Electronic circuits for plasma-generating devices
AssigneeKnite, Inc.
InventorsJonathan Allen, Gunter Schemmann
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A circuit for providing a follow-on current between the electrodes of a traveling spark ignitor after an initial break down between the electrodes has occurred is disclosed. The circuit may include first and second portions which, respectively, provide first and second voltages to the ignitor. The first portion may be a conventional ignition circuit. The second portion provides the follow-on current. The second portion may provide the follow-on current as a single discharge or as a multi-stage discharge.
Claims30
An electrical circuit for use with a plasma generating device having at least two spaced apart electrodes and an electrically insulating material that fills a substantial portion of the space between said electrodes, and the unfilled portion of the space between said electrodes forming a discharge gap of said device, the electrical circuit comprising:
- a discharge initiating circuit coupled to said device and providing a first voltage between at least two electrodes causing electrical breakdown and forming a plasma channel between said electrodes in the discharge gap of said device;
- a secondary circuit coupled to said device that provides a follow-on current through the initiated plasma channel;
- a third circuit that causes the follow-on current to rise rapidly to a peak level and decay less rapidly within a time specified by a specific use of the device.
A method of providing electrical energy to a plasma generating device comprising steps of:
- providing a first voltage that is sufficient to cause an electrical breakdown forming a plasma channel between at least two electrodes of said device;
- and
- providing a follow-on voltage, wherein a first portion of the follow-on voltage provides an initial current that rises at the fast rate, and the second portion of the follow-on voltage provides a sustaining current that decays at a slower rate than the initial current rises.
An electrical circuit for use with a plasma generating device wherein a follow-on current is provided by a circuit, the circuit including:
- a first portion that provides an initial current that rises at a fast rate;
- and
- second portion that provides sustaining current that decays at a slower rate than the initial current rises.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.