Over the years, inventors and engineers have not been able to implement dramatic improvements to the ignition system of an internal combustion engine, other than increasing its longevity. The basic function of even the latest ignition systems has remained unchanged for over 70 years. In the combustion chamber, the net effect is a small, stationary spark across a one millimeter gap.

In 1990, scientists from Princeton University and the Princeton Plasma Physics Lab began to apply advances in plasma physics to the ignition systems of internal combustion engines. After several years of steady progress, the Princeton team demonstrated and patented a breakthrough design called Kinetic Spark Ignition™ (KSI™). Knite, Inc. was formed to commercialize KSI and is the sole owner of all U.S. and international patents covering this technology

A conventional ignition system fires a long-lasting, stationary, high-voltage discharge (plasma) across the gap between the spark plug electrodes – igniting a very small volume of the air-fuel mixture in a combustion chamber. The plasma “bridges” the gap but never expands into the chamber. Once the plasma forms, most of the current that continues to flow into it is wasted because it doesn’t generate a greater volume of plasma.

The KSI system takes a different approach. A high voltage discharge creates “seed” plasma between two electrodes inside a spark plug of proprietary design. This discharge acts as a switch to allow a capacitor to deliver energy directly into the discharge, bypassing the coil. This second pulse of low-voltage, high-current electricity “grows” the seed plasma. KSI has a pulse duration that is much shorter than that of a conventional ignition system. An electro-magnetic force (known as the Lorentz Force) accelerates the plasma along the two electrodes, “ejecting” it into the air-fuel mixture in the combustion chamber. The patented system, coupling a proprietary igniter and electronics, forms a large volume of plasma that ignites a much larger portion of the air-fuel mixture than could a conventional spark.

The conversion of electrical energy into plasma by the KSI system is very efficient (greater than 90%). This allows the KSI™ system to create an accurately-timed “ignition kernel” significantly larger than the spark of a conventional ignition at the same level of energy consumption. The end result is a faster, more uniform, and more complete burn of the air/fuel mixture.

	Using the same energy input, a KSI™ system generates an “ignition kernel” dramatically larger than a conventional ignition system spark, which produces major improvements in engine operation.
Conventional Ignition		KSI Ignition

The KSI system’s short pulse duration provides precise ignition timing. It also creates an excellent opportunity for the inclusion of ion sensing. The timing control enabled by the precise short duration pulse also means that the engine speed is only limited by the rate at which the ignition system can be charged. Restrictions due to ignition discharge parameters are eliminated with the KSI system.

The KSI technology utilizes Lorentz force (electro-magnetic) and thermal forces derived from the geometry of the igniter’s electrodes and the pulse shape provided by the discharge electronics. The resulting large ignition kernel provides the maximum gain in operating parameters without using excessive amounts of ignition energy. Additionally, with Lorentz force causing the plasma to move along the electrodes, erosion is reduced by having the discharge spread its energy deposition along the surface of the electrodes.

Knite’s Kinetic Spark Ignition™ system opens the door to solving engine performance problems that were once considered impractical or impossible with conventional ignition technologies. KSI™ enables engines to run better on a wide variety of fuels, with higher compression ratios, increased EGR (Exhaust Gas Recirculation), and ultra-lean fuel mixtures. As an enabling technology, KSI can simplify the integration and enhance the performance of other advanced engine technologies, such as GDI (Gasoline Direct Injection).