US Patent 7721697 Plasma generating ignition system and associated method

An apparatus and method for igniting combustible materials in a combustion chamber of a combustion engine using corona discharge plasma from a coaxial cavity resonator. This system and method uses a coaxial cavity resonator in a body adapted to mate with a combustion chamber of a combustion engine. The coaxial cavity resonator is coupled with an energy shaping means that develops the appropriate waveform for triggering radio frequency oscillations in the coaxial cavity resonator. A connection means on the apparatus allows for the apparatus to accept an electrical ignition stimulus from an electronic ignition control system. The coaxial cavity resonator develops corona discharge plasma at a discharge electrode when a sustained radio frequency oscillation results in a standing wave in the coaxial cavity resonator. The corona discharge plasma developed near the discharge electrode ignites the combustible materials in the combustion chamber of the combustion engine.