Solid State Pulse Adding System for Transient Plasma Ignition

Summary form only given. This pulse generator was developed to provide a compact, cost effective method for transient plasma ignition ref , and provided means for comparisons between the effects of 20 ns and 75ns pulses for ignition applications. A pulse adding method is outlined, wherein a fast pulse (20 ns) is added to a slow pulse (10\´s mus) to induce streamer formation under conditions where breakdown will not normally occur. With this topology, about half of the energy is delivered through the slow pulse, which relaxed the requirement for ultra fast switch and simplified the fast high voltage system design. The fast pulse generator based on magnetic reactor driven diode opening switch produces a 20 ns, 60 kV pulse, which at ambient atmosphere conditions will not break down gaps over frac14". 1 This fast pulse is then added to a slow rising pulse produced via flyback rapid charger, providing a 30 kV, 30 mus pulse. 2 At same peak output voltage level, the dual pulse system in a smaller gap (0.6") was able to achieve similar results as the pseudospark switched pulse generator (~60 kV, 50 ns) in a CH₄-air, Phi=l, 1 atm, in a largergap (1.3"). The latest dual pulse system is able to deliver higher peak voltage than the pseudospark generator. The ignition performance at higher peak voltage is under investigation. Additionally an alternate pulse generator design is outlined that is based solely on magnetic compression.