Experimental identification of the electrical discharge on a surface gap spark plug

Abstract

The main objective of the research is to assess the influence of the spark plug electrodes geometry on the structure of the electric arc. This issue is increasingly important in modern gas-fueled engines with lean and stratified air-gas mixtures. To explain the influence of electrode geometry on selected spark discharge indicators, optical tests were conducted, and the parameters of the test history, together with the movies of the discharging process, were recorded and analyzed. The tests were carried out comparatively for two types of spark plugs on the test stand: conventional spark plug and spark plug with a flat ground electrode. It has been found that using flat plug electrodes allows a larger spark area covered by the electric arc without losing the intensity of radiation. More, using an unconventional spark plug results in a shorter discharge time relative to the conventional spark plug, while the geometry of the conventional spark plug allows for maintaining a stable electric arc with a minimum tendency for creeping.