US3842819A - Ignition devices - Google Patents

Ignition devices Download PDF

Info

Publication number
US3842819A
US3842819A US00307069A US30706972A US3842819A US 3842819 A US3842819 A US 3842819A US 00307069 A US00307069 A US 00307069A US 30706972 A US30706972 A US 30706972A US 3842819 A US3842819 A US 3842819A
Authority
US
United States
Prior art keywords
gap
electrodes
ignition device
hole
potential
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.)
Expired - Lifetime
Application number
US00307069A
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
F Atkins
K Waterson
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.)
Associated Engineering Ltd
Original Assignee
Associated Engineering Ltd
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 Associated Engineering Ltd filed Critical Associated Engineering Ltd
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of US3842819A publication Critical patent/US3842819A/en
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

Links

Images

Classifications

    • 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

Definitions

  • An ignition device for an internal combustion engine has a chamber provided with a hole through which the chamber communicates with a medium to be ignited and includes first and second electrodes defining between them a first gap transverse to the hole, and a third electrode defining a second gap between itself and one of the first and second electrodes.
  • a potential is applied between the first and second electrodes which is insufficient by itself to cause electrical breakdown of the first gap, and a higher potential is applied across the second gap so as to cause breakdown of the first gap, and thereby to cause the potential applied to the first and second electrodes to discharge across the first gap.
  • an ignition device for an internal combustion engine includes a chamber having a wall, a hole in the wall through which the chamber is in communication with a medium to be ignited, and means to produce a plasma flame which projects through said hole to ignite said medium, said means including first and second electrodes defining between them a first gap transverse to said hole, said electrodes being adapted to receive a first potential across them which is insufficient by itself to cause electrical breakdown of said gap, athird electrode defining a second gap between itself and one of said first and second electrodes, said second gap being adapted to receive a second higher potential across said second gap, whereby to cause breakdown of said first gap, and thereby to cause a first potential applied to said first
  • the first and second electrodes may be aligned, so that the first gap is between their ends, or they may be in staggered relationship so that the first gap is between their ends but at right angles to the longitudinal axes of the electrodes.
  • FIG. l is a diagrammatic cross-sectional view of one embodiment of an ignition device and the associated electrical circuit, 7
  • FIG. 2 is a section on the line AA of FIG. 1,
  • FIG. 3 is a view similar to FIG. 2 of analternative electrode arrangement
  • FIG. 4a is a sectional view of a further embodiment of ignition device
  • FIG. 4b is a front view of the device of FIG. 4a.
  • FIG. 5 is a circuit diagram for the ignition of a fourcylinder engine.
  • the ignition device comprises a body 16 of ceramic or other insulating material having a chamber 17 adjacent one end.
  • Two electrodes 13, 14 of .rectangular section and which are electrically insulated from one another are embedded in the ceramic or other suitable insulating material'16.
  • the electrodes have their free ends spaced apart to form a gap within the chamber 17 formed in the insulating material.
  • the chamber is closed except for a restricted orifice 12 in its front wall, near the gap between the electrodes.
  • a rod-shaped electrode 15 is mounted to project into the chamber 17 coaxially with the orifice l2 and serves as a trigger electrode, defining a second gap between itself and electrode 14.
  • a capacitor 19 is connected across the electrodes 13, 14, and a DC.
  • voltage V which is not sufficient by itself electrically to break down the gap between the .electrodes 13, 14, isapplied across the capacitor 19 through a resistance 20.
  • the voltage may, for example,
  • the value of resistance 20 may be an arc plasma to occur, the-gas within chamber 17 rapidly heating up and expanding, causing the plasma arc flame to project through the orifice 12.
  • the discharge continues until either the voltage across the electrodes 13, 14 has dropped below that required to sustain it, or until the rapid expansion of the gases within'chamber 17 blows out the discharge.
  • the purpose of the series gap 18, which is wider than the gap between electrodes 14, 15, is to break down when the extra high voltage is applied across it, and thereby to cause a very rapid rise in voltage across the gap between electrodes 14, 15.
  • a trembler coil may be employed instead of the coil 22 and distributor.
  • the electrodes 13A, 14A are in staggered relationship, instead of being aligned as in FIG. 2, so that the gap is between their free ends but at right angles to their longitudinal axes.
  • the gap is near orifice 12, as in the previous embodiment, and the trigger electrode 15 is also shown as coaxial with the chamber 17.
  • FIGS. 4a and 4b show a construction of an ignition device which may be inserted in the threaded spark plug aperture of an internal combustion engine.
  • the device comprises a generally cylindrical body 26 of insulating material, e.g. ceramic, provided with an axial trigger electrode 25 terminating at one end in the chamber 27 and coaxial with the outlet orifice 22.
  • outer metal member 24 surrounds a part of the ceramic body 26 and is externally threaded at 21 to engage the threads of the spark plug aperture.
  • the member 24 also incorporates the electrode 24A extending towards the orifice 22 and which is the earthed electrode when the device is fitted to an engine.
  • the opposite electrode 23A is formed at one end of a conducting rod 23 embedded in the ceramic body 26 and terminating at its other end in a terminal or tab 238 to which an external connection can be made from the non-earthed side of the voltage source V (FIG. 1).
  • the connection to the trigger electrode 25 is made via terminal 29 and the series gap is shown at 28.
  • the metal member 24 is provided with an inturned shoulder 248 to grip the ceramic body 26. Packing 30 may be provided between the shoulder 24B and the body 26.
  • the device of FIG. 4 may be manufactured according to techniques well known in the art of manufacturing spark plugs.
  • FIG. 5 shows a circuit diagram for providing timed ignition in a four cylinder reciprocating internal combustion engine employing four ignition devices as shown in FIG. 4.
  • the electrodes 24A are each connected to earth and the electrodes 23A are each continuously connected through inductor 42 to the highpotential side of the capacitor 19 across which the D. C. voltage V is connected via resistor 20.
  • the trigger electrode 25 of each device is connectedthrough a distributor 40, such as is conventionally used in ignition systems, to a coil 41 for the provision of the very high voltage supply.
  • An ignition device for an internal combustion engine having means for providing first and second potential differences, said ignition device comprising:
  • a chamber having a wall perforated by a hole through which said chamber is in communication with a medium to be ignited
  • said means including first and second electrodes defining therebetween a first gap transverse to said hole and having a breakdown potential too great to break down when only said first potential difference is applied across said electrodes, and third electrode defining between itself and one of said first and second electrodes a second gap having a breakdown potential such that it breaks down when said second potential difference is applied across it, thus causing ionization in said first gap when said first potential is simultaneously applied across said first gap, with a consequent electrical discharge across said first gap which causes said plasma flame to occur.

