US3842818A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Ignition devices
Assignee: Associated Engineering Ltd
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Filing: 1972-11-16
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Granted: 1974-10-22
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Expires: 1992-11-16
Abstract
Abstract An ignition device for an internal combustion engine includes a chamber having a wall, a hole in the wall through which a medium to be ignited may communicate with the inside of the chamber, and means to produce a plasma flame within the chamber of sufficient energy to project through the hole. The means to produce the plasma flame includes first and second electrodes spaced apart by a gap. A potential from a first source is applied across the electrodes which is insufficient by itself to cause electrical breakdown of the gap, and a higher potential from a second source is applied across the gap, or a part of the gap, which is sufficient to cause the potential from the first source to be discharged across the gap.
Inventors
- 👤 T Cowell
- 👤 D Brown
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 23:48
CPC Classifications
F; F02; F02P; F02P9/00; F02P9/002; F02P9/007
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim
197 words
An ignition device for an internal combustion engine including a body of insulating material, a first electrode, a second electrode, said body together with said first and second electrodes defining a substantially closed chamber, said first electrode closing one end of said chamber and being formed with an orifice therethrough, said second electrode being rod-shaped and extending part-way towards said first electrode, whereby to define a first gap between said first and second electrodes, a first source of electrical potential connected across said first and second electrodes, said potential being insufficient to cause electrical breakdown of said first gap, and means, including a second source of electrical potential, at a substantially higher potential than said first source, to apply said substantialy higher potential across at least part of said first gap, whereby to ionize said part of said first gap and thereby to cause the lower potential from the first source to be discharged across said first gap, the energy of the discharge being such as to cause a plasma arc to occur and rapidly heat up and expand the gas within said substantially closed chamber, thereby causing a plasma arc flame to project through said orifice.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
197 words
An ignition device for an internal combustion engine including a body of insulating material, a first electrode, a second electrode, said body together with said first and second electrodes defining a substantially closed chamber, said first electrode closing one end of said chamber and being formed with an orifice therethrough, said second electrode being rod-shaped and extending part-way towards said first electrode, whereby to define a first gap between said first and second electrodes, a first source of electrical potential connected across said first and second electrodes, said potential being insufficient to cause electrical breakdown of said first gap, and means, including a second source of electrical potential, at a substantially higher potential than said first source, to apply said substantialy higher potential across at least part of said first gap, whereby to ionize said part of said first gap and thereby to cause the lower potential from the first source to be discharged across said first gap, the energy of the discharge being such as to cause a plasma arc to occur and rapidly heat up and expand the gas within said substantially closed chamber, thereby causing a plasma arc flame to project through said orifice.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
46 words
An ignition device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said means for applying said substantially higher potential across at least part of said first gap is connected across said first and second electrodes to apply said substantially higher potential across the whole of said first gap.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
39 words
An ignition device as claImed in claim 1, including also a third electrode, and wherein said means for applying said substantially higher potential across at least part of said first gap is connected across said first and third electrodes.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
35 words
An ignition device as claimed in claim 3, wherein said third electrode is aligned with and spaced from said second electrode, and is on the side of said second electrode remote from said first electrode.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
32 words
An ignition device as claimed in claim 3, wherein said third electrode projects through said body of insulating material, into said substantially closed chamber, between said first electrode and said second electrode.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
50 words
An ignition device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said first source of electrical potential connected across said first and second electrodes includes capacitor means, and wherein said means for applying said substantially higher potential across at least part of said first gap includes an ignition coil and a distributor.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
No citation records indexed.
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1977-10-21 | 1978-04-22 | 1978-10-22 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-10-21 | 1982-04-22 | 1982-10-22 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-10-21 | 1986-04-22 | 1986-10-22 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |