Patent ID: 8336514

Claim:
A plasma generator for use with an internal combustion engine comprising: an intake device including a throttle valve arranged in an intake passage having an intake opening that opens to a combustion chamber; an intake valve for opening and closing the intake opening; and a plasma generating device having a generating chamber for converting plasma-generating gas into a plasma state to generate plasma; wherein the generating chamber communicates with the intake passage; and the plasma generating device supplies plasma via a supply pipe to a passage portion of the intake passage between the throttle valve and the intake valve, the supply pipe having: one end which extends substantially parallel to an axial length of the passage portion of the intake passage and which is directly connected to the plasma generating device, and an opposite end which extends substantially perpendicular to the passage portion and which is directly connected to a hole in a wall of the passage portion of the intake passage, wherein the generating chamber includes an anode and a cathode operatively connected to a power supply for converting the plasma-generating gas into plasma, wherein the cathode includes a distal end that is centrally disposed within the generating chamber to be coaxial with a guide pipe for supplying the plasma-generating gas, said cathode includes a proximal end disposed to be substantially surrounded by said anode.