Patent ID: 9041273
Filing Date: 2015-05-26
Classification: H01T

Abstract:
1. A corona discharge ignition system for providing a corona discharge in a combustion chamber containing a mixture of fuel and air, comprising: a corona igniter for emitting a radio frequency electric field to ionize a fuel-air mixture and provide a corona discharge, said corona igniter comprising: a central electrode extending longitudinally along a center axis and being formed of an electrically conductive material for receiving the high radio frequency voltage and emitting the radio frequency electric field to ionize the fuel-air mixture and provide said corona discharge, a shell formed of a metal material extending along said central electrode, said shell extending longitudinally from an upper shell end to a lower shell end, an insulator formed of an electrically insulating material disposed between said central electrode and said shell, said insulator including an insulator outer surface facing away from said central electrode and extending longitudinally from an insulator upper end to an insulator nose end and presenting an abruption extending radially outward relative to said central electrode; and the system further including a power source providing a radio frequency voltage of 1,000 to 100,000 volts to said central electrode such that said central electrode provides the radio frequency electric field, and wherein said abruption of said insulator prevents negative ions from forming a conductive path extending from said shell to said central electrode.