Methods and systems for a series gap igniter with a passive pre-chamber
AssigneeFord Global Technologies, LLC
InventorsThomas G. Leone, Michael Damian Czekala
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Methods and systems are provided for operating a cylinder with a series gap igniter coupled to an ion sensing module. In one example, a method may include determining a location of an initial combustion in a cylinder from a series gap igniter based on a pressure rise rate in the cylinder, the ignition spark initiating combustion in the cylinder; and adjusting at least one setting of the cylinder based on the determined location. In this way, combustion stability and efficiency may be increased without increasing a cost and complexity of the engine.
Claims19
A method, comprising:
- determining a location of an initial combustion in a cylinder from a series gap igniter based on a pressure rise rate in the cylinder;
- and
- adjusting at least one setting of the cylinder based on the determined location.
A system, comprising:
- a series gap igniter coupled to a cylinder, the series gap igniter including a first spark gap in an internal volume of the series gap igniter and a second spark gap of the series gap igniter external to the internal volume of the series gap igniter and within a clearance volume of the cylinder;
- an ion sensing module electrically coupled to the series gap igniter;
- and
- a controller storing executable instructions in non-transitory memory that, when executed cause the controller to:
- determine a location of an initial combustion in the cylinder from the series gas ignited based on a pressure rise rate in the cylinder;
- and
- adjust at least one setting of the cylinder based on the determined location.
A system, comprising:
- a cylinder of an engine including a series gap igniter, the series gap igniter coupled to an ion sensing module and including a first spark gap internal to a pre-chamber and a second spark gap external to the pre-chamber, wherein the cylinder further includes an exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) valve;
- a controller storing executable instructions in non-transitory memory that, when executed cause the controller to:
- provide a first spark via the first spark gap and a second spark via the second spark gap by actuating the series gap igniter;
- adjust a timing of actuating the series gap igniter based on a signal from the ion sensing module;
- and
- operate with a higher EGR rate while operating the series gap igniter with the first actuation timing calibration than while operating the series gap igniter with the second actuation timing calibration.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.