closing and opening of the high-voltage switch. The integrating circuit is interposed between the bias circuit and a reference voltage. The integrating circuit comprises an integrating capacitor. The integrating capacitor is configured, in the case wherein a pre-ignition of the comburent-combustible mixture in the combustion chamber during the phase of charging occurs, to pre-charge during the phase of charging energy in the primary winding and it is configured, in the case wherein the pre-ignition of the comburent-combustible mixture does not occur, to maintain the charge state substantially constant during the phase of charging energy.

A combustion control system and method for a turbulent jet ignition engine is presented. A controller is configured to access a trained feedforward artificial neural network (ANN) configured to model a first spark from a first ignition source and maximum brake torque (MBT) based on measured operating parameters, generate the first spark and MBT using the ANN, generate a second spark from a second ignition device, and determine a target spark timing. The ANN can be further configured to receive an input related to spark stagger.

Methods and systems are provided for reducing a spark plug soot load and a combustion chamber soot load by controlling spark plug timing while injecting water or washer fluid. In one example, water or washer fluid is injected during a torque reduction while advancing spark timing so as to provide at least a portion of the torque reduction while opportunistically cleaning soot from the spark plug and combustion chamber. By reducing spark plug soot load, misfire occurrence is reduced, while pre-ignition occurrence is reduced by decarbonizing the combustion chamber.

Methods and systems are provided for reducing a spark plug soot load and a combustion chamber soot load by controlling spark plug timing while injecting water or washer fluid. In one example, water or washer fluid is injected during a torque reduction while advancing spark timing so as to provide at least a portion of the torque reduction while opportunistically cleaning soot from the spark plug and combustion chamber. By reducing spark plug soot load, misfire occurrence is reduced, while pre-ignition occurrence is reduced by decarbonizing the combustion chamber.