279results about "Electric spark ignition installations" patented technology

The invention relates to a system for igniting a fuel-air mixture in a combustion chamber with a corona discharge. The system comprises an electrode inside of the combustion chamber, an electric circuit which provides radio frequency electric power to the electrode, and a ground formed by the combustion chamber walls. A radio frequency voltage differential formed between the electrode and the ground produces a radio frequency electric field therebetween which causes a fuel-air mixture to ionize resulting in combustion of the fuel-air mixture. The system can be utilized in engines such as internal combustion engines or gas turbine engines, for example.

PCT No. PCT / US96 / 19898 Sec. 371 Date Apr. 21, 1999 Sec. 102(e) Date Apr. 21, 1999 PCT Filed Dec. 12, 1996 PCT Pub. No. WO97 / 21920 PCT Pub. Date Jun. 19, 1997A high power, high energy inductive ignition system with a parallel array of multiple ignition coils Ti (2a, 2b) and associated 600 volt unclamped IGBT power switches Si (8a, 8b), for use with an automotive 12 volt storage battery (1), the system having an internal voltage source (12) to generate a voltage Vc approximately three times the peal primary coil current with coils Ti of low primary inductance of about 0,5 millihenry and of open E-type core structure for spark energy in the range of 120 to 250 mj, the system using a lossless snubber and variable control inductor (6) to provide very high circuit and component efficiency and high coil energy density, in mj / gm, three times that of conventional inductive ignition systems, and high output voltage of 40 kilovolts with fast rise time of 10 microseconds.

A non-thermal plasma assisted combustion fuel injector that uses an inner and outer electrode to create an electric field from a high voltage power supply. A dielectric material is operatively disposed between the two electrodes to prevent arcing and to promote the formation of a non-thermal plasma. A fuel injector, which converts a liquid fuel into a dispersed mist, vapor, or aerosolized fuel, injects into the non-thermal plasma generating energetic electrons and other highly reactive chemical species.

The invention relates to a method for energizing an HF resonant circuit which contains an igniter as a component for igniting a fuel-air mixture in a combustion chamber of an internal combustion engine by means of a corona discharge, wherein the igniter comprises an ignition electrode and an insulator surrounding the ignition electrode, by means of a DC-AC inverter which is excited by successive current pulses which each last while a switch controlled by a control circuit is in its conducting switching state. It is provided according to the invention that the switch is actuated when an instantaneous value of an alternating current or an alternating current voltage excited in the HF resonant circuit falls below a first switching threshold (A−, B−, C−) and the switch s actuated when the instantaneous value of the alternating current or the alternating current voltage excited in the HF resonant circuit exceeds a second switching threshold (A+, B+, C+).

A system and method for controlling an arc formation in corona discharge ignition system is provided. The system includes a corona igniter for receiving energy at a voltage and providing a corona discharge. An energy supply providing the energy to the corona igniter at a voltage. The system also includes a corona controller for initiating a decrease in the voltage of the energy provided to the corona igniter in response to the onset of arc formation. The voltage is decreased until the arcing is depleted, and then the voltage is increased again to resume the corona discharge. Controlling the arc formation provides improved energy efficiency during operation of the corona discharge ignition system

An ignition device performs spark ignition to a fuel mixture in a combustion chamber (13) of an internal combustion engine (100, 101) by using a spark plug (50). The spark plug (50) comprises a first electrode (51), a second electrode (52, 11a, 11b, 21), and an insulating member (53, 11c) which is formed from dielectric substance and interposed between the first electrode (51) and the second electrode (52, 11a, 21). By impressing an alternating current between the first electrode (51) and the second electrode (52, 11a, 21), non-equilibrium plasma discharge between the insulating member (53, 11e) and one of the first electrode (51) and the second electrode (52, 11a, 21) is promoted. Igniting the fuel mixture by the non-equilibrium plasma discharge achieves a high ignition performance is achieved with low energy consumption.

An ignition device which performs a spark ignition of a fuel mixture in a combustion chamber (13) of an internal combustion engine (100), comprising, a first electrode (51), a second electrode (52) which is opposed to the first electrode (51) and extends in a length allowing generation of a plurality of non-equilibrium plasma discharges, and a voltage impressing device (60, 70) which impresses voltage between the first electrode (51) and the second electrode (52) to generate the non-equilibrium plasma discharge between the first electrode (51) and the second electrode (52). With this construction, volumetric ignition is effected on the fuel mixture, and hence ignition performance for the fuel mixture is improved, making it possible to substantially expand a lean burn limit.

