Abstract: An ignition system for hydrocarbon fuels based in part on the principle of "flame discharge ignition" of coupling ignition energy to the initial flame front plasma either as a "pulsing flame discharge ignition" or an "enhanced conventional discharge ignition". Electrical, geometrical, spark, and hydrocarbon flame front plasma discharge properties are taken into account and adjusted or tailored to create a flame discharge ignition process capable of igniting very lean mixtures. The system is further improved by modifying the fuel's flame front plasma properties by increasing the ratio of the carbon to hydrogen (C/H) content of the fuel and/or by using additives to further increase the flame front plasma density without reducing the plasma recombination coefficient.

Abstract: A multipoint spark ignition system for an internal combustion engine. The head of each cylinder of the engine is provided with at least three openings, the axes of which intersect within the cylinder. A spark plug is threaded within each opening, and each spark plug includes a single electrode. The inner end of each electrode carries a thin metallic, laterally extending disc, and the peripheral edges of the discs are spaced apart to provide spark gaps. A first spark plug of the series is connected to the ignition coil of the engine, while the electrode of the last spark plug in the series is connected to ground and the electrodes of the intermediate spark plugs are capacitively loaded.

Abstract: An igniter plug having a center conductor, an insulator and a conductive outer shell. The insulator surrounds and supports the center conductor axially within the shell along a substantial portion of the length of the center conductor. The insulator is of reduced diameter toward the discharge end of the igniter and terminates short of the full length of the center conductor. The center conductor extending beyond the insulator terminates short of the discharge end of the igniter and has a discharge electrode of greater diameter than the center conductor affixed to the center conductor end. The electrode terminates at the discharge end of the igniter. A helical compression spring is fitted over the center conductor between the end of the insulator and the electrode to absorb vibrations of the center conductor and electrode.

Abstract: A spark plug for an internal combustion engine which utilizes an annular round ring surrounding the center electrode. Surrounding the center electrode is a fire hole which includes an enlarged annular space to achieve an increased volume of the fire hole to maximize the ignition of the fuel/air mixture within the fire hole. The ground ring may include a series of ports to facilitate dispersement from the spark plug of the ignited fuel/air mixture within the fire hole.

Abstract: The internal combustion engine performs the thermodynamic cycle partially inside the cylinder, with the piston connected to the crankshaft, and partially in a turbo blower in which there takes place the final stage of the expansion of the burnt gases and, simultaneously, the suction and the first phase of compression of the air. The said compression is completed afterwards in the cylinder, continuously and without any partialization.

Abstract: An improved ignition apparatus for an internal combustion engine includes at least an ignition coil and a first electrode assembly and a second electrode assembly, each thereof including an electrode, and each of the electrodes of the first and second electrode assemblies is electrically connected to one end of a secondary winding of an ignition coil. The electrodes are supported on a cylinder head of the engine being electrically insulated therefrom and they form a spark gap for producing spark discharge therebetween, and a high tension circuit connecting the electrodes to the secondary winding of the ignition coil is electrically insulated from the body of the engine. The ignition apparatus having the above-described construction has the functional effects of improving the ignition performance, simplifying the withstant voltage design of constituent components, improving the antifouling performance at a spark gap portion and increasing the radio frequency interference suppression performance.

Abstract: A spark discharge igniter for gas turbine engines and the like. The igniter includes a tubular metal shell and a relatively long ceramic insulator inserted in the shell and rigidly secured to the shell near one end thereof. A metal collar is fitted tightly between the insulator and shell at the end opposite the rigidly secured end. The collar is initially in the form of a split ring installed on the insulator prior to assembly of the insulator into the shell. The ring is extruded into the tightly fitting collar in the course of inserting the insulator into the shell.

