EP0174346B1 - Verbrennungsstartsystem unter verwendung einer harten entladungszündung - Google Patents

Verbrennungsstartsystem unter verwendung einer harten entladungszündung Download PDF

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Publication number
EP0174346B1
EP0174346B1 EP85901280A EP85901280A EP0174346B1 EP 0174346 B1 EP0174346 B1 EP 0174346B1 EP 85901280 A EP85901280 A EP 85901280A EP 85901280 A EP85901280 A EP 85901280A EP 0174346 B1 EP0174346 B1 EP 0174346B1
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EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
discharge
capacitor
circuit
electrical
electrodes
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
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EP85901280A
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English (en)
French (fr)
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EP0174346A4 (de
EP0174346A1 (de
Inventor
Ronald C. Pate
Raymond E. Hensley
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HENSLEY PLASMA PLUG PARTNERSHIP DBA HDI RESEARCH
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Hensley Plasma Plug Partnership dba HDI Research
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Priority claimed from US06/583,694 external-priority patent/US4589398A/en
Application filed by Hensley Plasma Plug Partnership dba HDI Research filed Critical Hensley Plasma Plug Partnership dba HDI Research
Priority to EP90117485A priority Critical patent/EP0412576B1/de
Priority to AT85901280T priority patent/ATE71432T1/de
Priority to EP90117487A priority patent/EP0408089B1/de
Publication of EP0174346A1 publication Critical patent/EP0174346A1/de
Publication of EP0174346A4 publication Critical patent/EP0174346A4/de
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    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F02—COMBUSTION ENGINES; HOT-GAS OR COMBUSTION-PRODUCT ENGINE PLANTS
    • F02P—IGNITION, OTHER THAN COMPRESSION IGNITION, FOR INTERNAL-COMBUSTION ENGINES; TESTING OF IGNITION TIMING IN COMPRESSION-IGNITION ENGINES
    • F02P3/00—Other installations
    • F02P3/06—Other installations having capacitive energy storage
    • F02P3/08—Layout of circuits
    • F02P3/0876—Layout of circuits the storage capacitor being charged by means of an energy converter (DC-DC converter) or of an intermediate storage inductance
    • F02P3/0884—Closing the discharge circuit of the storage capacitor with semiconductor devices
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F02—COMBUSTION ENGINES; HOT-GAS OR COMBUSTION-PRODUCT ENGINE PLANTS
    • F02P—IGNITION, OTHER THAN COMPRESSION IGNITION, FOR INTERNAL-COMBUSTION ENGINES; TESTING OF IGNITION TIMING IN COMPRESSION-IGNITION ENGINES
    • F02P9/00—Electric spark ignition control, not otherwise provided for
    • F02P9/002—Control of spark intensity, intensifying, lengthening, suppression
    • F02P9/007—Control of spark intensity, intensifying, lengthening, suppression by supplementary electrical discharge in the pre-ionised electrode interspace of the sparking plug, e.g. plasma jet ignition
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01T—SPARK GAPS; OVERVOLTAGE ARRESTERS USING SPARK GAPS; SPARKING PLUGS; CORONA DEVICES; GENERATING IONS TO BE INTRODUCED INTO NON-ENCLOSED GASES
    • H01T13/00—Sparking plugs
    • H01T13/02—Details
    • H01T13/04—Means providing electrical connection to sparking plugs
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01T—SPARK GAPS; OVERVOLTAGE ARRESTERS USING SPARK GAPS; SPARKING PLUGS; CORONA DEVICES; GENERATING IONS TO BE INTRODUCED INTO NON-ENCLOSED GASES
    • H01T13/00—Sparking plugs
    • H01T13/40—Sparking plugs structurally combined with other devices
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F02—COMBUSTION ENGINES; HOT-GAS OR COMBUSTION-PRODUCT ENGINE PLANTS
    • F02B—INTERNAL-COMBUSTION PISTON ENGINES; COMBUSTION ENGINES IN GENERAL
    • F02B1/00—Engines characterised by fuel-air mixture compression
    • F02B1/02—Engines characterised by fuel-air mixture compression with positive ignition
    • F02B1/04—Engines characterised by fuel-air mixture compression with positive ignition with fuel-air mixture admission into cylinder

Definitions

  • This invention relates to an apparatus for initiating combustion of fuel-air mixtures in an internal combustion engine, comprising an electrical circuit including a capacitor for storing a quantity of electrical energy, a discharge device having a pair of spaced electrodes, forming a gap across which an electrical discharge channel of alternating electrical current may be established for initiating said combustion using electrical energy stored in said capacitor, and means for electrically connecting said capacitor with said discharge device, for forming the discharge channel.
  • the known apparatus includes a capacitive portion for storing a large quantity of electrical energy therein derived from a power supply, and an electrode portion integral with the capacitive portion which comprises a pair of concentric, rod shaped electrodes for producing a high energy, umbrella shaped plasma discharge, using the inverse pinch technique. Due to the close proximity between the capacitive and electrode portions of the initiating device, rapid energy transfer from the former to the latter creates high magnetic pressures which transform the discharge into a high energy plasma jet which is delivered well into the combustion area.
  • the power coupling efficiency from a relatively high impedance ignition source circuit to the very low impedance of an established discharge channel is quite low, resulting in a greater fraction of the available energy being lost through power dissipation in circuit resistance other than the discharge channel itself.
  • Somewhat greater power dissipation in the discharge channel can be achieved by increasing the magnitude of current flow. However, for a given discharge duration, this may be accomplished only at the expense of greater energy input requirements and severe electrode wear.
  • the invention solves this problem by an apparatus of the kind mentioned above which is characterized in that the components of the electrical circuit like inductance, capacitance and resistance are dimensioned in such a manner with respect to the inductance, the capacitance and the resistance inherent to said gap prior to breakdown that the circuit inductance is so low that at least 50 % of said stored quantity of electrical energy is transferred to the discharge channel within the first one-half cycle of said alternating current.
  • a system for initiating the combustion of fuel employs a hard-discharge-ignition (HDI) process which is generated by a very rapid, intense, high-power electrical breakdown which we shall refer to as a "hard” spark discharge.
  • HDI initiation of combustion employs highly effective energy coupling mechanisms which reach high levels of intensity.