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Plasma & Fusion (AREA)
  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Combustion & Propulsion (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Spark Plugs (AREA)
  • Ignition Installations For Internal Combustion Engines (AREA)
US00307069A 1971-11-16 1972-11-16 Ignition devices Expired - Lifetime US3842819A (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB5325271A GB1410471A (en) 1971-11-16 1971-11-16 Ignition devices

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
US3842819A true US3842819A (en) 1974-10-22

Family

ID=10467143

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
US00307069A Expired - Lifetime US3842819A (en) 1971-11-16 1972-11-16 Ignition devices

Country Status (6)

Country Link
US (1) US3842819A (enrdf_load_stackoverflow)
JP (1) JPS5514269B2 (enrdf_load_stackoverflow)
CA (1) CA959362A (enrdf_load_stackoverflow)
DE (1) DE2256177A1 (enrdf_load_stackoverflow)
FR (1) FR2161682A5 (enrdf_load_stackoverflow)
GB (1) GB1410471A (enrdf_load_stackoverflow)

Cited By (37)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3921605A (en) * 1974-02-04 1975-11-25 Gen Motors Corp Plasma jet ignition engine and method
US3988646A (en) * 1973-11-29 1976-10-26 Associated Engineering Limited Ignition devices
US4020388A (en) * 1974-09-23 1977-04-26 Massachusetts Institute Of Technology Discharge device
FR2328860A1 (fr) * 1975-10-23 1977-05-20 Tokai Trw & Co Procede et dispositif d'allumage d'un melange d'air et de combustible pour moteur a combustion interne
US4029072A (en) * 1973-08-27 1977-06-14 Toyota Jidosha Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha Igniting apparatus for internal combustion engines
US4041922A (en) * 1974-07-08 1977-08-16 Tokai Trw & Co. Ltd. System and device for the ignition of an internal combustion engine using a lean air-fuel mixture
DE2606890A1 (de) * 1976-02-20 1977-08-25 Bosch Gmbh Robert Hochleistungszuendanlage, insbesondere fuer brennkraftmaschinen
US4071800A (en) * 1975-12-05 1978-01-31 Associated Engineering Limited Three electrode arc plasma flame ignition devices
DE2744237A1 (de) * 1976-09-30 1978-04-06 Tokai Trw & Co Verfahren und vorrichtung zur ansammlung von kraftstoffteilchen in einem bereich einer brennkammer
US4122816A (en) * 1976-04-01 1978-10-31 The United States Of America As Represented By The Administrator Of The National Aeronautics And Space Administration Plasma igniter for internal combustion engine
EP0024910A1 (en) * 1979-09-04 1981-03-11 LUCAS INDUSTRIES public limited company Ignition plug
WO1981002328A1 (en) * 1980-02-08 1981-08-20 G Hensley Combustion initiation system
US4317068A (en) * 1979-10-01 1982-02-23 Combustion Electromagnetics, Inc. Plasma jet ignition system
US4364342A (en) * 1980-10-01 1982-12-21 Ford Motor Company Ignition system employing plasma spray
US4396855A (en) * 1979-06-18 1983-08-02 Nissan Motor Co., Ltd. Plasma jet ignition plug with cavity in insulator discharge end
US4402036A (en) * 1980-02-08 1983-08-30 Hensley George H Method of producing a high energy plasma for igniting fuel
US4471732A (en) * 1983-07-20 1984-09-18 Luigi Tozzi Plasma jet ignition apparatus
US4487192A (en) * 1983-04-18 1984-12-11 Ford Motor Co Plasma jet ignition system
USRE32505E (en) * 1980-02-08 1987-09-15 Combustion initiation system
US4766855A (en) * 1983-07-20 1988-08-30 Cummins Engine Co., Inc. Plasma jet ignition apparatus
US4996967A (en) * 1989-11-21 1991-03-05 Cummins Engine Company, Inc. Apparatus and method for generating a highly conductive channel for the flow of plasma current
US5076223A (en) * 1990-03-30 1991-12-31 Board Of Regents, The University Of Texas System Miniature railgun engine ignitor
EP0475288A1 (de) * 1990-09-12 1992-03-18 FEV Motorentechnik GmbH & Co. KG Plasmastrahl-Zündsystem
US5211142A (en) * 1990-03-30 1993-05-18 Board Of Regents, The University Of Texas System Miniature railgun engine ignitor
US5429103A (en) * 1991-09-18 1995-07-04 Enox Technologies, Inc. High performance ignition system
WO1997045636A1 (en) * 1996-05-29 1997-12-04 Knite, Inc. Traveling spark ignition system and ignitor therefor
US6374816B1 (en) 2001-04-23 2002-04-23 Omnitek Engineering Corporation Apparatus and method for combustion initiation
US6474321B1 (en) 1999-09-15 2002-11-05 Knite, Inc. Long-life traveling spark ignitor and associated firing circuitry
US6553981B1 (en) 1999-06-16 2003-04-29 Knite, Inc. Dual-mode ignition system utilizing traveling spark ignitor
US6559376B2 (en) 1996-09-30 2003-05-06 Nology Engineering, Inc. Combustion initiation device and method for tuning a combustion initiation device
US6662793B1 (en) 1999-09-15 2003-12-16 Knite, Inc. Electronic circuits for plasma-generating devices
US20040255888A1 (en) * 2003-03-17 2004-12-23 Tuohy Matthew J. Spark discharging device
US20080061051A1 (en) * 2006-09-13 2008-03-13 Traina John E Method of heating and retaining heat in an internal combustion engine to improve fuel economy
US20100212620A1 (en) * 2009-02-26 2010-08-26 Ngk Insulators, Ltd. Plasma igniter and ignition device for internal combustion engine
US8622041B2 (en) 2005-04-19 2014-01-07 Knite, Inc. Method and apparatus for operating traveling spark igniter at high pressure
US20170241308A1 (en) * 2016-02-24 2017-08-24 Ford Global Technologies, Llc Oil maintenance strategy for electrified vehicles
US11715935B2 (en) 2011-07-26 2023-08-01 Knite, Inc. Traveling spark igniter

