Abstract: An electronic system to discharge a transformer in case of a failure during a charging phase of the transformer. The system includes the transformer having a primary winding with a first terminal connected to a battery voltage and with a second terminal for generating a primary voltage signal, includes a switch serially connected to the primary winding and having a control terminal carrying a control voltage signal for opening or closing the switch and includes an electronic circuit. The electronic circuit further includes a current generator and a voltage clamping.

Abstract: There is provided an internal combustion engine ignition device which comprises a switching element for causing or interrupting flow of a current through a primary coil of an ignition coil; a secondary current detection circuit connected to a secondary coil for detecting a secondary current flowing at the time of ignition; an ion current detection circuit for detecting an ion current generated after the ignition; and an energy consumption circuit which is activated based on an output signal from the secondary current detection circuit that is output when the secondary current exceeds a predetermined threshold value, to constitute a circuit for discharging energy stored in the ignition coil.

Abstract: Ignition coil assembly with extension for electrical connection of an ignition plug of an endothermic engine,—wherein said extension (10) comprises an essentially tubular hollow body (11), which is secured to a container containing the electrical/electronic means of the ignition coil for generation of high voltage electrical energy to transmit to an ignition plug for the triggering of sparks secured to the engine block of said engine,—wherein a first end area (10.1) of said tubular body is engaged, in a detachable manner, on the free end of said ignition plug, and—wherein electrical connection means (10.26, 20, 10.36), provided for the transmission of high voltage electrical energy between said electrical/electronic means of the ignition coil and said ignition plug, are contained in said tubular body (11). According to the invention, said means for electrical connection (10.26, 20, 10.

Abstract: An ignition apparatus is provided with an ignition plug (101) including a first electrode (101a) that generates a high voltage by means of energy supplied by an ignition coil device (102), a second electrode (101b) that faces the first electrode (101a) through a first gap and causes in the first gap a spark discharge for igniting a fuel, and a third electrode (101c) that faces the first electrode through a second gap that is smaller than the first gap, and is connected with the second electrode (101b) by way of an electric conductor (302) having a predetermined resistance value; a control apparatus drives the ignition coil device (102) twice or more times in a single ignition process so that the ignition plug causes a spark discharge.

Abstract: A corona ignition system for providing a corona discharge (24) includes an igniter (20) having an electrode (26) with an asymmetrical firing tip (28) relative to an electrode center axis (ae). The firing tip (28) includes a first surface area (A1) facing the fuel injector (42) which is greater than a second surface area (A2) facing a cylinder block (32). The first surface area (A1) presents a projection (60) having a sharp edge, and the second surface area (A2) presents a round outward surface (62). Accordingly, a radio frequency electric field emitted from the first surface area (A1) provides a robust corona discharge (24) in a flammable area at an outside edge (30) of the fuel spray. No electric field is emitted from the second surface area (A2), and no power arcing occurs between the second surface area (A2) and the cylinder block (32).

Abstract: A corona igniter 20 includes an electrode gap 28 between the central electrode 22 and the insulator 32 and a shell gap 30 between the insulator 32 and the shell 36. An electrically conductive coating 40 is disposed on the insulator 32 along the gaps 28, 30 to prevent corona discharge 24 in the gaps 28, 30 and to concentrate the energy at a firing tip 58 of the central electrode 22. The electrically conductive coating 40 is disposed on an insulator inner surface 64 and is spaced radially from the electrode 22. The electrically conductive coating 40 is also disposed on the insulator outer surface 72 and is spaced radially from the shell 36. During operation of the igniter 20, the electrically conductive coating 40 provides a reduced voltage drop across the gaps 28, 30 and a reduced electric field spike at the gaps 28, 30.

Abstract: An optical emission analysis apparatus includes a discharge gap, an ignitor circuit, and a main discharge power supply. The ignitor circuit includes an ignition transformer, a pair of current control devices, and an excitation power supply. On a secondary coil of the ignition transformer, the discharge gap and the main discharge power supply are connected in series to form a main discharge current path. On a primary coil of the ignition transformer, the pair of current control devices and the excitation power supply are connected in series to form an excitation current path. A pair of current control devices is connected to each other via mutually opposite polarities. The polarity of the high voltage generated in the secondary coil is reversed by reversing the polarity of the voltage of the excitation power supply. The direction of the main discharge current is reversed by reversing the polarity of the voltage of the main discharge power supply.