  • the term "hard-discharge” as used herein refers to the regime of operation in which the discharge circuit inductance and resistance are sufficiently low that the rate of current flow and rate of energy deposition in the discharge channel during the breakdown phase are largely governed by the resistance of the spark channel itself.
  • This extreme regime of operation is characterized by highly efficient coupling (80-95%) of the initially stored electrical circuit energy, during approximately the first half-period of the discharge current cycle, into the various transient processes associated with gaseous discharge formation and expansion.
  • hard-discharge operation delivers most of the available pulse energy within the breakdown phase of the discharge (usually within the first few tens of nanoseconds of the discharge), thereby achieving maximum power coupling from the driving circuit to the rapidly dropping effective load impedance of the discharge channel.
  • Discharges of this type give rise to intense light emission and strong hydrodynamic blast wave effects in addition to the usual high-temperature thermal plasma volume formation.
  • light is a general term which includes ultraviolet and infrared as well as the visible spectrum of electromagnetic radiation.
  • the "vacuum” or “hard” ultraviolet portion of the photon flux (with wave lengths equal to or less than 2000 angstrams) and the hydrodynamic blast wave are, in fact, major energy redistribution and transfer mechanisms which play a primary role in the initial expansion of the breakdown channel.
  • HDI generates a hard-spark-discharge that gives rise to a rapidly expanding plasma channel in which the generation of a strong, hydrodynamic blast wave is coupled with an intense burst of high-ultraviolet-content light.
  • the shockfront of the blast wave is initially driven, and hence followed by, a high density shell or "piston" of hot plasma which forms the leading ionization front of the expanding discharge channel.
  • the shockfront detaches from the driving plasma piston and moves on out at supersonic speed into the surrounding gas.
  • Energy transferred to the combustible mixture by means of shock-induced excitation and radiation absorption causes mixture sensitization, formation of reaction-promoting species, regions of increased temperature and pressure, pre-flame reactions, and micro turbulence. This is further complemented by the subsequent expanding, high temperature plasma volume with its thermal gradient and high-energy ionic species content.
  • This combined, high intensity presence of these multiple energy transfer processes may give rise to synergistic phenomena such as SWACER (shock-wave-amplification-by-coherent-energy-release), which is believed to be an important mechanism in the transition of deflagration (burn) combustion to supersonic detonation combustion.
  • this ensemble of HDI energy coupling mechanisms gives rise to a rapid overall combustion event which may consist of a combination of high-velocity turbulent deflagration and supersonic detonation combustion processes.
  • the HDI process is very robust in nature and is capable of extending stable engine operation to ultra-lean fuel mixtures.
  • the greatly enhanced speed of the overall combustion event significantly reduces the amount of ignition timing advance necessary for MBT (maximum brake torque) operation with a given fuel-air mixture.
  • ignition timing advance necessary for MBT (maximum brake torque) operation with a given fuel-air mixture.
  • the need for timing advance may be entirely eliminated. Consequently, highly efficient engine operation is provided with significantly reduced ignition timing advance.
  • the rate of admission of energy into the breakdown channel in a spark gap must be maximized in order to achieve high power coupling efficiency and to maximize the intensity of the energy transfer mechanisms which are important in accordance with the present invention for ignition applications.
  • This is accomplished by using a very low inductance, low impedance, capacitive-discharge driving circuit represented by the simplified equivalent model shown in FIGURE 1.
  • driving circuit refers to all of the high voltage discharge circuit components, connecting conductors, and structures other than the breakdown gap and gaseous discharge path itself.
  • Capacitor C represents the total effective discharge circuit capacitance
  • inductor L o represents the total effective driving circuit inductance
  • resistance R o represents the total effective driving circuit resistance.
  • PPN pulse-forming-network
  • L o includes the inductance of all connecting conductors and the inductance associated with the discrete or distributed capacitive unit and must generally be on the order of a few hundred nanohenries or less.
  • R o includes the resistance of the circuit conductors as well as the effective resistive loss associated with dielectric losses in the capacitive element. In practice, R o should be no more than a few ohms, and preferably should be minimized to the sub-ohm level. In general, this approach toward ignition system operation contrasts with the prior art approach which lays heavy emphasis upon higher impedance, higher inductance, lower capacitance driving circuitry and considerably longer discharge duration at lower intensities.
  • C g is the capacitance of the gap prior to breakdown and is typically on the order of 10 picofarads (10pf).
  • C g is important for storing the charge needed during the very early stages of the breakdown channel formation, but the magnitude of C g is small compared to C and can be neglected once the early breakdown channel has been established.
  • Closing of switch S b represents the onset of the breakdown event in which an ionized current flow path is formed between the spark gap electrodes.
  • a conductive channel in the gap is formed (i.e., switch S b closes) and current i(t) begins to flow in the discharge circuit.
  • the "hardness" parameters of an actual discharge may be characterized as follow: where V o/L is the upper limit condition of equation (4), and di dt max is the actual maximum rate of rise of current flow attained in a real discharge circuit.
  • V o/L is the upper limit condition of equation (4)
  • di dt max is the actual maximum rate of rise of current flow attained in a real discharge circuit.
  • Equation (8) The commonly used conditions of equation (4), which characterizes soft-discharge operation, is seen from equation (8) to arise when the resistive voltage drop in the discharge circuit is negligibly small relative to the inductive voltage drop.
  • L o very low inductance
  • R o low resistance
  • the resulting resistive voltage drop which is predominately due to the initially high but rapidly falling active resistance of the early-time breakdown channel, can be a major factor that can actually dominate over the inductive voltage term.
  • E o increases with pressure according to the paschen curve for a given gap configuration and is also dependent on the rate at which voltage is applied to the gap.
  • the critical time t cr for a particular gap configuration in air depends on pressure, breakdown field (E o ), and the effective impedance Z o of the circuit driving the discharge gap.
  • equations 16 and 17 may change to an extent that cannot be readily predicted without consideration of the parameters unique to the gap configuration rate of voltage application, and chamber environment.
  • the rate of rise of the voltage applied to the gap can affect the dynamics of the breakdown process. With sufficiently rapid voltage application, a given gap can be "overvolted” and the resulting effective breakdown field E o can be significantly higher than the field attained under slower voltage rise conditions.
