A Method to Increase Ignition Duration and Spark Energy

2014-32-0068

11/11/2014

Event
SAE/JSAE 2014 Small Engine Technology Conference & Exhibition
Authors Abstract
Content
In each operating state and operating environment, optimum ignition is ensured by continuously analyzing sensor values. Engine manufacturers continue to be faced with the challenge of ensuring that the machine runs as smoothly and quietly as possible. Increased spark duration and higher energy of the ignition spark enable improved combustion of the gasoline-air mixture in the combustion compartment.
This article describes an electrical ignition process using an array of multiple coils and a magnetic generator that is rotating in sync with the machine. During this process the magnetic field temporarily flows through the coils and generates a sequence of magnetic flow variations per rotation. This induces corresponding half-waves of alternating voltage in the coils of the ignition module. This article describes a way to use these half-waves for prolonging the ignition spark, leading to a booster effect.
Specifically, the text describes the method depicted under patent US 6701896 B2, comparing different ignition modules with and without booster effect (Ref. 1).
To achieve this booster effect, i.e., increased spark duration and thus higher spark energy, the ignition spark must be triggered in an angle range in which the passing magnetic generator is causing a flow variation in the ignition transformer at that very moment. This leads to the induction of voltage in the secondary coil of the ignition module which increases the burn duration and the energy of the ignition spark. The result is safer ignition of the fuel mixture in the combustion engine.
Meta TagsDetails
DOI
https://doi.org/10.4271/2014-32-0068
Pages
6
Citation
Stuhlmüller, K., Lenz, D., Hook, S., Hohenhaus, D. et al., "A Method to Increase Ignition Duration and Spark Energy," SAE Technical Paper 2014-32-0068, 2014, https://doi.org/10.4271/2014-32-0068.
Additional Details
Publisher
Published
Nov 11, 2014
Product Code
2014-32-0068
Content Type
Technical Paper
Language
English