Talk:Ignition system

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[edit] Question

I'm doing a report on cars and Wikipedia is just one of my sources. I was just reading the entry of ignition on HowStuffWorks.com and noticed that they describe "Solid State Ignition" as "distributorless". Is this Solid State Ignition the same as Electric Ignition? If so, it seems like Wikipedia has much more information than HowStuffWorks.

I think 'solid state' is a rather ambiguous term. Really it can be applied to any type of electronics not using valves (tubes), so the term 'solid state ignition' is really pretty meaningless. Electronic ignition can be distributorless or use a distributor. The latter type is more common, since it is really just an electronic version of the classic contact breaker ignition, using a single coil and distributor. The distributorless version replaces the distributor with low voltage electronic switching, and a small separate coil at each spark plug. This type is gaining favour as it is more reliable since there are fewer moving parts and no high voltage (HT) leads needed. Hope this helps - HowItWorks is a great resource but often they don't explore a particular topic in all its variations - to do so would probably confuse more than enlighten. Here at WP we have no such qualms ;-) Graham 21:48, 23 Dec 2004 (UTC)

Thanks Graham! The extra info clears it up for me as well as giving me more to write about. (Maybe you should add this more detailed info into the article.)

[edit] Article scope?

The current article only really talks about piston engines, but internal combustion engines as a group include rocket and jet engines. I'm thinking the article should be enlarged a bit to cover these too. The article already mentions aircraft engines a bit. Comments?WolfKeeper 23:13, 11 October 2006 (UTC)

I doubt whether there is any standard technology for igniting rocket or jet engines which burn their fuel continuously; in any case ignition is not needed during the normal operation of these engines. Ignition is only needed to get them started and many methods could be used: electrically heated wire, electric spark, mechanical spark (as in a cigarette lighter), electromechanical sparker (like a piezoelectric starter for a gas oven) or just tossing a lighted match.

Has anyone information on how jet aircraft engines are started (or restarted in flight)? 84.210.109.151 17:12, 4 November 2006 (UTC)

[edit] Who invented spark ignition?

This type of arrangement was quickly superseded by spark ignition, attributed to Karl Benz, a system which is generally used to this day, albeit with sparks generated by more advanced circuitry.

The above seems in conflict with the invention by Charles Kettering. The mechanical-breaker and coil ignition system is known to me as "the Kettering" rather than "the Benz" system. Can anyone settle this issue by providing dates? 84.210.139.189 20:45, 12 November 2006 (UTC)

i would most apreciate if you could expand about the Distributorless ignition system (DIS) or create a new article