WEAR PROTECTION FEATURES FOR CORONA IGNITER

摘要

A corona igniter comprises an electrode with a central extended member extending along a central axis and a crown extending radially outwardly from the central extended member. The central extended member has an extended length and the crown has a crown length. The extended length is greater than the crown length such that the extended member approaches a piston more closely than the crown. In addition, the firing tips of the crown each present a first spherical radius which is less than a second spherical radius of the central extended member. Thus, if arcing occurs, it forms from the central extended member, rather than from the crown. Accordingly, the firing tips of the crown experience less wear and remain sharp. In addition, due to the sizes of the spherical radii, corona discharge is more likely to form from the firing tips than from the central extended member.

主权项

1. A corona igniter, comprising:
an electrode extending along a central axis for emitting an electrical field that forms a corona discharge; said electrode including a central extended member extending longitudinally along said central axis to a central firing end; an insulator formed of an electrically insulating material disposed around said electrode and extending along said central axis to an insulator firing end; a shell formed of a metal material disposed around said insulator; said electrode including a crown disposed outwardly of said insulator firing end; said crown including at least one branch extending radially outwardly of said central extended member; said crown extending along said central axis from a top surface to at least one firing tip; said crown presenting a crown length between said top surface and said at least one firing tip, said crown length being parallel to said central axis; said central extended member presenting an extended length extending from said top surface of said crown to said central firing end, said extended length being parallel to said central axis; and said extended length being greater than said crown length.