Plasma arc ignition system for gas fuelled engines - uses separate high voltage and high current generators controlled by micro-controller, so that current generator is triggered when static voltage from voltage generator has ionised fuel

摘要

The ignition system comprises separate high voltage (1) and high current (2) generators which are under the control of a micro-controller (4) and are connected to a plasma plug (6) within an engine cylinder (7) via a distribution system (5). Engine operating parameters such as RPM, TDC timing and manifold air density are fed to the micro-controller which generates trigger pulses to selectively enable the two generators. The high voltage generator is triggered to ionise the fuel in the cylinder with this condition being detected by an ionisation current detector (3) connected in series with the voltage generator and the distribution system which sees a sudden increase in current when the static voltage generated ionises the fuel at which point the current generator is triggered.