Abstract: A method for reducing audible noise in a vehicle audio component includes steps of: determining that the audio component is or is about to be operating in a susceptible mode wherein it is likely to receive electrical interference caused by an electrical component operating in an interfering operating state; communicating to the electrical component that the audio component is operating in the susceptible mode; and changing operation of the electrical component from the interfering operating state to a non-interfering operating state less likely to generate electrical signals causing audible noise.

Abstract: The ignition device for the internal combustion engine includes: an ignition plug including a first electrode and a second electrode opposed to each other via a predetermined gap, for generating in the predetermined gap a spark discharge for igniting a combustible mixture in a combustion chamber of the internal combustion engine; an ignition coil including a primary coil and a secondary coil, for generating a high voltage in the secondary coil by supplying or stopping a primary current flowing through the primary coil, and then applying the generated high voltage to the first electrode; and a control unit for driving the ignition coil for a plurality of times within a single ignition process, and changing a primary voltage for driving the ignition coil within the single ignition process.

Abstract: A control device of a spark-ignition gasoline engine is provided. The control device includes a controller for operating the engine body by controlling at least a fuel injection valve, an ignition plug, and a fuel pressure variable mechanism. Depending on the engine load range, the controller sets the combustion mode to a compression-ignition mode or a spark-ignition mode. In each mode, the controller also controls the fuel pressure, and the timing of fuel injection and ignition. The controller may also performs external EGR control in each mode.

Abstract: A method of igniting a mixture of oxidant and fuel in a combustion chamber of a combustion engine using a spark plug arranged so that it protrudes into the combustion chamber of the engine. The method includes powering the spark plug using a first alternating electrical signal of a frequency higher than 1 MHz, and second powering the spark plug using a second alternating electrical signal of a frequency higher than 1 MHz, the second power taking place after the first powering following a time delay.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a barrier discharge device capable of increasing the combustion efficiency of an engine while overcoming the problems of the cumbersome replacement of the electrodes and the commercialization of the device. The barrier discharge device of an engine includes a dielectric body and at least two barrier discharge electrodes which are held inside the dielectric body and to which voltages for barrier discharge are applied, wherein each of the barrier discharge electrodes are not exposed to the inside of a cylinder bore and are arranged so as to surround the cylinder bore.

Abstract: A method for operating a multi-spark ignition system in an engine system includes: receiving time information regarding a multi-spark phase; cyclical charging of an ignition coil of an ignition device, and discharging of the ignition coil via a spark plug of the ignition device during the multi-spark phase; the charging and/or discharging of the ignition coil taking place as a function of a current flow in the ignition coil.

Abstract: An ignition controlling apparatus that can diagnose a state of spark discharge in an internal combustion engine, and perform appropriate actions based on the diagnostic results. In the internal combustion engine ignition controlling apparatus, a signal extracting device extracts an ion current that is generated together with combustion of a gas mixture inside a combustion chamber by spark discharge of an ignition apparatus based on an ignition signal of an ignition coil, includes a signal diagnosing device that sets a predetermined detection zone from a period in a single stroke of an internal combustion engine from a first spark discharge commencement until after a last spark discharge completion, and that determines an ignition state based on parameters included in the signal extracted in this detection zone, and controls the internal combustion engine in response to this ignition state.

Abstract: A method for engine starting is provided. The method may include performing idle-stop operation, and during a subsequent re-start, applying multi-strike ignition operation for a first combustion cycle. In this way, improved engine starting may be achieved with reduced emissions.

Abstract: An electrode structure for a combustion vessel including a first electrode and a first dielectric barrier. The first electrode is made of a conductive material, has a rod-like shape, and protrudes from an inner surface of the combustion vessel. The first dielectric barrier is made of a dielectric material. The first electrode has, on its surface, a first exposed surface exposed in the combustion space and a first coated surface coated with the first dielectric barrier. A predischarge progresses while the first coated surface serves as a start point or an end point of the progress. A main discharge progresses while the first exposed surface serves as a start point or an end point of the progress. The main discharge includes a creeping discharge that creeps along a surface of the first dielectric barrier, and goes through a spatial region where the predischarge occurs.

