Abstract:
A method and article of manufacture are provided to operate a spray-guided, spark-ignition, direct fuel injection engine, including injecting a first fuel pulse during a combustion cycle, and initiating spark ignition by energizing a spark igniter. A second fuel pulse is injected during the combustion cycle effective to form an ignitable fuel-air mixture proximal to the spark igniter during a period in time whereat the spark igniter is energized. A preferred elapsed time between an end of the first fuel pulse and start of the spark ignition is determined based upon engine load.
Abstract:
A spark plug includes a center electrode substantially aligned with a longitudinal first axis and a surface-gap ground electrode radially aligned with the center electrode along a surface-gap electrode second axis substantially orthogonal to the longitudinal first axis and passing there through. The center electrode and the surface-gap ground electrode define a radial spark gap there between. The spark plug further includes a J-gap ground electrode radially aligned with the center electrode. The center electrode and the J-gap ground electrode define an axial spark gap there between. The J-gap ground electrode radial alignment has an angular separation from the surface-gap electrode second axis of no greater than about 30 degrees.