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US 7,121,270 B1Granted
Spark generation method and ignition system using same
AssigneeVimX Technologies Inc.
InventorAlexander Plotnikov
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An ignition system providing power and duration controlled ignition spark, comprises a spark controller, first switching energy accumulator, storage capacitor, and second switching energy accumulator with an ignition coil. The ignition system utilizes dual means of switching energy accumulation, internal energy transfer, and three means of energy release to the ignition spark, working in all possible combinations managed by means of the spark controller depending on engine operating conditions, and provides continuous bipolar ignition spark. Spark profile is regulated by means of control signals (2) and (3) based on their frequency, duty cycle, interrelation, and running time.
Claims38
An ignition system for providing energy across a spark gap comprising:
- a first series closed circuit including a DC power supply, a primary winding of an energy storage coil and a first switching device;
- the first circuit for supporting a charge of the energy storage coil when the first switching device is conducting, and a discharge of energy stored within the energy storage coil when the first switching device is nonconducting;
- a second series closed circuit including a secondary winding of the energy storage coil, a first diode and an energy storage capacitor, the diode for preventing a flow of current from the energy storage capacitor to the secondary winding of the energy storage coil;
- a third series closed circuit including the secondary winding of the energy storage coil, the first diode, a primary winding of an ignition coil and a second switching device;
- the second and the third series closed circuits for supporting the discharge of energy stored within the energy storage coil via the first diode to the energy storage capacitor when the second switching device is nonconducting, and to the ignition coil when the second switching device is conducting;
- a fourth series closed circuit including the energy storage capacitor, the primary winding of the ignition coil and the second switching device;
- the fourth circuit for supporting the discharge of energy stored within the energy storage capacitor to the ignition coil when the second switching device is conducting;
- a fifth series closed circuit including the DC power supply, a second diode, the primary winding of the ignition coil and the second switching device, the diode for providing a flow of current from the DC power supply to the primary winding of the ignition coil when the energy storage coil and the energy storage capacitor are discharged;
- the fifth circuit for supporting a charge of the ignition coil when the second switching device is conducting, and a discharge of energy stored within the ignition coil when the second switching device is nonconducting;
- and,
- a control circuit for generating a first control signal and a second control signal, the first control signal for operating the first switching device, and the second control signal for operating the second switching device, wherein the components within the ignition system are chosen to support generation of a continuous spark across the spark gap.
8 more elements
An ignition system for providing energy across a spark gap comprising:
- a first series closed circuit including a DC power supply, a primary winding of an energy storage coil and a first switching device;
- the first circuit for supporting a charge of the energy storage coil when the first switching device is conducting, and a discharge of energy stored within the energy storage coil when the first switching device is nonconducting;
- a second series closed circuit including a secondary winding of the energy storage coil, a first diode and an energy storage capacitor, the diode for preventing a flow of current from the energy storage capacitor to the secondary winding of the energy storage coil;
- a third series closed circuit including the DC power supply, a primary winding of an ignition coil, the secondary winding of the energy storage coil, the first diode and a second switching device;
- the second and the third series closed circuits for supporting the discharge of energy stored within the energy storage coil via the first diode to the energy storage capacitor when the second switching device is nonconducting, and to the ignition coil when the second switching device is conducting;
- a fourth series closed circuit including the DC power supply, the primary winding of the ignition coil, the energy storage capacitor and the second switching device;
- the fourth circuit for supporting the discharge of energy stored within the energy storage capacitor to the ignition coil when the second switching device is conducting;
- a fifth series closed circuit including the DC power supply, the primary winding of the ignition coil, a second diode and the second switching device, the diode for providing a flow of current from the primary winding of the ignition coil to the second switching device when the energy storage coil and the energy storage capacitor are discharged;
- the fifth circuit for supporting a charge of the ignition coil when the second switching device is conducting, and a discharge of energy stored within the ignition coil when the second switching device is nonconducting;
- a control circuit for generating a first control signal and a second control signal, the first control signal for operating the first switching device, and, the second control signal for operating the second switching device, wherein the components within the ignition system are chosen to support generation of a continuous spark across the spark gap.
7 more elements
A method of ignition spark generation comprising:
- providing an energy storage coil;
- providing an energy storage capacitor;
- providing an ignition coil;
- storing energy within the energy storage coil;
- storing energy within the energy storage capacitor;
- storing energy within the ignition coil;
- switching the energy stored within each of the energy storage coil and the energy storage capacitor to an ignition coil for generating a spark across a spark gap;
- switching the energy stored within the energy storage coil to the ignition coil for generating the spark across the spark gap;
- switching the energy stored within the energy storage capacitor to the ignition coil for generating the spark across the spark gap;
- and
- switching the energy stored within the ignition coil for generating the spark across the spark gap.
8 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.