KR20190128235A - Programmable Plasma Spark Plugs - Google Patents

Abstract

The spark plug wire for an internal combustion engine has an elongated conductor having a programmable capacitor module arranged in line with the elongated conductor. The programmable capacitor module is configured to step up or convert the ignition voltage normally supplied by the ignition coil to a plasma voltage. The spark plug according to the invention is configured such that an anode enclosed in an insulator is replaced or replaced with a voltage conversion module designed to convert the ignition voltage into a plasma voltage. The voltage conversion module is composed of a semiconductor circuit, a composite semiconductor material, or a capacitor.

Description

Programmable Plasma Spark Plugs

The present invention relates to an ignition source for an internal combustion engine. More specifically, the present invention relates to a plasma spark plug for replacing a spark plug. The plasma generated by the spark plug according to the invention can increase the molecular dissociation of the fuel to achieve almost 100% combustion, while at the same time reducing heat generation, increasing horsepower and almost completely improving the exhaust profile. .

It is an object of the present invention to create a device for an internal combustion engine that causes combustion of petroleum-based fuel by plasma propagation. Conventional spark ignition devices, such as spark plugs, currently do not provide plasma ignition characteristics. The field of spark-type devices is densely formed with more than 1,000 patented spark emitters and plasma propagation devices. The field of plasma-arc igniter systems is also densely formed but is greatly degraded for use without linkage with internal combustion engine engines. Such devices generally include (a) an insulating porcelain material comprising various kinds of glassy or glassine ceramics, (b) an anode bar inserted longitudinally through the center of the insulating porcelain material, and (c) various strategies and Attachable metal cathode materials comprising a variety of materials, attached to the ceramic insulating material using techniques; (d) all of which include cages, plates, laminated materials, and from simple spark bars separated at the ends of the anode bars; It incorporates a variety of spark-gap shapes, including other strategies to amplify or enhance the efficiency of sparks injected into the cylinders of the engine during the ignition cycle.

The invention is distinguished from all prior devices of the same class in terms of (a) the materials involved in the design of the device, (b) the shape of the ignition tip, and (c) the electro-electrical features. A common and common drawback of spark plugs is that metallic materials incorporated into their products are unable to inject sparks across the ignition gap, which effectively ignites the compressed air and fuel droplets within the cylinder efficiently beyond a finite limit during the blasting phase. . The limitations of current 'spark emitter' devices include the (a) insignificant conductivity of metallic elements, (b) the electrical persistence demonstrated by metallic elements, and (c) the finite limits of electrical saturation provided by porcelain ceramic insulating materials. It is a product.

The general air-to-fuel ratio supported by conventional devices is generally known as 14.7: 1. Recently, new engines are being manufactured to operate at elevated ratios of 22: 1. Since the amount of current (including many variable input characteristics) tolerated by conventional spark plugs cannot exceed this level of performance, elevated levels of air-to-fuel mixtures can be Indicates the upper limit of operability. For efficient explosion of fuel-air mixtures at high rates, the ignition source must be built to withstand much higher current levels, faster switching times, and higher maximum amplitudes than can be supported by currently available devices. do. The present invention fulfills this need and provides other related advantages.

Plasma ignition systems for internal combustion engines typically include a distributor in an internal combustion engine for distributing electrical energy pulses for ignition. Spark plugs are also included and may be in the form of spark spark plugs or plasma spark plugs. Spark spark plugs are known in the art. The plasma spark plug has a generally hemispherical anode disposed in a generally toroidal cathode forming an annular spark gap. The hemispherical anode and toroidal cathode of the plasma spark plug are separated by an insulator. The annular spark gap is close to the distal end of the insulated body and provides an increased spark surface as compared to conventional rod spark plugs. The spark plug is connected to a plug wire ignition coil or distributor so that an electrical energy pulse is transmitted at the ignition voltage from the coil to the spark plug.

The present invention relates to spark plug wires for use with standard spark spark plugs in internal combustion engines or plasma spark plugs. The spark plug wire includes an elongated conductor having a first end configured to be connected to the ignition coil and a second end configured to be connected to the spark plug. The elongated conductor is configured to deliver an ignition voltage from the ignition coil to the spark plug. The spark plug wire of the present invention includes a programmable capacitor module in line with the drawn conductor. The programmable capacitor module is disposed between the first end and the second end of the conductor and is configured to convert the ignition voltage into a plasma voltage. Typical ignition voltages range from 15,000 volts to 20,000 volts. The plasma voltage generated by the spark plug wire of the present invention is greater than 500,000 volts, preferably 500,000 volts to 600,000 volts.

The programmable capacitor module preferably includes a memory chip coupled to the capacitor in line with the drawn conductor. The memory chip is preferably configured to store a program for controlling a capacitor as well as a method for converting the ignition voltage to the plasma voltage. The programmable capacitor module is also configured to convert the ignition voltage from alternating current to direct current so that the plasma voltage is converted into direct current. The DC current may have a positive direction value to generate a plasma field having a clockwise rotation or a negative direction value to generate a plasma field having a counterclockwise rotation.