Families Citing this family (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JPS5049532A (enrdf_load_stackoverflow) * 1973-09-05 1975-05-02
DE2810159C3 (de) * 1978-03-09 1984-11-08 Bloss, Werner H., Prof. Dr.-Ing., 7065 Winterbach Einrichtung zur Zündung brennfähiger Gemische
JPS5510051A (en) * 1978-07-10 1980-01-24 Toyota Motor Corp Plasma ignition device
US4264844A (en) * 1978-09-29 1981-04-28 Axe Gavin C H Electrical igniters
US4419601A (en) 1979-11-05 1983-12-06 Nissan Motor Company, Limited Spark plug for internal combustion engine
JPS60551B2 (ja) 1980-02-29 1985-01-08 日産自動車株式会社 プラズマ点火装置
JP7186044B2 (ja) * 2018-09-26 2022-12-08 株式会社Soken 内燃機関用のスパークプラグ

Cited By (46)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4029072A (en) * 1973-08-27 1977-06-14 Toyota Jidosha Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha Igniting apparatus for internal combustion engines
US3988646A (en) * 1973-11-29 1976-10-26 Associated Engineering Limited Ignition devices
US3921605A (en) * 1974-02-04 1975-11-25 Gen Motors Corp Plasma jet ignition engine and method
US4041922A (en) * 1974-07-08 1977-08-16 Tokai Trw & Co. Ltd. System and device for the ignition of an internal combustion engine using a lean air-fuel mixture
US4020388A (en) * 1974-09-23 1977-04-26 Massachusetts Institute Of Technology Discharge device
US4124003A (en) * 1975-10-23 1978-11-07 Tokai Trw & Co., Ltd. Ignition method and apparatus for internal combustion engine
FR2328860A1 (fr) * 1975-10-23 1977-05-20 Tokai Trw & Co Procede et dispositif d'allumage d'un melange d'air et de combustible pour moteur a combustion interne
US4071800A (en) * 1975-12-05 1978-01-31 Associated Engineering Limited Three electrode arc plasma flame ignition devices
DE2606890A1 (de) * 1976-02-20 1977-08-25 Bosch Gmbh Robert Hochleistungszuendanlage, insbesondere fuer brennkraftmaschinen
US4122816A (en) * 1976-04-01 1978-10-31 The United States Of America As Represented By The Administrator Of The National Aeronautics And Space Administration Plasma igniter for internal combustion engine
DE2744237A1 (de) * 1976-09-30 1978-04-06 Tokai Trw & Co Verfahren und vorrichtung zur ansammlung von kraftstoffteilchen in einem bereich einer brennkammer
US4219001A (en) * 1976-09-30 1980-08-26 Tokai Trw & Co. Ltd. Method and apparatus for accumulating fuel particles in a portion of a combustion chamber
US4396855A (en) * 1979-06-18 1983-08-02 Nissan Motor Co., Ltd. Plasma jet ignition plug with cavity in insulator discharge end
EP0024910A1 (en) * 1979-09-04 1981-03-11 LUCAS INDUSTRIES public limited company Ignition plug
US4317068A (en) * 1979-10-01 1982-02-23 Combustion Electromagnetics, Inc. Plasma jet ignition system
WO1981002328A1 (en) * 1980-02-08 1981-08-20 G Hensley Combustion initiation system
US4402036A (en) * 1980-02-08 1983-08-30 Hensley George H Method of producing a high energy plasma for igniting fuel
USRE32505E (en) * 1980-02-08 1987-09-15 Combustion initiation system
US4364342A (en) * 1980-10-01 1982-12-21 Ford Motor Company Ignition system employing plasma spray
US4487192A (en) * 1983-04-18 1984-12-11 Ford Motor Co Plasma jet ignition system