A system and method of providing multicharge ignition are provided. The method and system preferably are adapted to trigger at least some of the multicharge events of the system and method in a current-dependent manner. Preferably, existing power train control units (PTCUs) can be used with the system and method, without the need for signals other than the timing signal (e.g., EST pulse) from the PTCU. The method comprises the steps of charging an inductive energy storage device by flowing electrical current through a primary side of the inductive energy storage device until a predetermined amount of energy is stored therein, discharging a portion of the predetermined amount of energy through a secondary side of the inductive energy storage device by opening a path of the electrical current through the primary side upon achieving the predetermined amount of energy in the inductive energy storage device, and repetitively closing and reopening the path to recharge and partially discharge, respectively, the inductive energy storage device, wherein reopening of the path is triggered based on the amount of energy stored in the inductive energy storage device. The multicharge ignition system comprises an inductive energy storage device and electronic ignition circuitry. The inductive energy storage device has primary and secondary sides inductively coupled to one another. The electronic ignition circuitry is connected to the primary side and is adapted to implement the aforementioned method.

A microwave combustion system is presented that can replace the conventional spark plug in an internal combustion engine. One or more microwave pulses are provided to a microwave feed in a plug that sits in the cylinder. A microwave generated plasma generated by the plug in the vicinity of a fuel mixture can provide for highly efficient combustion of the fuel-air mixture.

A corona discharge ignition system comprising a plurality of corona igniters is provided. The system includes a control and drive electronics unit for directing the energy from a power supply toward the corona igniters; and a single transformer disposed between the control and drive electronics unit and the plurality of corona igniters. A plurality of igniter switching units is connected to the control and drive electronics unit and each igniter switching unit is connected to a separate one of the corona igniters. Each igniter switching unit allows current to travel from the transformer to the one connected corona igniter when activated and prevents current from traveling from the transformer to the one connected corona igniter and from the one connected corona igniter toward the transformer when deactivated. Only one of the igniter switching units is activated at any given time during operation of the system.

An apparatus and method for igniting combustible materials in a combustion chamber of a combustion engine using corona discharge plasma from a coaxial cavity resonator. This system and method uses a coaxial cavity resonator in a body adapted to mate with a combustion chamber of a combustion engine. The coaxial cavity resonator is coupled with an energy shaping means that develops the appropriate waveform for triggering radio frequency oscillations in the coaxial cavity resonator. A connection means on the apparatus allows for the apparatus to accept an electrical ignition stimulus from an electronic ignition control system. The coaxial cavity resonator develops corona discharge plasma at a discharge electrode when a sustained radio frequency oscillation results in a standing wave in the coaxial cavity resonator. The corona discharge plasma developed near the discharge electrode ignites the combustible materials in the combustion chamber of the combustion engine.

A system and method for detecting arc formation in a corona discharge ignition system is provided. The system includes a driver circuit conveying energy oscillating at a resonant frequency; a corona igniter for receiving the energy and providing a corona discharge; and a frequency monitor for identifying a variation in an oscillation period of the resonant frequency, wherein the variation in the oscillation period indicates the onset of arc formation. The method includes supplying the energy to the driver circuit and to the corona igniter; obtaining the resonant frequency of the energy in the oscillating driver circuit; and identifying a variation in the oscillation period of the resonant frequency.

There is provided an ignition or plasma generation apparatus that eliminates the need for resonance means in a combustion chamber and simplifies the electrode structure within the combustion chamber in an instance where energy from each of a spark discharge and microwaves is used to ignite an air-fuel mixture gas in an internal combustion engine. The ignition or plasma generation apparatus includes a mixing circuit for mixing a high-voltage pulse from a high-voltage pulse generator and microwave energy from a microwave generator; and an ignition plug into which an output from the mixing circuit is supplied, the plug used for introducing the output into a combustion chamber of an internal combustion engine. The output supplied from the mixing circuit to the ignition plug is supplied in a manner in which the microwave energy and the high-voltage pulse are superimposed on each other on a same transmission line.