The plasma spark plug of the present invention includes an anode disposed concentrically within a general cylindrical cathode, and an insulator disposed between the anode and the cathode, similar to a conventional spark plug. The plasma spark plug of the present invention also includes a voltage conversion module disposed inside the insulator and configured to be electrically in line with the anode. The voltage conversion module is configured to convert the ignition voltage into a plasma voltage.

In a first embodiment of the plasma spark plug of the invention, the voltage conversion module is a semiconductor circuit, such as a metal-oxide semiconductor field effect transistor. The metal-oxide material is bridged by an insulated gate material and all connected by a p-n junction. The semiconductor circuit further includes a memory chip configured to store a program for controlling the semiconductor circuit and a method in which the semiconductor circuit converts an ignition voltage into a plasma voltage. As mentioned above, the ignition voltage is typically in the range of 15,000 volts to 20,000 volts, and the plasma voltage is preferably greater than 500,000 volts.

In a second embodiment, the voltage conversion module includes only a capacitor. The capacitor is designed and configured to convert the ignition voltage into a plasma voltage as described above.

In a third embodiment, the voltage conversion module includes a composite semiconductor material instead of an anode. The composite semiconductor material includes a metal oxide. The composite semiconductor material preferably completely replaces the tungsten anode to rely only on the capacitance effect of the composite semiconductor material. Alternatively, the composite semiconductor material may replace the middle portion of the tungsten anode such that the tungsten material is expanded to a larger diameter or surface area for encapsulation and / or blending with the composite semiconductor material.

Other features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description of the invention which, in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, illustrate the principles of the invention.

The accompanying drawings illustrate the invention. In the drawing:
1 shows a perspective view of a plasma spark plug of the present invention,
2 shows a front view of the plasma spark plug of the present invention,
3 shows an exploded view of the plasma spark plug of the present invention,
4 shows an enlarged view of the annular gap of the plasma spark plug of the invention,
5 shows a schematic diagram of an OEM system incorporating the plasma spark plug of the present invention,
Fig. 6 shows a conceptual diagram of retrofitting a gluing plug and wire using the plasma spark plug of the present invention,
7 shows a schematic diagram of a retrofit system for use with the plasma spark plug of the present invention,
8 shows a schematic diagram of one embodiment of an alternative plasma spark plug of the invention,
9 shows a schematic diagram of one embodiment of a spark plug of the present invention including an embedded semiconductor circuit,
FIG. 10 shows a schematic diagram of the embedded semiconductor circuit of FIG. 9,
11 shows a schematic diagram of one embodiment of a spark plug of the present invention including an embedded capacitor module,
12 shows a schematic diagram of one embodiment of a spark plug of the present invention comprising a composite semiconductor material.

The plasma spark plug 10 according to the present invention is designed to accommodate a specially designed plasma emitter as shown in a separate test for spraying a highly pressurized arc-generating plasma field when applied to a properly designed power supply and switching system. It became. The apparatus shown in FIGS. 1-4 includes (a) an anode (12) made from a thorium-alloy tungsten rod stock, (b) an insulator (14) made from a glassy processable ceramic material such as boron nitride, and (c A) a hemispherical field emitter 16 made of titanium and (d) a cathode sleeve 18 made of either beryllium-alloy copper or vanadium-alloy copper. The cathode 18 has a torus-shaped ring 20 around the emitter 16. The body of cathode 18 is preferably shaped and threaded 22 to be mounted to an engine port configured to receive a spark plug in a typical internal combustion engine. The cathode 18 has a torus shaped ring 20 around the emitter 16. The body of the cathode 18 preferably comprises a tool and a screw 22 to fit an engine port configured to receive a spark plug in a typical internal combustion engine. The terminal or ignition input cap 24 is press-fitted at the end of the anode 12 opposite the cathode 18.

The plasma ignition plug of the present invention delivers much higher current in the ignition cycle within a burst of nanoseconds. Instead of generating the ignition arc by hand, the plasma plug of the present invention produces a powerful plasma capable of dissociating water molecules in open air and burning them with a good arc. When the present invention is exposed to the plasma field of the plasma spark plug, gasoline molecules are broken down into one ionic radical and then ignited by the same powerful arc. As a result, the fuel molecules are burned completely with hydrocarbon particles almost removed in an amount of less than about 2.5 ppm. In addition, the carbon monoxide is completely removed, thereby improving the overall exhaust profile. When used in a two-stock oil additive vehicle, it has been found that all six carcinogenic emissions contaminants typically generated by the engine are completely removed. Vehicles tested by the plasma spark plug according to the invention were found to exhibit a significant increase in horsepower and fuel economy. Emission tests carried out on these vehicles have been found to show a significant reduction or total removal of the most dangerous exhaust pollutants. Additional components can be used with the plasma spark plug according to the present invention to increase the level of electrical discharge, adjust the switching ratio, remeasure the ignition timing, and remeasure the fuel-air ratio.

