Magneto systems Ignition system

magneto ignition coil.

the simplest form of spark ignition using magneto. engine spins magnet inside coil, or, in earlier designs, coil inside fixed magnet, , operates contact breaker, interrupting current , causing voltage increased sufficiently jump small gap. spark plugs connected directly magneto output. magnetos had 1 coil, contact breaker (sparking plug) inside combustion chamber. in 1902, bosch introduced double-coil magneto, fixed sparking plug, , contact breaker outside cylinder. magnetos not used in modern cars, because generate own electricity found on small engines such found in mopeds, lawnmowers, snowblowers, chainsaws, etc. battery-based electrical system not present combination of necessity, weight, cost, , reliability reasons. used on piston-engined aircraft engines. although electrical supply available, magneto systems used because of higher reliability.

magnetos used on small engine s ancestor, stationary hit , miss engine used in twentieth century, on older gasoline or distillate farm tractors before battery starting , lighting became common, , on aircraft piston engines. magnetos used in these engines because simplicity , self-contained operation more reliable, , because magnetos weighed less having battery , dynamo or alternator.

aircraft engines have dual magnetos provide redundancy in event of failure, , increase efficiency thoroughly , burning fuel air mix both sides towards center. wright brothers used magneto invented in 1902 , built them in 1903 dayton, ohio inventor, vincent groby apple. older automobiles had both magneto system , battery actuated system (see below) running simultaneously ensure proper ignition under conditions limited performance each system provided @ time. gave benefits of easy starting (from battery system) reliable sparking @ speed (from magneto).

many modern magneto systems (except small engines) have removed second (high voltage) coil magneto , placed in external coil assembly similar ignition coil described below. in development, induced current in coil in magneto flows through primary of external coil, generating high voltage in secondary result. such system referred energy transfer system . energy transfer systems provide ultimate in ignition reliability.