Federal-Mogul Advanced Corona Ignition System (ACIS) shows up to 10% reduced fuel consumption in testing
14 September 2011
Federal-Mogul Corporation is introducing its Advanced Corona Ignition System (ACIS) at the Frankfurt Motor Show. Federal-Mogul’s ACIS is currently undergoing development with several customers and has enabled an up to 10% fuel efficiency improvement over standard spark ignition in development testing.
Corona ignition creates a significantly larger high-intensity plasma ignition source, spread throughout the combustion chamber, when compared to conventional spark ignition systems. The ACIS technology provides for more thorough combustion and enables advanced combustion strategies like lean burn, highly diluted mixtures and very high exhaust gas recirculation (EGR), further increasing fuel efficiency.
The company’s ACIS utilizes materials and design strategies to facilitate high-volume production implementation on current and new engine architectures.
ACIS uses a high-energy, high frequency electrical field to produce repeatable, controlled ionization, creating multiple streams of ions to ignite the fuel mixture throughout the combustion chamber, whereas conventional spark ignition creates only a small arc in the gap between the electrodes of a spark plug.
This ignition technology also allows for optimized timing of the start of combustion versus conventional ignition systems. ACIS generates rapid ignition and quick burning, ensuring greater conversion of the fuel energy to mechanical energy with the added potential for simultaneous reduction in engine cooling requirements.
We have already recorded fuel consumption improvements of up to 10 percent on a 1.6-liter turbocharged gasoline direct injection engine, and there is potential for further improvements. Our Advanced Corona Ignition System is a game-changing technology that also makes other combustion improvements possible.
—Kristapher Mixell, Federal-Mogul’s director, advanced corona ignition system development, Powertrain Energy
Corona ignition technology provides higher energy and greater opportunities for ignition than a spark-ignition system, readily accommodating different fuel characteristics.
The technology enables powertrain engineers to more efficiently develop combustion strategies, such as stratified charge, lean burn and high levels of EGR, to reduce fuel consumption exhaust emissions.
—Kristapher Mixell, Federal-Mogul’s director, advanced corona ignition system development, Powertrain Energy
Federal-Mogul has optimized its ACIS for ease of implementation in high-volume applications for both current and future powertrain architectures by designing it to package within the space of a spark-ignition system. The “two-piece” igniter architecture allows engine manufacturers the ability to replace traditional coil and plug systems with no adverse impact on engine design or assembly.
Eliminating the spark plug and its arc, ACIS eliminates the source of electrode erosion—the main cause of wear in a conventional spark-ignition system. This prolongs ignition system durability and extends service intervals. ACIS also uses materials that are already proven in automotive applications to ensure durability throughout the designed service life.
The company’s Advanced Corona Ignition System is being developed at its technical centers in the United States, Europe and Asia.
Looks like it combines the timing control of spark ignition, the multi-point initiation of compression ignition and the elimination of the quenching effect of cold electrodes.
If I were an auto manufacturer, I'd try to get some of these into engines in test cells right away and start mapping the characteristics.
Posted by: Engineer-Poet | 14 September 2011 at 07:53 AM
Surprising that none of the major part suppliers (such as Delco, Denko, Bosch etc) and vehicle manufacturers are not offering this or similar improved ignition system.
If true, a massive retrofit program could reduce fuel consumption of the current fleet. It could be very beneficial for oil importing countries like USA and most countries in EU and many others.
Oils Cos will probably buy the patent soon.
Posted by: HarveyD | 14 September 2011 at 08:39 AM
I doubt Federal-Mogul has any intent in selling out to oil co's.
Retrofit would be tricky as engine would have to be re-mapped. Doable though. Say a retrofit costs $500. The driver would recoup the costs in $5000 worth of gas or about 30,000 miles (about three years of driving) at current market prices.
Posted by: GreenPlease | 14 September 2011 at 10:38 AM
"up to" 10% - Under what conditions, 10,000 RPM, high compression, etc? How does it perform at constant 1,500 rpm with lean mixture?
Posted by: Zhukova | 14 September 2011 at 12:46 PM
Bottom line: approaching HCCI-type of rapid combustion with a flash of coronal discharge and much higher controllability. This can extend HCCI-efficiency into higher load region, but limited by mechanical stress on pistons and rods. Great for increase the efficiencies of NG engines...and the USA has found large NG reserves.
Posted by: Roger Pham | 14 September 2011 at 04:24 PM
GP....even if the price is right?
Posted by: HarveyD | 15 September 2011 at 09:10 AM
This solution can be used in existing vehicles, the automotive industry is not interested in such U.S. patents
The FireStorm Plasma iPlug is a new entry in the formerly mundane area of Spark Plugs. All Spark Plugs produce "sparks" to ignite the Air Fuel Mixture in the combustion Chambers. FireStorm is different, it produces "PLASMA". By doing that, it eliminates the Catalytic Converter and EGR Systems and can still pass future emission requirements in California.
Here is a clip: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=abwXApkLhbc
Further testing after that clip was shot in Detroit proved a 70% savings in fuel all while affording a 125 More Horsepower.
It is a Paradigm Shift in Air Fuel Ratio as this plug operates at 30 to 1 Air to Fuel Ratio. All current IC engines operate at 14.7 to 1 and require a Cat and EGR.
FireStorm can even crack water right in the Combustion_Chamber thereby eliminating so-called HHO Generators. Can I hear fill your car up at the side of your house with the garden hose?
Posted by: Henryk | 19 September 2011 at 12:16 AM
You must have lost your first retirement fund in cow-magnet futures.
Posted by: Engineer-Poet | 19 September 2011 at 06:27 AM