Repetitive ignition system for enhanced combustion

• US 10,072,629 B2
• Filed: 02/27/2017
• Issued: 09/11/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 12/16/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Transient Plasma Systems, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Transient Plasma Systems, Inc.
• Inventors: Sanders, Jason M., Singleton, Daniel, Kuthi, Andras, Gundersen, Martin A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Vo, Hieu T
• Application Number:
  US15/444,112
• Publication Number:
  US 20170167464A1
• Time in Patent Office: 561 Days
• CPC Class Codes: F02P 15/10 having continuous electric sparks
• CPC Class Codes: F02P 23/04 Other physical ignition means, e.g. using laser rays
• CPC Class Codes: F02P 3/01 Electric spark ignition installations without subsequent energy storage, i.e. energy supplied by an electrical oscillator with magneto- or dynamo-electric generators F02P1/00; piezoelectric ignition F02P3/12; with continuous electric spark F02P15/10
• CPC Class Codes: F02P 3/02 having inductive energy storage, e.g. arrangements of induction coils ignition coils structurally combined with sparking plugs F02P13/00; constructional details of ignition coils H01F38/12
• CPC Class Codes: F02P 3/08 Layout of circuits for low tension F02P3/10
• CPC Class Codes: F02P 3/0838 with semiconductor devices F02P3/0861, F02P3/0884, F02P3/093 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F02P 7/04 having distributors with air-tight casing
• CPC Class Codes: F02P 9/007 by supplementary electrical discharge in the pre-ionised electrode interspace of the sparking plug, e.g. plasma jet ignition
• CPC Class Codes: H01T 13/50 having means for ionisation of gap H01T13/52 takes precedence

Abstract

A system and method for providing multiple fast rising pulses to improve performance efficiency. In one approach, multiple fast rising pulse power is employed to improve fuel efficiency and power of an engine. The system and method can involve a transient plasma plug assembly intended to replace a traditional spark plug. Alternatively, an approach involving a pulse generator and a high voltage pulse carrying ignition cable is contemplated.

Claims

1. A system for igniting air-fuel mixtures of an engine, comprising:

a generator of multiple fast rising pulses, the generator creating a plurality of pre-ignition plasma streamers; and

a circuit to effect a combination of the plurality of pre-ignition plasma streamers and an air-fuel mixture to create a reaction species enhancing efficiency of combustion chemistry of the engine.

2. The system of claim 1 wherein the generator of multiple fast rising pulses comprises a transient plasma ignition source that generates the multiple fast rising pulses which creates the pre-ignition plasma streamers.

3. The system of claim 2, wherein the transient plasma ignition source includes built-in circuitry.

4. The system of claim 3, wherein the built-in circuitry includes a diode.

5. The system of claim 3, wherein the built-in circuitry includes a plurality of capacitors.

6. The system of claim 5 wherein the generator of multiple fast rising pulses comprises a pulse compression circuit that generates the fast rising voltage pulses cooperating to create the pre-ignition plasma streamers.

7. The system of claim 6, further comprising:

an ignition cable electrically coupled to transmit the fast rising voltage pulses generated by the pulse compression circuit.

8. The system of claim 7, wherein the ignition cable carries forward and return current such that peak electronic and magnetic fields are fixed over a length of the cable and include electrical isolation for fixing effective capacitance.

9. The system of claim 7, wherein the ignition cable is balanced and includes a, first conductor, a second conductor, and a third conductor.

10. The system of claim 1, wherein the pulses each have approximately a nanosecond duration.

11. A method for igniting air-fuel mixtures, comprising:

generating multiple fast rising voltage pulses with a transient plasma ignition source;

creating a plurality of plasma streamers; and

coupling the plasma streamers with an air-fuel mixture to create reactive species enhancing efficiency of combustion chemistry.

12. The method of claim 11, further comprising:

igniting the air-fuel mixture after coupling the plasma streamers with the air-fuel mixture.

13. The method of claim 12 wherein coupling the plasma streamers with an air-fuel mixture occurs prior to an ignition of the air-fuel mixture in each of a plurality of combustion events.

14. The method of claim 12 wherein coupling the plasma streamers with an air-fuel mixture includes introducing the plasma streamers into a piston chamber.

15. The method of claim 11 wherein igniting the air-fuel mixture after coupling the plasma streamers with the air-fuel mixture includes one of generating a spark or exposing the air-fuel mixture to a glow plug.

16. The method of claim 11, further comprising:

superimposing a plurality of the fast rising voltage pulses each of a nanosecond duration on a relatively slower rising ignition pulse.

17. The method of claim 16 wherein superimposing a plurality of the fast rising voltage pulses each of a nanosecond duration on a relatively slower rising ignition pulse includes superimposing the plurality of the fast rising voltage pulses each of a nanosecond duration on a relatively slower rising ignition pulse of longer than 1 microsecond duration.