Back to results
US 5,361,737 AGranted
Radio frequency coaxial cavity resonator as an ignition source and associated method
AssigneeWest Virginia University
InventorsJames E. Smith, Robert M. Craven, Kurt L. VanVoorhies, Thomas J. Bonazza
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An apparatus for providing an ignition source for internal combustion engines comprises a radio frequency oscillator, an amplifier and a coaxial cavity resonator. The coaxial cavity resonator is adaptable for communication with a combustion chamber of the internal combustion engine. An associated method is also provided.
Claims35
An apparatus for providing an ignition source for internal combustion engines, said apparatus comprising:
- radio frequency oscillator means for providing radio frequency power from the electrical power source of said internal combustion engine;
- amplifier means operably coupled with said radio frequency means for amplifying said radio frequency power;
- coaxial cavity resonator means having an output end portion terminating in a discharge electrode, said resonator means being operably coupled with said amplifier means for generating an RF corona discharge which ionizes a surrounding gaseous medium to create a plasma at said discharge electrode;
- and
- said resonator means being adaptable for communication with a combustion chamber of said internal combustion engine.
2 more elements
An apparatus for providing an RF corona discharge which ionizes a surrounding gaseous medium to create a plasma, said apparatus comprising:
- an internal combustion engine, wherein said engine includes at least one combustion chamber, said combustion chamber presenting structure defining a receptacle for an ignition source;
- coaxial cavity resonator means including an output end portion terminating in a discharge electrode, said resonator means being operably coupled with said receptacle for providing an RF corona discharge which ionizes a surrounding gaseous medium to create a plasma ignition source at said discharge electrode;
- and
- a radio frequency power source means operably coupled with said coaxial cavity resonator means for providing radio frequency power to resonate through said coaxial cavity resonator means to produce an RF corona discharge which ionizes a surrounding gaseous medium to create a plasma at said discharge electrode.
1 more element
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.