The present invention solves the fundamental problem of conventional arc spark plugs by applying the following design differences:

Thorium-alloy Tungsten Anode : Thorium-232 is a finely regulated electricity source because thorium-232 isotopes continuously emit free electrons (6.02 x 10 ¹⁷ per square cm / sec) without releasing any emissions associated with nuclear decay. It is useful as an alloy in devices to propagate the system. In the plasma spark plug 10 according to the present invention, the free electrons supplied by the thorium-232 increase the actual electron emission amount by 73.91% by the emitter. This amplification feature makes the present invention functionally superior to any similar products or applications already known. The anode 12 is preferably made of thorium-alloy tungsten (3%). The thorium-alloy tungsten anode rods enable ultrafast switching with particularly low resistance. The material enables free electron field saturation with virtually zero residual charge sustain.

Beryl-alloy copper cathodes : Conventional iron-based metals have been used in cathode systems for spark plugs for over 130 years. This practice has been applied because iron cathodes are hard, relatively inexpensive, and available everywhere. The deficiencies of iron-containing materials in spark plug applications have become important when the desired input values break the durability thresholds that can be tolerated in this type of material. The present invention solves this problem by replacing the conventional iron containing cathode material with beryllium-alloy copper. The alloy of beryllium and copper has the effect of (a) increasing the tensile strength of copper, (b) increasing the softening point of copper, and (c) increasing the conductivity of copper in elevated temperature environments. The cathode 18 is preferably made of beryllium-alloy copper or vanadium-alloy copper. The beryllium-alloy copper cathode provides very high conductivity with increased dielectric potential and high tensile strength compared to copper.

Titanium Plasma Emitter : The highest point of exposure to defects in all spark-emitter type devices is the end of the spark-irradiating anode. With recent advances in material technology, thinly coated anode ends with materials such as platinum and iridium have been produced. Examining the experimental results of the coating material, it is evident that the actual power of the work function, the usable energy form, was not increased by the addition of the coating material. In addition, the life expectancy of the anode ends exposed to a typical input discharge impulse may be extended by this modification, while coated with platinum or iridium when exposed to the input levels required to form and deliver a repeated series of plasma bursts. Conventional anode ends that have failed miserably in 15 seconds or less.

The present invention solves this problem by replacing a spherical propagator or emitter 16 composed of high purity titanium. The emitter 16 is preferably approximately 1/4 inch in diameter and is present in the shape of a sphere or hemisphere. The thorium-alloy tungsten anode rod 12 is pressed into the titanium emitter 16 to form a strong and highly conductive component that is completely resistant to damage during operation at a level at which plasma generation is expected. Cathode (18) When assembled, the arc of emitter 16 projects beyond the end of torus 20, whether spherical or hemispherical. The fact that titanium has a very low capacitance as a continuous form of residual charge is ideal for this specific application. Titanium is also completely resistant to deterioration when used as a high voltage anode. Titanium plasma emitters have very high resistance to high voltage / high amperage drop with very low residual charge persistence, very low resistance, high surface area geometry, and very high temperature / pressure resistance.

Field Propagation Mapping : In internal combustion engine type devices, a sufficient amount of electric arc as an ignition source is (a) charge amplitude source (b) charge sustained source (c) shape of the emitter end (d) surface area running between anode and cathode components Has a relationship with In conventional spark plug arrangements, approximately 0.125 "diameter rods are separated from the cathode components into spaces generally in the range of 0.030" +/-. The highest efficiency devices (such as those approved by NASCAR and Formula 1 Racing Association) consist of a single platinum-coated spark rod tip surrounded by three or more cathode ends. This arrangement is applied because it effectively increases the surface area at which the spark arc can operate.

The present invention utilizes the spherical anode emitter 16 separated from the torus 20 of the beryllium-alloy copper or vanadium-alloy copper cathode 18 by a gap of approximately 0.030 inches to achieve a relationship between shape and surface area components. To suit. The distal end of the emitter hemisphere protrudes approximately 0.020 inches past the end of the torus 20. The vitreous ceramic insulator 14 is located within 0.030 inches of the exposed surface of the cathode torus 20. The combination of raw materials with close-fixed insulator tops with curved shapes provides at least 25 times more conductive surface area than high performance NASCAR racing-type spark plugs. In addition, the shape of the plasma spark plug 10 strengthens the plasma field towards the piston head at the end of the propagation device. The combination of increased surface area has been shown to improve ignition effectiveness and efficiency by over 68% compared to NASCAR-type spark plugs under the same test conditions in a typical four-cycle gasoline combustion internal combustion engine system.

