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A plasma plug for an internal combustion engine includes a main body having an inner portion formed of ceramic and an outer portion formed of aluminum or other metal. A first electrode and a second electrode formed of Ruthenium dioxide are disposed axially within the electrically insulated portion o

A plasma plug for an internal combustion engine includes a main body having an inner portion formed of ceramic and an outer portion formed of aluminum or other metal. A first electrode and a second electrode formed of Ruthenium dioxide are disposed axially within the electrically insulated portion of the main body. The plasma plug further includes a donut shaped toroidal capacitor situated circumferentially about the main body of the plasma plug, having an open center, an outer plate connected to a high voltage, direct current generator, an inner plate selectively connected to the first electrode through a spark switch and a dielectric situated between the outer plate and the inner plate. A resistive element connected in series to the first electrode and the second electrode is situated at the lower portion of the main body. The second electrode is either grounded or can float above ground to complete the circuit.

대표청구항 ▼

What is claimed is: 1. A plasma plug for an internal combustion engine, which comprises: a main body having an inner portion formed of an electrically insulated material and an outer portion disposed radially outwardly of the inner portion, at least one portion of the outer portion being formed of

What is claimed is: 1. A plasma plug for an internal combustion engine, which comprises: a main body having an inner portion formed of an electrically insulated material and an outer portion disposed radially outwardly of the inner portion, at least one portion of the outer portion being formed of an electrically conductive material, the main body further having an upper portion and a lower portion disposed axially opposite the upper portion, the lower portion further including a bottom surface; a first electrode and a second electrode disposed axially within the electrically insulated inner portion of the main body and spaced apart from each other, the second to electrode being electrically connectable to ground or floating, to complete the circuit; at least one capacitor having a first plate, a second plate and a dielectric situated between the first plate and the second plate, the first plate being in electrical communication with the first electrode, the second plate being electrically connectable to a high voltage source; and a resistive element, the resistive element being situated at the lower portion of the main body and being electrically connected in series with the first electrode and the second electrode. 2. A plasma plug as defined by claim 1, wherein the inner portion of the main body is formed of a ceramic material. 3. A plasma plug as defined by claim 1, wherein the at least one portion of the outer portion of the main body is formed from a metal. 4. A plasma plug as defined by claim 1, wherein at least one of the first electrode and the second electrode is formed of Ruthenium dioxide. 5. A plasma plug as defined by claim 1, wherein the resistive element is formed of carbon film, the carbon film being formed on the bottom surface of the lower portion of the main body. 6. A plasma plug as defined by claim 1, which further comprises: a trigger electrode, the trigger electrode being disposed axially within the electrically insulated inner portion of the main body and situated in proximity to the first electrode, the second electrode and the resistive element, the trigger electrode being electrically connectable to a spark generator. 7. A plasma ignition system for use with an internal combustion engine, which comprises: a plasma plug as defined by claim 6; a high voltage, direct current generator, the high voltage, direct current generator being in electrical communication with the first plate of the at least one capacitor and providing a high voltage, direct current signal thereto, the second plate of the at least one capacitor being in electrical communication with the first electrode of the plasma plug, the second electrode of the plasma plug being in electrical communication with a ground potential or floating, to complete the circuit; and a spark generator, the spark generator being in electrical communication with the trigger electrode of the plasma plug. 8. A plasma plug as defined by claim 1, wherein the at least one capacitor is a toroidal capacitor, the toroidal capacitor having a donut shape and defining an open center, the toroidal capacitor being situated circumferentially about the main body. 9. A plasma ignition system for use with an internal combustion engine, which comprises: a plasma plug as defined by claim 1; a high voltage, direct current generator, the high voltage, direct current generator being in electrical communication with the first plate of the at least one capacitor and providing a high voltage, direct current signal thereto; and a spark switch, the spark switch being in electrical communication with the second plate of the at least one capacitor and further being in electrical communication with the first electrode of the plasma plug, the second electrode of the plasma plug being in electrical communication with a ground potential or floating, to complete the circuit. 10. A plasma plug for an internal combustion engine, which comprises: a main body having an inner portion formed of an electrically insulated material and an outer portion disposed radially outwardly of the inner portion, at least one portion of the outer portion being formed of an electrically conductive material, the main body further having an upper portion and a lower portion disposed axially opposite the upper portion, the lower portion further including a bottom surface; a center electrode, the center electrode being disposed axially within the electrically insulated portion of the main body; an outer electrode, the outer electrode being defined by the electrically conductive at least one portion of the outer portion of the main body, the outer electrode being electrically connectable to ground or floating, to complete the circuit; at least one capacitor, the at least one capacitor having a first plate, a second plate and a dielectric situated between the first plate and the second plate, the first plate being in electrical communication with the center electrode, the second plate being electrically connectable to a high voltage source; and a resistive element, the resistive element being situated at the lower portion of the main body and being electrically connected in series with the center electrode and the outer electrode. 11. A plasma plug as defined by claim 10, wherein the inner portion of the main body is formed of a ceramic material. 12. A plasma plug as defined by claim 10, wherein the at least one portion of the outer portion of the main body is formed from a metal. 13. A plasma plug as defined by claim 10, wherein the center electrode is formed of Ruthenium dioxide. 14. A plasma plug as defined by claim 10, wherein the resistive element is formed as a strip extending radially from the center electrode to the outer electrode. 15. A plasma plug as defined by claim 10, wherein the at least one capacitor is a toroidal capacitor, the toroidal capacitor having a donut shape and defining an open center, the toroidal capacitor being situated circumferentially about the main body. 16. A plasma ignition system for use with an internal combustion engine, which comprises: a plasma plug as defined by claim 10; a high voltage, direct current generator, the high voltage, direct current generator being in electrical communication with the first plate of the at least one capacitor and providing a high voltage, direct current signal thereto; and a spark switch, the spark switch being in electrical communication with the second plate of the at least one capacitor and further being in electrical communication with the center electrode of the plasma plug, the outer electrode of the plasma plug being in electrical communication with a ground potential or floating, to complete the circuit.