Patent · US Expired

Enhanced flame ignition for hydrocarbon fuels

US4841925A · kind A · utility

134Cited by
15References
98Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventor

Key dates

Filing dateDec 11, 1987
Grant dateJun 27, 1989
Priority date
Expiry dateDec 11, 2007

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC F)Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
  • CPC primaryF02P3/01
  • WIPO fieldEngines, pumps, turbines
  • WIPO sectorMechanical engineering

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.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.