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A plasma generator comprises a radio frequency power source, a coaxial cavity resonator assembly, and a direct current power source. The radio frequency power source provides a voltage supply of radio frequency power having a first ratio of power over voltage. The resonator assembly includes a center conductor coupled to the radio frequency power source, and also includes a virtual short circuit. The direct current power source is connected to the center conductor at the virtual short circuit, and provides a voltage supply of direct current power having ...
A plasma generator comprises a radio frequency power source, a coaxial cavity resonator assembly, and a direct current power source. The radio frequency power source provides a voltage supply of radio frequency power having a first ratio of power over voltage. The resonator assembly includes a center conductor coupled to the radio frequency power source, and also includes a virtual short circuit. The direct current power source is connected to the center conductor at the virtual short circuit, and provides a voltage supply of direct current power having a second ratio of power over voltage that is less than the first ratio.
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1. A plasma generator comprising: a source of radio frequency power;a coaxial cavity resonator assembly including a center conductor that is both oriented in a coupling arrangement to the source of radio frequency power and is configured to maintain a voltage null at a first location; anda source of direct current power connected to the center conductor proximal to the first location. 2. The plasma generator of claim 1, further comprising: a radio frequency control component connected between the source of direct current power and the coaxial cavity reso...
1. A plasma generator comprising: a source of radio frequency power;a coaxial cavity resonator assembly including a center conductor that is both oriented in a coupling arrangement to the source of radio frequency power and is configured to maintain a voltage null at a first location; anda source of direct current power connected to the center conductor proximal to the first location. 2. The plasma generator of claim 1, further comprising: a radio frequency control component connected between the source of direct current power and the coaxial cavity resonator assembly, and configured to restrict the passage of a voltage supply of radio frequency power to the source of direct current power. 3. The plasma generator of claim 2, wherein the radio frequency control component is an additional resonator assembly configured to shift the voltage supply of radio frequency power 180 degrees out of phase relative to a ground plane of the coaxial cavity resonator assembly. 4. The plasma generator of claim 1, wherein the coaxial cavity resonator assembly comprises a plurality of quarter wave coaxial cavity resonators coupled in a series arrangement, the resonators including center conductors coupled to the source of radio frequency power. 5. The plasma generator of claim 1, further comprising: a power source controller configured to direct the source of radio frequency power to provide a voltage supply of radio frequency power with a first ratio of power over voltage and configured to direct the source of direct current power to provide a voltage supply of direct current power with a second ratio of power over voltage, wherein the first ratio is greater than the second ratio. 6. A plasma generator comprising: a radio frequency power source;a coaxial cavity resonator assembly including a center conductor that is oriented in a coupling arrangement to the radio frequency power source and is configured to maintain a voltage null at a first location;an open end discharge quarter wave coaxial cavity resonator including a center conductor having a proximal end coupled to the first location; anda direct current power source connected proximal to the first location. 7. A plasma generator comprising: a radio frequency power source configured to provide a voltage supply of radio frequency power having a first ratio of power over voltage;a coaxial cavity resonator assembly including a center conductor that is oriented in a coupling arrangement to the radio frequency power source and is configured to maintain a voltage null at a first location; anda direct current power source connected to the center conductor proximal to the first location and configured to provide a voltage supply of direct current power having a second ratio of power over voltage that is less than the first ratio. 8. A plasma generator comprising: a radio frequency power source;a coaxial cavity resonator assembly including a center conductor that is oriented in a coupling arrangement to the radio frequency power source and is configured to maintain a voltage null at a first location; anda power source configured to provide a substantially constant voltage supply of direct current power to the coaxial cavity resonator assembly proximal to the first location. 9. An apparatus for generating a plasma under the influence of a threshold amount of voltage necessary to initiate a plasma, comprising: a radio frequency power source configured to provide a voltage supply of radio frequency power with a first ratio of power over voltage;a coaxial cavity resonator assembly including a center conductor that is oriented in a coupling arrangement to the radio frequency power source and is configured to maintain a voltage null at a first location; anda direct current power source connected to the center conductor proximal to the first location and configured to provide a voltage supply of direct current power with a second ratio of power over voltage, and which together with the voltage supply of radio frequency power meets or exceeds the threshold voltage;wherein the first ratio is greater than the second ratio. 