US4471732A (en) * 1983-07-20 1984-09-18 Luigi Tozzi Plasma jet ignition apparatus
US4766855A (en) * 1983-07-20 1988-08-30 Cummins Engine Co., Inc. Plasma jet ignition apparatus
US4996967A (en) * 1989-11-21 1991-03-05 Cummins Engine Company, Inc. Apparatus and method for generating a highly conductive channel for the flow of plasma current
US5211142A (en) * 1990-03-30 1993-05-18 Board Of Regents, The University Of Texas System Miniature railgun engine ignitor
US5076223A (en) * 1990-03-30 1991-12-31 Board Of Regents, The University Of Texas System Miniature railgun engine ignitor
EP0475288A1 (de) * 1990-09-12 1992-03-18 FEV Motorentechnik GmbH & Co. KG Plasmastrahl-Zündsystem
US5429103A (en) * 1991-09-18 1995-07-04 Enox Technologies, Inc. High performance ignition system
WO1997045636A1 (en) * 1996-05-29 1997-12-04 Knite, Inc. Traveling spark ignition system and ignitor therefor
US6131542A (en) * 1996-05-29 2000-10-17 Knite, Inc. High efficiency traveling spark ignition system and ignitor therefor
CZ299358B6 (cs) * 1996-05-29 2008-07-02 Knite, Inc Plazmový zapalovac pro systém zapalování a zpusobvýroby plazmy
US6559376B2 (en) 1996-09-30 2003-05-06 Nology Engineering, Inc. Combustion initiation device and method for tuning a combustion initiation device
US6553981B1 (en) 1999-06-16 2003-04-29 Knite, Inc. Dual-mode ignition system utilizing traveling spark ignitor
US6662793B1 (en) 1999-09-15 2003-12-16 Knite, Inc. Electronic circuits for plasma-generating devices
US6474321B1 (en) 1999-09-15 2002-11-05 Knite, Inc. Long-life traveling spark ignitor and associated firing circuitry
US6374816B1 (en) 2001-04-23 2002-04-23 Omnitek Engineering Corporation Apparatus and method for combustion initiation
US20040255888A1 (en) * 2003-03-17 2004-12-23 Tuohy Matthew J. Spark discharging device
US8622041B2 (en) 2005-04-19 2014-01-07 Knite, Inc. Method and apparatus for operating traveling spark igniter at high pressure
US12158132B2 (en) 2005-04-19 2024-12-03 Knite, Inc. Method and apparatus for operating traveling spark igniter at high pressure
US11419204B2 (en) 2005-04-19 2022-08-16 Knite, Inc. Method and apparatus for operating traveling spark igniter at high pressure
US10221823B2 (en) * 2006-09-13 2019-03-05 John E. Traina Method of heating and retaining heat in an internal combustion engine to improve fuel economy
US20080061051A1 (en) * 2006-09-13 2008-03-13 Traina John E Method of heating and retaining heat in an internal combustion engine to improve fuel economy
US8418668B2 (en) 2009-02-26 2013-04-16 Ngk Insulators, Ltd. Plasma igniter and ignition device for internal combustion engine
EP2246947A1 (en) * 2009-02-26 2010-11-03 NGK Insulators, Ltd. Plasma igniter and ignition device for internal combustion engine
US20100212620A1 (en) * 2009-02-26 2010-08-26 Ngk Insulators, Ltd. Plasma igniter and ignition device for internal combustion engine
US11715935B2 (en) 2011-07-26 2023-08-01 Knite, Inc. Traveling spark igniter
US20170241308A1 (en) * 2016-02-24 2017-08-24 Ford Global Technologies, Llc Oil maintenance strategy for electrified vehicles

