CORONA IGNITION SYSTEM HAVING SELECTIVE ENHANCED ARC FORMATION

摘要

A corona discharge (24) ignition includes an electrode (38) emitting a radio frequency electric field and providing a corona discharge (24) to ignite a combustible mixture. The system includes a controlled high voltage energy supply (52) providing energy to a main energy storage (28) at a first main voltage. A fixed high voltage energy supply (54) provides extra energy to an extra energy storage (26) at a second extra voltage, which is greater than the first main voltage. While the corona discharge (24) is being provided, the energy of the main energy storage (28), but not the extra energy storage (26), is provided to the electrode (38). When the corona discharge (24) switches to arc discharge, the extra energy of the extra energy storage (26) is provided to the corona igniter (22) to enhance the arc discharge and provide reliable ignition until the corona discharge (24) is restored.

主权项

1. A corona discharge ignition system for igniting a combustible mixture of fuel and air in a combustion chamber, comprising:
an electrode for receiving energy at a radio frequency voltage and emitting a radio frequency electric field to ionize the combustible mixture and provide a corona discharge igniting said combustible mixture, a main energy storage storing energy at a first main voltage and providing the energy ultimately to said electrode, and an extra energy storage storing energy at a second extra voltage that is greater than said first main voltage and operative in response to an occurrence of an arc discharge at said electrode for providing said stored energy ultimately to said electrode.