Delphi's New Ion Sense Ignition Subsystem 'Sparks' Interest With Global Customers
biz.yahoo.com
FLINT, Mich., April 18 /PRNewswire/ -- In the past, a spark was all it took to initiate combustion in an engine.
(Photo: newscom.com )
These days, to meet tougher emission standards, achieve improved fuel economy and reach optimum vehicle performance, ignition subsystems need to be much more sophisticated and precise.
Delphi Automotive Systems (NYSE: DPH - news), a world leader in fuel handling and ignition systems technology, has been working with Isuzu Motors to supply ion sense ignition subsystems for model year 2000 and beyond, Rodeos and Troopers.
The ion sense ignition subsystem consists of one ignition coil per cylinder together with a high-temperature, vibration-resistant engine mounted electronic module, utilizing hybrid circuit board technology. The system has no moving parts or high voltage leads, which assures maximum energy supplied to the spark plug. The spark plug is used as an actuator to ignite the air/fuel mixture, then as a sensor to monitor the combustion process. Once the spark is over, a DC voltage is applied which biases the spark plug gap. If ions or free electrons are present in the gap, current will flow in the gap -- the current is then measured by the system.
``This supply agreement is another example of how Delphi's unique approach to systems development is becoming more attractive to our customers,'' said R. Scott Bailey, director of engineering, Delphi Energy & Chassis Systems. ``By working with our customer, in this case Isuzu, early in the design stage, we were able to develop entirely new ignition subsystem technology and components that not only meet critical performance expectations, but provide greater value and new functionality.''
There are three primary benefits of Delphi's ion sense ignition subsystem. By utilizing an individual direct in-cylinder measurement of combustion, misfire detection is possible over virtually the entire engine speed and load range, and knock detection is improved through individual cylinder sensing. System cost is reduced through the elimination of knock, camshaft position and rough road sensors.
``Today, Delphi's ion sense ignition subsystems provide great misfire and knock detection and the systems will be the foundation for future technology enhancements,'' explained Phil Peterson, Delphi's technical project manager for the ion sense system. ``By extracting further information from the signal, other advanced functions such as air/fuel ratio detection will be possible.
``Delphi's successful implementation of these functions to an inductive ignition system is an industry first,'' said Peterson. ``The robustness of the Delphi system has now been proven in a successful first year of production.''
The system was developed globally through the coordinated efforts of Isuzu Motors and Delphi's technical centers in Brighton, Mich., Anderson and Kokomo, Ind., Tokyo, Japan and Bascharage, Luxembourg. The ignition coil is produced at Delphi's Seixal, Portugal plant. The ion sense ignition module is produced at Delphi's plant in Singapore.
For more information about Delphi Automotive Systems, visit Delphi's Virtual Press Room at delphiauto.com .
SOURCE: Delphi Automotive Systems |
