Capacitive Discharge Ignition with Reinforcing Triggering Pulses
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Solution Overview
Problem
Capacitive discharge ignition systems face limitations in generating spark discharges with high breakdown voltage, secondary current, and extended duration, which are essential for various engine operation conditions, particularly when higher voltage or longer spark durations are required.
Innovation Solution
A capacitive discharge ignition system with a controllable switch and electronic control circuit that synchronizes the discharge of energy from a storage capacitor to the ignition coil, allowing for variable pulse trains to reinforce the ringing action in the secondary circuit, thereby enhancing breakdown voltage and spark duration, and adjusting the number of pulses and their duration to meet specific engine requirements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Duration of action of moving object
If multiple capacitors are switched to provide contiguous sequential pulses to the primary of a high tension coil, then the spark duration is extended, but the breakdown voltage capability and secondary current are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies periodic action by delivering a series of reinforcing pulses to the primary winding at specific intervals during the secondary voltage waveform cycle. These pulses are timed to coincide with the natural ringing frequency of the secondary circuit, thereby periodically reinforcing the oscillation and extending spark duration while maintaining voltage capability through resonant coupling.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the temporal parameters of pulse delivery by controlling the controllable switch to deliver pulses at specific phases of the secondary voltage waveform. By adjusting the timing and spacing of these pulses, the system optimizes both the breakdown voltage capability and spark duration, resolving the contradiction between these two parameters.
2Power
If the switch remains closed for extended periods to deliver continuous energy, then the secondary current increases, but negative work is performed during the damped sinusoidal waveform
Solution Approach 1:
The controllable switch delivers energy in periodic pulses rather than continuously, timing each pulse to coincide with the positive half-cycles of the damped sinusoidal waveform. This periodic delivery reinforces the ringing action during productive phases while avoiding negative work during the negative half-cycles, thereby increasing secondary current without proportional energy loss.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary action by delivering the first pulse to initiate the ringing action in the secondary circuit, then subsequently reinforces this action at predetermined intervals. This preliminary initiation followed by timed reinforcement allows the system to build up secondary current efficiently while avoiding the energy waste of continuous switching.
3Power
If the ignition system is optimized for higher voltage and longer duration, then the spark plug life decreases, but the system becomes less adaptable to different engine conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamics by making the pulse delivery pattern adjustable and controllable. The electronic control circuit can modify the number, timing, and spacing of reinforcing pulses based on sensed engine conditions and spark breakdown detection. This dynamic adaptability allows the system to optimize for high voltage capability when needed while reducing pulse frequency to extend spark plug life under normal conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes operational parameters by adjusting the pulse train characteristics (number of pulses, timing, duration) based on real-time feedback from spark breakdown sensing. This parameter modulation allows the ignition system to deliver high voltage and extended duration when required for difficult ignition conditions, then revert to milder parameters to preserve spark plug life during normal operation.
4Power
If the controllable switch delivers reinforcing pulses at every cycle, then the breakdown voltage increases, but the system complexity and control requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs feedback by sensing spark breakdown events and using this information to control the controllable switch. The electronic control circuit monitors the secondary circuit for breakdown conditions and adjusts the pulse delivery pattern accordingly, delivering reinforcing pulses only when and where needed to achieve the required breakdown voltage, thereby avoiding unnecessary complexity from continuous or overly aggressive pulsing.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The system achieves higher breakdown voltage and longer spark duration, enabling the ignition system to operate effectively across a wide range of engine conditions, with improved spark plug life and diagnostic capabilities, by optimizing the energy transfer and voltage reinforcement in the ignition coil.
Implementation Method 1
a first pulse of capacitive discharge from the storage capacitor to the primary of the ignition coil
Implementation Method 2
The primary winding of the ignition transformer and the storage capacitor are connected in series through a controllable switch. A spark plug is connected in series with the secondary winding of the ignition transformer.
Implementation Method 3
The subsequent pulse is supplied at a specific time or phase of the secondary voltage waveform by the controllable switch and capacitor to reinforce the voltage created by the previous 'ON' state of the switch delivering the first pulse
Data Source
AI summary
A capacitive discharge ignition system in which a controllable switch is positioned between a storage capacitor and the primary winding of an ignition transformer. The switch is controlled to create a train of pulses to the primary winding timed to reinforce the ringing action of the ignition transformer.