Abstract: A spark plug with integral electrical components for producing a spark with an increased size and a larger resulting flame kernel in an internal combustion engine. One or more coils may be built into the spark plug for creating a magnetic field in the vicinity of the spark. This magnetic field has the effect of bending and rotating the spark in a circular motion. Also, a capacitor may be incorporated into the spark plug to increase the intensity of the spark. A method of producing such a spark plug utilizes a cermet ink applied to the ceramic spark plug insulator before the insulator is completely hardened. The cermet ink may be used to create monolithic spark plug electrodes, integrated coils and integrated capacitors. The method may also be used to crease monolithic electrically conductive paths through any solid dielectric material.

Abstract: A spark plug with integral electrical components for producing a spark with an increased size and a larger resulting flame kernel in an internal combustion engine. One or more coils may be built into the spark plug for creating a magnetic field in the vicinity of the spark. This magnetic field has the effect of bending and rotating the spark in a circular motion. Also, a capacitor may be incorporated into the spark plug to increase the intensity of the spark. A method of producing such a spark plug utilizes a cermet ink applied to the ceramic spark plug insulator before the insulator is completely hardened. The cermet ink may be used to create monolithic spark plug electrodes, integrated coils and integrated capacitors. The method may also be used to create monolithic electrically conductive paths through any solid dielectric material.

Abstract: An apparatus for electrically controlling the spark advance of selected cylinders of a multicylinder engine so that the spark of the selected cylinders is advanced beyond others of the cylinders. For example, the selected cylinders may be advanced beyond normal operational advance to increase combustion chamber temperatures and pressures for a relatively short period so as to clean the surfaces of the combustion chamber. The cylinders which are advanced are changed in sequence or at random so that all of the cylinders are cleaned. The system may also be used to control the spark advance of the cylinders to provide differing advances for the respective cylinders to accommodate differences in operational conditions at the cylinders.

Abstract: An apparatus for electrically controlling the spark advance of selected cylinders of a multicylinder engine so that the spark of the selected cylinders is advanced beyond others of the cylinders. For example, the selected cylinders may be advanced beyond normal operational advance to increase combustion chamber temperatures and pressures for a relatively short period so as to clean the surfaces of the combustion chamber. The cylinders which are advanced are changed in sequence or at random so that all of the cylinders are cleaned. The system may also be used to control the spark advance of the cylinders to provide differing advances for the respective cylinders to accommodate differences in operational conditions at the cylinders.

Abstract: An apparatus for electrically controlling the spark advance of selected cylinders of a multicylinder engine so that the spark of the selected cylinders is advanced beyond others of the cylinders. For example, the selected cylinders may be advanced beyond normal operational advance to increase combustion chamber temperatures and pressures for a relatively short period so as to clean the surfaces of the combustion chamber. The cylinders which are advanced are changed in sequence or at random so that all of the cylinders are cleaned. The system may also be used to control the spark advance of the cylinders to provide differing advances for the respective cylinders to accommodate differences in operational conditions at the cylinders.

Abstract: An apparatus for electrically controlling the spark advance of selected cylinders of a multicylinder engine so that the spark of the selected cylinders is advanced beyond others of the cylinders. For example, the selected cylinders may be advanced beyond normal operational advance to increase combustion chamber temperatures and pressures for a relatively short period so as to clean the surfaces of the combustion chamber. The cylinders which are advanced are changed in sequence or at random so that all of the cylinders are cleaned. The system may also be used to control the spark advance of the cylinders to provide differing advances for the respective cylinders to accommodate differences in operational conditions at the cylinders.

Abstract: An apparatus for electrically controlling the spark advance of selected cylinders of a multicylinder engine so that the spark of the selected cylinders is advanced beyond others of the cylinders. For example, the selected cylinders may be advanced normal operational advance to increase combustion chamber temperatures and pressures for a relatively short period so as to clean the surfaces of the combustion chamber. The cylinders which are advanced are changed in sequence or at random so that all of the cylinders are cleaned. The system may also be used to control the spark advance of the cylinders to provide differing advances for the respective cylinders to accommodate differences in operational conditions at the cylinders.

Abstract: An ionization gap device for detecting the arrival of a flame front propagated within a combustion chamber of an internal combustion engine. The ionization gap device particularly features a plurality of electrodes which are generally equidistantly spaced from an ignition source for detecting the arrival of the flame front at more than one location in the combustion chamber.

Abstract: Structures both for resisting impacts as well as delivering impacts are described. Generally, the impact resisting structures are formed with means for preventing the reinforcing intersection of a sonic wave train with its own reflection within the structure, such that at least one shock wave fracture mode is eliminated. More specifically, the structures are formed with means for suppressing the specular reflection of high frequency energy at one or more surfaces of the structure. This means may comprise irregularities formed in a surface to roughen the surface in a predetermined relationship with the wavelength of the sonic energy. The impact delivery structures are adapted to rapidly deliver kinetic energy after an initial contact with an object. These structures may comprise a projectiles having a jacket and a spline supported therein for providing a high velocity channel through which a sonic energy wave train may propagate. This is a division of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 695,411, filed Jan.

Abstract: Several embodiments of coil assemblies suitable for a variety of uses are disclosed herein all of which employ spiral windings which minimizes coil layer-to-layer voltage gradients to levels which conventional enamel wire insulation is able to withstand. In one embodiment a bobbin-type support structure is provided comprised of a plurality of interfitted disc elements which are specifically adapted to accommodate a plurality of spiral windings which may be easily formed thereon.

