Abstract: An electronic ignition circuit for an internal combustion engine produces a plasma arc across the spark gap of an ignition device. An a.c. circuit is formed of a push-pull inverter, and a center tap primary step up transformer with feedback coil. A capacitor network passes pure a.c. to the primary of an ignition coil so that the wave fed to the ignition device is free of any d.c. component. An impedance connects to the breaker points or equivalent timing device to time the arcing so that an arcing a.c. voltage appears when the points are open, and a zero or low voltage wave appears when the points are closed. The circuit can also be used to feed a continuous wave to arcing devices in the cylinders of a diesel engine for preheating and ozonation of the air prior to fuel injection.

Abstract: A process for burning a carbonaceous fuel is disclosed. This process involves the steps of providing a combustion chamber equipped with a spark gap, introducing the fuel into the chamber, providing a high-energy a.c. wave, and connecting the wave to one of the electrodes of the spark gap.The alternating current wave used in the combustion process of this invention has a peak voltage of from 25,000 to 200,000 volts, a frequency of from 8,000 to 80,000 herz, and an energy of at least 600,000,000 volt-herz. The use of this wave creates an arc across the electrodes of the spark gap, thereby facilitating the combustion of the fuel.