Igniter circuit with an air gap

Abstract

Ignition systems of the kind used to ignite a difficult-to-ignite fuel oil by using energy stored in a capacitor at a breakdown for creating an ignition arc at the electrodes of a resistive arc probe, having a semiconductor resistive film across spark electrodes of the resistive arc probe, designed to preclude interference of contaminants with conduction of an ignition arc across an established current path between the electrodes of the resistive arc probe. An air gap and a resistive arc probe are connected in series. A first high voltage power supply develops a first direct current voltage across a capacitor, which is supplied as a voltage across the air gap and the resistive arc probe. A second high voltage power supply supplies a second pulsed voltage across the air gap and the resistive arc probe, wherein the second pulsed voltage is substantially higher than the first direct current voltage, and the second pulsed voltage jumps the gap of the air gap and thus initiates an ignition arc. The first direct current voltage is current limiting thereby allowing the capacitor voltage to approach zero, and thus allowing the air gap to cease conducting, thereby allowing the cycle to repeat itself. A diode is positioned between the second pulsed voltage and the capacitor of the first high voltage power supply to isolate the capacitor from the second pulsed voltage. A second capacitor is placed parallel to the resistive arc probe to prevent the pulsed second high voltage from affecting the resistive arc probe.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.