Combustion initiation device

摘要

A device for initiating combustion of fuels produces a high energy plasma jet by rapidly transferring energy from a capacitive section thereof to an electrode section integral therewith. A plurality of circular capacitor plates disposed in parallel, spaced relationship to each other within an electrically conductive, cylindrical casing filled with dielectric fluid form the capacitive section. The capacitor plates are alternately connected to the casing and to an elongate rod which extends longitudinally through the casing. One end of the rod extends outwardly from an end of the casing and includes a circularly shaped, pointed firing tip which is spaced from the end of the casing and defines one electrode of the device. The end of the casing surrounding the shaft defines the other electrode such that the initial discharge between the electrodes is in the form of a cylindrical sheet. The cylindrical sheet discharge is quickly transformed into a plasma jet by magnetic fields.