Otis Singleton
A magneto is an electrical generator that uses permanent magnets to produce periodic pulses of alternating current. It is a self-contained generator of high voltage that provides ignition to an engine through spark plugs. The magneto system is divided into three distinct circuits: magnetic, primary electrical, and secondary electrical. The primary electrical system in a magneto is responsible for generating the magnetic field that surrounds the coil windings. This magnetic field then collapses, causing a high voltage to be generated and routed to the spark plug, creating a spark that ignites the fuel inside the piston. The primary electrical system in a magneto plays a crucial role in the overall functioning of the engine by providing the necessary spark for ignition.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Definition | An electrical generator that uses permanent magnets to produce periodic pulses of alternating current |
| Use | To generate the high voltage necessary to drive engine ignition |
| Function | A magneto spins in close proximity to a coil of wire, generating a strong magnetic force that is "held back" by a primary coil. |
| Primary Coil | Made of perhaps 200 turns of thick wire |
| Secondary Coil | Made of perhaps 20,000 turns of very thin wire |
| Turns Ratio | The ratio of turns in the secondary winding to the number of turns in the primary winding |
| Voltage | The voltage across the primary coil results in a proportional voltage being induced across the secondary winding of the coil |
| Applications | Used in piston aircraft engines, lawnmowers, chainsaws, motorcycles, snowmobiles, and other small gasoline engines |
| Historical Applications | Arc lamp systems, lighthouses, medical treatments for mental illness, telephone systems |
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What You'll Learn
How does a magneto work?
A magneto is an electrical generator that uses permanent magnets to produce periodic pulses of alternating current. It is a self-contained generator of high voltage that provides ignition to an engine through spark plugs. A magnet spins in close proximity to a coil of wire, generating a strong magnetic force that is "held back" by a primary coil. This primary coil refers to thick wire wrapped around one side of a "U"-shaped armature approximately 200 times.
The moment the contact points open, a rapid magnetic flow generates a high voltage in the secondary coil, which is wrapped around the other side of the "U"-shaped armature approximately 20,000 times. This high voltage ignites the spark plug, firing the engine. The purpose of the magneto is to generate a high voltage pulse of up to 20,000 volts, sufficient to create the spark required by the spark plugs to ignite the fuel inside a piston engine.
The magneto system is known for its reliability and simplicity. It does not rely on any external systems such as batteries to function, making it perfect for use in aircraft as an electrical failure will not cause an engine failure. However, it is important to note that the magneto does not power the engine; the fuel provides the majority of the energy in the system. The spark created by the magneto acts as a catalyst, causing the fuel to start reacting and creating a large energy output.
Magnetos were first used in the 1901 German Mercedes 35 hp racing car and were soon adopted by various car manufacturers. They were also used in specialised power systems such as arc lamp systems or lighthouses. Today, their use is limited mainly to engines without a low-voltage electrical system, such as lawnmowers and chainsaws, and to aircraft engines, where their independence from the rest of the electrical system ensures the engine keeps running in the event of alternator or battery failure.
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The magneto's role in piston engines
A magneto is an electrical generator that uses permanent magnets to produce periodic pulses of alternating current. It is distinct from other alternators that use field coils instead of permanent magnets. The first electrical machine used for an industrial process was a magneto, the Woolrich Electrical Generator.
In the context of piston engines, a magneto is a critical component of the aircraft's ignition system. It plays a crucial role in providing electrical power to the spark plugs inside a piston engine. Typically, two magnetos are found in a piston engine, each supplying electricity to one of the two spark plugs in each cylinder. This redundancy ensures that even if one magneto fails, the other can continue to provide spark to the engine, preventing a complete engine failure.
The magneto system offers several advantages when used in piston engines. Firstly, it is reliable and simple, making it ideal for aircraft engines. Secondly, it provides electrical power independently of a battery, ensuring that the engine can continue running even in the event of battery failure. Additionally, the magneto is lightweight, making it suitable for motorsport vehicles and small internal combustion engines where weight reduction is important.
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Advantages of a magneto system
A magneto is an electrical generator that uses permanent magnets to produce periodic pulses of alternating current. It is a basic electromechanical method of converting motion into electrical power. The first car to use magneto ignition was the 1901 German Mercedes 35 hp racing car, and it has been used in aircraft engines ever since.
Reliability
The magneto system is reliable as it is entirely self-contained and does not rely on any external systems such as a battery to function. This makes it perfect for use in aircraft, as an electrical failure will not cause an engine failure. This feature is less critical in a car, for example, where a vehicle can simply come to a stop, but it is crucial in an aircraft.
Simplicity
Magnetos are simple and have few moving parts, making them durable and easy to maintain. This simplicity makes them ideal for specialised isolated power systems such as arc lamp systems or lighthouses.
