Abstract: An ignition system for use with an engine is disclosed. The ignition system may have a pre-combustion chamber in fluid communication with a combustion chamber associated with the engine, and a fuel injection device configured to inject a fuel mixture directly into the pre-combustion chamber. The ignition system may also have a spark plug configured to ignite the fuel mixture within the pre-combustion chamber, and a controller in communication with a primary energy supply and an enhanced energy supply. The controller may be configured to direct a first current from the enhanced energy supply to the spark plug after the fuel mixture is injected into the pre-combustion chamber. The controller may also be configured to direct a second current from the primary energy supply to the spark plug just after the first current is being directed to the spark plug. The second current may have a frequency that is lower than the first current.

Abstract: An ignition system for use with an engine is disclosed. The ignition system may have a pre-combustion chamber in fluid communication with a combustion chamber associated with the engine, and a fuel injection device configured to inject a fuel mixture directly into the pre-combustion chamber. The ignition system may also have a spark plug configured to ignite the fuel mixture within the pre-combustion chamber, and a controller in communication with a primary energy supply and an enhanced energy supply. The controller may be configured to direct a first current from the enhanced energy supply to the spark plug after the fuel mixture is injected into the pre-combustion chamber. The controller may also be configured to direct a second current from the primary energy supply to the spark plug just after the first current is being directed to the spark plug. The second current may have a frequency that is lower than the first current.

Abstract: A method for controlling combustion in plasma ignition engine is provided. The method includes receiving a signal indicative of a cylinder pressure, determining a location of predefined MBF and COV of IMEP based on the cylinder pressure, and comparing the determined location of predefined MBF with a target location of predefined MBF and the determined COV of IMEP with a target COV of IMEP. When the determined location of predefined MBF has note reached the target location of predefined MBF and the determined COV of IMEP is not less than the target COV of IMEP, the method includes steps to either vary characteristics, such as number of pulses, input voltage, distance between two subsequent pulses, of a plasma shock wave or advance a plasma spark timing. The plasma shock wave is of an order of nanometer.

Abstract: An ignition system for an engine includes an igniter configured to selectively ignite a fuel mixture within the engine, an ignition coil associated with the igniter, and a controller in communication with the ignition coil. The controller is configured to energize the ignition coil during a first ignition sequence until a threshold current has been directed to the ignition coil, measure a rise time associated with reaching the threshold current, and calculate a desired ignition duration based on the rise time and a time margin. The controller is also configured to energize the ignition coil during a second ignition sequence, the second ignition sequence lasting for the desired ignition duration.

Abstract: An igniter for an internal combustion engine is disclosed. The igniter may have a body, and a pre-combustion chamber integral with the body and having at least one orifice. The igniter may also have at least one electrode associated with the pre-combustion chamber. The at least one electrode may be configured to direct RF energy to lower an ignition breakdown voltage requirement of an air and fuel mixture in the pre-combustion chamber. The RF energy alone may be insufficient to ignite and sustain combustion of the air and fuel mixture. The at least one electrode may also be configured to generate an arc that extends to an internal wall of the pre-combustion chamber and ignites the air and fuel mixture.

Abstract: An igniter for an internal combustion engine is disclosed. The igniter may have a body, and a pre-combustion chamber integral with the body and having at least one orifice. The igniter may further have a focusing device configured to direct at least one beam of light energy into the pre-combustion chamber.

Abstract: An igniter for an internal combustion engine is disclosed. The igniter may have a body, and a pre-combustion chamber integral with the body and having at least one orifice. The igniter may also have at least one electrode extending into the pre-combustion chamber. The at least one electrode may be configured to direct an arc to an annular side wall of the pre-combustion chamber, and may be movable to adjust an arc termination location on the annular side wall of the pre-combustion chamber.

Abstract: An igniter for an internal combustion engine is disclosed. The igniter may have a base, and a cap fixedly connected to the base to form an integral pre-combustion chamber. The cap may have at least one orifice. The igniter may also have an electrode extending through the base and at least partially into the integral pre-combustion chamber. The electrode may be configured to direct current having a voltage component in the RF range into the integral pre-combustion chamber.

Abstract: An igniter for an internal combustion engine is disclosed. The igniter may have a body, and a pre-combustion chamber integral with the body and having at least one orifice. The igniter may also have at least one electrode associated with the pre-combustion chamber. The at least one electrode may be configured to direct RF energy to lower an ignition breakdown voltage requirement of an air and fuel mixture in the pre-combustion chamber. The RF energy alone may be insufficient to ignite and sustain combustion of the air and fuel mixture. The at least one electrode may also be configured to generate an arc that extends to an internal wall of the pre-combustion chamber and ignites the air and fuel mixture.

Abstract: An igniter for an internal combustion engine is disclosed. The igniter may have a body, and a pre-combustion chamber integral with the body and having at least one orifice. The igniter may further have a focusing device configured to direct at least one beam of light energy into the pre-combustion chamber.

Abstract: An igniter for an internal combustion engine is disclosed. The igniter may have a body, and a pre-combustion chamber integral with the body and having at least one orifice. The igniter may also have at least one electrode extending into the pre-combustion chamber. The at least one electrode may be configured to direct an arc to an annular side wall of the pre-combustion chamber, and may be movable to adjust an arc termination location on the annular side wall of the pre-combustion chamber.

Abstract: Spark plugs in an internal combustion engine may have an encapsulated spark gap allowing for improved emissions and efficiency. However, increased temperatures in an ignition chamber about the spark gap may cause pre-ignition of a air fuel mixture in a combustion chamber. A purge passage allows hot exhaust gas to be expelled from the ignition chamber and thus reduce likelihood of pre-ignition.

Abstract: A spark ignition system and spark plug for utilization in an internal combustion engine combusting an ultra lean fuel/air mixture has capacitors and rectifiers built within the spark plug and the system is constructed to be compact and capable of delivering a controlled spark that has the physical properties of providing a very fast, high power pulse or train of pulses greater than conventional spark plugs.

Abstract: A spark ignition system and spark plug for utilization in an internal combustion engine combusting an ultra lean fuel/air mixture has capacitors and rectifiers built within the spark plug and the system is constructed to be compact and capable of delivering a controlled spark that has the physical properties of providing a very fast, high power pulse or train of pulses greater than conventional spark plugs.