West Virginia University

Terra Response LLC

Plasma Igniter LLC

Franz A Pertl

James Earl Smith

Roy S Nutter

Robert P M Craven

Andrew D Lowery

Kenneth E Vance

Curtis Duhn

Larry Hawks

A quarter wave coaxial cavity resonator for producing corona discharge plasma from is presented. The quarter wave coaxial cavity resonator has a folded cavity made of opposing concentric cavity members that are nested together to form a continuous cavity ending in a aperture. A center conductor with a tip is positioned in the cavity. The folded cavity advantageously permits the coaxial cavity resonator to resonate at a lower operating frequency than an unfolded quarter wave coaxial cavity resonator of the same length. Embodiments of the quarter wave coaxial cavity resonator use narrower apertures to reduce radiative losses, and include center conductors that are reactive load elements, such as helical coils. When a radio frequency (RF) oscillation is produced in the quarter wave coaxial cavity resonator, corona discharge plasma is formed at the tip of the center conductor. The corona discharge plasma can be used to ignite combustible materials in combustion chambers of combustion engines.

Compact electromagnetic plasma ignition device

A method for detecting a subsurface anomaly at a near-surface depth, comprises positioning an electromagnetic sensor configured to measure a component of a planetary electromagnetic field such that the electromagnetic sensor is suspended just above a ground-air barrier and does not contact a ground surface; selecting an electromagnetic frequency by calculating a function of properties of the ground that include relative permittivity, relative permeability, and resistivity; moving the electromagnetic sensor over the surface of the ground; repeatedly measuring intensity of the component of the planetary electromagnetic field at the frequency to obtain a set of measurements; and comparing at least a first measurement in the set of measurements to at least a second measurement in the set of measurements to identify a change in the intensity of the component of the planetary electromagnetic field that is indicative of a presence of a subsurface anomaly.

Method and apparatus for passive detection of near-surface human-scale underground anomalies using earth field measurements

Methods and apparatus are provided for passively detecting the presence of near-surface human-scale underground anomalies using earth field measurements. A sensor is used to measure at least one electric or magnetic component of the Earth's electromagnetic field at a frequency of 5 kHz or greater in proximity to the Earth's surface for a given area. The measured intensities are used to identify variations indicative of the presence of a near-surface human-scale underground anomaly. Measuring the intensity of at least one component of the electromagnetic field at a plurality of frequencies of 5 kHz or greater can be used to determine the depth and characteristic of a near-surface human-scale underground anomaly.

An apparatus and method for igniting combustible materials in a combustion chamber of a combustion engine using corona discharge plasma from a quarter wave coaxial cavity resonator. A tapered quarter wave coaxial cavity resonator is adapted to mate with the combustion chamber. The quarter wave coaxial cavity resonator is coupled with an energy shaping means, or waveform generator, that develops the appropriate waveform for triggering radio frequency oscillations in the quarter wave coaxial cavity resonator. A loop coupling is angularly positioned within the quarter wave coaxial cavity resonator to match impedances between the quarter wave coaxial cavity resonator and the energy shaping means, or waveform generator. Radio frequency oscillations produce a standing wave in the quarter wave coaxial cavity resonator and a corona discharge plasma develops near the center conductor. The corona discharge plasma developed near the center conductor ignites the combustible materials in the combustion chamber of the combustion engine.

Quarter wave coaxial cavity igniter for combustion engines

An apparatus and method for igniting combustible materials in a combustion chamber of a combustion engine using corona discharge plasma from a coaxial cavity resonator. This system and method uses a coaxial cavity resonator in a body adapted to mate with a combustion chamber of a combustion engine. The coaxial cavity resonator is coupled with an energy shaping means that develops the appropriate waveform for triggering radio frequency oscillations in the coaxial cavity resonator. A connection means on the apparatus allows for the apparatus to accept an electrical ignition stimulus from an electronic ignition control system. The coaxial cavity resonator develops corona discharge plasma at a discharge electrode when a sustained radio frequency oscillation results in a standing wave in the coaxial cavity resonator. The corona discharge plasma developed near the discharge electrode ignites the combustible materials in the combustion chamber of the combustion engine.

Plasma generating ignition system and associated method

A method and apparatus for verifying the authenticity of a document relative to a previously programmed document are disclosed. The method provides a broadband light source; illuminates a document with the light source; collects reflected light; converts it into a corresponding electrical signal or signals; digitizes the electrical signals; and prepares a spectral signature of the document for further analysis. The spectral signature can also be normalized to account for variations in analyzed documents caused by soiling and fading. The method also provides for comparing a previously programmed and stored spectral signature to the spectral signature of a test document using a matching value to indicate whether the test document is authentic or not. The apparatus provides a device for application of the method for verifying document authenticity.

Method and apparatus for determining document authenticity

An electromagnetic antenna includes a multiply connected surface, such as a toroidal surface; first and second insulated conductors; and first and second signal terminals. The first insulated conductor extends around and over the surface with a first pitch or winding sense from a first node to a second node. The second insulated conductor also extends around and over the surface with a second pitch or winding sense, which is opposite from the first pitch or winding sense, from a third node to a fourth node. The first and second insulated conductors are contrawound relative to each other around and over the surface. In one embodiment of the invention, at least one of the nodes is open. In other embodiments of the invention, the signal terminals are structured for connection to a cooperative antenna structure.

Contrawound antenna

An electromagnetic antenna includes a multiply connected surface, such as a toroidal surface; a first conductive loop proximate to the toroidal surface; a second conductive loop proximate to the toroidal surface; first and second signal carrying terminals electrically or magnetically connected to the first and second conductive loops, respectively; and a plurality of conductive transceiver elements, such as plural pairs of contrawound insulated conductor windings. Each pair of the contrawound insulated conductor windings has a first end, a plurality of turns, and a second end, and extends around and at least partially about the toroidal surface. Each pair of these windings is electrically connected to the first and second conductive loops. The first end of the windings is electrically connected to one of the first and second conductive loops, and the second end of the windings is electrically connected to the other of the first and second conductive loops.

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Morgantown, WV, United States of America

Franz A Pertl