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
JPS5514269B2 (enrdf_load_stackoverflow) 1980-04-15
GB1410471A (en) 1975-10-15
FR2161682A5 (enrdf_load_stackoverflow) 1973-07-06
JPS4861829A (enrdf_load_stackoverflow) 1973-08-29
CA959362A (en) 1974-12-17
DE2256177A1 (de) 1973-05-17

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
US3842819A (en) Ignition devices
US3842818A (en) Ignition devices
US5377633A (en) Railplug direct injector/ignitor assembly
US4493297A (en) Plasma jet ignition device
US4924829A (en) Apparatus for torch jet assisted spark ignition
US3988646A (en) Ignition devices
US2586864A (en) Spark plug electrode
US4388549A (en) Plasma plug
US4004562A (en) Multiple air gap spark plug having resistive electrode coupling
TW201742343A (zh) 用於高頻點火系統的火星塞
US6380664B1 (en) Spark plug having an internal conductor configuration
US20160305393A1 (en) Plasma ignition device
US4487192A (en) Plasma jet ignition system
US9502865B2 (en) Shrink fit ceramic center electrode
US3956664A (en) Multiple air gap spark plug
SU1074424A3 (ru) Запальна свеча дугового типа
JP2003187944A (ja) 電流ピーキング点火プラグ
US3567987A (en) Spark plug construction
US3719851A (en) Dual mode spark plug
US2894162A (en) Spark plug for internal combustion engines
US4071800A (en) Three electrode arc plasma flame ignition devices
US4082976A (en) Spark plug design having two electrically isolated center electrodes
US3521105A (en) Ignition device having elongated planar parallel electrodes between which a pulse of ionizable gas is passed
US4275328A (en) Spark plug having intermediate electrode and non-parallel series gaps
EP0120905B1 (en) Spark plug