Development of a Long Duration Capacitive Discharge Ignition System

2002 ◽  
Author(s):  
Keith Brooks ◽  
Joe Lepley
Keyword(s):  
Slow Speed ◽  
Engine Emissions ◽  
Discharge System ◽  
Capacitor Discharge ◽  
Ignition System ◽  
Compression Stroke ◽  
Lower Total Cost ◽  
Long Duration ◽  
Discharge Ignition ◽  
Test Engine

The development and testing of a new long secondary duration capacitor discharge ignition system is described. Results obtained on a large-bore, slow speed, 2-stroke test engine are described and compared to the results obtained by a commercially available capacitor discharge (CD) single-strike and double-strike ignition system. These tests are conducted under rated full load conditions and high boost lean operation. Engine emissions, fuel consumption, and misfire rates are analyzed and compared in order to determine if such a product merits commercialization. It has been previously demonstrated that multi-strike ignition systems (four strikes per compression stroke) can offer significant reductions in emissions and misfire rate in large-bore slow speed engines field retrofitted to increased boost lean operation for much lower costs than physical modifications to the heads to accommodate prechambers and fuel systems modifications. The work described here utilizes single and double-strike systems (two strikes per compression stroke) with lower energy than previous tests and lower total cost. The extended spark system tested is a proprietary development capacitor discharge system offering the benefits of capacitor discharge design with extremely long duration.

scholarly journals RESEARCH OF THE SI ENGINE WITH MULTISPARK CAPACITOR DISCHARGE IGNITION SYSTEM

2014 ◽  
Vol 46 (1) ◽  
pp. 104-115
Author(s):  
Audris Šimakauskas
Keyword(s):  
Alternative Fuels ◽  
Block Diagram ◽  
Fuel Mixture ◽  
Management Systems ◽  
Si Engine ◽  
Capacitor Discharge ◽  
Ignition System ◽  
Discharge Ignition ◽  
Discharge Duration ◽  
Fuel Mixtures

Modern ignition systems for spark ignition (SI) engine management systems require an extended (adaptive) spark with regulated spark discharge duration for reliable ignition of fuel mixture and elimination of misfired-cycles. Lean air-fuel mixtures and alternative fuels also require an improved ignition system. In order to meet the increased requirements for ignition systems there is a multispark capacitor discharge ignition (CDI) system developed with prolonged spark duration. Block diagram of CDI system is presented; the principle of the operation of the system elements is explained. Mathematical model of the processes of the CDI system are developed. Calculations of the CDI system, test data with four-stroke SI engine GA14DS (Nissan Sunny) and conclusions are presented.

Ignition System Designed to Extend the Plug Life, and the Lean Limit in a Natural Gas Engine

2003 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. K. Chan ◽  
S. H. Waters
Keyword(s):  
Natural Gas ◽  
Engine Performance ◽  
Ignition System ◽  
Gas Engine ◽  
Natural Gas Engine ◽  
Dc System ◽  
Spark Plug ◽  
Long Duration ◽  
Discharge Duration ◽  
Lean Limit

An ignition system that is based on the alternating (AC) rather than the traditional direct (DC) current in the spark plug discharge has been developed at the Caterpillar Technical Center. This system can generate a long duration discharge with controllable power. It is believed that such an ignition system can provide both a leaner operating limit and a longer spark plug life than a traditional DC system due to the long discharge duration and the low discharge power. The AC ignition system has successfully been tested on a Caterpillar single cylinder G3500 natural gas engine to determine the effects on the engine performance, combustion characteristics and emissions. The test results indicate that while the AC ignition system has only a small impact on engine performance (with respect to a traditional DC system), it does extend the lean limit with lower NOx emissions. Evidences also show the potential of reduce spark plug electrode erosions from the low breakdown and sustaining discharge powers from the AC ignition system. This paper summarizes the prototype design and engine demonstration results of the AC ignition system.

scholarly journals Features of glow discharge ignition through a small hole in the hollow cathode of a large volume

2021 ◽  
Vol 2064 (1) ◽  
pp. 012118
Author(s):  
A S Klimov ◽  
I Y Bakeev ◽  
A A Zenin
Keyword(s):  
Glow Discharge ◽  
Large Volume ◽  
Hollow Cathode ◽  
Pressure Range ◽  
Threshold Current ◽  
Small Hole ◽  
Discharge System ◽  
Discharge Ignition ◽  
Burning Mode

Abstract The influence of the size of a cathode gap on the initiation of the effect of a hollow cathode in a glow discharge system with an extended hollow cathode in the forevacuum pressure range is shown. It was found that the threshold current for the transition of the discharge to the burning mode with a hollow cathode is determined by the ratio of the longitudinal and transverse dimensions of the cathode slit. With a decrease in the width of the slot, the threshold current increases disproportionately; at the same time, with an increase in the length of the slot, this current sharply decreases.

Validation of a Directed Energy Ignition System on a Large-Bore Single Cylinder Gas-Fueled Engine

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Forrest Pommier ◽  
David Lepley ◽  
Greg Beshouri ◽  
Timothy Jacobs
Keyword(s):  
Natural Gas ◽  
Combustion Process ◽  
Engine Performance ◽  
Engine Operation ◽  
Capacitive Discharge ◽  
Ignition System ◽  
Single Cylinder ◽  
Spark Plug ◽  
Discharge Ignition ◽  
Directed Energy

Abstract The natural gas industry has seen a considerable increase in production recently as the world seeks out new sources of economical, reliable, and more environmentally friendly energy. Moving this natural gas requires a complex network of pipelines and compressors, including reciprocating engines, to keep the gas moving. Many of these engines were designed more than 40 years ago and must be retrofit with modern technologies to improve their performance while simultaneously reducing the harmful emissions that they produce. In this study a directed energy ignition system is tested on a two-stroke, single cylinder, natural gas-fired engine. Stability and emissions will be observed throughout a range of spark waveforms for a single speed and load that enables the most fuel-lean operation of the engine. Improving the combustion process of the legacy pipeline engines is a substantial area of opportunity for reducing emissions output. One means of doing so is by improving an engines ability to operate at leaner conditions. To accomplish this, an ignition system needs to be able to send more energy to the spark plug in a controlled manner than a tradition capacitive-discharge ignition system. Controlling the energy is accomplished by optimizing the structure of the waveform or “profile” for each engine design. With this particular directed energy ignition system, spark profiles are able to be configured by changing the duration and amount of current sent to the spark plug. This study investigates a single operating speed and load for 9 different spark energy configurations. Engine operation at these test conditions will allow for emissions and engine performance data, using directed energy, to be analyzed in contrast to capacitive-discharge ignition.

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