EP0229303A1 - Eclateur, en particulier pour application de prééclateur de bougie d'allumage pour moteur à combustion interne - Google Patents

Eclateur, en particulier pour application de prééclateur de bougie d'allumage pour moteur à combustion interne Download PDF

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Publication number
EP0229303A1
EP0229303A1 EP86117029A EP86117029A EP0229303A1 EP 0229303 A1 EP0229303 A1 EP 0229303A1 EP 86117029 A EP86117029 A EP 86117029A EP 86117029 A EP86117029 A EP 86117029A EP 0229303 A1 EP0229303 A1 EP 0229303A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
electrode
spark gap
spark
housing
gap
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.)
Withdrawn
Application number
EP86117029A
Other languages
German (de)
English (en)
Inventor
Walter Bosshard
Bernd Volle
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Cerberus AG
Original Assignee
Cerberus AG
Priority date (The priority date 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 date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Cerberus AG filed Critical Cerberus AG
Publication of EP0229303A1 publication Critical patent/EP0229303A1/fr
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • 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
    • H01T1/00—Details of spark gaps
    • H01T1/20—Means for starting arc or facilitating ignition of spark gap
    • H01T1/22—Means for starting arc or facilitating ignition of spark gap by the shape or the composition of the electrodes
    • 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
    • H01T1/00—Details of spark gaps

