An ignition system of an internal combustion engine comprising a metallic plate inserted between the cylinder block and the cylinder head. The metallic plate has an opening, upon the inner peripheral wall of which is mounted a plurality of T-shaped electrodes. Each of the T-shaped electrodes comprises an electrode piece and a conductive bar member connected to the electrode piece. The conductive bar member is surrounded by a tubular insulating member. The tubular insulating member is inserted into bores formed in the metallic plate for forming a condensor between the conductive bar member and the metallic plate. The electrode pieces are arranged in series for forming spark gaps between adjacent electrode pieces, and a high voltage is applied across the electrode pieces.
An embedded igniter for internal combustion engines consisting of a multiple ignition system with separate control for individual pairs of igniters that has been designed to replaces the spark plugs of internal combustion engines. This device allows for a more complete burn of the fuel/air mixture within the combustion chamber. The embedded igniter system will consist of one or more igniter units consisting of a pair of rectangular tantalum bars with iridium electrode pins at the ends. The paired igniter pins are encased in alumina ceramic, a high dielectric/high temperature housing positioned around the combustion chamber holding and insulating the electrodes relative to their position in reference to the combustion chamber. One or more igniter units may be incorporated around each cylinder opening of a head gasket made from a composite of polyamide, carbon fiber and copper or equivalent material or may be incorporated into an internal combustion engine that does not require a head gasket.
A piston is disclosed, for use in an internal combustion engine, including an insulating guide formed therein for receiving an electrode. The electrode has a body, and at least one spark lead coupled to the body for inserting into a channel formed in the insulating guide. Electrical power is supplied to the electrode by a power plug inserted through a power plug opening in the wall of the combustion chamber of the internal combustion engine. When electric power is supplied to the power plug a first electrical arc is generated between the power plug and the body of the electrode, and a second electrical arc is generated between the tip of each one of the spark leads and an associated arc insert disposed in the piston adjacent the end of the insulating guide. Optionally the electrode is insertable and removable from the piston through the power plug opening.
A multipoint spark ignition system for an internal combustion engine. The head of each cylinder of the engine is provided with at least three openings, the axes of which intersect within the cylinder. A spark plug is threaded within each opening, and each spark plug includes a single electrode. The inner end of each electrode carries a thin metallic, laterally extending disc, and the peripheral edges of the discs are spaced apart to provide spark gaps. A first spark plug of the series is connected to the ignition coil of the engine, while the electrode of the last spark plug in the series is connected to ground and the electrodes of the intermediate spark plugs are capacitively loaded.
A multipoint ignition device comprises: a head gasket (1) interposed between a cylinder head and a cylinder block of an engine, having an opening (3) in a position corresponding to a cylinder opening portion; and a plurality of intermediate members (6) connected respectively to a plurality of electrode pairs (2) and held in the head gasket (1). Respective heat values of the plurality of electrode pairs (2) are set individually by varying the contact area between the plurality of intermediate members (6) and the head gasket (1) according to the respective disposal positions of the plurality of intermediate members (6).
A spark-ignition engine is disclosed that incorporates a relatively unlimited number of spark sources within each combustion chamber, without conventional spark plugs being required. The engine includes a planar circuit module clampingly located between a cylinder assembly and a head assembly of the engine. The module includes an electrically insulative substrate; a pair of electrode members; a foil circuit on the substrate for connecting the electrode members to a pulser that generates a high voltage intermittent electric signal for producing spark ignition of the fuel within a combustion chamber of the engine; first and second seals for connecting the substrate to the cylinder assembly and the head assembly. Also disclosed is a kit for replacing spark plugs in an internal combustion engine, the kit including the circuit module and in one version, injector assemblies for use in place of the spark plugs.
