Jodon Engineering Associates, Inc.

Scott E Wilson

An adapter for coupling microwave energy or both microwave and spark energy into the combustion chamber of a gasoline engine through the chamber spark plug comprising a sleeve adapted at one end to be tightly received over the spark plug insulator housing, and a connector carried at the opposing sleeve end and adapted for connection to a spark plug lead for transmitting spark energy to the spark plug electrodes. A microwave antenna is carried externally of the sleeve for transmitting microwave energy in a waveguide mode through the sleeve and through the insulator housing into the engine chamber while substantially bypassing the spark energy conduction path. The antenna, which may comprise a square loop antenna disposed in a plane parallel to the sleeve and spark plug axes, is adapted to be coupled to a source of microwave energy for monitoring of engine ignition events, etc.

Spark plug microwave adapter

Method and apparatus for measuring ignition timing of an internal combustion engine wherein angular position of the engine crankshaft is monitored while microwave radiation is injected into a selected engine cylinder. An angular position of the engine crankshaft at an apparent top dead center position of the piston in the selected cylinder is identified as a function of microwave resonances within the cylinder. The angle of piston top dead center position is then compared with an event correlated with ignition at the selected cylinder to determine the ignition angle relative to the piston top dead center position. Ignition timing may then be adjusted to obtain a desired angular relationship between ignition and piston top dead center.

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Ann Arbor, MI, United States of America

Scott E Wilson