Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP Posting-Version: version B 2.10.2 9/18/84; site amdcad.UUCP Path: utzoo!watmath!clyde!cbosgd!cbdkc1!desoto!packard!hoxna!houxm!ihnp4!amdcad!chris From: chris@amdcad.UUCP (Chris Moore) Newsgroups: net.auto Subject: Re: eliminating distributors Message-ID: <475@amdcad.UUCP> Date: Wed, 2-Jan-85 18:47:00 EST Article-I.D.: amdcad.475 Posted: Wed Jan 2 18:47:00 1985 Date-Received: Thu, 3-Jan-85 04:55:02 EST References: <458@amdcad.UUCP> Distribution: net Organization: AMDCAD, Sunnyvale, CA Lines: 26 > It would be quite easy to get rid of the distributor with four > ignition coils and a little electronics which could not fail > in the way I experienced yesterday. It would also eliminate > the need to check and change the rotor. > > The problem of course is expense. Existing ignition coils are > expensive. But so was computing power. Semiconductors have > changed the way modern engines are controlled. Semiconductors > can change the way engines obtain spark. Part of the reason for the > cost of ignition coils is the need to step up from 12v to 12,000v. > But with modern electronics and power transistors it would be > easy to drive a coil with 1,000v. Then the ignition coil would > only need to step up by a factor of 12. > > Anyway, I hope an automotive engineer (if beer makers are on the > net, why isn't GM, Ford, or Chrysler?) will read this and think > about it. > > > Maybe I should talk to our product planning people about such an IC... > Phil - I've been working on that, but keep having problems with the silicon vaporizing when hit with 12,000 V. Chris Moore, AMD Product Planning