Adaptive Ignition Energy Control Using Plasma Impedance Feedback

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing ignition systems fail to provide on-demand discharge energy profiling and effective plasma impedance control, leading to restrike and blow-out events, increased power consumption, and reduced spark plug durability due to prolonged discharge duration and high current amplitude.

Innovation Solution

An ignition system with a control unit, ignition energy management unit, and dedicated ignition coils that adaptively supply spark energy based on engine conditions, using plasma and combustion diagnostics to dynamically adjust discharge current amplitude and duration, preventing restrike and blow-out events.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If high discharge current amplitude and prolonged discharge duration are used to ignite diluted mixture reliably, then ignition performance is improved, but system power consumption increases and spark plug durability decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveignition reliabilityVSAvoidpower consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The ignition system dynamically adjusts discharge current amplitude and duration based on real-time plasma impedance feedback and engine operating conditions. The control unit modifies discharge parameters adaptively during the spark event, transitioning from fixed high-energy discharge to variable energy discharge, thereby maintaining ignition reliability while reducing overall power consumption.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes discharge parameters (current amplitude, duration, timing) based on plasma impedance measurements and engine conditions. By monitoring plasma channel impedance and adjusting discharge parameters accordingly, the system delivers sufficient energy only when needed, avoiding continuous high-power discharge and thus reducing power consumption while maintaining ignition reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If high discharge current amplitude and prolonged discharge duration are used to ignite diluted mixture reliably, then ignition performance is improved, but spark plug durability decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveignition reliabilityVSAvoidspark plug durability

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDuration of action of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically adjusts discharge current amplitude and duration based on real-time plasma impedance feedback and engine operating conditions. The control unit modifies discharge parameters adaptively during the spark event, transitioning from fixed high-energy discharge to variable energy discharge, thereby maintaining ignition reliability while reducing overall power consumption.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes discharge parameters (current amplitude, duration, timing) based on plasma impedance measurements and engine conditions. By monitoring plasma channel impedance and adjusting discharge parameters accordingly, the system delivers sufficient energy only when needed, avoiding continuous high-power discharge and thus reducing power consumption while maintaining ignition reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Reliability

If plasma stretching is allowed to occur naturally under in-cylinder flow, then flame kernel strength may improve, but restrike and plasma blow-out events increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveflame kernel strengthVSAvoidplasma channel stability

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The system continuously monitors plasma channel impedance during the discharge process and uses this feedback to detect restrike and blow-out events. By measuring impedance changes in real-time, the system can identify plasma instability and adjust discharge parameters to maintain plasma channel stability while preserving flame kernel strength.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes discharge parameters (current amplitude, duration, timing) based on plasma impedance measurements and engine conditions. By monitoring plasma channel impedance and adjusting discharge parameters accordingly, the system delivers sufficient energy only when needed, avoiding continuous high-power discharge and thus reducing power consumption while maintaining ignition reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentUS20260049589A1Ignition system and control method

Publication Date: 2026.02.19 CLEAN COMBUSTION ENGINE TECH INC

AI summary

An ignition system is provided. The ignition system includes at least one ignition module, which has an input end to receive control signal from the ECU, and an output end to supply ignition energy to the spark gap. The ignition module provides on-demand ignition energy based on an engine operation conditions with adaptively controlled discharge current amplitude and duration using prompt feedback signals measurement of the plasma impedance.