When a high amplitude pulse is delivered to the anode 12, the result is that the arc reaches over the 24 points at the same time past the annular gap 26. Under normal input from a standard alternator and ignition system (2500 rpm switches from 13.5 volts DC and 30 amps to 50,000 volts DC and 0.0036 amps), the plasma ignition plug 10 of the present invention is 25 times more than the conventional spark plug. Form a face. When the ignition level was increased by 1800 times (75,000 volts DC and 6.5 amps), the spark face was replaced by plasma. Conventional spark plugs do not withstand this current input. Under these conditions, the plasma spark plug 10 of the present invention increases molecular dissociation to nearly 100% combustion, with a reduction in heat, an increase in horsepower, and an almost perfect improvement in exhaust gas profile.

Ignition efficiency : Gasoline-based fuel-air mixtures form fundamentally different exhaust gas profiles when ignited by conventional spark plugs compared to the plasma field. The effect enhanced by the plasma field in combustion dynamics is mainly due to the molecular dissociation induced by the plasma from the long chain hydrocarbons contained in the fuel. Conventional combustion relies on an ignition source for oxidizing hydrocarbon molecules by (a) heat (b) pressure (c) efficient homogeneous mixing of fuel and air molecules (d) combustion. Combustion of petroleum-based fuels in a pressurized environment creates cylinder-head pressures generally in the 450-550 psi range during conventional internal combustion engine operation. In contrast, the combustion of the plasma-induced fuel shown by the Russian Academy of Science has been shown to produce cylinder-head pressures in the range of 1120 psi under the same conditions.

The advantage of using a plasma-induced combustion cycle is that the fuel mass that can be oxidized to produce the same work-function output value without changing all other variables is half the fuel mass normally burned in a typical internal combustion engine engine system. .

In addition, the plasma spark plug of the present invention may include a single atomic gold superconductor or a potential orbital element resource (ORME) in the emitter. The ORME may include 11 metal powders of the monoatomic potential group, that is, copper, silver, and gold. These powders exhibit type 2 superconductivity in the presence of high voltages in the EM field and cause type 1 superconductivity in adjacent copper and copper alloys.

The adjustment of the switching ratio depends on the maximum switching speed from 600 nanoseconds per pulse to 100,000 cycles per minute. Achievable switching rates include 50 nanoseconds of plasma field propagation rise, 200 nanoseconds of plasma field persistence, 50 nanoseconds of delimiter blocking, 50 nanoseconds of combustion arc rise, and 200 nanoseconds of 100 times surface area. Combustion arc duration, preferably 50 nanoseconds of delimiter blocking. The increased electrical discharge level preferably has an operating range of 13.5 volts DC at 100 amps to 75000 volts DC at 7.5 amps. The plasma field is equal to 13.5 volts DC at 41660 amps pulsed at 200 nanoseconds, or Or less than. The combustion arc is preferably at or below 75000 volts DC at 7.5 amps pulsed at 200 nanoseconds. The air to fuel ratio is preferably adjusted from 14: 7-1 to 14: 40-1. The adjustment of the ignition time is preferably digitally controlled at 40 degrees before top dead center.

With the plasma spark plug according to the invention, the electrical discharge cycle is also enhanced by the development of ignition switching, transformer coils, spark plug wiring harnesses. The singer transformer coil includes a new electromagnetic core made of nanocrystalline electromagnetic core material. The nano-crystalline material exhibits a hysteresis of 0% at a load irrespective of the current level. Vitroperm ™ manufactured by Vacuum Schmelze GmbH & Co. of Hanau, Germany is preferred as an example of the nano-crystalline material used.

In combination with nano-crystalline electromagnetic core materials, a system built for an electrical discharge cycle in combination with a plasma spark plug according to the present invention uses a special kind of cable or wire designed to carry both alternating and direct current. The wire is fabricated to reduce the "skin effect" or "proximity" loss of conductors used at frequencies around 1 megahertz. These alternating current wires consist of a number of thin wire bundles, each insulated and bent or woven together in a number of special regular patterns that often involve several films or layers. The films or layers of some wire bundles bend together to form a bent wire group. The specially curved pattern equalizes the ratio of the total length of each bundle over the outer surface of the conductor. While the alternating current wires are not superconducting, they operate with very low resistance to fast pulses of VDC current within the ranges mentioned in this document. When used as the primary winding in a transformer coil, the alternating current wire almost completely eliminates resistive losses, eddy currents, and other losses associated with the conversion to the VDC circuit. These alternating current wires are often called Litz wires and are mainly used in electromagnetics for the transfer of alternating current.

Another new material used in the system of the present invention that affects the electric discharge cycle is denscore wire (core alloy tellurium-copper wire for alloys) including tellurium 128 inserted with high purity copper windings. A particular version of this material is the Tellurium-Q® brand produced by Tellurium-Q Ltd. of the United Kingdom. The denscore wire was originally developed for use in eliminating phase distortion between amplifier and speaker components in high performance audio file systems. When used in place of spark plug wires, the denscore wire provides current transfer with almost zero resistance and little phase distortion from the transformer and switching system to the inventive plasma spark plug. This means that the signal produced at the source can be delivered in continuous units without loss to the plasma spark plug.

