GB378966A - Improved means for use in controlling the timing of ignition or the mixture in internal combustion engines - Google Patents

Abstract

378,966. Timing ignition; electric signalling. WALKER, C. B., 38, South Bar, Banbury, Oxfordshire. May 22, 1931, No. 15119. [Class 7 (iv).] Means dependent on the ionization due to the temperature of combustion ensures that the maximum pressure shall occur at a predetermined point on the working stroke. Auxiliary spark gaps are arranged in one or more cylinders and the time of ignition is adjusted either manually in accordance with a visual or other indicator, or automatically in response to solenoidal action on valves in an oil-pressure circuit. As shown in Fig. 1 an additional interrupter g and coil h are connected to a distributer arm j. Plugs 1a, 4a are fitted in the cylinders containing the normal ignition plugs 1, 4 and are equally spaced from the latter. The interrupter cam f is set so that a smaller interval occurs between impulses at 4, 4a than between those at 1, 1a; while the gaps 1a, 4a are too wide for a spark to pass unless ionization due to flame propagation has taken place. Resistances R<1>, R4 are in shunt with the gaps 1a, 4a; red and green lamps R, G are placed in series with resistance R<1> and plug 4a respectively. When the ignition is too far advanced, and the peak pressure occurs too early in the working stroke, both gaps 1a, 4a will be affected by the flame. The red lamp is thus short-circuited by the ionized gap 1a, but the green lamp in series with plug 4a is illuminated. With the ignition too retarded neither gap will be ionized, one current will pass by resistance R<4>, leaving lamp G unlit, and the other through resistance R<1> and the red lamp R. By adjusting the normal interrupter c an intermediate point may be found where both lamps remain unlit since the flame has time to reach gap 1a but not gap 4a. In a modification, Fig. 2, the auxiliary gaps 1a, 4a are in shunt with solenoids Si, S<4>. The armatures A<1>, A<4> are integral with valve stems V<1>, V<4> in the inlet and exhaust pipes P<1>, P<4> of an oil-pressure circuit. Between the valves a branch passage leads to a chamber containing a piston T pivoted on the shaft of the interrupter cam d. With the ignition timing properly adjusted with reference to the pressure peak, both valves P<1>, P<4> are closed, as shown. Advanced ignition permits flame action on both gaps 1a, 4a; solenoids S<1>, S<4> are de-energized and the valve stems drawn to the left, closing the inlet P<1> but opening the exhaust P<4>. Spring action turns the piston T and retards the interrupter. With too much retard neither gap will be active, both solenoids will function, opening the inlet P<1> and allowing oil pressure to move the piston T and advance the ignition. The piston T may control the mixture or function in accordance with temperature or humidity conditions to determine the peak pressure. Also, the auxiliary plugs may be timed alike and be spaced one farther than the other from its main plug.