Tuned power ignition system
AssigneeMide Technology Corporation
InventorsBrett Masters, Brian MacLachlan, Gert Muller, Jaco Pretorius, Marthinus van Schoor
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An ignition system employing a piezoelectric transformer having a drive side and an output side. The ignition system further includes circuit elements in electronic communication with the output side that tune output impedance in series with a breakdown gap to optimize power flow from the transformer to the breakdown gap after breakdown and a timing control circuit in electronic communication with the drive side that meters post-breakdown energy delivered to the breakdown gap by timing the duration of post-breakdown power flow.
Claims28
An ignition system, comprising:
- a piezoelectric transformer having a drive side, an output side, and a piezoelectric element;
- circuit elements in electronic communication with the output side that tune output impedance in series with a breakdown gap to optimize power flow from the transformer to the breakdown gap after breakdown;
- a timing control circuit in electronic communication with the drive side that meters post-breakdown energy delivered to the breakdown gap by timing the duration of post-breakdown power flow;
- and
- a member of electronic feedback control, feed forward control, and both, wherein the member optimizes output performance as the resonance condition of the transformer changes.
An ignition system, comprising:
- a piezoelectric transformer having a drive side, an output side, and a piezoelectric element;
- means for tuning an output impedance of the transformer in series with a breakdown gap to optimize power flow from the transformer to the breakdown gap after breakdown;
- means for metering post-breakdown energy delivered to the breakdown gap;
- and
- means for optimizing output performance of the transformer as a resonance condition of the transformer changes.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.