10. The plasma generating apparatus of claim 9, wherein the direct current power source is configured to operate in a mode which provides the voltage supply of direct current power as a substantially constant voltage supply of direct current power. 11. The plasma generating apparatus of claim 9, further comprising: a radio frequency control component connected between the direct current power source and the coaxial cavity resonator assembly, and configured to restrict the passage of the voltage supply of radio frequency power to the direct current power source. 12. The plasma generating apparatus of claim 11, wherein the radio frequency control component is an additional resonator assembly configured to shift the voltage supply of radio frequency power 180 degrees out of phase relative to a ground plane of the coaxial cavity resonator assembly. 13. The plasma generating apparatus of claim 9, further comprising: a power source controller configured to direct the radio frequency power source and the direct current power source to provide a combined source of voltage that meets or exceeds the threshold voltage wherein the first ratio is greater than the second ratio. 14. An apparatus for generating a plasma under the influence of a threshold amount of voltage necessary to initiate a plasma, comprising: a radio frequency power source configured to provide a voltage supply of radio frequency power;a coaxial cavity resonator assembly including a center conductor that is oriented in a coupling arrangement to the radio frequency power source and is configured to maintain a voltage null at a first location;a power source configured to provide a voltage supply of direct current power to the coaxial cavity resonator assembly at the first location, wherein the voltage supply of direct current power together with the voltage supply of radio frequency power meets or exceeds the threshold amount of voltage; andwherein the power source is further configured to provide the voltage supply of direct current power in a range with a lower limit of about 51 percent and an upper limit less than 100 percent of the threshold amount of voltage. 15. The plasma generating apparatus of claim 14, wherein the power source is configured to operate in a mode which provides the voltage supply of direct current power as a substantially constant voltage supply of direct current power. 16. The plasma generating apparatus of claim 14, further comprising: a radio frequency control component connected between the direct current power source and the coaxial cavity resonator assembly, and configured to restrict the passage of radio frequency power to the direct current power source. 17. The plasma generating apparatus of claim 16, wherein the radio frequency control component is an additional resonator assembly configured to shift the voltage supply of radio frequency power 180 degrees out of phase relative to a ground plane of the coaxial cavity resonator assembly. 18. The plasma generating apparatus of claim 14, further comprising: a power source controller configured to direct the radio frequency power source to provide a voltage supply of radio frequency power with a first ratio of power over voltage and configured to direct the direct current power source to provide a voltage supply of direct current power with a second ratio of power over voltage, wherein the first ratio is greater than the second ratio. 19. A plasma generator, comprising: a first quarter wave coaxial cavity resonator assembly including a first center conductor and configured to maintain a first electrical length, the first quarter wave coaxial cavity resonator assembly having a first proximal end and a first distal end;a second quarter wave coaxial cavity resonator assembly including a second center conductor, the second quarter wave coaxial cavity resonator assembly having a second proximal end and a second distal end, wherein the first quarter wave coaxial cavity resonator assembly and the second quarter wave coaxial cavity resonator assembly are arranged relative to one another such that the second proximal end connects to the first distal end at a point of connection; anda direct current power input line connected adjacent to the point of connection between the first and second quarter wave coaxial cavity resonator assemblies. 20. The plasma generator of claim 19, further comprising: a radio frequency control component disposed along the direct current power input line. 21. The plasma generator of claim 20, wherein the radio frequency control component is an additional resonator assembly comprising: a third center conductor portion configured to maintain a third electrical length and having a third proximal end and a third distal end; anda first outer conducting wall portion configured to maintain a fourth electrical length having a fourth proximal end substantially coplanar to the third proximal end and a fourth distal end substantially coplanar to the third distal end, wherein the fourth electrical length is a shorter electrical length than the third electrical length by a difference in electrical lengths that is an integer multiple of twice the first electrical length. 22. A plasma generator, comprising: a center conductor configured to maintain an electrical length of an integer multiple of quarter wavelengths, wherein the center conductor has a proximal end, a distal end, and a resonant portion configured to resonate;an outer conductor arranged around the center conductor;a direct current power input line connected to the center conductor; anda radio frequency power coupling means arranged in a coupling relationship to the resonant portion of the center conductor. 23. The plasma generator of claim 22, wherein the direct current power input line is connected to the proximal end of the center conductor. 