Interesting ignition system

[JOOLZ]

http://www.smartplugs.com/about.htm   Anyone else heard about this?

[Steve Lake]

Interesting...yes
as the device is self sustaining (after initial power source for cold start)   where does the all important timing come into play...
you know... silly things like advance/retard
or have i missed something?

[JOOLZ]

It says on the site there is an option for advance and retard triggered by a sensor, but I cant work out how it works, did you watch the video of it fitted into a plane, there would have to be an adjustable ignition for that

[johnr]

diesel spark plug? tell me he doesnt think that deisel engines need a spark plug? its just a glow plug, radio control planes have been using glow plug ignition for years, but i doubt it will work in a modern engine,

[JOOLZ]

This is all it says on timing control.........
Q: How do you control the timing of a SmartPlug? Back to top
As an engine speeds up and slows down the timing of when ignition takes places must also change. If not, the fuel may ignite too soon causing pinging (that awful noise you hear under your hood). This is very hard on the engine. If the fuel ignites too late, you lose power. This is very inefficient. For engines that run at a constant RPM, a specific SmartPlug is built for optimum performance at whatever the given RPM is. For engines that have variable timing, the SmartPlug system is equipped with a electronic circuit to change the timing. This device is called a timing controller.
There is also a link to a NASA technical paper on the ignition system, and reviews by flight magazine 

[Andy M]

It used to be called a holt bulb ignition.

 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hot_bulb_engine

Went out of use in about 1910 on anything except the odd canal boat, industrial engine and model planes. If the new materials work better that copper heated from the exhaust I don't know. I'll believe it when Honda etc. launch one.

Andy

[tommy]

how much are they  ......tommy

[002]

Sounds like a load of cobblers to me !

Jethro

[Andy M]

It's like PTFE fluid for your gearbox, the theory isn't that stupid, it just isn't something you can nail on to an existing engine.

What happens when you fit the wrong spark plug and it starts to Diesel? As well as having no means to stop it except turning the fuel off, doesn't it cook the rings?

Andy

[JOOLZ]

Like I said, an interesting ignition system that I cant quite get my head around, there are some features that are similar to a hot bulb ignition, and some that are like a model engine glow plug, and I still cant work out how they alter the timing

[JOOLZ]

diesel spark plug? tell me he doesnt think that deisel engines need a spark plug? its just a glow plug, radio control planes have been using glow plug ignition for years, but i doubt it will work in a modern engine,

its not going to work like a glow plug in a model engine as the glow wire is a catalyst with the methanol and will glow just from the fact they are in proximity to each other, the starting power just enhances the initial ignition, I have started several model engines when hot without the power supplied to the plug using an electric starter so spin it over faster. There is no automatic reaction between platinum and other fuels, so the same reaction would not happen

[guest146]

It does seem to be like the aero engines with a glow plug. If I understand this correctly its sensing max cylinder pressure and then firing. I cant see how this could work well. it may run but as said what about correct timing.

Ken

[johnr]

as they say its ok if you have an aero engine that is run at a constant speed but on a bike where you are varying the throttle position all the time its a bit of a snake oil thing. you have to ask yourself, how its going to be better than a simple spark plug and conventional ignition setup? sounds like a great way to spend a shedload of money to make something run worse than it ran before.

[002]

It's like PTFE fluid for your gearbox, the theory isn't that stupid, it just isn't something you can nail on to an existing engine.

What happens when you fit the wrong spark plug and it starts to Diesel? As well as having no means to stop it except turning the fuel off, doesn't it cook the rings?

Andy

Ah ! The Pixies alter the ignition timing to suit engine speed and load.
And when it starts to Diesel and rev out of control and start to bounce the valves,burn the rings and start to use the oil in the crankcase as a fuel until it finally over revs and/or seizes !

Still think its a load of cobblers ! Bit like the Fuel Cat pills to put in your tank.To improve power and economy whilst allowing you to use unleaded petrol in you old Ford Anglia or BSA Road Rocket with out converting exhaust valve seats and valves for unleaded use.

COBBLERS that wot I say !

Jethro   

[johnr]

i concur, but theres never a shortage of people with money to burn, good intentions and no mechanical or technical knowlege to figure out that theyre getting spanked!!!!