Internal combustion engine including plasma generating device
First Claim
1. A plasma generator for use with an internal combustion engine comprising:
- an intake device including a throttle valve arranged in an intake passage having an intake opening that opens to a combustion chamber;
an intake valve for opening and closing the intake opening; and
a plasma generating device having a generating chamber for converting plasma-generating gas into a plasma state to generate plasma;
wherein the generating chamber communicates with the intake passage; and
the plasma generating device supplies plasma via a supply pipe to a passage portion of the intake passage between the throttle valve and the intake valve,the supply pipe having;
one end which extends substantially parallel to an axial length of the passage portion of the intake passage and which is directly connected to the plasma generating device, andan opposite end which extends substantially perpendicular to the passage portion and which is directly connected to a hole in a wall of the passage portion of the intake passage,wherein the generating chamber includes an anode and a cathode operatively connected to a power supply for converting the plasma-generating gas into plasma,wherein the cathode includes a distal end that is centrally disposed within the generating chamber to be coaxial with a guide pipe for supplying the plasma-generating gas, said cathode includes a proximal end disposed to be substantially surrounded by said anode.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
A plasma generating device for an internal combustion engine sets the generating-atmosphere pressure for generating plasma to the intake pressure, thereby achieving a reduction in the size, weight, and energy consumption of the plasma generating device and an improvement in combustibility. An internal combustion engine includes a throttle valve arranged in an intake passage having an intake opening that opens to a combustion chamber. An intake valve opens and closes the intake opening. A plasma generating device includes a plasma generator having a generating chamber for converting intake air into a plasma state to generate plasma. The plasma generating device supplies plasma to a downstream passage of the intake passage between the throttle valve and the intake valve. A gas control valve operates in conjunction with the throttle valve, and is arranged in an introduction passage between a clean chamber of the air cleaner chamber and a generating chamber.
7 Citations
18 Claims
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1. A plasma generator for use with an internal combustion engine comprising:
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an intake device including a throttle valve arranged in an intake passage having an intake opening that opens to a combustion chamber; an intake valve for opening and closing the intake opening; and a plasma generating device having a generating chamber for converting plasma-generating gas into a plasma state to generate plasma; wherein the generating chamber communicates with the intake passage; and the plasma generating device supplies plasma via a supply pipe to a passage portion of the intake passage between the throttle valve and the intake valve, the supply pipe having; one end which extends substantially parallel to an axial length of the passage portion of the intake passage and which is directly connected to the plasma generating device, and an opposite end which extends substantially perpendicular to the passage portion and which is directly connected to a hole in a wall of the passage portion of the intake passage, wherein the generating chamber includes an anode and a cathode operatively connected to a power supply for converting the plasma-generating gas into plasma, wherein the cathode includes a distal end that is centrally disposed within the generating chamber to be coaxial with a guide pipe for supplying the plasma-generating gas, said cathode includes a proximal end disposed to be substantially surrounded by said anode. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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10. A plasma generator for use with an internal combustion engine comprising:
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an intake device including an intake control valve for controlling an intake rate of intake air sucked into a combustion chamber through an intake passage; and a plasma generating device having a generating chamber for converting plasma-generating gas into a plasma state to generate plasma; wherein the plasma generating device includes gas flow rate controlling means for controlling a gas flow rate of the plasma-generating gas in accordance with a required load, and supplies plasma to the intake passage, and wherein the intake passage is substantially cylindrical in shape, and at a position downstream with respect to the intake control valve, a circumferential wall of the intake passage is provided with a hole through which the plasma is supplied to the intake passage, wherein the generating chamber includes an anode and a cathode operatively connected to a power supply for converting the plasma-generating gas into plasma, wherein the cathode includes a distal end that is centrally disposed within the generating chamber to be coaxial with a guide pipe for supplying the plasma-generating gas, said cathode includes a proximal end disposed to be substantially surrounded by said anode. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18)
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Specification