  • optimum criteria as given by equations (14)-(17) exists for obtaining totally aperiodic, hard discharge operation When Cl g is then greater than (Cl g ) max or W o /l g is greater than (W o /l g ) max' the discharge becomes oscillatory and its overall duration increases.
  • the discharge channel is the transition region wherein the electrical energy is released within the combustible air-fuel mixture.
  • the various coupling mechanisms transfer energy to the fuel charge for initiation of the chemical reaction.
  • the description of the processes involved in the initiation may be grouped into three main areas: channel formation, channel expansion, and combustion initiation.
  • the breakdown of a spark gap occurs when the voltage applied across the electrodes reaches a minimum level such that the electric field strength in the gap exceeds the minimum threshold necessary to generate and accelerate charge carriers at a rate which precipitates the multiplicative growth of the process.
  • Application of voltage above this minimum threshold "overvolts" the gap and causes breakdown.
  • the inception of the breakdown process requires the elapse of a brief but non-zero amount of time.
  • the time delay from minimum breakdown voltage application until the beginning of the voltage collapse that accompanies breakdown formation is normally termed the "time-to-breakdown".
  • the processes which initiate breakdown are governed by statistical laws, multiplicative growth rates, and transit times which depend on gap length and field strength.
  • time-to-breakdown is a variable quantity which is responsible for "jitter” in spark gap firing.
  • "Statistical delay time” is a useful number which is the mean of the distribution of times-to-breakdown for a given gap situation. Statistical delay times can range from tens of nanoseconds to hundreds of microseconds depending on gap geometry, gap length, gas atmosphere, pressure, level of initial charge carrier density, and rate of voltage application. If voltage is applied rapidly enough, the peak voltage attained during the delay period prior to the onset of breakdown may reach well beyond the minimum breakdown voltage threshold. This high overvoltage condition increases the electric field strength which in turn can influence the dynamics of the breakdown process. As used in this disclosure, "overvolting" of a gap will generally refer to the application of significantly higher (perhaps 20%) voltage than the minimum breakdown threshold, and implies a relatively rapid rate of voltage application.
  • a column or "channel" of heated, ionized plasma forms a complete path between the electrodes.
  • This newly formed ionized channel is typically approximately 0.05 mm to 0.1mm in visible diameter and has associated with it an initial non-zero current flow which can approach several hundred to several thousand amperes in magnitude.
  • the conductivity of a gas is highly dependent upon temperature.
  • the hotter regions of the initial ionized column present the easiest path for subsequent current flow.
  • the increasing current flow through the hotter regions of the still relatively resistive plasma channel cause rapid joule heating which results in increased plasma temperatures that in turn increase the plasma conductivity.
  • This positive-feedback process rapidly leads to the production of very high internal pressure within the channel which brings about the initially explosive process of channel expansion and eventually leads to a decrease in the effective resistance and inductance of the discharge path.
  • Equation (20) From equation (20) it is apparent that the radial velocity of expansion of the channel is a function of both the current magnitude and the rate of rise of current.
  • the rate of channel expansion may be maximized in accordance with the teachings of the present invention by very low inductance, high speed, high current, high power deposition hard-discharge operation.
  • V s is the shock velocity in meters per second
  • l g is the total effective breakdown gap length in meters.
  • the effective breakdown voltage is a variable parameter governed by electrode geometry, ambient pressure, rate of rise of applied voltage, and discharge gap length.
  • HDI may be further capable of establishing a stimulated-SWACER type of synergism which shall term SWASER.
  • the SWASER (shock-wave-amplification-by-stimulated-energy-release) mechanism combines physical and chemical energy transport phenomena in a synergistic manner to not only provide the conditions for, but also then stimulate, the coherent energy release from an induction-time gradient, thereby affording substantially increased energy coupling efficiency to the mixture and promoting rapid combustion phenomena.
  • Such an HDI-generated synergistic energy release mechanism would be capable of producing a supersonic detonation shockwave by virtue of an induction time gradient-induced positive-feedback mechanism in which chemical reaction energy is released in phase with the passing, developing wave.
  • HDI operation not only establishes strong gradients in the chemically reactive mixture, but also provides additional means of stimulating those gradients into the initiation of a rapid combustion process. Specifically, various gradients established through energy transfer by radiation absorption in the layers of gas immediately outside of the expanding discharge channel are soon subjected to the strong shockfront of the blast wave created during the explosive phase of the blast wave created during the explosive phase of channel expansion. This is followed sometime later by the arrival of the hot plasma kernel and its associated thermal gradient and high-energy ionic species content.
  • the HDI method has a high energy transfer efficiency during the very early times of discharge channel formation and expansion. If the total system is tailored such that most of the available electrical energy is dissipated in this breakdown phase of the discharge, then peak power coupling will result. Because a major portion of the total energy is distributed in the plasma channel and the adjacent gases in a relatively brief time frame, (on the order of tens of nanoseconds) less energy in the form of heat is retained at the electrodes. Thus, a major factor in electrode wear is reduced. Some electrode wear caused by rupture phenomena will occur, however, the severe melting erosion found in relatively long duration, high energy arc discharge operations is greatly reduced.
  • V o maximizes hard discharge performance by maximizing the gap length (lg) and for given individual inductance (L), minimizing the ratio L/lg.
  • higher voltage is also preferred for reducing electrode wear. It is well known in the art that electrode erosion is generally proportional to the amount of pulse energy supplied to the electrodes, the amount of charge transferred decreases with increasing voltage.
  • the enhancement to the hard discharge process which is achieved through higher voltage operation can lead to a reduction in the amount of pulse energy required to produce a desired level of performance for ignition applications. This in turn leads to a reduction in the total charge transfer per pulses, thereby providing an additional potential decrease in electrode wear.
  • the HDI method of the present invention provides highly probable and robust ignition, extends the lean ignition and combustion limits beyond the capabilities of conventional thermal ignition systems, and promotes higher Otto-cycle engine efficiency by initiating a more rapid overall combustion event.
  • FIGURE 3 depicts the broad functional components or sub-systems of the pulse generation and distribution circuit of the present invention.
  • a source of 12 volt dc such as a conventional automobile battery 50 provides dc power to a primary power conditioning unit 40.