Abstract: An improved ignition apparatus for an internal combustion engine includes at least an ignition coil and a first electrode assembly and a second electrode assembly, each thereof including an electrode, and each of the electrodes of the first and second electrode assemblies is electrically connected to one end of a secondary winding of an ignition coil. The electrodes are supported on a cylinder head of the engine being electrically insulated therefrom and they form a spark gap for producing spark discharge therebetween, and a high tension circuit connecting the electrodes to the secondary winding of the ignition coil is electrically insulated from the body of the engine. The ignition apparatus having the above-described construction has the functional effects of improving the ignition performance, simplifying the withstant voltage design of constituent components, improving the antifouling performance at a spark gap portion and increasing the radio frequency interference suppression performance.

Abstract: A flash-spark creeps on a dielectric surface to ignite carburated gaseous xtures. A high voltage pulse is applied through the dielectric between opposite surfaces thereof. The voltage is applied between a first electrode having a smaller area abutting against a first surface of the dielectric and a second electrode having a first strip portion abutting against an opposite second surface of the dielectric and a second portion which is astride an edge of the dielectric. The strip portion ends at a position beneath the first electrode. The first surface is exposed to the carburated gaseous mixture.

Abstract: An ignition device including a hollow central electrode that forms an ignition chamber within the ignition device. The end of the hollow electrode can be shaped to improve the gaseous flow to produce a swirl within the central electrode.

Abstract: An ignition chamber unit to be arranged on a main combustion chamber of an internal combustion engine has walls forming a separate ignition chamber having a first wall which separates the ignition chamber from the main combustion chamber and has at least one passage arranged in the first wall to connect the ignition chamber with the combustion chamber, a center electrode provided in the ignition chamber and forming together with the first wall a spark gap and also having a free end which extends into the ignition chamber, wherein the electrode is hollow near the free end and is formed as a heat pipe, and an insulator with an insulator shoe which extends into the ignition chamber and supports the center electrode so that the insulator together with the insulator shoe forms an insulating gap.

Abstract: Disclosed are several devices for supplementing conventional fuels (liquid or gas) in internal combustion engines with gaseous fuel supplements. The first device contains means for introducing a stream of hydrogen and/or oxygen gas into the spark gap. The second device contains means for introducing a gaseous fuel supplement into the combustion chamber through the piston. The third and fourth devices both contain means for introducing a gaseous fuel supplement into the venturi.

Abstract: An igniter plug that has the forward insulator 80 connected to the outer electrode 24 by a metal ring 60 which is brazed at 62 to the insulator 80 and welded at 61 to the outer electrode 24.

Abstract: An igniter plug that includes a metal sleeve 10 to retain a central electrode 30 within a ceramic insulator 40 to prevent vibration of the electrode tip 35 during operation.

Abstract: An improved method and apparatus for effecting the ignition of a relatively lean air-fuel mixture includes a pair of electrode gaps at which strong electrostatic fields of relatively long duration are established to accumulate fuel particles in a portion of a combustion chamber adjacent to a spark gap. In one embodiment of the invention, one of the electrode gaps is enclosed so that the atmosphere in this gap is not affected by changes in the pressure and composition of the atmosphere in the combustion chamber. By maintaining the atmosphere in the electrode gap separate from the atmosphere in the combustion chamber, an electrostatic field of substantially constant strength can be maintained at the enclosed electrode gap after the establishment of a corona discharge at an electrode gap exposed to the atmosphere in the combustion chamber. In another embodiment of the invention, both of the electrode gaps are exposed to the atmosphere in the combustion chamber.

Abstract: Ignition plug for a rotary piston engine comprises a central electrode, an insulator disposed around the central electrode and having an end surface which defines a creeping discharge surface, and an outer electrode provided on an outer conductor. The outer electrode is radially inwardly projecting with respect to the radially inner surface of the conductor and has an axially and radially inward edge which is spaced apart from the insulator to provide an air gap for spark discharge and located flush with or axially outwardly of the end surface of the insulator.

