Abstract: An ignition and combustion assist system and method comprising a plasma igniter and electronic driver unit for use with gas turbine engines operating under low air densities, reduced voltage conditions and overall pressure ratios of 3:1 to 7:1. The plasma igniter has an inner chamber housing a centrally positioned and electrically isolated electrode attached to an electrical lead, driver unit, and AC or DC power supply. The electrode features a corner positioned near an outlet end of the igniter, where a plasma arc ignites a fuel-air mixture creating a flame extending into a primary burn region of a combustor of the gas turbine. The driver unit is in two embodiments and configured with low-cost microsecond voltage wave time periods or energy-efficient nano-second pulses. The method uses the plasma igniter and the electronic driver units described herein separately with other components or together.

Abstract: An ignition and combustion assist system and method comprising a plasma igniter and electronic driver unit for use with gas turbine engines operating under low air densities, reduced voltage conditions and overall pressure ratios of 3:1 to 7:1. The plasma igniter has an inner chamber housing a centrally positioned and electrically isolated electrode attached to an electrical lead, driver unit, and AC or DC power supply. The electrode features a corner positioned near an outlet end of the igniter, where a plasma arc ignites a fuel-air mixture creating a flame extending into a primary burn region of a combustor of the gas turbine. The driver unit is in two embodiments and configured with low-cost microsecond voltage wave time periods or energy-efficient nano-second pulses. The method uses the plasma igniter and the electronic driver units described herein separately with other components or together.

Abstract: An ignition and combustion assist system and method comprising a plasma igniter and electronic driver unit for use with gas turbine engines operating under low air densities, reduced voltage conditions and overall pressure ratios of 3:1 to 7:1. The plasma igniter has an inner chamber housing a centrally positioned and electrically isolated electrode attached to an electrical lead, driver unit, and AC or DC power supply. The electrode features a corner positioned near an outlet end of the igniter, where a plasma arc ignites a fuel-air mixture creating a flame extending into a primary burn region of a combustor of the gas turbine. The driver unit is in two embodiments and configured with low-cost microsecond voltage wave time periods or energy-efficient nano-second pulses. The method uses the plasma igniter and the electronic driver units described herein separately with other components or together.

Abstract: An ignition and combustion assist system and method comprising a plasma igniter and electronic driver unit for use with gas turbine engines operating under low air densities, reduced voltage conditions and overall pressure ratios of 3:1 to 7:1. The plasma igniter has an inner chamber housing a centrally positioned and electrically isolated electrode attached to an electrical lead, driver unit, and AC or DC power supply. The electrode features a corner positioned near an outlet end of the igniter, where a plasma arc ignites a fuel-air mixture creating a flame extending into a primary burn region of a combustor of the gas turbine. The driver unit is in two embodiments and configured with low-cost microsecond voltage wave time periods or energy-efficient nano-second pulses. The method uses the plasma igniter and the electronic driver units described herein separately with other components or together.

Abstract: An ignition and combustion assist system and method comprising a plasma igniter and electronic driver unit for use with gas turbine engines operating under low air densities, reduced voltage conditions and overall pressure ratios of 3:1 to 7:1. The plasma igniter has an inner chamber housing a centrally positioned and electrically isolated electrode attached to an electrical lead, driver unit, and AC or DC power supply. The electrode features a corner positioned near an outlet end of the igniter, where a plasma arc ignites a fuel-air mixture creating a flame extending into a primary burn region of a combustor of the gas turbine. The driver unit is in two embodiments and configured with low-cost microsecond voltage wave time periods or energy-efficient nano-second pulses. The method uses the plasma igniter and the electronic driver units described herein separately with other components or together.

Abstract: An ignition and combustion assist system and method comprising a plasma igniter and electronic driver unit for use with gas turbine engines operating under low air densities, reduced voltage conditions and overall pressure ratios of 3:1 to 7:1. The plasma igniter has an inner chamber housing a centrally positioned and electrically isolated electrode attached to an electrical lead, driver unit, and AC or DC power supply. The electrode features a corner positioned near an outlet end of the igniter, where a plasma arc ignites a fuel-air mixture creating a flame extending into a primary burn region of a combustor of the gas turbine. The driver unit is in two embodiments and configured with low-cost microsecond voltage wave time periods or energy-efficient nano-second pulses. The method uses the plasma igniter and the electronic driver units described herein separately with other components or together.

