Abstract: In a plasma generation device that generates electromagnetic wave plasma by emitting electromagnetic waves in a target space, the electromagnetic wave plasma is generated in a plurality of locations with a simple configuration and relatively low electromagnetic wave energy. The plasma generation device is provided with an antenna that emits electromagnetic waves supplied from an electromagnetic wave generator in the target space, a discharger that forcibly discharges free electrons from gas molecules in the target space, and an electric field concentration member that concentrates electric field of the electromagnetic wave emitted from the antenna. The electric field concentration member is arranged in non-contact relationship with the antenna. The plasma generation device causes the discharger to discharge free electrons and the antenna to emit electromagnetic waves, thereby generating electromagnetic wave plasma in the vicinity of the antenna and in the vicinity of the electric field concentration member.

Abstract: A plasma ignition device 20 includes a spark plug 100, a DC power supply 210, an AC power supply 220, and a coupling section 300. The coupling section 300 includes a capacitor 320 which electrically connects the AC power supply 220 to the spark plug 100. The coupling section 300 reduces the capacitance of the capacitor 320 in the second ignition mode in which transmission of AC power is halted, as compared with that in the first ignition mode in which AC power is transmitted to the spark plug 100.

Abstract: An integrated circuit includes a semiconductor die including one or more switching circuits, a magnetic core having length and width, first and second metallic leads, and integrated circuit packaging material. The first metallic lead forms a first winding turn around a portion of the magnetic core, and the first metallic lead is electrically coupled to the semiconductor die. The second metallic lead forms a second winding turn around a portion of the magnetic core. The first and second winding turns are offset from each other along both of the width and length of the magnetic core. The integrated circuit is, for example, included in an integrated electronic assembly.

Abstract: The present invention aims at effectively improving a propagation speed of a flame utilizing an electromagnetic wave in an internal combustion engine that promotes combustion of an air fuel mixture utilizing the electromagnetic wave. The present invention is directed to an internal combustion engine including: an internal combustion engine main body formed with a combustion chamber; and an ignition device that ignites the air fuel mixture in the combustion chamber, wherein combustion cycles, in which the ignition device ignites and combusts the air fuel mixture, are repeated.

Abstract: A device for providing ignition of a fuel-air mixture using a transient plasma discharge is provided. The device includes an anode coupled to receive a voltage; and a cathode disposed in proximity to the anode and coupled to a ground, wherein at least one of the anode and the cathode includes a protrusion that enhances an electric field formed between the anode and the cathode, the protrusion forming a sharp edge defining a plurality of points, each point forming a path of shortest distance between the anode and the cathode.

Abstract: An induction driven ignition system with a heating element located near the combustion chamber of a reciprocating internal combustion engine. The heating element is adjacent an electrical conductor which receives current at frequencies between 100 kHz to 500 kHz. The induction driven ignition system causes the heating element to rapidly and accurately heat up to very high temperatures. The heating element may be positioned and arranged to provide combustion initiation over a wide area.

Abstract: An induction driven ignition system with an electrode projecting into the combustion chamber of a reciprocating internal combustion engine. The electrode is adjacent to but electrically insulated from an electrical conductor which receives current at frequencies between 100 kHz to 500 kHz. Thermal insulation is also provided between the electrode and adjacent structure of the head. The induction driven ignition system causes the electrodes to rapidly and accurately heat up to very high temperatures. The electrodes may be formed in elongated edges throughout the combustion chamber to provide combustion initiation over a wide area.

Abstract: The combination of a piston with an integrated spark plug to be used in an internal combustion engine is disclosed. The plug-in-piston configuration allows for maximum combustion and fuel efficiency as well as increased power output. Further, the configuration minimizes the release of unburned fuel and pollutants into the atmosphere. A method is also disclosed by which electrical energy is communicated to a spark plug.

Abstract: An induction driven ignition system with an electrode projecting into the combustion chamber of a reciprocating internal combustion engine. The electrode is adjacent to but electrically insulated from an electrical conductor which receives current at frequencies between 100 kHz to 500 kHz. Thermal insulation is also provided between the electrode and adjacent structure of the head. The induction driven ignition system causes the electrodes to rapidly and accurately heat up to very high temperatures. The electrodes may be formed in elongated edges throughout the combustion chamber to provide combustion initiation over a wide area.

Abstract: An induction driven ignition system with an electrode projecting into the combustion chamber of a reciprocating internal combustion engine. The electrode is adjacent to but electrically insulated from an electrical conductor which receives current at frequencies between 100 to 400 kHz. Thermal insulation is also provided between the electrode and adjacent structure of the head. The induction driven ignition system causes the electrodes to rapidly and accurately heat up to very high temperatures. The electrodes may be formed in elongated edges throughout the combustion chamber to provide combustion initiation over a wide area.

Abstract: A spark-based igniting system for internal combustion engines includes a cylinder, at least one piston, a combustion chamber, a spark insert, and a RF energy source. The piston is disposed within the cylinder for moving slidably between a top dead center position and a bottom dead center position. The combustion chamber is formed in fluid communication with the piston. The spark insert is disposed in a top surface combustion face of the piston. The RF energy source is formed on the cylinder and adjacent to the combustion chamber for generating spark ignition energies to the spark insert to cause igniting of air/fuel mixture within the combustion chamber when the piston reaches near the top dead center position.