Definitions

  • the invention relates to a spark gap with a gas-filled housing, at least partially consisting of electrically insulating material, and two opposite, electrically conductive electrodes, between which a gas discharge occurs when a certain ignition voltage is exceeded, one of the electrodes enclosing the other electrode such that a discharge space between the electrodes is formed, which is closed by an annular gap between the two electrodes.
  • Spark gaps of this type are known for example from GB-A-544 264; they are used in particular in ignition systems of internal combustion engines as spark gaps to the spark plugs. With such spark gaps, the formation of an arc or glow discharge by a spark plug in the combustion chamber of an engine is to be prevented. Instead, only a breakdown discharge at high voltage, and thus an optimal use of the energy of the ignition sparks, should be achieved. This not only makes a better one Achieve fuel utilization, but also a reduced pollutant emission, especially of nitrogen oxides. In addition, mixtures which are difficult to ignite can also be ignited reliably, so that such ignition systems can be used especially for environmentally friendly lean-burn engines (R. Maly et al.: "Automobil-Industrie", 1978, No. 3, pages 37-41).
  • the spark gaps themselves have a low energy consumption and the main part of the energy is available for the ignition of the fuel mixture in the engine. This necessitates small electrode spacings in the spark gap, but leads to relatively large capacities of the spark gap if the areas of the electrodes cannot be kept small.
  • the capacitance of the spark gap should be significantly smaller than that of the spark plug, so that when the ignition voltage is built up, the main part of the charging voltage of the ignition capacitor is connected to the spark gap. This ensures
  • the spark gap reaches its ignition voltage in front of the spark plug as desired.
  • spark gaps must withstand a very large number of gas discharges on the order of hundreds of millions without their operating data. to change significantly, which makes it necessary to ensure tight tolerances of the ignition voltage over a long operating time with an extraordinarily large number of gas discharges.
  • spark gaps known from GB-A-544 264 only meet the requirements mentioned in the initial state. If the operating time is longer, an inadmissible change in the operating data is evident.
  • the discharge space is not formed, as in the example mentioned above, by a sleeve-shaped electrode which surrounds a central electrode.
  • EP-A-99 522 describes such a spark gap in which the discharge space is formed by two electrodes with their flat end faces opposite one another and the electrically insulating housing.
  • the object of the invention is to avoid the above-mentioned disadvantages of the prior art and to create a spark gap of the type mentioned at the outset, in particular for use as a spark gap of a spark plug of an internal combustion engine, which has defined operating data, especially ignition properties, with narrower tolerances than previously observed, which are maintained even with longer operating times and with an extraordinarily large number of gas discharges, so that the spark gap remains functional even during longer operation in an internal combustion engine.
  • this object is achieved in that the electrodes are designed and arranged in such a way that the annular gap formed by the two electrodes, viewed from the discharge space, faces away from electrically insulating parts of the housing and stabilizes the gas discharge at a point remote from the annular gap is
  • the invention is based on the knowledge that compliance with and long-term maintenance of tighter tolerances in the operating data of the spark gap is made possible by largely maintaining the insulation properties of the electrically insulating housing parts.
  • the encircling of the discharge space by an electrically conductive electrode and the stabilization of the gas discharge away from the annular gap in the discharge space prevent the influence of fluctuations and changes in the insulation properties of the housing largely.
  • a deposit of atomized electrode material, which inevitably occurs with each gas discharge, on the housing insulator is avoided by the annular gap from which the atomized material emerges facing away from the insulator. Precipitation therefore occurs on metallic parts anyway and not on the insulator, where it would lead to sliding discharges and field distortions, so that significantly improved long-term stability of the operating properties is achieved.
  • the gas discharge is introduced at a point distant from the annular gap and the design and arrangement of the electrodes prevents the gas discharge from subsequently running away from this point, this point at which the gas discharge is spatially stabilized and on electrode sputtering occurs . is at the greatest possible distance from the annular gap, where the atomized material can escape from the discharge space, and could still reach the housing insulator to a small extent after deflection.
  • the discharge location can advantageously be stabilized by activating the tip of the central electrode connected as the cathode, for example by designing it as a storage cathode which contains a substance with a low electron work function.
  • the electrodes are advantageously designed in such a way that the location of the greatest field strength is adjacent to the activation substance, so that the ignition takes place directly next to the location of the subsequent breakdown channel of the discharge.
  • additional ignition electrodes, pre-ionization or field-stabilizing agents can be particularly advantageous.
  • electrodes 2 and 3 made of electrically conductive material are used in a cylindrical or tubular housing 1 made of electrically insulating material, for example ceramic, glass or porcelain, preferably made of low-gas metals, such as copper, Iron, nickel, cobalt, in pure form, or as an alloy thereof, the connection to the housing 1 being carried out in a known manner, for example using a metal-ceramic connection.
