Licensable Technologies : Engineering : Manufacturing & Fabrication

Large Discharge-Volume, Silent Discharge Spark Plug

Abstract
A large discharge-volume spark plug for providing self-limiting microdischarges. The apparatus includes a generally spark plug-shaped arrangement of a pair of electrodes, where either of the two coaxial electrodes is substantially shielded by a dielectric barrier from a direct discharge from the other electrode, the unshielded electrode and the dielectric barrier forming an annular volume in which self-terminating microdischarges occur when alternating high voltage is applied to the center electrode. The large area over which the discharges occur, and the large number of possible discharges within the period of an engine cycle, make the present silent discharge plasma spark plug suitable for use as an ignition source for engines. In the situation, where a single discharge is effective in causing ignition of the combustible gases, a conventional single-polarity, single-pulse spark plug voltage supply may be used.

IP Status: Available both Exclusively and Non Exclusively

Reference Number: 551

S Number: DOE reference no.(s): 78,312

Patents & Applications:
United States National Patent Number 5469013 Issued on 11/21/1995

Posted: 10-05-2004

Contact
John Russell
Technology Transfer Division
Los Alamos National Laboratory
P.O. Box 1663, MailStop C334
(505) 665-3941
jrussell@lanl.gov