Plasma ignition system for an internal combustion engine
US4407259A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Dec 23, 1981 |
| Grant date | Oct 4, 1983 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Dec 23, 2001 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC F)Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
- CPC primaryF02P9/007
- WIPO fieldEngines, pumps, turbines
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A plasma ignition system having a plurality of plasma ignition plugs eliminates a mechanical distributor for sequentially distributing plasma ignition energy into each plasma ignition plug. The plasma ignition system comprises: (a) a high DC voltage surge generator for generating and outputting a high DC voltage surge to one of the plasma ignition plugs to be ignited so as to develop a spark discharge due to dielectric breakdown; (b) a plasma ignition energy generator such as a voltage booster for boosting a low DC voltage; (c) a capacitor for storing the plasma ignition energy generated by the plasma ignition energy generator; (d) a plurality of rectifiers each connected to either end of the capacitor and one of the plasma ignition plugs; a means for generating and outputting a trigger signal at every ignition timing; and (e) a pair of electrical switching elements, each connected between either end of the capacitor and ground, for grounding either end of said capacitor when the trigger signal generated at every ignition timing is received.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.