In the spark plug heat rating measurement method and system based on spark discharge current active heating, the spark plug is installed in a constant-temperature water jacket cooling chamber with a specific torque. A constant spark discharge current control module is connected to the high-voltage terminal of the spark plug, to provide real-time controlled discharge current to heat up the high-voltage central electrode of the spark plug. During the spark discharge process, the temperature change of the high-voltage central electrode and the surrounding ceramic insulator are measured by a temperature detection module and used to determine the heat rating of the spark plug. By real time adjusting the discharge current level of the spark plug, or providing a same amount of spark energy to the spark gap, the heat ratings of spark plugs with different ceramic insulation structures can be evaluated through the temperature changes during discharge or after discharge.

A device for monitoring a life condition of a spark igniter in a gas turbine ignition system. The device includes an evaluation circuit having circuit components that include a hold capacitor, a transistor, and an operational amplifier arranged to form a sample-and-hold circuit, wherein an igniter spark impulse signal is applied to an input node of the evaluation circuit causing the transistor to turn on and the hold capacitor to discharge for a duration of the igniter spark impulse signal, and wherein a discharged voltage at the hold capacitor is maintained and output by the operational amplifier, the discharged voltage representing the duration of the igniter spark impulse and indicating the life condition of the spark igniter.

A device for monitoring a life condition of a spark igniter in a gas turbine ignition system. The device includes an evaluation circuit having circuit components that include a hold capacitor, a transistor, and an operational amplifier arranged to form a sample-and-hold circuit, wherein an igniter spark impulse signal is applied to an input node of the evaluation circuit causing the transistor to turn on and the hold capacitor to discharge for a duration of the igniter spark impulse signal, and wherein a discharged voltage at the hold capacitor is maintained and output by the operational amplifier, the discharged voltage representing the duration of the igniter spark impulse and indicating the life condition of the spark igniter.

The invention relates to a method for operating an internal combustion engine with fuel which is combusted using a spark plug. According to the invention, the aging of the spark plug, in particular the aging of an electric resistor of the spark plug, is monitored during the operation of the internal combustion engine, wherein electromagnetic radiation of the spark plug is detected for monitoring purposes. The invention additionally relates to a controller for carrying out the method.

The invention relates to a method for operating an internal combustion engine with fuel which is combusted using a spark plug. According to the invention, the aging of the spark plug, in particular the aging of an electric resistor of the spark plug, is monitored during the operation of the internal combustion engine, wherein electromagnetic radiation of the spark plug is detected for monitoring purposes. The invention additionally relates to a controller for carrying out the method.

The invention relates to a method for operating an internal combustion engine with fuel which is combusted using a spark plug. According to the invention, the aging of the spark plug, in particular the aging of an electric resistor of the spark plug, is monitored during the operation of the internal combustion engine, wherein electromagnetic radiation of the spark plug is detected for monitoring purposes. The invention additionally relates to a controller for carrying out the method.

The invention relates to a method for operating an internal combustion engine with fuel which is combusted using a spark plug. According to the invention, the aging of the spark plug, in particular the aging of an electric resistor of the spark plug, is monitored during the operation of the internal combustion engine, wherein electromagnetic radiation of the spark plug is detected for monitoring purposes. The invention additionally relates to a controller for carrying out the method.

A method of detecting the breakdown voltage between the electrodes of a spark plug connected to an ignition coil for a cylinder ignition system, in an internal combustion engine, comprises a detection of an opening of the switch (105) on the primary winding (102) and a detection of a voltage on that primary winding (102), with the generation of a first signal (V.sub.1) representative of the voltage trend following the opening of the switch (105).

The first signal (V.sub.1) is then integrated and, following an identification of a breakdown at the ends of the spark plug (106), a breakdown voltage value is determined as a function of the value of the integrated signal at the time of the breakdown.

A method for determining the wear rate of a spark plug electrode of an ignition system of an internal combustion engine comprises determining a risetiine number indicating the time required for raising the current and thereby the primary energy which is supplied to an ignition coil of the spark plug from an inactive level to a predetermined level, determining an operating condition indicator configured to indicate an operating condition of the ignition system, determining a wear rate of the spark plug electrode based on a difference of a first spark plug state indicator at a first time instance and a second spark plug state indicator at a second time instance, wherein the first time instance and the second time instance are separated by a predetermined time interval, wherein the spark plug state indicator is determined as a value based on the risetime number and the operating condition indicator.

A method for determining the wear rate of a spark plug electrode of an ignition system of an internal combustion engine comprises determining a risetiine number indicating the time required for raising the current and thereby the primary energy which is supplied to an ignition coil of the spark plug from an inactive level to a predetermined level, determining an operating condition indicator configured to indicate an operating condition of the ignition system, determining a wear rate of the spark plug electrode based on a difference of a first spark plug state indicator at a first time instance and a second spark plug state indicator at a second time instance, wherein the first time instance and the second time instance are separated by a predetermined time interval, wherein the spark plug state indicator is determined as a value based on the risetime number and the operating condition indicator.