Push-Pull Transformer Ignition for Simpler Reliable Combustion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing ignition systems for internal combustion engines face challenges in achieving improved fuel efficiency, longer arc duration, reduced emissions, and durability while maintaining reliable combustion, often requiring complex electronic components and large capacitors that are prone to failure under high temperatures.
Innovation Solution
The ignition system employs a push-pull isolating transformer to convert DC voltage from a car battery to AC voltage, combined with a high-voltage transformer to generate a 35 kilovolt spark, using a small-gap spark plug and a simplified circuit design to reduce component count and heat, and adjusts arc duration based on engine RPM.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a capacitive discharge ignition system with large capacitors and complex electronic components is used, then reliable combustion can be achieved, but the system becomes more complex and components are prone to failure under high temperatures
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the large capacitor and complex electronic control components from the ignition system, extracting only the essential transformer and spark plug elements. This simplification eliminates the prone-to-failure components while maintaining reliable combustion through the transformer's direct voltage transformation capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The transformer in the patent performs both voltage transformation and voltage generation functions without requiring external capacitor charging circuits or complex electronic control. The system uses the vehicle's existing electrical system to directly power the transformer, which then self-generates the required high voltage for spark plug operation.
2Device complexity
If DC voltage from battery is used directly, then the system is simple, but AC voltage is required to operate the transformer and generate spark
Solution Approach 1:
The transformer is designed to accept DC voltage input from the vehicle's battery while internally generating AC voltage through its operation cycle. This multi-functional approach allows the same component to handle both DC input and AC output requirements, eliminating the need for separate rectification or inversion circuits.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of converting AC to DC as in traditional systems, or using complex DC-AC inversion circuits, the patent inverts the approach by using a transformer that can be directly driven by DC while producing AC output through its electromagnetic operation, effectively reversing the conventional voltage conversion sequence.
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 approach enhances fuel efficiency, reduces emissions, increases horsepower, and improves durability by simplifying the electronics and reducing the number of components, while ensuring consistent combustion with a more complete burning of fuel.
Implementation Method 1
The push-pull isolating transformer increases the voltage from the power source and converts the DC voltage to AC voltage
Implementation Method 2
The high-voltage transformer increases the voltage from the push-pull isolating transformer
Implementation Method 3
cause a high-voltage, short-duration electrical spark across the spark gap of the spark plug and ignite the fuel in the cylinder
Data Source
AI summary
An ignition system for an internal combustion system has a power source for passing a DC voltage, a push-pull isolating transformer connected to the power source so as to increase the voltage from the power source and convert the DC voltage to AC voltage, a high-voltage transformer having a primary winding connected to an output of the push-pull isolating transformer, and a spark plug connected to a secondary winding of the high-voltage transformer. The high-voltage transformer increases the voltage from the push-pull isolating transformer to a voltage that fires the spark plug.