STEVEN MARK PIRKO
Pharmacy in Lake Milton, OH

2014007, Mar 20, 2014

Sep 16, 2013

14/028516

David Thomas Lepley - Girard OH, US
Maria Emmanuella Sotiropoulou - Fort Collins CO, US
Joseph Martin Lepley - Girard OH, US
Steven B. Pirko - Lake Milton OH, US

Prometheus Applied Technologies, LLC - Fort Collins CO

F02P 13/00

123260, 123594

In certain embodiments, a time-varying spark current ignition system can be applied to improve spark plug ignitability performance and durability as compared to conventional spark ignition systems. Two performance parameters of interest are spark plug life (durability) and spark plug ignitability. In certain embodiments, spark plug life can be extended by applying a spark current amplitude as low as possible without causing quenching of the flame kernel while it is traveling within an electrode gap and/or by applying spark current of a long enough duration to allow the spark/flame kernel to clear a spark plug gap. In certain embodiments, ignitability can be improved by applying a high enough spark current amplitude to sustain the flame kernel once outside the spark plug gap and/or by applying a spark current for long enough to sustain the flame kernel once outside the spark plug gap.

2013007, Mar 28, 2013

Sep 28, 2011

13/247282

Peter Steinrueck - Hallstatt, AT
Gerhard Ranegger - Gleinstatten, AT
Joseph M. Lepley - Girard OH, US
Steven B. Pirko - Lake Milton OH, US

HOERBIGER KOMPRESSORTECHNIK HOLDING GMBH - Wien

F02P 17/00

324382

A method of ion sensing in a CD ignition system for an internal combustion engine comprises: a) closing the controllable switch in synchronism with the internal combustion engine for a period of time to transfer energy to the ignition coil primary to cause a spark breakdown across the spark plug; and b) observing the current in the secondary winding circuit indicative of ionization in the vicinity of the spark plug electrodes.