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Fuel ignition system for compression ignition engines

  • US 5,144,922 A
  • Filed: 11/01/1990
  • Issued: 09/08/1992
  • Est. Priority Date: 11/01/1990
  • Status: Expired due to Fees
First Claim
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1. An improved fuel ignition system for a compression-ignited engine having a fuel combustion chamber, said system comprising:

  • a glow plug having a body and a resistance heating element located in the combustion chamber;

    a power source connected to said heating element for supplying power to said heating element to raise the temperature of said heating element to aid in igniting fuel in said chamber;

    sensor means for sensing the heating element temperature and for transmitting a heating element signal proportional thereto;

    control means connected to said power source and to said sensor means for receiving said heating element signal to determine an on duty time period for supplying power from said power source to said heating element in proportion to the heating element temperature when the temperature in said chamber differs from a predetermined temperature, said control means includes a pulse width modulator for supplying an on duty cycle signal to said power source based on said on duty time period; and

    compensating means connected to said control means for obviating errors due to the effects of resistance changes in the glow plug body and in lead wires connected to said sensor means.

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