| WOODWARD, INC. Patent applications |
| Patent application number | Title | Published |
|---|
| 20120125287 | Controlled Spark Ignited Flame Kernel Flow in Fuel-Fed Prechambers - A pre-chamber spark plug that includes a shell. Additionally, the pre-chamber spark plug includes an insulator disposed within the shell. In a particular embodiment, a center electrode has a first portion surrounded by the insulator, and a second portion that extends from the insulator into a pre-chamber. The pre-chamber defined by the shell. In a further embodiment, a ground electrode is attached to the insulator. In particular embodiments, the ground electrode is tubular in shape and includes an inner spark surface ring spaced in surrounding relation to the center electrode to create a spark gap, an outer ring attached to the shell, and a plurality of rounded spokes connecting the inner and outer rings. In a particular embodiment, the ground and center electrodes accommodate attachment of precious metal alloys to increase electrode surface life. In another embodiment the ground electrode and insulator is coaxial to the center electrode. | 05-24-2012 |
| 20120061494 | Fuel Injector Sans Support/Stem - A fuel nozzle is provided. The fuel nozzle includes a heat shield, a fuel tube and a plurality of support members. The support members are radially interposed between the heat shield and the fuel tube. The support members are preferably cylindrical tubes, thus creating voids or pockets between the heat shield and the fuel tube. The cylindrical tubes are connected to one another at a first end are free at an opposed end. As such, the tubes can move or slide relative to one another. Further, the tubes preferably only contact one another with at most line contacts. The fuel nozzle may also include a tip portion that includes a tip heat shield that extends radially outward from the primary heat shield. The tip heat shield defines a cavity that connects with the central cavity of the heat shield. The fuel tube extends through the tip heat shield. | 03-15-2012 |
| 20110255208 | MULTIPLEXING DRIVE CIRCUIT FOR AN AC IGNITION SYSTEM WITH CURRENT MODE CONTROL AND FAULT TOLERANCE DETECTION - A multiplexing drive circuit for an AC ignition system having a common leg that includes two switches coupled in series, and one or more dedicated legs, wherein each leg includes two switches coupled in series. The multiplexing drive circuit also includes a transformer for each of the one or more dedicated legs, each transformer having a primary winding coupled between one of the one or more dedicated legs and the common leg, and wherein each transformer has a secondary winding coupled in parallel to a spark plug, and a pulse-width modulated (PWM) switch controller configured to operate the common leg and dedicated leg switches to control characteristics of the spark discharge for the spark plug. Wherein the switch controller is capable of real time diagnostic checks by monitoring the time at which a spark discharge event takes place. | 10-20-2011 |
| 20110214644 | Cold-Start Fuel Control System - A fuel control system for controlling the supply of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) to injectors of a fuel supply system during a cold start is provided. The fuel control system includes a LPG pressure regulator and a cold-start fuel control valve for throttling fuel to the injectors when the pressure of the LPG is below a nominal set point pressure of the pressure regulator. The cold-start fuel control valve may be in parallel or series with a fuel lock-off valve. The system is configured to supply limited discrete amounts of LPG to the injectors when the pressure of the LPG is below the nominal set point pressure to allow the LPG to vaporize prior to being injected, by the injector, into an engine. Operation of the cold-start fuel control valve during non-cold starts and normal operation are also provided. | 09-08-2011 |