When core materials of nano-crystalline electromagnetics such as Vitroperm ™ and Litz wire are combined to convert the current delivered by the transformer, they can create an integrated wire harness designed to include an ignition transformer coil directly within each wire. . Each wire has a separate ignition coil and a switching module attached directly to its end just before it is connected to the respective plasma ignition plug. Heat loss and hysteresis effect due to resistance Only these integrated wire harness components are possible because they are almost eliminated. Similar previous attempts, in high performance engines for drag racing and Formula 1®, connect each spark plug wire to a separate ignition coil using a digital output controller to ensure that the output limit does not overload the spark plug. do. They also include sensors associated with feedback circuits and wireless monitoring systems. In the system according to the invention, each plasma spark plug is associated with its own transformer and a switching module embedded directly within the wire itself.

In addition, a new wire harness cover is used in the system according to the invention to cover the wire harness, in-line transformer and in-line switching system. Fibers from molten lava (basalt) with a cross-section of 0.5 microns are collected in spools, weave together, and used in a variety of high-tech technologies. The advantage of basalt fiber is that it has a softening temperature of 1200 degrees Celsius, which corresponds to the melting point of volcanic rock. Such materials combine with each other to create a flexible insulating material that is three times stronger than boron-doped graphite fibers of the same diameter and does not decompose by heat and exhibits very high resistance to electrical saturation. These materials also have zero conductivity and exhibit zero static electricity when exposed to magnetic fields. These basalt fiber enclosures make wire harness components including denscore wires, in-line transformers and digital switching modules that are virtually unbreakable and very durable for continuous use.

5 schematically shows a system of an OEM engine using a plasma spark plug according to the invention. The OEM system 30 includes a car battery 32 that is electrically connected to a fuse 34 that is in turn electrically connected to an ignition switch 36. The ignition switch 36 is connected to an alternator 38 that supplies electricity to the distributor module 40. To date, the OEM system 30 is very similar to the prior art design. The output from the distributor module 40 is connected to the spark controller 42. The spark controller 42 is in turn connected to a timing controller 44 which transmits to the plasma ignition plug 10 via the plug wire 46. The spark controller 42, the timing controller 44, the plug wire 46 are described herein. As shown, all components of the OEM system 30 have a suitable ground connection 48.

6 schematically shows an integrated plug and wire retrofit system 50 for using the plasma spark plug 10 according to the present invention. In the retrofit system 50, the plug wire 46 extends from the distributor module 40. The essential components along with the plug wire 46 are the integrated circuit board (ICB) switching component 52 and the transformer 54. The ICB switching component 52 is a very fast digital control switch connected to the transformer 54. The transformer 54 consists of a nano-crystalline material EM torus 56 and an alternating current wire, that is, the primary and secondary windings 58 of the Ritzwire. Switching component 52 and transformer 54 couple to output pulses that are transformed from high amps to high voltages. The output from the transformer 54 is connected to a plug cap 60 that is configured to connect directly to the plasma spark plug 10. Each component again has an appropriate ground connection 48 as indicated. ICB switching system component 52 is preferably controllable by a programmable microprocessor. The programmable microprocessor can be integrated with an ICB switching component 52 or a separate component that can be connected to and likewise controllable.

Typically, the above mentioned pulse switching converts the output from the power distribution module 40 first to a high amp pulse, ie 30 amps to 13.5 volts DC, and then to a high voltage pulse, ie 0.0036, for a total pulse period of 200 nanoseconds. Convert from 50,000-75,000 volts DC to amps. The purpose of the modified pulse is to make full use of the plasma spark plug 10. When the plasma spark plug 10 is pulsed with a very fast (50 nanosecond) high burst of high amperes (square wave in 200 nanosecond periods), the air fuel mixture is molecularly separated into individual radicals and ions within the plasma field. do. The plasma field persists even when the charge source is extinguished. The rate at which all of the charge sources dissipate is critical to the effectiveness of the dissociation action. The switch must therefore switch the plasma field very quickly (50-100 nanoseconds) to the ignition field . While the component radicals and their respective ions are still in separate plasma states, the introduction of a high voltage ignition source activates the oxidation reaction with very high efficiency. This works without sparks because all the fields act directly as a single ignition point in the plasma.

All components are temporarily suspended in the plasma field creating a unique environment. Instead of mere mixing of finely divided fuel droplets and intact air molecules semantically separated by distances within the two-digit micron range in the compression step, the component ions and radicals remain in close proximity of the atoms. This then increases the contact of the surface area with a similar index increase while moving to a closer spatial relationship between 100,000 and 1,000,000 times than the prior art fuel / air mixture. This is one factor contributing to complete combustion conditions, for example all ions and radicals of all components. This results in the simultaneous reaction of all components within the high voltage input while the plasma field is maintained. When components react to oxidize fuel, the amount of energy released is higher than the spark plugs and ignition systems of the prior art because the ignition conditions are fundamentally different. These improvements experimentally demonstrate a 68% -73% fuel reduction for the operation of the load, a reduction in engine operating temperature to around 80 ° F, a fundamental change in the exhaust profile, and high durability of the plasma spark plug 10.

