Abstract: The invention relates to a system for igniting a fuel-air mixture in a combustion chamber with a corona discharge. The system comprises an electrode inside of the combustion chamber, an electric circuit which provides radio frequency electric power to the electrode, and a ground formed by the combustion chamber walls. A radio frequency voltage differential formed between the electrode and the ground produces a radio frequency electric field therebetween which causes a fuel-air mixture to ionize resulting in combustion of the fuel-air mixture. The system can be utilized in engines such as internal combustion engines or gas turbine engines, for example.

Abstract: A pulse width modulated DC-to-DC power converter wherein a single ended transformer circuit includes a single switch transistor at the input and a rectifier at the output. A control circuit to the switch transistor base is powered by a drive winding on the transformer which is shunted by the primary winding of a saturable reactor. A regenerative winding opposing, and in series with, the drive winding provides the regenerative drive necessary to support oscillation of the circuit at a frequency determined by the saturation period of the saturable reactor. A resistor between the drive winding and the saturable reactor establishes both the magnitude of the drive current and the magnetizing current of the transformer. Pulse width modulation of the DC output is attained by a single, isolated DC voltage at the secondary of the saturable reactor.