CORONA IGNITION WITH SELF-TUNING POWER AMPLIFIER
First Claim
1. A power amplifier circuit for a corona ignition system, comprising:
- an RF transformer with an output winding and two primary windings, the output winding and the two primary windings being wound around a magnetic core;
an inductor and capacitor connected to one end of the output winding; and
a current sensor connected to another end of the output winding, whereincurrent through the output winding generates a magnetic flux in the core in opposing directions.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A power amplifier circuit that has an inductor and capacitor connected to one end of the output winding of an RF transformer. The other end of the output winding is connected to a current sensor that in turn is connected to ground. The transformer has two primary windings. Both primary windings have one end connected to a voltage supply. The other end of each primary winding is attached to a switch. All three windings are wound around a core. Current flowing from the DC voltage supply to the switches causes a magnetic flux in the core. A voltage is generated on the secondary winding current sensor by the current that flows through the igniter. This voltage is fed back to the switches, controlling on and off timing. Voltage is provided to the igniter or pulled from the igniter when the current traveling into or from the igniter is at zero.
26 Citations
17 Claims
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1. A power amplifier circuit for a corona ignition system, comprising:
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an RF transformer with an output winding and two primary windings, the output winding and the two primary windings being wound around a magnetic core; an inductor and capacitor connected to one end of the output winding; and a current sensor connected to another end of the output winding, wherein current through the output winding generates a magnetic flux in the core in opposing directions. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5)
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6. A corona ignition system, comprising:
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a pair of primary windings disposed around a magnetic core and having each having one end receiving power form a power supply; a pair of switches each connected to the other end of the primary windings for applying a voltage to the primary windings; a secondary winding disposed around the magnetic core in a direction opposite the primary winding and having one end connected to a corona igniter; a current sensor connected to the other end of the secondary winding and ultimately connected to the switches, the current sensor obtaining the current of the secondary winding and using the current of the secondary winding to ultimately instruct the switches to apply the voltage to the primary windings at a time causing the voltage of the secondary winding to be in phase with the current of the corona igniter. - View Dependent Claims (7, 8, 9)
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10. A method of operating a corona igniter a resonant frequency, comprising the steps of:
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obtaining a current from a secondary winding connected to a corona igniter, the current of the secondary winding indicating the current of the corona igniter, and the secondary winding being connected to primary windings; and instructing switches to apply a voltage to the primary windings at a time causing a voltage of secondary windings to be in phase with the current of the corona igniter. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. A power amplifier circuit, comprising:
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an RF transformer including two primary windings and an output winding each being wound around a core, the output winding including a resistor; the primary windings having one end connected to a variable DC voltage supply and the other end of each primary winding being attached to a switch, wherein current flows from the DC voltage supply to the switches; an inductor and a capacitor connected to one end of the output winding of the RF transformer; a resistor connected to the other end of the output winding and connected to ground; wherein current flowing from the DC voltage supply to the switches causes a magnetic flux in the core and causes a voltage to be generated on the resistor of the secondary winding, wherein this voltage is fed back to the switches to control on and off timing of the switches.
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17. A method of operating a power amplifier circuit, comprising:
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providing an RF transformer including two primary windings and an output winding each being wound around a core, the output winding including a resistor, and the primary windings having one end connected to a variable DC voltage supply and the other end of each primary winding being attached to a switch, wherein current flows from the DC voltage supply to the switches; providing an inductor and a capacitor connected to one end of the output winding of the RF transformer; providing a resistor connected to the other end of the output winding and connected to ground; and transmitting current from the DC voltage supply to the switches to cause a magnetic flux in the core and cause a voltage to be generated on the resistor of the secondary winding; and feeding the voltage generated on the resistor of the secondary winding back to the switches to control on and off timing of the switches.
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Specification