CA2535578A1 - Method and apparatus for controllably generating sparks in an ignition system or the like - Google Patents
Method and apparatus for controllably generating sparks in an ignition system or the like Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- CA2535578A1 CA2535578A1 CA002535578A CA2535578A CA2535578A1 CA 2535578 A1 CA2535578 A1 CA 2535578A1 CA 002535578 A CA002535578 A CA 002535578A CA 2535578 A CA2535578 A CA 2535578A CA 2535578 A1 CA2535578 A1 CA 2535578A1
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- energy storage
- storage devices
- spark
- engine
- discharging
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Granted
Links
- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 title claims 6
- 238000004146 energy storage Methods 0.000 claims abstract 12
- 238000007599 discharging Methods 0.000 claims 8
- 239000000446 fuel Substances 0.000 claims 2
- 230000007704 transition Effects 0.000 claims 2
- 239000000203 mixture Substances 0.000 claims 1
- 230000001360 synchronised effect Effects 0.000 claims 1
Landscapes
- Ignition Installations For Internal Combustion Engines (AREA)
Abstract
An apparatus for controllably generating sparks is provided. The apparatus includes a spark generating device; at least two output stages connected to the spark generating device; means for charging energy storage devices in the output stages and at least partially isolating each of the energy storage devices from the energy storage devices of the other output stages; and, a logic circuit for selectively triggering the output stages to generate a spark. In accordance with one aspect of the invention, the logic circuit can be configured to fire the stages at different times, in different orders, and/or in different combinations to provide the spark generating device with output pulses having substantially and desired waveshape and energy level to thereby produce a spark having substantially any desired energy level and plume shape at the spark generating device to suit any application.
Claims (4)
1. A method for generating sparks in an ignition system for an engine having multiple spark generating devices, the method comprising the steps of:
charging two or more energy storage devices to predetermined voltages;
discharging the energy storage devices into a common output for generating discrete output pulses from each of the energy storage devices, where the discharging is synchronized with the engine's operation; and steering the output pulses to the multiple spark generating devices in synchronization with the engine's operation.
charging two or more energy storage devices to predetermined voltages;
discharging the energy storage devices into a common output for generating discrete output pulses from each of the energy storage devices, where the discharging is synchronized with the engine's operation; and steering the output pulses to the multiple spark generating devices in synchronization with the engine's operation.
2. The methods of claim 1 wherein the engine is a reciprocating engine and the synchronization of the steering of the output pulses with the engine's operation includes synchronizing the steering of the output pulses with reciprocation of cylinders in the engine.
3. A spark generated at an igniter plug for igniting fuel, the spark created by the following process:
charging two or more energy storage devices to predetermined voltages;
discharging the energy storage devices into a common output for generating an output pulse whose size and shape is determined by when the discharging of each of the devices occurs relative to the other device or devices;
converting the output pulse to a spark having a plume at a tip of the igniter plug; and timing the discharging of the energy storage devices so that one or more initial dischargings of the energy storage devices creates the spark and the plume at the igniter plug and one or more subsequent dischargings of the energy storage devices lengthens the plume in time and extends the plume away from the tip of the igniter plug and farther into an ignitable mixture comprising the fuel.
charging two or more energy storage devices to predetermined voltages;
discharging the energy storage devices into a common output for generating an output pulse whose size and shape is determined by when the discharging of each of the devices occurs relative to the other device or devices;
converting the output pulse to a spark having a plume at a tip of the igniter plug; and timing the discharging of the energy storage devices so that one or more initial dischargings of the energy storage devices creates the spark and the plume at the igniter plug and one or more subsequent dischargings of the energy storage devices lengthens the plume in time and extends the plume away from the tip of the igniter plug and farther into an ignitable mixture comprising the fuel.
4. The spark of claim 3 where the step in the process of creating the spark of timing the discharging of the energy storage devices includes delaying at least the first discharge with respect to a transition of a switch from a non-conducting state to a conducting state, where the conducting state of the switch enables the first discharge to occur and the delay holds off a discharge of current through the switch for a time to allow the switch to substantially transition from the non-conducting state to the conducting state.
Applications Claiming Priority (3)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| US08/502,713 US5754011A (en) | 1995-07-14 | 1995-07-14 | Method and apparatus for controllably generating sparks in an ignition system or the like |
| US08/502,713 | 1995-07-14 | ||
| CA002181092A CA2181092C (en) | 1995-07-14 | 1996-07-12 | Method and apparatus for controllably generating sparks in an ignition system or the like |
Related Parent Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA002181092A Division CA2181092C (en) | 1995-07-14 | 1996-07-12 | Method and apparatus for controllably generating sparks in an ignition system or the like |
Publications (2)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA2535578A1 true CA2535578A1 (en) | 1997-01-15 |
| CA2535578C CA2535578C (en) | 2009-12-15 |
Family
ID=36242728
Family Applications (2)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA002535582A Expired - Lifetime CA2535582C (en) | 1995-07-14 | 1996-07-12 | Method and apparatus for controllably generating sparks in an ignition system or the like |
| CA002535578A Expired - Lifetime CA2535578C (en) | 1995-07-14 | 1996-07-12 | Method and apparatus for controllably generating sparks in an ignition system or the like |
Family Applications Before (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA002535582A Expired - Lifetime CA2535582C (en) | 1995-07-14 | 1996-07-12 | Method and apparatus for controllably generating sparks in an ignition system or the like |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| CA (2) | CA2535582C (en) |
-
1996
- 1996-07-12 CA CA002535582A patent/CA2535582C/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 1996-07-12 CA CA002535578A patent/CA2535578C/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| CA2535582C (en) | 2009-12-15 |
| CA2535582A1 (en) | 1997-01-15 |
| CA2535578C (en) | 2009-12-15 |
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| EEER | Examination request | ||
| MKEX | Expiry |
Effective date: 20160712 |