The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
May. 29, 2018
Filed:
Jul. 17, 2017
Federal-mogul Motorparts Llc, Southfield, MI (US);
John Antony Burrows, Cheshire, GB;
John E. Miller, Temperance, MI (US);
Kristapher I. Mixell, Plymouth, MI (US);
James D. Lykowski, Temperance, MI (US);
Other;
Abstract
The invention provides a system and method for controlling corona discharge. A driver circuit provides energy to the corona igniter and detects any arc formation. Optionally, in response to each arc formation, the energy provided to the corona igniter is shut off for a short time to dissipate the arc. Once the arc dissipates, the energy is applied again to restore the corona discharge. The driver circuit obtains information relating to the corona discharge, such as timing and number of arc formations. A control unit adjusts the energy provided to the corona igniter, shut-off time, or the duration of the corona event based on the information. The adjusted energy levels and duration are applied during subsequent corona events. For example, the voltage level could be reduced or the shutoff time could be increased to limit arc formations and increase the size of the corona discharge during the subsequent corona events.