skip to main content
OSTI.GOV title logo U.S. Department of Energy
Office of Scientific and Technical Information

Title: Ignition system improvements for internal combustion engines

Abstract

This patent describes an ignition system for a spark ignition internal combustion engine. The system consists of: a pulse transformer having a primary winding and a secondary winding connected to a spark plug; driver means for supplying a voltage signal to the pulse transformer primary winding thereby including a high voltage signal and the secondary winding applied to the spark plug; controller means for providing control signals to the driver means, thereby causing the driver means to generate a voltage applied to the secondary winding, and discharge detection means for sensing the occurrence of electrical discharge across the spark plug and applying a discharge signal to the controller means for controlling the operation of the controller means; wherein the ignition system detects the existence of auto-ignition characterized by pressure and temperature fluctuations within the engine combustion chamber occurring after piston top dead center which departs from normal combustion, and further comprising timing means for sensing the position of the piston and for providing a timing signal, and wherein the controller means applies a hover voltage of a predetermined maximum level across the spark plug during a period of the cylinder cycle operating cycle after piston top dead center, the hovermore » voltage applied at a level at which discharge across the spark plug occurs in the event that the combustion chamber is experiencing auto-ignition but does not occur if the conditions within the cylinder are of normal combustion, wherein the discharge detection means thereby provides an indication of the existence of auto-ignition.« less

Inventors:
Publication Date:
OSTI Identifier:
5486911
Patent Number(s):
US 4846129
Assignee:
Chrysler Motors Corp., Highland Park, MI
Resource Type:
Patent
Resource Relation:
Patent File Date: 9 Feb 1988
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English
Subject:
33 ADVANCED PROPULSION SYSTEMS; IGNITION SYSTEMS; DESIGN; SPARK IGNITION ENGINES; CONTROL EQUIPMENT; CONTROL SYSTEMS; ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT; PULSE TECHNIQUES; ENGINES; EQUIPMENT; HEAT ENGINES; INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINES; 330101* - Internal Combustion Engines- Spark-Ignition

Citation Formats

Noble, G A. Ignition system improvements for internal combustion engines. United States: N. p., 1989. Web.
Noble, G A. Ignition system improvements for internal combustion engines. United States.
Noble, G A. 1989. "Ignition system improvements for internal combustion engines". United States.
@article{osti_5486911,
title = {Ignition system improvements for internal combustion engines},
author = {Noble, G A},
abstractNote = {This patent describes an ignition system for a spark ignition internal combustion engine. The system consists of: a pulse transformer having a primary winding and a secondary winding connected to a spark plug; driver means for supplying a voltage signal to the pulse transformer primary winding thereby including a high voltage signal and the secondary winding applied to the spark plug; controller means for providing control signals to the driver means, thereby causing the driver means to generate a voltage applied to the secondary winding, and discharge detection means for sensing the occurrence of electrical discharge across the spark plug and applying a discharge signal to the controller means for controlling the operation of the controller means; wherein the ignition system detects the existence of auto-ignition characterized by pressure and temperature fluctuations within the engine combustion chamber occurring after piston top dead center which departs from normal combustion, and further comprising timing means for sensing the position of the piston and for providing a timing signal, and wherein the controller means applies a hover voltage of a predetermined maximum level across the spark plug during a period of the cylinder cycle operating cycle after piston top dead center, the hover voltage applied at a level at which discharge across the spark plug occurs in the event that the combustion chamber is experiencing auto-ignition but does not occur if the conditions within the cylinder are of normal combustion, wherein the discharge detection means thereby provides an indication of the existence of auto-ignition.},
doi = {},
url = {https://www.osti.gov/biblio/5486911}, journal = {},
number = ,
volume = ,
place = {United States},
year = {Tue Jul 11 00:00:00 EDT 1989},
month = {Tue Jul 11 00:00:00 EDT 1989}
}