Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a first element portion including an IGBT and a second element portion including a circuit that controls the IGBT on the same semiconductor substrate. The novel structure reduces the size of the entire circuit and includes a drift region on a front surface of the substrate; a region in a surface layer of the drift region which is opposite to the substrate; an insulator layer that passes through the region in a depth direction and reaches the drift region, the insulator layer provided at a boundary between the first and second element portions, and separating the region into a first region in the first element portion and having the emitter potential of the IGBT and a second region in the second element portion; and a first contact electrode that contacts the second region, and that is electrically connected to an emitter electrode of the IGBT.

Abstract: A plasma ignition system is described herein that can produce plasma ionization around a spark plug gap using a single power circuit for the spark and plasma ionization. The system results in fewer components and higher reliability, allowing the system to be more easily integrated with existing ignition circuitry or in new ignition system designs. The plasma ignition system adds a one-way current path between the primary and secondary windings of the high voltage transformer. This allows energy stored within the capacitor after the creation of the spark to flow out of the capacitor, across the one-way current path, and through the spark plug gap. Thus, the plasma ignition system provides a dramatically better ignition spark with relatively little increase in components. The system does so without requiring a secondary power supply circuit to generate the current for producing plasma ionization.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for generating and maintaining a spark in an environment having a varying pressure, such as a combustion chamber in an internal combustion engine, whereby a means for producing a high-frequency alternating electrical current is electrically connected to a pair of electrodes spaced apart by a gap and disposed in the combustion chamber for producing under the influence of a low applied electrical current, a continuous spark between the electrodes at a low pressure condition in the combustion chamber and maintaining the spark as the pressure in the combustion chamber becomes relatively high, aiding the ignition of combustible fuel injected into the combustion chamber during the high pressure condition.

Abstract: An ignition system for a spark ignited internal combustion engine wherein a source of high direct voltage is connected to a spark plug by a solid-state high voltage switch. The switch comprises a plurality of series connected metal oxide semiconductor field effect transistors which form a first string of series connected transistors. The system has a second string of series connected field effect transistors. The second string is connected in parallel with the spark plug and the second string is biased conductive when the first string is biased nonconductive. The system has a third string of series connected field effect transistors which operate as a voltage level shifter. The individual transistors that form the strings are mounted on common substrates formed of an insulating material such as sapphire.

Abstract: A process for burning a carbonaceous fuel is disclosed. This process involves the steps of providing a combustion chamber equipped with a spark gap, introducing the fuel into the chamber, providing a high-energy a.c. wave, and connecting the wave to one of the electrodes of the spark gap.The alternating current wave used in the combustion process of this invention has a peak voltage of from 25,000 to 200,000 volts, a frequency of from 8,000 to 80,000 herz, and an energy of at least 600,000,000 volt-herz. The use of this wave creates an arc across the electrodes of the spark gap, thereby facilitating the combustion of the fuel.

Abstract: Process for transferring a high voltage to the ignition elements of an internal combustion engine with a priming device comprising a first electrode unit (1) and a second electrode unit (2) which form spark discharger gaps, the high voltage being provided to one of the electrode units and the other electrode unit being connected to the ignition elements of the internal combustion engine. The conventional ignition systems have the following disadvantage: the high voltage must be generated, in case of need, each time repeatedly and exactly at the ignition time point. Furthermore, the ignition systems do not offer the possibility of reducing the air proportion .lambda. and reducing the emission of noxious substances by variation of the ignition.

Abstract: An ignition system for an automotive internal combustion engine. The ignition system includes apparatus which is electrically interposed between the battery and the distributor to receive and transform current from the battery to ignition spark potential of sufficient magnitude to initiate an arc across the sparking gap of the engine spark plugs. The apparatus delivers a continuous flow of ignition spark potential to the distributor during operation of the internal combustion engine.

Abstract: An apparatus for producing spark ignition of an internal combustion engine is disclosed including a spark generator which supplies spark generating pulses to spark plugs of the engine. The spark produced by each pulse is sustained after the pulse has died away by means of a generator which applies to the spark plugs a voltage capable of sustaining but not initiating sparks across the spark plugs. The generator is per se capable of developing a continuous output so as to maximize the spark energy and to allow the duration of the spark to be selected as desired. The output of the generator may be applied to the spark plugs continuously in which case the effect of increased impedance to the spark produced on combustion is used to terminate the spark. Alternatively, the output of the generator can be switched to terminate the spark.

Abstract: An engine ignition system includes a throttle sensor for detecting the position of a throttle valve. A control circuit is responsive to the detected throttle signal as well as the signals from other negative pressure and engine rpm sensors to generate a spark plug discharge start signal and a discharge stop signal. A high voltage generator supplies a high voltage to the respective spark plugs during the time interval between the time that the discharge start signal is generated and the time that the discharge stop signal is generated.