Knite, Inc.

Gunter Schemmann

Artur Peter Suckewer

Syzmon Suckewer

Jonathan Allen

Matthias Wagner

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.

Electronic circuits for plasma-generating devices

In one embodiment, a system for providing electrical energy to a traveling spark ignitor operating in an internal combustion engine is disclosed. The system may include a conventional ignition system connected to the ignitor and a follow-on current producer which produces a follow-on current that travels between electrodes of the ignitor after an initial discharge of the conventional ignition system through the ignitor. The system may also include a disabling element that prevents the follow-on current from being transmitted to the ignitor. The disabling element may prevent the follow-on current from being transmitted to the ignitor based upon current operating conditions of the engine. When the disabling element prevents the follow-on current from being transmitted to the ignitor the system operates in a conventional manner. When the disabling element allows the follow-on current to be transmitted to the ignitor the system operates in a in manner that creates a traveling spark between the electrodes of the ignitor.

Dual-mode ignition system utilizing traveling spark ignitor

An ignitor and associated electronics for igniting a combustible mixture in a cylinder of an internal combustion engine are described. The ignitor includes at least two spaced-apart electrodes that define a discharge gap. The space between the electrodes is substantially filled with a dielectric material. The dielectric material is spaced-apart from at least one of the electrodes to provide an air gap over which an initial voltage breakdown between the electrodes will occur. The air gap serves to vary the location of the initial breakdown and as a barrier to a short circuit between the electrodes due to carbon and/or metal deposit buildup on the dielectric material. The associated electronics provide a first potential between the electrodes that generates a plasma between the electrodes. Then the volume of the plasma is increased by the application of a second potential that creates a current through the plasma. The plasma, as well as the current passing through, is swept outward due to the interaction of Lorentz and thermal expansion forces with the plasma. Also described are relative orientations of the electrodes that lead to greater plasma formation.

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Princeton, NJ, United States of America

Gunter Schemmann