Abstract: An apparatus for assisting with the combustion of fuel includes a swirler assembly and a fuel nozzle. Fuel from a fuel nozzle fuel reservoir is directed into a fuel nozzle mixing zone and combines with air inside the fuel nozzle mixing zone to form a fuel-air mixture. At least one plasma generator is located at least partially within a lip recirculation zone. The plasma generator provides at least one of an at least partially ionized air-fuel mixture and an at least partially dissociated air-fuel mixture via a plasma generator discharge. A combustion chamber has a combustion chamber internal volume including the lip recirculation zone including a stabilization zone of low velocity air circulation. Combustion of the air-fuel mixture with the plurality of combustion air inputs occurs to responsively produce combustion products.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for assisting with the combustion of fuel are described. The apparatus includes a swirler assembly and a fuel nozzle. Fuel is directed into a fuel nozzle mixing chamber and combines with air therein to form a fuel-air mixture. At least one plasma generator, at least partially within the fuel nozzle, generates an at least one of an at least partially ionized air-fuel mixture and an at least partially dissociated air-fuel mixture (“at least partially I/D air-fuel mixture”) via a plasma generator discharge. A combustion chamber inlet admits the at least partially I/D air-fuel mixture from the plasma generator into a combustion chamber internal volume. Combustion air flows through the swirler body and into the combustion chamber internal volume. Combustion of the at least partially I/D air-fuel mixture with the combustion air occurs at least partially within the combustion chamber internal volume to responsively produce products.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for assisting with the combustion of fuel are described. The apparatus includes a swirler assembly and a fuel nozzle. Fuel is directed into a fuel nozzle mixing chamber and combines with air therein to form a fuel-air mixture. At least one plasma generator, at least partially within the fuel nozzle, generates an at least one of an at least partially ionized air-fuel mixture and an at least partially dissociated air-fuel mixture (“at least partially I/D air-fuel mixture”) via a plasma generator discharge. A combustion chamber inlet admits the at least partially I/D air-fuel mixture from the plasma generator into a combustion chamber internal volume. Combustion air flows through the swirler body and into the combustion chamber internal volume. Combustion of the at least partially I/D air-fuel mixture with the combustion air occurs at least partially within the combustion chamber internal volume to responsively produce products.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for assisting with the combustion of fuel are described. The apparatus includes a swirler assembly and a fuel nozzle. Fuel is directed into a fuel nozzle mixing chamber and combines with air therein to form a fuel-air mixture. At least one plasma generator, at least partially within the fuel nozzle, generates an at least one of an at least partially ionized air-fuel mixture and an at least partially dissociated air-fuel mixture (“at least partially I/D air-fuel mixture”) via a plasma generator discharge. A combustion chamber inlet admits the at least partially I/D air-fuel mixture from the plasma generator into a combustion chamber internal volume. Combustion air flows through the swirler body and into the combustion chamber internal volume. Combustion of the at least partially I/D air-fuel mixture with the combustion air occurs at least partially within the combustion chamber internal volume to responsively produce products.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for assisting with the combustion of fuel are described. The apparatus includes a swirler assembly and a fuel nozzle. Fuel is directed into a fuel nozzle mixing chamber and combines with air therein to form a fuel-air mixture. At least one plasma generator, at least partially within the fuel nozzle, generates an at least one of an at least partially ionized air-fuel mixture and an at least partially dissociated air-fuel mixture (“at least partially I/D air-fuel mixture”) via a plasma generator discharge. A combustion chamber inlet admits the at least partially I/D air-fuel mixture from the plasma generator into a combustion chamber internal volume. Combustion air flows through the swirler body and into the combustion chamber internal volume. Combustion of the at least partially I/D air-fuel mixture with the combustion air occurs at least partially within the combustion chamber internal volume to responsively produce products.