Direct Replacement Ignition Upgrade for Present and Future Combustors and Augmentors

In the Phase I effort, DTI demonstrated a variable energy jet engine ignition using a novel spark shaping technique. This technique provides ignition sparks with precisely-controlled amplitude, duration, and shape over an extremely wide range of parameters. Further, this technique is sophisticated enough that these characteristics may be controlled electronically on a spark-by-spark basis. Increasing the spark duration may result in a more reliable ignition, especially under critical conditions that can occur in-flight. Fighter aircraft, with their rapid and violent maneuvers, use of augmenters in flight, and rapid altitude changes, are a prime candidate for this technology. At the same time, the spark energy can be reduced under more favorable ignition conditions, minimizing wear on the igniter plugs. This technology has the potential to extend each aircrafts flight envelope, and be easily retrofitted to existing aircraft.