Abstract: A specific electrode arrangement for a burner already exists with which the flame of the burner is influenced by using electrical fields, whereby these electrical fields pass through only areas of the flame in which a stabilizing and pollutant-reducing action occurs. According to at least one embodiment of the invention, the electrodes used to this end simultaneously serve both as probes for detecting flame properties as well as active field electrodes for influencing the flame properties. The probe signals can react to the voltage applied in an inertia-free manner to the electrodes without the involvement of mechanical elements. According to the associated device equipped with a burner and associated electrodes and with a power supply unit, the power supply unit furnishes a voltage that varies over time, and at least one measuring transducer exists that detects the current generated in the flame by the voltage between both electrodes and provides feedback to the power supply unit after amplification.

Abstract: In order to ignite fuel/air mixtures in at least one combustion chamber of a spark ignition engine, the following steps arc carried out: an HF gas discharge as the main discharge (6) is ignited in order to produce a plasma channel (11) in the region of the border between an ignition element and the combustion chamber, and an HF gas discharge as an auxiliary discharge (5) is previously or, at the most, simultaneously ignited in order to generate a flow (12) oriented towards that of the plasma channel (11). The auxiliary discharge (5) is positioned, from the combustion chamber, behind the main discharge (6), such that the oriented flow (12) presses the plasma channel (11) of the main discharge into the combustion chamber.

Abstract: A method and device are for influencing combustion processes, and include an electrical device. The electrical device engages with the flame front so that the electrical field thus produced, only penetrates areas of the flame front in which a stabilizing and harmful-substance-reducing effect is produced. The electrodes of the burner are arranged outside the region of the flame in the associated device.

Abstract: An electrical device is used for guiding and/or altering a flame. The flame is subjected to the action of an electric field. Further, an insulating material enclosure made of ion-conducting material prevents charge transfer between the flame and the field-generating electrode.

Abstract: A method and device are for influencing combustion processes, and include an electrical device. The electrical device engages with the flame front so that electrical field thus produced, only penetrates areas of the flame front in which a stabilizing and harmful-substance-reducing effect is produced. The electrodes of the burner are arranged outside the region of the flame in the associated device.

Abstract: In automobiles, for example, the exhaust fumes must pass through a plasma reactor operating by the principle of dielectrically inhibited ("silent") discharge, consisting of an arrangement of flat plates with alternating metallic and dielectric layers, whereby a plurality of adjacent discharge paths in parallel in the flow direction are formed. According to the invention, the discharge paths border on a single metallic electrode surface or layer (62, 72) and the electric power is supplied (58, 59) from two different sides with the metallic layers (62, 72) having alternating polarities.