Corona igniter with improved energy efficiency

Abstract

A corona igniter 20 includes a coil 24 with a plurality of copper windings 26 extending longitudinally along a coil center axis ac. A magnetic core 30 is disposed along the coil center axis ac between the windings 26 and includes a plurality of discrete sections 32. The discrete sections 32 are spaced axially from one another by a core gap 34 filled with a non-magnetic gap filler 78. The magnetic core 30 has a core length Im and the coil 24 has a coil length Ic less than the core length Im. A coil former 62 having a former thickness tf spaces the coil 24 from the magnetic core 30. A length difference Id between the core length Im and the coil length Ic is preferably equal to or greater than the former thickness tf.

Description

[0001] Cross References to Related Applications [0002] This application claims priority to Application Serial No. 61 / 445,328, filed February 22, 2011, the entire contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference. technical field [0003] The present invention relates generally to igniters for igniting fuel-air mixtures in combustion chambers, and more particularly to the energy efficiency of corona igniters. Background technique [0004] US Patent No. 6,883,507 to Freen discloses an example of a corona discharge ignition system. The corona discharge ignition system includes a corona igniter with electrodes charged to a high radio frequency voltage. Similar to igniters for other types of ignition systems, the corona igniter includes an ignition coil with a plurality of windings that surround a magnetic core and transfer energy from the power source to the electrodes. FIG. 4 shows an example of an ignition coil of a corona igniter. The corona igniter receives energy...

AI Technical Summary

Problems solved by technology

This significantly reduces the functionality and usable cross-section of the wire and produces a rather high electrical resistance, resulting in high energy losses

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