Showing papers on "Spark (mathematics) published in 1972"

Graphical data device

Abstract: A graphical data device employing a stylus moving over an area to be digitized and utilizing a fast rise time sound energy shock wave, generated by a spark at the location of the stylus and propagated through the air for providing coordinate information as to the instantaneous position of the spark. Receiver devices are positioned along X and Y coordinates and respond to the leading edge of the air propagated shock wave front to provide an elapsed time indication from the moment of spark generation to the moment of shock wave reception. In a further embodiment, a three dimensional configuration is employed, utilizing a three coordinate receiver.

Source Parameters and Excitation in a Spark Discharge

Abstract: Experiments are reported for two key lines of aluminum, sparked in nitrogen against graphite for a variety of discharge current waveforms, that suggest that changes in spark source parameters do not fundamentally change the excitation processes in the spark. A straightforward, "either-or" excitation condition is imposed on a simple mass transport model, calculated from measured velocities of electrode vapor in the spark, to predict the time dependence of a primary feature of radiation emitted in the Al II spectrum. The data combine to suggest that parameter-dependent excitation indices require re-examination in terms of the manner in which radiation emitted from the discharge is viewed by the spectrometer.

Quantitative Systems for Measuring Knock

Abstract: Two methods for measuring quantitatively the knock intensity in spark ignition engines are described. The measurements are based on the detection of either pressure oscillations in the combustion c...

Spark plug safety shield

Abstract: A flame and explosion preventive safety shield for detachable securement to the head block of an internal combustion engine in surrounding and encasing relation to each spark plug to provide a structural flame barrier between the spark plug and its high tension lead and the ambient atmosphere surrounding the engine. The safety shield incorporates a spark coil and a secondary lead for supplying high voltage current to the spark plug and one or more fine mesh wire screens arranged to form a heat sink-type flame barrier around the spark plug and the high voltage secondary lead of the spark coil to thereby isolate the spark plug and its high voltage lead from a potentially combustible atmosphere surrounding the engine.

Engine spark timing control

Abstract: The ignition timing includes a distributor having a vacuum controlled servo actuator to advance the timing as a function of changes in carburetor spark port vacuum, the servo normally spring biasing the distributor towards a minimum advanced or retarded timing position; the vacuum line from the spark port including a device that is operative (1) during light vehicle accelerations to delay the spark advance by delaying vacuum application to the servo, (2) during heavy accelerations to immediately retard the ignition timing by transferring the higher spark port pressure signal directly to the servo; (3) to provide an immediate retarded ignition timing during vehicle decelerations by directly communicating spark port pressure level to the servo; (4) to provide immediate return of the timing to an advance setting after momentary decelerations by again directly connecting the spark port pressure level to the servo; and, (5) to provide normal spark advance during cold weather operation by directly connecting the spark port vacuum to the servo; the above providing low emissions and good vehicle performance during all operating engine conditions.

Spark ignition systems

Abstract: A spark generator or ignition system in which an arc is struck by applying an E.H.T. voltage pulse, of some thousands of volts, across a spark gap, and maintaining the spark by the current from the discharge of a capacitor charged only to an H.T. voltage (typically 400v), which produces spark intensifying energy.

Automatic vacuum spark advance controller

Abstract: A method of and apparatus for operation of an automotive vehicle internal combustion engine to reduce exhaust emissions thereof by disabling the engine vacuum spark advance control in response to and over a range of engine vacuum levels existing at or corresponding to medium to light vehicle acceleration loads up to a predetermined vehicle speed and restoring or enabling the normal vacuum spark advance control of the distributor when the vehicle is operated in any mode above said speed or during deceleration, steady speed or road load driving conditions below said speed.

High energy forming of metals - using spark discharge under water

Abstract: Metal components esp. plates are formed under water by means of an explosive spark discharge, power being supplied from a condenser connected through an inductance to a pair of spark electrodes mounted inside the piece to be formed, with a parallel circuit contng. a length of fuse wire. The current drop when the wire fuses produces a marked increase in the voltage in the system, causing an explosive spark to bridge the gap between the two electrodes, thereby shaping the metal component inside the die.

Rotary combustion engine with improved firing system

Abstract: A rotary engine with fuel injection into the combustion chamber, wherein the positive electrode of the spark plug strikes a spark directly to the injector nozzle as the negative electrode during the period of fuel injection, thus producing positive ignition even during very lean operation, and also reducing spark plug fouling.

