spitfires
[Top] [All Lists]

Re: Plasma Ignition

To: "Douglas Braun & Nadia Papakonstantinou" <dougbert@rcn.com>,
Subject: Re: Plasma Ignition
From: "James Carpenter" <james.carpenter@jccsystems.swinternet.co.uk>
Date: Fri, 16 Jul 1999 22:39:58 +0100
>Can you explain what plasma ignition is?  I assume it is some new
technology
>that has started appearing on new cars...
>
>Doug Braun
>'72 Spit


I assume other people would be wondering what this is so:

Plasma ignition is where instead of a single spike of HT voltage you get a
train (serise) of smaller spikes.  So you strike a spark, then you keep the
spark (plasma) burning for longer by repetativly sending down spikes of
power.  A bit like the flicker on a lightning strike where you actualy see 5
or so flashes traveling through the same plasma.  Because the plasma path is
established but the first spark the remaining sparks need no where neer as
much energy, to keep the spark sustained.

It's based on very old technology, have you seen thoes spark laders where a
horizontal spark travels up two electrodes.   Somebodys ladder, it's
imposible to put the amount of energy needed to maintane that spark
constantly, but because it's very short pulses, the average power is realy
small.

I think it allows you in cars to have high energy ignition, yet a tiny coil,
mabe one for each plug.  Yet better performance than any of the hot coils
you can buy.


James


<Prev in Thread] Current Thread [Next in Thread>