Abstract:
A firing tip for a corona igniter is provided. The firing tip includes a base formed of metal, such as nickel, and rivets formed of precious metal, such as iridium. The base includes indentations, and the rivets are disposed in the indentations of the base. The rivet has a melting point and/or wear resistance greater than the base. Typically, the indentations of the base include a concave surface and the rivets have a cylindrical shape matching the shape of the indentations. The rivets can be sharpened to a point. The rivets can include a first piece formed of precious metal and a second piece formed of nickel or nickel alloy, wherein an end of the first piece is welded to an end of the second piece, and the second piece is welded to the base. Alternatively, the rivets can be formed entirely of the precious metal.
Abstract:
This invention relates to a drive circuit (10) and method for driving a transformer (12) that comprises primary and secondary windings (14, 16) which are connected in a primary winding circuit (18) and a secondary circuit (20) respectively. The secondary circuit comprises a variable secondary load impedance (21) comprising a resistance Rs and capacitance Cs and has a secondary resonance frequency. The drive circuit comprises a DC current source (34) and a switching circuit (36.3) which is switchable between an open and closed configuration by a signal applied to a control terminal (38) thereof. The current source and the switching arrangement are connected in parallel with one another as well as with the primary winding circuit. A feedback circuit (40) is connected in parallel with the primary winding circuit and comprises an output terminal (40.3) connected to the control terminal (38) of the switching arrangement, to cause the switching arrangement to switch at a frequency equal to the secondary resonance frequency.
Abstract:
This ignition device includes an emission unit that emits electromagnetic waves to a combustion chamber of an internal combustion engine, and a generation unit that generates the electromagnetic waves to be supplied to said emission unit. The generation unit has an oscillator that generates electric signals of a frequency corresponding to said electromagnetic waves, a first amplifier circuit that amplifies said electric signals, and a second amplifier circuit that is provided downstream of the first amplifier circuit and performs amplification if the output from the first amplifier circuit is equal to or greater than a predetermined value. The first amplifier circuit turns on and off amplification of said electric signals in accordance with the timing at which the emission unit emits electromagnetic waves.
Abstract:
Vorrichtung und Verfahren zum Zünden einer Zündkerze eines Kraftfahrzeugs Die Erfindung betrifft eine Vorrichtung zum Zünden einer Zündkerze (Zk) eines Kraftfahrzeugs mit einem Zündtransformator (Tr), an dessen Sekundärwicklung die Zündkerze (Zk) anschließbar ist, einer mit der Primärwicklung des Zündtransformators (Tr) verbundenen Ansteuerschaltung mit Schaltmitteln (T1, T2, T3, T4), und einer Steuereinrichtung (SE), die eingerichtet ist, durch Ansteuerung der Schaltmittel (T1, T2, T3, T4) einen Durchbruch bei einer angeschlossenen Zündkerze (Zk) und anschließend einen sekundärseitigen Wechselstrom (Isec) mit betragsmäßig konstanter Amplitude zu bewirken. In erfindungsgemäßer Weise istzwischen der Ansteuerschaltung und der Primärwicklung des Zündtransformators (Zr) ein Kondensator (C1) verschaltet, und die Steuereinrichtung (SE) eingerichtet, durch Ansteuern der Schaltmittel (T1, T2, T3, T4) eine primärseitige Schwingung des durch die Induktivität der Primärwicklung des Zündtransformators (Zr) und den Kondensator (C1) gebildeten Serienschwingkreises anzuregen und aufrechtzuerhalten.
Abstract:
A corona discharge (24) ignition includes an electrode (38) emitting a radio frequency electric field and providing a corona discharge (24) to ignite a combustible mixture. The system includes a controlled high voltage energy supply (52) providing energy to a main energy storage (28) at a main voltage. A fixed high voltage energy supply (54) provides extra energy to an extra energy storage (26) at an extra voltage, which is greater than the main voltage. While the corona discharge (24) is being provided, the energy of the main energy storage (28), but not the extra energy storage (26), is provided to the electrode (38). When the corona discharge (24) switches to arc discharge, the extra energy of the extra energy storage (26) is provided to the corona igniter (22) to enhance the arc discharge and provide reliable ignition until the corona discharge (24) is restored.
Abstract:
A corona discharge ignition system 20 includes an igniter 22 for receiving pulses of electrical energy each having a radio frequency. The igniter 22 emits pulses of electrical field ionizing a fuel-air mixture and providing pulses of corona discharge 24, rather than a continuous, un-pulsed corona discharge over the same period of time. The system 20 includes at least one power supply 48, 50 providing the electrical energy to a corona drive circuit 52 and ultimately to the igniter 22. The system 20 can include a variable high voltage power supply 50 and a local charge storage device 70 for providing pulses of the electrical energy to the corona drive circuit 52. The system 20 provides a robust ignition comparable to a single event corona discharge ignition system, with improved resistance to arc formation, while using a fraction of the energy.