An ignition apparatus for a spark gap arrangement containing at least a first and a second ignition capacitor for voltage division of a voltage between a first and a second electrode of the spark gap arrangement. A first trigger spark gap is arranged in a first parallel branch with respect to the first ignition capacitor, and a second trigger spark gap is arranged in a second parallel branch with respect to the second ignition capacitor. A first ignition resistor is disposed in the first parallel branch, wherein a first potential point between the first ignition resistor and the first trigger spark gap is connected to an ignition electrode of the second trigger spark gap. Furthermore, a spark gap arrangement containing the ignition apparatus, an arrangement containing a high-voltage device and the spark gap arrangement for protecting the high-voltage device, and a method for igniting the spark gap arrangement are disclosed.

A triggered vacuum gap (TVG) device that has application as a closing switch for synchronized closing in distribution and transmission power systems. The TVG device controllably sustains a current arc in the device through initial current zeros created by power system transients and, thereby, prevents premature interruption of the closing operation. The TVG device includes main electrodes defining a vacuum gap therebetween and a triggering electrode providing a triggering gap between one main electrode and the triggering electrode. The TVG device also includes a triggering circuit having a high voltage impulse source that supplies a fast rising impulse voltage to the one main electrode and the triggering electrode for creation of a plasma to provide an initial breakdown of the triggering gap and a low voltage unidirectional current source that supplies current to the one main electrode and the triggering electrode once the first triggering gap breakdown has occurred.

The present invention relates to an optical emission spectrometer with at least one spark chamber. It comprises an oblong electrode being arranged inside thereof and at least one inlet for an inert gas. Here, the inert gas inlet is arranged such that the inert gas flows around the electrode along its longitudinal axis. In the sense of the invention, in the inert gas entry and/or between inert gas entry and electrode at least one sieve-like insert is provided and/or the electrode in the flow cross-section of the inter gas flow is surrounded by at least one sieve-like insert.

An ignition apparatus is provided which ignites a mixture of air and fuel gas by plasma to generate an initial flame. The apparatus includes: a spark plug that includes an inner conductor, a cylindrical outer conductor that holds the inner conductor thereinside, and a dielectric that is provided between the inner conductor and the outer conductor, and that generates plasma in a plasma formation space between the inner conductor and the outer conductor; an electromagnetic wave power supply that generates an electromagnetic wave to apply electromagnetic wave power to the spark plug; an evaluation section that evaluates a state of formation of the plasma; a determination section that determines a matching object of the electromagnetic wave based on an evaluation result by the evaluation section; and a coupled state control section that controls a matching condition of the electromagnetic wave so that the electromagnetic wave matches the matching object.

An ignition apparatus is provided which ignites a mixture of air and fuel gas by plasma to generate an initial flame. The apparatus includes: a spark plug that includes an inner conductor, a cylindrical outer conductor that holds the inner conductor thereinside, and a dielectric that is provided between the inner conductor and the outer conductor, and that generates plasma in a plasma formation space between the inner conductor and the outer conductor; an electromagnetic wave power supply that generates an electromagnetic wave to apply electromagnetic wave power to the spark plug; an evaluation section that evaluates a state of formation of the plasma; a determination section that determines a matching object of the electromagnetic wave based on an evaluation result by the evaluation section; and a coupled state control section that controls a matching condition of the electromagnetic wave so that the electromagnetic wave matches the matching object.

Various embodiments of the present technology comprise a method and apparatus for an ignition system. In various embodiments, the ignition system activates a soft shutdown of an ignition coil in the event of an over dwell condition. The apparatus comprises a first counter and a second counter that are selectively activated at predetermined events. An output of the second counter controls the value of a reference current that decreases linearly over time and wherein a rate of change of the reference current may be adjusted according to a frequency of a clock signal. In various embodiments, the soft shutdown operates independent of the supply voltage and temperature.

Various embodiments of the present technology comprise a method and apparatus for an ignition system. In various embodiments, the ignition system activates a soft shutdown of an ignition coil in the event of an over dwell condition. The apparatus comprises a first counter and a second counter that are selectively activated at predetermined events. An output of the second counter controls the value of a reference current that decreases linearly over time and wherein a rate of change of the reference current may be adjusted according to a frequency of a clock signal. In various embodiments, the soft shutdown operates independent of the supply voltage and temperature.

A system and method for detecting resonant frequency of a corona igniter concurrent with operation of the corona igniter is provided. The method includes providing a plurality of pulses of energy to the corona igniter, each having a pulse duration and spaced from one another by a deadtime duration during which no energy is provided to the corona igniter. Each pulse duration is ceased before current flowing in the corona igniter crosses zero, and each zero crossing of the current occurs during one of the deadtime durations. The next pulse of energy is provided to the corona igniter in response to the zero crossing of the current. A resonant frequency value is then obtained based on a sum of the pulse and deadtime durations of two consecutive cycles, or the time between zero crossings. The resonant frequency values become more accurate over time, and the drive frequency is adjusted accordingly.

A system and method for detecting resonant frequency of a corona igniter concurrent with operation of the corona igniter is provided. The method includes providing a plurality of pulses of energy to the corona igniter, each having a pulse duration and spaced from one another by a deadtime duration during which no energy is provided to the corona igniter. Each pulse duration is ceased before current flowing in the corona igniter crosses zero, and each zero crossing of the current occurs during one of the deadtime durations. The next pulse of energy is provided to the corona igniter in response to the zero crossing of the current. A resonant frequency value is then obtained based on a sum of the pulse and deadtime durations of two consecutive cycles, or the time between zero crossings. The resonant frequency values become more accurate over time, and the drive frequency is adjusted accordingly.

An ignition device includes a coil unit and an igniter. The coil unit includes a primary coil and a secondary coil. The primary coil includes a main primary coil and an auxiliary primary coil formed by winding a single primary conductor on a primary bobbin. The secondary coil is formed by winding a secondary conductor on a secondary bobbin. A DC voltage is applied to an intermediate section of the primary conductor between the main primary coil and the auxiliary primary coil. The igniter controls current flowing into the main primary coil or the auxiliary primary coil. The primary bobbin includes a bobbin body and a hooking part protruding from the bobbin body. The main primary coil and the auxiliary primary coil are wound on an outer peripheral surface of the bobbin body to the same direction. A part of the intermediate section is hooked on the hooking part.