Abstract: A high voltage generator circuit is provided. The high voltage generator circuit can generate a high voltage suitable for use with an igniter. While generating the required high voltage, the circuit results in a significantly reduced amount of electrical noise such that the disruption of adjacent, sensitive circuitry is minimized. More specifically, the circuit periodically generates a high voltage on an inductor and causes the high voltage generated to incrementally charge up and build up the voltage on a capacitor connected to the inductor. The capacitor is isolated from the adjacent, sensitive circuitry by way of a relay. Also, to minimize the number of components and complexity of the high voltage generator circuit, the inductor which is used to generate the high voltage is the inductor located within the relay, which is also used to switch the contacts of the relay.

Abstract: A downhole tool includes a device to be activated by electrical energy and a micro-switch that includes conductors and an element between the first and second conductors selected from the group consisting of: a dielectric element capable of being modulated to provide a conductive path in response to receipt of electrical energy; and an element moveable in response to application of an electrical energy. The micro-switch may be formed of microelectromechanical system (MEMS) technology or microelectronics technology.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for handling workpieces, such as semiconductor wafers, during semiconductor processing. The apparatus includes a wafer platen having a plurality of channels each extending from a top surface to a bottom surface of the wafer platen, a plurality of lift pins in alignment with the channels, and a mechanism for engaging the lift pins in a loading position of the workpiece, a clamping position of the workpiece so that desired semiconductor processes may be performed to the workpiece, and a lift off position for removing the workpiece from the wafer platen after the semiconductor processes are completed. The mechanism places the lift pins below the surface of the wafer platen in the load position and then raises the lift pins to a first predetermined distance above the surface of the wafer platen in the clamp position such that the first predetermined distance allows the workpiece to be clamped to the wafer platen.

Abstract: A triggering unit for initiating pyrotechnical elements includes a control component, a rectifier (12), an energy store (15), a voltage regulator (13), a data coupling device (11), a current limiter and a suppressor circuit (10). To enable an up to now unknown variety of variants pertaining to characteristics and functionality without having to change the hard ware or the design of the chip, the control component is a programmable microprocessor (10) with an integrated program memory.

Abstract: Disclosed is an electronic detonator delay assembly, having an associated detonator, that can be pre-programmed on site with a time delay and installed in a borehole to carryout a blast operation. The assembly is first coupled to a programming unit to program the desired time delay, and then to a blasting unit, by means of a magnetic coupling device in the electronic delay assembly and to a single pass of a conductive wire through the magnetic coupling device. The programmed time delay in the electronic delay assembly can be double checked through a wireless communication link between the electronic delay assembly and the programming unit.

Abstract: An ignition apparatus for providing energy to a spark plug (601) is described including electromagnetic means (121, 103, 133, 119) having a north pole (137) and an opposing south pole (139). A piezoelectric crystal (129) is located between the north pole (137) and the opposing south pole (139). The electromagnetic means (121, 103, 133, 119) compresses the piezoelectric crystal (129), thereby causing an ignition energy to be provided from the piezoelectric crystal (129) for igniting the spark plug (601).

Abstract: An exciter circuit for a gas turbine engine ignition system. A high voltage supply continuously charges a storage capacitor. A plurality of silicon controlled rectifiers (SCRs) are connected in series between the storage capacitor and a high voltage conditioning circuit. A multi-section protective network is connected in parallel with the series connected SCRs. Individual network sections are connected across separate ones of the SCRs. The SCRs are normally non-conducting and are periodically triggered to discharge the storage capacitor into the conditioning circuit. An igniter plug is connected to the output of the conditioning circuit. The protective network divides the voltage of the storage capacitor equally across the SCRs when the latter are non-conductive thereby reducing the voltage stress to which each of the SCRs is subjected.

Abstract: A circuit in an ignition system having a switchable current drive circuit responsive to a first control signal, and a charging circuit responsive to the switchable current drive circuit for providing a current through a coil to charge the coil when the switchable current drive circuit is enabled by the first control signal being in a first logic state and for collapsing the current through the coil thereby producing a rising voltage across the coil to fire a spark plug, typically coupled across the coil, when the switchable current drive circuit is disabled by the first control signal being in a second logic state. The circuit includes a thermal clamping circuit responsive to a second control signal and coupled to the charging circuit for providing current to the charging circuit to slowly discharge the coil and for clamping the voltage at the coil to a predetermined voltage such that the firing of the spark plug is prevented.