Potential of Advanced Corona Ignition System (ACIS) for Future Engine Applications

• Published in: Ignition Systems for Gasoline Engines pp. 315 - 331
• Main Authors: Idicheria, Cherian A., Najt, Paul M.
• Format: Book Chapter
• Language: English
• Published: Switzerland Springer International Publishing AG 2016; Springer International Publishing
• Subjects: Automotive technology; Flame Propagation; Heat Release Rate; Homogeneous Charge Compression Ignition; Ignition Delay; Power generation & distribution; Stoichiometric Mixture
• ISBN: 9783319455037; 3319455036
• DOI: 10.1007/978-3-319-45504-4_19

In this study, the advanced corona ignition system (ACIS) was evaluated. First, the system was evaluated in a direct-injected, single cylinder optical engine and high-speed imaging of enhanced combustion luminosity was used to visualize the ignition, flame kernel formation and flame propagation. The imaging results show that the ACIS promotes simultaneous ignition of the mixture at multiple locations in the combustion chamber as opposed to ignition being limited to the spark gap channel. Therefore, ignition delay is always shorter with the ACIS than with a traditional spark plug, inductive discharge system. The ACIS is able to support stable combustion (COV of IMEP < 3 %) in a leaner homogeneous mixture than the spark plug based system. Similarly, the ACIS has shorter ignition delay and faster burn rate for stoichiometric, rich and simulated EGR diluted mixtures. Second, the ACIS system was evaluated in a 2.0L, direct-injected, turbocharged, engine. Comparison of combustion results showed that significant reduction in 0–10 burn durations can be achieved over the production ignition system, enabling higher internal dilution limits. The ACIS was able to match the performance of the production ignition system for the idle spark sweep test. The test results showed that the close proximity of the piston to the ACIS electrode can transition the streamer discharge to arcing mode, which hampers optimal performance. Overall, ACIS has the potential to perform as well or better than the production ignition system and for best combustion performance the piston design must be optimized.