24. The plasma generator of claim 23, further comprising: a radio frequency control component disposed in part along the center conductor between the distal end and the direct current power input line. 25. The plasma generator of claim 24, wherein the radio frequency control component is a folded resonator assembly comprising: an outer conducting path; andan inner conducting path having a shorter electrical length than the outer conducting path, wherein the inner conducting path and the outer conducting path have a difference in electrical lengths that is an integer multiple of a half wavelength. 26. The plasma generator of claim 25, wherein the radio frequency power coupling means comprises a curved plate oriented in parallel to the center conductor and extending a length along the center conductor that is an integer multiple of quarter wavelengths. 27. The plasma generator of claim 26, wherein the curved plate has a width that is about 40% of its length. 28. The plasma generator of claim 26, wherein a portion of the center conductor near the distal end is tapered and exposed to air while a portion of the center conductor near the proximal end is surrounded by a rigid dielectric. 29. A plasma generator, comprising: a center conductor configured to maintain an electrical length of an integer multiple of quarter wavelengths;an outer conductor surrounding the center conductor;a radio frequency control component disposed along the center conductor; anda direct current power input line connected to the radio frequency control component. 30. The plasma generator of claim 29, wherein the radio frequency control component is a folded resonator assembly comprising: an outer conducting path; andan inner conducting path having a shorter electrical length than the outer conducting path, wherein the inner conducting path and the outer conducting path have a difference in electrical lengths that is an integer multiple of a half wavelength. 31. The plasma generator of claim 30, further comprising: a radio frequency power coupling means arranged in a coupling relationship to the center conductor. 32. The plasma generator of claim 31, wherein the radio frequency power coupling means substantially surrounds the center conductor. 33. A quarter wave coaxial cavity resonator assembly, comprising; an interior center conductor portion having a first proximal end and a first distal end;an exterior center conductor portion having a second proximal end and a second distal end;a connecting center conductor portion connected to the interior center conductor portion and the exterior center conductor portion;wherein an inner conducting path has an electrical length that is an integer multiple of a quarter wavelength, and is defined from the first proximal end directly to the first distal end;wherein an outer conducting path has an electrical length longer than the electrical length of the inner conducting path by an integer multiple of a half wavelengths, and is defined from the first proximal end to the connecting center conductor portion to the second proximal end to the second distal end to the connecting center conductor portion to the first distal end; anda direct current power input line connected to the first proximal end. 34. The quarter wave coaxial cavity resonator assembly of claim 33, further comprising: a radio frequency power coupling means arranged in a coupling relationship to the interior center conductor portion. 35. The quarter wave coaxial cavity resonator assembly of claim 34, further comprising: a negative resistance device connected to the radio frequency power coupling means. 36. The quarter wave coaxial cavity resonator assembly of claim 35, wherein the negative resistance device and the direct current power input line are both connected to a single direct current power source. 37. A plasma generator, comprising: a center conductor configured to maintain a virtual short location under the influence of a radio frequency power source;an outer conductor arranged around the center conductor; anda direct current power input line connected to the center conductor proximal to the virtual short location, wherein the direct current power input line is configured to receive a voltage supply of direct current power from a direct current power source. 38. The plasma generator of claim 37, further comprising: a radio frequency control component connected between the direct current power input line and the center conductor, and configured to restrict the passage of a voltage supply of radio frequency power to the direct current power source. 39. The plasma generator of claim 38, wherein the radio frequency control component is an additional resonator assembly configured to shift the voltage supply of radio frequency power 180 degrees out of phase relative to a ground plane of the plasma generator. 40. The plasma generator of claim 37, wherein the plasma generator comprises a plurality of quarter wave coaxial cavity resonators coupled in a series arrangement, the resonators including center conductors coupled to the radio frequency power source. 41. A vehicle comprising: a chassis;a drivetrain;a set of wheels;a fuel source configured to house a combustible fuel;an oxygen inlet configured to guide a supply of oxygen;a combustion chamber configured to receive the combustible fuel and the supply of oxygen;a radio frequency power source;a direct current power source;a plasma generator at least partially exposed to the combustion chamber, comprising: a coaxial cavity resonator assembly including a center conductor that is oriented in a coupling arrangement to a radio frequency coupling means that is connected to the radio frequency power source, wherein the coaxial cavity resonator assembly is configured such that the center conductor is configured to maintain a virtual short location; anda direct current power input line that is connected to the direct current power source, wherein the direct current power input line is connected to the center conductor proximal to the virtual short location. 