Abstract: An ignition device for rotary piston engines. The device has an ignition plug disposed in a bore formed in an inner wall surface of a casing of the engine. The plug is of the surface gap and air gap discharge type and has a discharge end constituted by inner and outer electrodes spaced apart from each other through a surface gap discharge distance defined by a surface of an insulative sleeve encircling the inner electrode and an air gap discharge distance defined between the insulative sleeve and the outer electrode. The surface gap discharge distance is not less than 0.6 mm and not greater than 1.3 mm. The air gap discharge distance is not less than 0.7 mm and not greater than 1.4 mm. The surface gap discharge distance is not greater than the air gap discharge distance. The outer electrode has a tip end axially retreated with respect to the surface of the insulative sleeve by a distance between 0.3-1.0 mm.

Abstract: The invention contemplates a capacitor-discharge ignition system which includes a particular low-resistance, low-inductance, wire-wound circuit element at the spark plug which is operative with the spark plug and with the rest of the ignition system to materially suppress RFI generated at the spark gap. In application to high-speed, high-power two-cycle engines, use of the invention does not adversely affect engine performance.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for delivering high electrical energy levels by means of an igniter to an air-fuel mixture within an engine, is disclosed. The method and apparatus utilizes any of a variety of igniters of simple construction in an ignition system powered by an non-DC source to obtain extremely high current excursion peaks and extremely high alternating voltage levels feeding the igniters sequentially with the result of obtaining high intensity and high velocity plasma arcs of ionized matter. Such ionized matter may be subjected to a magnetic field integral with each igniter to substantially increase the energy level of the plasma, visually noting the increase in plasma intensity with audible increase in plasma velocity in an experimental set-up. The plasma generates ozone from the air component of the mixture or in the experimental set-up from the air surrounding the igniter, which ozone materially increases the fuel combustion rate and consequently improves engine operating efficiency.

Abstract: An internal combustion engine ignition apparatus includes a secondary spark plug having a center electrode to which a high voltage is applied. A cylindrical peripheral electrode surrounds the center electrode and has peripheral openings. Upon the formation of a corona discharge due to the high voltage applied to the center electrode, a strong ionic wind and convection of an air-fuel mixture are produced. The ionic wind causes fuel constituents to be gathered in the vicinity of the peripheral electrode thus preventing production of hydrocarbons due to cooling or quenching of the fuel on the combustion chamber wall. Initial ignition of the air-fuel mixture is by means of a main spark plug. The resultant flames are propagated to the corona discharge portion of the secondary spark plug. The corona discharge is then changed to secondary continuous spark discharge, to thereby positively fire the stratified air-fuel mixture.

Abstract: Disclosed is an internal combustion engine comprising a main chamber and an auxiliary chamber which are interconnected with each other via a connecting passage. The connecting passage is tangentially connected to the inner wall of the auxiliary chamber. A raised portion is formed on the inner wall of the auxiliary chamber at a position located opposite to the inner wall to which the connecting passage is tangentially connected with respect to the axis of the auxiliary chamber. A recess is formed on the inner wall beneath the raised portion. The nozzle of a fuel injector is directed to the recess so as to form a rich air-fuel mixture therein and to form a rich air fuel mixture in the auxiliary chamber. The spark plug has an electrode mounting end face on which the central electrode and the earthing electrode are mounted. The mounting end of the central electrode is covered by an insulator and is disposed in the periphery of the electrode mounting face end.

Abstract: A spark plug is equipped with a center electrode composed of two different metals, one of which is embedded in wire or fibre form in the other and wherein at least one of the metals possesses the properties of high electrical and thermal conductivity. The electrode is made by the joint plastic shaping of the two metals to produce a solid metallic bond therebetween. The electrode possesses the advantageous properties of good electrical and thermal conductivity, high corrosion resistance at high temperatures, slow burning rate and high mechanical strength.

Abstract: Improved spark-plugs for automobile internal combustion engines are made in a manner that thermal conductance (G) from flame nucleus to the electrodes is made as small as possible through decreasing of fluid resistance with respect to minute flame nucleus gas flow in the discharge, the fluid resistance being made small by making the discharge electrodes thin or making at least one of its discharge electrodes streamlined. The spark-plugs are capable of igniting and burning such lean gas mixture of 1.25 or more in excess air ratio (F).

