Showing papers on "Spark (mathematics) published in 1991"

SPARK: an artificial intelligence constraint network system for concurrent engineering

Abstract: This paper presents a new approach to Concurrent Engineering, namely the use of Artificial Intelligence Constraint Networks to advise the designer on improvements that can be made to the design from the perspective of the product's life cycle. The difficulties associated with performing Concurrent Engineering are reviewed, and the various approaches to Concurrent Engineering are discussed. The requirements for a system to support Concurrent Engineering are indicated. An overview of constraint networks is given and this leads into a description of SPARK, an Artificial Intelligence Constraint Networks system for Concurrent Engineering. The operation of SPARK is illustrated by considering an example application of printed wiring board manufacture. The advantages of SPARK include being flexible enough to allow the designer to approach a problem from a variety of viewpoints, allowing the designer to design despite having incomplete information, and being able to handle the wide variety of life cycle information requirements.

Wire cut electrical-discharge machining apparatus

Abstract: An apparatus for a wire cut electrical discharge machine for preventing breakage of the wire electrode during machining, and thereby increasing machining performance Since wire electrode breakage accidents during machining are often the result of a concentration of spark discharges in the machining area, the present invention controls machining conditions to prevent wire electrode breakage by detecting any continuous generation of spark discharges in a specific zone of the machining zone and discriminating normal concentration phenomenon from a truly bias sparking condition based on the position of the detected sparks Appropriate control over the machine or machining conditions to relieve the problem may be exerted in response to a detected biased spark discharge condition A biased spark discharge condition is detected and discriminated when spark discharges continue to occur within a set bias area, defined as a predetermined area which is set around the position of a spark discharge If subsequent spark discharges are detected outside the bias area, then a non-biased state is determined and a new bias area is set Thereafter, this procedure is repeated

Glass electrode spark counters

Abstract: We have developed and investigated the behaviour of a spark counter based on low cost resistive glass electrodes

Electronic control module

Abstract: An electronic control module for use in controlling a vehicle comprises a first processor 10 adapted to calculate the fuelling requirements of the engine and spark advance, and also to control a plurality of diagnostic tests for testing engine operating paramenters A second processor 12 triggers the spark and spark dwell timing together with the start of fuel injection By such partitioning of tasks, it is possible to provide a wide variety of facilities with a low cost electronic control module The second processor 12 is adapted to operate the engine in a back-up mode on failure of the first processor 10 by use of look-up tables for fuel pulse width and spark advance The vehicle therefore remains operational even on failure of part of the electronic control module

Apparatus for supplying high voltage to spark plug of internal combustion engine

Abstract: Apparatus for supplying high voltage to each spark plug of a multi-cylinder internal combustion engine via a spark coil includes a distributor plate of a unitary construction made of an electrically-insulative resin and having an integral base portion and an integral connector. A plurality of connecting lines are embedded in the base portion. One ends of the connecting lines are electrically connected respectively to spark coils whereas the other ends thereof extend to the connector. The distributor plate and the spark coils can be fixed, as a unit, to the internal combustion engine by a bracket of metal.

Ignition device for internal combustion engine

Abstract: PURPOSE:To increase fuel combustion speed, decrease combustion fluctuation when an engine is cold, and reduce toxic substances in exhaust gas by carrying out whole point ignition of plural number of spark plugs when an engine temperature is equal to or lower than a prescribed value, and carrying out spark number decrease ignition when the engine temperature is equal to or higher than a prescribed value. CONSTITUTION:Spark plugs PIN and PEX are provided on the air intake side and on the air exhaust side in a single cylinder, and the number of sparks of the spark plugs PIN and PEX is controlled according to an engine operating condition. Whole point ignition to spark the whole spark plugs PIN and PEX is carried out in a condition that an engine temperature is equal to or lower than a prescribed value. Spark number decrease ignition by which at least one spark of the spark plugs PIN and PEX is stopped is carried out in a condition that the engine temperature is equal to or higher than a prescribed value. That is, a spark control means U1 is provided. In a condition that an EGR recirculating quantity is equal to or larger than a prescribed value, the spark control means U1 carries out the whole point ignition regardless of the engine temperature. Thereby, an air fuel ratio can be prevented from being fluctuated by an increase in fuel adhered to an air intake pipe due to a low engine temperature condition and so on.

