Abstract:
An electronic ignition system for a reciprocating engine includes a pre-ignition prevention control sub-system which acts as an independent monitor system to ensure the ignition system can only command a spark plug to fire when the next cylinder to fire is outside its pre-ignition zone. The pre-ignition prevention sub-system is independent from the circuitry which commands the spark plug to fire to ensure a single point failure of the system can not lead to a controller erroneously commanding a spark plug to fire in the pre-ignition zone. An advantage of the present invention is the increased safety the pre-ignition prevention sub-system provides to the engine by significantly reducing the likelihood that fuel/air mixture within a cylinder will be ignited prematurely.