Patent ID: 6883507
Filing Date: 2005-04-26
Classification: F02C,F02P,F23N,H01T

Abstract:
1. A system for igniting a fuel-air mixture in a combustion chamber having combustion chamber walls, the system comprising: an electrode inside of the combustion chamber; an electric circuit delivering radio frequency electric power at a frequency of between 30,000 and 3,000,000 hertz to the electrode; a ground formed at least in part by the combustion chamber walls; and means for controlling an output of the electric circuit to the electrode so that complete dielectric breakdown does not occur and so that an electric arc is not struck in the combustion chamber; wherein a radio frequency voltage differential formed between the electrode and the ground produces a radio frequency electric field therebetween which causes a fuel-air mixture to ionize resulting in combustion of the fuel-air mixture.