Universiti Kuala Lumpur

Malaysian Institute of Aviation Technology

RECIPROCATING ENGINE IGNITION & STARTING

QUIZ

1. At what point in the four stroke cycle does the ignition takes place?
BDC is when the piston is at the bottom of its travel, TDC is when the piston is at the
top of its travel. Ignition happens typically between a few degrees before TDC and up
to ~50 degrees before TDC in a spark ignition engine.

2. Why magneto ignition system is better compare to battery ignition system?

In magneto ignition system, no battery is required for engine to start. Efficiency of
the battery ignition system decreases with the reduction in spark intensity as engine
speed rises. Efficiency of the system improves as the engine speed rises due to high
intensity spark

3. How may magneto be classified?

It is categorized as a form of alternator, although it is usually considered distinct
from most other alternators, which use field coils rather than permanent magnets.

4. Explain the difference between low-tension and high-tension magnetos.

The principal difference between the high-tension and the low-tension ignition
systems is, that in the high-tension system there is an incomplete circuit and a spark
must be driven across an air gap; whereas, in the low-tension system an electric
current already flowing in a conducting circuit is driven by its own momentum
across an air gap which is suddenly formed on it. For high-tension, what is needed is
a very hot spark of high frequency, positive and of a certain length to penetrate the
air space between the electrodes of the spark plugs.

5. Name the three circuits of a magneto.

Magnetic, primary and secondary.
6. Describe the difference between the primary and secondary winding in a coil.
The primary winding is the coil that draws power from the source. The secondary
winding is the coil that delivers the energy at the transformed or changed voltage to
the load. Usually, these two coils are subdivided into several coils in order to reduce
the creation of flux.

7. What is the advantage of pivotless breaker assembly?

Pivotless has the movable contact points on a spring type lever.

8. Explain the function of the primary capacitor condenser in a magneto.

the capacitor in an ignition system manages the rate of change of the voltage in the
low tension ignition circuit when the contact breaker opens, to prevent the energy
that is meant to produce an HT spark at the plug from being wasted as arcing at the
contact breaker.

9. Define the term “E-gap”.

Rotating magnet at the specific number of degrees passed/beyond the neutral
position.

10. Explain the events that occur at E-gap.

Once the magnet rotates beyond magnetic neutral and magnetic field of opposite
polarity starts to build, at this point the greatest magnetic field exists.

11. Describe the function of the distributor rotor.

responsible for passing the voltage from the ignition coils to the engine's cylinders in
order to ignite the fuel-air mixture inside and power the engine. When the rotor's tip
passes a contact on the cylinder, a high-voltage pulse travels from the coil to the
cylinder via the rotor.
12. What are the disadvantages of a dual-magneto ignition?
(1) Igniter.
Increased Weight/Size as a result of increased dielectric requirements. Increased
dielectric strength requires longer terminations, greater insulator thickness and
larger internal flashover protection. All of the above lead to increased cost.
Quenching of igniter at high pressures will cause unnecessary dielectric stressing of
the igniter, exciter and lead. It also prevents ignition for safety or mission critical
flight requirements (e.g. inclement weather operation, vertical takeoff and landing,
etc..)
(2) Lead.
Increased Weight/Size and complexity as a result of increased dielectric
requirements and air-cooled configurations. Increased dielectric strength requires
longer terminations, greater insulator thickness and larger internal flashover
protection. All of the above lead to significantly increased cost.
More likely to have a dielectric and corona problems with components (i.e.
elastomeric seals, insulators etc.). Demanding ignition at high combustor pressures
will dielectrically stress the igniter/lead components/connections as no spark occurs
at the tip. Leads to lower reliability and increased maintenance costs.
Elastomeric components (seals, gaskets, insulators, wire jacketing) have limited
mechanical strength and can be easily damaged allowing the potential for dielectric
failure.
(3) Exciter.
A major drawback to a high-tension system is increased EMI due to the high
ionization pulse. This creates additional challenges employed in a dual channel
system when attempting to keep the channels isolated.
The higher voltage requirements add additional weight and cost due to extra
components needed to generate the high voltage. The additional parts also decrease
the reliability over a low voltage system.
Sealing of the exciter enclosure becomes more critical in high voltage applications.
Any loss of internal pressure (at altitude) can cause internal arcing within the exciter
during operation.