Method and apparatus for spark spectroscopy by deriving light from limited portions of the spark discharge

Abstract: A stabilized spark discharge is produced so that the electrical spark always follows substantially the same path or channel between anode and cathode electrodes forming an analytical spark gap. The cathode is preferably made of, coated with, or otherwise supplied with the sample material to be analyzed. Greatly improved spectroscopic analysis is made possible be deriving the light for carring out such spectroscopic analysis only from preselected portions of the spark discharge such as the luminous wings outside the spark channel. Such unique portions or shells are caused by the rapid expansion of the plume or cloud of the sample material explosively vaporized from the cathode by the spark discharge. The spectral lines derived from the wings of the discharge are due largely to the excited vapor of the sample material without substantial interference from the complicated background spectral lines emitted by the spark channel due to the ionized gas which supports the spark discharge and also due to the interaction between the ionized gas and the vapor of the sample material. The spark discharge may be stabilized by producing the discharge between an anode in the form of a sharply pointed pin and cathode having a flat or other surface confronting the anode; and by surrounding the sharply pointed pin with a laminar stream of argon or some otjer readily ionizable gas directed along the axis of the spark gas so as to impinge upon the cathode, and flowing at a rapid rate so as to sweep away or spatially arrange the products of each spark between the repetitive sparks. The spark current should be uni-directional to enhance the discharge stability and to avoid the vaporization of solid material from the anode.

Unitized distributor vacuum spark advance control valve with regulator

Abstract: An engine spark timing control system includes a conduit connecting carburetor spark port vacuum to the distributor servo actuator in parallel paths one of which contains an orifice for normally slowly advancing the ignition timing as a function of changes in spark port vacuum; the system also includes a valve operable at low vacuum force levels in response to predetermined acceleration movements of the throttle valve to disconnect or block the direct connection from the spark port to the distributor servo while at the same time connecting a vacuum reservoir to the servo to artificially advance the ignition timing above the value that normally would be called for by the spark port vacuum level; the higher than normal advance decaying by bleed of the vacuum through the spark port line orifice until the vacuum level equals that at the spark port, at which time the ignition timing will be returned to normal; the device further including a vacuum relief valve to limit the maximum level of vacuum in the reservoir so as not to unduly advance the ignition timing beyond a desired value.

The Hollow Spark, a New Spectroscopic Light Source

Abstract: A new three-electrode light source, the hollow spark, has been developed by combining an open vacuum spark and a sliding spark. Its design and qualities are described and compared to other spark sources.

Engine spark timing system control

Abstract: An engine spark timing control system includes a distributor servo actuator that normally advances the engine timing as a function of carburetor spark port vacuum changes, and retards the spark by means of a spring during acceleration and deceleration modes of operation; and additionally includes a control to temporarily advance the spark timing setting during acceleration modes of operation, with a built-in means to automatically return the spark timing setting to a level normally called for by the spark port vacuum after a predetermined adjustable time delay.

Measurement of the Energy Released in Nanosecond Electric Sparks

Abstract: Ignition energy can be determined by means of electric sparks produced by a transmission-line method. The energy released in the spark discharge is calculated from recordings of the voltage pulses incident onto and reflected by the spark gap. It is shown that the voltage across and the current through the spark gap are proportional to measurable distances in the graphs. By the introduction of a form factor, the spark energy can be calculated without detailed evaluation of the instantaneous spark power as function of time.

Spark timing control

Abstract: The engine spark timing system includes a carburetor spark port connected to a distributor servo actuator through a flow restriction to normally slowly advance the spark timing as a function of increases in spark port vacuum to control emissions; the timing system also includes a device for temporarily inducing a higher vacuum in the servo during initial rapid accelerative movement of the throttle valve to temporarily increase or advance the spark timing to prevent engine backfire, the device being operative by decreases in engine intake manifold vacuum from a stable condition.

Distributor vacuum spark advance control valve with regulator

Abstract: An engine spark timing control system includes a conduit connecting carburetor spark port vacuum to the distributor servo actuator in parallel paths one of which contains an orifice for normally slowly advancing and retarding the ignition timing as a function of changes in spark port vacuum; the system also including a device that has a valve operable in response to predetermined acceleration movements of the throttle valve to disconnect or block the direct connection from the spark port to the distributor servo while at the same time connecting a vacuum reservoir to the distributor servo to artificially advance the ignition timing above the value that normally would be called for by the level of the vacuum at the spark port; the higher than normal advance decaying by bleed of the vacuum through the spark port line orifice until the vacuum level equals that at the spark port, at which time the ignition timing will be returned to normal; the device further including a vacuum pressure relief valve adjustable to limit the maximum level of vacuum in the reservoir so as not to unduly advance the ignition timing beyond a desired value.

A Digitizing and Memory System for Wire Spark Chambers

Abstract: A new digitizing and memory system for use with magnetostrictive wire spark chambers is described. Features include a 1000 spark per event 20 MHz shift register memory and a live CRT display of spark positions. Our design experience with state-of-the-art MOS shift registers and Schottky TTL circuits is presented, together with comments on our experience with the working system. This principle has applications in many other situations requiring the digitization and storage of the arrival times of a burst of pulses.

A search for the effect of a high frequency spark on boundary-layer transition at Mach 8.5

Abstract: An experimental investigation of the use of a high frequency spark to promote early boundary layer transition on a wind tunnel model was conducted at a Mach number of 8.5. Test variables included four electrode configurations, a frequency range from 10 kHz to 50 kHz, and various power inputs to the spark. The general conclusion obtained from this investigation is that over the parameter range, the high frequency spark is ineffective in inducing early transition at the test Mach number.