Elastic Breakdown Ignition via Multipole High Frequency Discharge
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional spark plugs are inadequate for lean and diluted fuel mixtures as they cannot produce multiple, spatially separated ignition kernels during a single sparking event, leading to inefficient combustion in internal combustion engines.
Innovation Solution
The elastic breakdown ignition system employs an ignition coil with in-line capacitors and multiple spark gaps, allowing for simultaneous and independent breakdowns across multiple spark gaps, enhancing spark discharge energy and duration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional spark plugs are used, then the structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but they cannot produce multiple spatially separated ignition kernels in lean and diluted fuel mixtures
Solution Approach 1:
The single spark plug is segmented into multiple independent electrodes (at least two HV electrodes and one ground electrode), each capable of producing independent ignition kernels. This segmentation allows multiple spark gaps to form simultaneously, addressing the limitation of conventional single-spark plugs in lean and diluted mixtures while maintaining manageable structural complexity through modular electrode design.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention transitions from a single-point ignition (conventional spark plug) to a multi-point spatial distribution of ignition kernels. By arranging multiple HV electrodes at different spatial positions around the ground electrode, the system creates ignition kernels distributed in three-dimensional space, improving combustion reliability in diluted mixtures without excessive complexity.
2Reliability
If multiple spark gaps are used to produce multiple ignition kernels, then ignition reliability improves, but the circuit complexity increases with additional capacitors and electrodes
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple spark gaps share a common ground electrode and are connected to the same high-voltage source through in-line capacitors. This merging approach allows multiple ignition kernels to be produced simultaneously while using shared components (ground electrode, HV terminal, capacitors) to minimize circuit complexity. The capacitors are disposed in-line between each HV electrode and the common HV terminal, creating a unified circuit architecture.
Solution Approach 2:
The ground electrode serves multiple functions: it acts as the common reference for all HV electrodes, provides a shared path for discharge current, and enables multiple spark gaps to function simultaneously. This multi-functionality reduces the total number of components needed compared to having completely independent spark plug assemblies for each gap.
3Duration of action of moving object
If in-line capacitors are added to each spark gap, then breakdown energy and duration increase, but the device complexity and manufacturing difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The capacitor integration is segmented into modular units, with each in-line capacitor associated with a specific HV electrode. This segmentation allows for standardized manufacturing of electrode-capacitor assemblies that can be independently produced and then assembled into the igniter, reducing overall manufacturing complexity despite the added components.
Solution Approach 2:
The in-line capacitors are integrated within the compact igniter structure, nested between the HV electrodes and the ground electrode. This nested arrangement minimizes the overall volume and simplifies assembly by containing all components within a single igniter housing, reducing manufacturing complexity despite the additional parts.
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
This system achieves robust and stable combustion by producing multiple sparks per event, improving ignition reliability and flame propagation in lean and diluted fuel mixtures, even under varying gas densities.
Implementation Method 1
a first capacitor disposed in-line between the first HV electrode and the terminal of the secondary winding of the ignition coil and a second capacitor disposed in-line between the second HV electrode and the terminal of the secondary winding of the ignition coil
Implementation Method 2
the electrode arrangement defining a first spark gap between the first HV electrode and the at least one ground electrode, and defining a second spark gap between the second HV electrode and the at least one ground electrode
Data Source
AI summary
An ignition system includes an ignition coil with a primary winding and a secondary winding having a terminal for providing a high voltage (HV). An electrode arrangement of an igniter includes first and second HV electrodes coupled to the terminal of the secondary winding. The igniter also has at least one ground electrode. A first spark gap is defined between the first HV electrode and the at least one ground electrode, and a second spark gap is defined between the second HV electrode and the at least one ground electrode. A first capacitor is disposed in-line between the first HV electrode and the terminal of the secondary winding and a second capacitor disposed in-line between the second HV electrode and the terminal of the secondary winding of the ignition coil. The ignition system includes a driver module coupled to a terminal of the primary winding, for driving the ignition coil.