13. Explain the term “coming-in speed”.

Speed magneto turns to produce a spark
14. Explain the function of ignition shielding.
Shields the high voltage and conducts it to the spark plugs, often bound together. ...
Two spark plugs and separate ignition circuits are used per cylinder for redundancy,
safety and better ignition and combustion of the mixture.

15. If the P-lead from the magneto to the ignition switch breaks or disconnected,
what effect will this have on operation of the system?
A disconnected P-lead on either magneto means that the ignition cannot be shut off
in flight or on the ground - and that's dangerous. Timing is adjusted separately on
each magneto so that it fires its spark plugs at exactly the right time.

16. What is the function of an impulse coupling? How the system operates?
Its primary function is to intensify the ignition spark at low rotative speeds in order
to facilitate engine starting.

17. Describe the purpose of an induction vibrator.

Its primary function is to intensify the ignition spark at low rotative speeds in order
to facilitate engine starting.

18. During timing of a magneto to an engine, what device may be used to determine
the exact location of point opening?
The timing marks are marked on it that line up with the mark on the starter. On an
engine that has no starter gear hub, the timing mark is normally on the propeller
flange edge.

19. What problems associated with high-voltage ignition systems are reduced
through the use low-tension ignition system?
High-tension voltage presents certain problems with carrying the high-voltage from
the magneto internally and externally to the spark plugs. The low pressure at these
altitudes would allow the high-voltage to leak out even more. The low-tension
system virtually eliminates flashover in both the distributor and the harness because
the air gaps within the distributor have been eliminated by the use of a brush-type
distributor, and high-voltage is present only in short leads between the transformer
and spark plug.
20. Explain the reason for the use of a compensated cam.
A compensated cam is a special cam used in magnetos mounted on high-
performance radial engines. The cam has one lobe for each cylinder, and the lobes
are ground in such a way that the breaker points open when the pistons in the
different cylinders are the same linear distance from top center.

21. Explain the purpose of spark plug.

To ignite the air/fuel mixture.

22. What are the major parts of spark plug?

A spark plug comprises three main parts: the housing, insulator, and electrodes.

23. What is the purpose of the resistor in a spark plug?

Resistor spark plugs prevent electrical interference that can disrupt car radio
reception, two-way radio and cellular phone operation.

24. Define “spark plug reach”.

The reach is the distance between the end of the threads and the seat of the spark
plug.

25. What is meant by the heat range of spark plug?

The term heat range refers to the speed with which a plug can transfer heat from the
combustion chamber to the engine head.

26. What is the purpose of spark plug rotation?

Swapping plug position evens out the wear between the center and ground
electrode, thereby preventing any one electrode from incurring excessive wear. The
spark plug's firing polarity causes uneven electrode wear. The magneto generates
energy by means of a rotating magnet.

27. What is meant by the term “direct-type starter”?

A DOL starter (or Direct On Line starter or across the line starter) is a method of
starting of a 3 phase induction motor. ... Direct on line starters are commonly used to
start small motors, especially 3 phase squirrel cage induction motors
28. What is the purpose of reduction gearing in a direct-cranking starter?
The torque of the motor is transmitted through reduction gears to the overload
release clutch. Typically, this action actuates a helically splined shaft moving the
starter jaw outward to engage the engine cranking jaw before the starter jaw begins
to rotate.

29. Why direct cranking starters does not equip with fuses or circuit breakers?
It will trip everytime when the starter is cranked. should the starter motor be locked
up for instance. A conventional starter motor is series wound, in order to pull a very
high current at start-up.

30. Explain the operation of direct cranking starters.

The direct cranking electric starter consists basically of an electric motor, reduction
gears, and an automatic engaging and disengaging mechanism that is operated
through an adjustable torque overload release clutch. The typical starter motor is a
12- or 24-volt, series-wound motor that develops high starting torque.