  • Power conditioning unit 40 consists of an essentially free-running, resonant, multi-vibrating 12 volt to between 200 and 6,000 volt regulated supply. 200 to 6,000 volts dc is supplied by the power conditioning unit 40 to a charging network 42 which includes a later discussed flywheel capacitor which stores enough energy to supply a plurality of high voltage pulses.
  • a high voltage pulse generator 44 produces high voltage pulses using the charge supplied by charging network 42 and delivers these high voltage pulses to a pulse distributing and peaking circuit 46.
  • the charging network 42, pulse generator 44 and pulse generation and peaking circuit 46 are controlled by a timing and control circuit 48 which receives a train of timing signals from an appropriate source, such as a magnetic sensing coil or breaker points 56 which sense the rotation of some portion of the engine, such as the crankshaft or camshaft 54.
  • a timing and control circuit 48 which receives a train of timing signals from an appropriate source, such as a magnetic sensing coil or breaker points 56 which sense the rotation of some portion of the engine, such as the crankshaft or camshaft 54.
  • High voltage pulses are delivered to a pulse forming network (PFN) which is closely coupled with a later discussed ignitor unit 52.
  • Ignitor unit 52 includes a discharge tip communicating with a charge of reactive fuel mixture 72 within a closed combustion chamber 68 having a piston 70 connected with the crankshaft 54.
  • the ignitor unit 52 in combination with the PFN 50 produces the previously discussed hard spark discharge 58 within the combustion chamber 68.
  • the hard spark discharge 58 comprises an ignition kernel from which there radiates a supersonic blast wave front 66 followed by a high temperature, high density plasma shell or "piston" 60.
  • the region 62 from the piston 60 and extending beyond the blast wave front 66 consists of a steep gradient in temperature, density, and pressure.
  • Hard ultraviolet radiation 64 also radiates from the discharge 58, and cooperates with the blast wave shock front 66 and plasma piston 60 to initiate combustion in the reactive mixture 72 in a very rapid manner according to the synergistic SWASER phenomena.
  • a conventional capacitive discharge or induction system can be employed to pulse charge the PFN 50 and ignitor unit 52, such conventional systems are limited in the amount of capacitive loading which can be achieved while maintaining a relatively high output voltage. Such systems are typically limited to secondary circuit capacitance of about 100 pf or less with output voltages in the range of 20 to 30 kV. Consequently, these systems are capable of delivering maximum pulse energies of approximately 50 mJ or less to the PFN 50 and ignitor unit 52; these energy levels offer some degree of enhanced ignition performance, however we have found that in order to achieve significantly enhanced combustion with relatively high efficiency, it is necessary to deposit energy in the reactive mixture 72 amounting to several hundred mJ/cm discharge gap length. Experiments have demonstrated that combustion enhancement increases significantly as the deposited energy increases from about 60 mJ per pulse to several Joules per pulse. In general, the range of combustion enhancement will depend upon the operating characteristics of the engine and the discharge power level.
  • FIGURE 4 wherein various forms of a discharge tip for use with the ignitor 52 are depicted.
  • Certain constraints must be placed on the gap between the electrodes at the discharge in order to achieve HDI operation.
  • the predominant factor affecting HDI operation are the value of the inductance of the overall ignitor unit and a gap length sufficient to hold off the voltage level applied to the electrodes. These criteria may be satisfied by numerous discharge tip and gap geometries, providing that inductance and impedance are maintained below a prescribed value.
  • Discharge tip geometry also affects longevity of the ignitor in terms of insulator and conductor wear due to the presence of extremely hot plasma and strong shockwave production.
  • FIGURES 4A and 4B One of the tip designs is depicted in FIGURES 4A and 4B and consists of inner and outer coaxial electrodes 80, 76 which are electrically insulated from each other by a cylindrically shaped insulator 82.
  • the outer cylindrical wall of the outer electrode 76 is provided with a thread form 78 which is adapted to be matingly received in an engine block or the like in order to mount the ignitor so that a discharge tip communicates with the combustion chamber.
  • the outer ends of electrodes 76 and 80, as well as the insulator 82, extend along a common plane or flat surface 84.
  • the discharge gap formed by ignitor tip 74 is radial and extends circumferentially around the entire surface 84. Consequently, the electrical field indicated at 85 commences at the outer end of electrode 80 and possesses a radially outward trajectory to all Points on the outer electrode 76 along its upper surface 84.
  • the ignitor tip 74 possesses minimum inductance and impedance because of the coaxial geometry of electrodes 76, 80 and the radial nature of the gap.
  • the physical gap length of ignitor tip 74 is given by the difference in conductor radii b-a shown in FIGURE 4B.
  • the gap length will be selected in accordance with the voltage pressure conditions of the particular application and anticipated operating conditions.
  • the wall thickness and nature of the insulator 82 must be selected so as to assure that breakdown between the electrodes 76, 80 does not occur along their lengths.
  • both the inductance and impedance are determined in large part by the natural logarithm of the ratio of conductor radii b/a and that the inductance and impedance may be minimized provided the difference in conductor radii, b/a equals the required thickness of the insulator 82 for internal voltage hold-off.
  • the electric field created by the voltage applied to electrode 76, 80 is shown at 85, with arrows indicating the direction that a positive test charge would move in the field (from positive to negative polarity).
  • the field 85 is non-uniform, moving outwardly away from the surfaces 84, and it is believed that this non-uniformity in addition to the curvature of the lines of the field enhance the resulting discharge.
  • the sharply curving nature of the field 85 changes the characteristic breakdown potential of the gap, accelerates charges moving in the field and tends to push the arc channel outwardly away from the tip due to magnetic forces, particularly where large current densities exist in the discharge.
  • the linear flow of current through the central or inner conductor 80 produces a magnetic field which interacts with the fields produced by the discharge to further enhance the discharge.
  • ignitor tip 74 tends to produce a discharge which a spatial symmetry and uniformity which maximizes the volume of fuel mixture which is contacted by the discharge.
  • the smooth, unobstructed surface 84 precludes any detrimental effects due to flow conditions within the combustion chamber and exposes larger electrode surface for participation in the discharge, which has a tendency to prolong the life of the electrode.
  • the ignitor tip 74 may be modified in various ways to further enhance its operation. For example, as shown in FIGURE 4C, either or both of the outer ends of the electrodes 76, 80 might be pointed, as at 86, 88 in order to further "peak" the field 85. In other words, the field would tend to emanate from the peaks of the pointed tips 86, 88.
