Title: Ceramic distributor rotor for electromagnetic interference (EMI) control

Authors: A.L. Micheli, W.-C. Kuo, R.L. Sprague

Addresses: Electronics Department, General Motors Research Laboratories, Warren, Michigan 48090-9057, USA. ' Electronics Department, General Motors Research Laboratories, Warren, Michigan 48090-9057, USA. ' Delco-Remy Division, Anderson, Indiana 46011, USA

Abstract: Experimental and theoretical studies carried out at General Motors Research Laboratories indicate that electromagnetic interference (EMI) generated by the ignition system can be effectively suppressed by resistive loading near the distributor gap - preferably right at the gap. This naturally leads to the idea of making the gap electrode with a resistive material for EMI control. For practical application the use of a resistive electrode at the distributor rotor should cause minimum changes in the existing system. Since the material is to be used directly as a spark gap electrode, it has to sustain high voltage and thermal shocks and be durable. A ceramic composed of Fe₂O₃ doped with TiO₂ has been developed which meets these requirements. The ceramic rotor electrode not only offers improvement of EMI control over the current production rotor but also satisfies the electrical and mechanical requirements for an ignition system. This paper susummarizes the ceramic rotor development.

Keywords: ceramic distributor rotors; ceramic rotor electrodes; electromagnetic interference; EMI suppression; ignition system; spark-gap electrodes; vehicle design.

DOI: 10.1504/IJVD.1985.061390

International Journal of Vehicle Design, 1985 Vol.6 No.4/5, pp.548 - 550

Published online: 25 May 2014 *

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