Transient plasma electrode for radical generation
AssigneeUniversity of Southern California
InventorsAndras Kuthi, Martin A. Gundersen, Yung-Hsu Lin, Daniel R. Singleton
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A transient plasma electrode apparatus may include an elongated electrode having a first and a second end. The first end may connect to a source of high voltage pulses. An insulation jacket may surround a portion of the electrode. An electric-field enhancing protrusion may be at the second end of the elongated electrode. The protrusion may cause an electric field when a high voltage is applied between the elongated electrode and a metallic wall of a combustion chamber in which the electrode is placed. The electric field may be greater at the second end as compared to along the length of the electrode.
Claims20
A transient plasma electrode apparatus comprising:
- an elongated electrode having a first and a second end, the first end having a configuration that connects to a source of high voltage pulses;
- an insulation jacket surrounding a portion of the electrode;
- and
- an electric-field enhancing protrusion at the second end of the elongated electrode that causes an electric field generated by the application of a high voltage between the elongated electrode and a metallic wall of a combustion chamber in which the electrode is placed to be greater at the second end as compared to along the length of the electrode.
A high compression engine comprising:
- a metallic, cylindrical combustion chamber;
- a piston within the cylindrical combustion chamber;
- and
- an elongated electrode having an end protruding within the cylindrical combustion chamber that does not have a ground portion affixed to its end and that has a configuration that causes arcing between the elongated electrode and the cylindrical combustion chamber upon application of high voltage potential between the elongated electrode and cylindrical combustion chamber.
A high compression engine comprising:
- a cylindrical combustion chamber;
- a piston within the cylindrical combustion chamber;
- and
- an elongated electrode protruding within the cylindrical combustion chamber, wherein the engine operates with a compression ratio within the cylindrical combustion chamber that exceeds 16.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.