Plasma jet ignition device

Patent · Tue Jan 15 00:00:00 EST 1985

OSTI ID:865307

McIlwain, Michael E ^[1]; Grant, Jonathan F ^[2]; Golenko, Zsolt ^[3]; Wittstein, Alan D ^[4]

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1. Franklin, MA
2. Wayland, MA
3. North Reading, MA
4. Fairfield, CT

An ignition device of the plasma jet type is disclosed. The device has a cylindrical cavity formed in insulating material with an electrode at one end. The other end of the cylindrical cavity is closed by a metal plate with a small orifice in the center which plate serves as a second electrode. An arc jumping between the first electrode and the orifice plate causes the formation of a highly-ionized plasma in the cavity which is ejected through the orifice into the engine cylinder area to ignite the main fuel mixture. Two improvements are disclosed to enhance the operation of the device and the length of the plasma plume. One improvement is a metal hydride ring which is inserted in the cavity next to the first electrode. During operation, the high temperature in the cavity and the highly excited nature of the plasma breaks down the metal hydride, liberating hydrogen which acts as an additional fuel to help plasma formation. A second improvement consists of a cavity insert containing a plurality of spaced, metal rings. The rings act as secondary spark gap electrodes reducing the voltage needed to maintain the initial arc in the cavity.

• Research Organization: GEO-CENTERS INC
• DOE Contract Number: AC01-80ER10163
• Assignee: Geo-Centers, Inc. (Newton Upper Falls, MA)
• Patent Number(s): US 4493297
• Application Number: 06/424,856
• OSTI ID: 865307
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

plasma
jet
ignition
device
type
disclosed
cylindrical
cavity
formed
insulating
material
electrode
closed
metal
plate
orifice
center
serves
jumping
causes
formation
highly-ionized
ejected
engine
cylinder
ignite
main
fuel
mixture
improvements
enhance
operation
length
plume
improvement
hydride
inserted
temperature
highly
excited
nature
breaks
liberating
hydrogen
additional
help
consists
insert
containing
plurality
spaced
rings
secondary
spark
gap
electrodes
reducing
voltage
maintain
initial
main fuel
metal rings
metal plate
cylindrical cavity
insulating material
spark gap
metal hydride
fuel mixture
cavity formed
ignition device
plasma jet
ionized plasma
orifice plate
plasma formation
engine cylinder
improvement consists
gap electrodes
plasma plume
plate serves
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