Application of a time-resolved ignition spark measurement technique when using a power ignition system

Current tendencies for increasing the efficiency of gasoline engines and thus achieving the legal CO2 requirements include the use of diluted mixtures, lean mixtures or the use of pre-chamber spark plugs and combustion processes adapted to them. In order to reliably ignite lean, diluted mixtures, higher ignition energies are required – especially for highly charged engines. With conventional TCI ignition systems, however, these energies are inevitably accompanied by increased spark plug wear. It is necessary to adapt current ignition systems to higher ignition energies without increased spark plug wear at the same time. The objective of the study is to analyze the influence of the secondary current on the spark by using a special optical test rig. For this purpose, the emitted light emission of the different spark phases is observed (with special resolution) while varying the secondary current of the ignition system. The ignition system used is a BorgWarner system that allows the secondary current and the spark duration to be controlled by means of two combined ignition coils. Through regulating the secondary current strength and duration, higher energy can be delivered to the gas, resulting in a reliable inflammation. ... mehrFurthermore, a limited secondary current minimizes spark plug wear. In order to assess these effects, the intensity of the metal lines in the radiation spectrum are considered as an indicator of spark plug wear.