Alternative retrofit system 62 is shown in FIG. 7. This alternative retrofit system 62 has a configuration similar to that shown in the previous system, including the battery 32, fuse 34, ignition switch 36, alternator 38 and distributor module 40. The system also includes an ignition module 64 electrically coupled with the alternator 38. The ignition module 64 serves as a power transistor. In an alternative retrofit system 62 the plug wire 46 extends directly from the distributor module 40 and includes an inline digital switch 68 connected to the inline spark transformer 66 and the plasma spark plug 10 according to the invention. do. The appropriate component again has the proper ground connection 48 as indicated. The retrofit system replaces the original spark plug wire with a new plug wire 46 that includes an inline transformer 66 and a digital switch 68 together with the plasma spark plug 10.

In a particularly preferred embodiment, the plasma spark plug of the invention for use in a four-cycle engine provides the following mechanics. The fuel is broken down into 0.4 micrometer diameter droplets mixed with air in a carburettor jet / fuel injector of 0.056 centimeters in diameter. Air and fuel are at 14: 7-1 Is injected into the cylinder. Plasma propagation occurs at a ignition point 22 degrees before the box point with a plasma field propagated at 50 nanosecond rise times, a 200 nanosecond duration, and a 50 nanosecond shutdown period at 13.5 volts DC at 41660 amperes. At this value, the plasma field decomposes long chain hydrocarbon molecules into individual ions and evenly distributes them close to atomic size under pressure. The following ignition arc occurs at 50 nanoseconds after the collapse of the plasma field with the injection of an ignition pulse of 75000 volts DC at 7.5 amps for 200 nanoseconds followed by a 50 nanosecond shutdown period. Explosion strokes Recombination and oxidation of oxygen ions proceed up to 60% higher than conventional combustion. Exhaust stroke emissions represent as low as 42% carbon (2.5 PPMs), normalized NO2, normalized SO2, and virtual removal of carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide. Plasma spark plugs produce more complete combustion at nanosecond intervals to reduce cylinder head temperatures between 80 and 120 degrees Fahrenheit and exhaust temperatures between 60 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit. When the ignition timing is adjusted between 35 and 38 degrees before the box point, horsepower increases by 15-22% depending on the engine type and fuel combination. When the air-to-fuel mixture is adjusted to 40: 1, the braking horsepower increases with a decrease in fuel consumption by 62.1% overall.

The plasma spark plug according to the invention has similar advantages in a two-stroke engine. 2-strokes usually include benzene, 1,3-butadiene, benzo (a) pyrene, formaldehyde, acrolein and other aldehydes. Carcinogenic substances, along with these emissions, exacerbate inflammation and health risks. Two-stroke engines do not have a dedicated lubrication system, so that the lubricant is mixed with the fuel, resulting in short duty cycles and life expectancy. When using the plasma spark plug according to the present invention, the two-stroke engine has a typical magneto output (about 15000 volts DC at 1 amp), which is about 4 times increased from 14 amps to 60000 volts due to the advantage of thorium-alloy tungsten anode. Experience ignition amplification. Spark discharge surface area increases 4.169 times from a single spark bar (0.0181 square inches) to a halo emitter (0.0745 square inches). The total spark discharge density is increased by 23.251 times. The emission profile of the 2-stroke engine is approximately 87% less hydrocarbon particulates, removal of carbon monoxide, NO2 conversion of NOX, SO2 conversion of SOX, removal of benzene, 84% reduction of 1,3-butadiene, removal of formalin, And removal of aldehydes. At 6000 RPM, horsepower increases by 12.4% and engine temperature decreases from 260 degrees Fahrenheit to about 187 degrees Fahrenheit.

A series of tests of the plasma spark plug according to the invention comprises (a) creating a controlled vacuum with intentionally induced properties, (b) visually observing and empirically measuring the results of the test, and (c) evaporating It is designed to perform a series of tests according to an increased and controlled amount of water, and (d) to digitally record the test results for each part. Test equipment was constructed that matches the design of the plasma spark plug 10. In the test of a circular plasma spark plug, a fly-back transformer yielding 75,000 volts AC at 3.0 amps formed a clearly visible plasma field. Cold, ionized water vapor generated in a conventional nebulizer was sprayed outdoors into the plasma field. Water vapor decomposed outdoors, ionized and exploded.

As a further improvement on the spark plug and the spark plug system, the applicant discloses the following further advanced improvements.

8 shows an elongated conductor 71 having a programmable capacitor module 72 in alignment between the ignition coil 74 and the connector plug 76 configured to engage the upper portion 78a of the spark plug 78. A spark plug wire 70 according to the present invention is shown to be included. In use, the elongated conductor 71 is connected to one end of the ignition coil 74 either directly or through another engine component such as a distributor (not shown). The elongated conductor 71 is connected to the connector plug 76 at the second end and to the top 78a of the spark plug 78.

