Over the past few years, South Africa’s Ambixtra Sustainable Technologies has been plugging away developing its Variable Spark Ignition system that is capable of replacing conventional spark plug technology. To find out how this novel technology is shaping-up, Matthew Beecham talked with Deon Smit, CEO and James Mackenzie, vice president of product development, Ambixtra Sustainable Technologies.
We last talked in March 2012. Could you update us on how your Variable Spark Ignition (VSI) system has advanced since then?
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Yes, several major improvements have been implemented on the VSI system. A new high frequency medium voltage electronic switching circuit was developed which allows the application to inject more energy into the ignition cycle.
The drive and switching electronics were integrated into the coil electronics housing. In the initial design the drive electronics was combined in a separate enclosure and only the switching electronics was distributed to the coil housing.
These changes have reduced component count and thus cost per coil is reduced substantially. A lower high voltage specification assisted in selecting of components with lower voltage ratings, which in turn increases the reliability of the system.
Is the North-West University still involved in its development? If so, what ways is it pushing back the boundaries of this technology?
Yes, because there are two phases to the project:
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Phase 1, being the VSI which is currently following a new technology integration process at an European OEM and then
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Phase 2, being the Advanced Plasma Ignition where demonstrator samples are currently being tested.
We understand that you have spent several months testing your VSI system. What was the outcome of these tests?
We have done extensive testing at a European engineering services company who is an OEM development and testing service provider with very good results.
Due to the controllability of our ignition parameters we were able to achieve high lambda and EGR percentages on various development engines in homogeneous and stratified modes. Actually the competitor coils could not operate in some of the test conditions, especially under stratified conditions.
We believe that two European OEMs are interested in your technology as well as a Japanese OEM. Is that correct? Could you elaborate on potential deals? How close are we to seeing the VSI on the road?
This is correct, we have spent a lot of time testing with two European OEM’s over the past year. These companies have also been involved in specifying the main test procedures and parameters to which the VSI system was tested. The tests were also done on their development engines.
The one OEM has identified two specific engines they are introducing to achieve Euro 6.2 where the VSI will be specified. Here we are following the ‘Technology Readiness Level’ process which is the official process they follow to integrate new technologies.
For interest, this is a process that was developed by NASA which has subsequently been adopted by many industries due to it’s rigour in reducing new technology integration risks.
Discussions with the Asian OEM are also in progress and we will present in-house prepared TRL samples to them in the first quarter of next year.
Are you still looking for funding to complete its development?
Although our existing shareholders have significant balance sheets, we are continually reviewing other funding options that can unlock opportunities for them and the VSI commercialisation process going forward.
How do you see the future for multi-spark ignitions over the next few years? And to what extent could we see such systems penetrating the automotive market?
It is fair to say that OEM’s now acknowledge that new engine strategies where EGR and turbo are being applied to meet Euro 6 step 2 targets for example, will require advanced ignition systems similar to multi-spark.
We see multi-spark being applied in the medium term first, which will effectively pave the way for systems such as plasma, which will follow shortly afterwards.
Given the prospect for the multi-spark ignition market, I guess there is some healthy competition out there?
The remainder of this interview is available on just-auto’s QUBE research service