42. A vehicle comprising: a chassis;a directional fin;a steering apparatus;a fuel source capable of housing a combustible fuel;an oxygen inlet capable of guiding a supply of oxygen;a combustion environment configured to receive the combustible fuel and the supply of oxygen;a radio frequency power source;a direct current power source;a plasma generator at least partially exposed to the combustion environment, comprising: a coaxial cavity resonator assembly including a center conductor that is oriented in a coupling arrangement to a radio frequency coupling means that is connected to the radio frequency power source, wherein the coaxial cavity resonator assembly is configured such that the center conductor is configured to maintain a virtual short location; anda direct current power input line that is connected to the direct current power source, wherein the direct current power input line is connected to the center conductor proximal to the virtual short location. 43. An engine comprising: a fuel inlet;an oxygen inlet;a combustion environment exposed to the fuel inlet and the oxygen inlet;a plasma generator at least partially exposed to the combustion environment, comprising: a coaxial cavity resonator assembly including a center conductor that is oriented in a coupling arrangement to a radio frequency coupling means that is connected to a radio frequency power source, wherein the coaxial cavity resonator assembly is configured such that the center conductor is configured to maintain a virtual short location; anda direct current power input line that is connected to a direct current power source, wherein the direct current power input line is connected to the center conductor proximal to the virtual short location. 44. An ignition system comprising: an electronic ignition controller capable of providing a radio frequency power output and a direct current power output;a plasma generator comprising: a coaxial cavity resonator assembly including a center conductor that is oriented in a coupling arrangement to a radio frequency coupling means that is connected to the radio frequency power output, wherein the coaxial cavity resonator assembly is configured such that the center conductor is configured to maintain a virtual short location; anda direct current power input line that is connected to the direct current power output, wherein the direct current power input line is connected to the center conductor proximal to the virtual short location. 45. A method of generating a plasma in a coaxial cavity resonator assembly by providing a combined amount of voltage from radio frequency power and direct current power, comprising: providing a first portion of voltage to the coaxial cavity resonator assembly from radio frequency power that alone is not sufficient to initiate a plasma at a distal end of the coaxial cavity resonator assembly, wherein the provision of the first portion of voltage defines a first ratio of power over voltage;providing a second portion of voltage to the coaxial cavity resonator assembly from direct current power that alone is not sufficient to initiate a plasma at the distal end of the coaxial cavity resonator assembly, wherein the provision of the second portion of voltage defines a second ratio of power over voltage; andgenerating a plasma at the distal end of the coaxial cavity resonator assembly by providing the combined amount of voltage from the first portion of voltage and the second portion of voltage, wherein the second ratio is less than the first ratio. 46. A method of generating a plasma in a coaxial cavity resonator assembly by providing a combined amount of voltage from radio frequency power and direct current power, comprising: providing a first portion of voltage to the coaxial cavity resonator assembly from radio frequency power that alone is not sufficient to initiate a plasma at a distal end of the resonator assembly;providing a second portion of voltage to the coaxial cavity resonator assembly from direct current power that alone is not sufficient to initiate a plasma at the distal end of the coaxial cavity resonator assembly, wherein the direct current power provides more than 51 percent of the combined amount of voltage sufficient to initiate a plasma at the distal end of the coaxial cavity resonator assembly; andgenerating a plasma at the distal end of the coaxial cavity resonator assembly through the provision of the combined amount of voltage from the first portion of voltage and the second portion of voltage. 47. A method of generating a plasma in an ignition system with a coaxial cavity resonator assembly by providing a combined amount of voltage from radio frequency power and direct current power, comprising: providing a first portion of voltage to the coaxial cavity resonator assembly from radio frequency power that alone is not sufficient to initiate a plasma at a distal end of the coaxial cavity resonator assembly, wherein the provision of the first portion of voltage defines a first ratio of power over voltage;providing a second portion of voltage to the coaxial cavity resonator assembly from direct current power that alone is not sufficient to initiate a plasma at the distal end of the coaxial cavity resonator assembly, wherein the provision of the second portion of voltage defines a second ratio of power over voltage; andgenerating a plasma at the distal end of the coaxial cavity resonator assembly by providing the combined amount of voltage from the first portion of voltage and the second portion of voltage, wherein the second ratio is less than the first ratio. 