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: In an ignition electrode arrangement for a cylinder in an internal combustion engine, for example an Otto engine, a cylinder head (3) bears a first electrode (7) and a second electrode (8) which interact with one another. At least the first electrode (7) is arranged on an ignition means (6) fastened in the cylinder head. According to the invention, the second electrode (8) is movable relative to the cylinder head (3) and the first electrode (7) in order to make it possible to change the spark gap. The second electrode (8) can be mounted on the cylinder head (3) itself or on the ignition device (6). The size of the spark gap is controlled during operation by the ignition system of the engine.

Abstract: A piston is disclosed, for use in an internal combustion engine, including an insulating guide formed therein for receiving an electrode. The electrode has a body, and at least one spark lead coupled to the body for inserting into a channel formed in the insulating guide. Electrical power is supplied to the electrode by a power plug inserted through a power plug opening in the wall of the combustion chamber of the internal combustion engine. When electric power is supplied to the power plug a first electrical arc is generated between the power plug and the body of the electrode, and a second electrical arc is generated between the tip of each one of the spark leads and an associated arc insert disposed in the piston adjacent the end of the insulating guide. Optionally the electrode is insertable and removable from the piston through the power plug opening.

Abstract: A piston is disclosed, for use in an internal combustion engine, including an insulating guide formed therein for receiving an electrode. The electrode has a body, and at least one spark lead coupled to the body for inserting into a channel formed in the insulating guide. Electrical power is supplied to the electrode by a power plug inserted through a power plug opening in the wall of the combustion chamber of the internal combustion engine. When electric power is supplied to the power plug a first electrical arc is generated between the power plug and the body of the electrode, and a second electrical arc is generated between the tip of each one of the spark leads and an associated arc insert disposed in the piston adjacent the end of the insulating guide. Optionally the electrode is insertable and removable from the piston through the power plug opening.

Abstract: An ignition device for piston internal combustion engines with a moving piston electrode disposed in the piston face and a counter-electrode arranged in the cylinder head, and with a spark gap forming between the two electrodes wherein the spatial arrangement of the two electrodes is such that the spark gap is smaller than the minimum distance between the counter-electrode and the piston face.

Abstract: An improved ignition-combustion system for internal combustion engines comprising a compact combustion chamber zone (4) in the engine cylinder head (6) mainly under the exhaust valve (8) and with large air-squish zones (124a, 124b) formed at the edge of the combustion zone which produce colliding squish flows (2, 2a, 3a, 3b) with high turbulence (3c) at the center of the combustion zone, with one or two spark plugs (12a/118, 12b/18a) located at the edge of the combustion zone within the high squish zones, resulting in a combined ignition and combustion system of colliding-flow-coupled-spark discharge (CFCSD), with the ignition employing high energy flow-resistant ignition sparks which move under the influence of the squish flow towards the central turbulence region as the piston nears engine top center, to produce rapid and complete burning of lean and high EGR mixtures for best engine efficiency and lowest emissions.

Abstract: In a gasoline internal combustion engine with direct fuel injection a spark plug with a center electrode is mounted in the cylinder top so as to project into the combustion chamber. A mass electrode is disposed on the piston so as to project upwardly into the combustion chamber and is movable with the piston toward and from the spark plug center electrode. An ignition system is provided for timely generating a spark between the spark plug electrode and the movable mass electrode for igniting a fuel/air mixture in the combustion chamber. A fuel injector is mounted in the cylinder top and adapted to provide a cone-like fuel beam with an envelope disposed between the spark plug electrode and the mass electrode such that a spark generated between the two electrodes extends through the fuel injection beam envelope.

Abstract: A spark ignition system of an internal combustion engine has a plurality of electrodes operating at high voltages to produce a plurality of sparks across the combustion zone. The construction of the system permits the formation of long length sparks while substantially maintain the utilization of customary electrical wiring sizes.

Abstract: A two-cycle internal combustion engine configuration and control strategy in which the unburned hydrocarbon emissions in the exhaust gas are measured by a sensor in the exhaust manifold. The information from the sensor is used to control the outflow of air from a blower mixed with the fuel to vary the total volume of fuel and air to thus reduce unburned hydrocarbons in the exhaust gas.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for controlling the spark ignition in an Otto engine, of the type including an ignition voltage-generating ignition system with a spark plug electrode fixedly arranged in the combustion chamber of the engine and with an earth electrode co-operating movably therewith and joined fixedly to the engine piston in question. For the purpose of producing a controlled ignition moment in such engines the ignition moment is controlled so as to occur later and with shorter sparking distance when the engine load increases from light load to whole load. At the same time, the ignition voltage necessary for spark formation is controlled so as to vary within relatively narrow limits over essentially the whole load range.

Abstract: An Electromagnetic Ignition system suitable for adaptation to standard automobile engines including diesel engines, which has been improved by means of a high efficiency RF capacitive spark plug with a projecting antenna tip used for forming very large spark gaps to the plug shell and piston face as well as for coupling high electric fields to the local initial flame plasma, preferably used in combination with shielded high voltage cable including series inductive choke elements and a Capacitive Discharge ignition system incorporating an input capacitor, a SCR switch, an ignition coil with an optimized high current and high output voltage, and preferably a synchronous DC-DC power converter providing "boost power" during ignition so that substantial capacitive, inductive, and electromagnetic energy is supplied to the air-fuel mixture. Preferably the coil has a turns ratio of 50 with the input capacitor having a capacitance between 5 and 10 microfarads and a 400 volts rating.