A quarter wave coaxial cavity resonator for producing corona discharge plasma from is presented. The quarter wave coaxial cavity resonator has a folded cavity made of opposing concentric cavity members that are nested together to form a continuous cavity ending in a aperture. A center conductor with a tip is positioned in the cavity. The folded cavity advantageously permits the coaxial cavity resonator to resonate at a lower operating frequency than an unfolded quarter wave coaxial cavity resonator of the same length. Embodiments of the quarter wave coaxial cavity resonator use narrower apertures to reduce radiative losses, and include center conductors that are reactive load elements, such as helical coils. When a radio frequency (RF) oscillation is produced in the quarter wave coaxial cavity resonator, corona discharge plasma is formed at the tip of the center conductor. The corona discharge plasma can be used to ignite combustible materials in combustion chambers of combustion engines.

A spark-based igniting system for internal combustion engines includes a cylinder, at least one piston, a combustion chamber, a spark insert, and a RF energy source. The piston is disposed within the cylinder for moving slidably between a top dead center position and a bottom dead center position. The combustion chamber is formed in fluid communication with the piston. The spark insert is disposed in a top surface combustion face of the piston. The RF energy source is formed on the cylinder and adjacent to the combustion chamber for generating spark ignition energies to the spark insert to cause igniting of air / fuel mixture within the combustion chamber when the piston reaches near the top dead center position.

An internal combustion engine electric discharge structure is provided which comprises a first electrode and a dielectric material. The first electrode includes a first voltage receiving end and a second engine attachment end with a long thin conductive material that discharges non-equilibrium plasma. The dielectric material covers the first electrode.

An apparatus and method for igniting combustible materials in a combustion chamber of a combustion engine using corona discharge plasma from a coaxial cavity resonator. This system and method uses a coaxial cavity resonator in a body adapted to mate with a combustion chamber of a combustion engine. The coaxial cavity resonator is coupled with an energy shaping means that develops the appropriate waveform for triggering radio frequency oscillations in the coaxial cavity resonator. A connection means on the apparatus allows for the apparatus to accept an electrical ignition stimulus from an electronic ignition control system. The coaxial cavity resonator develops corona discharge plasma at a discharge electrode when a sustained radio frequency oscillation results in a standing wave in the coaxial cavity resonator. The corona discharge plasma developed near the discharge electrode ignites the combustible materials in the combustion chamber of the combustion engine.

An ignition system (10) comprises a spark plug (12) having a first end (14) defining a spark gap (16) between a first electrode (18) and a second electrode (20). A transformer (46) comprising a primary winding 44 and a secondary winding (50) also forms part of the system. The secondary winding is connected in a secondary circuit to the first electrode 18 and the secondary winding has a resistance of less than 1 kΩ and an inductance of less than 0.25 H. A drive circuit (26) is connected to the primary winding.

An apparatus and method for igniting combustible materials in a combustion chamber of a combustion engine using corona discharge plasma from a quarter wave coaxial cavity resonator. A tapered quarter wave coaxial cavity resonator is adapted to mate with the combustion chamber. The quarter wave coaxial cavity resonator is coupled with an energy shaping means, or waveform generator, that develops the appropriate waveform for triggering radio frequency oscillations in the quarter wave coaxial cavity resonator. A loop coupling is angularly positioned within the quarter wave coaxial cavity resonator to match impedances between the quarter wave coaxial cavity resonator and the energy shaping means, or waveform generator. Radio frequency oscillations produce a standing wave in the quarter wave coaxial cavity resonator and a corona discharge plasma develops near the center conductor. The corona discharge plasma developed near the center conductor ignites the combustible materials in the combustion chamber of the combustion engine.

The invention relates to an HF ignition device for igniting a fuel in an internal combustion engine with a corona discharge, comprising an ignition electrode, an insulating body on which the ignition electrode is mounted, the insulating body having a continuous channel in which an inner conductor leading to the ignition electrode is disposed, and an outer conductor which encloses the insulating body and, in combination with a section of the inner conductor, forms a capacitor, wherein the channel is filled with an electrically conductive filling material which encloses at least one conductor piece that forms at least one section of the inner conductor.

In a high frequency plasma generation system, a magnetic resonance section is provided as a frequency multiplier section between a discharge circuit and a power booster circuit. The magnetic resonance section extracts from a fundamental wave of a predetermined frequency generated by a frequency generator higher harmonic components, which are multiplied waves of the predetermined frequency and as high as two or more integer times of the fundamental wave. A resonance frequency of the power booster circuit and a first resonance coil is set to be equal to the frequency of the multiplied wave and match to equal a resonance frequency of the discharge circuit and a second resonance coil of the magnetic resonance section when a discharge electrode and a ground electrode are in a predetermined pressure range.

