Spark Plug and Ignition System Basics

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Questions and Answers

What is the primary function of a spark plug in an engine?

  • Control the air intake in the combustion chamber
  • Generate sparks to ignite the air-fuel mixture (correct)
  • Increase fuel efficiency
  • Regulate the exhaust emissions

Who was the first person to use a spark plug on a gasoline internal combustion piston engine?

  • John Joseph Etienne Lenoir (correct)
  • Thomas Edison
  • Alexander Graham Bell
  • Nikola Tesla

Which of the following materials can be used to make modern spark plugs?

  • Aluminum
  • Rubber
  • Steel
  • Platinum (correct)

How does the spark plug gap affect ignition efficiency?

<p>Plays a crucial role in ignition efficiency (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What component is responsible for converting low battery voltage into high voltage for spark plug ignition?

<p>High Voltage Converter (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What happens when there is a sudden interruption of current in the primary coil of an electronic ignition system?

<p>The magnetic field collapses, inducing a high voltage current in the secondary coil. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What component of the ignition system distributes high voltage to the appropriate spark plug for engine ignition?

<p>Rotor in the distributor (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

In an electronic ignition system, what triggers the distributor to distribute energy to the spark plugs?

<p>The rotor inside the distributor (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How do modern ignition systems differ from older systems in terms of timing adjustment?

<p>Modern systems use Electronic Control Units (ECUs) that adjust timing, unlike older systems that rely on mechanical timing. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What function does the high voltage converter serve in an electronic ignition system?

<p>Acts as an electromagnet and an inductor (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

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Study Notes

  • The spark plug is a crucial component in the engine, responsible for igniting the air-fuel mixture in the combustion chamber.
  • The first spark plug was used by Belgian engineer John Joseph Etienne Lenoir in 1860 on a gasoline internal combustion piston engine.
  • Spark plugs generate sparks to ignite the fuel mixture, driving the piston downwards in the engine cylinders.
  • Different vehicles have a varying number of spark plugs; for example, a four-cylinder engine has four spark plugs, while a six-cylinder engine has six.
  • Modern spark plugs can be made of materials like copper, platinum, or iridium, with each material offering different benefits in terms of performance and longevity.
  • The gap between the center electrode and the ground electrode of a spark plug, known as the spark plug gap, plays a crucial role in ignition efficiency and varies based on the vehicle's specifications.
  • Ensuring proper spark plug maintenance and functionality is essential for optimal engine performance and fuel efficiency.- The text discusses the process of converting low battery voltage into the thousands of volts needed to create a spark on a spark plug to ignite fuel in an engine.
  • This transformation is achieved through a high voltage converter consisting of two coils: a primary coil and a secondary coil, with the secondary coil having hundreds of times more turns than the primary coil.
  • The primary coil carries the current from the battery and can be interrupted instantly by a breaker or solid-state device in an electronic ignition system.
  • The high voltage converter acts as an electromagnet and an inductor, where a sudden interruption of current in the primary coil leads to the collapse of the magnetic field, inducing a high voltage current in the secondary coil.
  • The high voltage is then sent to a distributor via a well-insulated high voltage wire, which connects to a rotor in the distributor that distributes energy to the appropriate spark plug to ignite the engine.
  • The distributor cap is shown to have a rotor inside that rotates with the engine, making contact with different spark plugs to ensure proper ignition.
  • Different types of ignition systems are mentioned, with older systems relying on mechanical timing while modern systems use Electronic Control Units (ECUs) that can adjust timing according to different needs.

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