Method for firing spark plugs

Abstract: A method for firing a spark plug in an engine which employs a simulated high data rate signal. The simulated high data rate signal is generated by a preselected number of gaps in a flywheel within a predetermined time segment of each cylinder event time called the spark event. A sensor generates the simulated high data rate signal as the gaps rotate past it. Data pulses are generated and stored within the spark event. In the case of distributorless ignition systems, the spark plug to be fired is identified. In one embodiment, a widened gap in the flywheel is used to perform this identification. The occurrence time of the leaading and trailing edges of the data pulses are received and stored. The rate of rotation including velocity and possibly acceleration is calculated and stored upon the occurence of each pulse. The spark firing time within the spark event is calculated and stored upon the occurrence of each pulse. Finally, the spark plug is fired once within the spark event.

Electronic engine controller having user-variable parameters

Abstract: An engine controller having a user-adjustable electronic control unit (ECU) (10) and a remote calibration module (12), and a method for use of the same, is provided for allowing a vehicle operator to precisely regulate the fuel delivery and spark advance of an internal combustion engine. The ECU (10) has outputs for regulating fuel flow rate, spark advance and engine idle speed, inputs adapted for coupling to engine sensors, and a microprocessor for processing information supplied by the sensors, to generate the ouputs utilizing mathematical formulas and data tables stored in a read-write memory. The vehicle operator can also control auxiliary hardware such as switches, relays, timers and solenoids. The calibration module (12) cooperates with the ECU (10) and has a display screen (14) and input keys (16) enabling the vehicle operator to modify the fuel delivery and spark advance information and save the modifications.

Lightning arrester isolator

Abstract: A device for isolating an arrester has first and second electrical terminals mechanically and electrically coupled together. The electrical connection includes a mechanism for automatically interrupting the electrical connection and creating a spark gap. A gas generating device is provided for physically and electrically separating the first and second terminals subsequent to creation of a spark.

Position resolution of the spark counter with a localized discharge

Abstract: Results of measurements of the spark counter position resolution for cosmic rays are presented The transverse to the signal strips coordinate was obta

Capacitative discharge ignition system for internal combustion engines

Abstract: Capacitative discharge ignition system for internal combustion engines, comprises a charge storage means coupled to the primary coil of an ignition coil mesns having the secondary coil thereof coupled to a spark means, and a switching means arranged to discharge the charge storage means to provide a primary current through the primary coil for enabling the spark means to generate a spark. The switching means is arranged to terminate the primary current in the primary circuit at about the time when the charge storage means is substantially fully discharged, to induce a flyback potential across the primary coil to regenerate the spark for increasing the total spark duration. Means for modifying the rate of discharge of the charge storage means to initially obtain a first rate of discharge for establishing the spark and then to obtain a reduced rate of discharge for sustaining the spark is also provided to increase the total spark duration.

Ignition timing control device for internal combustion engine

Abstract: PURPOSE:To perform optimum ignition timing control based on applied fuel so as to execute the correct control of a knocking level by correcting spark advance/delay correction quantity stored immediately before the stop of engine operation according to the environmental state at the time of starting engine operation, and setting this correction value as the initial value of the spark advance/delay correction quantity. CONSTITUTION:The basic ignition timing set by a basic ignition timing setting means A according to the engine operated state is spark advance/delay corrected by a spark advance/ delay correcting means C according to the knocking generated state detected by a knocking detecting means B. The spark advance/delay correction quantity is computed to the reference value for judgment, and applied fuel is judged by a judging means D. In such a device, the spark advance/delay correction quantity immediately before the stop of engine operation is stored into a spark advance/delay correction storage means E. At the time of starting engine operation, the stored spark advance/delay correction quantity is corrected according to the environmental state, and this correction value is set as the initial value of the spark advance/delay correction quantity by a spark advance/delay correction quantity initial value setting means F. The ignition timing at the time of starting engine operation in an internal combustion engine, in which either regular gasoline or high-octane gasoline can be used, is thereby controlled to the optimum timing.

