Low Temperature Starting of Diesel Engines Using Timed Spark Discharge

A timed high energy spark discharge system was used as an aid for low temperature starting of two single cylinder, and one multi-cylinder Diesel engines. The tests were conducted by cold soaking the engines in a low temperature chamber in temperatures down to −55°C. An Arctic (AA) Diesel fuel was used at these low temperatures while '(Ho 2) fuel was used at warmer temperatures.

When used in I.D.I, engines the timed spark discharge system produced more rapid starts and faster warm ups at lower temperatures and consumed equal or less electrical energy when compared to the factory fitted electric glow plugs.

An in cylinder glow plug, which was fitted to a D.I. engine, but is not a factory option, produced more rapid starts than the timed spark discharge, but the timed spark system produced smoother running and consumed only one-half the electrical energy.