Process for heating the intake air in internal-combustion engines by means of a flame starting system
US5372102A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Dec 23, 1991 |
| Grant date | Dec 13, 1994 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Dec 23, 2011 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC F)Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
- CPC primaryF02P19/025
- WIPO fieldEngines, pumps, turbines
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
The invention relates to a process and apparatus for heating the intake air in internal-combustion engines by means of a flame starting system with at least one glow plug. The apparatus is controlled in such a manner that the glow plug is continuously preheated during a first time period and is operated in pulses in a following second time period and the glow plug is switched off after a safety time has elapsed. The glow plug is preheated after it has been switched off, taking into account the instantaneous glow plug temperature during the cooling and the voltage available in such a manner that the temperature required for a repeat start is reached within a narrow tolerance band. In the case of a repeat starting operation taking place after the safety time has elapsed, the renewed preheating time for the glow plug is specified in accordance with a value determined from the glow plug temperature and the available voltage, the instantaneous glow plug temperature being determined from the cooling time of the glow plug after it has been switched off.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.