Abstract: A method for engine starting is provided. The method may include performing idle-stop operation, and during a subsequent re-start, applying multi-strike ignition operation for a first combustion cycle. In this way, improved engine starting may be achieved with reduced emissions.

Abstract: A system and method for operating a multiple cylinder internal combustion engine having at least two spark plugs per cylinder include a first control wire coupled to a first spark plug of a first cylinder and a second spark plug of a second cylinder, and a second control wire coupled to a second spark plug of the first cylinder and a first spark plug of the second cylinder with the first and second spark plugs of the first cylinder being selectively fired during the power stroke of the first cylinder and the first and second spark plugs of the second cylinder being selectively fired during the power stroke of the second cylinder to provide individual control of each spark plug using a number of control lines less than the number of spark plugs.

Abstract: An engine system includes two spark plugs in a cylinder of an engine. The two spark plugs have different heat ranges in order to address pre-ignition, where only a first spark plug operates during a first condition, and only a second spark plug operates during a second condition.

Abstract: A method for operating a multi-spark ignition system in an engine system includes: receiving time information regarding a multi-spark phase; cyclical charging of an ignition coil of an ignition device, and discharging of the ignition coil via a spark plug of the ignition device during the multi-spark phase; the charging and/or discharging of the ignition coil taking place as a function of a current flow in the ignition coil.

Abstract: A method for operation of a vehicle having an internal combustion engine is provided. The internal combustion engine may include one or more combustion chambers, a fuel delivery system including a direct fuel injector coupled to each combustion chamber, an ignition system including one or more spark plugs coupled to each combustion chamber, a piston disposed within each combustion chamber, and an intake and an exhaust valve coupled to each combustion chamber, the internal combustion engine providing motive power to the vehicle. The method may include discontinuing combustion operation within the internal combustion engine responsive to idle-stop operation. The method may further include, during a direct-start, performing multi-strike ignition operation per combustion cycle via one or more selected spark plug(s) for at least a first combustion cycle in a combustion chamber following the discontinuation of combustion operation, the one or more selected spark plug(s) coupled to the combustion chamber.

Abstract: A method of transitioning between homogeneous charge compression ignition and spark ignition in a combustion chamber of an engine that is configured for homogeneous charge compression ignition under at least some engine operating conditions and for spark ignition under at least some engine operating conditions, the method comprising heating contents of the combustion chamber with a glow plug prior to transitioning between homogeneous charge compression ignition and spark ignition.

Abstract: A system for a multi-fuel engine includes adjusting delivery of one or more fuels in response to a condition of an ignition spark in the engine. In one example, the system adjusts one or more fuels in response to spark plug ionization detection to improve performance of the engine.

Abstract: When engine rotation speed is increasing in a compression stroke injection mode, a control device determines that a crank angle at injection end timing of an injector deviates toward a delayed crank angle side and performs additional ignition at timing when (or immediately before or after) a crank angle at actual injection end timing of the injector of a present injection cylinder is reached. Thus, even when the crank angle at the injection end timing deviates toward the delayed crank angle side with respect to preset original ignition timing, a combustion state can be stabilized by performing the additional ignition at timing, at which a suitable stratified mixture gas is formed in a cylinder, through the execution of the additional ignition at the timing substantially the same as the actual injection end timing.

Abstract: An ignition control device for controlling a multi-spark operation comprises: a secondary electric energy generator generating an electric energy to reignite an air fuel-mixture associated with an internal combustion engine during the multi-spark operation; a switching element capable of controlling the supplying of the electric energy to a primary coil of an ignition coil, the controlling causing a secondary current in a secondary coil of the ignition coil; an ignition timing signal generator generating an ignition timing signal based on a driving state of the engine; a multi-spark period setting element setting a multi-spark period of the multi-spark operation based on the ignition timing signal; and an ignition control element setting an amount of electric power supplied to the secondary electric energy generator based on the multi-spark period before the performing of the multi-spark operation is started, and for controlling the switching element.

Abstract: A system and method for operating an engine is disclosed. The system and method includes performing multiple ignitions during a single engine cycle. According to one embodiment, a first ignition takes place during a first stroke in the cycle and a second ignition takes place during a second stroke in the cycle. The system and method may further include performing multiple injections during the engine cycle.