Abstract: Disclosed is an improved spark plug in which a projection is provided at the end face of a central electrode and an earthing electrode is fixed by projection weld to the end surface of a main body to form a small gap between an outer angular portion of said projection and an underside angular portion of the nose of said earthing electrode, and which makes it possible to use a dilute air/fuel mixture and, hence, to decrease an amount of harmful exhaust gases.

Abstract: A spark plug wherein corona discharge is employed to create a long arc and to determine, in part, the path of the arc, electrodes of the spark plug being shaped, oriented and positioned to create an arc of desired length, orientation and at a desired location as well as to effect electromagnetic interaction between electric current in the arc and the current in at least one of the electrodes to provide a force on the arc which acts in consort with the electrode shapes, positions and orientations to control its spatial behavior, the electrode configuration being further selected so that ionized species in the flame of ignited fuel are subjected to a high electric field over a substantial volume.

Abstract: This specification describes an igniter, particularly for gas turbine engines, and comprising two or more electrodes separated by a body of insulating or semi-conducting material and having exposed working surfaces between which sparks may pass, at least part of the working surface or surfaces of at least one of the electrodes comprising a host material in which Co or Ni predominates alloyed or compounded with one or more additional metals selected from the group consisting of Ru, Rh, Pd, Ir, Pt, Ag and Au. Preferably, the additional metal is platinum which is present in an amount of 1 to 20 wt.% of the total metal content.

Abstract: A spark plug generally similar to standard design including a body member supporting a pair of electrodes to provide a spark gap in the combustion chamber of an internal combustion engine, the side electrode carrying a projecting extension outside the spark gap but still within the flame ignition and combustion zone of the engine so as to provide a reaction member which enhances the action of catalytic agents in the fuel or alternatively incorporated in the reaction member, itself.

Abstract: A spark plug having multiple air gaps is described. The multiple gaps are defined by at least three electrode members defining at least two air gaps. A first electrode member is communicated to a ground potential while a second electrode member, the electrode member which is maximally spaced apart from the first electrode member, is communicated to a source of high voltage potential. The remaining electrode members are positioned intermediate the first and second electrode members and are arranged to be coupled by high resistance electrical means to either the ground or the high voltage potential. In a preferred embodiment, the high resistance means comprise a ladder type resistance network embedded within the ceramic body of the spark plug and electrically interconnecting the intermediate electrode members and the electrical connecting cap of the spark plug device. The air gaps so formed are broken down in sequence and share in the dissipation of the stored energy.

Abstract: A revolving piston combustion engine of trochoid type includes a housing composed of a shell with a multiarcuate inner surface and parallel ends and in which a polygonal piston is disposed to be eccentrically rotatable. Inlet and outlet passages are arranged in the housing. The shell is provided with at least one spark plug, the spark gap of which lies between at least two electrodes near the inner surface of the shell.

Abstract: A spark plug wherein corona discharge is employed to create a long arc and to determine, in part, the path of the arc, electrodes of the spark plug being shaped, oriented and positioned to create an arc of desired length and at a desired location as well as to effect electromagnetic interaction between electric current in the arc and the electrodes to provide a force on the arc which acts to control its spatial behavior. The spark plug includes means to enhance the electromagnetic interaction.

Abstract: An ignition plug for internal combustion engines in which a spark gap is established between a central electrode and a ground electrode opposed thereto and a spark discharge is generated in the spark gap so as to ignite a mixture, wherein the ground electrode takes a unique form such that it is provided with a kerf, groove, depression, projection or the like at its spark discharge area confronting the central electrode whereby the ignition ability is improved with the result that a lean mixture is useful to reduce the quantity of harmful components in the exhaust gas.

Abstract: The spark plug has been designed so as to, be capable of being disassembled for cleaning, have a substantially full shield for the spark gap end of the center electrode portion, enable the center electrode to be readily replaced, if desired, enable partial cleaning of the spark plug gap area without removal of the spark plug from an associated engine, and have a substantially full gas seal defined between the base of the spark plug and the spark plug insulative sleeve.