Technical Paper
Performance of Spark Current Boost System on a Production Engine under Lean-Burn Conditions
2024-04-09
2024-01-2106
In order to improve the fuel economy for future high-efficiency spark ignition engines, the applications of advanced combustion strategies are considered to be beneficial with an overall lean and/or exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) diluted cylinder charge. Stronger and more reliable ignition sources become more favorable under extreme lean/EGR conditions. Recent research results from the author’s lab show that the multi-core ignition system with discharge energy distribution strategy can provide robust ignition control under a wide range of engine loads, while only showing major ignition benefits under low load, lean limit conditions, where ignition receives major challenges. Besides, the research in the authors’ lab indicates that the frequency of plasma restrikes increases with increased flow velocity and decreased discharge current level, and a higher discharge current can reduce the gap resistance and maintain the stretched plasma for a longer duration under flow conditions.