IC engine ignition system with functional monitor circuit - combines applications of spark duration and voltage measurements to select whichever method yields more reliable result

Abstract: The voltage across the prim. winding (21-22) of the ignition coil is applied through a transistor (23) and voltage divider (24,25) to a comparator (26), to which predetermined switching thresholds dependent upon the operating point are supplied by a microprocessor (27). The derived voltage, limited by a Zener diode (31), provides a measure of spark duration. The processing logic combines this with monitoring of the voltages of the individual sparks. ADVANTAGE - Different ways of recognising misfiring - by spark duration measurement and voltage monitoring - which do not give same data quality in various engine operating conditions, are correlated.

Distributorless ignition system

Abstract: This invention provides an ignition system for a spark initiated internal combustion engine such as an Otto cycle engine. High voltage pulses are generated, for instance by way of an ignition coil, and these are passed to the respective spark gaps by way of semiconductor switches. These semiconductor switches are preferably bulk photoconductive switch devices which each comprise a light source and a photosensitive switch. These devices are under the control of control circuitry which activates and deactivates the light sources approximately to distribute the high voltage pulses to the spark plugs. These switches may be used to improve the rise time of the potential across the spark gap or to generate a plurality of sparks in one gap from a single pulse.

Detection device for combustion condition of gasoline engine and flying spark miss

Abstract: PURPOSE:To get information for operating a gasoline engine in its condition close to limitation of a stable operation per cylinder and detect flying spark miss by means of a spark plug by detecting the current waveform of ion current which passes through the spark plug CONSTITUTION:An ion current power supply 5 in which a condensor 51 and a constant voltage diode 52 are connected in parallel a secondary circuit 12, is provided in the ignition circuit of a gasoline engine which has an ignition coil 1, a primary current interrupting means 4 and a spark plug 3 An integration circuit 6 of the ion current waveform which flows through the secondary circuit 12 and a discrimination circuit 7 which discriminates fluctuation degree of the integrated value of the integration circuit 6 are installed, and the combustion condition of the engine is discriminated by the fluctuation degree of the integrated value of the ion current Additionally, the charge current detection circuit 8 of the condensor 51 is mounted aside so as to detect flying spark miss by the level of the charge voltage of the condensor 51

Spark timing control system

Abstract: A digital spark timing control for an ignition system of a spark ignited internal combustion engine. Engine crankshaft position sensor, develops by way of example, three reference pulses and eighteen position pulses for each complete revolution of the crankshaft. The reference pulses are angularly spaced by 120° and the position pulses by 20°. A spark taming value is computed by a computer and its program is interrupted at the occurrence of a reference or position pulse. The system at the occurrence of each interrupt determines whether or not the spark is to occur in the next twenty degree period. If the spark should occcur in the next twenty degree period, the system utilizes the most recent twenty degree time period to determine how long it will take the engine crankshaft to rotate from its current position to the desired spark position. This compensates for spark timing errors that might otherwise occur due to changes in engine speed.

Electrode with visible spark

Abstract: A lithotripter is provided with the usual open ended reflector covered by a diaphragm and filled with a conductive liquid such as salinated water. A spark gap is provided at the focus point of the reflector, and a spark generator is connected thereto for providing a succession of sparks across the spark gap, wherein the light guide has an entering end positioned within the reflector and adjacent the spark gap to convey a representation of the spark outside of said reflector. The light guide has an exit end to which a light sensitive device is connected for converting the light signal to an electric signal. The electric signal is connected to means for providing a visual display of the electric signal.