  • electrically insulating material for example ceramic, glass or porcelain, preferably made of low-gas metals, such as copper, Iron, nickel, cobalt, in pure form, or as an alloy thereof
  • One of the electrodes 2 is designed as a central electrode with a rod 4 and a body 5, which carries on its front side an activating substance 6 made of a substance with a low electron work function, which promotes electron emission, for example an alkaline or alkaline earth-containing substance.
  • the other electrode 3 is designed asymmetrically as a hood or sleeve 7 and is arranged such that it surrounds the central electrode or its rod-shaped part 4 and the body 5 such that only an annular gap 8 remains open between the hood 7 and the rod 4, with which the interior 7 of the hood 7, in which the discharge takes place, communicates with the exterior space 1 ° enclosed by the housing 1.
  • the outer end 7 of the electrode sleeve 7 is slightly retracted, so that here the distance from the housing 1 is greater than at the inner part 72, which forms such a narrow gap with the housing that practically no precipitation can get there.
  • the housing 1 is filled with a gas of high pressure, such as nitrogen or hydrogen and the like, with a pressure of several bar, preferably over 10 bar, for example about 20 bar.
  • a gas of high pressure such as nitrogen or hydrogen and the like
  • gas mixtures of the gases mentioned with other electronegative gases, such as SF 6 , various hydrocarbons and fluorine-chlorine hydrocarbons can also be used with the same aim.
  • the housing 1 is closed gas-tight in a known manner with a closure 9.
  • the gas type and pressure are selected so that the spark gap has the necessary ignition voltage, for example in the range of 20 - 30 kV.
  • the end face of the electrode body 5 connected as a cathode is provided with sharp edges 5, while the remaining edges of the different electrode parts are rounded. It is thereby achieved by means of peak discharge that the ignition takes place directly adjacent to the location where the emission-promoting substance 6 is attached and where the further discharge takes place.
  • the location of the gas discharge is determined by these measures. Since this location is far from the gap 8 between the electrodes, the electrode material atomized at the discharge site hardly moves to the gap 8 and can therefore not reach the inner wall of the housing 1 or only to a very limited extent. In addition, the exit of the mostly positively charged metal ions from the gap 8 can be blocked by a negatively charged ring 10 which extends through the housing 1 to the gap 8.
  • the precipitation of vaporized activation compound 6 is also limited to the electrode surfaces which are far from the gap 8.
  • the spark gap described shows a considerably better constancy of the ignition and discharge properties than previously known spark gaps.
  • the dimensions of the spark gap are in the centimeter range and those of the discharge path in the millimeter range. Together with the selected high-pressure gas filling, this means that when connected in series with a spark plug, the breakdown voltage is certainly kept at the desired high values of around 25 kV, but only a small part of the discharge energy is consumed by the spark gap when the discharge is ignited, and the rest of the energy is available for discharge in the engine combustion chamber. In this way it is also possible to safely ignite fuel mixtures that do not really ignite over longer operating times.
  • FIG. 2 shows a similar spark gap with a housing 11 and two electrodes 12 and 13.
  • the cathode 12 has a central rod 14 which has an activation supply 16 on its end face 15, ie the electrode is designed as a supply cathode.
  • the other electrode 13 has a cathode rod 14 enveloping it cylindrical tube 17 , which forms an annular gap 18 at its open end 17 1 with the rod 14. Since the gas discharge is stabilized at the location of the activation reservoir 16, which is also far from the gap 18 here, atomized electrode material, which could deteriorate the insulation, cannot or only in an extremely small amount emerge from the gap 18 and onto the inner wall of the housing 11 arrive.
  • the outer surface of the cylindrical electrode tube 17 has one or more shoulders 17, so that here, too, the distance between the electrode 17 and the housing 11 is greater at the open end 17 than at the inner part 172, where the distance between the electrode and the housing is smallest. In this way it is achieved that a small amount of material possibly deposited on the inner wall of the housing has the least possible effect.
  • a metal ring 31 with a free or preselected potential can be provided on the inner wall of the housing 11, which has a field-stabilizing effect and can additionally have a shading effect. Annular notches on the inside of the housing can also be advantageous.
  • the gas filling is analogous to that in the exemplary embodiment described above.
  • a gas filler neck 19 is provided on the tubular electrode 13, which is closed or squeezed off after the gas has been filled, and over which a protective hood 20 is attached. Properties and function of this spark gap are therefore anologic to the previously described exemplary embodiment.
  • FIG. 3 shows a further development of the exemplary embodiment described in FIG. 2, in which, in order to provide even greater security against deterioration in insulation during a long operating time, between the tubular one Electrode 17 and the housing wall 11 additional baffles 30 are provided.
  • the housing wall can also have shading wall elements.
  • a rapid and as accurate as possible ignition of the gas discharge path can also be effected by pre-ionization of the ignition path, for example by means of radioactive substances known per se in solid form or as an admixture for gas filling in gas form, or by an auxiliary discharge.
  • an electronegative gas can be added to the gas in the housing.
  • This additive advantageously consists of a hydrocarbon, a halogenated hydrocarbon, such as a fluorochlorohydrocarbon, or sulfur hexafluoride.