48. A method of generating a plasma an ignition system with a coaxial cavity resonator assembly by providing a combined amount of voltage from radio frequency power and direct current power, comprising: providing a first portion of voltage to the coaxial cavity resonator assembly from radio frequency power that alone is not sufficient to initiate a plasma at a distal end of the resonator assembly;providing a second portion of voltage to the coaxial cavity resonator assembly from direct current power that alone is not sufficient to initiate a plasma at the distal end of the coaxial cavity resonator assembly, wherein the direct current power provides more than 51 percent of the combined amount of voltage sufficient to initiate a plasma at the distal end of the coaxial cavity resonator assembly; andgenerating a plasma at the distal end of the coaxial cavity resonator assembly through the provision of the combined amount of voltage from the first portion of voltage and the second portion of voltage. 49. A method of generating a plasma in an engine with a coaxial cavity resonator assembly by providing a combined amount of voltage from radio frequency power and direct current power, comprising: providing a first portion of voltage to the coaxial cavity resonator assembly from radio frequency power that alone is not sufficient to initiate a plasma at a distal end of the coaxial cavity resonator assembly, wherein the provision of the first portion of voltage defines a first ratio of power over voltage;providing a second portion of voltage to the coaxial cavity resonator assembly from direct current power that alone is not sufficient to initiate a plasma at the distal end of the coaxial cavity resonator assembly, wherein the provision of the second portion of voltage defines a second ratio of power over voltage; andgenerating a plasma at the distal end of the coaxial cavity resonator assembly by providing the combined amount of voltage from the first portion of voltage and the second portion of voltage, wherein the second ratio is less than the first ratio. 50. A method of generating a plasma in an engine with a coaxial cavity resonator assembly by providing a combined amount of voltage from radio frequency power and direct current power, comprising: providing a first portion of voltage to the coaxial cavity resonator assembly from radio frequency power that alone is not sufficient to initiate a plasma at a distal end of the resonator assembly;providing a second portion of voltage to the coaxial cavity resonator assembly from direct current power that alone is not sufficient to initiate a plasma at the distal end of the coaxial cavity resonator assembly, wherein the direct current power provides more than 51 percent of the combined amount of voltage sufficient to initiate a plasma at the distal end of the coaxial cavity resonator assembly; andgenerating a plasma at the distal end of the coaxial cavity resonator assembly through the provision of the combined amount of voltage from the first portion of voltage and the second portion of voltage. 51. A method of generating a plasma in a vehicle with an engine having a coaxial cavity resonator assembly by providing a combined amount of voltage from radio frequency power and direct current power, comprising: providing a first portion of voltage to the coaxial cavity resonator assembly from radio frequency power that alone is not sufficient to initiate a plasma at a distal end of the coaxial cavity resonator assembly, wherein the provision of the first portion of voltage defines a first ratio of power over voltage;providing a second portion of voltage to the coaxial cavity resonator assembly from direct current power that alone is not sufficient to initiate a plasma at the distal end of the coaxial cavity resonator assembly, wherein the provision of the second portion of voltage defines a second ratio of power over voltage; andgenerating a plasma at the distal end of the coaxial cavity resonator assembly by providing the combined amount of voltage from the first portion of voltage and the second portion of voltage, wherein the second ratio is less than the first ratio. 52. A method of generating a plasma in a vehicle with an engine having a coaxial cavity resonator assembly by providing a combined amount of voltage from radio frequency power and direct current power, comprising: providing a first portion of voltage to the coaxial cavity resonator assembly from radio frequency power that alone is not sufficient to initiate a plasma at a distal end of the resonator assembly;providing a second portion of voltage to the coaxial cavity resonator assembly from direct current power that alone is not sufficient to initiate a plasma at the distal end of the coaxial cavity resonator assembly, wherein the direct current power provides more than 51 percent of the combined amount of voltage sufficient to initiate a plasma at the distal end of the coaxial cavity resonator assembly; andgenerating a plasma at the distal end of the coaxial cavity resonator assembly through the provision of the combined amount of voltage from the first portion of voltage and the second portion of voltage. 53. A plasma generator comprising: a source of radio frequency power;a source of direct current power; andmeans for initiating a plasma from a combination voltage provided by the source of direct current power and provided by the source of radio frequency power. 54. The plasma generator of claim 53 further comprising: means for isolating the source of radio frequency power from the source of direct current power. 55. A plasma generator comprising: means for providing a voltage supply of radio frequency power;means for providing a voltage supply of direct current power; anda coaxial cavity resonator assembly including a center conductor that both is oriented in a coupling arrangement to the voltage supply of radio frequency power and is configured to maintain a virtual short location for connection to the voltage supply of direct current power.
