Internal-combustion engines – Charge forming device – Combustible mixture ionization – ozonation – or electrolysis
Reexamination Certificate
1999-12-03
2003-06-24
McMahon, Marguerite (Department: 3747)
Internal-combustion engines
Charge forming device
Combustible mixture ionization, ozonation, or electrolysis
Reexamination Certificate
active
06581581
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF INVENTION
The present invention relates to an ignition system.
The ignition system of the present invention may be used in any suitable application where an engine is used for propulsion to provide drive to tools and other equipment or other purposes or activities.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Modern combustion engines utilise the primordial principles of the early steam engine, for example a crank shaft, a piston, a combustion chamber, a cylinder head and an engine block. The major difference is the utilisation of fossilised hydrocarbon fuels or liquefied natural gases as energy means in lieu of steam. Innovation over time led to the development of multi-cylinder and more compact engines having very advanced components.
The modern automobile engine does not utilise steam energy because of the availability of hydrocarbon fuels and other forms of energy such as, for example, liquefied natural gas and methanols. Hydrocarbon fuels are widely used in engines of contemporary cars, trucks, tractors, generators, motor cycles, jet engines and other applications and have proved to be more effective and efficient as a source of energy than steam.
The use of steam as an energy source requires considerable heating of water to produce kinetic energy. Heating water into steam for example, was accomplished via boilers utilising large quantities of wood or coal.
One disadvantage of using steam engines is the need for large volumes of water, particularly when required to be carried on board a vehicle, ie the traditional steam engine locomotive. Also, large amounts of coal or wood also needed to be stored and carried to provide heating energy to transform water into steam. Steam engines were often very reliable but messy to maintain and operate. Steam production necessitated the constant need for stoking the boiler fires to create heat. Furthermore, use of steam engines is not possible in modern cars because they cannot accommodate the conventional fuels used in older steam engines.
Another disadvantage of using fuels such as wood and coal is the distances often travelled far away from suitable collieries and wood depots for re-supply. Furthermore, the capability of boilers to cause fires as a result of sparks or overheating phenomena is another disadvantage. Smoke from steam engine boilers also caused a disadvantage and use of chimneys or flues was required which cannot be used on modern automobiles.
It is for reasons such as the above that steam engines were considered inefficient, too clumsy, too heavy and too awkward to operate and maintain.
Fossilised fuels are supplied from petroleum service stations virtually world-wide and re-fuelling a motor car is easier than loading several tonnes of wood or coal onto a steam engine locomotive. Typically, automobiles utlising hydrocarbon fuels or liquefied natural gas sources are more reliable and easier to operate and maintain.
The advent of the modern automobile engine utilising fossilised fuels came about through the works of Daimler, Otto and Benz who invented the first series of hydrocarbon engines which used an oil and kerosene blend (now called Diesel). This hydrocarbon blend fuel self-detonated without spark plugs within a combustion chamber when pressurised with an oxygen lean mixture at a minimum compression ratio of 12:1. Below the ratio of 12:1 the Diesel fuel and oxygen mixture will not self detonate and combustion will not occur within the chamber. Typically, Diesel engines operate at compression ratios up to 34:1 to facilitate detonation and maximise horsepower ratings and torque. The Diesel engine still is one of the most efficient motors for transportation and other industrial uses, and does not rely on an electrical ignition source for combustion.
The advent of other lighter blends of petroleum such as leaded gasoline (or petrol), and in recent years unleaded gasolines, gave an impetus to the automotive industry. Gasoline engines are widely used in transportation as well as for other industrial and recreational applications. The advent of the gasoline driven engine was made possible by the invention of the Bosch electrical ignition system.
Hence, the modern automobile ignition system typically consists of an electrical input current derived from a 12 Volt DC lead-acid battery, a coil, a condenser or capacitor, a rotor with copper electrode attached and a set of point breakers. The rotor and point breakers are accommodated within a distributor assembly which is well insulated beneath a distributor cap. Insulated high tension electrical leads extend from the distributor assembly and attach to a spark plug(s) typically made from metal and ceramic compositions. The ceramic core provides electrical insulation with an internal copper or metallic core transcending the length of the ceramic core and into the base of the spark plug. The base of the spark plug consists of a threaded metal stub for screwing into the engine cylinder head. The spark plug typically has an air gap of approximately 0.6 mm-1.5 mm space to create a spark across the air gap within the combustion chamber when high voltage potential is delivered to the spark plug electrode via a high tension electrical lead. The distributor assembly is connected to the cam shaft to provide timing for the electrical ignition system.
The conventional spark plug can typically be manufactured having either one air gap point between the electrode and the metallic base, or a plurality of gaps for multiple sparking. Some conventional spark plugs are manufactured without a metal strip over the electrode to create an air gap. Instead such spark plugs rely on high voltage sparking from the electrode across to the metal base of the plug, which is earthed to the engine's cylinder head.
With the exception of Diesel engines, all gasoline driven engines utilise electrical ignition systems. High voltage currents are delivered to the spark plug. The lean fuel and air mixture is contained within a combustion chamber. When the piston is near to, or directly at, extreme top dead centre the lean fuel and air mixture is under elevated pressure. At this point the spark plug ignites the lean fuel and air mixture. DC Voltages of 30,000 to 40,000 volts are usual in electrical ignition systems. However, some manufacturers supply ignition systems exceeding these values, e.g. up to 70,000 volts, or even being lower, e.g. down to 20,000 volts.
A disadvantage of utilising conventional ignition systems and conventional spark plugs is that high electrical potential rapidly deteriorates the spark plugs. Therefore, spark plugs often need to be replaced frequently.
Furthermore, another disadvantage of conventional spark plugs is that they often become blocked or clogged with build up of carbon depositions caused by a combination of burnt and unburned fossilised fuels. When carbon deposits build up onto spark plugs, electrical sparking is sacrificed dues to the electrical conductivity of carbon. Sometimes, in extreme cases, no sparking eventuates and proper combustion does not ensue. This means that unburned fossil fuels are expelled from the engine's exhaust system thereby creating environmental pollution.
Often, improper sparking of spark plugs causes engines to not idle and run smoothly. Improper spark plug care or maintenance can result in a gradual deterioration of the combustion engine through carbon build up and through a phenomena known as engine glazing. Fuel efficiency also diminishes and an automobile become sluggish leading to loss of speed and horsepower performance.
Possibly, the greatest disadvantage of utilising fossilised fuels and liquefied natural gas energy sources is that modern car engines are highly inefficient. The modern automobile gasoline engines are only between 30-40 percent efficient and most fuel entering the combustion chamber does not properly combust and turn into heat or energy. The unburned fuels are exhausted from the combustion chamber from the engine via an exhaust system and into the atmosphere thus contributing to air pollution.
Another disadvantage of utilising f
Ladas & Parry
McMahon Marguerite
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