A corona discharge (24) ignition includes an electrode (38) emitting a radio frequency electric field and providing a corona discharge (24) to ignite a combustible mixture. The system includes a controlled high voltage energy supply (52) providing energy to a main energy storage (28) at a main voltage. A fixed high voltage energy supply (54) provides extra energy to an extra energy storage (26) at an extra voltage, which is greater than the main voltage. While the corona discharge (24) is being provided, the energy of the main energy storage (28), but not the extra energy storage (26), is provided to the electrode (38). When the corona discharge (24) switches to arc discharge, the extra energy of the extra energy storage (26) is provided to the corona igniter (22) to enhance the arc discharge and provide reliable ignition until the corona discharge (24) is restored.

The invention relates to a method for igniting a fuel-air mixture in an internal combustion engine. An electric transformer excites an oscillating circuit connected to a secondary winding of the transformer. A capacitor is formed by an ignition electrode together with the wall of a combustion chamber through which it extends. The excitation of the oscillating circuit is controlled by generating a corona discharge igniting the fuel-air mixture. Before each ignition time the voltage applied to a primary winding of the transformer is incrementally increased, and the intensity of the current flowing in the primary winding is measured repeatedly at the same primary voltage. The variation of the values of the related primary current is determined, and the incremental increase in the primary voltage is aborted at a value thereof at which the variation of the primary current intensity reaches or exceeds a predetermined limit.

A corona ignition system 20 includes a corona drive circuit 26 and an auxiliary energy circuit 28. The energy circuit 28 stores energy during a standard corona ignition cycle. When arc discharge occurs or corona discharge switches to an arc discharge, the energy circuit 28 discharges the stored energy to the electrode 30 to intentionally maintain a robust arc discharge 29 and thus provide reliable ignition. The stored energy is transmitted to the electrode 30 over a predetermined period of time. The arc discharge is detected and an arc control signal 60 is transmitted to the energy circuit 28, triggering discharge of the stored energy to the electrode 30. The stored energy can be transmitted to the electrode 30 along a variety of different paths. The voltage of the stored energy is typically increased by an energy transformer 70 before being transmitted to the electrode 30.

A multiplexing drive circuit for an AC ignition system having a common leg that includes two switches coupled in series, and one or more dedicated legs, wherein each leg includes two switches coupled in series. The multiplexing drive circuit also includes a transformer for each of the one or more dedicated legs, each transformer having a primary winding coupled between one of the one or more dedicated legs and the common leg, and wherein each transformer has a secondary winding coupled in parallel to a spark plug, and a pulse-width modulated (PWM) switch controller configured to operate the common leg and dedicated leg switches to control characteristics of the spark discharge for the spark plug. Wherein the switch controller is capable of real time diagnostic checks by monitoring the time at which a spark discharge event takes place.

A multi-spark ignition system for an internal combustion engine includes ignition coils each of which is mounted on one of spark plugs of an engine, an energy storing circuit, switching elements that repeatedly discharge electric energy stored by the energy storing circuit into the primary coil of the ignition coils; and a control circuit that controls the energy storing circuit and the switching elements according to consolidated signals each of which includes an energy storing command signal for storing electric energy into the energy storing circuit and a joint energy discharging period command signal for discharging the electric energy by the one of the spark plugs.

A system and method to inject nanostructures into the fuel / oxidizer mixture, typically lean mixtures, to increase efficiency of internal combustion and / or decrease pollution. An electromagnetic pulse (suitably 1 to 100 GHz) couples energy to the nanostructures to produce a volumetric combustion of the fuel oxidizer mixture. The fuel / oxidizer mixture is substantially transparent to the band of the electromagnetic pulse. The nanostructures couple to the electromagnetic radiation, absorb the energy and heat rapidly producing many local ignitions that in turn produce volume combustion. The nanostructures may be filled or partially filled with energetic material.

There is provided an internal-combustion engine that allows plasma to be used safely, efficiently, and in a manner conducive to resource conservation. An internal-combustion engine having an intake valve for opening and closing a combustion chamber, the internal-combustion engine comprising a valve-driving mechanism for driving the intake valve; and a plasma-generating device positioned within a region containing gas used for combustion during a combustion stroke, the plasma-generating device being composed of an antenna and a microwave-generating device, wherein the plasma-generating device composed of the antenna and the microwave-generating device generates plasma at a timing intimately associated with a state of openness of the intake valve in response to the driving of the valve by the valve-driving mechanism.