Programmable capacitor module 72 generally includes a housing 80 that is present in a barrel-shaped or similar three-dimensional cylinder. The housing 80 preferably has a rounded end or curved end 80a passing through the spark plug wire 70. Notwithstanding the above preferred form, the housing 80 may be formed in any shape that fits into the engine compartment or may contain the following components.

The housing 80 of the programmable capacitor module 72 surrounds a printed circuit board 82 that is electrically connected in line with the spark plug wire 70 passing through the housing 804. The printed circuit board 82 includes at least a capacitor 84, a memory chip 86, and an input port 88. In general, the programmable capacitor module 72 is a computing device (not shown), preferably a micro-USB port or similar common, that interfaces with the input port 88 to access the memory chip 86 for programming purposes. Can be programmed using the interface.

The programmable capacitor module 72 is preferably programmed to convert any voltage delivered by the ignition coil 74 into a sufficiently high voltage to produce a plasma ignition field as described above. Typical ignition voltages for internal combustion engines are generally about 15,000 volts to 20,000 volts, although other engine designs may use voltage values outside of this range. This voltage is generally sufficient to generate a "spark" across the voids of a conventional ignition spark plug, where the voids act as insulators. Since the fuel / air mixture in the combustion chamber enters the voids, the ignition voltage is sufficient to generate sparks across the voids.

The programmable capacitor module 72 is configured to up or convert the ignition voltage to a plasma voltage at a voltage greater than 500,000 volts. Generally, the plasma voltage is within 500,000 volts to 600,000 volts. As noted above, this plasma voltage is sufficient to create a plasma energy field that more completely burns hydrocarbons in the combustion chamber, including residual hydrocarbon residues embedded in the combustion chamber and / or the walls of the piston cylinder.

In addition, the programmable capacitor module 72 may convert current from alternating current (AC) to direct current (DC). The advantage in converting to DC is the ability to have current in the plus or minus direction. In the case of DC in the positive direction, the plasma field generated by the single plasma spark plug 10 rotates clockwise. In contrast, in the case of DC in the negative direction, the plasma field generated by the single plasma spark plug 10 rotates counterclockwise.

In the piston cylinder, the plasma field rotating clockwise or counter-clockwise creates vortices in the cylinder. The inventors believe that the plasma vortex in the cylinder may have the additional ability to wash substantially all of the unburned hydrocarbons that may accumulate in the cylinder over time. This washing will result in combustion of unburned hydrocarbons and complete combustion of any new fuel introduced into the cylinder. More complete combustion will have the additional effect of lowering emissions to the point where a catalytic converter or other emission system component becomes unnecessary.

This plasma vortex and increased combustion efficiency allow for the adjustment of conventional air / fuel mixtures for internal combustion engines. Typical air / fuel mixtures for internal combustion engines are about 14.7-1. Plasma vortex allows the air / fuel mixture to be as high as 40 to 1 in a single cylinder engine. In a particularly preferred embodiment, the air / fuel mixture is about 30 to 1. This change in air / fuel mixture can be much greater than twice the fuel economy and cut emissions by using the programmable capacitor module 72 according to the present invention.

9 and 10 schematically show an alternative embodiment of the plasma spark plug 10 according to the invention. In this embodiment, the anode 12 comprises a capacitance circuit 90 and preferably comprises a capacitance circuit 90 alone between the hemispherical field emitter 16 and the ignition input cap 24. As shown in FIG. 9, the tungsten anode rod 12 may be included in a two-piece form as a connector to the emitter 16 and the input cap 24 at both ends of the capacitance circuit 90. . Alternatively, tungsten anode rod 12 may be omitted so that capacitance circuit 90 is directly connected to emitter 16 and input cap 24. As shown in the cutaway view of FIG. 10, the capacitance circuit 90 present in or surrounded by the ceramic insulator 14 may also be included in a standard spark plug or spark plug 78.

The capacitance circuit 90 is preferably configured as a metal-oxide-semiconductor field effect transistor (MOSFET) designed to have conductivity dependent on the voltage supplied. The MOSFET is constructed of a similar structure, such as a silicon wafer 92 or a printed circuit board, insulated gate 94 connecting a pair of metal-oxide terminals 96a, 96b corresponding to pn junctions 98a, 98b. It is composed of The voltage of the insulated gate 94 determines the conductivity of the circuit 90. Source terminal 100 is connected to one p-n junction 98a and drain terminal 102 is connected to another p-n junction 98b. In an alternative embodiment, the capacitance circuit 90 may consist of one or more capacitors mounted on the silicon wafer 92 and electrically connected, which are in turn embedded in the ceramic insulator 14.

As noted above, in addition to the MOSFET or surface-mount capacitor, the capacitance circuit 90 may preferably include a memory chip 86. The memory chip 86 may receive a flash memory upload of a program designed to change the degree to which the conductivity of the circuit 90 depends on the voltage supplied to the gate 94. The memory chip 86 may be preprogrammed before the circuit 90 embedded in the insulator 14.

