Piezoelectric Single Crystal Applications - WISEUP

Mid¿ Technology Corporation proposes a Wireless Ignition System UtilizingPiezoelectrics (WISEUP) for internal combustion engines. A similar system hasalready been patented by Mid¿ Technology: the Piezoelectric Ignition and SensingDevice (PISD) was successfully integrated into an engine, proving feasibility ofthe concept. (Video footage is available on request). Piezoelectric ignition andsensing has been demonstrated on a Honda ES6500 generator engine using conventional,polycrystalline piezoceramics. While these common piezos produce high voltages, theenergy they supply is very small (1 mJ). Single-crystal piezos offer a significantenergy density improvement over their polycrystalline counterparts. A piezoelectricignition system utilizing single crystal piezos would not require an external energysource, such as the high current capacitors in the present PISD configuration.Eliminating the electrical leads for this current leaves a Wireless Ignition SystemUtilizing Piezoelectrics (WISEUP) with the capability of generating, timing, anddelivering a spark in all feasible operating conditions. This wireless technologycan only be enabled by the implementation of single crystal elements into apiezoelectric ignition system.Spark plug wires are being made obsolete for the same reasons that distributors wereeliminated: vehicle manufacturers want to increase ignition reliability andperformance and want to reduce manufacturing costs. Spark plug wires have thenumerous deficiencies. Some of those include the heavy insulation is required toinsulate the 10 - 40 kV of electric potential, resistance in the wires reduces theenergy that is delivered to the spark plug and is the weak link in the ignitionsystem (often the reason for misfires), and more insulation is needed to suppressthe EMI resulting from the high voltage in the long wires (antennas).Common applications may be both military and commercial, such as wireless ignitionsystems for UAV's (reduced EMI improves payload performance), spark-assisted dieselengines, power generators and standard automotive systems.