  • the outer edge of the insulator 82 may be slightly recessed at 90 as shown in FIGURE 4D.
  • the discharge gap could be lengthened without increasing wall thickness by extending the insulator 82 outwardly beyond the outer surfaces of electrodes 76, 80; this design would be particularly effective in low pressure combustion environments or where higher breakdown voltage is required.
  • the outer ground electrode 76 might be offset at 96 without comprising the internal hold-off voltage in those cases where lower voltage or higher compression operation is desired.
  • An alternative approach for lengthening the discharge gap consists of recessing the center electrode 80 from the end of the insulator 82 and outer electrode 76, as shown in FIGURE 4G.
  • a pronounced "jet" action due to the resultant cavity above the center electrode 80 has been noted with ignitors of this type. This jet is not likely due to an expulsion of plasma from the cavity, but rather is caused by reflected shockwaves initially trapped during the channel expansion and/or possibly a stream of heavy ion species originally moving along electric field lines but at a later time following trajectories dictated by their inertia once the field has diminished.
  • FIGURE 4H To avoid excessive wear on the insulator 82, such insulator could be contoured at 83 as shown in FIGURE 4H to present a tapered surface extending from the end of center electrode 80 radially outward to the outer electrode 76.
  • the geometry shown in FIGURE 4H provides the advantage of a recessed design which reduces insulator wear, but retains the jet or cannon line discharge effect.
  • Extension of the center electrode 80 beyond the end of the outer electrode 76 as shown in FIGURE 4I also provides a means of increasing the discharge gap length.
  • the tapered outer surface 85 of the insulator 82 again reduces wear on the insulator.
  • Such an extension of the center electrode 80 into the combustion chamber assists in coupling and transferring the discharge energy to a fuel charge and is relatively unconfined.
  • FIGURE 4J One suitable tip design employing a linear gap is shown in FIGURE 4J.
  • the ignitor shown in FIGURE 4J is broadly similar to conventional spark plug designs, with the outer electrode 76 having an L shaped extension 76a which provides an electrode surface axially aligned with the center electrode 80.
  • the pulse forming network 50 and ignitor unit 52 must be closely coupled. This close coupling results in a current flow discharge which is largely governed by the impedance of the discharge channel itself.
  • FIGS 6A and 6B Discrete capacitor type PFN's are shown in FIGURES 6A and 6B.
  • the preferred PFN is shown in FIGURED 5 which discloses a coaxially configured ignitor 98.
  • the integral PFN-ignitor 98 achieves the lowest possible inductance and therefore provides maximum coupling to the discharge channel. Additionally, a later discussed capacitive portion of the ignitor 96 need not be assigned to have an extended service life since it is removed and replaced periodically when the ignitor tip becomes worn and requires replacement.
  • the ignitor 98 includes a cylindrical outer electrode 10 formed of metal or the like and includes a reduced diameter portion 104 at one end thereof which is connected to the larger diameter portion by a radially extending shoulder 105.
  • the smaller diameter portion 104 is threaded at 104 so as to be threadably received within an engine block or the like.
  • the outer end of the larger diameter portion of the electrode 100 is threaded at 102 so as to threadably connect with a power supply distribution cable.
  • a central, metal electrode 108 is cylindrical in shape and is disposed coaxially within the outer electrode 100.
  • One end of the central electrode 108 includes a reduced diameter extension 120 which is received within a passageway 118 and an insulating sleeve 114 which is secured within the reduced diameter portion 104 of the outer electrode 100.
  • One end of the central electrode 108 is beveled around its entire circumference 109 and a suitable dielectric potting compound 116 is interposed between the end of the insulator 114 and the beveled surface 109 of the central conductor 108.
  • the outer end of the central electrode 108 is defined by a reduced diameter portion or tip 111 which terminates at its outer end in a hemispherical surface 112.
  • the base of the central electrode 108 surrounding the tip 111 is defined by a ring-shaped, radially extending shoulder 110.
  • the outer end of the electrode 100 extends longitudinally approximately the same length as the tip 111 of the central electrode 108.
  • a ring-shaped body 113 formed of a ceramic capacitor compound is disposed between the outer electrode 100 and central electrode 108.
  • Body 113 extends the full length of the outer electrode 100 from the base or shoulder 105.
  • the outer end 106 of body 113 extends beyond the outer longitudinal extremities of tip 111 or electrode 100.
  • the central electrode 108, outer electrode 100 and capacitor compound 113 form the capacitive portion of the PFN.
  • a distributed capacitance PFN 158 is depicted in FIGURE 6A, which is formed integral with the distribution cable connecting the ignitor with the high voltage power supply.
  • the cable including the PFN 158 is substantially flexible but yet does not possess a diameter too large to be used in existing automobile engines.
  • the PFN 158 comprises a stripline geometry in which a plurality of flexible, outer foil conductors 160 are interleafed with a plurality of inner foil conductors 164 and are separated therefrom by a plurality of layers of dielectric material such as a polyamide film.
  • the foil conductors 162, 164 may extend a substantial portion of the length of the entire cable and the sandwiched construction is enclosed by an outer rubber or plastic jacket 166.
  • the stripline configuration may be terminated in a connector 168 which is adapted to releasably connect the cable with an ignitor.
  • the inner foil conductors 164 are terminated in a single connection which is secured to the center conductor 172 which in turn is connected with a metal contact 174 disposed within a cap 176 which fits over the electrical leads of the ignitor.
  • the foil conductors 160 are terminated in a connection with lead lines 170 within the cap 176. Contacts 174 and lead lines 170 respectively interconnect with the electrodes of the ignitor.
  • FIGURE 6B Another form of distributed capacitance PFN is depicted in FIGURE 6B.
  • the PFN comprises the coaxial cable 123 which is connected to an ignitor (not shown) by a connector 138.
  • the connector 138 includes an outer threaded coupling 142 which is threadably received by a portion of the ignitor, and an inner electrical connecting portion 140 which electrically connects the electrodes of the ignitor with the central conductor 128 and outer conductor 127 of the cable 123.
  • the inner and outer conductors 127 and 128 from the distributed capacitance.
  • FIGURE 8 The high voltage pulse generator 44 depicted in FIGURE 3 will now be discussed in more detail, and in this regard reference is first made to FIGURE 8.
