Abstract:

Abstract: The rapidly progressing of advanced ignition methods and systems in recent years was summarized.
The working principles of the primary types of advanced ignition systems, on which the ignition system
improvement directions are highly based, and the test results of relevant engine and combustion vessel were
introduced. The main advanced ignition systems, including the high-energy spark ignition, the high-voltage
pulsed power ignition, the radio-frequency plasma ignition, and the laser ignition, were commented in terms of
the ignition effectiveness and the implementation challenges according to the previous reports and the extensive
empirical work at the author’s laboratory. In conclusion, the future clean combustion engines tend to employ
diluted charges using low temperature combustion strategies to improve the fuel economy and reduce the
exhaust emissions. But all the future advanced mixture control activities inside an engine cylinder, including the
reactivity suppression, the heterogeneous distribution, and the intensified motion, will increase the difficulties of
ignition control. Advanced high energy ignition systems are considered being able to improve the ignition control
of future hign efficiency clean combustion engines.

Key words: engine, clean combustion, ignition system, high energy ignition, radio-frequency plasma ignition, corona ignition