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.
Claims20
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;
- and
- an ion sensing module electrically coupled to the series gap igniter.
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;
- 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;
- and
- adjust a timing of actuating the series gap igniter based on a signal from the ion sensing module.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.