Light emission analyzing apparatus

Abstract: PURPOSE:To simplify a circuity by synchronizing a dynode voltage which is applied to a photomultiplier tube of each channel with light emitting operation, and turning ON and OFF the apparatus. CONSTITUTION:A photodetector 6 faces a triggering spark gap gi and detects the light in triggering discharge. The detected pulse is applied to a timing circuit 7. One pulse having a specified width is outputted from the circuit 7 after a specified time from the input pulse. A switching circuit 8 which is inserted between the grounding terminal of a negative-high-voltage generating circuit 4 and photomultiplier tubes P1, P2... is turned on by said pulse. When the spark is generated in the gap gi, discharge is triggered in a main spark gap (g) of a spark generating circuit 1 continuously. The spark discharge is generated in said gap. Therefore, the spark light at the gap gi is detected, and the circuit 8 is kept conductive for the specified time period after the speci fied time from the detection. Thus, the outputs of the photomultiplier tubes P1, P2... are sampled at the specified timing during the discharge in the gap (g).

Internal combustion engine misfire detector

Abstract: A method of detecting a misfire condition in a spark ignited internal combustion engine where the idle speed of the engine is controlled by an idle speed control means which controls engine idle speed by varying the spark timing advance for the engine ignition system. With the engine running at idle speed, the instantaneous spark timing advance being developed is repeatedly sampled for a predetermined number of consecutively occurring data samples. The absolute difference in sampled spark timing advance values between each pair of data samples is calculated for all of the predetermined number of data samples. The absolute differences in spark timing values that occur between data samples are added together to provide a sum total. If the sum total exceeds a reference value, the engine is operating in a misfire condition.

Ignition system for internal-combustion engines.

Abstract: Proposed is a circuit designed to measure on the spark plug the spark voltage transformed in the primary winding of the ignition coil in the ignition system of an internal-combustion engine. The circuit includes a voltage transformer (8) whose controlled system is triggered by the spark voltage transformed in the primary winding (2) of the ignition coil in such a way that a current is generated which can be fed to a sensor element and is proportional to the spark voltage.

Investigations on Distribution of Spark Locations in EDM Process.

Abstract: This paper describes the observation of spark locations in EDM processes. A new method for the in-process detection of spark locations is proposed in order to obtain the relationship between the process stability and the distribution of spark locations. Each spark location can be obtained from the current ratio of branched electric wires which are connected to the tool electrode by a sufficient distance maintained. From the results of experiments using this method, the following conclusions are obtained : (1) Spark localizations are apt to occur when the eroded depth becomes deeper. (2) The spark localization is caused by the vicious circle which is an iteration of the contamination of dielectric fluid and the reduction of dielectric strength of the fluid. (3) When the eroded depth gets much deeper, the spark localization becomes more serious, and finally an abnormal arc appears.

Spark erosion pulse generator - providing controllable voltage and current profile at spark gap

Abstract: A spark erosion pulse generator has a d.c. chargeable energy storage device esp. a capacitor (CO) which can be switched by high current switches (E1,E2) to produce discharges in the inter-electrode gap and which supplies a bridge circuit (12) having the electrode (10,11) spark gap in its diagonal (17). The high current switches (E1,E2) are successively switchable and are located at opposite sides of the diagonal (17) in arms (13,14) of the two bridge branches (12',12"), the other arms (15,16) having valves (D1,D2) which are connected in series with the same polarity across the spark gap. One of the bridge branches (12") has a parallel branch (23) including a controllable switch (ER) connected in series with a buffer storage device (CP). A bridge connection point (19), located between the bridge connection points (20,21) used for connection of the capacitor (CO) is connected to the parallel branch connection point (24), located between the switch (ER) and the buffer storage device (CP), by a valve (DR) which prevents current passage to the bridge (12) from the buffer storage device (CP). A workpiece spark erosion process is also claimed. ADVANTAGE - The pulse generator provides rapid and effective erosion and provides a controllable voltage and current profile at the spark gap and in the circuitry esp. until complete actuation of the energy storage device.