  • FIGURE 8 depicts a simple step-up transformer circuit in which energy originally stored in a primary capacitor C1 at voltage V1 is transferred through a step-up transformer T1 to a capacitor C2 at a higher voltage V2.
  • This method of high voltage pulse generation is particularly well adapted for use in the HDI system of the present invention because output load of the pulse generator is formed basically of the capacitance of the high voltage circuit of the pulse forming network 50 (FIGURE. 3).
  • L11 and L22 are the self-inductances of the primary and secondary windings respectively of transformer T1.
  • Inductor L12 is the mutual inductance between the primary and secondary windings.
  • the circuit shown in FIGURE 8 comprises two inductively coupled resonant circuits, each of which has a fundamental resonant frequency governed by the inductance and capacitances of each circuit.
  • the general solution of these two coupled circuits consists of primary and secondary current flow, i1 (t) and i2 (t), each being defined by two superimposed sinusoidal functions of different frequency.
  • the overall operation of this current consists of the cyclical transfer of energy from the primary to the secondary circuit and then back to the primary circuit.
  • an increase in coupling between the primary and secondary circuits increases the rate of energy transfer and decreases the overall period of energy cycling between the circuits.
  • the overall circuit operates in a dual-resonance transformation mode and is characterized by total energy transfer from the primary circuit to the secondary circuit during the duration required for two half cycles of current flow in both the primary and secondary circuits.
  • the present invention employs a high voltage pulse design based on the use of an air-core, spiral strip dual resonance transformer.
  • the air-core design eliminates loss and breakdown problems associated with magnetic core materials and allows for low loss, high efficiency operation at relatively high energy levels.
  • Spiral strip construction allows for relatively easy transformer design and assembly, and is less susceptible to transient voltage breakdown problems.
  • this problem can be substantially reduced or eliminated by employing a pulse compressing hold-off device such as a saturable inductor or gas switch, between the output capacitor C2 and the discharge pulse forming network.
  • a pulse compressing hold-off device such as a saturable inductor or gas switch
  • This approach also provides the advantage of a faster rising output voltage pulse which can be potentially "overvolt" the ignitor gap.
  • the pulse generator can be designed to operate in an off resonance mode (i.e., as a common pulse transformer) in order to deliver a fast rising output pulse which reaches maximum voltage on the first half cycle.
  • This latter mentioned mode of operation has a lower theoretical energy transformation efficiency but is nevertheless capable of transferring a reasonable fraction of the available energy in a relatively short time frame without the need for reversal of voltage and current.
  • This approach would also eliminate the need for a bidirectional primary switch and reduces the dielectric stress on capacitors C1 and C2 caused by the voltage reversal.
  • Capacitor C s Prior to generating a high voltage pulse by closing switch S p in the circuit shown in FIGURE 8 the primary capacitor C1 is charged to a prescribed voltage by the previously discussed primary power source 40 via the charging network 42 shown in FIGURE 10.
  • the primary power source of voltage V o and impedance Z s charges a relatively large storage capacitor C s .
  • Capacitor C s is sufficiently large to store the equivalent of a plurality of pulses, thereby acting as a system buffer or "flywheel" which smooths out the energy demands on the previously discussed power supply.
  • the primary power supply might consist simply of 12 volt dc battery/alternator/regulator system of a conventional automobile electrical system
  • a power conditioning stage which converts the 12 volt dc power supply to a higher voltage, typically on the order of several hundred to several thousand volts as previously discussed.
  • considerably less voltage step-up is required in the pulse generator, lower magnitudes of current are required to transfer a given quantity of energy, and the given quantity of energy can be stored in less physical volume due to the higher energy densities possible at higher voltages.
  • the inductive charging network 42 shown in FIGURE 10 comprises a diode D c connected in series with an inductor L c and provides a low-loss transfer of energy from capacitor C s to capacitor C1 and can also yield a voltage gain by nearly a factor of 2.
  • FIGURE 9 depicts an idealized case with no resistive losses.
  • the use of the blocking diode D c prevents the energy in capacitor C1 from ringing back into the capacitor C s , thereby holding the charge voltage on C1.
  • the charging network 42 also provides electrical isolation of the primary circuit of the pulse generation circuit from the electrical power source 40 and energy storage capacitor C s ; this is achieved by choosing a value for inductor L c sufficiently large to make the charging circuit time constant T c much larger than the discharge constant of the pulse generation circuit.
  • T c will typically be on the order of several hundreds of microseconds to a few milliseconds, while the discharge time constant of the pulse generator will usually be no more than a few tens of microseconds.
  • FIGURE 10 depicts the details of one embodiment of the present invention wherein the inductively charged high voltage pulse generator is employed in combination with a conventional mechanical distributor 182 of an automobile ignition system.
  • the 12 volt dc power supply 50 and dc to dc convertor 40 charges the flywheel storage capacitor C s , and pulses of energy are drawn from the flywheel capacitor C s through the previously discussed charging network 42 to a storage capacitor C1.
  • High voltage pulses generated by the pulse generator 44 are delivered through the coupling transformer T1 to the pulse distribution and peaking circuit 46 in accordance with the opening and closing of primary switch S p .
  • the secondary coil L22 of the transformer T1 is connected to the rotatable contact of distributor 182 through a later discussed optional pulse hold-off and unit denoted by P. Alternatively, the optional distribution line between the distribution system and the discharge PFN unit.
  • the high voltage pulses are delivered from the distributor 182 via a coaxial distribution line or cable 188 to the closely coupled pulse forming network 50 and ignitor unit 52.
  • Timing signals are generated by the distributor 182 by means of a magnetic pickup 56 which produces a train of timing pulses that are squared up and amplified by a timing pulse conditioner 48a and are delivered to a trigger pulse generator 48b.
  • the trigger generator 48b uses the timing signals to control the operation of the primary switch S p through firing pulses delivered through line 186.
  • Lines 184 provide the necessary power to the primary switch trigger generator 486.
  • FIGURE 11 depicts another alternate form of a circuit for the present invention which is generally similar to that depicted in FIGURE 10 but further provides for demand charge of the pulse generator 44 by means of an SCR in the charging network 42, in lieu of the diode D c in the circuit of FIGURED 10.
