Patent US4308488A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4308488A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Plasma jet ignition system
Assignee: Nissan Motor Co Ltd
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Filing: 1980-04-18
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Granted: 1981-12-29
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Expires: 2000-04-18
Abstract
Abstract A plasma jet ignition system wherein a plasma jet energy storage system is designed as an add-on system, which is used in conjunction with a conventional ignition system which provides the basic spark timing and high voltage trigger signal to plasma jet ignition plugs. The plasma jet energy storage system is connected to the plasma jet ignition plugs via steering diodes. Each of the steering diodes has an anode terminal directly connected to one of the plasma jet ignition plugs.
Inventors
- 👤 Iwao Imai
- 👤 Yukitsugu Hirota
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 22:50
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01T; H01T13/00; H01T13/02; H01T13/04; H01T13/05; F; F02; F02P; F02P9/00; F02P9/002; F02P9/007; H01T13/50; H01T13/54
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
176 words
A plasma jet ignition system comprising: a spark energy storage system including an ignition coil having a primary winding and a secondary winding, an ignition module connected to said primary winding of said ignition coil, and a distributor connected to said secondary winding of said ignition coil; a plurality of plasma jet ignition plugs; a spark energy delivery harness connecting said plurality of plasma jet ignition plugs to said distributor; a plasma jet energy storage system including a high voltage power source, an energy storage and pulse shaping network that includes a storage capacitor connected to said high voltage power source; a plasma jet energy delivery harness connecting said plurality of plasma jet ignition plugs to said energy storage and pulse shaping network of said plasma jet energy storage system, said plasma jet energy delivery harness including a plurality of steering diodes arranged to prevent the spark energy from flowing into said storage capacitor, wherein each of said steering diodes has an anode terminal directly connected to one of said plurality of plasma jet ignition plugs.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
176 words
A plasma jet ignition system comprising: a spark energy storage system including an ignition coil having a primary winding and a secondary winding, an ignition module connected to said primary winding of said ignition coil, and a distributor connected to said secondary winding of said ignition coil; a plurality of plasma jet ignition plugs; a spark energy delivery harness connecting said plurality of plasma jet ignition plugs to said distributor; a plasma jet energy storage system including a high voltage power source, an energy storage and pulse shaping network that includes a storage capacitor connected to said high voltage power source; a plasma jet energy delivery harness connecting said plurality of plasma jet ignition plugs to said energy storage and pulse shaping network of said plasma jet energy storage system, said plasma jet energy delivery harness including a plurality of steering diodes arranged to prevent the spark energy from flowing into said storage capacitor, wherein each of said steering diodes has an anode terminal directly connected to one of said plurality of plasma jet ignition plugs.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
50 words
A plasma jet ignition system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said plasma energy delivery harness includes a plurality of shielded cables with their sheathes grounded, each of said shielded cables leading to one of said steering diodes and connecting with said one steering diode at a cathode terminal thereof.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
72 words
A plasma jet ignition system as claimed in claim 1 or 2, including a plurality of plug caps for receiving said plurality of plasma jet ignition plugs, respectively, each of said plurality of plug caps including a metal connector engaging one of said plurality of plasma jet ignition plugs, wherein each of said steering diodes has its anode terminal connected to said metal connector of one of said plurality of plug caps.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
36 words
A plasma jet ignition system as claimed in claim 2, wherein said spark energy delivery harness includes a plurality of high tension resistive cables, each leading to one of said plurality of plasma jet ignition plugs.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
28 words
A plasma jet ignition system as claimed in claim 3, wherein each of said plurality of plug caps has embedded therein one of said plurality of steering diodes.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
41 words
A plasma jet ignition system as claimed in claim 3, wherein each of said plurality of plug caps conceals connection area where the metal connector of said plug cap is connected to said anode terminal of one of said steering diodes.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
17 words
A plasma jet ignition system as claimed in claim 3, wherein said ignition module includes a breaker.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
68 words
A plasma jet ignition system as claimed in claim 3, wherein said energy storage and pulse shaping network includes a free wheeling diode constructed and arranged as to improve the efficiency of energy delivery by preventing voltage reversal on said storage capacitor and an inductor constructed and arranged as to limit the peak value of the discharge current from said storage capacitor and to control the discharge duration.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1984-12-28 | 1985-06-29 | 1985-12-29 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1988-12-28 | 1989-06-29 | 1989-12-29 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1992-12-28 | 1993-06-29 | 1993-12-29 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |