Claims
- 1. A plasma ignition apparatus for generating plasma and for propelling said plasma from said ignition apparatus, said ignition apparatus comprising:
- insulation means defining a cavity;
- electrical energy discharge means cooperatively arranged with said cavity and arranged for generating an electrical energy discharge in said cavity, said electrical energy discharge being at a level sufficient to generate plasma within said cavity and below a level at which the generated plasma is propelled from the cavity and capable of ignition external to the cavity, said discharge means including a first electrode means situated within said cavity and a second electrode means situated within said cavity and in close proximity with said first electrode means, said first and second electrode means defining a diverging gap therebetween; and
- magnetic field generation means establishing a magnetic field within said cavity in said diverging gap, said magnetic field providing a supplemental propelling force on said generated plasma, said magnetic field generation means situated so that said insulation means provides an electrical insulator between said electrical energy discharge means and said magnetic field generation means.
- 2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said magnetic field generation means is a first permanent magnet.
- 3. The apparatus of claim 2 including a second permanent magnet, wherein said first and second magnets are situated in opposing relationship with said insulation means disposed therebetween, and wherein said cavity defined by said insulation means is situated so that the magnetic field developed by the magnets is maximized within said cavity.
- 4. The apparatus of claim 3 wherein said insulation means provides thermal and electrical isolation between said cavity and said first and said second magnets.
- 5. The apparatus of claim 4 including a heat sink means in contact with said first and second permanent magnets for directing heat away from said first and second permanent magnets.
- 6. The apparatus of claim 1 including a protective membrane disposed over said cavity and attached to said insulation means to prevent ferro magnetic particles from being drawn into said cavity by said magnetic field generation means.
- 7. The apparatus of claim 6 wherein said protective membrane is volatile and combustible.
- 8. The apparatus of claim 7 wherein said protective membrane is paraffin.
- 9. A plasma ignition apparatus for generating plasma and for propelling said plasma from said ignition apparatus for ignition external to said ignition apparatus, said ignition apparatus comprising:
- insulation means defining a cavity;
- electrode means arranged relative to said cavity for discharging electrical energy in said cavity at a level sufficient to generate plasma within said cavity and below a level at which the generated plasma is propelled from the cavity and capable of ignition external to the cavity, said electrode means defining a diverging gap within said cavity; and
- a magnet for establishing a magnetic field within said cavity, said magnet providing a supplemental propelling force on said generated plasma, said magnet situated adjacent said insulation means yet electrically isolated from said cavity by said insulation means.
- 10. The apparatus of claim 9 wherein said insulation means is made from a ceramic composite.
- 11. The apparatus of claim 10 wherein said insulation means is a cylinder, wherein said cavity is formed in one end of said cylinder, and wherein said cylinder defines a void on the lateral surface of said cylinder wherein said magnet is situated.
- 12. The apparatus of claim 11 including at least two magnets and wherein said cylinder defines at least two voids on the lateral surface thereof wherein said at least two magnets are disposed.
- 13. A plasma ignition apparatus for generating plasma and for propelling said plasma from said ignition apparatus, said ignition apparatus comprising:
- insulation means defining a cavity;
- electrode means arranged relative to said cavity for discharging electrical energy in said cavity at a level sufficient to generate plasma at a predetermined location within said cavity and capable of ignition external to the cavity, said electrode means defining a diverging air gap wherein said plasma is generated;
- magnetic field generation means for establishing a magnetic field within said cavity, said magnetic field generation means situated in close proximity to said cavity yet electrically insulated therefrom by said insulation means; and
- control means providing energy to said electrode means to create a current and voltage level sufficient to induce an electrical discharge in said diverging air gap.
- 14. The apparatus of claim 13 wherein said control means further provides said energy for a duration sufficient to propel said plasma from said ignition apparatus.
- 15. The apparatus of claim 14 wherein said magnetic field generation means includes a first magnet and a second magnet, and wherein said insulation means is a cylinder and said cavity is defined in the base of the cylinder, and wherein said cylinder includes a first void and a second void situated in opposing relationship on the lateral surface of the cylinder wherein said first magnet and said second magnet are respectively disposed.
- 16. The apparatus of claim 15 wherein said first and said second magnets are samarium cobalt magnets.
- 17. The apparatus of claim 16 wherein said insulation means is made from silicon nitride.
Parent Case Info
This application is a division of application Ser. No. 08/277,197, filed Jul. 19, 1994.
US Referenced Citations (39)
Foreign Referenced Citations (1)
Number |
Date |
Country |
WO9310348 |
May 1993 |
WOX |
Divisions (1)
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Number |
Date |
Country |
Parent |
277197 |
Jul 1994 |
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