Method and apparatus for providing adaptive swirl injection and ignition

A fuel injector-igniter, comprising:

• a housing;
• a power supply;
• an actuator;
• a valve seat electrode including a valve seat and an electrode portion extending beyond the valve seat and within the housing to form an annular gap, wherein the electrode portion includes a plurality of fins disposed around the electrode portion and extending into the annular gap;
• and
• a valve including a valve head operative to open and close against the valve seat in response to activation of the actuator;
• wherein the power supply is operative to produce a current discharge between the housing and electrode portion establishing a plasma and electromagnetic forces driving the plasma from the annular gap.

A method of injecting and igniting fuel in a combustion chamber, the method comprising:

• introducing the fuel into an annular region between two electrodes;
• providing a current across the two electrodes and through the fuel to establish a plasma;
• maintaining the current across the two electrodes to establish Lorentz forces driving the plasma from the annular region and into the combustion chamber;
• and
• imparting rotation on the fuel and plasma as it is driven from the annular region.