  • Timing pulses output from the timing pulse conditioner 48a are delivered to a time delay circuit 48d and a demand charge trigger generator 48c.
  • the time delay circuit 48d is conventional in design and functions to delay the delivery of the timing pulse from the coil 56 to the trigger pulse generator 48b for a prescribed interval.
  • the undelayed timing pulses delivered to the demand charge trigger generator 48c are employed to control triggering of the SCR in the charging network 42.
  • the use of a time delayed trigger pulse from pulse generator 48b assures that capacitor C1 has been fully charged following switching of the SCR, and the charging SCR has turned off, before switch S p is closed.
  • the energy transferred from the secondary L22 of the pulse transformer T1 can be distributed to the ignitor units 52 either mechanically or electronically by means of a modified conventional distributor or by saturable inductor devices. In either case, a desirable compression of the electrical pulse may result as discussed previously.
  • mechanical distribution of the pulse may be achieved by connecting an electrical conductor 194 between the output of the pulse generator 44 and the input terminal of the distributor 182.
  • the distributor 182 functions as a mechanical switch for transferring the incoming pulse to a mechanical rotor 196.
  • the rotor 196 is caused to rotate by the engine at a speed commensurate with the engine and includes a conductor which rotates past connector terminals 198 to which each of the cables 188 is connected.
  • a rapidly rising voltage pulse appears on the input cable 194 which ionizes a small gap between the rotor 196 conductor and the terminals 198, thus closing a circuit so that current from the pulse flows to the corresponding PFN 50 and ignitor unit 52.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Combustion & Propulsion (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Plasma & Fusion (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Ignition Installations For Internal Combustion Engines (AREA)
  • Combustion Methods Of Internal-Combustion Engines (AREA)
  • Spark Plugs (AREA)
  • Cylinder Crankcases Of Internal Combustion Engines (AREA)
  • Spray-Type Burners (AREA)
  • Valve Device For Special Equipments (AREA)
  • Electrical Discharge Machining, Electrochemical Machining, And Combined Machining (AREA)

Claims (20)

  1. Vorrichtung zum Einleiten der Verbrennung von Kraftstoff-Luftgemischen in einer Verbrennungskraftmaschine, umfassend einen elektrischen Stromkreis mit einem Kondensator (50) zum speichern einer Menge elektrischer Energie, einer Entladevorrichtung (52) mit einem Paar zueinander beabstandeter Elektroden (104, 120), die einen Spalt bilden, über den ein elektrischer Entladungskanal (58) für eine Wechselstromentladung aufgebaut werden kann, um die Verbrennung unter Ausnutzung in dem Kondensator (50) gespeicherter elektrischer Energie einzuleiten, und Mittel zum elektrischen Verbinden des Kondensators (50) mit der Entladevorrichtung (52) zwecks Bildens des Entladungskanals (58), dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß die Komponenten des elektrischen Stromkreises wie Induktivität, Kapazität und Widerstand unter Berücksichtigung der Induktivität, der Kapazität und des Widerstandes des Spaltes vor der Entladung so dimensioniert sind, daß die Stromkreisinduktivität so klein ist, daß mindestens 50% der gespeicherten Menge elektrischer Energie innerhalb der ersten Halbperiode des Wechselstroms auf den Entladungskanal (58) übertragen werden.
  2. Vorrichtung nach Anspruch 1, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß der elektrische Stromkreis, in dem der Entladungskanal (58) aufgebaut wird, die folgende Gleichung erfüllt:
    Figure imgb0028
     In der tm Zeit in Nanosekunden ist, zu der die Stromanstiegsgeschwindigkeit in dem Entladungsstromkreis weitgehend maximal ist,
    Rm der Widerstand in Ohm des Entladungskanals zur Zeit tm ist,
    C die Kapazität des Entladestromkreises in Nanofarad ist, die vorzugsweise zwischen 100 und 5000 Picofarad liegt,
    L die Induktivität des Entladestromkreises in Nanohenry ist, und
    lg die Länge des Spaltes in Zentimeter ist, die vorzugsweise zwischen 0,01 und 1,0 cm liegt, wobei der Wert L/lg vorzugsweise kleiner als 100 Nanohenry pro Zentimeter ist.
  3. Vorrichtung nach Anspruch 1 oder 2, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß das Verhältnis der Induktivität des Kondensators (50) und der Entladungsvorrichtung (52) zur Länge des Entladungskanals (58) kleiner als etwa 100 Nanohenry pro Zentimeter ist.
  4. Vorrichtung nach Ansprucn 3, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß das Verhältnis der Induktivität des elektrischen Entladungsstromkreises mit dem Kondensator (50), einer Verbindung zwischen dem Kondensator (50) und den Elektroden (104, 120) und dem Spalt zur Länge des Entladungskanals (58) kleiner als etwa 80 Nanohenry pro Zentimeter ist.
  5. Vorrichtung nach einem der Ansprüche 2 bis 4, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß der Kondensator (50) auf eine Spannung zwischen etwa 20.000 und 40.000 Volt aufgeladen wird.
  6. Vorrichtung nach einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche, mit einem Paar elektrischer Leiter zum Verbinden des Kondensators (50) mit den Elektroden (104, 120), wobei der Kondensator (50) und die Leiter konzentrisch eine gemeinsame Achse umgeben, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß ein Isolierkörper (114) zwischen den Elektroden (104, 120) und dem Kondensator sowie zwischen den Leitern angeordnet ist.
  7. Vorrichtung nach Anspruch 6, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß der Kondensator (100, 108) und der Isolierkörper (114) einander längs der Achse überlappen.
  8. Vorrichtung nach Anspruch 7, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß eine Schicht (116) eines dielektrischen Materials zwischen dem Kondensator (100, 108) und dem Isolierkörper (114) längs den einander überlappenden Teilen vorgesehen ist.
  9. Vorrichtung nach Anspruch 6, 7 oder 8, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß eine innere und eine äußere koaxiale Elektrode (80, 76) durch einen zylindrischen Isolierkörper (82) getrennt sind, und daß die äußeren Enden der Elektroden (80, 76) einen radialen Entladungsspalt bilden.
  10. Vorrichtung nach Anspruch 9, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß die Elektroden (80, 76) und der Isolierkörper (82) mit ihren äußeren Enden in einer gemeinsamen Ebene (84) liegen.
