Dynamic Spark Ignition Enables the Combustion of Heavy Fuels in a Spark Ignited Rotary Engine

There currently is a shortcoming for heavy fuel engines that have a rated power below 100 BHP that are compatible with both JP-8 and DF-2, have high power to weight and power to volume density, provide good fuel consumption characteristics, and operate over extreme climatic ranges ranging from below -25 F to 125 F ambient. One developing technology that could potentially fit this niche market are spark ignited heavy fuel, rotary diesel engines that can provide from 10 BHP to 50 BHP per rotor, have best brake fuel consumption less than 0.5 lbm/bhp-hr, and have an engine power density of 1 hp/lbm for small ground vehicles. A major challenge with such engines is the combustion system development, of which the ignition system is a critical element. This is due to the ignition source's direct contact with injected fuel and the complex fuel and air flow path characteristics. There are significant performance and reliability gains with a high energy ignition event at low engine speeds and startup, compared to low ignition energy at high speed conditions. The performance requirements for this ignition system SBIR are as follows:Variable output: 50 - 200 mJ / sparkResponse Time: 2000 HzAmbient Temperature Range: -25 F to 125 FSize: 1.5 LitersWeight: 4.5 lbsPower Consumption: 120WOutput (plug) channels: 5Fully controllable: Energy output, timing