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  • Spark Plugs (AREA)
EP86117029A 1985-12-18 1986-12-08 Eclateur, en particulier pour application de prééclateur de bougie d'allumage pour moteur à combustion interne Withdrawn EP0229303A1 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
CH25/86 1985-12-18
CH2586 1985-12-18

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP0229303A1 true EP0229303A1 (fr) 1987-07-22

Family

ID=4177663

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP86117029A Withdrawn EP0229303A1 (fr) 1985-12-18 1986-12-08 Eclateur, en particulier pour application de prééclateur de bougie d'allumage pour moteur à combustion interne

Country Status (2)

Country Link
EP (1) EP0229303A1 (fr)
WO (1) WO1987004017A1 (fr)

Cited By (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP0251010B1 (fr) * 1986-06-25 1991-01-02 Siemens Aktiengesellschaft Dérivateur de surtension à gaz
EP0507330A2 (fr) * 1991-04-05 1992-10-07 Yazaki Corporation Tube à décharge rempli de gaz
EP0546692A1 (fr) * 1991-11-14 1993-06-16 Caterpillar Inc. Commutateur à haute tension
US5352953A (en) * 1991-04-05 1994-10-04 Yazaki Corporation Gas-filled discharge tube

Citations (8)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB544264A (en) * 1941-01-13 1942-04-03 Lodge Plugs Ltd Improvements relating to electric spark gaps
US2431226A (en) * 1943-02-11 1947-11-18 Westinghouse Electric Corp Low-pressure gap device
DE2529536A1 (de) * 1975-07-02 1977-01-27 Siemens Ag Hochspannungsableiter
GB1505035A (en) * 1976-04-27 1978-03-22 Int Standard Electric Corp Overload protection tube
EP0024583A1 (fr) * 1979-08-24 1981-03-11 ANT Nachrichtentechnik GmbH Dispositif de dérivation de surtensions
GB2061644A (en) * 1979-10-19 1981-05-13 Claude Sa Lightning arrester for protecting electrical circuits
EP0099522A2 (fr) * 1982-07-23 1984-02-01 Siemens Aktiengesellschaft Eclateur comportant un boîtier rempli d'un gaz
DE3528556A1 (de) * 1984-12-20 1986-07-03 BERU Ruprecht GmbH & Co KG, 7140 Ludwigsburg Funkenstrecke

Patent Citations (8)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB544264A (en) * 1941-01-13 1942-04-03 Lodge Plugs Ltd Improvements relating to electric spark gaps
US2431226A (en) * 1943-02-11 1947-11-18 Westinghouse Electric Corp Low-pressure gap device
DE2529536A1 (de) * 1975-07-02 1977-01-27 Siemens Ag Hochspannungsableiter
GB1505035A (en) * 1976-04-27 1978-03-22 Int Standard Electric Corp Overload protection tube
EP0024583A1 (fr) * 1979-08-24 1981-03-11 ANT Nachrichtentechnik GmbH Dispositif de dérivation de surtensions
GB2061644A (en) * 1979-10-19 1981-05-13 Claude Sa Lightning arrester for protecting electrical circuits
EP0099522A2 (fr) * 1982-07-23 1984-02-01 Siemens Aktiengesellschaft Eclateur comportant un boîtier rempli d'un gaz
DE3528556A1 (de) * 1984-12-20 1986-07-03 BERU Ruprecht GmbH & Co KG, 7140 Ludwigsburg Funkenstrecke

Non-Patent Citations (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Title
IEEE TRANSACTIONS ON POWER APPARATUS AND SYSTEMS, Band PAS-95, Nr. 5, September-Oktober 1976, Seiten 1639-1647, New York, US; O. FARISH et al.: "Impulse breakdown of positive rod-plane gaps in hydrogen and hydrogen-SF6 mixtures" *

Cited By (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP0251010B1 (fr) * 1986-06-25 1991-01-02 Siemens Aktiengesellschaft Dérivateur de surtension à gaz
EP0507330A2 (fr) * 1991-04-05 1992-10-07 Yazaki Corporation Tube à décharge rempli de gaz
EP0507330A3 (en) * 1991-04-05 1992-11-19 Yazaki Corporation A gas-filled discharge tube
US5352953A (en) * 1991-04-05 1994-10-04 Yazaki Corporation Gas-filled discharge tube
EP0546692A1 (fr) * 1991-11-14 1993-06-16 Caterpillar Inc. Commutateur à haute tension

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
WO1987004017A1 (fr) 1987-07-02

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