US 12,486,822 B2
Engine ignition systems and control methods therefor
Gary McBrien, S. Glastonbury, CT (US); and Thomas M. Donahue, Vernon, CT (US)
Assigned to Hamilton Sundstrand Corporation, Charlotte, NC (US)
Filed by Hamilton Sundstrand Corporation, Charlotte, NC (US)
Filed on Dec. 8, 2022, as Appl. No. 18/077,927.
Prior Publication US 2024/0191681 A1, Jun. 13, 2024
Int. Cl. F02P 15/00 (2006.01); F02P 3/08 (2006.01); F02P 17/12 (2006.01)
CPC F02P 15/003 (2013.01) [F02P 3/0869 (2013.01); F02P 3/0892 (2013.01); F02P 17/12 (2013.01); F02P 2017/121 (2013.01)] 13 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A method, comprising:
controlling firing of an exciter of an engine with an electronic controller separate from the exciter as a function of at least one excitation command from the electronic controller and at least one feedback signal from the exciter operatively connected to the electronic controller, wherein the at least one excitation command includes a pulse width modulated (PWM) signal from the electronic controller provided to the exciter;
charging the exciter energy storage with energy from electrical power in the exciter; and
controlling a rate of exciter energy storage charging based at least in part on the feedback signal to modulate the pulse width of the excitation command until a predetermined charge threshold voltage is reached;
monitoring a state of the engine including a minimum voltage level to light the engine with an ignitor; and
adjusting the predetermined charge threshold voltage based at least in part on the minimum voltage level to light the engine and one or more environmental conditions.