Patent ID: 8844490
Filing Date: 2014-09-30
Classification: H01T

Abstract:
1. A corona igniter for providing a corona discharge, comprising: a central electrode formed of an electrically conductive material extending from an electrode terminal end for receiving a high radio frequency voltage to an electrode firing end for emitting a radio frequency electric field to ionize a fuel-air mixture and provide a corona discharge, said central electrode including a firing tip extending radially outwardly from said electrode firing end to present a tip diameter, an insulator formed of an electrically insulating material disposed around said central electrode and extending longitudinally from an insulator upper end to an insulator nose end, said insulator presenting an insulator outer surface extending between said insulator upper end and said insulator nose end, said insulator presenting an insulator nose diameter at said insulator nose end being less than said tip diameter of said firing tip, a shell formed of an electrically conductive metal material disposed around said insulator and extending longitudinally from a shell upper end toward said insulator nose end to a shell lower end, said shell presenting a shell inner surface facing said insulator outer surface and a shell outer surface extending between said shell lower end and said shell upper end, said shell presenting a shell gap having a shell gap width (w said shell gap being open at said shell lower end allowing air to flow therein, and said shell gap width (w