FUEL INJECTION DEVICE INCLUDING PLASMA-INDUCING ELECTRODE ARRAYS

摘要

A plasma assisted combustion device includes a body formed of a dielectric material that defines a conical-shaped plasma chamber. A conical-shaped ground electrode is positioned in the plasma chamber. At least one support structure is coupled to the conical- shaped ground electrode so as to suspend the ground electrode in the plasma chamber thereby forming a gap between an outer surface of the body and the ground electrode. The support structure comprises an insulated material that is positioned on an outer surface so as to reduce the probability of generating an undesirable electrical discharge. A hot electrode that is energized with a high voltage that strikes a plasma discharge in the gap is positioned proximate to the plasma chamber. A fuel injector is positioned proximate to the conical chamber. The fuel injector includes a nozzle that converts a liquid fuel into an aerosolized high molecular weight fuel that sprays into the plasma chamber. The plasma in the gap cracks the aerosolized high molecular weight fuel into at least some lower molecular weight fuel and creates at least some free radicals and/or excited-state species.