Tests were conducted on a variety of commercially available spark plugs to determine the influence of igniter design on initial kernel formation and overall performance. Flame kernel formation was investigated using high-speed schlieren visualization. The flame growth rate was quantified using the area of the burned gas region. The results showed that kernel growth rate was heavily influenced by electrode geometry and configuration. The igniters were also tested in a bomb calorimeter to determine the levels of supplied and delivered energy. The typical ratio of supplied to delivered energy was 20% and igniters with a higher internal resistance delivered more energy and had faster kernel formation rates. The exception was plugs with large amounts of conductive mass near the electrodes, which had very slow kernel formation rates despite relatively high delivered energy levels. The results of the bomb and calorimeter testing were compared to lean-limit testing in a single-cylinder research engine. These tests demonstrate the utility of using simple, benchtop experiments in evaluating igniter designs and also the importance of electrode design on plug performance.


    Access

    Check access

    Check availability in my library

    Order at Subito €


    Export, share and cite



    Title :

    The Effect of Sparkplug Design on Initial Flame Kernel Development and Sparkplug Performance


    Additional title:

    Sae Technical Papers


    Contributors:

    Conference:

    SAE 2006 World Congress & Exhibition ; 2006



    Publication date :

    2006-04-03




    Type of media :

    Conference paper


    Type of material :

    Print


    Language :

    English




    The effect of sparkplug design in initial flame kernel development and sparkplug performance

    Alger,T. / mangold,B. / Mehta,D. et al. | Automotive engineering | 2006


    Motor transport corps sparkplug specifications

    Engineering Index Backfile | 1920


    Development of Pre-chamber Sparkplug for Gas Engine

    Yamanaka, Koji / Nakai, Shunsaku / Shiraga, Yosuke | SAE Technical Papers | 2011


    Dielectric Test Methods for Evaluating Sparkplug Insulators

    Zheng, Jing / Overton, Danny R. / Eiden, Corey et al. | British Library Conference Proceedings | 2019


    Development of a Wide Range Sparkplug (20065193)

    Shimanokami, Y. / Matsubara, M. / Suziki, T. et al. | British Library Conference Proceedings | 2006