Abstract: A system and method for optimizing the octane rating of fuel supplied to a vehicle. The system utilizes information resulting from the occurance of detonation to make recommendations regarding the fuel octane requirements of the vehicle to the operator of the vehicle. The system can reduce the occurance of detonation by advising the operator of the vehicle when a higher octane fuel is required. Also, unnecessary expense resulting from the use of an excessively high octane fuel can be avoided by advising the operator when a lower octane fuel should be used.

Abstract: An apparatus for electrically controlling the spark advance of selected cylinders of a multicylinder engine so that the spark of the selected cylinders is advanced beyond others of the cylinders. For example, the selected cylinders may be advanced beyond normal operational advance to increase combustion chamber temperatures and pressures for a relatively short period so as to clean the surfaces of the combustion chamber. The cylinders which are advanced are changed in sequence or at random so that all of the cylinders are cleaned. The system may also be used to control the spark advance of the cylinders to provide differing advances for the respective cylinders to accommodate differences in operational conditions at the cylinders.

Abstract: An apparatus for electrically controlling the spark advance of selected cylinders of a multicylinder engine so that the spark of the selected cylinders is advanced beyond others of the cylinders. For example, the selected cylinders may be advanced beyond normal operational advance to increase combustion chamber temperatures and pressures for a relatively short period so as to clean the surfaces of the combustion chamber. The cylinders which are advanced are changed in sequence or at random so that all of the cylinders are cleaned. The system may also be used to control the spark advance of the cylinders to provide differing advances for the respective cylinders to accommodate differences in operational conditions at the cylinders.

Abstract: Structures both for resisting impacts as well as delivering impacts are described. Generally, the impact resisting structures are formed with means for preventing the reinforcing intersection of a sonic wave train with its own reflection within the structure, such that at least one shock wave fracture mode is eliminated. More specifically, the structures are formed with means for suppressing the specular reflection of high frequency energy at one or more surfaces of the structure. This means may comprise irregularities formed in a surface to roughen the surface in a predetermined relationship with the wavelength of the sonic energy. The impact delivery structures are adapted to rapidly deliver kinetic energy after an initial contact with an object. These structures may comprise a projectiles having a jacket and a spline supported therein for providing a high velocity channel through which a sonic energy wave train may propagate.

Abstract: Several embodiments of coil assemblies suitable for a variety of uses are disclosed herein all of which employ spiral windings which minimizes coil layer-to-layer voltage gradients to levels which conventional enamel wire insulation is able to withstand. In one embodiment a spiral winding is fabricated in strip form using a continuous strand of wire secured to a continuous ribbon-like substrate by an adhesive composition which may be provided on the wire so as to form a plurality of spiral windings on segments or portions of the substrate, each winding having one turn in each radial layer. The substrate will include other segments located between each winding portion to provide insulating means for the spiral windings and for the transition of the wire as it passes to the next successive winding containing segment.

Abstract: An ignition coil for spark ignited internal combustion engines intended for mounting on and connection to a spark plug which simplifies high voltage distribution, promotes maintenance and safety, lessens radio interference, and reduces exhaust emissions. The ignition coil preferably has a tight fitting resilient insulating boot engaging the spark plug. The boot member preferably has an air passage with a contaminate filter for facilitating the insertion of the boot on the spark plug. One embodiment includes a grounding member connected to the ground lead of the primary winding of the ignition coil which engages either the grounded portion of the spark plug or the cylinder head for grounding the primary winding of ignition coil.

Abstract: An apparatus for electrically controlling the spark advance of selected cylinders of a multicylinder engine so that the spark of the selected cylinders is advanced beyond others of the cylinders. For example, the selected cylinders may be advanced beyond normal operational advance to increase combustion chamber temperatures and pressures for a relatively short period so as to clean the surfaces of the combustion chamber. The cylinders which are advanced are changed in sequence or at random so that all of the cylinders are cleaned. The system may also be used to control the spark advance of the cylinders to provide differing advances for the respective cylinders to accommodate differences in operational conditions at the cylinders.

Abstract: Several embodiments and mountings of a vibration sensor are disclosed, all of which are suitable for detecting vibrations diagnostic of a combustion in a combustion chamber of a liquid cooled internal combustion engine. The channel for collection and transmission of these vibrations from the combustion chamber to the sensor in each embodiment includes the liquid engine coolant. In some of the embodiments, the sensor detects flexure of portions of the walls of the existing structure of the engine cooling system apart from the primary rigid structure of the engine. Dimensions of coolant system passages may be modified to tune or emphasize certain frequencies delivered to a sensor. To improve signal to noise ratio of the dignostic vibrations seen by the sensor, portions or extensions of the cooling system may be damped or silenced, or alternatively, damping or silencing may be applied to the entire cooling system.

Abstract: An apparatus for electrically controlling the spark advance of selected cylinders of a multicylinder engine so that the spark of the selected cylinders is advanced beyond others of the cylinders. For example, the selected cylinders may be advanced beyond normal operational advance to increase combustion chamber temperatures and pressures for a relatively short period so as to clean the surfaces of the combustion chamber. The cylinders which are advanced are changed in sequence or at random so that all of the cylinders are cleaned. The system may also be used to control the spark advance of the cylinders to provide differing advances for the respective cylinders to accommodate differences in operational conditions at the cylinders.

Abstract: An apparatus for electrically controlling the spark advance of selected cylinders of a multicylinder engine so that the spark of the selected cylinders is advanced beyond others of the cylinders. For example, the selected cylinders may be advanced beyond normal operational advance to increase combustion chamber temperatures and pressures for a relatively short period so as to clean the surfaces of the combustion chamber. The cylinders which are advanced are changed in sequence or at random so that all of the cylinders are cleaned. The system may also be used to control the spark advance of the cylinders to provide differing advances for the respective cylinders to accommodate differences in operational conditions at the cylinders.