Abstract: An example system can include a combustion chamber of a power-generation gas turbine, a radio-frequency power source, a resonator, and a fuel conduit. The resonator can be electromagnetically coupled to the radio-frequency power source and have a resonant wavelength. Further, the resonator can include (i) a first conductor, (ii), a second conductor, and (iii) a dielectric between the first conductor and the second conductor. The resonator can be configured such that, when the resonator is excited by the radio-frequency power source with a signal having a wavelength proximate to an odd-integer multiple of one-quarter of the resonant wavelength, the resonator provides at least one of a plasma corona or electromagnetic waves. The fuel conduit can be configured to couple to a fuel source and have a fuel outlet for expelling fuel into a combustion zone of the combustion chamber. A portion of the fuel conduit is arranged proximate to the dielectric.

Abstract: An example system and corresponding method can include a combustion chamber of jet engine, a radio-frequency power source, and a resonator. The combustion chamber can include a liner defining a combustion zone, and include a fuel inlet configured to introduce fuel into the combustion zone. The resonator can have a resonant wavelength and include: a first conductor, a second conductor, a dielectric, and an electrode coupled to the first conductor. The resonator can be configured such that, when the resonator is excited by the radio-frequency power source with a signal having a wavelength proximate to an odd-integer multiple of one-quarter (¼) of the resonant wavelength, the resonator provides a plasma corona in the combustion zone. The controller can be configured to cause the radio-frequency power source to excite the resonator with the signal so as to provide the plasma corona.

Abstract: A system includes an afterburner including an afterburner duct that defines an afterburner channel. The afterburner receives input gas from a jet engine into the channel and outputs an exhaust gas resulting from combustion of fuel. The system includes multiple resonators electromagnetically coupled to at least one radio-frequency power source. Each resonator has a resonant wavelength, first and second conductors, and a dielectric between those conductors. Each resonator is configured such that, when that resonator is excited by the power source with a signal having a wavelength proximate to an odd-integer multiple of one-quarter of that resonator's resonant wavelength, that resonator provides within the afterburner electromagnetic waves and/or a plasma corona proximate to that resonator. A resonator also includes a fuel conduit having a fuel outlet configured to output fuel for mixing with the input gas, and at least a portion of that resonator is arranged proximate to the dielectric.

Abstract: Example implementations relate to electromagnetic wave modification of fuel in a power-generation turbine. An example implementation includes a power-generation turbine. The power-generation turbine includes a combustion chamber, a radio-frequency power source, and a fuel conduit configured to provide a fuel to the combustion chamber. In addition, the power-generation turbine includes a resonator configured to electromagnetically couple to the radio-frequency power source and having a resonant wavelength. The resonator includes a first conductor, a second conductor, and a dielectric between the first conductor and the second conductor.

Abstract: An example system can include a combustion chamber of a jet engine, a radio-frequency power source, a resonator, and a fuel conduit. The resonator can be electromagnetically coupled to the radio-frequency power source and have a resonant wavelength. Further, the resonator can include (i) a first conductor, (ii), a second conductor, and (iii) a dielectric between the first conductor and the second conductor. The resonator can be configured such that, when the resonator is excited by the radio-frequency power source with a signal having a wavelength proximate to an odd-integer multiple of one-quarter of the resonant wavelength, the resonator provides at least one of a plasma corona or electromagnetic waves. The fuel conduit can be configured to couple to a fuel source and have a fuel outlet for expelling fuel into a combustion zone of the combustion chamber. A portion of the fuel conduit is arranged proximate to the dielectric.

Abstract: A quarter wave coaxial cavity resonator for producing corona discharge plasma from is presented. The quarter wave coaxial cavity resonator has a folded cavity made of opposing concentric cavity members that are nested together to form a continuous cavity ending in a aperture. A center conductor with a tip is positioned in the cavity. The folded cavity advantageously permits the coaxial cavity resonator to resonate at a lower operating frequency than an unfolded quarter wave coaxial cavity resonator of the same length. Embodiments of the quarter wave coaxial cavity resonator use narrower apertures to reduce radiative losses, and include center conductors that are reactive load elements, such as helical coils. When a radio frequency (RF) oscillation is produced in the quarter wave coaxial cavity resonator, corona discharge plasma is formed at the tip of the center conductor. The corona discharge plasma can be used to ignite combustible materials in combustion chambers of combustion engines.