Abstract: An axial flow rotary valve for an engine, that is rotatable about an axis within the bore of a cylinder head. The valve communicating with a respective cylinder in which a piston reciprocates, and an ignition means associated with the cylinder. The valve is provided with inlet and exhaust peripheral openings that periodically communicate with cylinder through a window in the bore. A combustion chamber is formed in the space between the crown of the piston at top dead centre and the cylinder head and the valve. The ignition means comprising first and second spark plugs, each of said spark plugs having a nose located at one end thereof exposed to the combustion chamber, said noses being disposed on opposite sides of said window within the axial extremities of said window.

Abstract: A multi-spark ignition system for an internal combustion engine includes ignition coils each of which is mounted on one of spark plugs of an engine, an energy storing circuit, switching elements that repeatedly discharge electric energy stored by the energy storing circuit into the primary coil of the ignition coils; and a control circuit that controls the energy storing circuit and the switching elements according to consolidated signals each of which includes an energy storing command signal for storing electric energy into the energy storing circuit and a joint energy discharging period command signal for discharging the electric energy by the one of the spark plugs.

Abstract: An electrical circuit for extending the duration of the spark provided by a spark plug. Instead of a single coil (and a single pair of windings), a dual coil unit is used. The dual coil unit may be operated in a “multi-strike” mode in which the discharge of each coil is shortened and offset from that of the other coil. This provides an effective spark for an extended duration.

Abstract: An ignition control apparatus for an engine; in particular, an engine having two or more igniter plugs per cylinder energized by a electric power source, comprises a voltage detector for detecting a voltage of the electric power source, and a controller configured to effect initial combustion using both igniter plugs, to determine whether the voltage is lower than a first threshold voltage, and to effect further combustion using one of the igniter plugs when the voltage detected by the voltage detector is determined to be lower than the first threshold voltage.

Abstract: A multipoint ignition engine (1) includes a central electrode pair (9), disposed in the center of a combustion chamber (2), for forming a central spark gap (10), and a plurality of peripheral electrode pairs (12) held in a head gasket (15), which has an opening portion having a substantially identical diameter to an opening portion of a cylinder (5) in a position corresponding to the opening portion of the cylinder (5), for forming a plurality of peripheral spark gaps (13) around the inner periphery of the opening portion in the cylinder (5). An air-fuel mixture in the combustion chamber (2), which is obtained by mixing together fuel and air evenly to the stoichiometric air-fuel ratio or a richer/leaner air-fuel ratio than the stoichiometric air-fuel ratio, is ignited using both the central spark gap (10) and the plurality of peripheral spark gaps (13).

Abstract: An apparatus for controllably generating sparks is provided. The apparatus includes a spark generating device; at least two output stages connected to the spark generating device; means for charging energy storage devices in the output stages and at least partially isolating each of the energy storage devices from the energy storage devices of the other output stages; and, a logic circuit for selectively triggering the output stages to generate a spark. Each of the output stages preferably includes: (1) an energy storage device to store the energy; (2) a controlled switch for selectively discharging the energy storage device; and (3) a network for transferring the energy discharged by the energy storage device to the spark generating device.

Abstract: An internal combustion engine which injects fuel directly into a cylinder 104 and ignites air-fuel mixture formed in the cylinder, wherein each fuel injection of said internal combustion engine comprises a lead spray 105 which moves faster and a main spray 106 which moves slower, the lead spray 105 is oriented towards an ignition plug 114, and the air-fuel mixture made by pre- and main sprays is ignited twice or more. This invention of the above configuration can provide a simple and inexpensive direct cylinder injection type internal combustion engine which reduces abrasion of electrodes and consumption of electric power while assuring stable fuel combustions even when ignition timing is retarded.

Abstract: Staggered firing of first and second spark plugs in a dual-plug spark ignition engine is achieved by apparatus that fires the first spark plug based on an output signal produced by an engine control module and firing the second plug based on the output of a delay control circuit responsive to the output signal produced by the engine control module. The delay control circuit additionally detects engine speed based on the firing frequency of the first spark plug, and selects a delay time so that the firing of the second spark plug is delayed with respect to the firing of the first spark plug by a calibrated angle of engine rotation.