Safety
The use of magnetos in aircraft engines ensures that the engine continues running in the event of alternator or battery failure. Pilots may have to deliberately shut down the aircraft's electrical system in drastic circumstances, such as an electrical fire, and the engine will continue to run.
Weight
Modern magnetos are constructed using cobalt steel and nickel-aluminium magnet metals, which are lighter than traditional iron and steel. This makes them ideal for use in motorsport vehicles such as motorcycles and snowmobiles.
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The magneto's three distinct circuits
A magneto is an electrical generator that uses permanent magnets to produce periodic pulses of alternating current. It is one of the oldest components in general aviation aircraft, with the technology being more than 100 years old. The magneto's three distinct circuits work together to convert mechanical energy into electrical energy, which is then used to produce a spark. These circuits are the magnetic circuit, the primary electrical circuit, and the secondary electrical circuit.
The magnetic circuit consists of a permanent multi-pole rotating magnet, a soft iron core, and pole shoes. The magnet is geared to the aircraft engine and rotates in the gap between two pole shoes, producing magnetic lines of force (flux) necessary to produce an electrical voltage. The poles of the magnet are arranged in alternate polarity so that the flux can pass out of the north pole through the coil core and back to the south pole of the magnet. The magnetic circuit is responsible for inducing an electrical current in the coils.
The primary electrical circuit includes the primary coil windings, which are connected to a switch, a set of contact points, and a condenser (or capacitor). When the circuit is closed, the current flows through the primary coil, generating a magnetic field. This circuit holds the flux in the core at a high value in one direction until the rotating magnet rotates through the neutral position to the E-gap position, a few degrees beyond neutral.
The secondary electrical circuit consists of the secondary windings of the coil, which step up the voltage generated in the primary circuit to a high tension suitable for spark plug ignition. The voltage across the primary coil results in a proportional voltage being induced across the secondary winding of the coil. The turns ratio between the primary and secondary coils is selected so that the voltage across the secondary reaches a very high value, enough to arc across the gap of the spark plug. The secondary electrical circuit is crucial for generating a high voltage spark in internal combustion engines.
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The magneto's use in aircraft
An aircraft magneto is an engine-driven electrical generator that uses permanent magnets and coils to produce high voltage to fire the aircraft spark plugs. The magneto is a self-contained generator of high voltage that provides ignition to an engine through spark plugs. A magnet spins in close proximity to a coil of wire, generating a strong magnetic force that is "held back" by a primary coil. The moment the contact points open, a rapid magnetic flow generates a high voltage in the secondary coil, which ignites the spark plug, thus firing the engine.
The magneto system is generally divided into three distinct circuits: magnetic, primary electrical, and secondary electrical. The primary electrical system in a magneto is responsible for generating a strong magnetic force that opposes the motion of the spinning magnet. This force is created by running a current through a coil of wire, known as the primary coil. The interaction between the magnetic field and the primary coil induces a current in another coil, known as the secondary coil.
The secondary coil has many more turns than the primary coil, resulting in a much higher voltage. This high voltage is then used to create a spark in the spark plug, which is necessary for engine ignition. The primary electrical system's role in opposing the spinning magnet is crucial for controlling the timing and intensity of the spark generated in the secondary system.
Magnetos are used in piston aircraft engines and are known for their simplicity, reliability, and ability to operate independently of the aircraft's electrical system. They are often sold in pairs, with the left and right magnetos each firing one of two spark plugs per cylinder. This arrangement provides ignition redundancy, ensuring the engine continues to run even if one magneto fails.
The use of magnetos in aircraft has a long history, with the technology being over a hundred years old. They are found in many small airplanes, such as the Cessna 152, and remain a source of power in light aircraft due to their self-contained nature and reliability.
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Frequently asked questions
A magneto is an electrical generator that uses permanent magnets to produce pulses of alternating current. It is a self-contained generator of high voltage that provides ignition to an engine through spark plugs. The primary electrical system is one of three distinct circuits in a magneto system, the other two being the magnetic and secondary electrical circuits.
Magnetos were used in the first cars, and are still used in some modern vehicles like motorcycles and snowmobiles. They are also used in piston aircraft engines, chainsaws, and lawnmowers.
Magnetos use permanent magnets to produce a magnetic field in the armature, which is a "U"-shaped iron bar. This magnetic field induces a small amount of current in the primary and secondary coils. The primary coil is made of thick wire wrapped around one side of the armature about 200 times.
A magneto system is independent of a battery and is very reliable as it is entirely self-contained. However, it is an expensive system and requires careful maintenance.
The magneto system is reliable and simple. It is also lightweight compared to battery ignition systems, making it suitable for use in aircraft and motorcycles.