The plasma spark plug 10 may also include an input port 88 as described above. Input port 88 may be included at the end of ignition input cap 24. In this way, the memory chip 86 may be connected via a conventional ignition wire or through a separate wire, for example a micro-USB, specifically a computing terminal (not shown) such as a laptop, tablet, smartphone, or the like. Can be programmed via USB, etc.

11 schematically shows an alternative embodiment of the plasma spark plug 10 according to the invention. In this embodiment, the anode 12 includes a capacitor 104 embedded between the hemispherical field emitter 16 and the ignition input cap 24, as shown in FIG. 11, the tungsten anode rod 12. ) May be included in a two-piece form as a connector to the emitter 16 and the input cap 24 at both ends of the capacitor 104. Alternatively, the tungsten anode rod 12 may be omitted so that the capacitor 104 is directly connected to the emitter 16 and the input cap 24. The capacitor 104 preferably includes a circuit 14 embedded in or surrounded by the ceramic insulator, as can be seen in the cutaway view of FIG. 11. The capacitor 104 may also be included in a standard spark plug or spark plug 78.

12 schematically shows an alternative embodiment of the plasma spark plug 10 according to the invention. In this embodiment, anode rod 12 may be replaced with composite semiconductor material 106 enclosed in ceramic insulator 144. Preferred forms of the composite semiconductor material 106 include metal-oxides commonly found in semiconductor systems. Composite semiconductor material 106 is preferably directly connected to emitter 16 and input cap 24 such that the capacitance effect of semiconductor material 106 is optimized without resistance from the material of tungsten rod 12 or other anode conductors. It is desirable to be. Alternatively, the tungsten rod 12 may also include one having an extended diameter or surface area sufficient to be encapsulated and / or mixed with the composite semiconductor material 106, replacing the middle portion of the tungsten anode rod 12. It may be.

The composite semiconductor material 106 is preferably a metal-oxide or similar known semiconductor material and has a variable capacitance depending on the voltage to which it is exposed. Composite semiconductor material 106 preferably sets the input voltage to an alternating current at the emitter, preferably at a high output voltage. Most preferably, the voltage is as high as 500,000 volts at small current values of 1 to 5 milliamps. This is in contrast to prior art spark plugs that operate at currents in the range of 50-70 milliamps at low voltages of about 17,000 volts.

Any conventional engine can be operated using the plasma spark plug 10 according to the invention or the spark plug wire 70 according to the invention such that a sharp improvement in efficiency and operation is achieved. The normal voltage (e.g., 15,000-20,000 volts) supplied by the existing ignition coil can be enhanced to higher voltages using the system according to the invention. The improved 500,000 volts or more.

Although the embodiments have been described in detail for purposes of illustration, various modifications may be made without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention, and therefore, the invention is not limited except as by the appended claims.

Claims (16)

An elongated conductor having a first end configured for connection with the ignition coil and a second end configured for connection with the spark plug; And
A programmable capacitor module disposed in line with the conductor extending between said first and second ends,
The elongated conductor is configured to deliver an ignition voltage from the ignition coil to the spark plug,
And the programmable capacitor module is configured to convert an ignition voltage into a plasma voltage.
The method of claim 1,
The ignition voltage is in the range of 15,000 volts to 20,000 volts.
The method of claim 1,
The plasma voltage is in excess of 500,000 volts.
The method of claim 1,
The programmable capacitor module comprising a memory chip coupled to a capacitor present in line with the elongated conductor.
The method of claim 4, wherein
The memory chip is configured to store a program for controlling the capacitor and how the capacitor converts an ignition voltage into a plasma voltage.
The method of claim 1,
The programmable capacitor module configured to convert an ignition voltage from an alternating current to a direct current.
The method of claim 6,
Wherein the direct current has a positive direction and generates a plasma field that has a clockwise direction.
The method of claim 6,
Wherein the direct current has a negative direction and generates a plasma field having a counter-clockwise direction.
An anode intensively disposed inside a typical cylindrical cathode;
An insulator disposed between the anode and the cathode; And
A voltage conversion module electrically arranged in line with the anode inside the insulator,
The voltage conversion module is configured to convert the ignition voltage into a plasma voltage.
The method of claim 9,
Wherein said voltage conversion module comprises a semiconductor circuit.
The method of claim 10,
Wherein said semiconductor circuit comprises a metal-oxide semiconductor field-effect transistor.
The method of claim 10,
Wherein the semiconductor circuit further comprises a memory chip configured to store a program for controlling the semiconductor and a method in which the semiconductor circuit converts an ignition voltage into a plasma voltage.
The method of claim 9,
Wherein the ignition voltage ranges from 15,000 to 20,000 and the plasma voltage exceeds 500,000.
The method of claim 9,
Wherein said voltage conversion module is comprised of a capacitor.
The method of claim 9,
Wherein the voltage conversion module comprises a composite semiconductor material replacing the anode.
In accordance with claim 15,
Wherein said composite semiconductor material comprises a metal-oxide material.

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