Abstract: During a multiple discharges operation, a micro computer changes a discharge period of each discharge in accordance with a pressure transition in a combustion chamber of an internal combustion engine. Thus, the energy amount consumed at each discharge of the multiple discharges operation is suppressed toward the minimum requirement, and the consumption of energy accumulated in the ignition device is appropriately controlled. As a result, discharge energy is efficiently consumed at the multiple discharges, thereby compacting the ignition device. Further, the number of multiple discharges is not restricted.

Abstract: A battery, an energy charge inductance, and a first transistor are connected in series in an ignition system. A primary winding and a second switching device are connected in series between the ground and a point between the energy charge inductance and the first switching device. A drive circuit switches periodically on and off the first switching device and the second switching device during multispark duration of the spark plug such that each switching device has a different switching status from each other. After the multispark duration, the drive circuit switches periodically on and off the second transistor with a short switching interval. The switching interval is set such that a relatively low voltage that almost causes a spark is impressed to the spark plug. An ion current detection is implemented by using this voltage as a power source.

Abstract: An improved ignition-combustion system for internal combustion engines comprising a compact combustion chamber zone (4) in the engine cylinder head (6) mainly under the exhaust valve (8) and with large air-squish zones (124a, 124b) formed at the edge of the combustion zone which produce colliding squish flows (2, 2a, 3a, 3b) with high turbulence (3c) at the center of the combustion zone, with one or two spark plugs (12a/118, 12b/18a) located at the edge of the combustion zone within the high squish zones, resulting in a combined ignition and combustion system of colliding-flow-coupled-spark discharge (CFCSD), with the ignition employing high energy flow-resistant ignition sparks which move under the influence of the squish flow towards the central turbulence region as the piston nears engine top center, to produce rapid and complete burning of lean and high EGR mixtures for best engine efficiency and lowest emissions.

Abstract: A direct cylinder injected engine in several different embodiments which are specifically illustrated as two-cycle engines but which can also be used in four-cycle engines. The fuel injector is positioned so as to minimize escape of fuel from the exhaust port in the two-cycle engine applications. In addition, multiple or extended spark plug firing is accomplished under difficult running conditions and wherein fuel vaporization may be incomplete. This will ensure complete combustion. Various control routines and strategies are disclosed that control the number or time of injection depending upon such factors as engine speed, load, speed variation, air fuel ratio variations and pressure variations.

Abstract: Disclosed is an internal combustion engine having a direct injection combustion chamber. The internal combustion engine includes a fuel injector mounted in a cylinder head at substantially a center of the combustion chamber; an intake port and an exhaust port formed in the cylinder head and which exit into the combustion chamber on opposite sides of the fuel injector; a first spark plug mounted in the cylinder head such that a firing tip thereof is positioned under where the intake port exits into the combustion chamber, the first spark plug operating to ignite a lean mixture of fuel and air supplied to the combustion chamber by the intake port and the fuel injector; a second spark plug mounted in the cylinder head on one side of the fuel injector, and which ignites a fuel-air mixture of a stoichiometric ratio fed into the combustion chamber by the injector and the intake port; and a piston head provided on a upper face of a piston.

Abstract: An ignition system for multi-firing a spark plug of a spark ignition internal combustion engine and for detecting auto-ignition utilizing the spark plug as a feedback element. The ignition system includes a pulse transformer connected to a spark plug, a distribution element coupled to the transformer, a timing element connected to the distribution element, a controller, an engine position sensor and a spark discharge detection circuit. Based on engine parameters, the controller loads the timing element with the appropriate signals and triggers one of three timers. The triggered timer begins to count down and times-out at the appropriate engine position either ignition or simply for auto-ignition. This triggers a second timer which enables yet another timer that provides control signals to the distribution element to produce a series of voltage signals of a predetermined magnitude applied by the transformer at the spark plug.