  11. Vorrichtung nach Anspruch 9 oder 10, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß eines oder beide äußeren Enden (86, 88) der Elektroden (76, 80) zugespitzt sind.
  12. Vorrichtung nach Anspruch 9 oder 11, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß das äußere Ende (90) des Isolierkörpers (82) oder der Mittelelektrode (80) vertieft ist.
  13. Vorrichtung nach Anspruch 9 oder 11, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß das äußere Ende des Isolierkörpers (82) nach außen über die äußeren Enden der Elektroden (76, 80) hinausragt.
  14. Vorrichtung nach Anspruch 12 oder 13, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß das äußere Ende des Isolierkörpers (82) eine abgeschrägte Fläche (83, 85) hat, die von dem Ende einer der Elektroden (76, 78) radial zur anderen Elektrode (80, 76) hin verläuft.
  15. Vorrichtung nach einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß die Komponenten so dimensioniert sind, daß der Entladungskanal (58) innerhalb von 30 Nanosekunden aufgebaut wird.
  16. Vorrichtung nach einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß die Komponenten so dimensioniert sind, daß der Entladungskanal (58) mit einer Stromanstiegsgeschwindigkeit von mindestens 10⁹ A/sec aufgebaut wird.
  17. Vorrichtung nach einem der vo hergehenden Ansprüche, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß die Komponenten so dimensioniert sind, daß der Entladungskanal (58) durch einen Spitzenstrom von mindestens 800 Ampère aufgebaut wird.
  18. Vorrichtung nach einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß der Kondensator (158) innerhalb eines Teils eines elektrischen Verteilerkabels (166, 180) ausgebildet und längs diesem verteilt ist.
  19. Vorrichtung nach Anspruch 18, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß der Kondensator (158) mehrere abwechselnde Schichten einer Isolierung (162) und von Leitern (160) hat, die in Längsrichtung durch das Kabel (166) verlaufen.
  20. Vorrichtung nach Anspruch 18, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß der Kondensator (50) innere und äußere koaxiale Leiter hat, die in Längsrichtung durch das Kabel verlaufen.
EP85901280A 1984-02-27 1985-02-26 Verbrennungsstartsystem unter verwendung einer harten entladungszündung Expired - Lifetime EP0174346B1 (de)

Priority Applications (3)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
EP90117485A EP0412576B1 (de) 1984-02-27 1985-02-26 Vorrichtung zum Zünden der Verbrennung eines Kraftstoff-Luftgemisches
AT85901280T ATE71432T1 (de) 1984-02-27 1985-02-26 Verbrennungsstartsystem unter verwendung einer harten entladungszuendung.
EP90117487A EP0408089B1 (de) 1984-02-27 1985-02-26 Vorrichtung zum Initiieren von Verbrennung in einer Brennkraftmaschine

Applications Claiming Priority (4)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US583694 1984-02-27
US06/583,694 US4589398A (en) 1984-02-27 1984-02-27 Combustion initiation system employing hard discharge ignition
US70148285A 1985-02-14 1985-02-14
US701482 1985-02-14

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EP90117485A Division EP0412576B1 (de) 1984-02-27 1985-02-26 Vorrichtung zum Zünden der Verbrennung eines Kraftstoff-Luftgemisches
EP90117487.0 Division-Into 1990-09-11
EP90117485.4 Division-Into 1990-09-11

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EP85901280A Expired - Lifetime EP0174346B1 (de) 1984-02-27 1985-02-26 Verbrennungsstartsystem unter verwendung einer harten entladungszündung
EP90117487A Expired - Lifetime EP0408089B1 (de) 1984-02-27 1985-02-26 Vorrichtung zum Initiieren von Verbrennung in einer Brennkraftmaschine

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CA (1) CA1267930A (de)
DE (3) DE3588119T2 (de)
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IT (1) IT1214652B (de)
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DE3513422C2 (de) * 1985-04-15 1993-10-28 Beru Werk Ruprecht Gmbh Co A Zündanlage für Brennkraftmaschinen
FR2858024B1 (fr) * 2003-07-25 2007-11-16 Peugeot Citroen Automobiles Sa Dispositif d'allumage d'un melange air/carburant
US9246698B2 (en) * 2004-05-07 2016-01-26 Nokia Technologies Oy Apparatus, and associated method, for facilitating a radio resource measurement in a radio communication system
GB2584731B (en) * 2019-06-13 2024-01-31 Bae Systems Plc Pulse charging of a capacitor

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BE573091A (de) *
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FR1307681A (fr) * 1961-12-07 1962-10-26 Lodge Plugs Ltd Perfectionnements aux systèmes d'allumage électrique
GB994525A (en) * 1962-12-06 1965-06-10 Gen Motors Ltd Spark plugs
DE2363804A1 (de) * 1973-12-21 1975-06-26 Uwe Holtin Kondensatorzuendkerze
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FR2317804A1 (fr) * 1975-06-24 1977-02-04 Smiths Industries Ltd Dispositif electrique d'allumage
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Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
DE3588073T2 (de) 1996-05-30
EP0408089A2 (de) 1991-01-16
EP0412576A3 (de) 1991-03-20
EP0412576A2 (de) 1991-02-13
WO1985003980A1 (en) 1985-09-12
GB2182718B (en) 1988-06-08
GB2182718A (en) 1987-05-20
GB8525712D0 (en) 1985-11-20
IT8547719A0 (it) 1985-02-22
SE453852B (sv) 1988-03-07
CA1267930A (en) 1990-04-17
ATE141999T1 (de) 1996-09-15
ATE71432T1 (de) 1992-01-15
EP0412576B1 (de) 1996-08-28
SE8505033L (sv) 1985-10-25
DE3588119T2 (de) 1997-02-27
SE8505033D0 (sv) 1985-10-25
DE3588073D1 (de) 1996-02-01
DE3588119D1 (de) 1996-10-02
ATE131905T1 (de) 1996-01-15
IT1214652B (it) 1990-01-18
EP0174346A4 (de) 1986-07-30
EP0408089B1 (de) 1995-12-20
AU3907885A (en) 1985-09-05
EP0174346A1 (de) 1986-03-19
DE3585113D1 (de) 1992-02-20
EP0408089A3 (en) 1991-03-20

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