Abstract: A unipolar ignition of the invention provides a current waveform at the ignitor plug which initially rises relatively slowly, followed by a transition to a fast rising current which quickly peaks and thereafter slowly dissipates. Such a current waveform provides an initially hotter and longer lasting spark which does not harm the ignitor plug of the system or shorten its life expectancy. Neither does the spark create stress on the solid state circuitry which delivers the energy to the ignitor plug. To provide the foregoing spark and current characteristics, an inductor having a saturable core is in series with the ignitor plug, and it provides an initially high inductance which limits the rate of current rise at the plug as energy is transferred from an energy storage device to the plug. As the current through the inductor increases, its core begins to saturate and the effective inductance begins to decrease, allowing the current to rise more quickly.

Abstract: Methods for associating ignition signals with a reference cylinder in multiple-spark ignition systems of internal combustion engines with externally supplied ignition are proposed; different signal levels for the primary and supporting sparks are used in a first method, and the time offset between the primary and supporting spark onsets is used in a second method for the association.

Abstract: An Electromagnetic Ignition system suitable for adaptation to standard automobile engines including diesel engines, which has been improved by means of a high efficiency RF capacitive spark plug with a projecting antenna tip used for forming very large spark gaps to the plug shell and piston face as well as for coupling high electric fields to the local initial flame plasma, preferably used in combination with shielded high voltage cable including series inductive choke elements and a Capacitive Discharge ignition system incorporating an input capacitor, a SCR switch, an ignition coil with an optimized high current and high output voltage, and preferably a synchronous DC-DC power converter providing "boost power" during ignition so that substantial capacitive, inductive, and electromagnetic energy is supplied to the air-fuel mixture. Preferably the coil has a turns ratio of 50 with the input capacitor having a capacitance between 5 and 10 microfarads and a 400 volts rating.

Abstract: The energy transfer derived from the ignition spark in the first or breakdown phase of a sparking event is matched to the speed of propagation of the ignition or flame front within the combustion chamber of an internal combustion engine (ICE) 11. The number of spark flash-overs or breakdowns is made dependent on the conditions of the combustible mixture applied to the ICE, for example by providing signals representative of the mixture by sensing fuel and air throughput, as well as, preferably, speed, loading, and temperature of the engine.

Abstract: A multi-gap spark ignition device to be installed in a spark ignition engine, is disclosed. The device comprises a metallic base member provided with a hole which forms one portion of the combustion chamber of the engine. Within the wall defining the hole, a high voltage electrode, a plurality of intermediate electrodes and an earth electrode are embedded at regular intervals so that each end of the electrodes project into the hole to form a plurality of spark gaps between the adjacent ends of the electrodes. Each of the intermediate electrodes is composed of an electrode member and an insulating member for covering one end of the electrode member, and is closely inserted into a groove formed in one end surface of the base member along the hole thereof at regular intervals.

Abstract: An ignition system is provided for creating a continuous stream of high voltage pulses to each spark plug (8) over a predetermined period of time as controlled by the distributor (7). Below the transformer core (1) is positioned a switch (6) incorporating a plate (9) which is magnetically attracted to the transformer when a current flows through the windings. When the contacts of the contact breaker (5) open the supply from the battery (4) to the transformer core (1) is cut off so that the switch (6) closes under the bias of a spring due to the collapse of the magnetic field created in the core. Closure of the switch (6) restores the circuit from the battery (4) to the primary and secondary windings (2) (3) of the transformer and thus during the whole period that the contact breaker (5) is open the switch (6) will intermittently open and close, resulting in the application of a rapid series of high tension pulses to the respective spark plug (8 ).

Abstract: An ignition system for creeping discharge spark plugs for producing a spark discharge at least one portion of which slidably moves along a creeping discharge path is disclosed. The system comprises producing a spark discharge operative to ignite a mixed gas in an usual manner and selectively producing a purifying and sweeping spark discharge operative to remove carbon deposited on said creeping discharge path. An ignition circuit for carrying out the system is also disclosed.

Abstract: A four cylinder four cycle spark ignition engine has oblong pistons each mounted to reciprocate in sliding contact with an oblong cylinder. Intake valves in a series are positioned in a straight line on one side of and parallel to a central plane extending through the longest dimension of each oblong cylinder. Exhaust valves in a series are positioned in a straight line on the other side of and parallel to that central plane. A cam shaft operates all of the intake valves and another cam shaft operates all of the exhaust valves.